VA Decision Ready Claim (DRC) Program Is Discontinued Effective Today!

February 14, 2019

Directors,

VBA will discontinue the Decision Ready Claim (DRC) Program effective February 15, 2019.  In collaboration with Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), VA has determined that veterans are best served by focusing on the continued success of the Fully Developed Claims (FDC) program. Additionally, VA will continue to focus on the success of the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program, which provides benefits to Service members following their separation from service.

VA will no longer request examinations under the DRC program beginning February 15, 2019. VA will continue to process claims in DRC until the inventory has been completed.  Further, veterans can continue to expect a decision within 30 days from the date VA receives their claim as VA completes the remaining DRCs in its inventory.

It should be noted that VSOs will still have the option of submitting Compensation and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation claims via the DRC Direct Upload portal if the claim is ready for a decision.  These claims should continue to be processed similar to a DRC claim by routing directly to the rating activity for a decision.  Updated procedures in M21-1 will be released soon.

The attached communications plan provides additional information.

Questions may be directed to the OFO POC Dan Nguyen.

Thank you for your continued support.

Office of Field Operations

dan.nguyen2@va.gov