Exceptions to Definition of Date of Receipt Based on Natural or Man-made Disruption of Normal Business Practices

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing this interim final rule to amend the Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) adjudication regulations concerning the definition of "date of receipt" by authorizing the Under Secretary for Benefits to establish exceptions to the general rule when a natural or man-made event interferes with the channels through which VBA ordinarily receives correspondence, resulting in extended delays in receipt of claims, information or evidence from claimants served by VBA. Currently, VBA receives correspondence through its 57 Regional Offices (RO) and through the Appeals Management Center (AMC), which develops claims on appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals. The intended effect is to ensure that claimants served by the affected VBA office or offices are not deprived of potential entitlement to benefits because of unexpected delays or impediments not caused by the claimants.