M21-1 and 38 CFR changes, week of Oct 19, 2026

Added

• Developing Contested Claims
• M21-1, Part VI, Subpart iii, 3.B.3.a
• M21-1, Part VI, Subpart iii, 3.A.3
• M21-1, Part VI, Subpart iii, 3.A.3
• M21-1, Part VI, Subpart iii, 3.B
• Developing Contested Claims
• This topic contains information on developing contested claims, including

and 57 more added passages

Removed

• M21-1, Part VI, Subpart iii, 3.C.3.a
• M21-1, Part VI, Subpart iii, 3.B
• M21-1, Part VI, Subpart iii, 3.B
• M21-1, Part VI, Subpart iii, 3.C

Added

• Preparing an Administrative Decision and Notifying Claimants
• Deferring Award Action and Notifying Successful Claimants
• Notifying Unsuccessful Claimants
• Actions to Take After Issuing Notice of a Decision on a Contested Claim
• Effect of an Insurance Interpleader on Death Claims
• Preparing an Administrative Decision and Notifying Claimants
• This topic contains information on preparing an administrative decision and notifying claimants, including
• when to prepare an administrative decision

and 136 more added passages

Removed

• Developing Contested Claims
• Time Frames for Determining Entitlement and Submitting Evidence
• Developing Contested Claims
• This topic contains information on developing contested claims, including
• developing claims simultaneously
• varying development procedures
• providing assistance to claimants
• claimant’s responsibility to provide adequate evidence to support the claim

and 72 more removed passages