If the VA cannot reach a claimant during the development of a claim, what procedure should be followed?

When the VA cannot reach a claimant during the development of a claim, the appropriate procedure is to send a letter requesting the necessary information. This approach ensures that the VA is taking proactive steps to gather any required details that could assist in processing the claim. By communicating with the claimant through a letter, the VA provides an opportunity for the claimant to respond and submit any necessary information that may be missing, which is essential for proper claim assessment and adjudication.

This procedure aligns with the fundamental principle of providing claimants with the chance to furnish information that supports their claims. It emphasizes the VA's commitment to thoroughness and due diligence in developing claims and ensures that claimants are informed of what is needed to move forward. Engaging the claimant through direct communication helps to maintain transparency and facilitates a smoother claims process.

In contrast, immediately excluding the claim from the Fully Developed Claims (FDC) program ignores the potential for gathering crucial information that could support the claim. Filing the claim without the additional information may lead to an incomplete assessment, which is not in the claimant's best interest. Cancelling the claim does not provide an opportunity for further development and is an unnecessarily drastic step. Hence, sending a letter is the most constructive and appropriate action in this scenario.