What was a requirement for claimants prior to March 24, 2015 regarding informal claims?

Prior to March 24, 2015, claimants were required to submit a formal claim within one year of filing an informal claim to ensure that their claim would be considered for benefits. The informal claim served as a preliminary filing, indicating the claimant’s intent to seek benefits, but it was essential for the claimant to follow up with a formal claim during that one-year period to activate the process for potential benefit entitlement. This structure was put in place to maintain efficiency in the claims process, ensuring that Veterans Affairs could manage and process claims effectively.

Other options relate to different processes or tools that were not specifically tied to the requirement established prior to that date. While ITF forms and platforms like eBenefits might have been part of the overall claims process, they do not capture the essence of the requirement regarding the timeline and formalization of informal claims. The National Pension Call Center is a resource but does not impose a requirement related to the submission of claims.