What does 38 CFR 3.159c(2) stipulate about obtaining federal medical evidence?

The provision outlined in 38 CFR 3.159c(2) emphasizes the obligation of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make diligent efforts in obtaining federal medical evidence necessary to support a veteran's claim. This regulation specifically mandates that the VA must continue its attempts to collect records until they reach a level of certainty that the records do not exist or are unavailable. It ensures that veterans receive comprehensive support in obtaining their records, which may be crucial for their claims and entitlements.

This approach is designed to safeguard veterans’ rights by ensuring that they do not miss out on potential benefits due to insufficient efforts in record retrieval. The focus on continued attempts highlights the VA's commitment to exhaust all avenues before concluding that records are unavailable, which reflects the agency's responsibility to serve veterans effectively.