What happens to a claim if requested evidence is not provided within one year?

When requested evidence for a claim is not provided within one year, the claim is considered abandoned. This policy is in place to ensure that claims move through the review process efficiently and that veterans receive timely decisions on their claims.

If evidence that supports a claim is not submitted in the specified time frame, it indicates a lack of interest in pursuing the claim or an inability to provide necessary documentation, leading to the assumption that the claimant has chosen not to continue. This abandonment of the claim means that the file is closed, and the veteran may need to start the application process again if they wish to pursue it later.

This principle is particularly crucial in the context of maintaining an organized and effective claims processing system, as it allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to allocate resources appropriately and handle active cases without excessive delays. Other potential outcomes, such as automatic denial or indefinite holding of the claim, do not accurately reflect the policy established for abandoned claims in this context.