Which office is ultimately responsible for addressing Duty to Assist errors?

The Regional Office (RO) is ultimately responsible for addressing Duty to Assist errors because it plays a critical role in the claims process for veterans. The duty to assist refers to the obligation of the VA to help veterans obtain the evidence necessary to support their claims for benefits. This assistance is primarily managed at the regional level, where claims are filed and processed.

The RO is tasked with ensuring that all relevant information is gathered, and they are the first point of contact for veterans seeking assistance. If errors occur in the duty to assist, it is the AOJ (agency of original jurisdiction), which is typically the Regional Office, where the responsibility lies to identify and correct those errors. This includes ensuring that veterans receive proper follow-up and that any necessary evidence is obtained.

In contrast, other offices like the Veterans Affairs Headquarters, Board of Veterans' Appeals, and Higher-Level Review have different roles and functions that do not directly involve the operational responsibility for handling and rectifying Duty to Assist errors. The Headquarters may establish policies and guidelines, while the BVA primarily deals with appeals after a claim has been denied and may not be directly involved in the initial duty to assist related issues. The HLR provides another layer of review but also does not handle preliminary claims processing or