Written and oral information or statements affecting entitlement to benefits. Final rule

This document amends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) adjudication regulations to eliminate the requirement that beneficiaries advise VA of changes affecting entitlement to benefits in writing. This allows VA to increase or decrease benefit payments based on information submitted orally or by e-mail, facsimile, or other electronic means and makes it easier for beneficiaries to submit information that they must provide. This document also amends our notice requirements to allow VA to reduce or terminate benefit payments based on information reported orally without issuing a 60-day advance notice, but only under certain conditions that ensure that claimants are not deprived of benefits without adequate notice. This will reduce the amounts of any over payments created by these actions.