§ 20.1500 - Rule 1500. Expedited Claims Adjudication Initiative.

§ 20.1500 Rule 1500. Expedited Claims Adjudication Initiative.

(a) Purpose. The Expedited Claims Adjudication Initiative is a pilot program designed to streamline the claims adjudication and appeals process. This subpart establishes procedures governing this Initiative.

(b) Outline of Initiative. This Initiative allows eligible claimants to voluntarily participate in an alternative claims adjudication program as set forth in this subpart, which is predicated on the claimant's waiver of certain identified statutory and regulatory time limits, procedural rights, and processing issues that may arise.

(c) Scope. Except as specifically provided in this subpart, claims processed under this Initiative will be adjudicated according to the procedures outlined in part 3 of this chapter, and appeals will be processed according to the Appeals Regulations and Rules of Practice, as outlined in parts 19 and 20 of this chapter. Any matter not otherwise covered by this subpart will be governed by existing rules in this title.

(d) Duration. The Secretary will accept an executed Agreement and Waiver of Rights as provided in § 20.1503 of this part for a period not to exceed 2 years from December 5, 2008.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a))