Kan. Admin. Regs. § 97-6-4

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 40, October 3, 2024

Section 97-6-4 - VSO services, staff, training, and other support

To retain accreditation, each VSR shall be required to be certified each year by the KCVA. To receive KCVA certification, each VSR shall attend annual training and successfully complete a written examination on all parties' duties and responsibilities and on the types of assistance available to each veteran and the veteran's spouse, dependents, and survivors.

(a) All VSOs participating in the service grant program, in coordination with the director, shall develop an annual training program. Each KCVA VSR shall be required to attend annual training. Each VSR whose employer is participating in the service grant program shall attend training required by the VSOs participating in the service grant program or the annual KCVA training to retain accreditation by the VSO or KCVA, or both. This training shall include the following:

(1) Accreditation training for each individual who has been a VSR for less than 18 months, which shall include the following:

(A) An introduction to veteran advocacy designed to teach the basics of service-connected compensation, pensions, death benefits, and other USDVA programs;

(B) information about each of the USDVA programs;

(C) the necessary forms to be completed;

(D) subject matter relating to the development and submission of claims for pensions, compensation, and other veterans' entitlements; and

(E) any other subject matter determined by the veterans claims advisory board as necessary for an individual who wishes to become an accredited representative as outlined in 38 U.S.C. 5902 and for any other individual wishing to improve that individual's knowledge of the USDVA claims process;

(2) continuing education training for each individual who has been a VSR for at least 18 months or has completed the accreditation training. This continuing education shall include the following:

(A) A review of the accreditation training;

(B) claims adjudication;

(C) the appellate process and development of complicated claims; and

(D) any other subject matter determined by the veterans claims advisory board to meet the requirements of continuing education to maintain accreditation; and

(3) the training, responsibility, involvement, and preparation of claims training program (TRIP), which is a course of study devised by the USDVA to certify all accredited representatives in USDVA claims procedures.

(b) Each VSO participating in the service grant program shall require each VSR employed by the VSO to attend training provided by the employing VSO or the KCVA annual training, or both. Each VSO cross-accrediting VSRs shall honor the training provided by the hiring VSO.

(c) Each KCVA claims review staff member located in the VARO shall be accredited as a veterans service representative and shall attend annual training provided by the KCVA or training provided by a VSO participating in the service grant program, or both. The expenses associated with the training provided to KCVA staff by VSOs shall be paid for by the KCVA.

(d) Each VSO shall ensure that each accredited veterans service representative within the organization has read and understands 38 CFR Part 14 as in effect on March 21, 2007, which is adopted by reference.

(e) Each VSO shall designate, in writing, one staff member of the VSO's state service director's office in the VARO to perform duties and functions as the VSO's claims program officer.

Kan. Admin. Regs. § 97-6-4

Authorized by and implementing K.S.A. 2006 Supp. 73-1234; effective April 27, 2007.