A claimant (especially a survivor) on a subsequent claim may allege MS, but may not
have evidence that is conclusive or readily available. Do not develop if the MS alleged
in the current claim agrees with the MS:
-
a.
proven in the prior claim;
-
b.
coded in the MS field on the Master Beneficiary Record (MBR) Account Data Line. If
an MBR shows MS not used because of credit by another Federal agency, the MS is still
barred even though the person who received the Federal benefit is now deceased or
the Federal benefit terminated;
-
c.
shown on the Pre-Interview Data Report;
-
d.
displayed on the MCS RMKS screen; or
-
e.
shown on the DRAMS file. When a DRAMS query response shows “P” (proven) for a period(s)
of MS, it is not necessary for the claimant to resubmit proof of MS unless the current
allegation does not agree or there is an unresolved question.
Credit or deny the MS based on the prior determination. Document the file accordingly,
per GN 01010.100. Credit the MS in the current claim if the prior claim was destroyed or purged of
MS information and:
-
•
the MBR and cleared or archived screens do not contain an acceptable MS code; and
-
•
the PIA is matched exactly by crediting the alleged MS.