Disability Determination Services (DDS) submits a Request for Program Consultation (RPC) when they disagree with a deficiency citation.

The DDS should submit a case for RPC as soon as possible, but no later than 21 calendar days from the date of receipt of a deficiency. The DDS is not required to perform any documentation actions directed by the DQR prior to submitting the case for RPC.

If more than 21 calendar days have elapsed since the DQR return, the DDS must obtain permission from Disability Analysis Branch (DAB) prior to submitting the case for RPC to the DA DICompliance HearingsQuality DAB mailbox.

If DAB grants permission, DAB will send DDS a notice of permission, and cc the mailbox^LP DP RPC Controls.

The DDS will upload a copy of the permission notification to the Disability Related Development (blue section, E) of the electronic folder (EF). The DDS may then submit an RPC.

A case the DQR closes without returning it to the DDS is NOT a case the DDS has already closed.

The DDS may submit an RPC if they:

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  Disagree with the DQR about a Group I or Group II defieincy; or

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  Do not wish to resolve the disagreement informally with the DQR.

The RPC process includes review of initial, reconsideration, and continuing disability review determinations in which the DQR cited a Group I or Group II deficiency but the DDS does not believe the cited deficiency is supported by policy.

For a discussion of Group I deficiencies see QR 04440.202 and QR 04440.230. For a discussion of Group II deficiencies see QR 04440.204.

RPC will not accept the following types of cases:

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  Cases closed by the DDS, see NOTE in this section DI 30007.125B;

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  Technical corrective actions (TCAs), see QR 04440.230;

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  DHO (Disability Hearing Officer) level cases, see Rebuttal process GN 04448.401E;

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  DQR deficiencies that the DDS does not dispute;

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  More than 21 calendar days have elapsed since the DQR return and DAB has not granted prior permission to submit the case for RPC, see DI 30007.125B in this section.

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  DQR subsequent returns when the DDS did not request an RPC for the initial deficiency.

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  Cases with untranslated evidence or medical records written in a language other than English.

To submit a case for RPC, a DDS-authorized requester must access the RPC tool to initiate and complete an on-line RPC template. The DDS inputs information obtained from the CEF about issues related to the deficiency citation, including:

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  A brief summary of the case facts;

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  A discussion of the disagreement with the DQRs deficiency citation; and

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  Case-specific policy references.

The DDS is not required to undertake any additional development prior to submitting the case for RPC.

The DDS must include all post-adjudicative evidence in the case record.

RPC makes every attempt to schedule RPC panel discussions to evaluation and resolve RPC submissions in a timely manner. If RPC has not resolved a submission within 21 calendar days, DDS may request status using the mailbox^LP DP RPC Controls. In the email subject line, enter RPC Status Request and the RPC case number.