Send a notice of medical deferment to the claimant and, if applicable, to the appointed representative, parent of a minor child, legal guardian, or representative payee that:

• •

  Explains the 12-month duration requirement,

• •

  Discusses the recent date of the impairment(s) onset, and

• •

  States the month, day, and year for which the Disability Determination Services (DDS) needs evidence in order to make a decision.

For the medical deferment letter, see NL 00705.755.

For more information on recipients of correspondence and notices, see DI 26535.042.

REMINDER: When the DDS defers a claim, upload a copy of the notice to the folder and add a message in eView to notify the field office of the deferment.

The adjudicator must consider all the case facts to determine whether sending the claimant notice of medical deferment might cause them significant, undue stress (e.g., threats of harm to self or other(s), suicide, or homicide). When such circumstances exist, sending the notice of medical deferment might not be advisable.

For information on cases involving threats of suicide or homicide, see DI 23030.001.