What action does the VA take if sufficient evidence is not provided for claim determination?

When the VA evaluates a claim and finds that there is insufficient evidence to make a determination, it will adjudicate based on the existing records. This means that the VA will make a decision using the information that is already available in the claim file rather than disregarding the claim or leaving it open indefinitely.

If the current records do not sufficiently support the claim, the outcome could be a denial or a lower level of benefits than the claimant might hope for. However, the VA will still proceed with what is available rather than assume the claim is invalid or close it outright without examining the evidence at hand.

This approach illustrates the VA's commitment to considering every claim thoughtfully, even when all desired evidence is not present. The objective is to ensure that veterans receive appropriate consideration for their claims based on the information that can be reasonably accessed and assessed at that moment.