Does anybody know anything about the process of decision making on initial DLA/AA claims? Appeal bundles tend to include a tick box full of impenetrable codes but is that all the DM has or is there some check list or something to fill in?

That Andy is a highly optimistic question, - I think the hypothetical answer may lay in the "Team Members Guide", which is the DLA/AA hand book. it runs to some 30+ chapters, and tells them exactly what to do in a variety of circumstances, including what to do when they get a Rpresentative's Authority. It can be found on the Briefcase section under guidances - DLA/AA. I think the brevity of the paperwork may be connected to the fact that they are (allegedly) expected to carry out 11 decisions a day, or 7 reconsiderations.