you have a claim that meets these criteria, you can request 25-a relief, even if the qualifying claim for benefits was made in the past – i.e. you received a bill for medical treatment a year ago which when received, met the time thresholds described above you can request that liability be shifted as long as the claim can be still be considered “reopened”, i.e., there has not been a reopening and a closure and then the request for a transfer is made.