diff --git a/src/claim-request-management/claim-request-management.service.ts b/src/claim-request-management/claim-request-management.service.ts
index 2b2aad8..601aee7 100644
--- a/src/claim-request-management/claim-request-management.service.ts
+++ b/src/claim-request-management/claim-request-management.service.ts
@@ -6331,27 +6331,41 @@ export class ClaimRequestManagementService {
       }
 
       // V5 flow: FileMaker approval required before fanavaran.
-      // Instead of submitting, hold the claim at WAITING_FOR_FILE_MAKER_APPROVAL.
+      // Cross-check the blame record — only V5 blame files carry requiresFileMakerApproval.
+      // V4 claims may have the flag set from an old bug; we ignore it if the blame
+      // itself does not carry the flag.
       if ((claimCase as any).requiresFileMakerApproval) {
-        await this.claimCaseDbService.findByIdAndUpdate(claimCaseId, {
-          $set: { status: ClaimCaseStatus.WAITING_FOR_FILE_MAKER_APPROVAL },
-          $push: {
-            history: {
-              type: "V5_HELD_FOR_FILE_MAKER_APPROVAL",
-              actor: { actorType: "system" },
-              timestamp: new Date(),
-              metadata: { claimCaseId },
+        const blameId = (claimCase as any).blameRequestId;
+        const blame = blameId
+          ? await this.blameRequestDbService.findById(String(blameId))
+          : null;
+        const isV5 = !!(blame as any)?.requiresFileMakerApproval;
+
+        if (isV5) {
+          await this.claimCaseDbService.findByIdAndUpdate(claimCaseId, {
+            $set: { status: ClaimCaseStatus.WAITING_FOR_FILE_MAKER_APPROVAL },
+            $push: {
+              history: {
+                type: "V5_HELD_FOR_FILE_MAKER_APPROVAL",
+                actor: { actorType: "system" },
+                timestamp: new Date(),
+                metadata: { claimCaseId },
+              },
             },
-          },
+          });
+          return {
+            attempted: false,
+            submitted: false,
+            skipped: true,
+            skipReason:
+              "V5 flow: FileMaker approval required before Fanavaran submission. " +
+              "Claim is now in WAITING_FOR_FILE_MAKER_APPROVAL.",
+          };
+        }
+        // V4 claim with stale flag — clear it so this path is not hit again.
+        await this.claimCaseDbService.findByIdAndUpdate(claimCaseId, {
+          $unset: { requiresFileMakerApproval: "" },
         });
-        return {
-          attempted: false,
-          submitted: false,
-          skipped: true,
-          skipReason:
-            "V5 flow: FileMaker approval required before Fanavaran submission. " +
-            "Claim is now in WAITING_FOR_FILE_MAKER_APPROVAL.",
-        };
       }
 
       const skipReason = await this.getFanavaranAutoSubmitSkipReason(claimCase);