BURIAL
CLAIMS
Mary Kelly
RFS - Region IB
April 2009
Learning Objectives:
• Determine and explain eligibility for
burial benefits
• Review burial claims for completion
and development as needed
• Process burial awards and
disallowances
Death During Military Service
vs.
After Military Service
VA provides the following burial
benefits and allowances:
• Service-connected (SC) death burial
allowance
• Nonservice-connected (NSC) death burial
allowance and Plot-interment allowance
• Transportation allowance
• Memorialization
The memorialization benefit
includes:
• Presidential Memorial Certifications
(PMC)
• Flags
• Headstones and markers
Who is Eligible?
How Much Does VA Pay?
• A. Service-Connected Death
• B. Nonservice-connected Death
How can someone apply for
these benefits?
• Eligibility for Burial of Unclaimed
Remains of Indigent Veterans
• Claims by Funeral Directors for
Indigent Veterans
Time Limits
• A. Time limit for filing a formal
claim for burial benefits
• B. Time limit for informal claims
Claims
Claims
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Processing the Burial Claim
• VA Form 21-530
Service-Connected Burial
Allowance
Nonservice-Connected Death
Burial and Plot Allowance
Transportation Allowance
• Eligibility requirements
Claimants and Evidence
• A. Proper Claimants
• B. Required Documentation—Proof of
Death
• C. Required Documentation—
Statement of Account
Presidential Memorial Certificate
• Eligibility Requirements
Burial in a National Cemetery
Burial Flag
• Why Does VA Provide a Burial Flag?
Headstones and Markers
• The Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) furnishes upon
request, at no charge to the
applicant, a government
headstone or marker for the
grave of any deceased eligible
veteran in any cemetery around
the world.
Review Exercise
1.
What form is used to file a claim for burial benefits?
2.
What form is used to apply for a headstone or marker?
3.
True or False. Arlington National Cemetery is operated by the VA.
4.
Name 3 items that are part of the memorialization benefit.
5.
What is the maximum burial allowance for a service-connected death?
6.
True or False? Soldiers killed in action are entitled to VA burial
benefits?
7.
What is the time limit for filing a formal claim for nonservice-connected
burial benefits?
8.
Name 3 instances when a claim must be referred to the Rating Activity?
9.
True or False. A veteran who died while hospitalized in a VA hospital,
not receiving C&P benefits, is not entitled to burial benefits.
References
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38 U.S.C. Chapter 23
38 U.S.C. 5101
38 CFR 3.1(d)
38 CFR 3.6(b)(6)
38 CFR 3.155
38 CFR 3.211
38 CFR 3.1600
38 CFR 3.1601
38 CFR 3.1602
38 CFR 3.1603
38 CFR 3.1604
38 CFR 3.1605M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart ii, 7
M21-1MR, Part VII