The A - Z Guide: Veterans VA Disability Benefits
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Substitution In Case of Death of Claimant
The Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 changed how survivors of veterans who die while a claim is pending can handle the claim.
If a VA claimant dies (After October 10, 2008) and a VA benefit is pending, a living person eligible to receive accrued benefts under 38 U.S.C.S. § 5121(a) may file a request to be substituted for the deceased claimant.
The request must be fled with the VA not later than one year after the claimant’s death.
SEC. 212. SUBSTITUTION UPON DEATH OF CLAIMANT.
(a) In General- Chapter 51 is amended by inserting after section 5121
the following new section:
‘Sec. 5121A. Substitution in case of death of claimant
‘(a) Substitution- (1) If a claimant dies while a claim for any
benefit under a law administered by the Secretary, or an appeal of a
decision with respect to such a claim, is pending, a living person who
would be eligible to receive accrued benefits due to the claimant
under section 5121(a) of this title may, not later than one year after
the date of the death of such claimant, file a request to be
substituted as the claimant for the purposes of processing the claim
to completion.
‘(2) Any person seeking to be substituted for the claimant shall
present evidence of the right to claim such status within such time as
prescribed by the Secretary in regulations.
‘(3) Substitution under this subsection shall be in accordance with
such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe.
‘(b) Limitation- Those who are eligible to make a claim under this
section shall be determined in accordance with section 5121 of this
title.’.
(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 51 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
5121 the following new item:
‘5121A. Substitution in case of death of claimant.’.
(c) Effective Date- Section 5121A of title 38, United States Code, as
added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to the claim of any
claimant who dies on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Subsitution of Claimant
See VA Fast Letter 09-15
NOVA Letter Subj: Re: RIN 2900-AN91-Substitution in Case of Death of Claimant
The Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 changed how survivors of veterans who die while a claim is pending can handle the claim.
If a VA claimant dies (After October 10, 2008) and a VA benefit is pending, a living person eligible to receive accrued benefts under 38 U.S.C.S. § 5121(a) may file a request to be substituted for the deceased claimant.
The request must be fled with the VA not later than one year after the claimant’s death.
SEC. 212. SUBSTITUTION UPON DEATH OF CLAIMANT.
(a) In General- Chapter 51 is amended by inserting after section 5121
the following new section:
‘Sec. 5121A. Substitution in case of death of claimant
‘(a) Substitution- (1) If a claimant dies while a claim for any
benefit under a law administered by the Secretary, or an appeal of a
decision with respect to such a claim, is pending, a living person who
would be eligible to receive accrued benefits due to the claimant
under section 5121(a) of this title may, not later than one year after
the date of the death of such claimant, file a request to be
substituted as the claimant for the purposes of processing the claim
to completion.
‘(2) Any person seeking to be substituted for the claimant shall
present evidence of the right to claim such status within such time as
prescribed by the Secretary in regulations.
‘(3) Substitution under this subsection shall be in accordance with
such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe.
‘(b) Limitation- Those who are eligible to make a claim under this
section shall be determined in accordance with section 5121 of this
title.’.
(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 51 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
5121 the following new item:
‘5121A. Substitution in case of death of claimant.’.
(c) Effective Date- Section 5121A of title 38, United States Code, as
added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to the claim of any
claimant who dies on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Subsitution of Claimant
See VA Fast Letter 09-15
NOVA Letter Subj: Re: RIN 2900-AN91-Substitution in Case of Death of Claimant