Elder Law

Who Is Eligible For A VA Burial Allowance?

By dvanar

Burial benefits from the Veterans Administration (VA) are payable only under certain conditions (see below from the excellent website maintained by the VA).

You may be eligible for a VA burial allowance if:

• you paid for a veteran’s burial or funeral, AND
• you have not been reimbursed by another government agency or some other source, such as the deceased veteran’s employer, AND
• the veteran was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be met:

• the veteran died because of a service-related disability, OR
• the veteran was receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of death,  OR
• the veteran was entitled to receive VA pension or compensation, but decided not to reduce his/her military retirement or disability pay, OR
• the veteran died while hospitalized by VA, or while receiving care under VA contract at a non-VA facility,  OR
• the veteran died while traveling under proper authorization and at VA expense to or from a specified place for the purpose of examination, treatment, or care, OR
• the veteran had an original or reopened claim pending at the time of death and has been found entitled to compensation or pension from a date prior to the date or death,  OR
• the veteran died on or after October 9, 1996, while a patient at a VA-approved state nursing home.

Full post as published by Law Office of Donald D. Vanarelli Blog on June 26, 2009 (boomark / email).