### Question
What does surviving spouse mean?


### Answer
**Surviving spouse** has the following meaning in *38 U.S.C. § 7297*:

> a surviving spouse of an individual who (A) was married to such individual for at least one year immediately preceding the individual's death, or (B) is a parent of issue by the marriage

#### Citation:
  - *38 U.S.C. § 7297*
  - Heading: **PART V-BOARDS, ADMINISTRATIONS, AND SERVICES > CHAPTER 72-UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS > SUBCHAPTER V-RETIREMENT AND SURVIVORS ANNUITIES**

