### Question
Can you define what surviving spouse means?


### Answer
**Surviving spouse** is defined as the following in *38 U.S.C. § 101*:

> (except for purposes of chapter 19 of this title) a person of the opposite sex who was the spouse of a veteran at the time of the veteran's death, and who lived with the veteran continuously from the date of marriage to the date of the veteran's death (except where there was a separation which was due to the misconduct of, or procured by, the veteran without the fault of the spouse) and who has not remarried or (in cases not involving remarriage) has not since the death of the veteran, and after September 19, 1962, lived with another person and held himself or herself out openly to the public to be the spouse of such other person

#### Citation:
  - *38 U.S.C. § 101*
  - Heading: **PART I-GENERAL PROVISIONS > CHAPTER 1-GENERAL**

