send proper decision notice. The paragraphs below describe c. Example of a Situation Requiring a situation that would require certification of eligibility and continued Certification of entitlement, and Eligibility and the appropriate actions to take based on the specific set of facts. Continued Entitlement Situation: VA receives reliable evidence indicating a surviving spouse in receipt of pension might have remarried. The surviving spouse has no children. A review of the claims folder shows the most recent documentation confirming the surviving is a VA Form 21-686c, spouse’s marital status dated November 12, 2004. Declaration of Status of Dependents, On February 11, 2010, VA sends notice of proposed adverse action to the surviving spouse requesting completion of and VA Form 21-686c, advising him/her that VA may discontinue benefits effective the first of the month following the date on which the evidence of record shows the beneficiary last confirmed his/her marital status if he/she does not return the completed form within 60 days. If the surviving spouse does not respond within 60 days Result: stop the award effective December 1, 2004, and send proper decision notice. 4. Acceptable Evidence of Birth, Death, or Relationship This topic contains information on acceptable evidence of birth, death, or Introduction relationship, including acceptability of written statements to establish a relationship information VA requires in written statements to establish a relationship, and when VA may require evidence in support of a written statement. June 26, 2015 Change Date
send proper decision notice. c. Example of a Situation Requiring Certification of Eligibility and Continued Entitlement The paragraphs below describe a situation that would require certification of eligibility and continued entitlement, and the appropriate actions to take based on the specific set of facts. Situation: VA receives reliable evidence indicating a surviving spouse in receipt of pension might have remarried. The surviving spouse has no children. A review of the claims folder shows the most recent documentation confirming the surviving spouse’s marital status is a VA Form 21-686c, Declaration of Status of Dependents, dated November 12, 2004. On February 11, 2010, VA sends notice of proposed adverse action to the surviving spouse requesting completion of VA Form 21-686c, and advising him/her that VA may discontinue benefits effective the first of the month following the date on which the evidence of record shows the beneficiary last confirmed his/her marital status if he/she does not return the completed form within 60 days. Result: If the surviving spouse does not respond within 60 days stop the award effective December 1, 2004, and send proper decision notice. 4. Acceptable Evidence of Birth, Death, or Relationship Introduction This topic contains information on acceptable evidence of birth, death, or relationship, including acceptability of written statements to establish a relationship information VA requires in written statements to establish a relationship, and when VA may require evidence in support of a written statement. Change Date June 26, 2015
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