02-24-2022, 10:38 PM
Veterans need to be well organized when it comes to keeping records for our significant others. They will
be stressed out enough dealing with our passing. They do not need the added chore of trying to find critical
items necessary for planning funerals and other issues. What follows is a list of documents that are
necessary to ensure that things get taken care of in a timely manner when we die.
The first item is a copy of your DD-214. This is the most important document relating to your military
service. It shows a funeral director that you are a veteran and, in some cases, determines the level of
services you are eligible for. If you are drawing benefits from the VA and you do not have a copy of your
DD-214, log on to www.ebenefits.va.gov where you will be able to find and print a copy, as well as review
your disability rating.
The second item is a copy of your award letter from the VA. This document shows what your
disabilities are and their percentages. If you are a 100 percent permanent and totally disabled veteran, the
letter will save your significant other a lot of headaches when it comes to filing for Dependent Indemnity
Compensation. It also gives the physician who fills out the death certificate a list of conditions that should
be named as contributing factors to the veteran’s death.
During the pandemic the primary cause of death listed for many veterans has been COVID-19. But the
veteran’s service-connected conditions in most cases were contributing factors. COPD and diabetes, for
example, often are contributing factors. By having the doctor list a service-connected condition as a
contributing factor on the death certificate, the widow will not have any difficulty getting the DIC claim
approved. As a 100 percent permanent and totally disabled veteran, you are authorized a free death
insurance policy providing you filed for that benefit within two years after you received your rating award
letter. Locate the phone number for the insurance agency and keep it with the policy.
Then you need to compile all the documents listed below. The items and all pertinent information
should be kept in a folder.
Will
Do Not Resuscitate statement
Obituary
Funeral wishes
Passwords for computers and other items
List of people to contact other than family (old military buddies,
etc.)
It’s also important to contact your nearest Casualty Assistance Office, which can help you file whatever
documents are necessary for retirement pay and other issues. If your significant other is not a member of
a Veterans Service Organization, locate the nearest VSO that helps with filing DIC claims and performs
graveside honors.
This list is by no means complete. However, it will give you a starting point and provide critical
information necessary to take care of the most time-sensitive items. AVVA offers a Paper Safe. Most
funeral homes have guides, and will provide additional guidance. Please take the time and make this one
of your priorities. As Vietnam veterans, we are all living on borrowed time. For more information, see
“Navigating the VA Widow’s Benefits Maze: Get the Facts and Don’t Give Up,” by Claudia Gary, in the
July/August 2019 issue of The VVA Veteran (http://vvaveteran.org).
be stressed out enough dealing with our passing. They do not need the added chore of trying to find critical
items necessary for planning funerals and other issues. What follows is a list of documents that are
necessary to ensure that things get taken care of in a timely manner when we die.
The first item is a copy of your DD-214. This is the most important document relating to your military
service. It shows a funeral director that you are a veteran and, in some cases, determines the level of
services you are eligible for. If you are drawing benefits from the VA and you do not have a copy of your
DD-214, log on to www.ebenefits.va.gov where you will be able to find and print a copy, as well as review
your disability rating.
The second item is a copy of your award letter from the VA. This document shows what your
disabilities are and their percentages. If you are a 100 percent permanent and totally disabled veteran, the
letter will save your significant other a lot of headaches when it comes to filing for Dependent Indemnity
Compensation. It also gives the physician who fills out the death certificate a list of conditions that should
be named as contributing factors to the veteran’s death.
During the pandemic the primary cause of death listed for many veterans has been COVID-19. But the
veteran’s service-connected conditions in most cases were contributing factors. COPD and diabetes, for
example, often are contributing factors. By having the doctor list a service-connected condition as a
contributing factor on the death certificate, the widow will not have any difficulty getting the DIC claim
approved. As a 100 percent permanent and totally disabled veteran, you are authorized a free death
insurance policy providing you filed for that benefit within two years after you received your rating award
letter. Locate the phone number for the insurance agency and keep it with the policy.
Then you need to compile all the documents listed below. The items and all pertinent information
should be kept in a folder.
Will
Do Not Resuscitate statement
Obituary
Funeral wishes
Passwords for computers and other items
List of people to contact other than family (old military buddies,
etc.)
It’s also important to contact your nearest Casualty Assistance Office, which can help you file whatever
documents are necessary for retirement pay and other issues. If your significant other is not a member of
a Veterans Service Organization, locate the nearest VSO that helps with filing DIC claims and performs
graveside honors.
This list is by no means complete. However, it will give you a starting point and provide critical
information necessary to take care of the most time-sensitive items. AVVA offers a Paper Safe. Most
funeral homes have guides, and will provide additional guidance. Please take the time and make this one
of your priorities. As Vietnam veterans, we are all living on borrowed time. For more information, see
“Navigating the VA Widow’s Benefits Maze: Get the Facts and Don’t Give Up,” by Claudia Gary, in the
July/August 2019 issue of The VVA Veteran (http://vvaveteran.org).