--- title: "Part XI, Subpart i, Chapter 1, Section C Errors During Notice of Death (NOD) Processing" document: "M-21-1" section: "Part XI, Subpart i, Chapter 1, Section C" canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-regulations/m21-1/xi.i.1.c-errors-during-notice-of-death-nod-processing" source: "https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000174195/M21-1-Part-XI-Subpart-i-Chapter-1-Section-C-Errors-During-Notice-of-Death-NOD-Processing" updated: "2026-09-07T14:38:00.260423Z" --- December 17, 2025 ### XI.i.1.C.1.a. Updating the Veteran’s Record When Death Was Erroneous Follow the steps in the table below after confirming * a notice of death (NOD) was erroneous, and * the Veteran is _not_ deceased. | **Step**| **Action** 1| Process a BENEFICIARY IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDS LOCATOR SUBSYSTEM (BIRLS) UPDATE to delete the following from the BIRLS record * the date of death * the cause of death, and * any other erroneous information. 2| Establish an end product (EP) and take award action to resume any payments that were erroneously interrupted. _**Reference**_ : For more information on the EP and associated claim label to use when resuming a benefit erroneously terminated due to death, see * [M21-4, Appendix B](), and * [M21-4, Appendix C](). ### XI.i.1.C.1.b. Actions to Take if a Spouse Was Erroneously Paid the MOD Payment If a month of death (MOD) payment was paid in error because _either_ the Veteran is not deceased _or_ the MOD payment was not awarded to the appropriate spouse, then generate a non-entitlement award for the erroneous payment. The finance activity will follow the standard debt collection procedures to recoup the erroneous payment.**Note:** Generate an award for the proper surviving spouse payee, when necessary. ## 2. Incorrect Dates of Death This topic contains information on incorrect dates of death, including erroneous date of death * in the same month as the correct date of death * not in the same month as the correct date of death, and * later than the correct MOD and benefit checks are * returned, and * not returned. December 17, 2025 ### XI.i.1.C.2.a. Erroneous Date of Death in Same Month as the Correct Date of Death Complete a BIRLS UPDATE to correct the date of death if the * NOD was processed with an erroneous date of death, and * erroneous date of death is in the same month as the correct date of death. ### XI.i.1.C.2.b. Erroneous Date of Death Not in the Same Month as the Correct Date of Death The system may establish an erroneous accounts receivable or erroneous accounts payable in the record if the * NOD is processed with an incorrect date of death, and * Veteran had a running award. If an erroneous date of death is entered, follow the steps in the table below to take corrective action. | **Step**| **Action** 1| Complete a BIRLS UPDATE to remove the incorrect date of death from BIRLS. 2| Establish an EP to correct the award termination date.If the correct date of death is * _after_ the erroneous date of death, go to Step 3, or * _before_ the erroneous date of death, * process the termination from the correct date within the awards processing system, and * go to Step 4 after the award is authorized. 3| Generate an award that * reinstates benefits from the first of the month of the erroneously reported death, and * terminates benefits based on the correct date of death. 4| Complete a BIRLS UPDATE to correct the date of death in BIRLS. ### XI.i.1.C.2.c. Erroneous Date of Death Later Than the Correct MOD and Benefit Checks Are Returned The system may establish a proceed due segment in the record if the * FNOD is completed with a date of death that is later than the correct MOD, and * Veteran’s uncashed benefit checks are returned. If _all_ the returned checks represent payment for the MOD or later: * notify the finance activity to return the amount in proceeds to appropriations, and * complete a BIRLS UPDATE to correct the date of death in BIRLS, if not already corrected. ### XI.i.1.C.2.d. Erroneous Date of Death Later Than the Correct MOD and Benefit Checks Are Not Returned Follow the steps in the table below if the * FNOD is completed with a date of death that is later than the correct MOD, and * Veteran’s benefit checks are _not_ returned. | **Step**| **Action** 1| Determine how much of an overpayment would have been created by entering the correct date of death. 2| Send a memorandum to the finance activity that * explains that the overpayment resulted from an erroneous date of death in the system, and * requests a fiscal transaction to establish the accounts receivable. 3| Complete a BIRLS UPDATE to correct the date of death in BIRLS, if not already corrected.