--- title: "Part XI, Subpart ii, Chapter 4" document: "M-21-1" section: "Part XI, Subpart ii, Chapter 4" canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-regulations/m21-1/xi.ii.4" source: "https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000174209/M21-1-Part-XI-Subpart-ii-Chapter-4-Issuing-Death-Gratuity-Certificates-to-Service-Departments" updated: "2026-09-07T14:38:02.947865Z" --- January 5, 2016 ### XI.ii.4.1.a. Definition: Imminent Death ** _Imminent death_** is a Department of War (DOW) term used for a service member * who is terminally ill * for whom an imminent death determination has been made, and * who has been considered medically retired, such as to the Temporary Disability Retired List. The service member usually dies less than 72 hours after release from service. ### XI.ii.4.1.b. Jurisdiction for Imminent Death Cases The Cleveland Regional Office (RO) processes death gratuity claims required by a service department in certain cases to establish eligibility under [38 U.S.C. 1323](). These are handled as imminent death cases.The Cleveland RO also invites claims, when appropriate, and adjudicates any claims for survivors’ benefits.**Important:** The law requires the DOW to pay these claims _within_ 24 hours of the notification of the death of the service member. ROs should contact the Cleveland RO **_immediately_** if they are contacted by a military casualty office indicating that they have a claim for such a deceased service member. ### XI.ii.4.1.c. Jurisdiction for Non-Imminent Death Cases Jurisdiction over non-imminent death cases must remain with the station of origination. If any questions arise over jurisdiction of a claim, contact the Cleveland RO.**Reference:** For information on how to contact the Cleveland RO, see M21-1, Part XI, Subpart ii, 4.1.d. ### XI.ii.4.1.d. Contacting the Cleveland RO About Death Gratuity Claims Refer all questions regarding death gratuity claims to the Veterans Service Center Manager (VSCM) at the Cleveland RO at (216) 522-4950. DOW Casualty Assistance provides the Cleveland RO with the documents required to complete a rating decision and issue a certificate to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. ## 2. Eligibility and Notification for Death Gratuity Certificates This topic contains information on death gratuity certificates sent to service departments, including * eligibility for death gratuity * payment of death gratuity by service department * when to issue a certificate of eligibility for death gratuity * sending death gratuity certification letter * what to include in death gratuity certification letter * addressing the death gratuity certification letter * noneligibility for death gratuity, and * notifying claimants of noneligibility for death gratuity. February 3, 2022 ### XI.ii.4.2.a. Eligibility for Death Gratuity Veterans may be eligible for death gratuity if they died under the circumstances referred to in [10 U.S.C. 1476(a)]() during the 120-day period after separation from * active duty * active duty for training, or * inactive duty for training. ### XI.ii.4.2.b. Payment of Death Gratuity by Service Department Payment of death gratuity by the service department is contingent upon the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) finding that the Veteran’s * discharge or release from service was under conditions other than dishonorable, and * death resulted from * a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active duty or active duty for training, or * an injury incurred or aggravated during inactive duty for training. **Note:** The determination as to service connection (SC) for the cause of death must be made under the standards and criteria applicable to [38 U.S.C. Chapter 11](), except that line of duty is **_not_** a factor. ### XI.ii.4.2.c. When to Issue a Certificate of Eligibility for Death Gratuity Use the table below to determine when to issue a certificate of eligibility to service departments.| **If …**| **Then …** * a claim for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) has been filed * it is determined that the cause of death was incurred or aggravated in service, and * death occurred within 120 days after separation from service under conditions other than dishonorable under [38 CFR 3.806]() | the RO issues a certificate of eligibility to the service department.**Note:** Furnish the certification even if a rating decision has determined that the cause of death, although incurred in service, was not incurred in the line of duty and, therefore, DIC is not payable. a request for certification is received from the service department in a case in which **_no_** claim for DIC has been filed| * prepare a rating for this specific purpose, and * if the rating is favorable, furnish a certification of eligibility to the service department. ### XI.ii.4.2.d. Sending Death Gratuity Certification Letter Make certification by sending a letter addressed to the appropriate service department, Public Health Service, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. If **_no_** request has been received, a Senior Veterans Service Representative or other designee must * prepare and sign the letter in the name of the VSCM or Pension Management Center Manger, and * forward the letter to the particular department concerned. **Reference:** For more information on how to address the letter, see M21-1, Part XI, Subpart ii, 4.2.f. ### XI.ii.4.2.e. What to Include in Death Gratuity Certification Letter The certification letter must include information stating that * the Veteran has died (provide the date of death) * VA has determined that the Veteran’s discharge or release from service was under conditions other than dishonorable, and * death resulted from * a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active duty, or * an injury incurred or aggravated during inactive duty training. If VA initiates the certification without a specific request from the service department, include the * Veteran’s * rank * branch of service * Social Security number and service number, and * name, address, and relationship of the person or persons who have filed a claim for DIC. ### XI.ii.4.2.f. Addressing the Death Gratuity Certification Letter Use the table below to determine how to address the certification letter.| **Department**| **Address** Army| Commander US Army Human Resources Command ATTN: PDC-C (Casualty Support) 1600 Spearhead Division Ave Fort Knox, KY 40122 Air Force| AFPC Casualty Services Branch 550 C Street West JBSA-Randolph, TX 78150** _Note_** : Send a copy to the following address, as well:Air Force Military Personnel Center (AFPC/DPWC) Randolph AFB, TX 78148 Navy| Navy Personnel Command PERS-00C Navy Casualty OperationsATTN: Casualty Operations Branch Head 5720 Integrity Dr Millington, TN 38055-6200 Marine Corps| Commandant of the Marine Corps Casualty Section (MFPC) 2008 Elliot Road Quantico, VA 22134-5103 U.S. Coast Guard| US Coast Guard Headquarters ATTN: Chief of Casualty Matters, PSC-PD-FS-Casualty 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE Washington, DC 20593-7200 Public Health Service| Public Health Service 1101 Wootton Parkway Plaza Level, Suite 100 Rockville, MD 20852 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration| Commissioned Personnel Division (CPC) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 8403 Colesville Rd., Suite 500 Silver Spring, MD 20910 ### XI.ii.4.2.g. Noneligibility for Death Gratuity If a claim for DIC has been filed and VA determines that death was _not_ due to service or that the character of discharge precludes payment, do **_not_** * refer to death gratuity in the denial letter, or * notify the service department, unless a specific inquiry has been received from that department. Use the table below to determine how to handle noneligibility for death gratuity when a specific inquiry has been received from the service department.| **If the claimant for death gratuity …**| **Then …** is the same person who filed a denied claim for DIC| inform the service department * of the date on which that person was notified by VA of the determination that death was **_not_** service-connected, or * that the Veteran’s separation from service was **_not_** under conditions other than dishonorable. has not filed a claim for DIC| * prepare a rating denying SC for cause of death * notify the claimant of the VA determination, and * furnish a copy of the notification to the service department with a letter of transmittal. ### XI.ii.4.2.h. Notifying Claimants of Noneligibility for Death Gratuity In the decision notice of noneligibility sent to the claimant, make **_no_** reference to the denied claim for death gratuity since that is a function of the service department.Instead, provide the claimant notice as follows:“ _The_ **[service department]**_has requested the Department of Veterans Affairs to make certain determinations which are required in connection with your claim for death gratuity in the case of the above-named Veteran. Accordingly, the evidence of record has been reviewed, but it has been determined (that the Veteran's death on _____ from _______ was not due to service) (that the Veteran was separated from service under conditions other than dishonorable)_ **[whichever is appropriate]**_._ ”** _Note_** : Furnish notice of procedural and decision review rights with this paragraph.