M-21-1Updated
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Part X, Subpart i, Chapter 4, Section AGeneral Information on Philippine Cases

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Contents3 blocks

Revised May 7, 2026

X.i.4.A.1.aDetermining Jurisdiction Based on the Type of Service

Use the table below to determine which regional office (RO) has jurisdiction over claims that are based on service in the Philippines.

If service was in the …Then …
  • regular or “old” Philippine Scouts (enlisted prior to October 6, 1945)
  • Insular Forces of the U.S. Navy, or
  • Armed Forces of the United States

jurisdiction is determined geographically, based on the claimant’s current address of record.

  • Special or “new” Philippine Scouts enlisted between October 6, 1945 and June 30, 1947, under Public Law (PL) 79-190
  • Commonwealth Army of the Philippines while such forces were included in the Armed Forces of the United States (The United States Armed Forces of the Far East or USAFFE), from July 26, 1941, through June 30, 1946, or
  • guerrilla groups prior to July 1, 1946

jurisdiction is determined based on the following conventions:

  • the Manila RO for disability compensation rating claims
  • the San Diego Benefit Eligibility Support Team for non-rating disability compensation claims
  • the Philadelphia Pension Management Center (PMC) for all original Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) claims, all burial claims, and any claim with service-connected (SC) death as an issue
  • the Milwaukee PMC for DIC claims where SC death was already granted, and
  • the Milwaukee and St. Paul PMCs for pension claims.

Important : Add the Philippine Service flash to the corresponding corporate record for any claim that falls under these periods of service.Note : The Philadelphia PMC has jurisdiction over burial benefits, and both the Philadelphia and Milwaukee PMCs have jurisdiction over DIC benefits at the full-dollar rate under PL 106-377 and PL 108-183.Reference: For more information on jurisdiction, see M21-1, Part II, Subpart ii, 3.1.b.

X.i.4.A.1.bJurisdiction Over Accounts Payable

The Manila RO has jurisdiction over all accounts payable at the

  • half-dollar rate, which is $0.50 for each dollar authorized under the applicable law, and
  • full-dollar rate under PL 106-377 and PL 108-183.

Reference: For more information on the payment of benefits at the half-dollar rate and full-dollar rate, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 4.B and D.

2Exhibit 1: Eligibility for VA Benefits Based on Service in the Philippines

Revised April 28, 2015

X.i.4.A.2.aEligibility Table

Eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits based on service in the Philippines is shown below.

Disability BenefitsDeath BenefitsType of ServiceCompensationPensionClothing AllowanceDICPensionBurial AllowanceBurial FlagIncome Limit and Dependency Determination

Regular or “Old” Philippine Scouts - enlisted prior to 10/6/45 or Insular Force of the U.S. Navy

Yes, at the full rate

Yes, at the full rate

Yes, at the full rate

Yes, at the full rate

Yes, at the full rate

Yes, at the full rate

Yes

Income: full rateDependency: half of the full rate

Special or “New” Philippine Scouts - enlisted between 10/6/45 and 6/30/47 under PL 79-190

Yes

  • at half of the full rate (since 05/27/46), and
  • at the full rate for U.S. residents effective 12/16/03

No

Yes, at half of the full rate

Yes

  • at half of the full rate (since 05/27/46), and
  • at the full rate for U.S. residents effective 12/16/03

No

Yes (since 12/16/03), at the full rate

Yes (since 12/16/03)

Half of the full rate

Commonwealth Army of the Philippines, while such forces were included in the Armed Forces of the U.S. (USAFFE) from 07/26/41 to 06/20/46

Yes

  • at half of the full rate (since 02/18/46), and
  • at the full rate for U.S. residents effective 10/27/00

No

Yes, at half of the full rate

Yes

  • at half of the full rate (since 02/18/46), and
  • at the full rate for U.S. residents effective 12/16/03

No

Yes

  • at half of the full rate (since 04/25/51), and
  • at the full rate for U.S. residents effective 11/1/00

Yes (since 04/25/51)

Half of the full rate

guerilla service prior to 07/01/46 (Reconstructed Roster closed 06/30/48)

Yes

  • at half of the full rate (since 02/18/46), and
  • at the full rate for U.S. residents effective 10/27/00

No

Yes, at half of the full rate

Yes

  • at half of the full rate (since 02/18/46), and
  • at the full rate for U.S. residents effective 12/16/03

No

Yes

  • at half of the full rate (since 02/18/46), and
  • at the full rate for U.S. residents effective 11/01/00

Yes (since 04/25/51)

Half of the full rate

End of Part X, Subpart i, Chapter 4, Section A

This text is a rendering of Part X, Subpart i, Chapter 4, Section A. The official version is the one that governs your claim.

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