Revised December 17, 2025
XI.i.1.C.1.aUpdating 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
|
| 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
XI.i.1.C.1.bActions 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.
2Incorrect 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.
Revised December 17, 2025
XI.i.1.C.2.aErroneous 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.bErroneous 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
|
| 3 | Generate an award that
|
| 4 | Complete a BIRLS UPDATE to correct the date of death in BIRLS. |
XI.i.1.C.2.cErroneous 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.dErroneous 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
|
| 3 | Complete a BIRLS UPDATE to correct the date of death in BIRLS, if not already corrected. |
End of Part XI, Subpart i, Chapter 1, Section C