Part XI, Subpart i, Chapter 2, Section AReports of Casualty

Revised November 27, 2024

XI.i.2.A.1.a#Documentation Provided to VA When a Service Member Dies

When a service member dies in service, the following documentation is sent to the Philadelphia Veterans Service Center (VSC), along with either DD Form 1300 , Report of Casualty , or PHS Form 2709 , Report of Death of Commissioned Officer

• reports of investigation
• statements of medical examination and duty status, and/or
• reports of facts and circumstance.

Note: The Philadelphia VSC might also receive a DD Form 1300 when a retired service member or Reservist dies.References : For more information on

• the jurisdiction of non-original in-service death claims received after the adjudication of the original claim, see M21-1, Part II, Subpart ii, 3.1.b, and
• in-service death claim labels for end product (EP) 130 and EP 140, see M21-4, Appendix C.

XI.i.2.A.1.b#Actions the Philadelphia VSC Takes Upon Receipt of Notice of an In-Service Death

When the Philadelphia VSC receives notice of an in-service death, it

• processes the first notice of death (NOD), unless a first NOD has already been processed
• establishes an NOD folder, if needed, and
• processes the initial claim for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) upon receipt of VA Form 21P-534EZ, Application for DIC, Survivors Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits.

References: For more information on

• establishing a folder during first NOD processing, see M21-1, Part XI, Subpart i, 1.B.2.j
• the jurisdiction of non-original in-service death claims received after the adjudication of the original claim, see M21-1, Part II, Subpart ii, 3.1.b, and
• in-service death claim labels for EP 130 and EP 140, see M21-4, Appendix C.

XI.i.2.A.1.c#Development of Cases Involving In-Service Death From Suicide

If the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) receives a claim for death benefits, and the cause of death was in-service suicide, the rating activity must determine whether the service member was of unsound mind when committing the act. The rating activity should consider an in-service death from suicide as evidence of mental unsoundness unless the evidence establishes that the act of self-destruction was intentional. Generally, a person of unsound mind is incapable of forming intent, which is an essential element of willful misconduct.When a DD Form 1300 or other notification of an in-service suicide is of record, refer the document(s) to the rating activity. If the evidence is insufficient for a rating decision on the in-service suicide, take the following actions:

• Initiate development to the service member’s service department for any records pertaining to an investigation of the circumstances surrounding the service member’s death.
• Simultaneously initiate development to the claimant for any information or copies of reports or investigations pertaining to the service member’s death.

Important: Service departments do not always make a line-of-duty determination if there is no surviving spouse or dependent child who would be eligible for payment of survivor benefits. Therefore, supporting evidence such as medical and police reports might have to be obtained before the rating activity can make a decision on the issue of mental unsoundness. Reasonable doubt should be resolved favorably to support a finding of mental unsoundness and service connection in accordance with the provisions of 38 CFR 3.302(b)(3).Reference: For more information on rating decisions involving the issue of insanity, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart iv, 2.A.

XI.i.2.A.1.d#Interim Reports of Death

If all pertinent information is not available, an interim report is furnished to establish the fact and date of death for purposes of initiation and development of a claim.Important: Interim reports of death may not be used as the basis for determining the effective date of an initial award under M21-1, Part XII, Subpart i, 3.E.3.

XI.i.2.A.1.e#Reports From Service Department Finance Centers

Service department finance centers supplement reports of in-service deaths by furnishing DD Form 1515, Pay and Allotment Information–Deceased Member , certifying the final settlement of allowances, allotments and service pay. Reference: For more information on the award action to take when the information necessary to process an award is of record, see M21-1, Part XII, Subpart i, 3.E.3.