MNG-068 · DEATH, FAMILY & SURVIVORS
Survivor Claims, Reviews & Representation
Track survivor DIC, pension, accrued benefits, insurance, SBP, burial and other claims separately and choose the correct representative and review lane.
Create one row per claim
| Claim | Decision-maker / review |
|---|---|
| DIC / Survivors Pension / accrued benefits | VA; applicable VA decision-review lane |
| SBP annuity | DFAS / service and applicable correction or pay review |
| SGLI/VGLI | OSGLI / insurance claim process |
| TRICARE | TRICARE contractor/DHA appeal route |
| Burial allowance | VA benefits decision/review |
VA review is issue-specific
For an appealable VA benefit decision, choose among Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, and Board Appeal based on the decision and evidence posture. Do not file a generic “appeal” or assume that an appeal of DIC automatically reviews pension, burial, education, or accrued benefits.
Representation
VA recognizes accredited VSO representatives, attorneys and claims agents for VA claims. Other systems—DFAS, insurance, TRICARE, estates—have their own representation rules. Preserve every appointment/authorization and do not assume VA accreditation creates authority over a non-VA account.
Official sources
- VA — Form 21P-534EZ
- VA — Evidence for DIC, Pension, and Accrued Benefits
- VA — Decision Reviews and Appeals
- VA — Accredited Representatives and VSOs
Source status: SRC-149; SRC-166; SRC-167; SRC-004; SRC-005; SRC-006; SRC-007; SRC-021 verified October 4, 2026. Report status changes to each program that requires them; updating one federal system does not guarantee every other program is updated.
