M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 3, Section C – Special Issues in Apportionment Cases

In This Section

Introduction

• determining the proper amount to apportion in survivors cases
• additional amounts payable for a child/children
• processing notice that a child is no longer in the surviving spouse’s custody, and
• discontinuing apportionments in survivors cases.

Change Date

III.v.3.C.1.a.  Determining the Proper Amount to Apportion in Survivors Cases

III.v.3.C.1.b.  Additional Amounts Payable for a Child/Children

• A surviving spouse’s award of
  • current-law pension does not provide for separate entitlement for the children in the surviving spouse’s custody, and
  • DIC includes minor children not in actual or constructive custody.
• The additional amount may be apportioned per 38 CFR 3.450(e) if
  • a child is in the surviving spouse’s custody but living with someone else, and
  • the surviving spouse is not reasonably contributing to the child’s support.
• To make such apportionments, the award should
  • deduct any amounts payable for these children from the surviving spouse’s award, and
  • show this as an apportionment on the surviving spouse’s award.

• Since there is no separate amount payable for children under current-law Survivors Pension, the apportionable rate is determined under
  • 38 CFR 3.451, in accordance with
  • 38 CFR 3.460(c).
• The additional amount awarded because of the surviving spouse’s housebound status or need for aid and attendance is not apportionable per
  • 38 CFR 3.460, and
  • 38 CFR 3.461(b)(2).

• Veterans Service Network (VETSNET), see the VETSNET Awards Handbook, and
• Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS), see the VBMS Awards User Guide.

III.v.3.C.1.c.  Processing Notice That a Child Is No Longer in the Surviving Spouse’s Custody

• VETSNET, see VETSNET Awards Handbook, or
• VBMS, see the VBMS Awards User Guide.

III.v.3.C.1.d.  Discontinuing Apportionments in Survivors Cases

• 18^th birthday of a child not enrolled in or attending school
• discontinuation of a child’s school attendance, or
• 23^rd birthday of a child still enrolled in school.

• discontinuation of a child’s apportionment, or
• adjustment and/or discontinuation of the surviving spouse’s award.

Introduction

• apportioning awards for an incompetent Veteran’s dependents
• awarding benefits to an incompetent Veteran’s spouse
• handling an apportioned award for an incompetent Veteran not hospitalized, and
• references for handling an apportioned award for a hospitalized incompetent Veteran.

Change Date

III.v.3.C.2.a.  Apportioning Awards for an Incompetent Veteran’s Dependents

• 38 CFR 3.850(a)(2), and
• 38 CFR 13.57.

III.v.3.C.2.b.  Awarding Benefits to an Incompetent Veteran’s Spouse

III.v.3.C.2.c.  Handling an Apportioned Award for an Incompetent Veteran Not Hospitalized

III.v.3.C.2.d.  References for Handling an Apportioned Award for a Hospitalized Incompetent
Veteran

Introduction

• jurisdiction of the claims folder in foreign resident beneficiary cases
• countries to which the Treasury Department will not send checks
• payments to an apportionee who resides in a Treasury Department-listed country
• payments to a U.S. citizen Veteran who resides in a Treasury Department-listed country, and
• payments to a non-U.S. citizen Veteran who resides in a Treasury Department-listed country.

Change Date

III.v.3.C.3.a.  Jurisdiction of the Claims Folder in Foreign Resident Beneficiary  Cases

• M21-1, Part III, 11.11, and
• M23-1, Part I, Chapter 1, Appendix A.

III.v.3.C.3.b.  Countries to Which the Treasury Department Will Not Send Checks

III.v.3.C.3.c.  Payments to an Apportionee Who Resides in a Treasury Department-Listed Country

• adjust the beneficiary’s award effective the date in the LAST PAID DATE field on the AWARD INFORMATION tab in Share, and
• remove the dependent.

III.v.3.C.3.d.  Payments to a U.S. Citizen Veteran Who Resides in a Treasury Department-Listed Country

III.v.3.C.3.e.  Payments to a Non-U.S. Citizen Veteran Who Resides in a Treasury Department-Listed Country

• resides in a Treasury Department-listed country, and
• is not a U.S. citizen.

• does not reside in one of the Treasury Department-listed countries, and
• is a U.S. citizen.

• continued existence of the Veteran, and
• the Veteran’s continued entitlement to disability compensation, unless the disabling effects of all of the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities are static.

Change Date

III.v.3.C.4.a.  Apportionment Restriction for Adopted Children

• disability compensation, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, 5.G.5.a, or
• Veterans Pension, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, 5.G.5.b.