### Section A. General Information on Relationship and Dependency

#### Overview

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > This section contains the following topics:           |
| #### In th |                                                         |
| is Section |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

  ----------- ----------------------------------------------- -----------
  Topic       Topic Name                                      See Page

  1           General Policies Regarding the Establishment of 5-A-2
              Relationship and Dependency                     

  2           Burden of Proof                                 5-A-8

  3           Jurisdiction Over Relationship Determinations   5-A-10

  4           Methods of Obtaining Information, Including     5-A-15
              Handling Information Received by Telephone,     
              E-Mail, or Fax                                  
  ----------- ----------------------------------------------- -----------

#### 1. General Policies Regarding the Establishment of Relationship and Dependency 

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on establishing       |
| troduction | > relationship and dependency. It includes information  |
|            | > on                                                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the definitions of                                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   relationship, and                                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   dependency                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   the importance of establishing the relationship of  |
|            |     an individual to a veteran                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   assumed dependency vs. actual dependency            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   when the issue of actual dependency arises          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   developing                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   all claims                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   pension claims, and                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   compensation claims                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   denying a claim when a claimant lacks status as a   |
|            |     dependent                                           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the relevance of applicable State laws and Federal  |
|            |     laws, and                                           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   a claimant's duty to report relationships.          |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > August 14, 2006                                       |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > The term ***relationship*** refers to an individual's |
| ## a. Defi | > legal status with respect to the veteran.             |
| nition: Re | >                                                       |
| lationship | > ***Examples***:                                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Can the individual be recognized as the veteran's   |
|            |     child?                                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Have the individual and the veteran fulfilled the   |
|            |     requirement for a legal marriage?                   |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

1\. General Policies Regarding the Establishment of Relationship and
Dependency, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > The term ***dependency*** refers to the question of   |
| #### b. De | > whether or not an individual                          |
| finition:  |                                                         |
| Dependency | -   has a specific familial relationship to the         |
|            |     veteran, such as that of                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   spouse                                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   child, or                                           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   parent, and                                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   is financially "dependent" on the veteran.          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***References***: For a definition of                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   "spouse," see [38 CFR                               |
|            |     3.50](http:/                                        |
|            | /www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_50.DOC) |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   "child," see [38 CFR                                |
|            |     3.57](http://                                       |
|            | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_57.DOC), |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   "parent," see [38 CFR                               |
|            |     3.59](http://                                       |
|            | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_58.DOC). |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### c.   | > Establishing an individual's relationship to a        |
| Importance | > veteran is critical in determining benefits because   |
|  of Establ |                                                         |
| ishing Rel | -   veterans in receipt of compensation with a combined |
| ationship  |     evaluation of at least 30 percent may be paid       |
|            |     additional benefits for dependents, and             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   surviving spouses in receipt of Dependency and      |
|            |     Indemnity Compensation (DIC) may be paid additional |
|            |     benefits for established dependents of the veteran  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   dependency is a factor used to determine            |
|            |     entitlement in both disability pension and death    |
|            |     pension, and                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   a claimant's entitlement to survivor's benefits,    |
|            |     such as DIC and death pension, is contingent on     |
|            |     his/her relationship to the deceased veteran.       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***References***: For more information on             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   substantive rules concerning relationship, see [38  |
|            |     CFR 3.50 through 38 CFR                             |
|            |     3.60](http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/bookb.html#c)     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   payment of additional                               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   compensation for dependents, see [38 CFR            |
|            |     3.4(b)(2)](http:/                                   |
|            | /www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_4.DOC), |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   DIC for dependents, see [38 CFR                     |
|            |     3.5(e)(3)](http:                                    |
|            | //www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_5.DOC) |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   considering the income of dependents when           |
|            |     determining entitlement to pension, see [38 CFR     |
|            |     3.23(d)(4)](http://                                 |
|            | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_23.DOC), |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   parental relationships, see M21-1MR, Part III,      |
|            |     Subpart iii, 5.I.                                   |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

1\. General Policies Regarding the Establishment of Relationship and
Dependency, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### d.   | > ***Assumed dependency***: Individuals having          |
| Dependency | > following relationships are *assumed* to be dependent |
| : Assumed  | > on the veteran:                                       |
| vs. Actual |                                                         |
|            | -   a veteran's spouse, and                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   established children of the veteran.                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > Once the relationship is established, benefits may be |
|            | > paid for a spouse and children without any showing    |
|            | > that they are, in fact, financially dependent on the  |
|            | > veteran.                                              |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Actual dependency***: In some cases involving      |
|            | > parents' benefits, dependency must actually be shown. |
|            | > This is referred to as *actual* dependency.           |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***References***: For more information on             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   establishing a marital relationship, see            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iii, 5.B                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   [38 CFR                                             |
|            |     3.50](http:/                                        |
|            | /www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_50.DOC) |
|            |     (spouse and surviving spouse)                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   [38 CFR                                             |
|            |     3.52](http:/                                        |
|            | /www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_51.DOC) |
|            |     (marriages deemed valid)                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   [38 CFR                                             |
|            |     3.53](http:/                                        |
|            | /www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_53.DOC) |
|            |     (continuous cohabitation)                           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   [38 CFR                                             |
|            |     3.54](http:/                                        |
|            | /www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_54.DOC) |
|            |     (marriage dates), and                               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   [38 CFR                                             |
|            |     3.55](http:/                                        |
|            | /www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_55.DOC) |
|            |     (reinstatement of benefits eligibility based upon   |
|            |     terminated marital relationships)                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   establishing children's relationships, see          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iii, 5.F, and            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   [38 CFR                                             |
|            |     3.57](http:/                                        |
|            | /www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_57.DOC) |
|            |     (child), and                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   [38 CFR                                             |
|            |     3.58](http:/                                        |
|            | /www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_58.DOC) |
|            |     (child adopted out of family), and                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   establishing parental relationships, see            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iii, 5.I, and            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   [38 CFR                                             |
|            |     3.59](http:/                                        |
|            | /www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_58.DOC) |
|            |     (parent).                                           |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

1\. General Policies Regarding the Establishment of Relationship and
Dependency, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > The issue of *actual* dependency arises in the        |
| #### e. Wh | > following two situations, both of which involve       |
| en the Iss | > claims for parents' benefits and require review of    |
| ue of Actu | > the parent's assets and expenses:                     |
| al Depende |                                                         |
| ncy Arises | -   veterans in receipt of disability compensation with |
|            |     a combined evaluation of at least 30 percent may be |
|            |     paid additional benefits for "dependent" parents,   |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   parents of deceased veterans who have established   |
|            |     entitlement to parents death compensation or DIC    |
|            |     may continue to receive that benefit as long as     |
|            |     they continue to be "dependent."                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: Death compensation is payable only if the |
|            | > veteran's service-connected (SC) death was prior to   |
|            | > January 1, 1957.                                      |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***References***: For more information on             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   death compensation, see [38 U.S.C.                  |
|            |     1121](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu              |
|            | /uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00001121----000-.html) |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   establishing parental relationships, see M21-1MR,   |
|            |     Part III, Subpart iii, 5.I, and                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   establishing parental dependency, see M21-1MR, Part |
|            |     III, Subpart iii, 5.J.                              |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### f. D | > Initiate all required development at the earliest     |
| eveloping  | > practicable point in time. Piecemeal development      |
| All Claims | > unnecessarily delays claims processing.               |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Do not request                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   unnecessary evidence since this also delays         |
|            |     processing and imposes an unwarranted burden on the |
|            |     claimant, and                                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   evidence without first ascertaining whether or not  |
|            |     the same evidence is already of record.             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Example***: Always review the claims folder before |
|            | > developing for a marriage certificate, birth          |
|            | > certificate, or divorce decree, unless there is no    |
|            | > reasonable possibility that the evidence is of        |
|            | > record, such as when a veteran reports having married |
|            | > within the last couple of weeks.                      |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

1\. General Policies Regarding the Establishment of Relationship and
Dependency, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > Dependency is a factor in establishing entitlement to |
| # g. Devel | > pension. Persons who claim income-based benefits must |
| oping Pens | > report all dependents.                                |
| ion Claims | >                                                       |
|            | > Undertake all appropriate development for dependency  |
|            | > information with initial development actions.         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### h.   | > Dependency is *not* a factor for entitlement to       |
| Developing | > compensation.                                         |
|  Compensat | >                                                       |
| ion Claims | > Develop for dependency information only when a rating |
|            | > is received showing a combined evaluation of 30       |
|            | > percent or more or when it is apparent the veteran's  |
|            | > SC disability will warrant at least a 30 percent      |
|            | > evaluation.                                           |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Example***: The veteran lost both legs in service. |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Note***: When a veteran's disabilities are         |
|            | > evaluated at 30 percent or more                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   include information concerning possible additional  |
|            |     benefits for dependents in the award letter         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   clear the original end product (EP) when releasing  |
|            |     the award letter, and                               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   establish EP 130 for control only when the          |
|            |     dependency information is received.                 |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > If a claimant lacks status as a dependent for         |
| # i. When  | > Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) purposes, deny    |
| the Claima | > the claim without further development of relationship |
| nt Lacks S | > or dependency.                                        |
| tatus as a | >                                                       |
|  Dependent | > ***Example***: A grandchild is claiming death         |
|            | > benefits.                                             |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Reference***: For more information on issues of    |
|            | > relationship, see M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iii,     |
|            | > 5.A.1.b.                                              |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

1\. General Policies Regarding the Establishment of Relationship and
Dependency, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > VA benefit programs are authorized by Federal law (38 |
| #### j. Ap | > U.S.C.) that determines who is or is not eligible for |
| plicable S | > benefits. Some of the VA rules concerning             |
| tate and F | > relationship are unique to VA benefit programs.       |
| ederal Law | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Example***: The continuous cohabitation            |
|            | > requirement of [38 CFR                                |
|            | > 3.53](http://                                         |
|            | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_53.DOC). |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > In many instances, VA incorporates State law or the   |
|            | > law of foreign countries by reference. When making    |
|            | > decisions on relationship issues, State law is        |
|            | > relevant only to the extent that it is incorporated   |
|            | > by reference into the body of Federal law governing   |
|            | > VA eligibility determinations.                        |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Example***: [38 CFR                                |
|            | > 3.1(j)](http:                                         |
|            | //www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_1.DOC) |
|            | > refers to local law for determining the basic         |
|            | > validity of marriage.                                 |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### k.   | > Family composition is determined objectively under    |
|  Claimant' | > applicable VA regulations. Claimants *must*           |
| s Duty to  | > accurately report relationships and family            |
| Report Rel | > compositions when requested to by VA.                 |
| ationships | >                                                       |
|            | > Disability compensation claimants have the option of  |
|            | > claiming or not claiming dependents. However, persons |
|            | > claiming any of the income-based benefits *must*      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   report *all* dependents, and                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   *not* manipulate family composition to maximize     |
|            |     benefits.                                           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Example***: Failure to claim a spouse with income  |
|            | > or substantial assets would be considered             |
|            | > manipulation to maximize benefits.                    |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 2. Burden of Proof

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on the burden of      |
| troduction | > proof concerning claimant evidence. It includes       |
|            | > information on                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   decisions regarding relationship and domestic       |
|            |     relations issues                                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   responsibilities of VA and claimants                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   evidence provided by the claimant, and              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   evaluating the evidence.                            |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > August 14, 2006                                       |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > Decisions must be made on relationship and domestic   |
| #### a. De | > relations issues. Before it is possible to make a     |
| cisions Re | > decision as to whether or not a relationship may be   |
| garding Re | > established, the Veterans Service Representative      |
| lationship | > (VSR) *must*                                          |
|  and Domes |                                                         |
| tic Relati | -   sort out and evaluate evidence that is often        |
| ons Issues |     inconsistent or contradictory, and                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   perform follow-up development to refine the issues  |
|            |     as needed.                                          |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > VA must make reasonable efforts to assist the         |
| b. Respons | > claimant in securing evidence, but the claimant       |
| ibilities  | > *always* has the initial burden of proof or burden of |
| of VA and  | > going forward.                                        |
| Claimants  | >                                                       |
|            | > This means that the claimant must furnish evidence on |
|            | > each element needed to establish the point at issue   |
|            | > or VA must deny the claim.                            |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Example***: A claimant alleging the existence of a |
|            | > deemed valid marriage must meet the requirements set  |
|            | > out for a deemed valid marriage. If the claimant      |
|            | > fails to do so, the claim must be denied.             |
|            | > (***Note***: VA may, as part of its duty to assist,   |
|            | > provide reasonable assistance to secure the           |
|            | > evidence.)                                            |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***References***: For more information on             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   VA's duty to assist in developing claims, see       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   [38 CFR                                             |
|            |     3.159](http://                                      |
|            | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_159.DOC) |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iii, 1.A.1, and          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   M21-1MR, Part I, 1.A, and                           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   deemed valid marriage requirements, see M21-1MR,    |
|            |     Part III, Subpart iii, 5.E.26 through 29.           |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

2\. Burden of Proof, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > In most cases, the claimant's statement alone is      |
| ### c. Evi |                                                         |
| dence Prov | -   accepted as true in the absence of contradictory    |
| ided by th |     evidence of record, and                             |
| e Claimant |                                                         |
|            | -   sufficient evidence to establish a point at issue.  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > In some cases, however, more evidence is required.    |
|            | > Not every non-contradictory statement made by the     |
|            | > claimant must be accepted as true. It is appropriate  |
|            | > to request further evidence *if* there is substantial |
|            | > reason to challenge a claimant's statement. A         |
|            | > substantial reason is something beyond mere suspicion |
|            | > or doubt.                                             |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***References***: For more information on             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   evaluating evidence submitted by the claimant, see  |
|            |     M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iii, 1.B, and            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   resolving reasonable doubt, see                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   [38 CFR                                             |
|            |     3.102](http://w                                     |
|            | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_102.DOC), |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart v, 1.A.4.                |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | When all procurable evidence is of record, the VSR      |
| ### d. Eva | *must*                                                  |
| luating th |                                                         |
| e Evidence | -   evaluate the competency, credibility, and           |
|            |     persuasiveness of the evidence, and                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   determine if the competent and credible evidence in |
|            |     favor of the claimant's position is of equal to or  |
|            |     greater weight than the evidence to the contrary.   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > Use the table below to determine whether or not a     |
|            | > point is established.                                 |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| If scales weighing the evidence  | Then ...                          |
| ...                              |                                   |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| tip in favor of the claimant     | the point is established.         |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| tip against the claimant         | the point is not established.     |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| are approximately balanced       | resolve reasonable doubt in favor |
|                                  | of the claimant.                  |
|                                  |                                   |
|                                  | ***Reference***: For more         |
|                                  | information on resolving          |
|                                  | reasonable doubt, see [38 CFR     |
|                                  | 3.10                              |
|                                  | 2](http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/re |
|                                  | gs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_102.DOC). |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

#### 3. Jurisdiction Over Relationship Determinations

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on jurisdiction over  |
| troduction | > determinations on different relationship issues. It   |
|            | > includes information on                               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Veteran Service Representatives' (VSRs)             |
|            |     jurisdiction over questions involving facts         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   when VSRs have the authority to resolve domestic    |
|            |     relations issues                                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   when administrative decisions are required          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   when to request Regional Counsel opinions, and      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   how to submit domestic relations questions to       |
|            |     Regional Counsel.                                   |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > August 14, 2006                                       |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### a.   | > Veterans Service Representatives (VSRs) have          |
|  VSRs' Jur | > exclusive jurisdiction over questions involving facts |
| isdiction  | > of relationship or dependency determinations.         |
| Over Quest | > Questions of fact are all questions but those         |
| ions Invol | > requiring interpretation of law.                      |
| ving Facts | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Example***: The issue of whether Bob was below the |
|            | > age of majority when he married Linda is a question   |
|            | > of fact. The issue of whether his being underage      |
|            | > renders their marriage void is a question of law.     |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > The following are questions of fact:                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   *Who deserted whom?*                                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   *Who was at fault?*                                 |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > VSRs have the authority to resolve domestic relations |
|  b. When V | > issues without submission to Regional Counsel *if*    |
| SRs Have t |                                                         |
| he Authori | -   there is no doubt as to the legal effect of the     |
| ty to Reso |     facts found, or                                     |
| lve Domest |                                                         |
| ic Relatio | -   it is apparent that the situation is identical or   |
| ns Issues  |     the circumstances involved are "on all fours" with  |
|            |     a Regional Counsel or General Counsel (GC) opinion. |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: A case is considered "on all fours" when  |
|            | > the facts and questions of law involved are           |
|            | > substantially the same with respect to material facts |
|            | > and controlling legal principles. The cases need      |
|            | > *not* be identical.                                   |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

3\. Jurisdiction Over Relationship Determinations, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > Use the table below to determine when administrative  |
| #### c. Wh | > decisions are required.                               |
| en Adminis | >                                                       |
| trative De | > ***Note***: All administrative decisions require two  |
| cisions Ar | > signatures unless otherwise indicated.                |
| e Required |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Issues Requiring an            | Additional Information              |
| Administrative Decision        |                                     |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Deemed valid marriage.         | \-\--                               |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Deemed valid common law        | M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iii,     |
| marriage.                      | 5.C.                                |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Whether a common law marriage  | Adverse decisions must articulate   |
| between the surviving spouse   | the information on surviving spouse |
| and veteran may be "deemed     | claimants in M21-1MR, Part III,     |
| valid" even though the parties | Subpart iii, 5.C.                   |
| did not reside in a state that |                                     |
| recognizes common law          |                                     |
| marriages.                     |                                     |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Continuous cohabitation cannot | A favorable finding does not        |
| be established.                | require an administrative decision. |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Inference of remarriage.       | An administrative decision with     |
|                                | three signatures is required.       |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Fraudulent annulment.          | An administrative decision with     |
|                                | three signatures is required.       |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Parental relationship between  | For more information on             |
| a veteran and an adopted child | establishing parental               |
| cannot be established.         | relationships, see M21-1MR, Part    |
|                                | III, Subpart iii, 5.I.              |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Adoption decree is             | \-\--                               |
| questionable.                  |                                     |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Parental relationship cannot   | ***Exception***: No administration  |
| be established between         | decision is required to remove a    |
|                                | stepchild from an award because the |
| -   a claimed stepchild, or    | child's parent is separated from    |
|                                | the veteran.                        |
| -   a claimed illegitimate     |                                     |
|     (biological) child.        | For more information on             |
|                                | establishing parental               |
|                                | relationships, see M21-1MR, Part    |
|                                | III, Subpart iii, 5.I.              |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

3\. Jurisdiction Over Relationship Determinations, Continued

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  c\. When Administrative Decisions Are Required (continued)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Issues Requiring an            | Additional Information              |
| Administrative Decision        |                                     |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Contested claim.               | An administrative decision with     |
|                                | three signatures is required.       |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Foster parent cannot be        | For more information on             |
| established.                   | establishing parental               |
|                                | relationships, see M21-1MR, Part    |
|                                | III, Subpart iii, 5.I.              |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Benefits not payable because   | For more information on abandonment |
| of parental abandonment.       | by a parent, see M21-1MR, Part III, |
|                                | Subpart iii, 5.I.52.                |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Factual dependency of parents  | An administrative decision on *VAF  |
| is granted and the parent's    | 21-5427*, *Corpus of Estate*        |
| estate exceeds \$80,000.       | *Determination* is required.        |
|                                |                                     |
|                                | For more information on dependency  |
|                                | of parents, see M21-1MR, Part III,  |
|                                | Subpart iii, 5.J.                   |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Factual dependency of parents  | For more information on dependency  |
| is denied based on net worth.  | of parents, see M21-1MR, Part III,  |
|                                | Subpart iii, 5.J.                   |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

3\. Jurisdiction Over Relationship Determinations, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > Use the table below to determine when a Regional      |
| ### d. Whe | > Counsel opinion is required.                          |
| n a Region |                                                         |
| al Counsel |                                                         |
|  Opinion I |                                                         |
| s Required |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

  ------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
  Situations Requiring a Regional Counsel     Reference
  Opinion                                     

  A claimant alleges a marriage is void.      See M21-1MR, Part III,
                                              Subpart iii, 5.B.9.

  There is a question as to the validity of a See M21-1MR, Part III,
  second marriage, such as whether a common   Subpart iii, 5.B.
  law marriage automatically arises if a      
  party was previously married and the spouse 
  dies.                                       

  There is a question as to the validity of a See M21-1MR, Part III,
  tribal marriage.                            Subpart iii, 5.D.19.

  There is a question as to the validity of a See M21-1MR, Part III,
  proxy marriage under State law.             Subpart iii, 5.D.19.

  There is a question as the validity of a    See M21-1MR, Part III,
  transsexual marriage under State law.       Subpart iii, 5.D.19.

  There is a question concerning the validity See M21-1MR, Part III,
  of a divorce in cases in which a surviving  Subpart iii, 5.E.20.d.
  spouse attempts to establish entitlement    
  based on a court decree setting aside or    
  vacating the divorce.                       

  There is a question as to whether the       See M21-1MR, Part III,
  length of a fetus's gestation constitutes a Subpart iii, 5.E.21.d.
  birth under the law of the jurisdiction in  
  which the fetus was delivered.              

  There are questions as to the legal effect  See M21-1MR, Part III,
  of an adoptive placement agreement or       Subpart iii, 5.G.38.
  interlocutory adoption decree or order.     
  ------------------------------------------- ---------------------------

Continued on next page

3\. Jurisdiction Over Relationship Determinations, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > Follow the steps in the table below when a domestic   |
|  e. How to | > relations question requires referral to the Regional  |
|  Submit Do | > Counsel.                                              |
| mestic Rel |                                                         |
| ations Que |                                                         |
| stions to  |                                                         |
| the Region |                                                         |
| al Counsel |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| Step  | Action                                                       |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 1     | Completely develop for evidence surrounding the issue.       |
|       |                                                              |
|       | ***Note***: This includes performing any necessary field     |
|       | examination.                                                 |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 2     | Prepare a request for a legal opinion in memorandum format,  |
|       | setting forth the question together with a statement of      |
|       | facts.                                                       |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 3     | Attach the request to the claims folder.                     |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 4     | Send the request and the claims folder to the Regional       |
|       | Counsel office of the regional office (RO) concerned.        |
|       |                                                              |
|       | ***Exception***: The Manila RO submits Philippine domestic   |
|       | relations questions directly to General Counsel.             |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+

#### 4. Methods of Obtaining Information, Including Handling Information Received by Telephone, E-Mail, or Fax

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on methods of         |
| troduction | > obtaining information, including handling information |
|            | > received by telephone, e-mail or fax, including       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   acceptable methods of receiving information         |
|            |     establishing relationship or dependency             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   acceptable methods of receiving information         |
|            |     regarding changes in status                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   use of information submitted, and                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   possible retroactive action by VA.                  |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > August 14, 2006                                       |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > When a statement is required from a claimant or       |
| ### a. Acc | > beneficiary to establish relationship or dependency,  |
| eptable Me | > it may be received by                                 |
| thods of R |                                                         |
| eceiving I | -   telephone, or                                       |
| nformation |                                                         |
|  Establish | -   e-mail, fax, or other writing.                      |
| ing Relati |                                                         |
| onship or  | > ***Reference***: For more information on contact via  |
| Dependency | > the telephone, e-mail and fax contact procedures, see |
|            | > M21-1MR, Part II (TBD) or M21-1, Part III, 11.17      |
|            | > through 11.19.                                        |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### b. A | > Changes in dependency or marital status affecting     |
| cceptable  | > entitlement to benefits do *not* need to be submitted |
| Methods of | > in writing.                                           |
|  Receiving | >                                                       |
|  Informati | > Notices of changes in relationship or dependency may  |
| on Regardi | > be received by                                        |
| ng Changes |                                                         |
|  in Status | -   telephone, or                                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   e-mail, fax, or other writing.                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Important***: To permit concurrent due process and |
|            | > avoid notice of proposed adverse action due process   |
|            | > per [38 CFR                                           |
|            | > 3.217(b)](http://                                     |
|            | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_217.DOC) |
|            | > in cases of change of status, the specific telephone  |
|            | > contact procedures shown in M21-1MR, Part II (TBD) or |
|            | > M21-1, Part III, 11.18 *must* be followed on all oral |
|            | > communications.                                       |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

4\. Methods of Obtaining Information, Including Handling Information
Received by Telephone, E-Mail, or Fax, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### c    | > VA may increase or decrease benefit payments based on |
| . Use of I | > information submitted orally or by e-mail, fax,       |
| nformation | > letter, or other writing subject to due process       |
|  Submitted | > requirements in the case of reductions.               |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Reference***: For information on due process, see  |
|            | > M21-1MR, Part I, 2.                                   |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > Per [38 CFR                                           |
| ### d. Pos | > 3.103(b)(4)](http://w                                 |
| sible Retr | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_103.DOC), |
| oactive Ac | > VA retroactively restores benefits that were reduced, |
| tion by VA | > terminated or otherwise adversely effected based on   |
|            | > oral information or statements if, within 30 days of  |
|            | > the date that the notice of adverse action was        |
|            | > issued, the beneficiary or his/her fiduciary asserts  |
|            | > that the adverse action was based upon information or |
|            | > statements that were                                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   inaccurate, or                                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   not provided by the beneficiary or his/her          |
|            |     fiduciary.                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: Restoration of benefits under [38 CFR     |
|            | > 3.103(b)(4)](http://                                  |
|            | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_103.DOC) |
|            | > will not preclude VA from taking subsequent action    |
|            | > that adversely affects benefits.                      |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+