## Section H. Finding of Fact and Date of Death

#### Overview

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| #          | > This section contains the following topics:           |
| #### In th |                                                         |
| is Section |                                                         |
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  ---------- ----------------------------------------------- ------------
  Topic      Topic Name                                      See Page

  31         Developing for Fact and Date of Death           1-H-2

  32         Developing for Deaths in a Common Disaster      1-H-4

  33         Accountable Absence                             1-H-7

  34         Preparation and Approval of Findings of Fact    1-H-8
             and Date of Death                               
  ---------- ----------------------------------------------- ------------

#### 31. Developing for Fact and Date of Death

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| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on evidence           |
| troduction | > requirements for finding of fact and date of death,   |
|            | > including information on                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   when to develop for fact and date of death          |
|            |     evidence, and                                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   developing for evidence.                            |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

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| ##### C    | > March 7, 2006                                         |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > Develop the fact of death in accordance with [38 CFR  |
| #### a. Wh | > 3.211(f)](http://                                     |
| en to Deve | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_211.DOC) |
| lop for Fa | > by the best obtainable evidence, when                 |
| ct and Dat |                                                         |
| e of Death | -   the death of the person involved cannot be          |
|  Evidence  |     established by any of the evidence as outlined in   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   [38 CFR                                             |
|            |     3.211(a)](http://                                   |
|            | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_211.DOC) |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   [38 CFR                                             |
|            |     3.211(b)](http://                                   |
|            | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_211.DOC) |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   [38 CFR                                             |
|            |     3.211(c)](http://                                   |
|            | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_211.DOC) |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   [38 CFR                                             |
|            |     3.211(d)](http://w                                  |
|            | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_211.DOC), |
|            |     or                                                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   [38 CFR                                             |
|            |     3.211(e)](http://w                                  |
|            | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_211.DOC), |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   it is indicated that the death occurred under       |
|            |     circumstances which preclude recovery or            |
|            |     identification of the body.                         |
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Continued on next page

31\. Developing for Fact and Date of Death, Continued

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| ##         | > Develop for certified statements from:                |
| ### b. Dev |                                                         |
| eloping fo | -   the claimant, setting forth the circumstances under |
| r Evidence |     which the missing person was last seen and the      |
|            |     known facts concerning death, and                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   persons who witnessed the accident in which the     |
|            |     missing person is alleged to have perished, setting |
|            |     forth the full circumstances, or                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   persons who have the most authentic information     |
|            |     available concerning the death, if the testimony of |
|            |     eyewitnesses is not obtainable, and fact of death   |
|            |     is determinable on circumstantial evidence.         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: Official reports of any Government        |
|            | > agencies that conducted investigations will be        |
|            | > persuasive but not controlling.                       |
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#### 32. Developing for Deaths in a Common Disaster

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on deaths in a common |
| troduction | > disaster, including information on                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   evidence requirements                               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   developing for evidence                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   cases in which an accident occurred that is         |
|            |     incidental to employment                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   evidence that does not show the missing person at   |
|            |     the place of disaster                               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   developing for evidence when two or more veterans   |
|            |     are involved                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   preparing signed copies of the finding for each     |
|            |     related claims folder, and                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   general facts cited in a finding of death.          |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

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| ##### C    | > March 7, 2006                                         |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### a. E | > When a missing person is alleged to have died in a    |
| vidence Re | > common disaster and the body is not recovered or      |
| quirements | > identified, request evidence to show as definitely as |
|            | > possible the following information:                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the missing person was at the scene of the accident |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the missing person was in imminent peril at the     |
|            |     time the accident occurred, and                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the disappearance was attributable to the           |
|            |     catastrophe.                                        |
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+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > Develop for the following evidence, requesting a      |
| ## b. Deve | > field examination, if necessary:                      |
| loping for |                                                         |
|  Evidence  | -   the claimant's certified statement giving the       |
|            |     reason for believing that the missing person was at |
|            |     the scene of the accident when it occurred, and     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   certified statements of individuals who saw the     |
|            |     missing person at the scene of the accident shortly |
|            |     before the accident occurred or under such          |
|            |     circumstances that it appeared unlikely that        |
|            |     survival was probable.                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Example***: An example of a certified statement    |
|            | > includes, the certified statement of a fellow worker  |
|            | > who left the place of employment shortly before the   |
|            | > accident and who saw the missing person at work or an |
|            | > individual who saw the missing person trapped in a    |
|            | > burning building.                                     |
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Continued on next page

32\. Developing for Deaths in a Common Disaster, Continued

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| #          | > If the accident occurred incidental to employment,    |
| #### c. Ac | > obtain the certified statement of the employer giving |
| cident Occ | > the names of persons who were believed to be on duty  |
| urred Inci | > at the time the accident occurred.                    |
| dental to  | >                                                       |
| Employment | > ***Rationale***: Obtain a certified statement of the  |
|            | > employer in order to support other evidence tending   |
|            | > to show that death occurred in the disaster.          |
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| ##### d. E | > If the missing person is not shown to have been at    |
| vidence Th | > the place the disaster occurred, obtain from friends, |
| at Does No | > neighbors, and other persons who may have observed    |
| t Show the | > the individual, certified statements that             |
|  Missing P |                                                         |
| erson at t | -   outline the activities on that day, and             |
| he Place o |                                                         |
| f Disaster | -   set forth fully their reasons for believing that    |
|            |     death may have occurred in the disaster.            |
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| #          | > If a claim is filed and information of record         |
| #### e. De | > indicates that another veteran is missing as the      |
| veloping f | > result of a common disaster or accident occurring     |
| or Evidenc | > after separation from service, initiate action to     |
| e When Two | > determine                                             |
|  or More V |                                                         |
| eterans Ar | -   the existence and location of the claims folder for |
| e Involved |     the other veteran, and                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the status of any claim.                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Reference***: For information on common accidents  |
|            | > occurring in service, see M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart  |
|            | > vi, 8.6 (TBD --                                       |
|            | > [III.3.04](http                                       |
|            | ://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part3/ch03.doc)). |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Use the table to determine the next course of action. |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| If ...                           | Then ...                          |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| -   a claim was filed and        | initiate action to determine      |
|     information of record        |                                   |
|     indicates that another       | -   the existence and location of |
|     veteran is involved, and     |     a claims folder for the other |
|                                  |     veteran, and                  |
| -   no development was initiated |                                   |
|                                  | -   the status of any claim.      |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| a claim was filed in the other   | initiate joint development for    |
| case, which is located at the    | both claims under the provisions  |
| same regional office (RO)        | of M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart v,  |
|                                  | 1.H.                              |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

Continued on next page

32\. Developing for Deaths in a Common Disaster, Continued

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  e\. Developing for Evidence When Two or More Veterans Are Involved
  (continued)

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+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| If ...                           | Then ...                          |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| -   a claim has been filed in    | -   send the claims folder to     |
|     another case, and            |     that office, and              |
|                                  |                                   |
| -   the other folder is located  | -   give the office temporary     |
|     in another office            |     jurisdiction over both claims |
|                                  |     for simultaneous development  |
|                                  |     and authorization.            |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| -   a claim has been filed in    | -   obtain the folder on          |
|     the other case, and          |     temporary transfer            |
|                                  |                                   |
| -   a favorable or unfavorable   | -   review the pending case, and  |
|     determination has been made  |                                   |
|                                  | -   take action as necessary.     |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| no claim has been filed in the   | -   flash that case to show a     |
| other case                       |     claim has been filed in the   |
|                                  |     pending case, and             |
|                                  |                                   |
|                                  | -   file a copy of the finding in |
|                                  |     the other claims folder.      |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### f.   | > After a formal determination is made in a case in     |
|  Preparing | > which two or more veterans are missing as the result  |
|  Signed Co | > of a common disaster or accident occurring after      |
| pies of th | > separation from service, prepare signed copies of the |
| e Finding  | > finding for each related claims folder, including     |
| for Each R |                                                         |
| elated Cla | -   those in which a claim was denied for failure to    |
| ims Folder |     furnish evidence or other reason, and               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   cases in which no claim was filed.                  |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### g. G | > Subject to the provisions of [38 CFR                  |
| eneral Fac | > 3.105(a)](http://                                     |
| ts Cited i | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_105.DOC) |
| n a Findin | > and [38 CFR                                           |
| g of Death | > 3.105(b)](http://w                                    |
|            | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_105.DOC), |
|            | > the general facts cited in a finding of death made    |
|            | > for another veteran in the same disaster or accident  |
|            | > are conclusive in establishing the circumstances of   |
|            | > the disaster or accident.                             |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Note***: These facts do not negate the facts       |
|            | > relative to the death or date of death of any other   |
|            | > veteran in the accident.                              |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 33. Accountable Absence

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on accountable        |
| troduction | > absence, including information on                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   preparing a finding of fact of death, and           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   considering evidence suggesting voluntary           |
|            |     disappearance.                                      |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > March 7, 2006                                         |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > Prepare a finding of fact of death on the weight of   |
|  a. Prepar | > evidence.                                             |
| ing a Find |                                                         |
| ing of Fac |                                                         |
| t of Death |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > Consider any circumstance that might suggest the      |
|  b. Consid | > disappearance was voluntary, for example              |
| ering Evid |                                                         |
| ence Sugge | -   marital difficulties, or                            |
| sting Volu |                                                         |
| ntary Disa | -   financial difficulties.                             |
| ppearance  |                                                         |
|            | > The existence of such circumstances does *not*        |
|            | > prevent a finding of fact of death.                   |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Exception***: If the person whose death is alleged |
|            | > had an adequate opportunity to escape death and had   |
|            | > reason to choose to disappear, apply the provisions   |
|            | > of M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart vi, Chapter 8 (TBD --   |
|            | > [IV.25.15](htt                                        |
|            | p://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part4/ch25.doc)) |
|            | > when the veteran is the missing person.               |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 34. Preparation and Approval of Findings of Fact and Date of Death

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on the preparation    |
| troduction | > and approval of findings of fact and date of death,   |
|            | > including information on                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the responsibility to authorize findings            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the preparation of supporting documents, and        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   determining the date of death.                      |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > March 7, 2006                                         |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > The Veterans Service Center Manager (VSCM) has        |
|  a. Respon | > authority to approve findings of fact of death. This  |
| sibility t | > authority can be delegated to supervisors *not* lower |
| o Authoriz | > than a coach.                                         |
| e Findings |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > Prepare a formal finding of fact of death for the     |
| # b. Prepa | > signature of the approving authority in the format    |
| ration of  | > shown in M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart v, 1.A.2.         |
| Supporting |                                                         |
|  Documents |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### c.   | > As required by the circumstances, the date of death   |
|  Determini | > can be established as                                 |
| ng the Dat |                                                         |
| e of Death | -   the date the deceased was last seen alive           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the date the body was found, or                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   any time between those dates.                       |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+