## Section F. Miscellaneous Election Issues

#### Overview

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

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

  26           Surviving Spouse's Election of Improved Death  4-F-2
               Pension                                        

  27           Surviving Spouse's Payment of Dependency and   4-F-3
               Indemnity Compensation (DIC) at Improved Death 
               Pension Rate                                   

  28           Retired Serviceperson's Family Protection Plan 4-F-8
               Under 10 U.S.C. 1431                           

  29           Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) of  4-F-10
               1990                                           

  30           References to Election Information for         4-F-13
               Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA)       
  ------------ ---------------------------------------------- ------------

#### 26. Surviving Spouse's Election of Improved Death Pension

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > Effective November 2, 1994, a surviving spouse        |
| troduction | > eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation    |
|            | > (DIC) may elect Improved Death Pension.               |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > This topic contains information on                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   how a surviving spouse eligible for DIC is now      |
|            |     permitted to elect Improved Death Pension, and      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the special provisions for a surviving spouse in a  |
|            |     Medicaid nursing home.                              |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

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

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### a.   | > *Public Law (PL) 103-446*, enacted on November 2,     |
|  Surviving | > 1994, amended [38                                     |
|  Spouse El | > U.S.C.1317](http://straylight.law.cornell.edu         |
| igible for | /uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00001317----000-.html) |
|  Dependenc | > to permit a surviving spouse who is eligible for      |
| y and Inde | > Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) to elect  |
| mnity Comp | > Improved Death Pension. This provision became         |
| ensation ( | > effective November 2, 1994.                           |
| DIC) Now P | >                                                       |
| ermitted t | > Generally, it is not to a surviving spouse's          |
| o Elect Im | > advantage to elect Improved Death Pension in lieu of  |
| proved Dea | > DIC.                                                  |
| th Pension | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Note***: Prior to *PL 103-446*, [38 U.S.C.         |
|            | > 1317](http://straylight.law.cornell.edu               |
|            | /uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00001317----000-.html) |
|            | > prohibited a surviving spouse eligible for DIC from   |
|            | > electing Improved Death Pension.                      |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > If a surviving spouse is eligible for DIC and in a    |
| ## b. Spec | > Medicaid-covered nursing home, he/she may wish to     |
| ial Provis | > elect death pension to take advantage of the \$90     |
| ions for S | > Medicaid provisions of [38 U.S.C.                     |
| urviving S | > 5503(f)](http://straylight.law.cornell.edu/           |
| pouse in M | uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00005503----000-.html). |
| edicaid Nu | >                                                       |
| rsing Home | > ***References***: For more information on             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   \$90 Medicaid provisions, see [38 CFR               |
|            |     3.551(i)](http://w                                  |
|            | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_551.DOC), |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   pension reductions for Medicaid nursing home care,  |
|            |     see M21-1MR, Part V, Subpart iii, 3.1 (TBD) or      |
|            |     M21-1, Part IV, Chapter 39.                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 27. Surviving Spouse's Payment of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) at Improved Death Pension Rate

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > In some cases, a surviving spouse may receive         |
| troduction | > Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits  |
|            | > paid at the Improved Death Pension rate. These will   |
|            | > normally be encountered as historic cases, rather     |
|            | > than running awards.                                  |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > This topic contains information on                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the policy for paying a surviving spouse DIC at the |
|            |     Improved Death Pension rate                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   how, in these cases, a claim for increased benefits |
|            |     is *not* required                                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   considering dependent children when computing the   |
|            |     applicable Improved Death Pension rate              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   notifying the claimant of possible payment of       |
|            |     Improved Death Pension rate and developing the      |
|            |     claim                                               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   adjusting the award to pay the greater rate         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the effective date of the adjusted award, and       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   apportioning DIC awards paid at the Improved Death  |
|            |     Pension rate.                                       |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

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

Continued on next page

27\. Surviving Spouse's Payment of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
(DIC) at Improved Death Pension Rate, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > Pursuant to [38 U.S.C.                                |
|  a. Policy | > 1312(b)](http://straylight.law.cornell.edu/           |
| : Paying S | uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00001312----000-.html), |
| urviving S | > the payment of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation  |
| pouse Depe | > (DIC) to a surviving spouse at the Improved Death     |
| ndency and | > Pension rate is permissible when the surviving spouse |
|  Indemnity |                                                         |
|  Compensat | -   receives additional benefits for children, and      |
| ion (DIC)  |                                                         |
| at Improve | -   the usual DIC rate payable would be less than the   |
| d Death Pe |     surviving spouse's pension rate.                    |
| nsion Rate |                                                         |
|            | > This situation will usually be found on a historical  |
|            | > basis and it is now unusual for the following two     |
|            | > reasons:                                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   *PL 102-568* reformed the DIC program effective     |
|            |     January 1, 1993, and                                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the enactment of *PL 103-446* on November 2, 1994,  |
|            |     provides that a surviving spouse with eligibility   |
|            |     to DIC may now elect Improved Death Pension.        |
|            |     (***Reference***: For more information on the       |
|            |     surviving spouse's election of Improved Death       |
|            |     Pension, see M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart v,          |
|            |     4.F.26.a.)                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > Nonetheless, if the Improved Death Pension rate based |
|            | > on the surviving spouse's income for Department of    |
|            | > Veterans Affairs (VA) purposes would be greater than  |
|            | > the surviving spouse's entitlement to DIC benefits,   |
|            | > apply the provisions of [38 CFR                       |
|            | > 3.702(f)](http://                                     |
|            | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_702.DOC) |
|            | > to pay DIC at the Improved Death Pension rate.        |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### b. C | > A claim for increased benefits is *not* required to   |
| laim for I | > pay benefits at the greater Improved Death Pension    |
| ncreased B | > rate.                                                 |
| enefits No | >                                                       |
| t Required | > Once a surviving spouse establishes entitlement,      |
|            | > consider the case for the increased benefit if the    |
|            | > Improved Death Pension rate may be greater than the   |
|            | > DIC payable.                                          |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

27\. Surviving Spouse's Payment of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
(DIC) at Improved Death Pension Rate, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### c    | > When computing the applicable death pension rate for  |
| . Computin | > the surviving spouse, include any                     |
| g Applicab |                                                         |
| le Improve | -   child over age 18 and under 23, attending school,   |
| d Death Pe |     and/or                                              |
| nsion Rate |                                                         |
|            | -   child over age 18 and helpless.                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Notes***:                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   DIC is payable to the child in the additional       |
|            |     amount specifically authorized for a school or      |
|            |     helpless child.                                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   The child's DIC is countable as income for purposes |
|            |     of determining the Improved Death Pension rate      |
|            |     payable.                                            |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > When a surviving spouse files a claim or a case is    |
| ## d. Noti | > encountered in which it appears the claimant may be   |
| fying Clai | > entitled to this increased benefit, notify the        |
| mant of Im | > claimant of the right to payment at the Improved      |
| proved Dea | > Death Pension rate.                                   |
| th Pension | >                                                       |
|  Rate and  | > If not already of record, request that the surviving  |
| Developing | > spouse furnish evidence of income and net worth for   |
|  the Claim | > appropriate periods for                               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   himself/herself, and                                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the veteran's children.                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: If it appears probable that the Improved  |
|            | > Death Pension rate may be the greater benefit,        |
|            | > simultaneously undertake development as necessary to  |
|            | > determine the maximum benefit payable in original     |
|            | > claims for death benefits.                            |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

27\. Surviving Spouse's Payment of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
(DIC) at Improved Death Pension Rate, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > When adjusting an award to pay the greater of either  |
| ### e. Adj | > the DIC rate or the Improved Death Pension rate       |
| usting the |                                                         |
|  Award to  | -   adjust awards retroactively, currently or           |
| Pay the Gr |     prospectively, as appropriate, in accordance with   |
| eater Rate |     the facts in each case, and                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   make adjustments for changes in any of the          |
|            |     following information so that the beneficiary will  |
|            |     receive the greater benefit at all times and advise |
|            |     the claimant accordingly:                           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   income or net worth                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   dependency of children                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   statutory changes in the regular DIC or Improved    |
|            |     Death Pension rates, or                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   any other reason affecting the benefit payable, and |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   enter reason code 30 on any award line authorizing  |
|            |     a change from the regular DIC rate to the death     |
|            |     pension rate and vice versa.                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > If the Improved Death Pension rate is greater than    |
|            | > the DIC rate payable, prepare the award at the        |
|            | > Improved Death Pension rate with the appropriate DIC  |
|            | > entitlement code and special law (SL) code 10 for     |
|            | > those periods when Improved Death Pension is the      |
|            | > greater benefit.                                      |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Note***: Select cases in this category for         |
|            | > regional office (RO) review as part of Eligibility    |
|            | > Verification Report (EVR) processing.                 |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > Make the effective date of any increase payable to a  |
| #### f. Ef | > surviving spouse already in receipt of DIC in         |
| fective Da | > accordance with [38 CFR                               |
| te of Adju | > 3.114(a)](http://                                     |
| sted Award | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_114.DOC) |
|            | > if evidence of entitlement is                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   of record, or                                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   received within one year from the date of request.  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Important***: The effective date should *never* be |
|            | > earlier than January 1, 1979.                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

27\. Surviving Spouse's Payment of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
(DIC) at Improved Death Pension Rate, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### g.   | > If the award to a surviving spouse receiving DIC at   |
|  Apportion | > the death pension rate is to be apportioned for a     |
| ing DIC Aw | > child or children not in custody, pay the child or    |
| ards Paid  | > children the greater of the following rates to which  |
| at Improve | > he/she would be entitled:                             |
| d Death Pe |                                                         |
| nsion Rate | -   the DIC apportioned share, or                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the Improved Death Pension rate.                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: For information about when a child not in |
|            | > the surviving spouse's custody may be entitled to     |
|            | > death pension benefits in his or her own name, while  |
|            | > the surviving spouse continues to receive DIC, see    |
|            | > *VAOPGCPREC 04-92*.                                   |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 28. Retired Serviceperson's Family Protection Plan Under 10 U.S.C. 1431

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > Certain restrictions exist on the concurrent payment  |
| troduction | > of VA benefits and Retired Serviceperson's Family     |
|            | > Protection Plan benefits under 10 U.S.C. 1431.        |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > This topic contains information on                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   eligibility for the Retired Serviceperson's Family  |
|            |     Protection Plan (RSFPP)                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   restriction on concurrent payments of VA benefits   |
|            |     and family protection plan benefits, and            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   notification to the service department of a         |
|            |     survivor's entitlement/non-entitlement to death     |
|            |     compensation or DIC.                                |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

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

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > In order to determine eligibility for the Retired     |
| #### a. El | > Serviceperson's Family Protection Plan (RSFPP) under  |
| igibility  | > [10 U.S.C.                                            |
| for Retire | > 1431](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu                |
| d Servicep | /uscode/html/uscode10/usc_sec_10_00001431----000-.html) |
| erson's Fa |                                                         |
| mily Prote | -   VA must receive a claim for death compensation or   |
| ction Plan |     DIC, and                                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the rating activity must make a determination of    |
|            |     service connection.                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > If request for RSFPP eligibility is received from a   |
|            | > family member or the service department, but a claim  |
|            | > for death compensation or DIC has not been filed      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   inform the person requesting eligibility and/or a   |
|            |     service connection determination that VA has no     |
|            |     authority to determine service connection for the   |
|            |     veteran\'s death unless a claim is filed, and       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   provide one of the following forms, as appropriate: |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   *VA Form 21-534, Application for Dependency and     |
|            |     Indemnity Compensation, Death Pension and Accrued   |
|            |     Benefits by a Surviving Spouse or Child*, or        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   *VA Form 21-535, Application for Dependency and     |
|            |     Indemnity Compensation by Parent(s)*.               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Reference***: For more information on the claim    |
|            | > requirement for making a service connection           |
|            | > determination, see M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart ii,     |
|            | > 7.5.c.                                                |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

28\. Retired Serviceperson's Family Protection Plan Under 10 U.S.C.
1431, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > Payments received under the RSFPP                     |
|  b. Restri |                                                         |
| ctions on  | -   do *not* bar concurrent payment of death            |
| Concurrent |     compensation, death pension, or DIC, and            |
|  Payments  |                                                         |
| of VA Bene | -   are excluded from computation of income in such     |
| fits and F |     cases, per [38 CFR                                  |
| amily Prot |     3.261(a)(14)](http://w                              |
| ection Pla | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_261.DOC). |
| n Benefits |                                                         |
|            | > However, *PL 87-381*, effective October 4, 1961,      |
|            | > amended the Uniform Contingency Option Act of 1953 to |
|            | > restrict benefits of certain surviving beneficiaries  |
|            | > of service personnel electing under the RSFPP.        |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Certain survivors of electees are *not* entitled to   |
|            | > annuities under this plan until they furnish the      |
|            | > service department with proof that they are *not*     |
|            | > eligible for death compensation or DIC.               |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### c.   | > Provide notification of VA benefit awards to service  |
| Notifying  | > departments *only* on specific request from the       |
| Service De | > survivor or service department.                       |
| partment o | >                                                       |
| f Survivor | > On receipt of a request from the survivor or service  |
| 's Entitle | > department,                                           |
| ment/ Non- |                                                         |
| Entitlemen | -   furnish complete information concerning the         |
| t to Death |     survivor's entitlement or non-entitlement to death  |
|  Compensat |     compensation or DIC if such determination has been  |
| ion or DIC |     made or is made based on a claim filed for VA       |
|            |     benefits, or                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   if a claim has not been filed, advise the requester |
|            |     that a determination may not be made until an       |
|            |     application for benefits is received.               |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 29. Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) of 1990

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > Certain restrictions exist on the concurrent payment  |
| troduction | > of VA benefits and RECA payments.                     |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > This topic contains information on                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the background on RECA of 1990                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the restrictions on concurrent payments of VA       |
|            |     benefits and RECA payment                           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   provisions of Public Law 108-454 for concurrent     |
|            |     payment                                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   initiating and directing authorization action in    |
|            |     RECA payment cases                                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   offsetting compensation or DIC upon receipt of RECA |
|            |     payment                                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   retroactive adjustment of awards, and               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   directing questions regarding RECA payment cases.   |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

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

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) of     |
|  a. Backgr | > 1990 ([42 U.S.C.                                      |
| ound on RE | > 2210](http://straylight.law.cornell.edu/u             |
| CA of 1990 | scode/html/uscode42/usc_sec_42_00002210----000-.html)), |
|            | > authorized the Attorney General to make payments as   |
|            | > restitution to a limited class of individuals (or     |
|            | > survivors of individuals) with radiation-related      |
|            | > diseases who had been                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   employed during a specified period in uranium mines |
|            |     in                                                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   Colorado                                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Utah                                                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Arizona                                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Wyoming, and/or                                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   New Mexico,                                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   present during designated periods at, or in,        |
|            |     certain specified areas downwind of the             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   Nevada Test Site                                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Pacific Proving Grounds, and/or                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Trinity Test Site at Alamogordo, New Mexico and/or  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   on-site participants at an atmospheric nuclear      |
|            |     weapon test who were                                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   subsequently diagnosed with one of the specific     |
|            |     radiation-related diseases listed in [38 CFR        |
|            |     3.309(d)(2)](http://w                               |
|            | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_309.DOC), |
|            |     with the exception of                               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   bone cancer and urinary tract cancer other than     |
|            |     bladder cancer.                                     |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

29\. Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) of 1990, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > Prior to the enactment of [*PL                        |
|  b. Restri | > 108-45                                                |
| ction on C | 4*](http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/publaw/108publ.html) |
| oncurrent  | > on December 10, 2004, a veteran or surviving spouse   |
| Payments o | > who accepted a RECA payment made for a radiogenic     |
| f VA Benef | > disease that developed after participation onsite in  |
| its and RE | > an atmospheric nuclear test was thereafter barred     |
| CA Payment | > from receiving compensation, or further payment of    |
|            | > compensation for the same condition.                  |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Similarly, a survivor who accepted a RECA payment     |
|            | > based on the death of a veteran resulting from a      |
|            | > radiogenic condition was thereafter disqualified from |
|            | > receiving DIC based on death resulting from the same  |
|            | > condition.                                            |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > Section 302 of the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act  |
| # c. Provi | > of 2004 ([*PL                                         |
| sions of P | > 108-454*                                              |
| ublic Law  | ](http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/publaw/108publ.html)), |
| 108-454 fo | > provides that a veteran or surviving spouse who is    |
| r Concurre | > issued payment under RECA shall not be deprived of    |
| nt Payment | > payment of compensation or DIC for the same disease   |
|            | > or death                                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   for any months beginning after March 26, 2002, and  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   once the entire amount of the RECA payment is       |
|            |     recouped from compensation or DIC otherwise payable |
|            |     for that same disease.                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: If a case is encountered in which         |
|            | > compensation or DIC was previously reduced,           |
|            | > discontinued, or denied because of receipt of RECA,   |
|            | > notify the claimant of potential entitlement under    |
|            | > [*PL                                                  |
|            | > 108-454                                               |
|            | *](http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/publaw/108publ.html). |
|            | > If benefits can be awarded, the effective date        |
|            | > provisions of [38 CFR                                 |
|            | > 4.114(a)](http://                                     |
|            | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_114.DOC) |
|            | > would apply.                                          |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > When a veteran or surviving dependent files a claim   |
| d. Initiat | > under RECA                                            |
| ing and Di |                                                         |
| recting Au | -   the Department of Justice initially contacts VA     |
| thorizatio |     Central Office (CO), C&P Service, Advisory          |
| n Action i |     Review (211) staff, and                             |
| n RECA Pay |                                                         |
| ment Cases | -   the Advisory Review staff then                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   contacts the appropriate Veterans Service Center    |
|            |     Manager, and                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   directs specific authorization actions.             |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

29\. Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) of 1990, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### e.   | > Offset the compensation or DIC award in the same      |
|  Offsettin | > manner as adjustments are made for claims under [38   |
| g Compensa | > U.S.C.                                                |
| tion or DI | > 1151](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu/               |
| C Upon Rec | uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00001151----000-.html). |
| eipt of RE | > VA benefits are offset for RECA payments with a type  |
| CA Payment | > 7 withholding, but no special law code is used to     |
|            | > identify these cases.                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   For adjustment of compensation benefits             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   determine the offset as described in M21-1MR, Part  |
|            |     IV, Subpart ii, 3.D.13.a                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   prepare the award as described in M21-1MR, Part IV, |
|            |     Subpart ii, 3.D.14.a                                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   For adjustment of DIC benefits                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   determine the offset as described in M21-1MR, Part  |
|            |     IV, Subpart iii, 3.G.37                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   prepare the award as described in M21-1MR, Part IV, |
|            |     Subpart iii, 3.G.38                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > When RECA payments are elected, compensation or DIC   |
|            | > payments are paid through the last day of the month   |
|            | > preceding the month in which the RECA payment is      |
|            | > issued, per [38 CFR                                   |
|            | > 3.500(x)](http://w                                    |
|            | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_500.DOC). |
|            | > The VA benefit is reduced or discontinued effective   |
|            | > on the first day of the month RECA payment begins.    |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > When VA receives notice that a veteran or surviving   |
| #### f. Re | > dependent received RECA for a radiation-related       |
| troactive  | > disability or death for which compensation of DIC is  |
| Adjustment | > being paid, the compensation or DIC must be           |
|  of Awards |                                                         |
|            | -   discontinued under [38 CFR                          |
|            |     3.500(x)](http://                                   |
|            | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_500.DOC) |
|            |     for any period of entitlement prior to April 1,     |
|            |     2002, and                                           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   reinstated effective April 1, 2002 for recoupment   |
|            |     of the RECA payment.                                |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### g    | > Direct questions regarding RECA payment cases to the  |
| . Directin | > Policy staff at (202) 273-7227.                       |
| g Question |                                                         |
| s Regardin |                                                         |
| g RECA Pay |                                                         |
| ment Cases |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 30. References to Election Information for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA)

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > If a surviving school child of a veteran whose death  |
| troduction | > was service-connected, is neither a minor nor         |
|            | > helpless, he or she must elect either DIC or          |
|            | > Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA).               |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > This topic contains information on the                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   finality of election of Dependents' Educational     |
|            |     Assistance (DEA), and                               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   additional election information                     |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

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

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > If Dependents' Educational Assistance has been        |
| ## a. Fina | > elected and payment has been received by the          |
| lity of El | > surviving dependent, the election is final and DIC    |
| ection of  | > benefits may not be restored or reelected.            |
| Dependents | >                                                       |
| ' Educatio | > ***Reference***: For information on the finality of   |
| nal Assist | > an election of DEA, see [38 CFR                       |
| ance (DEA) | > 21.3023(c)(1)](http://www.                            |
|            | warms.vba.va.gov/REGS/38CFR/BOOKG/PART21/s21_3023.doc). |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### b. A | > For information on elections between VA benefits and  |
| dditional  | > DEA benefits, see M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iii,     |
| Election I | > 6.C.18.e (TBD) or M21-1, Part IV, 14.14.              |
| nformation |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+