a. Veteran FNOD Processing Steps to Include Working with the MOD and PMC Screen From the READY screen, select the applicable command (CEST or FNOD) and enter the Veteran’s file number name, and service information if sufficient evidence accompanies the NOD. If you do not know the Veteran’s file number, enter the Veteran’s Social Security number (SSN) or service number, and as much additional identifying information as possible to avoid creating duplicate Beneficiary Identification and Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) records. When the system locates an existing BIRLS record for a Veteran, follow the steps in the table below to process a Veteran FNOD. Step Action 1 Review the system to determine if the Veteran has a running award. If yes, proceed to the next step. If no, proceed to Step 6. 2 Review the system to see if there is a living spouse of record. If yes, proceed to the next step. If no, proceed to Step 6. 3 Perform an SSA INQUIRY to confirm whether the spouse is still living. If yes, proceed to Step 6. If no, proceed to the next step. 4 Insert the SSA INQUIRY showing the spouse’s date of death into Virtual VA. 5 Enter the spouse’s date of death into Participant Profile or using the DEPENDENTS command in Share. 6 Verify that the information on the VETERAN IDENTIFICATION DATA (VID) screen for the Veteran is complete and accurate (if not, modify), and enter the following: the date of death for the Veteran the applicable cause of death in the CAUSE OF DEATH field: UNKNOWN NATURAL COMBAT, or OTHER, and
a Y in the Death in Service field if the evidence shows the Veteran died in service. 7 Select the UPDATE button on the VID screen. The MONTH OF DEATH (MOD) screen will automatically appear. 8 Verify that the Veteran’s and spouse’s information on the MOD screen is complete and accurate. If not accurate, modify the information. Note: If you discover you are processing an FNOD under the incorrect Veteran’s record, then do the following: select the ABORT MOD ONLY button (this will stop any payment and letters being issued), and refer the case to adjudication. 9 Select the applicable notice in the drop-down TYPE OF NOTICE field. The following notices will not send contemporaneous notice to the Veteran: DEATH CERTIFICATE/DEATH NOTICE DEATH BENEFIT CLAIM BURIAL BENEFIT/HEADSTONE/MARKER CLAIM FLAG APPLICATION INTERMENT RECORD NOTICE OF DEATH MESSAGE, or VA INSURANCE CLAIM. The following notices will send contemporaneous notice to the Veteran: TELEPHONE FNOD PERSONAL INTERVIEW FNOD INSURANCE PCR FNOD, or DEATH MATCH. 10 If the Veteran had no spouse or the spouse’s information is discrepant or incomplete, then check the box. 11 Select the UPDATE button on the MOD screen. The PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL CERTIFICATE screen will automatically appear. If the requirements for the P have not been met, do not create the . 12 If there is a spouse of record in the system, this information will be pre-populated on the screen. Verify that the information is
. . When the System Finds Multiple Records During FNOD Processing When the system finds multiple records during FNOD processing, use the table below to determine how to review a BIRLS record, or return to the BIRLS SELECTION screen. If you want to … Then … review a BIRLS record double click the BIRLS record, or select the BIRLS record and then use the INQUIRY command. return to the BIRLS SELECTION screen use the SELECTION command. . Folder Establishment Do not create a physical NOD folder if all claims-related material associated