M21-1 and 38 CFR changes, week of Sep 28, 2026

Added

• Surviving Spouse’s Payment of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (D.I.C.) at Survivors Pension Rate
• This topic contains information on a surviving spouse electing Survivors Pension in lieu of D.I.C., including
• surviving spouse’s eligibility to elect Survivors Pension if also eligible for D.I.C.
• October 2, 2026
• Surviving Spouse’s Eligibility to Elect Survivors Pension if Also Eligible for D.I.C.
• to permit a surviving spouse who is eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (D.I.C.) to elect Survivors Pension.
• Generally, it is not to a surviving spouse’s advantage to elect Survivors Pension in lieu of D.I.C.
• prohibited a surviving spouse eligible for D.I.C.

and 80 more added passages

Removed

• Surviving Spouse’s Payment of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) at Survivors Pension Rate
• This topic contains information on a surviving spouse electing Survivors Pension in lieu of DIC, including
• surviving spouse’s eligibility to elect Survivors Pension if also eligible for DIC
• May 1, 2015
• Surviving Spouse’s Eligibility to Elect Survivors Pension if Also Eligible for DIC
• to permit a surviving spouse who is eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) to elect Survivors Pension.
• Generally, it is not to a surviving spouse’s advantage to elect Survivors Pension in lieu of DIC.
• prohibited a surviving spouse eligible for DIC from electing Survivors Pension.

and 47 more removed passages

Added

• Veterans Benefits Management System Awards (VBMS) User Guide
• corporate flash in VBMS.
• For more information on selecting and appending corporate flashes in VBMS, see the
• VBMS User Guide
• complaints of financial exploitation in pension cases
• potential payment redirect fraud referral
• September 30, 2026

and 4 more added passages

Removed

• Veterans Benefits Management System Awards User Guide
• corporate flash in Share.
• For more information on selecting and appending corporate flashes in Share, see the
• Share User Guide
• complaints of financial exploitation in pension cases
• October 13, 2021

Added

• handling misfiled paper documents that belong to
• electronic claims folders (eFolders)
• DD Form 214, Certificate of Uniformed Service

and 1 more added passages

Removed

• paper documents that belong to
• DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty

and 2 more removed passages

Added

• M21-1, Part X, Subpart ii, 3.A.2
• September 29, 2026
• There is no
• to include language about minimizing an overpayment when the adverse action will not result in a debt, such as when
• the effective date of reduction or termination is in the future, or
• correcting a clear and unmistakable error (CUE) based on administrative error on the part of VA.

and 11 more added passages

Removed

• M21-1, Part X, Subpart ii, 3.A.3
• April 19, 2022
• Use the table below to determine where to send the notice of proposed adverse action.
• a valid, current address exists
• send the notice to the current address of record.
• mail is returned as undeliverable

and 5 more removed passages