VA CEMETERIES UPDATE
 Hit Counter
Since 05-14-06

Waspscpo@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2006 8:57 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: VA CEMETERIES UPDATE

http://www.cem.va.gov/eligible.htm

VA CEMETERIES UPDATE

Eligibility for burial in a VA cemetery (space permitting) extends to the following.  To confirm your eligibility for burial benefits, call a Veteran’s Benefits Counselor at
1(800) 827-1000:

(1) Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who dies on active duty.

(2) Any veteran who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. With certain exceptions, service beginning after 7 SEP 80, as an enlisted person, and service after 16 OCT 81, as an officer, must be for a minimum of 24 continuous months or the full period for which the person was called to active duty as in the case of a Reservist called to active duty for a limited duration. Undesirable, bad conduct, and any other type of discharge other than honorable may or may not qualify the individual for veterans benefits, depending upon a determination made by a VA Regional Office. Cases presenting multiple discharges of varying character are also referred for adjudication to a VA Regional Office.

(3) Any citizen of the United States who, during any war in which the United States has or may be engaged, served in the Armed Forces of any Government allied with the United States during that war, whose last active service was terminated honorably by death or otherwise, and who was a citizen of the United States at the time of entry into such service and at the time of death.

(4) Reservists and National Guard members who, at time of death, were entitled to retired pay under Chapter 1223, title 10, United States Code, or would have been entitled, but for being under the age of 60. Specific categories of individuals eligible for retired pay are delineated in section 12731 of Chapter 1223, title 10, United States Code.

(5) Members of reserve components, and members of the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, who die while hospitalized or undergoing treatment at the expense of the United States for injury or disease contracted or incurred under honorable conditions while performing active duty for training or inactive duty training, or undergoing such hospitalization or treatment.

(6) Members of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps of the Army, Navy, or Air Force who die under honorable conditions while attending an authorized training camp or on an authorized cruise, while performing authorized travel to or from that camp or cruise, or while hospitalized or undergoing treatment at the expense of the United States for injury or disease contracted or incurred under honorable conditions while engaged in one of those activities.

(7) Members of reserve components who, during a period of active duty for training, were disabled or died from a disease or injury incurred or aggravated in line of duty or, during a period of inactive duty training, were disabled or died from an injury or certain cardiovascular disorders incurred or aggravated in line of duty.

(8) A Commissioned Officer of the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration formerly titled the Coast and Geodetic Survey and the Environmental Science Services Administration) with full-time duty on or after 29 JUL 45.

(9) A NOAA Commissioned Officer who served before 29 JUL 45 and was assigned to an area of immediate military hazard as determined by the Secretary of Defense while in time of war, or in a Presidentially declared national emergency; or served in the Philippine Islands on 7 DEC 41 and continuously in such islands thereafter.

(10) A Commissioned Officer of the Regular or Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS) who served on full-time duty on or after 29 UL 45. If the service of the particular PHS Officer falls within the meaning of active duty for training, as defined in section 101(22), title 38, United States Code, he or she must have been disabled or died from a disease or injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.

(11) A Commissioned Officer of the Regular or Reserve Corps of the PHS who performed full-time duty prior to 20 JUL 45 in time of war; on detail for duty with the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard; or, while the Service was part of the military forces of the United States pursuant to Executive Order of the President.

(12) A Commissioned Officer of the PHS serving on inactive duty training as defined in section 101(23), title 38, U.S Code, whose death resulted from an injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.

(13) U.S. Merchant Mariners with oceangoing service during the period of armed conflict, 7 DEC 41 to 13 DEC 46. A DD-214 documenting this service may be obtained by submitting an application to Commandant (G-MVP-6), USCG, 2100 2nd Street, SW, Washington, DC 20593.

(14) U.S. Merchant Mariners who served on blockships in support of Operation Mulberry during WW II.
(
15) Any Philippine veteran who was a citizen of the U.S. or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the U.S. at the time of their death; and resided in the U.S. at the time of their death; and,

     Was a person who served before 1 JUL 46, in the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, while such forces were in the service of the Armed Forces of the United States pursuant to the military order of the President dated 26 JUL 41, including organized guerilla forces under commanders appointed, designated, or subsequently recognized by the Commander in Chief, Southwest Pacific Area, or other competent authority in the Army of the United States, and who died on or after 1 NOV 00; or,

    Was a person who enlisted between 6 OCT 45, and 30JUN 47, with the Armed Forces of the United States with the consent of the Philippine government, pursuant to section 14 of the Armed Forces Voluntary Recruitment Act of 1945, and who died on or after 16 DEC 03.

(16) The spouse or surviving spouse of an eligible veteran is eligible for interment in a national cemetery even if that veteran is not buried or memorialized in a national cemetery. In addition, the spouse or surviving spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States whose remains are unavailable for burial is also eligible for burial.

(17) The surviving spouse of an eligible veteran who had a subsequent remarriage to a non-veteran and whose death occurred on or after 1 JAN 00, is eligible for burial in a national cemetery, based on his or her marriage to the eligible veteran.

(18) The minor children of an eligible veteran. For purpose of burial in a national cemetery, a minor child is a child who is unmarried and is under 21 years of age; or, is under 23 years of age and pursuing a full-time course of instruction at an approved educational institution.

(19) The unmarried adult child of an eligible veteran. For purpose of burial in a national cemetery, an unmarried adult child is of any age but became permanently physically or mentally disabled and incapable of self-support before reaching 21 years of age, or before reaching 23 years of age if pursuing a full-time course of instruction at an approved educational institution. Proper supporting documentation must be provided.

(20)  Such other persons or classes of persons as designated by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (38 U.S.C. § 2402(6)) or the Secretary of Defense (Public Law 95-202, § 401, and 38 CFR § 3.7(x)).

Source: www.cem.va.gov/eligible.htm     Mar 06
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Contributed,
YNCS Don Harribine, USN(ret)