VA Form 21P-0847
Request for Substitution of Claimant Upon Death of Claimant
The veteran died with a pending VA claim (initial, increase, or appeal) and you are the surviving spouse, child, or parent who wants to step into that pending claim and pursue it to a decision.
- Who fills it
- survivor
- Journey phase
- Survivor Benefits
- Estimated time
- 20-30 minutes.
- When to file
- Within 1 year of the veteran's death. Missing this deadline means the pending claim terminates.
Official VA form page: https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21p-0847/
Gather before you start
- ▸Veteran's death certificate
- ▸Your identity documents and proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate)
- ▸The pending claim number or appeal docket number
Attach with the form
- ▸Death certificate (certified)
- ▸Proof of relationship (marriage certificate or birth certificate)
Section I - Person Seeking Substitution
Blocks 1-6Your name, SSN, relationship to veteran, addressPII
Your information. Eligible substitution claimants in priority order: (1) surviving spouse, (2) surviving children (in equal shares), (3) surviving parents. You substitute into the pending claim with the same rights and limitations as the veteran had.
(your legal name, SSN, relationship to veteran)
Common mistakes
- ×Not understanding that substitution and accrued benefits (21P-601) are different options - substitution keeps the pending claim alive with all its evidence; accrued benefits is a separate claim for what was owed at death. Consult a VSO to decide which is better for your situation.
Section II - Deceased Veteran and Pending Claim
Blocks 7-12Veteran name, VA File Number, pending claim or appeal numberPII
Identify the veteran and the specific pending claim or appeal you are substituting into. The claim number or appeal docket number is on any VA correspondence the veteran received. If you do not have it, VA can look it up from the VA File Number.
(veteran's name, VA file number, pending claim number)
Common mistakes
- ×Not having the claim number - VA can find it from the file number, but having it speeds processing.
- ×Missing the 1-year deadline after the veteran's death - the pending claim terminates and substitution is no longer possible.
Authority
- 38 USC 5121A - Survivor substitutes into pending claim at veteran's death.
Section III - Certification
Blocks 13-14Substitution claimant signature and datePII
Sign and date. Attach death certificate and proof of relationship.
(your signature/date)
Common mistakes
- ×Not attaching proof of relationship - VA cannot approve substitution without verifying you are an eligible claimant.
Statutory and regulatory authority
- 38 CFR 3.1010 - Procedures for eligible survivors to substitute into a pending claim under 38 USC 5121A.
- 38 USC 5121A - Survivor substitutes into pending claim at veteran's death.