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.
Gather before you start
Attach with the form
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)
- 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)
- 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.
Section III - Certification
Blocks 13-14Substitution claimant signature and datePII
Sign and date. Attach death certificate and proof of relationship.
(your signature/date)
- Not attaching proof of relationship - VA cannot approve substitution without verifying you are an eligible claimant.