VHA DIRECTIVE 1601B 04 D 2017-12-01

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Washington, DC 20420

VHA DIRECTIVE 1601B.04

Transmittal Sheet
December 1, 2017

DECEDENT AFFAIRS

1. REASON FOR ISSUE: This Veterans Health Administration (VHA) directive updates Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) policy pertaining to patients who expire while receiving VA authorized hospital care, nursing home, or domiciliary care. 2. SUMMARY OF MAJOR CHANGES: Major changes include:
a. Reflecting the current authority of the Dignified Burial and Other Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2012, Public Law 112-260 (2013) and Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 3.1700.
b. Clarifying responsibilities and procedures for processing unclaimed remains. 3. RELATED ISSUES: VHA Directive 2011-016 and VHA Handbook 1106.01. 4. RESPONSIBLE OFFICE: VHA Member Services (10NF) is responsible for the contents of this VHA directive. Questions may be addressed to [email protected].
5. RESCISSIONS: VHA Handbook 1601B.04, dated February 8, 2013, is rescinded. 6. RECERTIFICATION: This VHA directive is scheduled for recertification on or before the last working day of December 2022. This VHA directive will continue to serve as national VHA policy until it is recertified or rescinded.

Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D.
Executive in Charge
DISTRIBUTION: Emailed to the VHA Publication Distribution List on December 7, 2017.

T-1

December 6, 2017

VHA DIRECTIVE 1601B.04

DECEDENT AFFAIRS

i

December 6, 2017

VHA DIRECTIVE 1601B.04

DECEDENT AFFAIRS

1. PURPOSE

This Veterans Health Administration (VHA) directive provides policy and procedures pertaining to patients who expire while receiving Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)authorized hospital, nursing home, or domiciliary care. AUTHORITY: Title 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) 101; 38 U.S.C. 2301-2308; Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 3.1700-3.1713; and 38 CFR 17.170.

2. DEFINITIONS

a. Authorized Admission. Authorized admission means a Veteran who has been medically evaluated and accepted for admission by a VA clinician as a patient for hospital, nursing home, or domiciliary care under 38 U.S.C. 1710 or 1711(a) in a VA health care facility or an authorized non-VA health care facility under 38 U.S.C. 1703 or 1720.
b. Burial. Burial means all the legal methods of disposing of the remains of a deceased person, including, but not limited to cremation, at sea, and medical school donation. NOTE: For types of VA burial benefits, see 38 CFR 3.1700. c. Constructively Hospitalized. An admission or dead on arrival (DOA) case that