(a) Where a veteran dies on or after January 1, 1957, and during the 120-day period which begins on the day following the date of his or her discharge or release from active duty, active duty for training, or inactive training duty, the Department of Veterans Affairs will certify that fact to the Secretary concerned if the Department of Veterans Affairs determines on the basis of a claim filed with it that:

(1) Death resulted from:

(i) Disease or injury incurred or aggravated while on such active duty or active duty for training; or

(ii) Injury incurred or aggravated while on such inactive duty training; and

(2) The deceased person was discharged or released from such service under conditions other than dishonorable.

(b) In all cases, other than listed in paragraph (a) of this section, the certification will be furnished at the request of the Secretary concerned.

(c) For the purposes of this section, line of duty is not a factor. The standards, criteria, and procedures for determining incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury under paragraph (a) of this section are those applicable under disability and death compensation laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1323)

[26 FR 1605, Feb. 24, 1961, as amended at 40 FR 54245, Nov. 21, 1975]


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