Background checks on deceased veterans

[bigride]

In yet another stupid bureaucratic ploy, my mother-in-law was informed that deceased veterans, in this case, my father-in-law, must go through a criminal background check in order to receive any burial benefits from the V.A. Apparently, veterans who may have run afoul of the law AFTER military service can be disqualified from these benefits regardless of how meritorious that service may have been...even if he or she were discharged honorably.

Many of these veterans probably left the straight and narrow because of the influence of their service, and I believe that if they served honorably, they should be honored for that service regardless of what may have happened post-military. I think withholding these benefits from troubled veterans who have died is a disgrace.

It will make no difference for my father-in-law's benefits as he has no criminal history...but he did use alcohol for many years to battle his demons after serving in Vietnam. With one poor decision under the influence, things could have turned out much differently. But for the grace of God...

I am angry for the troubled souls who served our country with honor only to be discarded by a self-righteous bureaucracy...and I am grateful to those who sacrificed so much, body and mind, for the freedom we share.

Thank you to ALL who served. In my humble opinion, you ALL deserve better.

 

[old bear]

Sir, you are right, back ground checks for burial benefits is Bravo Sierra, to the extreme.

 

[Welshman]

Are you sure this isn't a scam, because it sure sounds like one. Who "informed" her of this? Did she call the VA, or did the "VA" call her?
Please keep us posted.

 

[amazingflapjack]

I just did a web search to confirm what I already knew-the information you M-I-L got is BOGUS!!-Call the a vet cemetery and/or look on line-and report the individual who told her this.

 

[Onomea]

Glad this is an internet myth. That would be very wrong, if true.

 

[bigride]

I will confirm with her tomorrow who exactly contacted her or if she contacted them. She is getting more paperwork to file. She has met in person with several VA representatives to take care of the paperwork and has gotten conflicting stories. This is not just internet scuttlebutt that I read as clickbait. This is information she has been told firsthand. I will talk to her again tomorrow to verify that she talked to an actual VA rep. And when paperwork arrives, I will examine it carefully.

 

[bigwheelzip]

A quick check finds that this is fact, though it seems limited to
"federal or state capital crimes or certain sex offenses".

See the 4th paragraph.

Chapter 8 Burial and Memorial Benefits - Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

 

[bigride]

A quick check finds that this is fact, though it seems limited to
"federal or state capital crimes or certain sex offenses".

See the 4th paragraph.

Chapter 8 Burial and Memorial Benefits - Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

I suppose I can understand this position in these limited cases...if this is the actual law. It would be helpful, however, if those helping others navigate these policies did themselves know the policies before filing obsolete paperwork.

 

[amazingflapjack]

That is the problem-the VA employees don't know VA policy, and the veteran is hard pressed to get accurate information. I don't see anything that says a background check$ is required by the surviving spouse. I have both my parent cremains in a veteran's cemetery, and nothing was ever said about this. I suggest you speak directly to the director of the cemetery you are seeking to have your loved one's remains interred at to get an official word on this matter.

 

[BigDog48]

here are the facts from VA, with no mention of a criminal background check:
http://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/factsheets/burials/burial.pdf

 

[bigwheelzip]

here are the facts from VA, with no mention of a criminal background check:

Here is a page from the VA that spells out the details of eligibility. The section at the bottom, "Persons Not Eligible for Burial in a National Cemetery" spells out in sections e., f., and g., criminal convictions that would disqualify a veteran from burial in a national cemetery. This would require a background check.

Eligibility - National Cemetery Administration

 

[THE PILGRIM]

This is all new to me too.
The listed disqualifying offenses are all very serious.
And they are stated in USC (Federal Law), not just VA Regulations.
So assuming your FIL was never convicted of any of these serious offenses, I recommend you or a family member -
representative go talk to the VA and ask them exactly why your FIL is being denied burial rights.

 

[bigwheelzip]

...ask them exactly why your FIL is being denied burial rights.

His FIL is not being denied. He just questioned the need for the process.

 

[BigDog48]

There are burials in National cemeteries, which is a set of laws and rules, and there are burial benefits (money and headstone/marker) for a civilian cemetery which are related but different rules and laws. If someone, including the OP has a specific question about a specific one of those issues, PM me. Most of the rules are included in the link I put in post #11 or the other links that are at the end of that fact sheet that's linked there. By the way, burial in Arlington is a completely different matter and that is not a VA National Cemetery. It is run by the Army.

 

[bigride]

I got the scoop. This is in reference to his headstone. The monument company helped her fill out an obsolete form originally. The newer form definitely includes a background check, and funds won't be approved without the background check. Apparently, only major crimes can lead to disqualification.

My FIL's benefits should eventually come through as he was a solid citizen...just a little ornery...one of his endearing qualities.

I overreacted to the initial news as I thought this was just another unnecessary regulatory overreach. I just hate to see the potential for any veteran to be treated shabbily.

I guess my never-trust-a-gubment-suit attitude got the best of me. Sorry for the cornfusion and thanks for all the informative replies. I've done enough damage for a while so I'll just lay low and try to stay out of trouble.

 

[Welshman]

I got the scoop. This is in reference to his headstone. The monument company helped her fill out an obsolete form originally. The newer form definitely includes a background check, and funds won't be approved without the background check. Apparently, only major crimes can lead to disqualification.

My FIL's benefits should eventually come through as he was a solid citizen...just a little ornery...one of his endearing qualities.

I overreacted to the initial news as I thought this was just another unnecessary regulatory overreach. I just hate to see the potential for any veteran to be treated shabbily.

I guess my never-trust-a-gubment-suit attitude got the best of me. Sorry for the cornfusion and thanks for all the informative replies. I've done enough damage for a while so I'll just lay low and try to stay out of trouble.

Don't be too hard on yourself - you thought there was a problem and posted about it. We all learned a few things as a result. Most importantly, you followed up by posting the results, and set the record straight.

 

[hardcase60]

bigride,

You wrote:
"The monument company helped her fill out an obsolete form originally. The newer form definitely includes a background check, and funds won't be approved without the background check. Apparently, only major crimes can lead to disqualification."

So, who pays for the background check or is it just a series of questions?

BTW, you didn't over react. You already had knowledge "She has met in person with several VA representatives to take care of the paperwork and has gotten conflicting stories". That don't leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling. hardcase60