Title 38, Veterans' BenefitsRelease 119-102

§5124 Acceptance of Claimant’s Statement as Proof of Relationship

Title 38 › PART IV — GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › CHAPTER 51 — CLAIMS, EFFECTIVE DATES, AND PAYMENTS › SUBCHAPTER III — PAYMENT OF BENEFITS › § 5124

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary can accept a claimant’s written statement as proof of certain family relationships when deciding benefit claims. It covers four relationships: marriage, ending of a marriage (divorce), birth of a child, and the death of a family member. The Secretary may still ask for documents if the claimant does not live in a State, the statement looks doubtful, records conflict, or there is a reasonable sign of fraud or lying.

Full Legal Text

Title 38, §5124

Veterans' Benefits, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)For purposes of benefits under laws administered by the Secretary, the Secretary may accept the written statement of a claimant as proof of the existence of any relationship specified in subsection (b) for the purpose of acting on such individual’s claim for benefits.

(b)Subsection (a) applies to proof of the existence of any of the following relationships between a claimant and another person:

(1)Marriage.

(2)Dissolution of a marriage.

(3)Birth of a child.

(4)Death of any family member.

(c)The Secretary may require the submission of documentation in support of the claimant’s statement if—

(1)the claimant does not reside within a State;

(2)the statement on its face raises a question as to its validity;

(3)there is conflicting information of record; or

(4)there is reasonable indication, in the statement or otherwise, of fraud or misrepresentation.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

38 U.S.C. § 5124

Title 38, Veterans' Benefits

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102