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VA RIN: 2900-AR69 Publication ID: Spring 2023 
Title: Expanded Burial Benefits  
Abstract:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its adjudication regulations pertaining to burial benefits. Amendments include expanding reimbursement of transportation expenses to include covered Veterans’ cemeteries, a single payment rate for non-service-connected burial allowances regardless of the location of a qualifying Veteran’s death, and extending the VA Plot or Interment Allowance to a tribal organization for interment of an eligible Veteran on trust land owned by, or held in trust for, a tribal organization. As amended, the regulations will conform to statutory changes enacted by sections 2201 and 2202 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 and Division CC of the Burial Equity for Guards and Reserves Act of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022. The changes expand reimbursement of transportation expenses to include covered Veterans’ cemeteries and provide a single payment rate for non-service-connected burial allowances regardless of the location of a qualifying Veteran’s death and will coincide with the effective date for the amendments to the United States Code (January 5, 2023), which is the date that is two years after the date of enactment of the Public Law. Furthermore, the changes extending the VA Plot or Interment Allowance to a tribal organization for interment of eligible Veterans on trust land owned by, or held in trust for, a tribal organization will coincide with the effective date for the amendments to the United States Code (March 15, 2022), which is the date of the enactment of the Public Law. These proposed amendments are in accordance with the President’s priorities that advance equity and support underserved, vulnerable, and marginalized communities. They also improve service delivery, customer experience, and reduce administrative burdens for those accessing public benefits and services.

 
Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs(VA)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 38 CFR 3.1700    38 CFR 3.1703    38 CFR 3.1704    38 CFR 3.1705    38 CFR 3.1707   
Legal Authority: 38 U.S.C. 2303(b)(1)    38 U.S.C. 501(a), 2303(b))    38 U.S.C. 2303   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  09/00/2023 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes 
RIN Information URL: www.regulations.gov  
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Eric Baltimore
Program Analyst, Pension and Fiduciary Service, Veterans Benefits Administration
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20420
Phone:202 632-8863
Email: eric.baltimore@va.gov