Burial Benefits for Commonwealth Army, Guerrilla and New Philippine Scout Veterans

38 U.S.C. 107 opens chapter 23 burial benefits, and chapter 24 national cemetery burial to the extent of section 2402(a)(8), to service in the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines, recognized guerrilla forces, and the New Philippine Scouts. The ordinary rule is the same half rate as compensation: fifty cents for each dollar of the allowance. The full-dollar burial allowance. Under 38 U.S.C. 107(d) and 38 C.F.R. 3.43, VA pays chapter 23 burial benefits at the full rate when the veteran died after November 1, 2000 (Commonwealth Army or guerrilla service) or on or after December 16, 2003 (New Philippine Scouts), and on the date of death was residing in the United States, was a citizen or lawful permanent resident, and either was receiving VA compensation or would have qualified for VA pension on disability, income and net worth if the service had counted as active service. A veteran who died on a trip abroad still counts as residing in the United States if their principal home stayed there until they last left and they had been away less than 61 consecutive days. Burial in a national cemetery. 38 U.S.C. 2402(a)(8) makes a person with this service eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery only if, at death, they were a citizen or lawful permanent resident and resided in the United States. A veteran who died living in the Philippines is not eligible on this service. Clark Veterans Cemetery in Pampanga, run by the American Battle Monuments Commission, has its own entry. ABMC's published condition there is an honorable discharge or retirement papers, which a Commonwealth Army or guerrilla veteran will not ordinarily hold, so ask ABMC before planning on it. Philippine burial assistance for veterans is administered by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, whose site could not be read for this entry.