If reporting a death, the DD Form 1300 serves as:

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  a protective filing;

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  proof of death;

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  proof of military service for the periods shown; and

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  an indication of service prior to the last entry date on the form. Develop proof of military service for the prior period per RS 01701.005.

Accept a DD Form 1300 showing MIA status as a protective filing for all potentially eligible auxiliaries on the number holder’s earnings record. A valid DD Form 1300 establishes a protective filing date for the survivors based on a finding of presumed death. For more information on the DD Form 1300 as a protective filing in MIA cases, see GN 00204.010F.1.

If the status changes from MIA to killed in action, use the MIA date as the date of death for benefit purposes. Use earnings through the MIA year in the computation. Presume that the widow(er) or children were living in the same household for the lump-sum death payment purposes. If the service department later determines an actual date of death, use the actual date of death for survivor claims.

Scan the DD Form 1300 into the Non Disability Repository for Evidentiary Documents (NDRED) using the Evidence Portal (EP).

If the number holder is insured, develop any potential survivor claim following instructions in GN 00207.055.

If the number holder is not insured, determine if there are any survivors who would be eligible for monthly benefits if the number holder had been insured.

If the number holder is:

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  insured and the survivor(s) has not filed a claim, develop any potential survivor claim following instructions in GN 00207.055;

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  insured and the survivor is receiving benefits, or is potentially entitled to the survivor benefit already claimed then scan the DD Form 1300 into NDRED. Do not send a notice to the VA; or

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  not insured and the special VA non-insured payment may be payable, prepare or review an award for the eligible survivor(s) following instructions in RS 01702.553.

When an FO sends a claim for the special VA payment, review the award following instructions in RS 01702.553 through RS 01702.558. If approved, send the Form SSA-101-U3 (Determination of Award), and all attachments, to the VA at the address shown in RS 01702.560.

The MATPSC’s Workload Support Unit (WSU) has a toll-free telephone number (1-800-772-1213) that survivors may call to file expedited military service claims. For details on the expedited claims procedures, see GN 00207.055.