The opinion
Citation Nr: AXXXXXXXX
Decision Date: 03/31/21 Archive Date: 03/31/21
DOCKET NO. 191023-140710
DATE: March 31, 2021
ORDER
The appeal of the issue of entitlement to VA beneficiary travel reimbursement for travel expenses incurred during the period from January to June 2019 is dismissed.
FINDING OF FACT
On August 31, 2020, the Board was notified that the appellant died on August [REDACTED], 2020.
CONCLUSION OF LAW
Due to the death of the appellant, the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal at this time. 38 U.S.C. § 7104(a); 38 C.F.R. § 20.1302.
REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION
Unfortunately, the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal. As a matter of law, appellants’ claims do not survive their deaths. Zevalkink v. Brown, 102 F.3d 1236, 1243-44 (Fed. Cir. 1996); Smith v. Brown, 10 Vet. App. 330, 333-34 (1997); Landicho v. Brown, 7 Vet. App. 42, 47 (1994). This appeal on the merits has become moot by virtue of the death of the appellant and must be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. 38 U.S.C. § 7104(a); 38 C.F.R. § 20.1302.
In reaching this determination, the Board intimates no opinion as to the merits of this appeal or to any derivative claim brought by a survivor of the Veteran. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1106.
The Board’s dismissal of this appeal does not affect the right of an eligible person to file a request to be substituted as the appellant for purposes of processing to completion any claims for periodic monetary benefits. Such a request must be filed not later than one year after the date of the appellant’s death. 38 U.S.C. §§ 5121, 5121A; 38 C.F.R. § 3.1010(b).
A person eligible for substitution includes “a living person who would be eligible to receive accrued benefits due to the claimant under section 5121(a) of this title ….” 38 U.S.C. § 5121A; 38 C.F.R. § 3.1010(a). An eligible party seeking substitution in an appeal that has been dismissed by the Board due to the death of the claimant should file a request for substitution with the VA office from which the claim originated. 38 C.F.R. § 3.1010(b).
S.C. KREMBS
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
Attorney for the Board P. Timmerman, Associate Counsel
The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.