United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Other VA Life Insurance

Changing a Beneficiary Designation for an Incompetent Veteran

If The Veteran is Incompetent and Able to Understand the Nature of His/Her Actions

Please do one of the following:

  • Have the veteran's attending physician witness him sign or mark the beneficiary designation form. The attending physician should attach a letter stating the veteran understood his act when he signed or marked the form;

    OR

  • If the veteran cannot sign or make a mark, complete a beneficiary designation form leaving the signature blank. Then, have the veteran's attending physician attach a letter stating that the veteran is unable to sign or make a mark but does understand his actions. The letter should also explain why the veteran cannot sign or make his mark.

If the Veteran is Incompetent and not Able to Understand the Nature of His/Her Actions

If the veteran is incompetent and not able to understand the nature of his actions, only a court appointed guardian can change the beneficiary designation for the veteran. In addition, the court appointed guardian must obtain a specific court order authorizing them to change the beneficiary designation.

Please have the court appointed guardian complete a beneficiary designation form. Also, include a copy of the guardianship documents and the specific court order with the form.

For information on how to become a court appointed guardian and obtain a specific court order contact your state court system, the number of which can be found in the blue pages of your telephone directory.