AI-summarized from official sources and checked against the source text. Each item links to the official page.
In this update: 1 good, 6 procedural, 2 unclear.
The M21-1 is the manual VA claims processors follow. VA lists every update on its KnowVA "Changes by Date" page. These are the September 2026 updates that relate to benefits we cover.
These updates change how VA processes claims. They do not change the benefit amounts or rules on our pages; those come only from the law and official benefit pages.
Sep 4, 2026 · M21-1 XI.ii.3.BLink to “Sep 4, 2026 · M21-1 XI.ii.3.B”
Unclear — check the official pageWho: survivors and families of deceased claimantsWhy: We couldn't confirm the effect on veterans from the official text.
What changed. M21-1, Part XI, Subpart ii, Chapter 3, Section B - Substitution in Case of Death of Claimant Updated to give guidance on a substitution calculator.
Source quotes
M21-1, Part XI, Subpart ii, Chapter 3, Section B - Substitution in Case of Death of Claimant
Updated to give guidance on a substitution calculator.
Official source (external site)
Sep 9, 2026 · M21-1 VIII.i.2.BLink to “Sep 9, 2026 · M21-1 VIII.i.2.B”
Unclear — check the official pageWho: Vietnam veterans and survivors with covered herbicide diseasesWhy: We couldn't confirm the effect on veterans from the official text.
What changed. M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart i, Chapter 2, Section B - Determining Eligibility to Retroactive Payment Under the Nehmer Stipulation Updated Nehmer guidance.
Source quotes
M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart i, Chapter 2, Section B - Determining Eligibility to Retroactive Payment Under the Nehmer Stipulation
Updated Nehmer guidance.
Official source (external site)
Sep 11, 2026 · M21-1 XI.iii.1.BLink to “Sep 11, 2026 · M21-1 XI.iii.1.B”
Procedural / no direct effectWho: Families and survivors claiming burial or transportation benefits; VA claims staffWhy: This is an edit to VA's internal instructions for claims staff on burial benefits. It spells out when a transportation payment can go out without the standard application form, and it adds a note on how requests to find next of kin for unclaimed remains are routed. The excerpt shows no new payment amounts, eligibility rules, or deadlines for families.
What changed. M21-1, Part XI, Subpart iii, Chapter 1, Section B - Burial Benefits Updated to clarify when transportation may be paid with a burial allowance without a prescribed form and to note the incorporation of next of kin research requests for IVURCS in CRM/UD-O.
Source quotes
M21-1, Part XI, Subpart iii, Chapter 1, Section B - Burial Benefits
Updated to clarify when transportation may be paid with a burial allowance without a prescribed form and to note the incorporation of next of kin research requests for IVURCS in CRM/UD-O.
Official source (external site)
Sep 14, 2026 · M21-1 IX.iii.1.GLink to “Sep 14, 2026 · M21-1 IX.iii.1.G”
Good for veteransWho: Veterans and survivors receiving or applying for needs-based VA Pension who claim unreimbursed medical expensesWhy: For Pension claimants, VA staff are told to accept claimed non-specified medical supplies and expenses unless they look questionable, and non-recurring expenses no longer need to be itemized on a standard form. The mileage rate for medical travel is also updated, with 76 cents per mile from July 1, 2026, which can increase the deductible travel expense and lower countable income.
What changed. M21-1, Part IX, Subpart iii, Chapter 1, Section G - Pension - Deductible Medical Expenses Updated to clarify that non-specified medical expenses are allowable expenses unless questionable, to clarify that non-recurring medical expenses do not need to be listed individually on a standard form, and to update the mileage reimbursement rates for medical purposes.
Source quotes
M21-1, Part IX, Subpart iii, Chapter 1, Section G - Pension - Deductible Medical Expenses
Updated to clarify that non-specified medical expenses are allowable expenses unless questionable, to clarify that non-recurring medical expenses do not need to be listed individually on a standard form, and to update the mileage reimbursement rates for medical purposes.
Official source (external site)
Sep 21, 2026 · M21-1 IX.i.3.ALink to “Sep 21, 2026 · M21-1 IX.i.3.A”
Procedural / no direct effectWhy: This is an update to internal VA claims-processing guidance that names where claims processors find Federal tax information in VA systems. It adds no new benefit, eligibility rule, or requirement for veterans or survivors, so claimants see no practical change.
What changed. M21-1, Part IX, Subpart i, Chapter 3, Section A - General Information on Income and Net Worth Development Updated to identify the sources of FTI within VA systems.
Source quotes
M21-1, Part IX, Subpart i, Chapter 3, Section A - General Information on Income and Net Worth Development
Updated to identify the sources of FTI within VA systems.
Official source (external site)
Sep 21, 2026 · M21-1 IX.iii.1.ALink to “Sep 21, 2026 · M21-1 IX.iii.1.A”
Procedural / no direct effectWhy: This is an internal manual update to claims-processor guidance that identifies where Federal tax information is found within VA systems. It does not change pension or Parents' DIC eligibility, income counting rules, rates, or what claimants must submit.
What changed. M21-1, Part IX, Subpart iii, Chapter 1, Section A - General Information on the Effect Income and Net Worth Have on Pension and Parents’ Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (D.I.C.) Updated to identify the sources of FTI within VA systems.
Source quotes
M21-1, Part IX, Subpart iii, Chapter 1, Section A - General Information on the Effect Income and Net Worth Have on Pension and Parents’ Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (D.I.C.)
Updated to identify the sources of FTI within VA systems.
Official source (external site)
Sep 23, 2026 · M21-1 IX.iii.1.KLink to “Sep 23, 2026 · M21-1 IX.iii.1.K”
Procedural / no direct effectWho: surviving spouses applying for Survivors PensionWhy: This is an update to VA's internal claims-processing manual. It restores guidance that a surviving spouse's final expenses can reduce countable income in the first year of entitlement, including after an earlier denial, and removes guidance on who bore the expenses. The rules in 38 CFR 3.272 are not changed, so no new benefit or barrier is created.
What changed. M21-1, Part IX, Subpart iii, Chapter 1, Section K - Other Deductible Expenses Updated to restore procedural guidance clarifying that final expenses may be used to reduce the spouse’s countable income for the initial year of entitlement and to delete guidance on bore the expenses as this guidance applies to accrued claims.
Source quotes
M21-1, Part IX, Subpart iii, Chapter 1, Section K - Other Deductible Expenses
Updated to restore procedural guidance clarifying that final expenses may be used to reduce the spouse’s countable income for the initial year of entitlement and to delete guidance on bore the expenses as this guidance applies to accrued claims.
Official source (external site)
Sep 23, 2026 · M21-1 XII.i.1.BLink to “Sep 23, 2026 · M21-1 XII.i.1.B”
Procedural / no direct effectWho: survivors applying for D.I.C.Why: This is an update to VA's internal claims-processing manual that reinforces existing steps for confirming proof of death when D.I.C. is granted through EP 149 automation. It does not change what survivors can receive, qualify for, or must submit.
What changed. M21-1, Part XII, Subpart i, Chapter 1, Section B - Common Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (D.I.C.) Processing Issues Updated to reinforce existing procedures regarding proof of death in situations where D.I.C. is granted via EP 149 automation.
Source quotes
M21-1, Part XII, Subpart i, Chapter 1, Section B - Common Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (D.I.C.) Processing Issues
Updated to reinforce existing procedures regarding proof of death in situations where D.I.C. is granted via EP 149 automation.
Official source (external site)
Sep 24, 2026 · M21-1 II.iii.4.BLink to “Sep 24, 2026 · M21-1 II.iii.4.B”
Procedural / no direct effectWho: accredited representatives and VA claims processorsWhy: This is an internal VA claims-processing manual update that removes references to the already-retired Stakeholders Enterprise Portal and describes how the Accredited Representative Portal works. It does not change what veterans or claimants receive. Accredited representatives already have to use the new portal, and the changes mainly affect how VA staff handle forms.
What changed. M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, Chapter 4, Section B - Accredited Representative Portal (ARP) Updated to remove information about the Stakeholders Enterprise Portal due to its decommissioning and add information about the new Accredited Representatives Portal.
Source quotes
M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, Chapter 4, Section B - Accredited Representative Portal (ARP)
Updated to remove information about the Stakeholders Enterprise Portal due to its decommissioning and add information about the new Accredited Representatives Portal.
Official source (external site)
Full list: 2026 M21-1 Changes by Date on KnowVA (external site)