Under what circumstance can payments for accrued benefits be authorized?

Payments for accrued benefits can be authorized when the payee was entitled to benefits that were not paid at the time of the Veteran's death. This provision is designed to ensure that benefits which should have been received by the Veteran but were unpaid can still be disbursed to the appropriate beneficiary after the Veteran has passed. It acknowledges the importance of compensating for dues that were rightfully earned but not accessed before death.

In this context, accrued benefits typically include payments that the Veteran was eligible to receive for various reasons, often linked to disability compensation or pension benefits. The entitlement exists based on the eligibility criteria set forth by the Veteran's service and the benefits applied for, thus ensuring continuity and support for the Veteran’s family or designated payee.

The other options presented do not accurately reflect the conditions under which accrued benefits can be authorized. For example, benefits that arise solely after adjudication require a new approval process and do not relate to accrued benefits. Claims made after the Veteran's death or claims that were denied prior to death do not align with the stipulations of accrued benefits, as these scenarios would typically not involve funds that were unpaid at the time of death. Thus, the identification of unpaid benefits that were due prior to death serves as the foundational principle