Code of Federal Regulations · Section
§ 17.98 — Mental Health Services
38 C.F.R. § 17.98
(a) Following the death of a veteran, bereavement counseling involving services defined in 38 U.S.C. 1783, may be furnished to persons who were receiving mental health services in connection with treatment of the veteran under 38 U.S.C. 1710, 1712A, 1717, or 1781, prior to the veteran's death, but may only be furnished in instances where the veteran's death had been unexpected or occurred while the veteran was participating in a VA hospice or similar program. Bereavement counseling may be provided only to assist individuals with the emotional and psychological stress accompanying the veteran's death, and only for a limited period of time, as determined by the Medical Center Director, but not to exceed 60 days. The Medical Center Director may approve a longer period of time when medically indicated.
(b) For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, an unexpected death is one which occurs when in the course of an illness the provider of care did not or could not have anticipated the timing of the death. Ordinarily, the provider of care can anticipate the patient's death and can inform the patient and family of the immediacy and certainty of death. If that has not taken place, a death can be described as unexpected.
Authorizing Statute
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Rules and regulations38 U.S.C. § 501
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Medical care for survivors and dependents of certain veterans38 U.S.C. § 1781
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Definitions38 U.S.C. § 1701
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Definitions38 U.S.C. § 101
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Assistance for providing automobile and adaptive equipment38 U.S.C. § 3902
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Clothing allowance38 U.S.C. § 1162
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Eligibility for hospital, nursing home, and domiciliary care38 U.S.C. § 1710
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Community residential care38 U.S.C. § 1730
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Agreements with eligible entities or providers; certification processes38 U.S.C. § 1703A
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Contracts and personal services38 U.S.C. § 513
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Definitions38 U.S.C. § 3901
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Establishment38 U.S.C. § 7691
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Care and services during certain disasters and emergencies38 U.S.C. § 1785
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Benefits for discharged members of allied forces38 U.S.C. § 109
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Emergent suicide care38 U.S.C. § 1720J
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Recovery by United States42 U.S.C. § 2651
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Transplant procedures with live donors and related services38 U.S.C. § 1788
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Access to walk-in care38 U.S.C. § 1725A
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Assistance and support services for caregivers38 U.S.C. § 1720G
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Functions of Veterans Health Administration: in general38 U.S.C. § 7301
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Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission42 U.S.C. § 1396
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Regulations38 U.S.C. § 7304
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Requirement for program38 U.S.C. § 7698
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Hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care abroad38 U.S.C. § 1724
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Veterans Community Care Program38 U.S.C. § 1703
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Center for Innovation for Care and Payment38 U.S.C. § 1703E
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Bereavement counseling38 U.S.C. § 1783