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Updated Aug 19, 2021

In This Section
This section contains the following topics:
Topic
Topic Name
1
2

1.  Determining Which RO Has Jurisdiction Over Philippine Cases

Introduction
This topic contains information on determining which RO has jurisdiction over Philippine cases, including

Change Date
July 29, 2016

X.i.4.A.1.a.  Determining Jurisdiction Based on the Type of Service
Use the table below to determine which regional office (RO) has jurisdiction over claims that are based on service in the Philippines.
If service was in the …
Then …
  • regular or “old” Philippine Scouts (enlisted prior to October 6, 1945)
  • Insular Forces of the U.S. Navy, or
  • Armed Forces of the United States
jurisdiction is determined geographically, based on the claimant’s current address of record.
  • Special or “new” Philippine Scouts enlisted between October 6, 1945 and June 30, 1947, under Public Law (PL) 79-190
  • Commonwealth Army of the Philippines while such forces were included in the Armed Forces of the United States (The United States Armed Forces of the Far East or USAFFE), from July 26, 1941, through June 30, 1946, or
  • guerrilla groups prior to July 1, 1946
the Manila RO has permanent and exclusive jurisdiction.
Important:  Add the Philippine Service flash to the corresponding corporate record for any claim that falls under the permanent and exclusive jurisdiction of the Manila RO.
Reference:  For more information about cases over which the Manila RO has permanent and exclusive jurisdiction, see M21-1, Part II, Subpart ii, 3.1.b.

X.i.4.A.1.b.  Jurisdiction Over Accounts Payable
The Manila RO has jurisdiction over all accounts payable at the
  • half-dollar rate, which is $0.50 for each dollar authorized under the applicable law, and
  • full-dollar rate under PL 106-377 and PL 108-183.
Reference:  For more information on the payment of benefits at the half-dollar rate and full-dollar rate, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 4.B and D.

X.i.4.A.1.c.  Jurisdiction Over the Payment of Burial Benefits
The Manila RO has jurisdiction over the payment of burial benefits at the full-dollar rate under PL 106-377 and PL 108-183.

2.  Exhibit 1:  Eligibility for VA Benefits Based on Service in the Philippines

Change Date
April 28, 2015

X.i.4.A.2.a.  Eligibility Table
Eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits based on service in the Philippines is shown below.
Disability Benefits
Death Benefits
Type of Service
Compensation
Pension
Clothing Allowance
DIC
Pension
Burial Allowance
Burial Flag
Income Limit and Dependency Determination
Regular or “Old” Philippine Scouts – enlisted prior to 10/6/45 or Insular Force of the U.S. Navy
Yes, at the full rate
Yes, at the full rate
Yes, at the full rate
Yes, at the full rate
Yes, at the full rate
Yes, at the full rate
Yes
Income: full rate
Dependency: half of the full rate
Special or “New” Philippine Scouts – enlisted between 10/6/45 and 6/30/47 under PL 79-190
 Yes
  • at half of the full rate (since 05/27/46), and
  • at the full rate for U.S. residents effective 12/16/03
No
Yes, at half of the full rate
Yes
  • at half of the full rate (since 05/27/46), and
  • at the full rate for U.S. residents effective 12/16/03
No
Yes (since 12/16/03), at the full rate
Yes (since 12/16/03)
Half of the full rate
Commonwealth Army of the Philippines, while such forces were included in the Armed Forces of the U.S. (USAFFE) from 07/26/41 to 06/20/46
Yes
  • at half of the full rate (since 02/18/46), and
  • at the full rate for U.S. residents effective 10/27/00
No
Yes, at half of the full rate
Yes
  • at half of the full rate (since 02/18/46), and
  • at the full rate for U.S. residents effective 12/16/03
No
Yes
  • at half of the full rate (since 04/25/51), and
  • at the full rate for U.S. residents effective 11/1/00
Yes (since 04/25/51)
Half of the full rate
guerilla service prior to 07/01/46 (Reconstructed Roster closed 06/30/48)
Yes
  • at half of the full rate (since 02/18/46), and
  • at the full rate for U.S. residents effective 10/27/00
No
Yes, at half of the full rate
Yes
  • at half of the full rate (since 02/18/46), and
  • at the full rate for U.S. residents effective 12/16/03
No
Yes
  • at half of the full rate (since 02/18/46), and
  • at the full rate for U.S. residents effective 11/01/00
Yes (since 04/25/51)
Half of the full rate