Mother's Claim for Payment of Death Gratuity

The mother of a deceased military member appealed a settlement denying her claim for the remaining 50% of the 6 months' gratuity due upon the death of her son. The son had initially filed a form designating his mother as beneficiary for 100% of the death gratuity but had later filed a form designating no beneficiary. The mother's claim for the additional 50% of the gratuity, which had been paid to the member's father, was denied since the later form was controlling and statutory regulations required that the parents share the gratuity equally under such circumstances. The fact that the father had not supported the son and that the report of casualty form incorrectly showed the mother as beneficiary had no effect upon the father's entitlement to his 50% of the death gratuity.