[Decision Concerning Appeal of Claims Group's Denial of Claim for Death Gratuity]

The parents of a deceased Navy member appealed the award of a death gratuity to the decedent's husband, contending that they were entitled to the death gratuity, since the decedent's husband: (1) was responsible for her death; and (2) denied his marriage to the decedent during questioning. GAO held that the: (1) proper authorities investigated the matter and concluded that there was no evidence attributing the death to the decedent's husband; and (2) husband's denial of the marriage had no bearing on the award, since he was the decedent's lawful husband. Accordingly, the claim was denied.