[Appeal of Claims Group's Denial of Claim for Unpaid Military Compensation]

The parents of a deceased Army sergeant appealed the Claims Group's denial of their claim for unpaid military compensation due their son, who designated a different beneficiary. The parents contended that the beneficiary form was unreliable since there were errors on the form that proved that their son's actions were irrational. GAO found that: (1) the beneficiary designation was clearly understandable; (2) the member was subject to close observation by military authorities at the time he made the designation; and (3) he was not mentally incompetent. Accordingly, the denial of the parents' claim was sustained.