If a former POW receives a service connection for coronary artery disease rated 100% disabling, and dies from an unrelated illness the day after notification, is his surviving spouse eligible for DIC?

Surviving spouses of veterans who are rated totally disabled due to service-connected conditions are generally eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits. In this case, the former POW had a 100% disability rating for coronary artery disease, which establishes a service connection for his condition.

When a veteran with such a rating passes away, even from an unrelated illness, their surviving spouse is automatically qualified for DIC benefits. The regulation is designed to support the families of those who have served, acknowledging the sacrifices made by the veteran even if the immediate cause of death isn't related to their service-connected disabilities.

This eligibility is an essential aspect of the benefits offered to veterans and their families, as it recognizes the long-term impact of service on health and well-being. Therefore, the correct answer indicates that the surviving spouse is eligible for DIC, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the veteran's death, provided they were rated totally disabled due to a service-related condition.