If a veteran had no children from their marriage, can the spouse apply for VA death benefits?

The spouse of a veteran can indeed apply for VA death benefits even if there are no children from the marriage, provided they were married at the time of the veteran's death. The VA recognizes the surviving spouse's eligibility for benefits based on the marriage, rather than the presence of children. This marital relationship grants the spouse entitlement to various benefits, including Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), burial benefits, and more, irrespective of having dependent children.

The requirement of children is not a stipulation for a surviving spouse's eligibility for benefits. Therefore, the absence of children does not negate the right of the surviving spouse to seek such benefits, as their primary eligibility hinges on the marriage to the veteran and the circumstances surrounding the veteran's death.