Which factor does not affect a veteran's eligibility for DIC?

The eligibility for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is determined by several specific criteria related to the veteran and their relationship with the surviving spouse. One key factor is the nature of the veteran's death, which plays a central role in determining eligibility; for DIC, the death must be service-connected.

The duration of the marriage is also important, as it determines whether the surviving spouse is entitled to benefits based on how long they were married to the veteran at the time of death. The age of the surviving spouse can influence eligibility as well, particularly if a spouse is under a certain age when the veteran passes away.

In contrast, the spouse's employment status is irrelevant to determining eligibility for DIC. The benefits are awarded based on the relationship to the veteran and the circumstances of the veteran’s death, rather than on the income or employment situation of the surviving spouse. Therefore, this choice stands out as it does not impact eligibility in the same way the other factors do.