If a Veteran's spouse is removed from their benefits due to divorce, when does this removal take effect?

The correct choice reflects the policy regarding the removal of a Veteran's spouse from benefits due to divorce, which takes effect the first day of the following month after the divorce has been finalized. This aligns with typical VA protocols, where changes in beneficiary status are not applied retroactively but instead are enacted from the beginning of the next month.

For instance, if a divorce is finalized on March 15, the spouse would continue to receive benefits throughout March and would be removed from the benefits plan starting April 1. This clarity helps in easing the transition for both the Veteran and their former spouse, ensuring there is no abrupt disruption in benefits.

In contrast, other options present various interpretations of when the removal might take effect that do not align with VA policy. The end of the month in which the divorce occurs or the last day of the month suggests a retroactive application of changes, which is not consistent with VA regulations. The option suggesting immediate removal also overlooks the administrative process involved in updating benefit records after significant life events, thus reinforcing the standard timeline that begins the month after the divorce finalization.