Payments for accrued benefits may be authorized for which circumstance?

Payments for accrued benefits are determined based on the entitlement of the veteran at the time of their death, according to existing ratings. This means that if a veteran was receiving benefits, or if they were eligible for benefits based on their service-connected conditions, these can be processed as accrued benefits. This provision allows for benefits that were due but not yet paid to be granted to the appropriate beneficiaries after the veteran's passing.

In contrast, claims needing evidence to support a new claim or those revolving around a disputed claim fall outside of the criteria for accrued benefits as they do not pertain to entitlements established prior to death. Similarly, a recent health diagnosis would not qualify for accrued benefits unless it is related to conditions that had already been evaluated and rated prior to the veteran's death. Thus, the correct answer centers on the established entitlements under existing ratings, ensuring that beneficiaries receive the benefits that the veteran was entitled to at the time of death.