Which type of death benefit could be accrued by parents of deceased service members?

The correct answer highlights the fact that both Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and accrued benefits are available to the parents of deceased service members.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors of service members who died in the line of duty or as a result of a service-related injury or disease. This benefit serves as a financial support mechanism for parents who have lost a child due to military service, acknowledging the sacrifice made and providing some financial relief for the loss.

Accrued benefits refer to benefits that a deceased service member was entitled to at the time of their death but were not paid out. These benefits can include various forms of compensation or assistance that the service member may have been entitled to receive. For parents of a deceased service member, this means they might be eligible to receive any benefits that were owed to the service member prior to their passing.

Therefore, since both of these forms of benefits can be collected by the parents of deceased service members, the combination indicated in the correct answer is applicable and demonstrates the support framework in place for family members who have lost a loved one in service.