38 U.S.C. § 1312: Benefits in certain cases of in-service or service-connected deaths

who dies after December 31, 1956 , and is not a fully and currently insured individual (as defined in section 214 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 414 )) at the time of such veteran’s death; and while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training; or as the result of a service-connected disability incurred after September 15, 1940 ; and who leaves one or more survivors who are not entitled for any month to monthly benefits under section 202 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 402 ) on the basis of such veteran’s wages and self-employment income but who would, upon application therefor, be entitled to such benefits if such veteran had been fully and currently insured at the time of such veteran’s death; In any case where the amount of dependency and indemnity compensation payable under this chapter to a surviving spouse who has children is less than the amount of pension which would be payable to (1) such surviving spouse, or (2) such children if the surviving spouse were not entitled, under chapter 15 of this title had the death occurred under circumstances authorizing payment of death pension, the Secretary shall pay dependency and indemnity compensation to such surviving spouse in an amount equal to such amount of pension.