---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 C.F.R. § 9.23"
title: "38"
number: "9.23"
heading: "Submission of certain applications and forms affecting entitlement to Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance and Veterans' Group Life Insurance."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/38/9.23"
---

# §9.23. Submission of certain applications and forms affecting entitlement to Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance and Veterans' Group Life Insurance.

- (a)
  - (1) For purposes of this section, the terms in writing and written mean an intentional recording of words in visual form and include:
    - (i) Hard-copy applications and forms containing a person's name or mark written or made by that person; and
    - (ii) Applications and forms submitted through a VA approved electronic means that include an electronic or digital signature that identifies and authenticates a particular person as the source of the electronic message and indicates such person's approval of the information submitted through such means.
  - (2) With regard to the following actions, applications or forms that satisfy the definition in [paragraph (a)(1)](#a-1) of this section will be deemed to satisfy the requirement in the referenced statutes that an application, election, or beneficiary designation be “in writing” or “written”:
    - (i) Decline Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance for the member or Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance for the member's insurable spouse (38 U.S.C. [1967(a)(2)(A)](/usc/38/1967.md?p=a-2-A) or [(B)](/usc/38/1967.md?p=a-2-B));
    - (ii) Insure the member under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance or the member's spouse under Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance in an amount less than the maximum amount of such insurance ([38 U.S.C. 1967(a)(3)(B)](/usc/38/1967.md?p=a-3-B));
    - (iii) Restore or increase coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance for the member or under Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance for the member's insurable spouse ([38 U.S.C. 1967(c)](/usc/38/1967.md?p=c));
    - (iv) Designate one or more beneficiaries for the member's Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance or former member's Veterans' Group Life Insurance ([38 U.S.C. 1970(a)](/usc/38/1970.md?p=a)); and
    - (v) Increase the amount of coverage under Veterans' Group Life Insurance ([38 U.S.C. 1977(a)(3)](/usc/38/1977.md?p=a-3)).
- (b) Applications or forms that satisfy the definition in [paragraph (a)(1)](#a-1) of this section may be utilized to—
  - (1) Apply for Veterans' Group Life Insurance; and
  - (2) **Reinstate Veterans' Group Life Insurance.**

## Notes

### Amendments

[83 FR 10623, Mar. 12, 2018. Redesignated at 88 FR 15912, Mar. 15, 2023]

### Authority

Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1965-1980A, unless otherwise noted.

### Source

Source: 40 FR 4135, Jan. 28, 1975, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[83 FR 10623, Mar. 12, 2018. Redesignated at 88 FR 15912, Mar. 15, 2023]