of the NSLI policy, arguing that she was the
proper beneficiary. In November 1997, the VA Regional Office
and Insurance Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
determined that an April 1996 designation of beneficiary form
naming M., the appellant, as the sole beneficiary of the NSLI
policy, was not valid. It was determined that the last valid
beneficiary designation of record for this policy was dated
in May 1991, in which S., the appellee, was named sole
beneficiary. The appellant was asked to return the proceeds
of the life insurance policy, and she has appealed that
determination.
In March 1999, the appellant testified before the
undersigned, who is the Veterans Law Judge making this
decision and who was designated by the Chairman to conduct
that hearing pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 7107(c). In July
1999, the Board remanded the case to provide the appellant an
opportunityinsurance as sole beneficiary, and she
submitted a May 1991 designation of beneficiary form signed
by the veteran and identifying her as the principal
beneficiary. VA asked both M. and S. for samples of the
veteran's handwriting and signature.
In a November 1996 statement, M. stated that she and the
veteran were separated in 1988, after which he resided with
S. She stated that in April 1996, the veteran approached her
and wanted to "make amends" concerning their prior
separation. She stated that the veteran told her that during
a time when he was drinking heavily, he had changed the
beneficiary of his life insurance policy to S., but he now
wanted to reinstate M. as the beneficiary. She stated that
the change in beneficiary was witnessed by I.N., a long-time
friend of both M. and the veteran. She was unable to