If a retired military member dies from a service-connected disability, can their wife with Tricare also get ChampVA?

The correct answer is based on the eligibility requirements for CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs) and the relationship between Tricare and CHAMPVA. CHAMPVA is a health care program for eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or who died from a service-connected disability. However, the key detail here is that spouses of military retirees who are eligible for Tricare cannot also receive benefits from CHAMPVA.

Therefore, if the retired military member's wife is already covered by Tricare, which is a health care program for active duty and retired military personnel and their dependents, she would not be eligible for CHAMPVA, since having coverage under one program generally disqualifies her from receiving the benefits of the other. Eligibility rules dictate that a spouse cannot be enrolled in both programs at the same time.

Understanding this point clarifies why the answer indicates that the wife of a retired military member who has Tricare would not be eligible for CHAMPVA even if her husband passed due to a service-connected disability.