What a shame that if you happen to be a surviving spouse in the U.S.A. and your 100% disabled Spouse dies before the 10 years pass, you might receive nothing. That's right NOTHING!
In Canada, Surviving Spouses receive benefits immediately. Read this then write your Senators. Congressmen, Commitee on Veteran Affairs, etc. What an injustice!
In Canada:
Surviving Spouse/Surviving Commom-law Partner
When a disability pensioner dies, the survivor may receive, for a period of one year, the same pension and / or POW compensation amount (including Attendance Allowance and Exceptional Incapacity Allowance, if applicable) being paid to the pensioner at the time of death. After one year, a survivor's pension will automatically be paid.
If a pensioner was receiving a pension paid at a rate of 48% or greater, the survivor is entitled to a full survivor's pension (which is equal to three-quarters of the basic pension paid to a single pensioner at the 100% rate). If a pensioner was receiving a pension paid between the 5% and 47% rate, the survivor is entitled to a proportionate survivor's pension (which is equal to one-half the disability pension in payment at the time of the pensioner's death).
Surviving spouses/surviving commom-law partners who remarry will continue to receive survivor benefits.