Earlier in this thread someone asked about pensions being based on the cause of death. The basis of any pension will always be valid military service during a specific period. Cause of death isn't used to determine who gets a pension and who doesn't.

Another question concerned Revolutionary War pensions. By the time Congress finally passed legislation in 1818 which allowed veterans of the Revolution to apply for pension relief, most had passed on to their reward. If I understand, a veteran had to verify at least one six-month term of service.

http://www.clanboyd.info/military/amrev/1835pension/