What if the surviving spouse has submitted their medical expense for previous year and passed away before receiving payment, is the case closed?

What if the veteran spouse submitted her medical and home health care expense yearly to the VA and 2 months after the veterans spouse submits it; she passes away and the children inquire to local VA office, the VA employees states she is sorry; but their mom's file has been closed since she is no longer with us. Should not the veterans spouse's children receive this money; since they paid for most of it during the year; to help their mom stay in her own home? The only response we got from the VA office is that our mothers account had be closed and there is nothing we can do.