FAQ

Survivors may be eligible for benefits like Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) if the veteran died from a presumptive condition.

Yes, there are generally three ways that a claim can be expedited.

1. Advanced age over 85 years old

2. If the veteran has a terminal illness

3. If the veteran is homeless

Yes, you can provide your own medical opinion. For information on what to include in a medical opinion consult your accredited representative.

Yes. If your claim is granted, the VA may pay compensation back to the effective date of the claim, minus any required offsets.

Yes. You may reopen a claim by submitting new and relevant evidence through a Supplemental Claim.

Yes. Survivors may be eligible for:

• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
• Accrued benefits
• Burial benefits

In many cases you need an honorable discharge to receive benefits, however there are certain benefits still available to veterans who did not receive an honorable discharge.

Yes, immediately. The veteran will be responsible for paying this money back to the VA from the date of death of a dependent.

Surviving dependents may still be eligible for benefits even if the veteran never filed a claim with VA.

No, VA compensation does not affect social security or medicare benefits.

Yes, the VA does offer burial benefits for veterans. These benefits may include a burial allowance, plot allowance, burial in a National Cemetery, transportation allowance, gravestone or marker, burial flag, and memorial certificates.

Every accredited representative is assigned an accreditation number by VA. Ask your representative for their accreditation number to verify if they are legitimate.

Most claims take 3-6 months after filing but complex cases and appeals can take longer.

No. VA disability compensation is federal and state tax-free.

Accrued benefits are benefits that were owed to the veteran at the time of death but not yet payed.

Countable income includes income from all sources, such as VA compensation or military retired pay, Social Security, retirement pensions, wages, and other sources. The VA subtracts certain unreimbursed medical expenses from the countable income to determine the veteran's or surviving spouse's adjusted income.

Helpful evidence includes but is not limited to:

• Service treatment records
• VA or private medical records
• Medical opinions linking the condition to service
• Lay statements from the veteran, family, or fellow service members

If denied, you have the right to appeal. Options include:

• Supplemental Claim (with new evidence)
• Higher-Level Review
• Appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals

If a veteran passes away while a claim is pending, surviving dependents may be able to continue the claim or appeal the decision and receive any accrued benefits.

If you disagree with a decision made by VA, there is an appeal process; however, most appeals must be submitted within one year of VA's decision. The VA has several appeal options including Regional Office appeals and appeals at the Board of Veterans Appeals.

A Claim Shark is someone that takes advantage of veterans and their families by charging fees to “Consult” or “Assist” with their VA Claim. These Claim Sharks attempt to charge fees that are sometimes in the tens of thousands of dollars for their exploitative and unethical practices. Claim Sharks are not VA accredited, meaning they aren’t required to stick to the ethical standards that accreditation brings so their advice can often be misleading or even fraudulent.

A Higher-Level Review is a re-examination of your claim by a more senior VA reviewer. No new evidence is allowed, but you may request an informal conference.

A lay statement is a written statement from the veteran or someone who knows them describing symptoms, events, or how the condition affects daily life. VA takes lay statements seriously and they can help grant a claim.

The VA Intent to File (ITF) allows veterans or dependents to notify the VA that they will file a claim for benefits. This preserves the effective date of the claim for up to one year from the submission of the ITF and allows time to gather evidence for the claim. An ITF can be filed using VA Form 21-0996 and can be submitted to the VA using eBenefits, by calling the VA at (800) 827-1000, or by contacting an accredited representative.

DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit for surviving spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents of service members who died on active duty or veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease. Dependents of veterans who were totally disabled due to service-connected conditions for 10 years prior to their passing are also eligible for DIC.

Note on remarrying:
If a surviving spouse of a veteran remarries before age 55, all DIC benefits will be terminated. If remarried after 55, DIC remains active.

Survivors Pension is a needs-based benefit available to un-remarried surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of deceased wartime veterans. Similar to Non-Service Connected Pension for veterans, the surviving dependent will qualify based on income limits, net worth limits, and the service requirements of the veteran.

The BVA reviews appeals that have been forwarded from the VA Regional Office. If appealed to the BVA, a BVA Law Judge will review the appeal and issue a decision.

VA pre-need burial is a program that allows eligible veterans and their families to get an advance determination of their eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery. This helps simplify the process for family members after the veteran's death by pre-determining eligibility for benefits like a grave, headstone, grave liner, and burial flag.

You can claim:

• Physical injuries (e.g., back, knee, hearing loss)
• Mental health conditions (e.g., PTSD, depression, anxiety)
• Illnesses caused by toxic exposure (e.g., Agent Orange, burn pits)
• Conditions that worsened because of service
• Secondary conditions caused by a service-connected disability

If you are a service member with 180-90 days left in service you can file your claim. If you have less than 90 days left in service, you will need to wait until you separate to file your claim. If you are a veteran or suviving dependent, you can file a claim at any time.

Veterans may be able to add their spouse, children, and dependent parents to a claim. However, the veteran must be rated at 30% disabled to receive additional benefits for their dependents.