I’m writing this post from a unique location—my son’s soccer practice. With a few essential thoughts on my mind and limited time to share them, I figured this is as good a moment as any. Today, I’ll cover three key topics that are crucial for veterans and their families: what to do when a veteran passes away, understanding an “intent to file,” and a couple of exciting success stories from recent days.
What to Do When a Veteran Passes Away
A question came my way this past Sunday at church from the father of a veteran who had sadly passed away. He was concerned about what should be done regarding the veteran’s disability benefits. If you’re managing the estate or are a spouse/partner of a deceased veteran, and there are no dependents listed on their benefits, it’s vital to ensure those benefits are stopped. Typically, the VA is notified automatically when a death certificate is issued, but this isn’t always the case.
In this specific instance, the notification process hadn’t completed, so I advised the gentleman to directly contact the VA. You should call 1-800-827-1000, where you’ll need to provide the veteran’s social security number, their date of birth, and the branch of service they were in. This helps prevent overpayments, which the VA will request back if payments continue posthumously.
However, if a veteran is survived by a dependent such as a spouse or a child under 18 (or under 23 if in full-time education), you might be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). DIC benefits are provided if the veteran’s death is related to a service-connected condition or if they had been permanently and totally disabled for 10 or more years. This financial support is a significant relief for many families.
Understanding Intent to File
A recent conversation with a veteran brought to light some misconceptions about the “intent to file.” An intent to file is a declaration you can make that preserves the earliest possible effective date for any claims you submit. So, if you file a 526EZ, a supplemental claim, or request a higher-level review on the same day, those claims all fall under the umbrella of that intent to file on that date, regardless of how many conditions are included. This means you could claim benefits for multiple conditions simultaneously without needing multiple intents to file.
Triumphs in Veterans’ Benefits
Finally, I’m thrilled to share several major successes for my clients recently. We celebrated a transition from a 60% to a 90% disability rating for one client. Another client, initially service-connected at 0% for a condition, was increased to 50%, which was a significant achievement. The most rewarding victory was helping a veteran achieve a 100% disability rating.
The latter case was particularly interesting. We had filed a supplemental claim, and everything seemed set for a favorable outcome after exams. However, the decision maintained the veteran’s previous, incorrect ratings. Since we were within the timeframe allowed, I filed a Claims Accuracy Request (CAR). CAR operates like a higher-level review but with an expedited process. In the request, I detailed the symptoms justifying a higher rating. This proactive approach underlined the importance of advocacy and detailed documentation in ensuring veterans receive the benefits they deserve.
By understanding these aspects—especially acting swiftly and precisely—families and veterans can feel more assured and secure in managing their military benefits. Whether it’s navigating the difficult times of a loved one passing or reveling in the successes of resolved claims, it’s essential to know the resources available and how to utilize them effectively.