Veterans benefit Lawyer
VA Death benefits for Veterans’ families
Benefits may still be available after a Veteran's Death
Losing a Veteran can leave a family facing emotional and financial uncertainty. Certain surviving spouses, children, and parents may be eligible for VA benefits based on the Veteran’s service, disability, or death.
RLGVA helps eligible survivors understand their options and pursue the VA benefits that may be available to them.
VA Death benefits can take several forms
Dependency & Indemnity Compensation
Survivors Pension
Accrued VA Benefits
Dependency & Indemnity Compensation
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, commonly called DIC, is a tax-free monthly VA benefit that may be available to certain surviving spouses, children, or parents.
A survivor may qualify when the Veteran died from a service-connected injury or illness or under other circumstances established by VA law.
DIC May Be Available To:
- Eligible surviving spouses
- Certain surviving children
- Certain surviving parents
- Eligible survivors of service members who died in the line of duty
Survivors Pension
Eligibility can depend on
- Qualifying wartime military service
- Relationship to the deceased Veteran
- Income and net worth requirements
- Dependent-child requirements, when applicable
Additional circumstances
Accrued VA Benefits
A Veteran may have been entitled to VA benefits that were not paid before death. These can include certain amounts associated with a pending claim, pending appeal, or approved benefit.
Eligible survivors may be able to receive certain amounts that were due to the Veteran under applicable VA rules.
Benefits Owed At Death
Important timing consideration
VA Burial & Memorial benefits
VA may provide certain burial and memorial benefits for eligible Veterans and their families. These benefits are separate from DIC and Survivors Pension and should be evaluated independently.
Burial allowances
National Cemetery benefits
Memorial Iiems
When a Veteran’s Death may be service connected
Existing Service-Connected condition
Condition not previously service connected
Toxic Exposure
Evidence that may support a Survivor Claim
Medical Records
VA and private records documenting diagnoses, treatment, and medical history.
Death Certificate
Documentation identifying the immediate and underlying causes of death.
Service Records
DD-214, personnel records, service treatment records, deployment records, and other military documentation.
VA Claim Records
Prior rating decisions, pending claims, appeals, and evidence previously submitted to VA.
Medical Opinions
When appropriate, a medical opinion may help explain the relationship between service, a condition, and death.
Exposure Records
Documentation involving Agent Orange, burn pits, radiation, or other qualifying exposures may be relevant.
Qualifying herbicide exposure and related presumptive conditions may be relevant in certain survivor claims.
Certain service locations and conditions may qualify under expanded toxic-exposure provisions.
Radiation and other hazardous exposures may be relevant depending on service and medical circumstances.
How RLGVA can help with VA Death Benefits
Survivor benefit claims can involve military records, medical evidence, prior VA decisions, and complicated eligibility requirements.
RLGVA focuses on understanding the full history before determining the appropriate legal path.
We examine service history, medical records, VA records, and the circumstances surrounding the death.
We evaluate which survivor programs may be relevant to the family.
We identify evidence that may support the claim and issues that may need to be addressed.
When applicable, we evaluate VA decisions and available review options.
Your Family deserves clear answers
