Marc Whitehead & Associates are experienced Houston disability benefits attorneys who have helped disabled veterans all over the nation obtain the VA disability benefits they and their families deserve.
If you’re a disabled veteran and eligible for disability benefits through the VA and have a combined disability rating of at least 30%, you’re probably eligible to receive additional disability compensation for a dependent family member as well.
The VA considers a dependent to be a:
- A spouse (The VA recognizes same-sex and common-law marriages)
- A parent, if you’re directly caring for them and their income and net worth are below a certain amount
- An unmarried child (this includes an adopted child or stepchild) who meets at least one of the VA’s eligibility requirements:
- They’re under 18 years old, or
- They’re between the ages of 18 and 23 years old and enrolled in school full time, or
- They became permanently disabled before they turned 18
Veterans can file a claim for additional compensation for a dependent at the same time as they file their original claim for disability compensation. However, there are special forms that must be submitted in order to receive additional VA disability benefits for a dependent.
These include:
- VA Form 21-686c, Declaration of Status of Dependents (to add spouses and children)
- VA Form 21P-509, Statement of Dependency of Parent(s) for a dependent parent
- Forms VA Form 21-686c VA Form 21-674: Request for Approval of School Attendance
- VA Form 21-686c to claim a spouse in a common-law marriage.
VA Disability Back Pay For Dependents
If a veteran didn’t have a dependent to add at the time they submitted their claim, or did not add an existing dependent, they can still add them to their claim. However, it’s important to start their application for VA dependents benefits as soon as possible.
In some instances, the Veterans Administraion will only pay VA disability back pay benefits to the date the application for dependents benefits was begun. An applicant has 365 days after they’ve begun an application for dependent benefits to submit it for approval.
In addition, if more than a year has passed since your marriage and/or birth of your child, the VA may only pay you back to the date you submitted your dependency claim or, in some cases, only up to one year before you submitted your dependency claim.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-562-9830
Make Sure You Get All the VA Benefits You Are Entitled To
Marc Whitehead is an Accredited Veterans Attorney admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims who has represented veterans from all branches and levels of the military. If you’re a disabled veteran, Marc Whitehead & Associates want to make sure you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. That includes VA disability back pay for dependent family members.
We are knowledgeable in all aspects of the Veterans Administration claims process. Our attorneys take care to provide the medical evidence and administrative details that are critical to getting a VA claim approved.
We know the VA claims process can be frustrating. We’re here to help. Contact the VA disability benefits attorneys at Marc Whitehead & Associates to schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation. Call us today at 800-562-9830.
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