Posted on Apr 24, 2019
PO2 Richard Rivera
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SPC William Simmonds, Esq.
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Hi Richard:
I'll save you the trip to the VSO for misinformation.
Whether or not your spouse will be eligible for benefits depends on the facts of your particular situation. Should you die from any of your service-connected disabilities, your spouse will be entitled to DIC (Dependent Indemnity Compensation). However, if you die from something other than your service-connected disabilities (and there is no way to connect your death to your service connection via creative lawyering), your spouse's only avenue for benefits would be via pension benefits. These are reserved for the poorest of individuals and is dependent upon his or her net worth/income upon your death. Having rated hundreds of pension claims, if you have more than Social Security benefit income levels, he or she will not qualify. Tough news, I know. But there are some resources out there.

My Veterans/former VA rater teammates and I are changing the way Veterans approach attorneys and Veterans benefits. We help Veterans maximize their entitled benefits every day--and nearly always our services pay for themselves. Check out http://www.vahelp.claims to see if we can't find you more benefits to which you are entitled.
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MSgt Bob Counter
MSgt Bob Counter
>1 y
Not cool to dog VSO's!
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SPC William Simmonds, Esq.
SPC William Simmonds, Esq.
>1 y
Hey, Bob, if you had the evidence that I have regarding VSOs and historical success rates for the Veterans’ claims that they serve...... you’d be dogging the VSOs as well.

Could it really be that a Veteran would be more successful self-advocating versus utilizing the VSOs over the last 20 years??? You betcha.

MSgt Bob Counter
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1SG Clifford Barnes
1SG Clifford Barnes
>1 y
Nice article thanks
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1SG Clifford Barnes
1SG Clifford Barnes
3 y
That’s correct
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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She would get a month of death payment for your final month of Compensation.
Whether she can get additional money after you die is contingent on two things.
If you succumb to service connected issue(s) she can get DIC by applying for it.
If not, she might be eligible for Survivors Pension if her income minus health care expenses is below a certain amount.
Both can be applied for after you pass by sending in a VA 21-534EZ
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MSG Robert Conrad
MSG Robert Conrad
>1 y
This is the correct answer. Avoid the attorneys, they will steal your money.
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
1SG (Join to see)
>1 y
MSG Robert Conrad - I know, because it is my job to process these.
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1SG Eddie Smith
1SG Eddie Smith
>1 y
MSG Robert Conrad - great point Robert and so true, "Benefit Poachers". Find a GOOD VSO who cares, their services are free.
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SGM Bill Frazer
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Have you checked to see if she is listed as your beneficiary for anything VA connected?. See a VSO quick.
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1LT Quartermaster Officer
1LT (Join to see)
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Great point!! My ex-wife was still listed and not my current wife! Also check your info!
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