DIC Claims
Qualifying for DIC
As of December 2016, the VA’s basic monthly rate for DIC payments was $1,257.95 and is paid to the surviving family member for the rest of his or her life. This tax free monetary benefit is paid to eligible survivors of:
Military Service members who died in the line of duty;
Veterans whose death resulted from a service-related condition, either as the main or contributing cause of the Veteran’s death;
When a Veteran who was not service-connected by the VA has died, then the surviving spouse must prove that a service-related condition was the main or contributing cause of the Veteran’s death; or
When a Veteran did not die as a result of a service-connected injury or disease but was totally disabled by a service-connected disability for 10+ years before death, since their release from active duty and for at 5+ years before death, or for 1+ year before death, if they were a former prisoner of war and died after Sept. 30, 1999.
Retroactive Payments
Under the VA rules, there is no time limit for filing a DIC claim. However, filing a claim promptly after the veteran’s death may preserve retroactive benefits.
If you believe the VA has wrongfully denied Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefits, please contact us today at 800-555-2989, or complete a case evaluation form here to receive a free evaluation.
