Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

The Board denied the appellant's claim for additional dependency benefits for her adopted child, finding that the primary legal requirement - living in the veteran's household at the time of his death and being adopted by the surviving spouse within two years after the veteran's death - has not been met.

The deciding factor: The law specifically prohibits payment of additional dependency benefits to an adopted child who was not living with the veteran at the time of his death or adopted by the surviving spouse within two years after the veteran's death.

Claimed conditions
Not specified in this decision
How they argued it
Not specified
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
April 30, 2002
Citation
0203928

This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0203928.

What this means for you

A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.

What you can do next

Free starter guide for your own claim

Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.

We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.

We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.

This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.