The Board has determined that the appellant is entitled to recognition as the surviving spouse of the veteran for VA death benefit purposes, resolving all reasonable doubt in her favor.
The deciding factor: The appellant entered into an attempted common-law marriage with the veteran prior to their legal marriage and cohabitated continuously from the date of the attempted marriage until the veteran's death. The Board found that she met all requirements under VA regulations for deeming such a marriage valid, including entering into the marriage without knowledge of the impediment.
- Claimed conditions
- Not specified in this decision
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 27, 2008
- Citation
- 0829206
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0829206.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
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