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Whole decision: Granted

The Board has determined that the appellant is recognized as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for purposes of entitlement to VA death benefits.

The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the appellant and the Veteran were legally married at the time of the Veteran's death, lived continuously since their marriage in August 1953, and had a separation by mutual consent. The Board found no fault on the part of the appellant for the separation and thus recognized her as the surviving spouse.

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
January 13, 2012
Citation
1201416

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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1201416.

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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