The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for helpless child benefits on behalf of his son due to new and material evidence. However, further development is needed as a VA social worker or other appropriate personnel must review the educational and medical records to determine if the Veteran's son became permanently incapable of self-support prior to reaching 18 years of age.
The deciding factor: The Board found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for helpless child benefits. However, a VA social worker or other appropriate personnel is needed to review the educational and medical records to determine if the Veteran's son became permanently incapable of self-support prior to reaching 18 years of age.
- Claimed conditions
- permanent incapacity for self-support
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 27, 2014
- Citation
- 1423729
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 1423729.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's daughter, P., is claimed to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday due to sickle cell disease. The Board has ordered a remand for the VA to obtain relevant medical records from SSA and PRISMA Health.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's child, M.H., is recognized as a helpless child for VA benefits purposes due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's son, G.J., was not found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to turning 18 years old. The evidence showed he graduated high school and attended college until his 18th birthday.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's daughter, D.R., is not considered permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday. Therefore, she does not qualify for additional dependency benefits.
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