The Veteran's daughter, F, became permanently incapable of self-support before reaching the age of 18 and qualifies as a helpless child for VA purposes.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that F had significant intellectual limitations and was unable to support herself prior to her 18th birthday. The Board found in favor of the Veteran's claim based on the benefit-of-the-doubt rule, considering JMB's opinion, school records, and lay statements from parents and a teacher.
- Claimed conditions
- Permanent incapacity for self-support
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- May 19, 2015
- Citation
- 1521248
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 1521248.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's adult child, L.B., is seeking DIC benefits based on her permanent incapacity for self-support prior to reaching the age of 18. The AOJ did not obtain all relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) records in making its decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to VA's failure to provide clear information about obtaining medical records and non-medical evidence. The Veteran is asked to authorize release of relevant medical records from specific doctors and submit any additional non-medical evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran seeks recognition of his son W.L.D. as a 'helpless child' based on permanent incapacity for self-support prior to reaching the age of 18. The AOJ did not obtain all relevant SSA records, and this error is being corrected.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's son, D., is a disabled dependent of the Veteran. The Board finds there was a pre-decisional error in VA's duty to assist and requires remand for additional development including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and Dr. R.G.'s treatment records.
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