The appellant was not permanently incapable of self-support by reason of mental or physical defect at the age of 18, and therefore does not meet the criteria for DIC benefits as a helpless child.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the appellant had ADHD and learning disabilities prior to his eighteenth birthday but was able to graduate from high school with accommodations and pursue higher education. His subsequent psychiatric disability did not render him permanently incapable of self-support at age 18.
- Claimed conditions
- ADHD, learning disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 11, 2016
- Citation
- 1605311
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 1605311.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Denied
The Veteran's adult child, R.F., is not considered permanently incapable of self-support prior to turning 18 years old and thus does not meet the criteria for survivor benefits.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional error in failing to obtain an adequate VA medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ must request that the Veteran be scheduled for an examination to determine the probable nature and etiology of his diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's delimiting date for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits was extended from January 23, 2015, to March 26, 2018, due to his mental health conditions preventing him from attending school.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression due to his discharge under 'other than honorable' conditions.
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