The Veteran's son, J.J., was recognized as a helpless child due to his mental retardation prior to reaching the age of 18.
The deciding factor: J.J. had been diagnosed with mental retardation and could not sustain employment due to his condition.
- Claimed conditions
- mental retardation
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 3, 2018
- Citation
- 18154535
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 18154535.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's son, B.L.H., is recognized as a 'helpless child' due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to the age of 18. The Board found that B.L.H.'s mental development disability resulted in significant functional impairment and rendered him incapable of self-support before turning 18.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's adult son, who was rendered incapable of self-support prior to the age of 18 due to his disabilities, is recognized as a helpless child for purposes of entitlement to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for additional dependency compensation on the basis that there is no evidence showing T.M. was permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's daughter, A.P., was permanently incapable of self-support due to cerebral palsy and mental retardation prior to her 18th birthday. The Board granted recognition as a helpless child for VA benefits.
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