[REDACTED] was found to be permanently incapable of self-support due to congenital physical defects and severe mental retardation, meeting the criteria for a 'helpless child' status.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that [REDACTED] had congenital physical deformities and severe mental retardation from birth, rendering him incapable of self-support at the age of eighteen.
- Claimed conditions
- mental retardation, severe scoliosis
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 6, 2018
- Citation
- 1819961
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 1819961.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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