The Veteran's son, who was diagnosed with mental retardation and permanently incapable of self-support by reason of his condition at the age of 18, is eligible for VA death pension benefits.
The deciding factor: The appellant was found to be permanently incapable of self-support due to severe mental deficits prior to reaching the age of 18.
- Claimed conditions
- mental retardation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- January 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19106637
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.
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The Veteran's daughter, L.W., was found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday due to disabilities including mental retardation. The Board granted recognition as a helpless child.
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