The Veteran's surviving spouse is recognized for VA benefits purposes due to living together as husband and wife under a common law marriage, despite the lack of legal recognition in Missouri and Illinois.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the appellant’s marriage to the Veteran prior to the June 2013 ceremonial marriage was deemed valid for VA benefits purposes based on continuous cohabitation and the appellant's unawareness of the legal impediment (non-recognition of common law marriages in Missouri and Illinois).
- Claimed conditions
- Not specified in this decision
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19124950
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
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.