The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as a 'helpless child' of her father due to insufficient evidence showing she was permanently incapable of self-support prior to turning 18 years old. The appellant had a history of employment and did not meet the criteria for being considered a helpless child.
The deciding factor: The appellant's extensive work history after reaching age 18 contradicted the claim that she was incapable of self-support before her 18th birthday.
- Claimed conditions
- Depression, Psychotic features (likely related to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia), Schizophrenia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19125325
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple myeloma, back disability (secondary to multiple myeloma), and depression, with an effective date of January 26, 2021. The decision also remanded claims related to breast cancer, DEA benefits, and initial ratings.
- Denied
The veteran's bad conduct discharge precludes eligibility for VA benefits, including compensation and healthcare.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and personality disorder, due to the need for further development of the record.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the Appellant during its pendency.
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