The Veteran's DIC benefits were not increased due to his having been rated at 100% for over eight years prior to death. The Veteran had a combined evaluation of 70% before December 2009, and was later awarded ratings consistent with a combined evaluation of 100%. He died after January 1, 1993, and did not meet the criteria for additional monthly payments due to children below age 18 or permanent housebound status. The Veteran's original rating at separation from service was 100%, but this does not affect VA's current evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran had a combined evaluation of 70% prior to December 2009, and later received ratings consistent with a combined evaluation of 100%. He died after January 1, 1993, and did not meet the criteria for additional monthly payments due to children below age 18 or permanent housebound status.
- Claimed conditions
- Total disability due to carotid stenosis with vision loss and slurring of speech, Stroke
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- April 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19125827
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 19125827.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection of the cause of death to obtain a complete TERA memorandum and a VA examination opinion.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including a low back disability, neck disability, nerve damage of the neck, back, and hip, liver cirrhosis, stroke, migraines, ovarian disability, heart disability, seizure disorder, and right ear disability.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for heart problem, sleep apnea, diabetes, stroke, tinnitus, GERD, and hypertension as new and relevant evidence was not received to support the claims.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for hypertension, migraine headaches, and sleep apnea, but denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.
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