The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as a surviving spouse for basic eligibility for VA dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) benefits, finding that there was no continuous cohabitation between the Veteran and the appellant.
The deciding factor: There is conflicting evidence on the reasons cited for the separation between the Veteran and the appellant, which were inconsistent with each other and without corroborating statements from witnesses or other supporting documentation.
- Claimed conditions
- Not specified in this decision
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 11, 2019
- Citation
- 19145166
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
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.