The Board has found a duty to assist error occurred and requires the VA to request Social Security Administration records related to the appellant's application for death benefits. The effective date of DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is remanded.
The deciding factor: There was an error in the duty to assist as evidenced by the lack of information regarding whether the appellant applied for SSA death benefits after the Veteran's passing and/or receives death benefits.
- Claimed conditions
- Not specified in this decision
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 14, 2021
- Citation
- A21016746
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A21016746.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
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