The claim for accrued benefits in excess of $874.00 was denied as the appellant, who is a daughter of the Veteran and his widow, does not meet the eligibility criteria.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the appellant did not qualify as a 'child' under VA law and thus could only be reimbursed for expenses related to her mother's last sickness and burial. The evidence did not show any additional costs beyond the already paid $874.00, and estates are ineligible for accrued benefits.
- Claimed conditions
- Not specified in this decision
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 3, 2024
- Citation
- 24000226
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.