The appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) is remanded to determine if the appellant applied for Social Security Administration benefits associated with the Veteran's death.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the need to obtain SSA records to clarify when the appellant applied for such benefits, as VA has an obligation to assist in this process.
- Claimed conditions
- Not specified in this decision
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 5, 2025
- Citation
- 25006103
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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.