The Board denied the Appellant's claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits because she was 26 years old at the time of her stepfather's effective date for a total and permanent disability rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not demonstrate that the Veteran was awarded a permanent and total disability rating prior to the Appellant turning 26, and no other exceptions applied under the regulations governing DEA 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
- June 25, 2025
- Citation
- A25055050
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
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.