The Veteran's adult child, R.F., is not considered permanently incapable of self-support prior to turning 18 years old and thus does not meet the criteria for survivor benefits.
The deciding factor: R.F. has had significant developmental delays since birth but was able to live independently at times and work in the past, indicating he could support himself.
- Claimed conditions
- Intellectual disability, Epilepsy, ADHD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2026
- Citation
- A26040251
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 A26040251.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's TDIU is granted effective March 27, 2013, as he was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities since that date.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal as the May 24, 2021 rating decision proposing to reduce the evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected epilepsy from 80 percent to 10 percent was not a final action and thus not ripe for review.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional error in failing to obtain an adequate VA medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ must request that the Veteran be scheduled for an examination to determine the probable nature and etiology of his diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's child, T.C.Q., was found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining the age of 18 due to his disabilities. The Board granted recognition as a helpless child.
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