Am I Wasting My Time?

[Seabee Wife]

My late husband, a 'boots on the ground' Vietnam Vet, passed away in 2015. His death certificate showed cause of death "Tongue Cancer." I have finally been able to get the death certificate amended to show PART I, "Squamous Cell CA Tongue" as cause of death and PART II, contributing conditions to show "Sepsis, DM2, and CVA.

The cancer is not on the agent orange presumptive list, however, DM2 is, and possibly soon CVA will be on the list. Since these two illnesses are only contributing conditions on his death certificate, will the VA award DIC or will I be required to jump through hoops to no avail?  My husband had never applied for disability. The DM2 diagnosis and CVA occurred after the cancer diagnosis.

Thank you for your time and input in this matter.          

Edited September 17, 2017 by Seabee Wife

[Berta]

The veteran in this post is deceased.

If AO DMII substantially contributed to his death, the widow here should attain DIC.

[Seabee Wife]

I can't seem to stay off Ebenefits. I'm so anxious. I just found this. It looks very promising. Tell me what you think.

I clicked on dependents and it shows the following:

Dependents on an Award

The following dependents are listed on your current award:

Table of dependents

Name	Date of Birth	Age	SSN	Relationship	Award
Jxxxx Gxxxxxxxx	00/00/1900	0	XXX-XX-xxxx	Spouse                  Compensation

Of course, I've x'd everything out but does this mean they awarded the DIC? There are no previous awards so am I to assume this is for DIC Claim?   

[Carl the Engineer]

If you are Jxxxx, it does sound promising.

I get spousal aid and attendance for my non service spouse (she has MS) and when I do what you did it shows comp for her.

Good luck,

Hamslice

 

 

[Buck52]

Looks promising to me! hang in there.

[Berta]

This is a widow’s grant of DIC by the BVA:

ORDER

 

Entitlement to service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue (originally claimed as lung/respiratory cancer) as due to Agent Orange exposure, on the basis of substitution, is granted.

https://www.va.gov/vetapp15/files6/1550972.txt

 

The widow had a very strong IMO done to support the claim.

In this next case there were multiple VA and private opinions:

Consequently, the Board finds that probative evidence of record

indicates an etiological relationship between the Veteran's in-

service exposure to Agent Orange and his squamous cell tonsillar

cancer.  Therefore, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the

appellant, the Board finds that a grant of service connection for

the cause of the Veteran's death is warranted.

https://www.va.gov/vetapp10/files4/1034280.txt

 

Although it was tonsillar cancer and not tongue cancer, and either one had a presumptive disability, still both of these

Veterans were exposed to AO and the medical opinions warranted a service connected death.

I too certainly hope the VA will award your claim.

DIC is listed and considered as Compensation (DIC =Dependency and Indemnity Compensation)

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Seabee Wife]

Service-connection for the cause of death.....IS GRANTED!

I give all the praise to my Lord and Savior...we had this deal...no matter what the outcome, I would still trust in Him to take care of me.  Savings dwindling, decisions were needed to be made regarding my home, etc. Unless something out of my control happens, I can now breathe.

I thank God for letting me find this site and for ALL the encouragement and advise. BERTA, you are one of God's angels. Without your advise and information, this would have never happened. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

I hope you are all smiling with me.

 

SEABEE WIFE