DVCal

My father passed away a few months ago and at his time of death he was rated 80% mainly due to diabetes and heart disease. My father however was unable to walk or work due to osteoarthritis of the knee. The VA rejected his claim that his osteoarthritis was serviced related. We firmly believe that his osteoarthritis was a result of his diabetes, which they have accepted as service related. The service lead to AO exposure, which lead to diabetes, which caused the osteoarthritis, which made my father unable to walk. My parents were planning to appeal before my father passed away, but now my mother thinks it is too late. If they give her the increase payment for the 4 year period that my father was rated disable, it would really help. Question 1: Is it too late to request another review or appeal for an increase percentage and inclusion of the osteoarthritis as service related. Question 2: If we do request they re-look at his file can they decide to LOWER his rating and demand money back? Question: 3: If we push this can they take away the DIC that my mother was awarded?

My mother is currently out of the country visiting relatives. I will be sure to pass on the suggestions when she returns. A few more questions. Does the fact that my father was drafted (Vietnam) and not enlisted have any relevance in what she can qualify for? Also if my mother is approved for SSDI does that affect her DIC money? Thanks for the answers everyone.

My father passed way in February and my mother filed a claim for DIC. He was rated 80% with heart disease and diabetes as service connected disability. The causes of death on the death certificate are myocardial infarction [Heart Attack] and diabetes. A little over one week ago my mother received a deposit in her bank account from Treasury for VA Benefit equal to exactly 4 months of DIC money. The thing is we have not received any letter saying her DIC claim was approved. This money will really help my mother as she was relying on my fathers income from VA and SS when he passed. Could this mean the claim was approved and the letter was lost? Does the deposit ever happen before the award letter is sent out? Thanks.