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Berta
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Hello Berta,
I am a widow and I am trying to file a DIC claim, but I need help.
My husband died March 21, 2020 from liver failure (primary) and chronic cirrhosis (secondary). There was not an autopsy. He was an OIF veteran, and was rated 100% due to PTSD and major depression on August 12, 2013. His rating was made permanent and total in December 1, 2019, so I know I don't qualify based on the 10 year requirement.
However, I believe his death from alcohol is directly related to his PTSD and major depression. I had conversations with him while he was still alive where he admitted as much. He was seeing a counselor to help with his depression, I have some notes from her, where she notated that he was drinking less that week. I called her to see if she could provide a statement to help, but she had to call her malpractice insurance company first, and I have not heard back.
I do not have a copy of his C-File, nor do I know how to get it.
I have initiated the claims process with the VA, and am currently working on form 21-4138 Statement in Support of Claim. I have family and friends who can make statements supporting my claim that he drank to self-medicate for his PTSD.
Any tips or advice you can give me to help fill this form out without screwing myself over would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Erin
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We have discussed Allen V. Principi many times at hadit= this is the court decision that controls the type of claim you have.
As you can see I only found one claim awarded under Allen V. Principi, in that 2019 post here, but there certainly might be more.But these are VERY difficult claims and require a Very strong IMO, from an expert in the field of the disability.
Please put your question in the DIC forum, because that is where I have explained in past posts,Allen VA Principi ,and what a widow needs to do to support this type of claim.
I had to edit my post- as I assume the liver failure ,as the prime cause of death, was directly due to the chronic cirrhosis.
I will look for your post in the DIC forum.
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