VetsDaughter

My mom recieved the burial benefit. We knew that would be covered even before his passing. It was stated in the award letter the benefit amount and what was paid. She also recieved 1154 in surviors benefits. Her back pay check came today. She was already recieving CHAMPVA prior to his death along with Chapter 35 and I recieve that as well. So that is still going... So if I am reading correctly, There is NO settlement check for Service Connected Death, for veterans survivng spouses? He did not die in active combat or anything like that though. I am confused only, because we were told there would be one and it was a "large amount of money". But i cannot seem to find anything on it and it said nothing of that sort in the award letter. Thank you everyone!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Hello all. I am not a vet. But i am a dependent of one. My father passed Jan.3rd 2010 My mom has gone through something similar as both of you are now. Let me just say, that it did take a long time before my mom recieved her award letter. Like, said my dad passed Jan. 3rd 2010, my mom filed Jan 26 2010. She just recieved her award letter after 11 months of waiting, This past Saturday (the 18th of dec) We heard through some people (not the VA) that they have waited years before receiving a letter. My mom asked the VA directly how long it usually takes. We were told, ours was taking longer than usual, but it usually doesnt take a year for a decision to be made. Only if you were denied the first time and then appealed it, does it take years. (she was not) I also want to let you know. When you call that 1-800 number you will never get the same answer.... ever. My mom was told her case was sent away for a second opinion. She was told, it was at the rater, when it fact it wasn't. She was told, records were not recieved when in fact she personally sent them in herself. No answer was ever the same the next time she called. My mother even contacted our congressman to see if he could do something, He put in an inquiry for her personally. Once at the rater, it will go to a supervisor who must sign off on your claim decision. That can take 10-40 days. I remember someone telling me that the VA would not give time frames, though we were told a correct time frame for her award letter. The VA actually called us personally and told us it would be only a few more weeks. My best advice to you both, who are waiting and waiting and struggling is, TO CALL EVERYDAY! My mom started calling everyday the past two months and of course your calls are logged so I think they hurried to finish her claim because they were sick of hearing from her. haha Ask whomever you speak to on the phone t,o put an inquiriy. Too see what is going on. My mom also personally faxed in a hand written letter stating her situation of our home foreclosing, stuggling to pay bills and asking them to honor the vet who died for this country. I feel that helped. It couldnt help to ask whoever you speak to, to extradite your claim. Good luck and keep your head up. Merry Christmas and I wish you all the best.

Hello all! Great news! After almost a year of waiting, this past saturday, my mom recieved her Award letter! We are very thankful for all the help we recieved (Berta!) Great Christmas present! Anyway. I just have one question. I know the Award Letter stated it could be up to 15 days for a check.We know is going to be recieving some back pay for her survivors benefits. But... I did hear a rumor, that there was a Service Connected Death Benefit. I wasn't told how much exactly, but a few people stated it was A LOT of money. Was wondering if this is true or not? and if any of you have recieved this, if you don't mind my asking? How much? I couldnt find an amount online or anything like that. Maybe it is a disclosed amount? Thanks again, everyone!!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOD BLESS YOU!

I recieve Chap. 35 VA benefits, I am a dependent of a veteran (child). I have been in school since late 2008. I do school Online. VA also gives an Educational Allowance to the dependent, rates vary, depending on the students status/hours in school. Full time/part time.T I recieve Financial Aid. Which covers my full academic year in school (i will be done in Sept 2011). If you can afford too, you can pocket your monthly allowance, which the VA sends you, or Choose to pay for your schooling w/ it. It would be smarter to use it for school espeically if your financial aid doesnt cover all of your tutuion. Your school will help you get all set up. I know most online schools deal w/ The GI Bill. You also have to sumitt your VONAPP to the VA. Its a step by step process. Google, "VA VONAPP" and you'll find it. =]

I am going to check into that, because it is possible something like that happened with his medication.

It's funny you ask about my Dad's medication. He was on about 20 different medication's. Methadone,Gabapentin, Morphine, An anti-depressant, pill(can't remember the name), anti-anxiety pill, a drug to help him sleep, A mood altering drug, and the list goes on. Though, I do not know the exact name for all. Every single medication he was on WAS perscribed by the VA. His cause of death was Suicide (by overdose- which was not the first of many attempts) My Dad was never perscribed any Chantix. As for the VA rep, I have passed the information on to my Mom. My mom has also, already done 2 inquiry's with the VA. The first resonse from the VA e-mail was that they hadn't recieved my Dad's Medical Record from a local hospital. My Mom told them, that there must be a mistake, because she personally sent them to the VA. The their response back was "The information provided regarding Bay Regional Medical Center was as per information found in your electronic records. It is possible the information has been received by the Pension Management Center (PMC), and was not updated in our electronic systems. We have forwarded the information you provided in your most recent inquiry to the PMC, with a request to review your claims file, and update the computer system accordingly." When I spoke to them last wednesday they told me everything was accounted for and that it would be 16-27 days and blah blah blah... Is there nothing else we can do? Thanks so much Berta, all of your information has been extremely helpful. I am very, very grateful for your help and time!!! =]

My Mom has never recieved any letters regarding her claim through the VA. No, VCAA letter or anything. Why did we never recieved that? When they told my Mom that that the claim needed "a second opinion" that is all they said. She never recieved a letter of a first opinion. Is it possible to call and get that information in writing? My Dad did have an autopsy. Would it help to give the results to the VA? Although, we know his cause of death, without the Autopsy. The VA knows his cause of death also. The only reason she knew what to send in, is someone called her requesting all medical records that they did not recieve. My dad's PTSD was through the VA, actually nurmerous VA's My Mom did recieve the comp check for the month he died, which was january. My mom is only 52 so she doesnt qualify for SSA. Also, My Mom does have a Vet rep. He has done nothing to help with the claim, whenever my mom contacts him, he never calls back. That is why she contacted Congress, who put an inquiry in on October, 6th but the VA has not responded. I'm a little baffled at why we have never recieved a letter!

My dad has been on 100% disablity since march of 2007 but has been on disablity with the VA since the late 80's. Over the years his disabilty has gone up. Also I know, My does not fall into the VA's 10 year rule. I just need some answers or advice.

My Dad, Louis, did two tours in Vietnam. He was only 17 when he volunteered. He has recieved numerous medals and even the Purple Heart. He suffered from severe PTSD and alcoholism He was on 100% disability through the VA. January 3rd of this year, he took his own life. Since my Dad was recieveing his VA and was supporting my mother and himself on that, the benefits stopped when he passed. We knew that would happen. So, of course my mom filed for the DIC claim at the end of January. The VA has recieved every single one of his medical records, showing how severe his PTSD was and his numerous suicide attempts, These medical records had things in them that my Mom and I never even knew about. Anyway, My Mom's claim has been open since January. Every week she calls the VA, only to hear something different everytime; Such as, That they were going to expideite her claim, Her claim is still in review, they are awaiting more medical records (records from a state my dad had never even been seen in!), it needed a second opinion, and lately, we have heard, that her claim was in the second stage of rating and it would be 16-27 days before it would be sent to a supervior for him to sign off it, and that would be an additional 10-40 days. My Mom has tried everything to get the right information regarding her claim. She has even been to our Congress Office and he said that he had a great contact at the Milwaukee Office, (that is where our claim is) and it is on our record that he has put in an inquiry. But...nothing. We are at a dead stop. Nothing is happening with our claim. My mom can no longer afford the mortage payments on her house and has already recieved her forclosure notice. My mom's claim has been open for almost a year now, and its funny because the VA states that they have like a 95% success rate of awarding claims in less than 240 days... I saw a VA commercial about how they honor our vets with benefits and taking care of them no matter what. I think my Dad and his family would have a different story about that....11 months and my Mom is still waiting for her benefits. My question is, is there anything or anyone we can talk to about our claim other than that darn 877 number? Someone deeper inside that can get us some right information? Does anyone know how long the typical DIC claim benefits award process takes? I feel this is an emergency and need some serious opinions on what to do here! Any type of information would be greatly appreciated.