Do You Have The Answer To This Problem?

[Wicklander]

Hello to everybody. I need some help with a question. Since the VA will not give me any answers on this subject the veterans on the forum is my only hope.

I am a disabled veteran with 30% disability. I am married and have one child. Normally I would receive "extra" compensation because I have dependants. (Wife, child). Easy right?

Here is the problem. My wife and child are Germans, we all live in Germany, and because my wife and child DO NOT have American social security numbers (obviously) I was denied the extra compensation for my dependants. Siting that when I filled out the forms I did not include their SSN'S, (I couldn't, they don't have any!)

I have tried to get the va to understand this but I keep getting the run around. All they do is to fill out form 21-686c. This is the form I originally filled out to include them (but I can't!). They won't even listen to what I am telling them. They will not give me an answer on what I can do to include my wife and child.

Does somebody here have any idea what I can do to include my family?

Thanks.

Mark (wicklander)

[indyman]

Were you married when the child was born, and married to the childs mother? If yes on both, the child could be classified as U.S. citizen born in Germany to a U.S. citizen. Were you still in the military when the child was born and married to the childs mother? Do you have a passport on the child? If so, what is the childs citizenship and visa status if applicable? You can go to the embassey and request assistance. Make sure to take your DD Form 214 and your birth certificate also. Also, instead of a SSN you can get what they call a personal ID number which is sort of like a drivers license number. Does the child have an "ausvise" and what citizenship is on it.

[indyman]

Another thing I just thought about. U.S. Immigration can be contacted on line and they could clear up some things also. I think that if the father is U.S. then the child is U.S. I have a friend from long ago who had a child in Germany, born in a German hospital. He was active duty. The child was classified a U.S. citizen born in Germany. His wife was a citizen of New Zealand.

[JT24usn]

http://www.benefits.va.gov/WARMS/docs/admin21/m21_1/mr/part3/subptiii/ch05/M21-1MRIII_iii_5_SecF.doc

See numbers 32 and 33 on the link

[Teac]

Another thing I just thought about. U.S. Immigration can be contacted on line and they could clear up some things also. I think that if the father is U.S. then the child is U.S. I have a friend from long ago who had a child in Germany, born in a German hospital. He was active duty. The child was classified a U.S. citizen born in Germany. His wife was a citizen of New Zealand.

Only if the child was born in to a US Service Member, is it considered a birth of an American Child born abroad, in which case the US State department issues the Birth certificate at the same time a passport is issue. If not a service member, then the Baby is born a German Citizen which by the way is the only way one can be a German citizen.

My son was Born in Heidelberg Army Hospital... so that is why I know this.. however things may have changed over the years, for example when My son was born SSAN were not being required for newborn babies.

I would bet that all that this veteran needs to do is show proof that the child is his, born in Germany.. and that because he is a German Citizen he can't have a SSAN.

Edited March 14, 2013 by Teac

[GuaymasJim]

My wife is not an American citizen and does NOT have a SSA#, but gets CHAMPVA medical treatment at the same VAMC where I get medical treatment. When I claimed her as a dependent all I had to do was to explain why she did not have a SSA#. The CHAMPVA rep in the hospital made up a number using her birth date. Her military ID shows my SSA#.

[meghp0405]

I believe i found your solution Wicklander,

M21-1 manual rewrite, part 10, chapter 2 will have your answer to your question.

basically, you will need a statement from the social security administration, stating that your dependants have not nor ever been issued a social security number due to them being german nationals.

The Consulate should be able to assist you with the required paperwork.

Once you obtain this information/letter, re-submit with another VA FM 21-686c with a VA FM 21-526ez and submit this as a fully developed claim. It will be a lot quicker than your normal submitted claims.

Good luck!