Additional DIC A & A, HB benefits

[Berta]

This subject never came up here before, or I forgot if it did  ....maybe on the older hadit board-

The DIC monthly rate for a surviving spouse with no dependent child is $ 1.340.14.

If the survivor  ,receiving DIC ,applies for and receives Aid and Attendance

                                                                         the VA adds $ 332.00 to that monthly amount.

If the survivor is Housebound, that benefit is $ 155.53, added to the 1,340.14.

https://www.va.gov/disability/survivor-dic-rates/#dic-rates-if-the-veteran-died-

( note these are the rates if the veteran died After Jan 1, 1993, the rates prior to that are at the VA web site)

This only regards a DIC recipient,  but a survivor on a VA Wartime pension, can also apply for Aid and Attendance but those regulations are at the VA web site or under the Pension info here.

 

Here is the regulation:

"Any veteran entitled to compensation at the rates provided in 38 U.S.C. § 1114, and whose disability is rated not less than 30 percent, shall be entitled to additional compensation for dependents.  38 U.S.C. § 1115 (2012).  The regulation at 38 C.F.R. §  3.351(a)(2) specifies that increased compensation is payable to a veteran by reason of the veteran's spouse being in need of aid and attendance. 

The need for aid and attendance means helplessness or being so nearly helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person.  The criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.351(c) will be applied in determining whether such need exists.  38 U.S.C. § 1115 (1)(E); 38 C.F.R. § 3.351(b).  In this regard, the Veteran's spouse will be considered in need of regular aid and attendance if he or she (1) is blind or so nearly blind as to have corrected visual acuity of 5/200 or less in both eyes, or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less; or (2) is a patient in a nursing home because of mental or physical incapacity; or (3) establishes a factual need for aid and attendance under the criteria set forth in § 3.352(a).  38 C.F.R. § 3.351(c)."

https://www.va.gov/vetapp20/files2/a20002170.txt

There are more BVA cases explaining this benefit at this post:

If a survivor getting DIC is not eligible for A & A, they could be eligible for the Housebound payment.

Both are determined by documented medical evidence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 23, 2020 by Berta