Question:

I am a 100% Service Connected Disabled Veteran;  all my injuries happened 29 Nov 1970, MIA for a week, the USAF retired me 17 April 1971.  I was rated 100% for a year, started college Voc rehab program. I married March 1972, finished college with a AA. from State Jr College. and a B.F.A. in Photography 1976. I have been rated at 100%, then it was lowered to 70%, fought it back to 80%. I have worked for the DoD from 1977 until January 2006.

My wife is concerned about how she will receive anything for my service from the VA.   I waived my AF retirement (E-4)  for the VA Disability Pension.

Jim's Reply:

You say, "I am a 100% Service Connected Disabled Veteran". Then you tell me, "I have been rated at 100% than it was lowered to 70%, fought it back to 80%". I'm not sure if you're rated 100% or 80% and that makes a difference. The veteran who is rated at 80% must die of a service connected condition for a survivor to be eligible for the DIC benefit. A 100% rated veteran who has held that rating for over ten consecutive years can die from any cause and the surviving dependent is eligible for DIC. More info on DIC is here https://www.va.gov/disability/dependency-indemnity-compensation/