Question:
Hi Jim. I have been rated at 100% since July of 2011 and I have been rated 100% P&T since November of 2016. Does my family qualify for DIC? I spoke with a DAV representative and they said something about an 8-year rule and that I qualified under that rule, can you show me where to find that regulation? Thanks.
Jim's Reply:
You'll have to ask your DAV rep about that since I don't know of an 8 year rule. DIC will come to eligible surviving dependents for any veteran who dies of a service connected condition. For example, if a Vietnam vet dies of his agent orange diabetes, his survivors are eligible to apply for DIC.
The 100% rated vet must hold the permanent 100% rating for an uninterrupted 10 years and then he can die of anything he wishes and survivors will be eligible to apply for DIC.
More is here https://www.vawatchdog.org/dic---survivor-benefits.html
P.S. From StatesideLegal
You can also learn more about eligibility and benefits under the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) program here. The information breaks down eligibility specific to spouses, children, and parents.