Spouse eligible for benefits upon my death?

Meet Jim

Jim Strickland is a Vietnam era Army veteran and nationally recognized expert on VA disability benefits who is also editor and webmaster of the popular VA Watchdog website. Jim writes extensively about VA and Social Security disability benefits. Jim is kind enough to answer questions from visitors on StatesideLegal.org here in Jim's Mailbag.

About Jim's Mailbag

Jim's Mailbag is a regular column where veterans, servicemembers, and family members can find answers about their VA and Social Security disability benefits. Although we are not accepting new questions at this time, you can browse all of the previous Q&As here and search Jim's Mailbag for helpful answers to your specific VA issue.

Question:

Hello Jim, I have been awarded 100% disability for PTSD and prostate cancer. My question is if I include my spouse in the compensation, will she be entitled to any compensation when I'm passed away.

Jim's Reply:

Any time a veteran dies of a rated service connected condition, surviving dependents are eligible to apply for the DIC benefit. If a veteran has been rated as 100% P & T for a period of 10 uninterrupted years, the eligible dependents may apply for DIC no matter the cause of death.