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Dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) is a type of VA benefit available to family members of veterans who died from a service-related illness or injury. Asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma may qualify as service-related if the veteran was exposed while serving in the military.
Written by Aaron Munz | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: August 9, 2024
The VA increases DIC rates every December. They do this to provide adequate compensation to surviving dependents of veterans. The current rate was updated on Dec. 1, 2023, and the rate will remain in effect for a full year.
The VA pays the tax-free financial benefit every month. The benefit is increased for surviving spouses eligible for VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits. Surviving spouses with children under age 18 also receive increased benefits.
Current DIC rates are $1,612.75 per month for surviving spouses. More monthly compensation under certain circumstances is available for those who qualify:
To get the full DIC benefits, reach out to an accredited VA claims agent. They can help ensure access to the full amount of compensation you are entitled to receive.
Veterans discharged “under conditions other than dishonorable” have a right to survivor benefits.
Military asbestos exposure causes many veterans to develop mesothelioma or lung cancer after retirement. In 2022, the VA updated eligibility guidelines and considered both of these cancers 100% disabling.
Veterans with asbestos-related cancer are entitled to VA disability benefits if they prove their asbestos exposure happened primarily during their military service. The same standard applies to family members applying for dependency and indemnity compensation.
Filing a DIC claim is relatively straightforward if the veteran was already receiving VA disability compensation for the asbestos disease that killed them. Otherwise, the surviving spouse must include documentation of the diagnosis and evidence linking it primarily to military asbestos exposure.
The DIC claim must include medical records of the veteran’s diagnosis and treatment. The VA will also need to see a medical nexus letter from a doctor. This letter explains how asbestos exposure caused the veteran’s illness.
The DIC claim must include the veteran’s discharge paperwork to verify their military service. The claimant must also submit an asbestos exposure summary. This letter explains how the veteran was exposed to asbestos while they were on active duty.
The DIC claim documents must prove that at least 50% of the asbestos exposure occurred during the veteran’s military service. Without evidence of this, the VA will assume exposure that happened during the veteran’s civilian life caused the asbestos-related illness.
If the veteran already had an asbestos disability claim approved, it should not be necessary to submit proof of military asbestos exposure again.
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VA claim paperwork is complex, and proving military asbestos exposure after a veteran dies can be especially challenging. Working with an accredited claims agent familiar with asbestos-related diseases can make the process of filing a VA claim easier.
Surviving family members can explore other options for receiving compensation as well. The family may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the company that supplied the asbestos-containing products.
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Munz, A. (2024, August 9). Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Claim. Asbestos.com. Retrieved November 7, 2024, from https://www.asbestos.com/veterans/va-claims/dependency-indemnity-compensation/
Munz, Aaron. "Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Claim." Asbestos.com, 9 Aug 2024, https://www.asbestos.com/veterans/va-claims/dependency-indemnity-compensation/.
Munz, Aaron. "Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Claim." Asbestos.com. Last modified August 9, 2024. https://www.asbestos.com/veterans/va-claims/dependency-indemnity-compensation/.
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