VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is a financial benefit offered to the family of veterans who have passed away or been totally disabled as a result of a service-connected injury or disease. Typically, VA DIC payments are offered to the survivors of veterans if they meet certain eligibility and qualification standards. The VA DIC is tax-exempt and not income-based. Veterans who have mesothelioma may want to consider exploring the benefits offered by the VA, especially if their mesothelioma is service-connected.
What Is VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation?
VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, also referred to as VA DIC, is a tax-free monetary benefit offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to the survivors of veterans and their loved ones.
VA DIC benefits are available only to the loved ones of veterans who meet certain qualifications and standards, such as dying from a serious injury or disease received during their service. One such service-related injury is mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
Veterans who have mesothelioma were exposed to the dangerous toxin asbestos during their military service that caused their cancer later in life. In these cases, surviving spouses, dependent children, and surviving parents of veterans may be eligible for VA DIC or other forms of disability compensation.
- VA Disability Claims
- Survivor Benefits
- Finding Veteran Doctors
Who Is Eligible for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation?
There are many VA DIC eligibility requirements that one must meet to receive the form of VA compensation.
In terms of veterans who have mesothelioma or have died from mesothelioma, the following list will only include requirements that relate to service-connected mesothelioma.
The VA DIC is paid to eligible survivors of:
- Service members who passed away while on active duty
- Veterans whose cause of death was a service-connected injury or disease
- Veterans who did not die in the line of duty but were totally disabled by a service-connected disability
Qualifications for VA DIC
In order to qualify for VA DIC, there are also specific qualification requirements for the surviving spouse and/or dependent children of a deceased veteran.
Qualifications for surviving spouses:
- Married the deceased veteran before January 1, 1957
- Married a veteran who died from a service-connected injury or disease, if the marriage began within 15 years of discharge
- Married the deceased veteran for at least one year
- Had a child with the veteran and cohabitated with the veteran until their death
If separated and with children, the surviving spouse must not be at fault for the separation and not be remarried to qualify.
Qualifications for surviving children:
- Veteran parent died because of a service-connected injury or disease
- The children must be unmarried and under the age of 18 or between the ages of 18 and 23 and attending school
- Certain helpless adult children may also be eligible
Accessing Mesothelioma and VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
Veterans Seeking VA DIC for Mesothelioma
Veterans with mesothelioma can look to the VA for assistance.
The VA offers many services for veterans with injuries and illnesses like mesothelioma. Veterans can look and see if their time in the service exposed them to toxic substances and materials that led to them developing mesothelioma later in their lives.
If this is the case, veterans can be eligible for compensation and benefits. The VA can offer health care and compensation, such as VA DIC. If their disease has made them totally disabled, veterans may qualify for VA DIC. If the veteran dies because of mesothelioma, VA DIC may be beneficial to their family.
VA DIC for Family of Mesothelioma Patient
As mentioned above, VA DIC is also open to the family of the affected veterans.
If the veteran has been totally disabled by or has died from mesothelioma, their family may be eligible to receive VA DIC. The family members in question would need to meet other specific requirements, but if they do, they are eligible to receive monthly payments as well as added benefits.
The family of the veteran with mesothelioma can also assist their loved one in seeking assistance via the VA, whether it be to receive health care benefits, VA DIC itself, or other compensation.
VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Rates
Monthly VA DIC rates vary depending on what specific qualifications and situations the veteran and their families are in. The monthly standard payment is $1,562.74 if the veteran died on or after January 1, 1993 as of December 2022.
VA DIC Calculator
The standard monthly rate is $1,562.74, as mentioned above. Depending on certain qualifications, you may be eligible for added monthly benefits.
| If the following is true: | You may qualify for: | Added monthly amount (USD): |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran had a VA disability rating of totaling disabling for at least the 8 full years leading up to their death, and you were married to the veteran for those same 8 years | 8-year provision | $331.84 |
| You have a disability and need help with regular daily activities | Aid and Attendance (A&A) | $387.15 |
| You can’t leave your house due to a disability | Housebound allowance | $181.37 |
| You have 1 or more children who are under age 18 | Transitional benefit, and DIC apportionment rate | $332.00 for the first 2 years after the Veteran’s death (plus $387.15 for each eligible child) |
VA DIC Finances
The VA DIC survivor benefits are tax-exempt, meaning you won’t have to pay any taxes on your compensation payments. While the VA DIC is not inherently income-based, some surviving loved ones may be eligible for an income-based benefit like the Survivors Pension.
Accessing Veterans Mesothelioma Compensation
If you are a U.S. veteran or have a family member who is a veteran, we encourage you to explore and pursue VA benefits for mesothelioma.
Veterans and civilians with this disease may also be eligible for financial compensation through a lawsuit or an asbestos trust fund. Lawsuit settlements award an average of $1 million. Filing a lawsuit does not prohibit veterans from receiving their VA benefits.
