Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

Fighting for benefits for spouses and children across the country

DIC Fact Sheet

When the unthinkable happens and a veteran and not a current member of the armed forces dies, the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a monthly benefit to eligible survivors. Unfortunately, family members who suffer a loss sometimes must suffer again because their claim for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits is denied.

Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban is determined to obtain death benefits for spouses and children who are entitled to them.

Spouses and surviving children of service members and veterans who meet certain criteria may be eligible for benefits. One of the following must also be true:

• The veteran must have died on active duty, active duty training or inactive duty training
• The death must have resulted from a service-related injury or disease
• The veteran not only has to have a rating for TDIU at the time of death but it had to have been at that rating for the 10 years leading up to his/her death. (5 years if he/she was a prisoner of war.)

A veteran’s service-connected disability compensation is not automatically continued upon his death for his surviving spouse and children, but it may be converted to a death pension depending on income or to DIC benefits.

Let us stand up for you

If you encounter an uphill battle with the VA to obtain DIC benefits that are rightfully yours, contact Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban. Someone is always available to talk to you, even if you cannot come to our offices.

There are no upfront charges. You pay no fees unless we win your claim for benefits.

Because there is no requirement that your attorney live in your region or even in your state, you can leverage our knowledge and experience regardless of where you live or where your VA benefits claim is filed.