PARENT DEPEDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR AMERICAN VETERANS

                  Parents' Dependency and Indemnity Compensation


Parents' Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is a tax free income-based monthly benefit for the parent(s) of military Servicemembers who died in the line of duty or Veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease.

Eligibility

Be the parent of a military Servicemember who died in the line of duty or a Veteran who died of a service-related injury or disease. The term "parent" includes:

Biological,
Adoptive, and
Foster parents

A foster parent is a person who stood in the relationship of a parent to the Veteran for at least one year before the Veteran's last entry into active service.
The surviving parent(s) must have an income below a limit established rate can be download fro official website that I listed bottom

Evidence Required

The evidence submitted with the claim must show:
The Servicemember died from an injury or disease while on active duty or in the line of duty while on active duty for training, OR
The Servicemember died from an injury or certain diseases in the line of duty while on inactive duty training, OR
The Veteran died from an injury or disease deemed to be related to military service



                  How to Apply

There are numerous ways to apply for VA disability benefits depending on the type of benefit you are seeking:

Online using an eBenefits account

Complete and mail your claim form to your nearest VA regional office
Go to a VA regional office and have a VA employee assist you. To find the VA regional office nearest you, use the Veterans Affairs National Facilities Locator or call VA toll free at 1-800-827-1000.

Work with an accredited representative or agent

We also encourage you to become familiar with evidence requirements so you have a complete understanding of not only VA's responsibility, but yours as well.

Applying Online though eBenefits

You can apply online through eBenefits. You can also upload all supporting evidence you may have and make your claim a Fully Developed Claim.
If you need time to obtain supporting evidence, you can begin the application process within eBenefits, obtain your evidence and then complete your application and VA will recognize the date you started the application as your date of claim as long as you complete it within one year. By submitting all of your supporting evidence with your claim, you save processing time and obtain a quicker decision.

Working With an Accredited Representative

VA encourages individuals who are applying for disability compensation to work with an accredited representative or agent to assist them in completing Fully Developed Claim for submission through eBenefits. Being accredited means organizations and individuals must have VA permission to represent Veterans before the Department in their claims for VA benefits. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that Veterans have qualified and competent representation. These individuals receive specialized training in VA benefits law and procedure. You may search for an accredited representative in eBenefits on the Manage Your Representative for VA Claims page.

Visit a VA Regional Office

You may also apply by visiting a VA Regional Office where trained staff can assist you. You can find your regional office on our Facility Locator page. If you have records that support your claim, you should bring them with you. VA will help you obtain records by requesting them from the person, company, or agency that has them, but if submit them yourself you can save processing time and obtain a quicker decision.


Before Leaving Military Service

If you are a member of the armed forces serving on either active duty or full-time National Guard duty, VA encourages you to apply through its pre-discharge program before leaving service.

Evidence

You must submit all relevant evidence in your possession and/or provide information sufficient to enable VA to obtain all relevant evidence not in your possession. This includes the following as part of your application:
Discharge or separation papers (DD214 or equivalent)
Service Treatment Records if they are in your possession
Medical evidence (doctor & hospital reports)

Fully Developed Claim

The Fully Developed Claims (FDC) program is an optional new initiative that offers Servicemembers, Veterans, and survivors faster decisions from VA on benefit claims.
Servicemembers, Veterans, and survivors simply submit all required records and documentation at the time they make their claim and certify that they have no further evidence. VA can then review and process the claim more quickly. To learn more about Fully Developed Claims and how to apply, view the Fully Developed Claims page.

Standard Claim

As a standard claim, VA is responsible for getting relevant records from any Federal agency that you adequately identify and authorize VA to obtain.
VA will make every reasonable effort to obtain relevant records not held by a Federal agency that you adequately identify and authorize VA to obtain. These may include privately held evidence and information you tell us about (such as records from a private doctor or hospital) and/or records from State or local governments or current or former employers.
VA will provide a medical examination for you, or get a medical opinion, if determined it is necessary to make a claims decision


SOURCE: U.S DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS