For spouses and family

Handling VA paperwork for the Veteran you love? Start here.

In a lot of families, the spouse is the one who reads the letters, keeps the files and makes the calls. This page covers what you can do, what the Veteran has to do themselves, and VA benefits that may be available to you.

Check the decision deadline Review a VA decision

What you can do

You can do most of the work.

Get VA to talk to you

VA won't discuss the Veteran's claim with you unless the Veteran says it can. VA Form 21-0845 (Authorization to Disclose Personal Information to a Third Party), signed by the Veteran, lets VA share information with you. A free Veterans Service Organization representative named on VA Form 21-22 can also speak for the Veteran.

Gather the records

Decision letters are in the Veteran's VA.gov account. The full claims file (C-file) and service treatment records can be requested from VA. Private doctor and hospital records help too.

How to get VA records

Write your own statement

What you see every day is evidence. A spouse can describe symptoms, bad nights, missed work and the help the Veteran needs, in your own name, on VA Form 21-10210 (Lay/Witness Statement). VA has to consider it.

Use ClaimScope together

With the Veteran's OK, you can set up the account, upload the decision and records, and work through the review. The statements and VA forms ClaimScope prepares are for the Veteran to read, correct and sign.

See what the review includes

What the Veteran has to do

A few things can't be handed off. Plan for them so nothing stalls.

Sign VA forms and statements in their own name. Never sign the Veteran's name for them.
If the Veteran can't sign because of a physical or mental condition, a spouse may be able to sign certain forms as an alternate signer using VA Form 21-0972. A court-appointed guardian or a VA-appointed fiduciary can also sign.
Go to any C&P exams VA schedules. A missed exam can lead to a denial. You can usually go along.
Confirm that everything in a statement is true. The Veteran is the one certifying it.

Benefits for you and your family

Some VA benefits are for the spouse.

Several of these depend on the Veteran's rating. If the rating is wrong, family benefits can be missed too, which is one more reason to check a recent decision.

Added pay for a spouse

A Veteran rated 30% or more gets more each month for a spouse and children. Add dependents with VA Form 21-686c. If you need help with daily activities yourself, VA can add an aid-and-attendance amount for a spouse at 30% or more.

When a spouse needs daily help

CHAMPVA health coverage

If the Veteran is rated permanently and totally disabled from service-connected conditions, a spouse may get CHAMPVA health coverage. You can't have it if you're eligible for TRICARE.

CHAMPVA on VA.gov

Education benefits (Chapter 35)

Spouses of Veterans rated permanently and totally disabled from service-connected conditions may qualify for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance.

Chapter 35 on VA.gov

Family caregiver program

If the Veteran is rated 70% or more and needs in-person personal care for at least six continuous months, a family caregiver may qualify for VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, which includes a monthly stipend. Apply with VA Form 10-10CG.

Caregiver program on VA.gov

If the Veteran has died

We're sorry for your loss. These are the benefits surviving spouses most often ask about.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a monthly payment for a surviving spouse when the Veteran died from a service-connected condition, or was rated totally disabled for long enough before death (generally 10 years). Apply with VA Form 21P-534EZ.
If the Veteran had a claim or appeal pending, a survivor can ask to take it over within one year of the death (VA Form 21P-0847, Request for Substitution). Benefits the Veteran was owed but not paid may also be due to you.
Survivors Pension, with an added amount if you need daily help, is for lower-income surviving spouses of wartime Veterans.

Survivor benefits guide

Watch the one-year deadline

Most VA decisions can be challenged for one year from the date on the letter. Keep the envelope and the letter together, and check the date before anything else.

Run the free deadline check

Free help is available

Accredited Veterans Service Organization representatives and county veteran service officers help Veterans and families with claims at no cost. Federal law doesn't allow fees for help with a brand-new claim. ClaimScope's paid review is for after VA has decided a claim.

Free Veteran resources

This page is general information, not legal advice, and doesn't guarantee any VA decision. Eligibility rules have details not covered here; check the linked VA pages or ask a free accredited representative about your situation.