Dependency claims are how you add or update family members on your VA disability compensation. Veterans rated at 30 percent or higher receive additional monthly compensation for each qualified dependent. Managing your dependency status correctly ensures you receive all the benefits you are entitled to and avoids problems with overpayments or underpayments. VA recognizes several types of dependents for compensation purposes. Spouses are added through the marriage declaration process. Children include biological children, legally adopted children, and stepchildren who are members of your household. Children are generally covered until age 18, or until age 23 if they are attending an approved school full-time. Children who are permanently incapable of self-support due to a disability that occurred before age 18 can continue as dependents indefinitely. Dependent parents may also qualify if they are financially dependent on you. You are responsible for promptly reporting any changes in your family status to VA. This includes marriages, divorces, births, deaths, children leaving school, and children turning 18. Failure to report changes can lead to debts owed back to VA. The effective date for adding dependents is generally the date of the event or the date you notified VA, depending on when you file the required paperwork.
Note: This article references sections of the VA's M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual. The VA periodically reorganizes the M21-1 and section numbers may have changed since this article was written. For the most current section references, visit the VA's public M21-1 Web Automated Reference Material System (WARMS).