Ernest Asked:
I just received an information packet about my disability. It states my status as single. I am married since 1965 one wife.
What does my marriage STATUS do for me?
I Received my first check for a start date of may 2022. I Started to file my claim Sept 20 I was canceled from making my meeting because of damage to the road into the office. I could not navigate the steps into the office with my WHEELCHAIR SO I LOST BENEFITS DUE ME. I have suffered severe deafness for years, no compensation for that time.
Hey Ernest:
Just as a quick heads up we are not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs and unless noted we do not endorse any services providing information for my research.
With that out of the way, your marriage status can effect your monthly disability payment depending on your rating percentage. According to the lawyer organization “Disability Advantage Group” your spouse and/or any other dependents will increase your disability compensation if you are rated 30% or above. Having her registered is also going to matter if you have life insurance, burial benefits, and a few other services offered to spouses.
You can register your wife online through the VA Portal by first going to va.gov and signing in. If you don’t have access to an online account you will have to setup a login and password through one of these 4 verification services.
- Login.gov
- MyHealtheVet
- DS Logon
- ID.me
From there you will want to go to https://www.va.gov/view-change-dependents/ and once there you can file online your wife’s information and your marriage information (you will need her birthdate, SSN, date of marriage, and city where you were married).
If you do not have a way to login into the Department of Veteran Affairs website you can also download, print, and mail VA Form 21-686c and then send your completed form to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Evidence Intake Center
PO Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444
As for the rest of your submission, I do not have much experience with disability claims, backpay, etc. as I am just beginning my own VA Claims journey. I do know of a great group on Facebook called VA Comp & Pension Claims that can help you with knowing your legal rights for those topics as well as any further questions that will come.
But for adding your spouse the process is pretty straightforward and shouldn’t be any trouble if you do it online or by mail. I just added my wife online today because of your question and will know the status in a week. So thanks for making me aware of that.
Hope that helps,
-Specialist Carroll-
