Survivor Benefits Resource Hub
Explore benefits that may be available to spouses and surviving families. Oakridge represents survivors in DIC appeals, and initial DIC claims on a case-by-case basis.
These guides explain several spouse and survivor benefits for educational purposes. Oakridge Claims represents survivors in DIC appeals, and initial DIC claims on a case-by-case basis (at no fee before decision). We do not handle caregiver, dependent, or other survivor-benefit matters. A free accredited VSO can assist with a first claim.
DIC decision appeals
Tax-free monthly benefit for surviving spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents when the veteran's death was service-connected or deemed service-connected under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.
Explore DIC decisionsUnderstanding a DIC denial
What the decision says about cause of death and what evidence VA considered.
Read about DIC denialsDIC effective dates
How VA sets the start date of a DIC award and why the date in a decision may be disputed.
Read about DIC effective datesCHAMPVA health coverage
Health coverage that may be available to eligible spouses and children under separate VA rules. Educational information only; not an Oakridge service.
Read about spouse benefitsChapter 35 education
Education and training benefits for eligible spouses and children of qualifying veterans. Oakridge does not handle education-benefit matters.
Read the education guideBurial and memorial benefits
VA burial allowances, markers, flags, and cemetery eligibility have their own rules, separate from DIC.
Read the burial guideSurvivors Pension, accrued benefits & home loans
Other programs that may be relevant to survivors, with eligibility and timelines separate from DIC.
Explore survivor benefitsCaregiver and spouse benefits
Learn about dependency additions, caregiver support, CHAMPVA, and other programs for spouses while a veteran is living.
Explore spouse benefitsWhere Oakridge Claims fits in
Our survivor practice is focused on DIC appeals and initial DIC claims (case-by-case) — such as a denial or an incorrect effective date. We do not handle caregiver benefits, Survivors Pension, accrued-benefits or substitution claims, burial benefits, CHAMPVA, education benefits, home loans, or SBP administration. Initial DIC claims are accepted on a case-by-case basis at no charge.
For an initial DIC claim, free assistance is available from a VA-accredited VSO.
VA denied your DIC claim?
We review DIC decisions only. A consultation is free; any representation requires a written VA-compliant fee agreement.
Educational content only. This page summarizes publicly available benefit rules. Eligibility is determined by VA based on the specific facts of each case. Oakridge Claims is a private business providing VA-accredited representation under 38 CFR § 14.629; we are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. No outcome is guaranteed.