Reciving DIC needing A&A

[Theson]

I'm trying to help get aid & attendance for my mother. She is currently recieving DIC. I have a typed and signed letter from her Doctor stating the cause and need for A&A.
Did I read in an earlier post that along with form 21-4138 this is all we need? Or do we need to have form 21-2680 filled out and start from there?

[vetadmin]

Was your Dad rated by the VA at 100% disabled due to service related injuries?

If not, you need to determine which would pay your Mom more.  The DIC she receives or the A&A pension as she cannot draw both if Dad was not rated 100%.

If you are going to apply for A&A, you do have to do the entire application process.

[Theson]

Yes to everything, ex-pow, 100% disabled, His death was service connected. I'm sure mom qualifies. I have been in touch by phone with the DAV in Muskogee, OK. The person there said to start with form 21-2680 and make an appt. with a service officer but they are over 100 miles away and I read here that it might not be necessary because she is already on DIC.

[vetadmin]

Just file the VA form 21-4138 Statement in Support of Claim stating that your Mom now requires the assistance of others for her day-to-day living.  You do not have to complete the application process due to his rating and there is no financial test. She is entitled to an additional $246.00+ (approximate) a month due to the 100% rating and POW status of your Dad.

You should include a Physcian's Statement 21-2680 see this link for the form:
 http://www.veteranaid.org/docs/PhysicianStatementForA&A.pdf

Mention in the Statement in Support  that you (she) believes that she is eligible for an increase in her compensation pay for Special Monthly Compensation as she now requires the attendance of another person with bathing, dressing etc. I would also include in the packet a Statement of Occupancy from the facility she is in.

Highly recommend you mail this Return Receipt and to the proper Pension center for the state she reside in.  You can find those addresses here on the forums or on the website.

Good Luck!

[Theson]

Ok, now I can get the ball rolling. Thank you so much for helping people find their way through this paperwork. It really shouldn’t be this difficult but there isn’t any way, it seems, to get the VA to tell you what they want to get it through the first time. Just one parting question and please pardon my ignorance. On form 21-4138 my father’s  name and ssn goes in the top box and my mother signs it, right?

[vetadmin]

You're welcome, and yes, your Dad's info and Mom signs.

Hope it goes smoothly for you.

[Theson]

My mother received an approval letter today. I wanted to say thank you again for all the help and guidance you provided that got us through this on the first attempt. You people are a wealth of information on VA paperwork and are doing fine work.

[vetadmin]

Thank you for sharing your good news with us and congratulations!!

I'm glad that what I do made a difference for you and your Mom!