Question:
I have legal custody of my grandchildren. Can I claim them as dependents for VA benefits purposes? I only have a VA disability rating of 50%.
Answer:
Veterans who have a 30% or higher disability rating can get an increase in their VA disability compensation if they have one or more dependent(s), such as a spouse, child, or parent.
To claim your grandchild as a dependent on your VA award, the unmarried child must be legally adopted before the age of 18 or before the age of 23, if the child is attending a VA-approved college or university. An adopted child over the age of 18 is also eligible to be added to a veteran’s compensation award, if the child became incapable of self-support (helpless child) before turning 18.
VA will accept a copy of the adoption decree or the adoptive placement agreement as acceptable proof of the adoption.
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