Found deck logs showed a Navy veteran’s proximity to Vietnam and ultimately helped his widow win long sought Dependent Indemnity Compensation.
“The veteran was actually not service connected when he passed away in 2009,” said TVC Claims Benefits Advisor Tonya Osborn.
According to Osborn, the Borger area veteran was working on a claim when he passed away but had not filed it with the VA. The widow had applied for benefits right after he passed and she was denied several times.
Osborn learned about the widow’s case in January 2024. “The widow’s daughter works in the Hutchison County Annex with me. Her mother had been struggling, and she wanted to know if I could take a look and maybe help her mom get some services.”
“After reviewing the file, I could see the deck logs for the veteran and knew he was very close to Vietnam,” said Osborn. She noted that when the surviving spouse originally filed her claim, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act had not taken effect. The Blue Water Navy act passed in 2019.
“We did the Dependent Indemnity Compensation paperwork, but we also did supplemental paperwork since she had been denied previously. We wanted to make sure the VA had everything and that they didn’t need to come back and ask for other paperwork,” said Osborn.
Osborn got the widow’s claim filed in January 2024. “She was given an award letter in the middle of October of the same year.” The award included $241,573.22 in retro pay and a monthly compensation payment
Want some help with claims? Contact a TVC Claims Benefits Advisor for assistance at no cost.
