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Survivor & Pension Benefits

Losing a veteran is overwhelming. The last thing you should have to do is navigate VA paperwork alone while you’re grieving. Pacific Valor Law helps military widows, widowers, and dependents secure the survivor benefits they’re entitled to. Whether your spouse passed recently or years ago, we’ll guide you through the process with care and clarity—handling the evidence, the forms, and the follow-up so you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

Who We Help

We represent surviving family members of veterans, including:
  • You may qualify for DIC if:
  • Widows and widowers of veterans who passed from service-connected conditions
  • Surviving spouses of veterans who were 100% disabled before death
  • Widows and widowers of wartime veterans with limited income -
  • Surviving dependents (children, in some cases parents)
  • Families of veterans who passed overseas and need help navigating the system from abroad

Whether you’re in the U.S., Japan, the Philippines, or anywhere else—we’re here to help.

Benefits for Surviving Families

We represent veterans with all types of service-connected disabilities, including:

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

DIC is a tax-free monthly benefit for surviving spouses and dependents of veterans who died from a service-connected injury or illness—or who were continuously rated 100% disabled for at least 10 years before death.

  • We help survivors:
  • File initial DIC claims
  • Prove service connection when the cause of death wasn't already rated
  • Appeal DIC denials
  • Navigate complex cases involving multiple conditions
2024 DIC Rate: $1,612.75/month for surviving spouses (higher with dependents or housebound status)

Survivors Pension (Death Pension)

If your spouse was a wartime veteran but didn't die from a service-connected condition, you may still qualify for a monthly pension based on financial need.

  • We help survivors:
  • Determine eligibility based on the veteran's service dates and your income
  • File pension claims with proper documentation
  • Apply for Aid & Attendance if you need help with daily living
  • Appeal pension denials
For surviving spouses of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 veterans

Accrued Benefits

If the veteran had a pending VA claim at the time of death, certain survivors can step into that claim and receive any benefits that were owed. These "accrued benefits" can result in significant back pay.

  • We help survivors:
  • Identify pending claims the veteran had at death
  • File as a substitute claimant to continue the claim
  • Recover benefits the veteran earned but never received

Social Security Survivor Benefits

If your spouse worked and paid into Social Security, you may also qualify for monthly Social Security survivor benefits — separate from VA benefits. Many widows can receive both.

learn more

Common Situations
We Handle

  • "My husband died from his service-connected condition."
  • This is the clearest path to DIC. If the veteran was already rated for the condition that caused death, we help you file the claim and document the connection.
  • "He was 100% disabled for years before he passed."
  • Veterans who were totally disabled (100% P&T) for 10+ years before death may qualify surviving spouses for DIC—even if the death wasn't directly caused by a rated condition.
  • "The VA never connected his condition to service while he was alive."
  • Service connection can be established after death. We help widows prove the link between service and the condition that caused death, even if the veteran never filed a claim.
  • "He passed overseas and I don't know where to start."
  • We specialize in helping families navigate survivor benefits from Japan, the Philippines, and other locations outside the U.S. The process is harder from abroad, but the benefits are the same—and we know how to make it work.
  • "He passed years ago. Is it too late?"
  • Not necessarily. There's no deadline to file for DIC or survivors pension. Back pay is typically limited, but monthly benefits going forward are still available.

Why Families Choose Pacific Valor Law

We Understand This Is Personal

You're not just a case number. We take the time to understand your situation, explain your options clearly, and treat you with the respect you deserve during a difficult time.

Experience with Overseas Families

We're based in Okinawa and work with surviving spouses throughout the Pacific and worldwide. We know the extra challenges families face when they're not in the U.S.—and we're set up to handle them.

No Fees Unless You Receive Benefits

We work on contingency. You pay nothing out of pocket, and we only get paid if your claim is successful.

We Handle the Hard Parts

Gathering evidence, obtaining records, preparing statements, filing forms, following up with the VA—we do the work so you don't have to.

How It Works

1. Free Consultation

Tell us about your spouse’s service, their disabilities, and the circumstances of their passing. We’ll explain what benefits may be available and whether we can help.

2. We Build Your Claim

If you decide to move forward, we gather the necessary evidence—service records, medical records, death certificates, nexus opinions—and prepare your claim for submission.

3. You Receive Benefits

When your claim is approved, you receive your monthly benefits and any back pay owed. Our fee comes from a portion of the back pay—not your ongoing monthly payments.

Frequently Asked
Questions

What is DIC and who qualifies?
DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) is a monthly benefit for surviving spouses and dependents of veterans who died from service-connected causes—or who were 100% disabled for at least 10 years before death.
Possibly. We can help establish service connection after death by showing the condition that caused death was related to service, even if the VA never rated it during the veteran’s lifetime.
DIC is for survivors of veterans who died from service-connected conditions (or were 100% disabled for 10+ years). Survivors Pension is income-based and available to surviving spouses of wartime veterans regardless of service connection.
Yes. DIC and Survivors Pension are federal benefits available to eligible survivors worldwide. We specialize in helping families in Japan, the Philippines, and other overseas locations.
No deadline exists for DIC or Survivors Pension. However, back pay may be limited based on when you file, so it’s better to start sooner.
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency and only collect a fee if your claim is successful.
View All FAQS

Japan

Support for surviving spouses and dependents living on Okinawa, mainland Japan, or elsewhere in the region.
Learn More

Philippines

Information for survivors living in the Philippines, including evidence requirements, income rules, and VA processing considerations.

Learn More

You Don't Have to Do This Alone

We'll walk you through your options and help you understand what benefits may be available. No pressure, no cost for the conversation.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Pacific Valor Law

Based in Okinawa, Japan — Serving U.S. veterans and military families worldwide

VA-accredited attorney | Licensed in New Jersey

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

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