What happens if the Veteran does not submit a claim for a new dependent within a year?

If a Veteran does not submit a claim for a new dependent within a year, no entitlement will be granted earlier than the claim date. This means that any benefits associated with that dependent will only start from the date the claim is submitted and not retroactively to when the dependent status should have been recognized.

This policy is crucial because it establishes a firm deadline for submitting claims for new dependents, ensuring timely processing and preventing backlogs. It also encourages Veterans to stay informed about their eligibility for benefits as their family situations change. As a result, if a claim is made after the one-year window, any potential benefits would not cover the period before the claim was filed.