Benefits for spouses and dependents (VA DIC) 
If you re the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died in the line of duty, or the survivor of a Veteran who died from a service - related injury or illness, you may be able to get a tax - free monetary benefit called VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation VA DIC. Find out if you can get VA benefits or compensation. 

DIC eligibility for survivors of Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans 
If we denied your Blue Water Navy Veteran s service - connected disability claim in the past , you may be eligible for DIC benefits based on the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019. See DIC eligibility information and how to apply. Veterans who served on a Blue Water Navy vessel offshore of the Republic of Vietnam, or on another U.S. Navy or Coast Guard ship operating in the coastal waterways of Vietnam between January 9 , 1962, and May 7 , 1975, are now entitled to a presumption of service connection for illnesses related to Agent Orange exposure. This is a result of Public Law 116 - 23, also known as the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019. 

Am I eligible for VA DIC as a surviving spouse or dependent? 
You may be eligible for VA benefits or compensation for surviving spouses if you meet the requirements listed below. You ll also need to provide evidence with your claim showing that one of the descriptions below is true for the Veteran or service member. Evidence may include documents like military service records, doctor s reports, and medical test results. One of these must be true. You: Married the Veteran or service member before January 1 , 1957 , or Married the Veteran or service member within 15 years of their discharge from the period of military service during which the qualifying illness or injury started or got worse , or Were married to the Veteran or service member for at least 1 year , or Had a child with the Veteran or service member , aren t currently remarried , and either lived

user: hi i need help about Benefits for spouses and dependents

assistant: I'm here to serve you want to know if you are eligible for VA DIC as a surviving spouse or dependent

user: yes. What requirements do I need to meet?

assistant: Were you married to the veteran or service member before January 1, 1957?

user: Yes

user: I would like to know if the veteran's eligibility was due to a service-related disability rated totally disabling?

assistant: they must have had this rating

user: what rating?

assistant: Since his release from active duty and for at least 5 years immediately before his death,
o For at least 1 year before their death if they were a former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999
Note: Totally disabling means that the veteran's injuries make it impossible for them to work.

user: And what do you recommend that I find out from now on?

assistant: Find out if you can get VA benefits or compensation

user: and what things should I record?

assistant: You must also provide evidence that one of these descriptions is true for the veteran or service member:
The service member died while on active duty, on active duty for training or inactive - in-service training,
  Veteran died of service-related illness or injury