VA Form 21-686C, Declaration of Status of Dependents, is a form used for applying for additional disability compensation benefits for a dependent if a veteran has a service-related disability rating of at least 30%. The latest version of the form was released by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on September 1, 2018, and superseded the now obsolete 2017 edition. A fillable VA Form 21-686C is available for download below or can be filed online using our PDF-filing application.
The form describes the relationship between a veteran and dependent and specifies a dependent's status which - in turn - helps the authorities identify the benefits applicable in a particular case. Any changes in status - like the birth or adoption of a new child, death, marriage, or divorce - must be reported to the VA via the VA Form 21-686C. The VA cannot make adjustments to dependents' status or add and remove dependents automatically without being informed of the changes.
A veteran may also opt for changing the status of dependents electronically via eBenefits (electronic applications are processed quicker!).
The filled-in copy of the form should be sent to the regional VA intake center that will process the documents and inform the claimant on any changes to their status.
Form VA 21-686C is applicable for claiming increased payments if a veteran with a 30% disability rating has one or several dependents in their care. Another purpose of the form is to notify the VA about any changes that happen to dependents so that their eligibility for the extra compensation can be revised according to the new circumstances.
The form can be filed even if the veteran is in the process of receiving their 30% rating. All information submitted via the form will be kept in their VA Claims File.
The form is made up of two pages with no filing guidelines provided in the form. Complete VA Form 21-686C instructions are provided below.
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