accrued benefits

At our firm, we fight for families seeking the benefits their loved one earned through service. When a Veteran passes away, there may still be money the VA owed the Veteran while they were alive—and eligible survivors may be entitled to receive it.

What are Accrued Benefits?

Accrued benefits are past-due VA payments that were owed to a Veteran at the time of death. These payments usually arise when the Veteran had a pending claim or appeal (or was otherwise entitled to benefits) and the VA had not yet issued the full amount due.

Accrued benefits may include:

  • Disability compensation

  • VA pension

  • Certain other VA monetary benefits the Veteran was entitled to before death

They are generally payable to eligible survivors, such as:

  • Surviving spouse

  • Children (in certain circumstances)

  • Dependent parents

Common situations where accrued benefits apply

Accrued benefits often come up when:

  • A claim for service connection or an increased rating was pending at death

  • A VA appeal was still open and later results in a favorable outcome

  • The VA owed retroactive pay that hadn’t been released yet

Why Accrued Benefits Claims Can Be Complicated

Accrued benefits cases can be challenging because VA rules are strict about eligibility, deadlines, and what evidence can be used. Many claims are delayed or denied because:

  • The VA treats the claim as closed rather than recognizing a pending issue

  • Survivors file the wrong form or miss key time limits

  • The VA miscalculates retroactive amounts or overlooks parts of the claim

  • The family is not told about other options, such as substitution, which can allow the survivor to continue the Veteran’s claim

How We Help

We have extensive experience handling accrued benefits claims and appeals, including complex cases where the VA says nothing is owed or undervalues the amount due. Our job is to make sure the VA accounts for every benefit the Veteran was entitled to before death—and that the right survivor receives it.

We help families by:

  • Determining whether accrued benefits (and/or substitution) apply

  • Identifying all pending claims and appeal issues in the VA file

  • Gathering and organizing the key documentation

  • Challenging VA denials, miscalculations, and delays

  • Pursuing the maximum retroactive benefits supported by the record

If your loved one passed away with a VA claim or appeal still pending—or you believe the VA owed benefits that were never paid—we can evaluate your options and guide you through the process to secure the benefits your family is entitled to receive.