VA Form 21-686C Application Request to Add and / or Remove Dependents
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What Is VA Form 21-686C?
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 The latest version of the form was released by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on August 1, 2022 , and superseded the now obsolete 2017 edition.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 VA Form 21-686C. The VA cannot make adjustments to dependents' status or add and remove dependents automatically without being informed of the changes.
Where to Mail VA Form 21-686C?
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 of any changes to their status. A veteran may also opt for changing the status of dependents electronically via eBenefits (electronic applications are processed quicker!).
What Is VA Form 21-686C Used For?
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.
How to Fill Out VA Form 21-8940?
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.
- Item 1 is for the veteran's name. If another person acts as a claimant, their name is specified in Item 2A. Items 1B and 2B should contain the veteran's or the other claimant's Social Security Numbers.
- Item 3 is for the number of the VA file. Item 4 should include a claimant's postal and e-mail addresses.
- The applicable marital status is marked in Item 5A. If "never married" is chosen, the claimant has to leave Items 6 through 13 blank. Married claimants enter their current spouse's date of birth in Item 5B.
- Section I summarizes the information about the veteran's and their spouse's previous marriages. The total number of marriages - including the current one - is provided in Item 6.
- Items 7A through 7E are a chart for information about the veteran's marriages. The required information includes the dates and places of each marriage, the name of the person to whom a veteran was married, the circumstances of the termination of marriage, and the dates and places of termination.
- Section II is for the information about the previous marriages of a veteran's current spouse. Item 8 is for the whole number of marriages. Items 9A through 9D are identical to Items 7A through 7E.
- Items 10 through 13 contain several questions about the veteran's spouse. Those living with their spouses must complete Item 14A. If a veteran and their spouse live separately, the spouse's address is given in Item 12, and any amounts of money they receive from the veteran are specified in Item 13.
- Section III is for the information about any unmarried children a veteran may have. Items 14A through 14C contain their personal information. This includes their names, dates, and places of birth, and Social Security Numbers. Items 14D through 14I give more information about each child and are completed if applicable.
- If any child is identified as "seriously disabled" in Item 14H, all supporting medical evidence should be attached to the form.
- Any step-children related to the spouse must be listed in Item 14J. The information about children who do not live with their veteran parent is entered in Items 15A, 15B, and 15C.
- Item 16 provides space for additional remarks. The claimant certifies that the provided information is accurate by signing the form in Item 17.
Download VA Form 21-686C Application Request to Add and / or Remove Dependents