Form 21-686c · walkthrough

Add (or remove) dependents

At 30% combined or higher, every dependent on your VA record adds to your monthly payment. A spouse plus two kids at 70% adds about $200 more per month than the single-vet rate. Most vets miss the retroactive back-pay because they file too late.

File online if you can.

VA.gov has an online dependents form that auto-pulls your current record. PDF still works if the online system errors out. Direct link: va.gov/view-change-dependents.

Who counts as a dependent

Spouse

Legally married, including same-sex. Common-law spouse counts in states that recognize common-law marriage. You attach a marriage certificate.

Child under 18

Biological, adopted, step-, or in your legal custody. Birth certificate or adoption decree.

Child 18-23 in school

Full-time student at an approved school. Form 21-674 (school attendance certification) is required and must be re-submitted each year the child is enrolled.

Child permanently incapacitated before 18

No upper age limit. Medical evidence of disability before the child’s 18th birthday is required. This is a higher-paying line of dependent than the basic schedule.

Dependent parent

Biological or adoptive parent whose income / net-worth falls below the VA’s dependency thresholds. Often missed. Form 21P-509 attaches.

Pitfalls vets hit

You only get the dependent bump at 30% combined or higher

Below 30%, dependents don’t change the monthly payment. The form is still worth filing because if a future condition pushes you over 30%, the dependent record is already on file and the bump is automatic.

Back-pay from marriage / birth date IS available

If you were already rated 30%+ when you married or your child was born, you can collect retroactive dependent payments back to that date — but only if you file 21-686c within ONE YEAR of the qualifying event. After one year, the effective date is the date the form is received, and the back-pay is gone.

School-age child requires the 21-674 every academic year

The VA does not assume continued enrollment. If you do not re-certify each fall, the dependent payment for that child will stop and you will get a debt letter for any months paid in error.

Stepchild requires proof of physical custody and financial support

A stepchild is not automatically a dependent. The VA wants either a court order or a sworn statement showing the child lives with you and you support them.

What to attach

Already rated 30%+ and not sure if dependents are on file? Run the rating estimator — it shows what your monthly payment SHOULD be with dependents added. If your actual deposit is lower, file 21-686c today.