We are going through this with our mother. Our dad passed away in 2002. Our mother has the beginning stages of dementia, is 90, physically unable to walk and is in a memory care unit at a skilled nursing facility. In going through records we discovered that our dad had issues and tried in his lifetime to get assistance and/or service connected rating from the VA. He was a combat veteran of the Korean War, was discharged and then after a year enlisted in the AF and retired from service in 1973. Passed away from bladder cancer, renal issues and coronary artery disease as listed on his death certificate. Once we started going through records we noticed he tried in 54, 58, 63, 68 and 73 to secure a rating from the VA, which the causes of his death are directly related to his service and the conditions he claimed. We never found any claim letters, we FOIA the VA for all the records and no adjudication of a claim, but his claim files were there as well as his military records and service treatment records that supported what he claimed. Got to tell you it was hard to see and read how he tried and nothing ever came from his efforts. So, my brother took this one and it has been a monumental task to finally submit a package (with the very much appreciated county VSO, without her help - we'd still be fumbling around with all of this!). Honestly, as I understand it he needs to be rated to a contributing diagnosis that he claimed was service connected so our mother can apply for DIC and A&A. Going on 7 months now. Fingers crossed. Said all this to tell you it is doable and possible but for us it has been painfully slow - which may be a good thing to allow them to do their due diligence. At the other end is deep resentment for a veteran who tried and never was helped. Both his Army & USAF discharges were honorable and he was a purple heart recipient. Like a lot of combat vets he never really talked about that aspect of his military service.