How long must a veteran be rated as totally disabled before their death for the spouse to be eligible for DIC?

A spouse of a veteran is eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) if the veteran was rated as totally disabled for a specific duration prior to their death. In this case, the requirement is that the veteran must have been rated as totally disabled for at least five years immediately preceding their death. This meets the criteria established by the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is intended to provide financial support to the surviving spouse of a veteran who had a long-term, severe service-connected disability.

This five-year rule reflects the VA's recognition of the sustained hardship that comes from living with a total disability, and it aligns with the purpose of DIC as a form of support for the families of veterans.