Yes, but it requires a few extra steps because the veteran cannot sign or manage the claim herself. First, someone needs legal authority to act for her. A general power of attorney or being named a beneficiary in a will does not automatically give authority to file VA paperwork or manage VA benefits. For VA purposes, you typically need either a state-appointed legal guardian, a valid VA-recognized power of attorney specific to VA matters, or you can be appointed as a VA fiduciary once benefits are awarded and the veteran is rated incompetent to handle funds. A Veterans Service Officer (VSO) — through organizations like the DAV, VFW, or American Legion — can guide the caregiver through this process for free and can often help identify the right paperwork, including VA Form 21-22 (Appointment of Veterans Service Organization as Claimant's Representative) if the VSO will represent her directly.
The actual disability claim is filed using VA Form 21-526EZ (Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits). Since the veteran cannot provide her own statement, supporting evidence becomes critical: her DD-214 showing 20 years of honorable Navy service, any service treatment records documenting the neuropathy or other symptoms during service, current medical records from the stroke and hospitalization, and a nexus opinion linking any pre-existing or worsening conditions (such as neuropathy) to her military service if possible. If she was never treated for neuropathy in service, establishing service connection for that specific condition may be difficult, but conditions arising from the current stroke and its residuals can still be evaluated separately for non-service-connected pension or aid and attendance benefits if she meets income and asset limits, especially since she is now essentially unable to perform activities of daily living.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
Does your rating decision hold up under a real audit?
Upload your decision letter and C&P exams — VetAid's analyzer reads the full file, checks every examiner statement word-for-word against your records, and shows which arguments for a higher rating actually hold. Free, and we never take a cut of your back pay.
Analyze my claim free →Because she is incompetent to handle her own affairs, VA will likely require a formal incompetency determination and appointment of a fiduciary before any retroactive back pay or ongoing benefits can be paid out, which protects her from financial exploitation. A local VSO can also help petition for guardianship or fiduciary status if no family member steps forward.
The concrete next step is to contact a Veterans Service Organization or the regional VA office directly, explain that the veteran is incapacitated with no family, and ask for help initiating both the disability claim and the fiduciary/guardianship process simultaneously.
Need a deeper analysis?
Our AI checks your situation against outcome data from 1,900,000+ Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) decisions (1992–2025).
Analyze Your Claim FreeVetAid is a free veterans claims tool, not a VA-accredited representative — it does not file anything with VA for you, and it works alongside your accredited VSO, claims agent or attorney. About VetAid