VA Form 21-686c: Application Request to Add and/or Remove Dependents

What VA Form 21-686c is for

Use this form to add a spouse or child to your VA benefits, or to tell VA about a divorce, a dependent's death, a child's marriage, or a child over 18 who stopped attending school. For disability compensation, VA pays additional benefits for dependents when your combined rating is at least 30 percent.

Adding a child who is 18 to 23 and in school? VA also needs a Form 21-674 for each student. Adding a dependent parent? VA uses Form 21P-509 for that, without this form. Fill out VA Form 21-674.

Parts someone else completes

VA fills in the date stamp box on page 7 and the box marked for VA use only next to the place you sign.

What you fill in by hand

The filler never asks for your Social Security number, VA file number, date of birth or signature. You write those in by hand. Leave these boxes for yourself:

• Items 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7: the veteran's and claimant's Social Security numbers, VA file number, the veteran's date of birth and service number
• The Social Security number box at the top of pages 8 to 15
• Items 11B, 11C, 12B and 12C: your spouse's date of birth, Social Security number, and VA file and service numbers
• Items B and C for each child (16 to 19, and 1 and 2 on the page 15 addendum): Social Security number and date of birth
• Item 8: international phone number
• Items 26A and 26B: signature and date
• More than six children

Where to send it

• Online: VA.gov has a combined 21-686c and 21-674 application. The form also lists direct upload through access.va.gov.
• By mail: Department of Veterans Affairs, Evidence Intake Center, PO Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444.
• Adding a child 18 to 23 who is in school: send a VA Form 21-674 for each student too.
• If a VA letter gives its own return instructions, follow them.
• Keep a copy of the signed form, your documents and your submission confirmation.

Claim Raven does not submit forms to VA. You review the filled PDF, sign and date it, and send it to VA yourself. Claim Raven is independent and is not affiliated with VA.

Official form and guide

• VA's page for Form 21-686c on VA.gov
• VA Form 21-686c example and how to fill it out

This filler uses the August 2025 edition of the form.