A simple question led to more than $283,187 retro payment for veteran’s widow in the Amarillo area.
Ryan Sawyer is pictured above.
The veteran’s son came to TVC Claims Benefits Advisor Ryan Sawyer’s office in Borger, TX in March 2026 to get documents needed for his job.
“After speaking with him, I learned that his father served in Vietnam,” said Sawyer, a Marine Corps combat veteran. Sawyer also learned the man’s father passed away in 2008.
“I asked, as I always do, if his mother was receiving any benefits. He was not sure but did not think so. The very next day I had both of them in my office.”
Sawyer completed the filing for the widows to receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation and submitted it.
In June, Sawyer heard from her. “I got a phone call from the widow asking me if what she received in the mail was real. She had received 2 checks. One for $1,400 for burial and one for more than $283,187. The later was the compensation retro payment dating back to his passing in 2008.”
Sawyer continues to work with her to ensure she receives all the benefits she is entitled to. He has filed for VA Aid and Attendance benefits to be added to the widow’s monthly Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. Further, he has informed her of health care benefits through Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA Healthcare).
“I have always held the opinion that the most underserved population in America is the surviving spouses of service members. We as CBAs and VSOs just do not know until we ask .”