Evidence required to establish stepchild as a dependent

     VA may accept a veteran’s lay statement as sufficient proof to establish a stepchild as a dependent, as long as the statement includes (1) the date (month and year) and place of the event; (2) the full name and relationship of the other person to the claimant; and, (3) where the claimant's dependent child does not reside with the claimant, the name and address of the person who has custody of the child. In addition, a claimant must provide the Social Security number of any dependent on whose behalf he or she is seeking benefits. 38 C.F.R. § 3.204(a)(1).

·        -From VA’s Compensation Service Bulletin (March 2013)