Federal Benefits for

Federal Benefits for
Veterans and Dependents


Contents


Introduction

Who's Eligible
Wartime Service
Filing a Claim
Keep Important Documents
Insurance
Introduction in Spanish

Veterans Benefits Timetable


1. Benefit Programs for Veterans

Disability Compensation
Other Disability Benefits
Specially Adapted Homes
Supplemental Financing
Housing Insurance
Automobiles or Other Conveyances
Clothing Allowance
Pension
Improved Pension
Reduction While in Nursing Home/Domiciliary
Protected Pension Programs
Vocational Training
Aid and Attendance or Housebound
Education and Training
Montgomery GI Bill (Active Duty)
Montgomery GI Bill (Selected Reserve)
Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
Vocational and Educational Counseling
Vocational Rehabilitation
Rates for Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Special Program for Veterans Rated Unemployable
Special Program for Veterans Receiving Pension
Home Loan Guaranties
Eligibility
Entitlement
Financing, Interest Rates and Terms
Occupancy Certification
Release of Liability
Repossessed Houses
Life Insurance
Status of Insurance Programs
Servicemen's Group Life Insurance
Veterans' Group Life Insurance
Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance
Income Tax Ruling
Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
Homeless Veterans
Women Veterans
Special Groups with Veterans Benefits

2. Benefits for Survivors

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
Death Due to Service-Connected Disability
Death Due to Nonservice-Connected Cause
Reinstated Entitlement Program for Survivors
Death Compensation (Before Jan. 1, 1957)
Nonservice-connected Death Pension
Montgomery G.I. Bill Death Benefit
Survivors' and Dependents' Education
Home Loan Guaranties

3. Burial Benefits

Burial in National Cemeteries
Headstones and Markers
Headstones or Markers for Memorial Plots
Presidential Memorial Certificates
Burial Flags
Reimbursement of Burial Expenses

4. Health-Care Benefits

Hospital and Nursing-Home Care
Nursing-Home Care
Domiciliary Care
Outpatient Medical Treatment
Outpatient Pharmacy Services
Outpatient Dental Treatment
Persian Gulf, Agent Orange and Ionizing Radiation
Beneficiary Travel
Counseling for Persian Gulf Veterans
Alcohol and Drug Dependence Treatment
Prosthetic Services
Blind Aids and Services
Readjustment Counseling (Vet Centers)
Medical Care for Merchant Seamen
Medical Care for Allied Beneficiaries
Medical Care for Dependents and Survivors

5. Overseas Benefits

6. Other Federal Benefits

Job-Finding Assistance
Occupational Conversion and Training Program
Reemployment Rights
Unemployment Compensation
Affirmative Action
Job Training Partnership Act
Disabled Veterans Outreach Program
Employment in the Federal Government
Transition Assistance Program
Credit for Farms and Homes (FmHA)
FHA Home Mortgage Insurance
Naturalization Preference
Small Business Administration
Social Security
Supplemental Security Income
Passports To Visit Overseas Cemeteries
Military
Medals
Commissary and Exchange Privileges
Review of Discharges
Military Records
Correction of Military Records
Death Gratuity
Armed Forces Retirement Homes

7. Appeals

Board of Veterans' Appeals
U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals

8. VA Facilities -- Where To Go for Help

Index


Introduction


The surest way to obtain current information on VA
benefits and claims procedures is to call the nearest VA
regional office. A call to 1-800-827-1000 from any location in
the United States will be automatically muted to the nearest
regional office. In addition, local numbers are listed in the
back of this book and in local telephone directories.
Counselors can answer questions about benefits eligibility and
application procedures and make referrals, when necessary, to
other VA facilities, such as medical centers and national
cemeteries. To assure that accurate information and courteous
responses are given to the public, VA supervisory personnel
occasionally monitor telephone calls. No record is kept of the
callers name, address, claim or telephone number. Local phone
numbers of VA regional offices in 50 states, the District of
Columbia, Manila and Puerto Rico are listed in the back of this
book, along with the commercial phone numbers of all VA
facilities. VA facilities also are listed in the federal
government section of telephone directories under Department of
Veterans Affairs.

Many state governments and some municipalities operate
agencies or offices devoted to administering state and local
veterans programs and assisting veterans in filing claims for
VA and other federal benefits. Many veterans service
organizations also provide information and assistance.

VA regional offices process claims for VA benefits and
administer those benefits, which include: disability
compensation, pension, home loan guaranty, life insurance,
education, vocational training for disabled veterans, burial
allowance, and survivor's compensation, pension and education.

VA medical center admissions offices are the immediate
source for information regarding medical care eligibility,
admissions procedure and scheduling. They can provide
information on all types of medical care, including nursing
home, dental, drug and alcohol dependency, prosthetics,
readjustment counseling, and Agent Orange, radiation exposure
or Persian Gulf War examinations.

VA national cemeteries or regional offices can answer
questions about eligibility of veterans and dependents for
burial benefits. Documentation of military service must be
shown to the director of the cemetery when burial is requested.
The cemetery will schedule an interment service, and provide
burial and an inscribed government marker.


Who's Eligible


Eligibility for most VA benefits is based on discharge
from active military service under other than dishonorable
conditions for a minimum period specified by law. Completion of
at least six years of honorable service in the Selected
Reserves also provides for home loan benefits for those not
otherwise eligible. Men and women veterans with similar service
are entitled to the same VA benefits.

The Department of Defense issues each veteran a military
discharge form, DD 214, identifying the veteran's condition of
discharge--honorable, general, other than honorable,
dishonorable or bad conduct.

Honorable and general discharges qualify a veteran for
most VA benefits. Educational benefits under the Montgomery GI
Bill, however, require an honorable discharge.

Dishonorable and some bad-conduct discharges issued by
general courts martial bar VA benefits. Benefits eligibility of
veterans with other bad conduct discharges and discharges
described by military branches as "other than honorable" is
determined by VA. After reviewing the facts of each specific
case, VA decides whether separation from service was under
dishonorable or other than dishonorable conditions.

Those who enlisted in the military after Sept. 7, 1980,
and officers commissioned or who entered active military
service after Oct. 16, 1981, must have completed two years of
active duty or the full period of their initial service
obligation to be eligible for most VA benefits. Veterans with
service-connected disabilities or those discharged for
disability or hardship near the end of their service obligation
are not held to this provision. The provision does not apply to
participation in veterans insurance programs.

Veterans in prison and parolees may still be eligible for
certain VA benefits. VA regional offices can clarify their
eligibility.

Service in 26 organizations (see p. 35 & 36) during periods
that include World Wars I and II has been certified as active
military service by the Department of Defense. Members of these
groups may be eligible for VA benefits. Individuals must have
their service documented to obtain a discharge from Defense
under honorable conditions.


Wartime Service


Certain VA benefits and medical care require wartime
service. As specified in law, VA recognizes these war periods:

Mexican Border Period -- May 9, 1916, through April 5,
1917, for veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders or in
adjacent waters.

World War I -- April 6, 1917, through Nov. 11, 1918; for
veterans who served in Russia, April 6, 191 7, through April 1,
1920; extended through July 1, 1921, for veterans who had one
day of service between April 6, 1917, and Nov. 11, 1918.

World War II -- Dec. 7, 1941, through Dec. 31, 1946.
Korean Conflict -- June 27, 1950, through Jan. 31, 1955.
Vietnam Era -- Aug. 5, 1964, through May 7, 1975.
Persian Gulf War -- Aug. 2, 1990, through a date to be set
by law or Presidential Proclamation.


Filing a Claim


Those filing a claim with VA for the first time must
submit a copy of their service discharge form (DD 214), which
documents service dates and type of discharge, or give their
full name, military service number, branch of service and dates
of service. Once a claim is filed, the veteran's VA file number
("C" number) or Social Security number serves as the veteran's
identifier.


Keep Important Documents


The veteran's DD 214 form should be kept in a safe,
convenient location accessible to the veteran and next of kin
or designated representative. The veteran's preference
regarding burial in a national cemetery and use of a headstone
provided by the VA should be documented and kept with this
information. The following documents, if not included in VA
files, will be needed for claims processing related to a
veteran's death:

* marriage certificate for a surviving spouse or children.

* death certificate if the veteran did not die in a VA
medical facility.

* children's birth certificates for children's benefits.

* veteran's birth certificate for parents establishing
eligibility.


Insurance


If the deceased veteran carried government life insurance
at the time of death, the policy's designated beneficiary is
entitled to the proceeds. Assistance is available at VA
regional offices or at 1-800-669-8477.


Informacion Para Los Veteranos De Habla Hispana y Sus
Dependientes


Si necesita información o ayuda en la solicitud de los
beneficios dispuestos por ley para veteranos y/o dependientes,
escriba, llame o visite cualquiera de las Oficinas del
Departamento de Asuntos de Veteranos que aparecen al final de
este folleto, o si desea, puede ponerse en contacto con el
representante de una de las organizaciones de veteranos de su
localidad. Cualquier solicitud para servicios medicos puede
hacerse en uno de los hospitales o clínicas externas del
Departamento de Asuntos de Veteranos.

En aquellos estados donde hay una gran concentración de
veteranos y dependientes de habla Hispana, las Oficinas del
Departamento de Asuntos de Veteranos tienen consejeros
bilingÜes que le ayudaran en la solicitud de cualquier
beneficio de veterano. Ademas se encuentra disponible en las
oficinas regionales del Departamento de Asuntos de Veteranos o
en la Oficina Central (27), localizada en 810 Vermont Avenue,
NW, Washington, D.C. 20420, un breve folleto titulado "Sus
Beneficios," el cual puede obtenerse gratis.


Time Benefits Where to
apply

90 days REEMPLOYMENT Former
employer

Limited UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION: State
time The amount of benefit and employment
payment period varies among service
states. Apply soon after
separation.

120 Days SGLI: (Servicemen's Group Servicemen's
or up to Life Insurance), a five-year Group Life
one year nonrenewable term policy, may Insurance, 213
if totally be converted to VGLI (Veterans Washington St.
disabled Group Life Insurance). Newark, N.J.
07102-9990

Two years GI INSURANCE: Life insurance Any VA office
(from date (up to $10,000) is available for
of notice veterans with service-connected
of VA disabilities. Veterans who are
disability totally disabled may apply for a
rating) waiver of premiums on these
policies.

One year SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE: An Any VA office
(from date additional $20,000 policy is
of notice of available for those veterans who
eligibility are under age 65, eligible for
for premium waiver of premiums and have
waiver) Service Disabled Veterans
Insurance. However, no waiver
can be granted on the additional
insurance.

10 years EDUCATION: Educational assistance Any VA office
from depends upon period of service.
release

12 years VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION: For Any VA office
(generally disabled vets, VA will pay
from date tuition and fees, and the cost
of of books, tools and other
discharge) program expenses as well as
provide a monthly living
allowance. Upon completion of the
vocational rehabilitation program,
VA will assist in finding
employment.

No time GI HOME LOANS: VA will guarantee Any VA office
limit a loan for the purchase of a
home, farm with a residence,
manufactured home, or condominium.


Benefit Programs for Veterans


Disability Compensation


Eligibility


Monetary benefits, called disability compensation, are
paid to veterans who are disabled by injury or disease incurred
or aggravated during active military service in the line of
duty. The service of the veterans must have been terminated
through separation or discharge under conditions that were
other than dishonorable. Monetary benefits are related to the
residual effects of the injury or disease. The amounts of the
benefits, which are not subject to federal or state income tax,
are usually changed annually by Congress.

Disability compensation is paid in monthly payments.
Currently these range from $85 for a 10 percent degree of
disability to $1,730 for a 100-percent disability rating.


Disability Rate

10 percent $85
20 percent 162
30 percent 247
40 percent 352
50 percent 502
60 percent 632
70 percent 799
80 percent 924
90 percent 1,040
Total disability 1,730

In addition, amounts up to $4,943 per month are paid when
the eligible veteran is adjudged to have suffered certain
specific, severe disabilities. These are all decided on an
individual basis. Federal law prohibits the award of VA
disability compensation concurrently with military retirement
pay, except to the extent the retirement pay is waived.