Veterans Resources
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VA Benefits Call Center: 800 827 1000
MyVA411 Main Information Line: 800 698 2411
My HealtheVet Help Desk: 877 327 0022
eBenefits Technical Support: 800 983 0937
VA Gov/REACH
This Site was Designed for Veterans to Proactively Seek Support and Resourceshttps://www.va.gov/
Access My VA Benefits & Health Care
https://www.va.gov/MY VA Log In
https://www.va.gov/sign-in/Find A VA Form
https://www.va.gov/find-forms/Request Military Records & DD-214
https://www.va.gov/records/get-military-service-records/My Social Security Sign In
https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/MY HEALTH E-VET LOG IN
https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/homeE-BENEFITS VA/DoD e Benefits
https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/homepageVA PUBLICATIONS
https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/VA GOV HEALTH BENEFITS RESOURCES PUBLICATIONS
https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/resources/publications.aspFEDERAL BENEFITS FOR VETERANS DEPENDENTS AND SURVIVORS 2021
https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book/2021_Federal_Benefits_for_Veterans_Dependents_and_Survivors.pdfVA News (New VA Newsletter)
https://news.va.govDepartment of Defense Spotlight on Veterans
https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Honoring-Our-Veterans/Benefit Information Links
VA Benefits for Service Members
A person who served in the Active Military, Naval, or Air Service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable may qualify for VA health care benefits including qualifying Reserve and National Guard members.
Department of Defense Spotlight on Veterans: https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Honoring-Our-Veterans/Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors Handbook
Veterans of the United States armed forces may be eligible for a broad range of benefits and services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).These benefits are codified in Title 38 of the United States Code.
Eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions.
Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors Handbook: https://www.va.gov/service-member-benefits/
Additional Social Security Benefits for Veterans
Additional Social Security Benefits for Veterans who served on active duty from 1957-2001. To apply, you must bring your DD214 to the Social Security Office and request this special benefit.
Here’s how the special extra earnings are credited on your record:
- From 1957 through 1977, you are credited with $300 in additional earnings for each calendar quarter in which you received active duty basic pay.
- From 1978 through 2001, for every $300 in active duty basic pay, you are credited with an additional $100 in earnings up to a maximum of $1,200 a year.
- If you enlisted after September 7, 1980, and didn’t complete at least 24 months of active duty or your full tour, you may not be able to receive the additional earnings.
For more info: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/military.html
Specific Benefit Program Character of Discharge Requirements
Discharge Requirements for Compensation Benefits
To Receive VA Compensation Benefits and Services, the Veteran’s character of discharge or service must be under other than dishonorable conditions (e.g., honorable, under honorable conditions, general).
Discharge Requirements for Pension Benefits
To receive VA pension benefits and services, the Veteran’s character of discharge or service must be under other than dishonorable conditions (e.g., honorable, under honorable conditions, general).
Discharge Requirements for Education Benefits
To Receive VA Education Benefits and Services through the Montgomery GI Bill program or Post-9/11 GI Bill Program, the Veteran’s character of discharge or service must be honorable.
To Receive VA Education Benefits and Services through any other VA educational benefits program, including the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program, the Veteran’s character of discharge or service must be under other than dishonorable conditions (e.g., honorable, under honorable conditions, general).
Discharge Requirements for Home Loan Benefits
To Receive VA Home Loan Benefits and Services, the Veteran’s character of discharge or service must be under other than dishonorable conditions (e.g., honorable, under honorable conditions, general).
Discharge Requirements for Insurance Benefits
Generally, there is no character of discharge bar to benefits to Veterans’ Group Life Insurance. However, for Service Disabled Veterans Insurance and Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance benefits, the Veteran’s character of discharge must be other than dishonorable.
Discharge Upgrade or Correction Process
A discharge upgrade changes the “character of service” shown on your DD-214 discharge certificate. Today, most certificates show the “character of service” as either Honorable, General (Under Honorable Conditions), Other Than Honorable, Bad Conduct or Dishonorable.
NOTE: Even with a less than honorable discharge, you may be able to access some VA benefits through the Character of Discharge review process.
- When you apply for VA benefits, the VA will review your record to determine if your service was “honorable for VA purposes.”
- This review can take up to a year.
- Please provide the VA documents supporting your case, similar to the evidence you’d send with an application to upgrade your discharge. How to apply: https://www.va.gov/discharge-upgrade-instructions/
Request for Upgrade (Online): https://www.va.gov/resources/request-a-discharge-upgrade-or-correction/
Healthcare Benefits
With VA Health Care, you’re covered for regular checkups with your primary care provider and appointments with specialists (like cardiologists, gynecologists, and mental health providers).
You can access Veterans health care services like home health and geriatric (elder) care, and you can get medical equipment, prosthetics, and prescriptions.
Healthcare Benefits: https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book/Chapter_1_Health_Care_Benefits.asp
Eligibility: https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/Compensation Benefits
VA disability compensation provides monthly benefits to Veterans in recognition of the effects of disabilities, diseases, or injuries incurred or aggravated during active military service. The program also provides monthly payments to surviving spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents in recognition of the economic loss caused by a Veteran’s death during military service or, after discharge from military service, as a result of a service-connected disability.
A summary of VA’s disability compensation programs is below.
Disability Compensation
A tax-free monetary benefit paid to Veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service. The benefit amount is graduated according to the degree of the Veteran’s disability on a scale from 10 percent to 100 percent (in increments of 10 percent).
Compensation may also be paid for disabilities that are considered related or secondary to disabilities occurring in service and for disabilities presumed to be related to circumstances of military service, even though they may arise after service. Generally, the degrees of disability specified are also designed to compensate for considerable loss of working time from exacerbations or illnesses.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit generally payable to a surviving spouse, child, or parent of Servicemembers who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, or to survivors of Veterans who died from their service-connected disabilities.
Parents DIC is an income-based benefit for parents who were financially dependent on of a Servicemember or Veteran who died from a service-related cause.
DIC Info: https://www.va.gov/disability/dependency-indemnity-compensation/Special Monthly Compensation
- SMC is an additional tax-free benefit that can be paid to Veterans, their spouses, surviving spouses and parents.
- For Veterans, Special Monthly Compensation is a higher rate of compensation paid due to special circumstances such as the need of aid and attendance by another person or by specific disability, such as loss of use of one hand or leg.
- For spouses and surviving spouses, this benefit is commonly referred to as aid and attendance and is paid based on the need of aid and attendance by another person.
Claims Based on Special Circumstances
Veterans may be eligible for other types of Disability Compensation:
- Once a disability has been determined to be service connected.
- Special VA disability compensation programs include:
- Individual Unemployability
- Automobile Allowance
- Clothing Allowance
- Pre-Stabilization
- Hospitalization
- Convalescence
- Dental
- Birth Defects
Agent Orange Exposure and VA Disability Compensation
- Agent Orange was a tactical herbicide the U.S. Military.
- A/O Unused to clear leaves and vegetation for military operations mainly during the Vietnam War.
Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange may have certain related illnesses.
Below is the latest list from the Veteran’s Administration on presumptive diseases related to exposure to Agent Orange.
If you have a disease caused by the exposure to Agent Orange contact a Veterans Service Officer.
- Cancers:
- Bladder Cancer
- Chronic B-Cell Leukemia
- Hodgkin’s Disease
- Multiple Myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Prostate Cancer
- Respiratory Cancers including Lung Cancer
- Soft Tissue Sarcomas other that Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s Sarcoma, or Mesothelioma
Other Illnesses:
- AL Amyloidosis
- Chloracne or similar types of Acneiform Disease
- Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
- Hypothyroidism
- Ischemic Heart Disease
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Parkinsonism
- Peripheral Neuropathy (early onset)
- Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Book C, Schedule for Rating Disabilities
The VA Benefits Claims Adjudication Center (your regional office) uses 38 CFR standards to determine what percentage is assigned for any condition they deem service connected.
It hasn’t changed in decades and your diagnosis may be an updated term (e.g.,- New=Complex Partial Seizures/Epilepsy = Old: Psychomotor Seizures/Epilepsy.) This is important because it could be the difference between how severe your condition is considered by your claims officer.
- So remember that it’s also important to check if terminology has changed.
38 CFR: https://www.benefits.va.gov/WARMS/bookc.asp
Regulations (38 CFR): https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/resources-regulations.asp
Disability Benefits
There are many VA provided services that vary depending on service connected disability. Below are some common VA services:
- Full healthcare with no copays at 50% or more.
- Travel pay at 30% or more.
- Dependent’s pay at 30% or more.
- VR&E (VOC Rehab) at 10% or more.
- Exchange/Commissary/MWR
- Possible SSDI (Time Limited!)
- S-DVI life insurance (Time Limited!)
- VADIP (VA Dental Insurance Program) for Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare
- Don’t forget, you may be reviewed in the future! Keep all your doctors informed of every rated conditions!
- 3 free non-VA Urgent Care visits per calendar year at 50% and above
- Hearing aids and eye exams and glasses are included with VA Healthcare.
Service Connected Matrix: https://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/derivative_sc.asp
State Benefits: https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/76439/veterans-benefits-2020-popular-state-benefit
Disability Compensation Rates (2022)
View 2022 Veterans Disability Compensation Rates.
Use our compensation benefits rate tables to find your monthly payment amount.
The VA bases your monthly payment amount on your disability rating and details about your dependent family members.
Monthly Rates: https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/
Compensation Rates: https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/rates-index.asp
How to Get Increased Disability Compensation
To File for an Increase,
- You normally go through the same procedure you went through when you initially filed for compensation.
- You will need medical evidence that your condition has gotten worse. This can be from either the VA doctor or a private doctor.
- You can file your increase request using Ebenefits or by filling out a VA Form 21-526EZ.
- If you have medical information from a private doctor, you must submit a VA Form 21-4142, which authorizes that doctor to share information with the VA.
- If you are seeing a civilian doctor as part of the Veterans’ Choice program, you may not need the VA Form 21-4142, but it never hurts to have one on file.
Types of VA disability claims and when to file: https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/when-to-file/
CAUTION: When requesting an increase in your VA disability rating.
- You are in effect opening up your claim for re-evaluation.
- The VA can lower or terminate your existing rating.
Pension Benefits
The Veterans Pension Program provides monthly payments to Wartime Veterans who meet certain age or disability requirements, and who have income and net worth within certain limits.
Find out if you’re eligible for this benefit.
- Do NOT have a Dishonorable Discharge
- Your yearly family income and net worth meet certain limits set by Congress. Your net worth includes all personal property you own (except your house, your car, and most home furnishings), minus any debt you owe. Your net worth includes the net worth of your spouse (see pension rates below).
- Served in a Wartime Period (see wartime periods below)
- Are at least 65 years old, or
- Have a permanent and total disability, or
- Are a patient in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability, or
- Are getting Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income
Veterans Pension Eligibility: https://www.va.gov/pension/eligibility/
Pension Benefits FAQ: https://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/limitedincome/pensionprogram-and-representation.pdfThe National Defense Service Medal NDSM
Wartime Periods
- Is awarded to anyone who has served on active duty, or as an active reservist, in the United States Armed Forces during a specified wartime period.
- VA uses wartime periods for pension benefits, regardless if Veteran was in a combat zone or not.
- Under current law, the VA recognizes the following wartime periods to Decide Eligibility for VA Pension Benefits:
- World War II (December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946)
- Korean Conflict (June 27, 1950, to January 31, 1955)
- Vietnam War Era (February 28, 1961, to May 7, 1975,
- Vietnam War Era (August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975) Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period.
- Gulf War (August 2, 1990, through a future date to be set by law or presidential proclamation)
VA Aid & Attendance Benefits and Housebound Allowance
The Aid and Attendance Pension provides benefits for Veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in the following Activities of Daily Living (ADL).
- Eating (feeding): The ability to feed oneself
- Bathing: The ability to clean oneself and perform grooming activities like shaving and brushing teeth
- Dressing: The ability to get dressed by oneself without struggling with buttons and zippers
- Toileting: The ability to get on and off the toilet
- Continence: The ability to control one’s bladder and bowel functions
- Transferring (mobility): Being able to either walk or move oneself from a bed to a wheelchair and back again
VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits provide:
- Monthly payments added to the amount of a monthly VA pension for qualified Veterans and survivors
- Must also meet asset limits and wartime periods (see above)
Aid & Attendance and Housebound Allowance Information: https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/
Family Member Benefits
As the Spouse or Dependent Child of a Veteran or Service Member,
You may qualify for certain benefits:
- Like Health Care
- Life Insurance
- Money to Help Pay for School or Training
- As the survivor of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for added benefits, including help with burial costs and survivor compensation.
If You’re Caring for a Veteran, you may also be eligible for support to help you better care for the Veteran—and for yourself.
Find out which benefits you may qualify for and how to access them.
VA benefits for spouses, dependents, survivors, and family caregivers: https://www.va.gov/family-member-benefits/
The Veterans Benefits Administration offers a variety of benefits and services:
- Spouses
- Children
- Parents of Servicemembers
- Veterans who are deceased or totally and permanently disabled by a service-connected disability.
I am a Dependent or Survivor: https://www.va.gov/opa/persona/dependent_survivor.asp
Benefits for a Spouse of a Disabled Veteran: https://www.military.com/benefits/disabled-veteran-spouse-benefits.html
Burial Benefits
Service-Related Death
VA Will Pay up to $2,000 toward burial expenses for deaths on or after September 11, 2001, or up to $1,500 for deaths prior to September 11, 2001. If the Veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery, some or all of the cost of transporting the deceased may be reimbursed.
Non-service-related Death
VA will pay up to $796 toward burial and funeral expenses for deaths on or after October 1, 2019 (if hospitalized by VA at time of death), or $300 toward burial and funeral expenses (if not hospitalized by VA at time of death), and a $796 plot-interment allowance (if not buried in a national cemetery).
For deaths on or after December 1, 2001, but before October 1, 2011, VA will pay up to $300 toward burial and funeral expenses and a $300 plot-interment allowance. For deaths on or after April 1, 1988 but before October 1, 2011, VA will pay $300 toward burial and funeral expenses (for Veterans hospitalized by VA at the time of death).
Burial Benefits and Eligibility: https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-special-burial.asp
Apply VA Online: https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/
Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery
Veterans, service members, and some family members may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery.
VA National Cemetery Eligibility: https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/eligibility/
National Cemetery Scheduling Office: (800) 535-1117
Arlington National Cemetery eligibility requirements for burial and inurnment are different from other national cemeteries that are maintained by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Eligibility for in-ground burial at Arlington National Cemetery is the most stringent of all U.S. national cemeteries. However, most veterans who have at least one day of active service (other than for training) and an honorable discharge are eligible for above-ground inurnment. Eligibility is determined at the time of need.
Arlington National Cemetery Eligibility: https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/funerals/scheduling-a-funeral/establishing-eligibility
For more information on eligibility or time of need, contact Arlington National Cemetery at (877) 907-8585
Rendering Military Funeral Honors is one way to show the nation’s deep gratitude to those who, in times of war and peace, have faithfully defended our country. This ceremonial paying of respect is the final demonstration a grateful nation can provide and it is our commitment to recognize the sacrifice and contributions of our nation’s veterans.
By law, an honor guard detail for the burial of an eligible veteran consists of at least two members of the U.S. armed forces, and at least one member of the detail must be a representative from the deceased veteran’s service branch. The honor detail performs a ceremony that includes the playing of taps and the folding and presentation of the American flag to the next of kin. Your funeral director can help you request military funeral honors.
Military Funeral Honors Eligibility: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/military-life-cycle/veterans-military-funeral-honors/eligibility/
Military Funeral Honors: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/leaders-service-providers/casualty-assistance/military-funeral-honors/
Military Funeral Honors Directory by State: https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/MOS_PDFs/military-funeral-honors-directory.pdfMilitary Funeral Honors
Survivor (Widow) Benefits
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax free monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors of military Servicemembers who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease.
DIC: https://www.va.gov/disability/dependency-indemnity-compensation/
I Am a Dependent or Survivor: https://www.va.gov/opa/persona/dependent_survivor.asp
CHAMPVA: https://www.va.gov/health-care/family-caregiver-benefits/champva/
CHAMPVA Factsheets: https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/pubs/factsheets.asp#champva
Additional Earned Benefits
VA Home Loan: https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/
GI Bill: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/
Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI): https://www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/vgli/
Space Available Flights – formally known as Military Airlift Command or MAC Flights
Service members and their families, military retirees, and 100 percent disabled Veterans can use Space-Available flights – to travel around the country and world at little to no cost.
Though sometimes unpredictable, military flights are perfect for families with flexible plans and limited travel budgets.
Discharge Upgrade or Correction Process
A Discharge Upgrade:
- Changes the “Character of Service” shown on your DD-214 Discharge Certificate.
- Today most certificates show the “character of service” as either Honorable, General (Under Honorable Conditions),
- Other Than Honorable, Bad Conduct or Dishonorable.
NOTE: Even with a less than honorable discharge, you may be able to access some VA benefits through the Character of Discharge review process.
- When you apply for VA benefits, the VA will review your record to determine if your service was “honorable for VA purposes.”
- This review can take up to a year.
- Please provide the VA documents supporting your case, similar to the evidence you’d send with an application to upgrade your discharge.
Request for Upgrade (Online): https://www.va.gov/resources/request-a-discharge-upgrade-or-correction/
VA Home Loans
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Home Loans: https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/
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Certificate of Eligibility (COE): https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/eligibility/
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Types of Loans: https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/loan-types/
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Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP): https://varep.net/
