how do you apply for va benefits

What is the income limit for VA benefits?

2021 yearly income limit Your yearly income must be $22,555 or less to continue receiving this benefit.

What qualifies a person for VA benefits?

Basic Eligibility: 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.

How do I start applying for VA benefits?

The best way to file for disability compensation is to apply online at www.va.gov/disability. Or, you can fax it to: (844) 531-7818 (inside the U.S.) (248) 524-4260 (outside the U.S.)

Do all Veterans get VA benefits?

All enrolled Veterans receive the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA's) comprehensive Medical Benefits Package which includes preventive, primary and specialty care, diagnostic, inpatient and outpatient care services.

What disqualifies you from VA benefits?

If you're a current or former member of the Reserves or National Guard, you must have been called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty. If you had or have active-duty status for training purposes only, you don't qualify for VA health care.

Do Veterans get free healthcare for life?

You can get free VA health care for any illness or injury that we determine is related to your military service (called “service connected”). We also provide certain other services for free.

What is the VA 5 year rule?

The VA disability rating 5-year rule states that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cannot reduce a veteran's disability rating if it has been in place for five years or more unless the condition shows sustained improvement over time. In this situation, the veteran's rating is considered a stabilized rating.

Is it hard to get VA disability?

As you might expect, it is difficult to obtain a 100% VA disability rating with just one service-connected disability. Most veterans who receive a 100% rating have two or more disabling conditions. Often, these conditions have a secondary service connection.

What are the easiest things to claim for VA disability?

According to a recent Veterans Administration report to Congress, the ten most commonly awarded medical conditions that are getting approved for benefits are as follows:Tinnitus.Limitation of flexion (knee)Hearing loss.Lumbosacral or cervical strain (back and neck strains)Limitation of arm motion.General scars.More items...•

What are the 4 types of Veterans?

The Type of VeteranWar Veteran. War veterans are active-duty or reserve military members who have been in an area of conflict with another nation or in the surrounding waters to support activities against a national enemy.Combat Veteran. ... Retired Veteran. ... Protected Veteran.

How to apply for VA health benefits?

Why apply for VA health benefits? 1 There is no cost to apply. 2 Enroll once – comprehensive health care services will be available when and where you need them. 3 Remain enrolled, even if you don't use VA for your health care. 4 Enrollment in VA health care meets health care law requirements; you don't need any other coverage. 5 If you are not eligible to enroll at this time, VA will save your application and contact you if eligibility criteria change.

How to apply for VA 10-10EZ?

You will need Adobe Reader 9.2 or newer to open the 10-10EZ form. You can also apply by phone by calling our toll-free number at 877-222-VETS (8387) or in person at your local VA medical center.

Is it expensive to apply for VA health insurance?

There is no cost to apply. Enroll once – comprehensive health care services will be available when and where you need them. Remain enrolled, even if you don't use VA for your health care. Enrollment in VA health care meets health care law requirements; you don't need any other coverage.

How to apply for VA disability?

How do I prepare before starting my application? 1 Find out if you’re eligible for VA disability compensation 2 Gather any evidence (supporting documents) you’ll submit yourself when you file your VA disability claim. 3 Be sure your claim is filled out completely and you have all the supporting documents ready to send in along with your claim. This will help us process your claim quickly.#N#Learn about fully developed claims 4 Find out if you’ll need to turn in any additional forms with your claim

What are VA medical records?

VA medical records and hospital records that relate to your claimed illnesses or injuries or that show your rated disability has gotten worse. Private medical records and hospital reports that relate to your claimed illnesses or injuries or that show your disability has gotten worse.

How to submit intent to file?

You can submit your intent to file by phone or by written form. Note: If you file your claim online, you don't need to separately send an intent to file form. The online application already includes your intent to file.

You can still file a claim and apply for benefits during the coronavirus pandemic

Get the latest information about in-person services, claim exams, extensions, paperwork, decision reviews and appeals, and how best to contact us during this time. Go to our coronavirus FAQs

What evidence will I need to provide to support my claim?

You can help to support your VA disability claim by providing documents, such as:

Should I submit an intent to file form?

If you plan to file for disability compensation using a paper form, you may want to submit an intent to file form first. This can give you the time you need to gather your evidence while avoiding a later potential start date (also called an effective date).

What happens after I file my VA disability claim?

You don’t need to do anything while you’re waiting unless we send you a letter asking for more information. If we schedule exams for you, be sure not to miss them.

More information about filing disability claims

Learn about standard claims, supplemental claims, secondary claims, and more.

How many priority groups are there for VA?

When you apply for VA health care, you’ll be assigned 1 of 8 priority groups. This system helps to make sure that Veterans who need immediate care can get signed up quickly. Your priority group may affect how soon we sign you up for health care benefits.

What does enhanced eligibility mean?

You may qualify for enhanced eligibility status (meaning you’ll be placed in a higher priority group, which makes you more likely to get benefits) if you meet at least one of the requirements listed below. At least one of these must be true.

Can I get VA health care benefits if I served in the military?

Am I eligible for VA health care benefits? You may be eligible for VA health care benefits if you served in the active military, naval, or air service and didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge.

What do veterans get for their rehabilitation?

While enrolled in a rehabilitation program, veterans receive a monthly subsistence allowance in addition to compensation or retirement pay.

What are the benefits of a VA national cemetery?

Burial benefits in a VA national cemetery include the grave site, opening and closing of the grave and perpetual care. Many national cemeteries have columbaria or special grave sites for cremated remains. Headstones, markers and their placement are provided at government expense.

What is the DVA for alcohol?

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment. Eligible veterans are admitted to any of the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) medical centers for the treatment of alcohol or drug dependence or associated medical conditions.

Why are veterans hospitalized?

They are hospitalized in a military hospital for a condition likely to be compensable; They were discharged or released under other than dishonorable conditions; The VA determines they need vocational rehabilitation services to achieve suitable employment because of an employment handicap.

How much is the Federal Benefits booklet?

It is sold for $5.50 a copy through the U.S. Government Printing Office.

How many cemeteries does the VA have?

Veterans, service members and family members are eligible for burial in one of the VA’s 114 national cemeteries. An eligible veteran must have been discharged or separated from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable and have completed the required period of service.

Do military veterans get VA benefits?

VA Benefits. As a military veteran you are given a myriad of benefits. However, not every military veteran is familiar with all of the benefits they are afforded and there is often no one there who will actively tell you. This process is actually a bit complicated if you do not have a guide because many of the VA benefits are contingent ...

You can still file a claim and apply for benefits during the coronavirus pandemic

Get the latest information about in-person services, claim exams, extensions, paperwork, decision reviews and appeals, and how best to contact us during this time. Go to our coronavirus FAQs

Should I submit an intent to file form?

You may want to submit an intent to file form before you apply for pension benefits. This can give you the time you need to gather your evidence while avoiding a later potential start date (also called an effective date).

How long does it take VA to make a decision?

It depends. We process claims in the order we receive them, unless a claim requires priority processing.

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What are the discharge requirements for VA compensation?

Discharge Requirements for Compensation Benefits#N#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).

What is the Montgomery GI Bill?

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) ...

Can you receive VA benefits if you are dishonorable?

However, individuals receiving undesirable, bad conduct, and other types of dishonorable discharges may qualify for VA benefits depending on a determination made by VA.#N#Read the factsheet on claims for benefits involving other-than-honorable discharges.

Can you get VA benefits for bad conduct?

However, individuals receiving undesirable, bad conduct, and other types of dishonorable discharges may qualify for VA benefits depending on a determination made by VA. Read the factsheet on claims for benefits involving other-than-honorable discharges.

Can a veteran receive a VA home loan?

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.