Determining eligibility for VA health care benefits
- a copy of both sides of your current insurance card (including Medicare or Medicaid)
- a copy of your DD214, 'Armed Forces Report of Transfer or Discharge'
- (Purple Heart recipients only) a copy of your award letter if 'Purple Heart' ig not noted on your DD214
What benefits are offered to veterans?
- Survivor's pension
- Survivor's compensation
- Death benefits
- Educational benefits
What are the requirements to be a veteran?
- Anyone with an honorable discharge? NO
- Must have been overseas? NO
- Must have served during a period of war? NO
- National Guard and Reserve members? Maybe, under specific conditions.
- Anyone who has a DD-214 form? NO
- If they served, they are a Veteran? NO
Are all veterans eligible for VA benefits?
- Mexican Border period (May 9, 1916, to April 5, 1917, for Veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders, or in adjacent waters)
- World War I (April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918)
- World War II (December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946)
- Korean conflict (June 27, 1950, to January 31, 1955)
What does the VA offer veterans?
- SGLI (Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance)
- TSGLI (Traumatic Injury Protection)
- FSGLI (Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance)
- VGLI (Veterans' Group Life Insurance)
How do you know if you qualify for veteran benefits?
You may be eligible if:you were discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions.you served 90 days or more of active duty with at least 1 day during a period of wartime. ... you are permanently and totally disabled or are age 65 or older.your family income is below a yearly limit set by law.
How many years do you have to serve to get veterans benefits?
To be eligible for most veterans benefits, a minimum period of active duty of 24 continuous months or the full period for which a person is called or ordered to active duty must be completed. This rule has been in effect since October 16, 1981 for new enlistees.
Are all honorably discharged veterans eligible for VA benefits?
Veterans who receive general discharges under honorable conditions are entitled to all VA benefits, with the exception of GI Bill education benefits.
What qualifies as a veteran disability?
You have a current illness or injury (known as a condition) that affects your mind or body, and. You served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training.
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.
Does having a DD214 make you a veteran?
Even in the private sector, your DD214 proves you are a veteran, letting you apply with companies looking to support or hire vets.
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 a 6 year reservist considered a veteran?
A former Reservist is not a veteran unless called to active duty. The Reserves can be called to active duty by the President or the Secretary of Defense. Approximately, 65,000 reserve troops are on active duty at any given moment, supporting military operations around the world.
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...•
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 most common VA disabilities?
The most common disabilities found among the Veteran population include:Cervical strain: affecting 989,835 Veterans. ... Sciatic nerve paralysis: affecting 781,178 Veterans. ... Limited ankle motion: affecting 636,853 Veterans. ... Migraine: affecting 548,999 Veterans. ... Degenerative arthritis: affecting 505,553 Veterans.More items...
Am I eligible for Veterans Pension benefits?
You may be eligible for the Veterans Pension program if you meet these requirements. Both of these must be true: You didn’t receive a dishonorable...
How do I know if I served under an eligible wartime period?
Under current law, we recognize the following wartime periods to decide eligibility for VA pension benefits: Mexican Border period (May 9, 1916, to...
What should I do if I received an other than honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge?
If you’ve received one of these discharge statuses, you may not be eligible for VA pension benefits. There are 2 ways you can try to qualify: Find...
What is it called when you get sick while serving in the military?
You: Got sick or injured while serving in the military—and can link this condition to your illness or injury (called an inservice disability claim), or. Had an illness or injury before you joined the military—and serving made it worse (called a preservice disability claim), or.
Can you get VA disability for lung disease?
You may be able to get VA disability benefits for conditions such as : Chronic (long-lasting) back pain resulting in a current diagnosed back disability. Breathing problems resulting from a current lung condition or lung disease. Severe hearing loss. Scar tissue.
How do I know if I served under an eligible wartime period?
Under current law, we recognize the following wartime periods to decide eligibility for VA pension benefits:
What should I do if I received an other than honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge?
If you’ve received one of these discharge statuses, you may not be eligible for VA pension benefits.
What is military medical record?
Military medical records. Every time a service member is given medical care from a military medical facility—including the very first physical examination each member must take part in during the initial stages of service— their specifics are documented in their military medical record.
Is DD 214/22A secure?
Because DD Form 214/215 and NGB Form 22 /22A are sensitive documents, it is important to ensure the protection of these forms. Safe-deposit boxes at a bank or other lock boxes are secure locations for such records.
How many days of active duty for pension?
at least 90 consecutive days of active duty and such period began or ended during a period of war. a total of 90 or more days of active duty during one or more wartime periods, .
How long is travel time for military?
Consider travel time in determining eligibility to benefits requiring 90 days or 24 months of active service.
Inside Veterans Benefits
We appreciate your patience as we continue to work with you during this time of crisis.
VA Outreach Events
Veterans benefits help Veterans and their families buy homes, earn degrees, start careers, stay healthy, and more. Join an event for conversation and information.
How to apply for VA benefits?
You can apply for this benefit in any of these ways: 1 Mail the form to the Pension Management Center (PMC) for your state.#N#Find your PMC 2 Work with an accredited representative.#N#Get help filing your claim 3 Go to a VA regional office and get help from a VA employee.#N#Find a VA regional office near you
How to apply for VA education benefits?
The best way to apply for your education benefits is by going to www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/. You can also apply for education benefits by doing any of the following options: By mail. Call 888-442-4551, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET, to request that we send the application to you.
Where to apply for VA pension?
You can apply for pension benefits online at www.va.gov/pension. To submit a paper application Pension benefits, download and complete VA Form 21P-527EZ, "Application for Pension" and mail it to the Pension Management Center that serves your state.
What to do before leaving the military?
If you are a member of the armed forces serving on either active duty or full-time National Guard duty, you should apply through the VA Pre-discharge claim program before leaving service. Veteran Readiness and Employment benefits for service members and Veterans.
