Applying for Benefits
| Benefits | How To Apply |
| Before leaving military service – pre-di ... | If you are a member of the armed forces ... |
| Veteran Readiness and Employment benefit ... | The best way to file for Veteran Readine ... |
| Disability compensation benefits for Vet ... | The best way to file for disability comp ... |
| VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation ... | If you’re the surviving spouse or child ... |
- Call our toll-free hotline at 877-222-8387, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.
- Get help from an accredited representative (a trained professional trusted to help with VA-related claims). Request a representative.
- Find your state's Veterans agency.
What benefits are you eligible for as a veteran?
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
- Loss of range of motion (problems moving your body)
- Ulcers
- Cancers caused by contact with toxic chemicals or other dangers
What benefits are available for veterans?
Veteran's Benefits Explained
- Major Veteran Benefit Programs. The VA has a number of programs providing financial, medical and other assistance to veterans.
- Important Documents Needed to Get Your Benefits. ...
- Eligibility for VA Benefits. ...
- Stay on Top of Your Veteran Benefits. ...
Who is eligible for veterans benefits?
- Were discharged for a disability that was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service
- Were discharged for a hardship
- Served prior to September 7, 1980
Can you get SSDI if you are 100 disabled veteran?
Social Security disability for veterans is easier to get if you have a 100% permanent and total (P&T) VA rating. These men and women would receive Social Security disability benefits in addition to monthly VA compensation. Though the programs may sound similar, you must meet two different sets of totally unique criteria to qualify for both ...
Do all Veterans qualify for 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.
How do I prove I am a veteran?
Here are a few common methods veterans can use to verify military service:Military ID Card (active duty, National Guard, Reserves, IRR, or retiree). ... VA Issued ID Card for Health Care.Veterans ID Card (starting Nov. ... Veterans Designation on Drivers License or State Veterans ID Card (almost all states now offer this)More items...•
How long do you have to be in the military to be considered a veteran?
To be considered a veteran, any military personnel must be on active-duty service for at least 180 days. The only exception is if the member sustained a service-related injury and was discharged under honorable conditions.
What is my veteran status?
Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations defines a veteran as “a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.” This definition explains that any individual that completed a service for any branch of armed forces ...
Who qualifies for a DD-214?
Members' Military Personnel Section's will generate these forms upon their return from training. Members are eligible to receive a DD Form 214 based on consecutive active duty periods of 90 days or more. Performing in drill status during a 90-day period would break this up and restart the day count.
Are you a veteran after 2 years?
2 years of active duty service before being honorably discharged (for Montgomery GI Bill- Active Duty)
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 5 types of veterans?
Under VEVRAA, a veteran may be classified as a ''disabled veteran,'' ''recently separated veteran,'' ''active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran,'' or ''Armed Forces service medal veteran. ''
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...
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.
Why are medical records important to the VA?
Medical records are important for the VA offices as well because they use them as evidence when defining whether or not a medical condition was caused or worsened by service time.
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.
Where to get a copy of NGB form 22/22A?
For a copy of the NGB Form 22/22A, a request must be made to the National Guard Adjutant General’s Office in the state from which the service member carried out their National Guard service.
Who is in charge of military records?
The National Personnel Records Center is in charge of copies of all active-duty and reserve military records. To request a copy of any portion of military records, such as the DD Form 214/215, submit a signed copy of SF Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records.
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.
Do veterans get benefits?
As a veteran you know you are eligible for benefits. However, it can be very difficult knowing exactly what you are eligible for and how to go about getting everything you're entitled to.
Is the military pay changing?
Military benefits are always changing. Keep up with everything from pay to health care by subscribing to Military.com, and get access to up-to-date pay charts and more with all latest benefits delivered straight to your inbox.
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 disability?
To submit a paper application, download and complete a VA Form 28-1900, "Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation" and mail it to your local regional office. You may also go to your local regional office and turn in your application for processing.
How to file for VA life insurance?
Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI): To file for VMLI, complete and submit VA Form 29-8636, "Application for Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance" to your Specially Adapted Housing Agent. The agent will help you complete your application. Also, you must provide information about your current mortgage.
How to get VA form 26-1817?
Download and complete VA Form 26-1817, "Request for Determination of Loan Guaranty Eligibility - Unmarried Surviving Spouses. You can also call 1-877-827-3702 and follow the prompts for "Eligibility" and we will send the form to you. Mail your completed application to the Regional Loan Center that serves your state.
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.
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.
Where to apply for VGLI?
Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI): To file for VGLI, you can apply online at eBenefits . You may also download and complete SGLV 8714, "Application for Veterans' Group Life Insurance".
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 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 you get a VA home loan with a character of discharge?
Generally, there is no character of discharge bar to benefits to Veterans’ Group Life Insurance.
Is there a character of discharge bar for veterans?
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.
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.
