
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 ... |
How does someone know if they qualify for VA benefits?
- Were discharged for a disability that was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service, or
- Were discharged for a hardship or “early out,” or
- Served prior to September 7, 1980
How to find out if you are eligible for veterans benefits?
Determining Veteran Status – Eligibility Service Records: Proving Your Eligibility For a veteran to show they’re eligible for benefits, they must first present the VA office with an official copy of their DD Form 214/215, or NGB 22/22A, which are some of the most significant documents issued by the military.
How do I know if I qualify for veterans benefits?
- 24 continuous months, or
- The full period (at least 181 days) for which you were called or ordered to active duty, or
- At least 181 days if you were discharged for a hardship, a reduction in force, or for convenience of the government, or
- Less than 181 days if you were discharged for a service-connected disability
What VA benefits Am I eligible for?
You may be eligible for VA disability benefits or compensation if you meet both of these requirements. Both of these must be true: 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 And at least one of these must be true:

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 long do you have to be in the military to qualify for VA benefits?
24 continuous monthsTo 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.
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?
If you are a 50% or greater disabled veteran or a former POW, all your medical care from the VA is free. There are other groups that may get some, or all VA medical care for free, see our VA Copay page for details.
What is VA presumptive disability?
A presumptive disability is an illness or injury we believe is related to military service. You can also learn more about dependent eligibility.
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.
What is a post service disability?
You have a disability related to your active-duty service that didn’t appear until after you ended your service (called a postservice disability claim)
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 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.
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 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.
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".
Military Service Requirements to Receive VA Disability Benefits
For you to qualify for VA disability benefits, your military service must meet certain requirements. You must have served on active duty, on active duty training, or in training for inactive duty in one of the four branches of the U.S. military: Army, Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard.
Medical Requirements to Receive VA Disability Benefits
The VA requires you to meet three criteria to qualify for disability on a medical basis:
How Much Does VA Pay in Disability Benefits
VA disability payments vary substantially. This is because recipients do not all have the same degree of disability. Unlike Social Security, which requires total disability to qualify for benefits, the VA gives benefits to veterans with a wide range of illnesses and injuries, running the gamut from totally disabling to slightly disabling.
Benefits of Working With A VA Disability Lawyer
A VA disability lawyer can help you apply for and receive disability benefits. Working with an attorney offers several benefits. One, an accomplished disability lawyer will have fought and won dozens of VA cases in their career.
Call 865-566-0800 for a Free VA Disability Case Evaluation From the Disability Advantage Group
You can receive a free, no-risk, no-obligation VA disability case evaluation from the Disability Advantage Group. Our law firm is passionate about helping disabled veterans collect the benefits they deserve for their service and sacrifice. We are eager to hear from you and determine how we can help you.
Who Is Eligible for VA Benefits?
To be eligible for veterans benefits, veterans and their family members must meet different criteria depending on the type of benefit they wish to receive. These are listed below:
How Do You Sign Up for VA Benefits?
To apply for VA health care benefits, including enrollment, you must fill out an application for registration, VA Form 10-10EZ. You may obtain this form by one of the following means:
How Do You Access Your Benefits Through the Department of Veterans Affairs?
Access to VA benefits is available offline and online for veterans. They can access their benefits via official websites like VA.gov and eBenefits, or Veterans can visit the branch near them.
What Is the VA 5 Year Rule?
According to the VA disability 5-year rule, a Veteran’s disability rating cannot be reduced if their condition has not improved in the first five years after receiving their initial rating. Veterans cannot have their rating reduced after five years unless their situation has significantly improved. The Department supervises their benefits if they qualify for disability compensation after five years.
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 is the VA?
There are many vital services provided to America’s veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Former military personnel and their dependents have access to VA health care services, benefits programs, and national cemeteries.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
