VA Benefits Overview

Contact Information

Patrick Bedford

Phone: 757-319-1940

E-Mail: pbedford@vfw.org

VFW FACT SHEET

eBenefits Website

Apply for Benefits/Submit a Claim/Download DD214/ Print COE for Home Loan

Service Connection

Criteria For Service Connection Direct Aggravated Presumptive Secondary

Service Connection…related to active duty service.

The disability does not have to be combat, wartime or training

related.

Service Connection

Examples: Hearing Loss/Tinnitus Ulcerative Colitis Back conditions* Knee conditions* Post Traumatic Stress (including the result of sexual trauma-

MST) 38 CFR Part 4

*The terms “condition”, “injury”, “issue” are not ratable. There must be evidence of an injury occurred in service, a diagnosis and a “nexus” or link between the two. Pain is a symptom that must be considered as part of the exam and diagnosis, DeLuca v. Brown, 38 CFR 4.59

Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD)

Service members must: Have 60-180 days remaining

in service (retired or separated, not PTDY or terminal leave)

Obtain a copy of service treatment records (STR’s) or private health care records

Be available at point of separation to undergo VA exam(s)

Quick Start Claims

The Quick Start Program serves servicemembers who do not qualify for BDD because they:

Have LESS than 60 days before separation/retirement

OR Are NOT available to

undergo VA examination(s) at the point of separation

Fully Developed Claim

NOT Pre-Discharge, but Option After Separation Submit Complete Records

DD 214

You are Certifying There Is No Other Evidence To Submit

Pre-Discharge Program How To Apply

• Have a Known Separation Date

• Have Stable Address for next 90-120 days. Your Address Will Determine Where VA Exams will be Conducted

• Obtain Complete Set of Medical Records

• Digital or Paper

• Apply: • Online • Mail • VA Rep • Claims Agent • Veteran Service Organization (VSO)

Veteran Service Organizations

Accredited Veteran Service Organization (VSO) representatives are available to assist Service members and Veterans in filing for benefits and services.

No Cost/No Membership Required

Accredited By VA/VSO

http://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp

Separation Physical

Conducted For All Separating Servicemembers

VA May Conduct Separation Physical If Submitting Claim 180-90 Days Prior to Discharge

DoD Conducts Physical When Not Submitting Claim OR

Less Than 90 Days From Separation When Submitting Claim

Not Same As VA C&P Exams

May Need to Follow Up Your Physical with Clinical

Diagnosis

Dependents

If Rated at 30% or More VA Awards Compensation For Veteran Having Family Members Spouse Children Under 18 Children 18-23 in School Full-Time

VA Form 21-686c Declaration of Status of Dependents

VA Form 21-674 Request for Approval of School Attendance

Approval May Take up to a Year; Best to Apply During VA

Disability Claim Process

Rating Process VA life cycle of a claim has no expiration date…it can go

on for weeks or years

Disabilities rated from 0%-100% Combined overall rating 0% ratings are NOT denials of service connection

Compensation is TAX FREE (Federal)

Compensation awarded for disability ratings from 10%-100%

Paid Via EFT

Rating Vet Only Vet +S Vet +S +1C Vet + S +2C Vet + S + 3C

10% $133.17 N/A N/A N/A N/A

20% $263.23 N/A N/A N/A N/A

30% $407.75 $455.75 $491.75 $515.75 $539.75

40% $587.36 $651.36 $699.36 $731.36 $763.36

50% $836.13 $917.13 $976.13 $1,016.13 $1,056.13

60% $1,059.09 $1,156.09 $1,227.09 $1,275.09 $1,324.09

70% $1,334.71 $1,447.31 $1,530.71 $1,586.71 $1,643.71

80% $1,551.48 $1,680.48 $1,775.48 $1,840.48 $1,904.48

90% $1,743.48 $1,888.48 $1,995.48 $2,068.48 $2,140.48

100% $2,906.83 $3,068.90 $3,187.60 $3,268.12 $3,348.64

S= Spouse C= Child(ren)

Compensation – Current Rates

100 % healthy

50% for Sleep Apnea

50% healthy body remains

50% PTSD

50+25=75

80

VA Compensation

VA Compensation

Math

Starts off at 100%

Employable

• 100% Service Connected • 100% Permanent and Total

– Majority of Disabilities will not improve – Eligible for no-cost Dental – Family Members Eligible for Education Benefits – CHAMPVA For Family Members – DoD ID Card for Commissary/PX

• 100% Temporary Unemployability

– At least one service connected disability rated at least at 60%, OR – Two or more service connected disabilities at least one disability ratable at

40 percent or more with a combined rating of 70 percent or more. – You must be unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result

of service-connected disabilities (marginal employment, such as odd jobs, is not considered substantial gainful employment for VA purposes).

100% Service Connected

Severance/CRDP/CRSC

Severance and/or Separation pay will be recouped

Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay (CRDP) Restoration of retired pay by Act of Congress. Must be rated by VA at 50% Service Connected or

greater. Cannot be received in conjunction with CRSC

Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC)

Is not a function of VA DD Form 2860 Must apply through service branch and have a VA

rating Cannot be received with CRDP

Compensation & Pension No Time Limit

No time limit to apply

Compensation will be paid retroactive to the first month AFTER separation/retirement if VA receives the application within one year of separation/retirement.

Otherwise, benefits are generally paid from date of claim (application received)

Related Benefits No-cost VA health care for all rated service

connected conditions

Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Services

Veteran’s preference in Federal hiring 5, 10 point preference tiers Schedule “A” letter in lieu of rating decision

VA Home Loan Guaranty funding fee waived

State and Local Benefits

VA Home Loan Guaranty

Buy a home

Build a home

Refinance an existing loan

Use only for property located in the US, its territories or possessions

Must occupy the property as your home

$417,000 Standard VA Guaranty Limit with Exceptions This Area $625,000

Funding Fee

Fee ranges from .5% to 3.3%, depending on loan type and if

first or second time user

Fee can be included in the loan

Fee is waived for Veterans entitled to VA disability compensation and certain surviving spouses

VA Form 26-8937, Reimbursement of Funding Fee

Individuals having problems making payments may call 1-877-827-3702 for assistance

VA Enrollment & Health Care Combat Veterans

VA provides up to five (5) years of no-cost health care for enrolled Veterans:

• who served in a theatre of combat operations

• are seeking care for conditions related to their combat service

Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry: https://www.dmdc/osd.mil/appj/dsaccess (Filing a VA claim has no bearing on this benefit)

VA Health Care Enrollment • Veterans with a service connected disability • Other eligibility factors, such as being in receipt of VA

pension or a Purple Heart (PH) recipient • Homeless Veterans

• Unemployed/Low Income Veterans

Veterans seeking care for a non-service connected illness/injury may be charged co-pays for healthcare services 50% combined SC disability means all VA Healthcare at no cost

Other Considerations

• Disabilities May Require: • Automobile Modifications

• Clothing Allowance • Home Modifications

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE