VA Benefits Overview
Contact Information
Patrick Bedford
Phone: 757-319-1940
E-Mail: [email protected]
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