The United States Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) offers many benefits to veterans of the U.S. military. Often, our military veteran's are not fully educated or counseled on the benefits they or their families may be entitled to. Even more often are the uninformed dependents or survivors of the veteran. According to the VA, there are more than 25 million veterans alive today, three-quarters of which served during war-time or in hostile environments making it possible that more than 70 million people eligible for VA benefits.
Health, Education and Vocational benefits are some of the many benefits that are available to veterans of the armed forces, their spouses, children and other dependents. Of the 70 million people that are possibly eligible, the VA was providing benefits for approximately 23 million individuals as of October, 2008.
Eligible candidates include: veterans, veterans dependents, surviving dependent (spouse, child, or parent), active duty military, and members of the National Guard or Armed Forces Reserve components.
Disability Compensation
If you are rated at least ten-percent disabled as a result of military service, also stated as a "service connected disability", you are eligible for a monthly compensation from the VA.
Military Retirement/Pension
There is a monthly compensation available to war-time veterans that have limited incomes and are 100-percent disabled or you are 65 years old.
Military retirement pensions are paid to individuals that have accumulated a minimum of 20 years of military service. If all 20 years were completed on active duty, your pension will begin immediately after retirement. If a portion of your service was completed as a reservist, you will receive your pension when you are 65 years old. Military "retirement" is not a VA benefit, but rather it is paid by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS).
Health Care
One of the widest used benefits is the VA's health care benefits. For eligible veteran's, the VA offers everything from hospital visits to nursing home care. The Health Care Veterans Health Administration website has a complete overview of benefits and eligibility.
Burial and Memorial Services
To properly respect and honor our deceased veterans, the VA provides the following benefits: Headstones, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, an American flag, $600-$2000 reimbursement of burial expenses, and burial in a VA National Cemetery if desired. There is no time limit on this benefit but the benefit must be applied for within two years of the veteran's death.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Assistance
Veteran's that have a rated disability of 10-percent or more can use the VA's vocational rehabilitation and employment assistance services. These services include job search help, vocational evaluation and training and educational services.
Education
The VA has several educational service benefits including the vocational rehabilitation benefit. In general, contributing active duty service members are eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) Chapter 30. Active duty service members that served before July 1, 1985 (and after December 31, 1976) are eligible for the Veteran's Educational Assistance Program (VEAP). There are also conditions were reserve and National Guard members are eligible for the MGIB chapter 1606.
The MGIB is a great benefit for active duty members and veterans. Active duty members have ten years to use the benefit after their discharge, reservists have 14 years. Active duty members can use their GI Bill benefits while on active duty if they are enrolled in a qualifying continuing education program.
The newest educational benefit is the MGIB Chapter 33. This provides additional educational support for the veteran that served after September 11, 2001 including: Cost of tuition, a monthly housing allowance and up to $1000 per year for books.
Home Loans
The VA offers several home loan benefits to veterans and their surviving spouses. These benefits include Guaranteed Loans, Refinancing Loans and Special Grants. The most commonly used benefit is the guaranteed loan, where the home purchaser can purchase a home without a down-payment and is guaranteed by the government. A collateral benefit to the guaranteed loan program is a VA home inspector must inspect the home before the loan is approved, giving the buyer an honest inspection of the home.
Life Insurance
Veteran's Group Life Insurance (VGLI) is a renewable term life insurance policy for veterans. When the service member is separating from active duty it will be offered to them. Veterans must apply within 120 days of separation. Service-Disabled Veteran's Insurance is also available to members with service-connected disabilities.
Dependents and Survivors
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a benefit for the survivors of service-members who died on active duty, veteran's who died from service connected disabilities, or some veterans who were 100 percent disabled and receiving compensation at the time of their death.
A Death Pension is available to qualified surviving spouses and children of service members who died during time of war. The Parent's DIC is a benefit to the parents of a service member that is based on financial need.
Summary
The VA doesn't call you and let you know you are eligible or qualified for benefits. If you suspect you may be eligible for benefits, you should direct your browser to http://www.va.gov and determine if you are eligible. If you consider yourself qualified, apply. You can also call 1-800-827-1000 for general benefit questions or 1-888-442-4551 for education benefits and GI Bill inquiries.