FEDERAL VETERAN BENEFITS Overview

BOBI DIXON-INGALLS Targeted Outreach Team, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency Training and Accountability Analyst Accredited Veterans' Service Officer

Objective To provide a general knowledge of:  Individual Roles in Veteran Benefits  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs  Terminology  Overview of Federal Benefit Programs

Know the Experts 1.County Veterans Benefit Counselors/ County Veteran Service Officers 2.State Veterans Service Officers  Veterans Resource Representatives  Regional Coordinators 3.Organization Specific  Department Veterans Service Officer  National Veterans Service Officer  Post Veterans Service Officer

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS  VBA – Veterans Benefits Administration  VHA – Veterans Health Administration  NCA – National Cemetery Administration

Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Responsible for payment of all VA gratuitous benefits  Compensation  Pension  Education  Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits  Burials  Home Loans  Life Insurance  Any other monetary benefit that comes from the VA

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Health Care for Veterans Medical Centers Outpatient Clinics Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) Vet Center Responsibility for eligibility and setting the priority for the veterans’ health care.

The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) Operate the National Cemetery System  Responsible for the establishment and construction of new cemeteries.  Care and maintenance of existing cemeteries.  Provide flags for burials of veterans.  Issue Presidential Memorial Certificates

Terminology  Periods of War  Military Discharge / Character of Discharge  Duty to Assist  Fully Developed Claims (FDC)  Accredited Service Officer  Power of Attorney (POA)  Intent to File  Priority Level  Rating

Fully Developed Claim (FDC) Faster processing from the VA for:  Compensation  Pension  Survivor Benefits Providing all evidence at once and certifying there is no more evidence. Example: Private Medical Evidence

Disability Compensation Service Connected Disabilities Provides for financial assistance to veterans with service-connected disabilities to compensate them for the loss of, or reduction in earning power resulting from comparable injuries and disease in civil life.

Service Connected Disabilities  Medical condition that was incurred in or aggravated in military service.  A condition caused or aggravated by an existing service related condition. Note: No compensation may be paid if the disability was / is a result of the person’s own willful misconduct or the abuse of alcohol or drugs.

Presumptions 1.Presumption of Sound Condition 2.Presumptions of Service-Connection Related to Certain Chronic Diseases and Disabilities  Former Prisoners of War  Certain Diseases Associated with Exposure to Radiation  Diseases Associated with Exposure to Certain Herbicide Agents  Illness in Iraq, Afghanistan  Lou Gehrig’s Disease

Compensation Considerations  Rating Assigned - 0% to 100%  Individual Unemployability  100%  Two or More Disabilities combined at 70% or more with at least one disability at 40%.  Special Consideration for Certain Cases of Loss of Paired Organs or Extremities  Trial work Periods  Vocational Rehabilitation

Financial Benefits Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for SC Deaths  Surviving spouses, unmarried children and helpless children. Special Monthly Compensation  Aid and Attendance  Daily Health Care Services Needs Based:  Non-Service Connected Disability Pension  VA Pension Benefits  DIC for parents Military Retirement Pay

Health Care Benefits  A person who served in the activity military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable may qualify for VA care benefits.  Reservists and National Guard may also qualify if they were called to active duty.

Health Care Benefits VA has more than 1,700 sites of care:  Hospitals  Community Based Out-Patient Clinics (CBOC)  Community Living Centers  Domiciliaries  Vet Centers  Other Facilities

Health Care Benefits Entry into the VA Health Care System Begins by Applying for enrollment.  Priority Groups 1 – 8  Sub priority groups a – f  Special Access to Care  Special Consideration Groups

Burial and Memorial Benefits  Dignified Burial of Unclaimed Veterans  Service Connected Death  Non-Service Connected Death  Transportation Cost (certain circumstances)  Burial Flags  Headstones and Markers  Bronze Medallions  Burial in National Cemeteries / National Burial Grounds

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment VetSuccess is a program which helps eligible disabled veterans get and keep, lasting suitable jobs. It also helps seriously disabled veterans achieve independence, in daily living.

Home Loan Guaranty To help the veteran or activity duty personnel finance the purchase a home with competitive loan term and interest rates.  No down payment  Negotiable interest rate  No mortgage insurance premiums  After sale support

Education  VA has ten educational assistance programs.  Different Eligibility Requirements / Periods  Training for Unemployed Veterans  Apprenticeship or Job Training  Work Study Programs  Survivors’ and Dependents Educational Assistance Program  Rates of Educational Assistance Pay  Type of Education Approved

VA Life Insurance VA insurance programs were developed to provide insurance benefits for veterans and service members who may not be able to get insurance.  United States Government Life Insurance (USGLI)  National Service Life Insurance (NSLI) 1940 – 1951  Veterans’ Special Life Insurance (VSLI) 1951 – 1956  Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance present

Miscellaneous Benefits  Automobile Assistance Program  One-Time Financial Assistance to Purchase an Automobile/Conveyance  Adaptive Equipment  Specially Adaptive Housing Grants  Specially Adaptive Housing Grant (SAH)  Special Housing Adaptations Grants (SHA)  Temporary Residence Adaptations Grant (TRA)  Clothing Allowance  Medal of Honor Pension