VBA Benefits Presentation Edward B. Perry, Outreach Coordinator New York Regional Office 245 West Houston Street New York, NY VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION VA health care system consists of 21 networks of care to meet local health care needs and provide broad access to care VA provides care at over 1,500 facilities: 153 hospitals 956 ambulatory care and community-based outpatient clinics 232 Vet Centers 134 community living centers (formerly known as nursing homes) 90 residential rehabilitation treatment programs 4 Poly Trauma Rehabilitation Centers

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Screening exams for: Depression, Substance Abuse, PTSD, TBI » Readjustment Counseling » Military Sexual Trauma » Preventive Care Services » Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment » Prescription Services » Women ’ s Health Care Programs » Prosthetic and Rehabilitative Devices

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION BURIAL/SURVIVOR BENEFITS National Cemeteries State Veterans Cemeteries Headstones, Markers, Medallion Transportation Plots, Opening and Closing Burial Flags Military Honors Dependency Indemnity Claims Dependents Educational Assistance CH 35

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Fully Developed Claim If you need time to gather evidence for your FDC claim, you can get started by locking in an effective date with an Informal Claim. The Informal Claim includes the following statement in the form of a letter: I intend to apply for compensation/pension benefits under the FDC Program. This statement is to preserve my effective date for entitlement to benefits. I am in the process of assembling my claim package for submission. The Informal Claim must also be accompanied by: 1.the claimant's name (if other than the Veteran) 2.the Veteran's name 3.the Veteran's claim number Step 1: Complete your EZ Form and get it certified Compensation Claim EZ form21-526EZ form OR Non service connected Pension Claim EZ form21-527EZ form Step 2: Gather the evidence Step 3: Submit your claim

MONTH DD, YEAR VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) DBQs are valuable for claims processing because they provide medical information that is directly relevant to determining a disability rating. When submitted with a fully developed claim, DBQs ensure the VA's ratings specialists have precisely the information they need to start processing the claim. Veterans can have their providers fill out any of the more than 70 DBQs that are appropriate for their conditions and submit them to us. It’s that easy!70 DBQs

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION DBQ’s(cont…) For VA exams, a VA clinician will fill out the DBQ. If being seen by a private provider, have them complete the DBQ and submit it to us either by Regional Office Fax Numbers or mail.Regional Office Fax Numbersmail

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Center for Minority Veterans Dedicated to serving all veterans regardless of race or ethnicity. As required by Congress in 1994, under Title 38 Public Law , sec 509, CMV ’ s primary emphasis is on minority veterans. Specifically, these veterans include the following minority groups: Pacific Islander, Asian American, African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American, including American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian. Public Law , sec 509

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Minority Veterans Program Coordinator (MVPC) The primary goal of this outreach initiative is to increase local awareness of minority veteran related issues and develop strategies for increasing their participation in existing VA benefit programs for eligible veterans. MVPCs are located at Regional Offices, Health Care Facilities and National Cemeteries and are responsible for: Promoting the use of VA benefits, programs, and services by minority veterans. Supporting and initiating activities that educate and sensitize internal staff to the unique needs of minority veterans. Targeting outreach efforts to minority veterans through community networks. Advocating on behalf of minority veterans by identifying gaps in services and make recommendations to improve service delivery within their facilities.

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION