DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS VETERANS BENEFIT ADMINISTRATION

TRIBAL VETERANS REPRESENTATIVES CLASS OF 2013 Fairbanks, Alaska CLARISSA

Veterans Benefit Administration "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan“ -Abraham Lincoln

Contents  General Eligibility  Service-Connected Disabilities  Alaska National Guard  Programs for Service-Connected Disabilities  Education and Training  Home Loan Guaranty  Special Groups of Veterans  Burial and Memorial Benefits  VA Pensions

General Eligibility Eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. Active service means full-time service, other than active duty for training, as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, Environmental Science Services Administration or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or its predecessor, the Coast and Geodetic Survey. Generally, men and women Veterans with similar service may be entitled to the same VA benefits. Dishonorable and bad conduct discharges issued by general courts-martial may bar VA benefits. Veterans in prison and parolees must contact a VA regional office to determine eligibility. VA benefits will not be provided to any veteran or dependent wanted for an outstanding felony warrant.

Service-Connected Disabilities Disability compensation: a monetary benefit paid to Veterans who are disabled by an injury or illness that was incurred or aggravated during active military service. These disabilities are considered to be service-connected. To be eligible, the service of the Veteran must have been terminated through separation or discharge under conditions other than dishonorable. For additional details, visit the Web site at

Compensation Disability Examples * Hearing Loss * Tinnitus * Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (including the result of sexual trauma) * Traumatic Brain Injury * Diabetes Mellitus * Back Conditions

RELAXED CRITERIA FOR PTSD A Veteran can be service connected for PTSD If a Veteran was ever in “Fear of Hostile Military or Terrorist Activity” The relaxed criteria no longer requires a confirmed specific stressor unless evidence to support the Veteran’s “Fear” statement is not available.

Compensation Ratings Disabilities are rated from 0% to 100% Combined overall rating Compensation payments are tax free Compensation is received for ratings 10% to 100% Additional allowance is paid for dependence for Veterans who are rated 30% or higher ***By regulation, The Department of Treasury now requires that federal beneficiaries receive their recurring/monthly benefits electronically***

Disability Rating Monthly Rate Paid to Veterans percent 20 percent 30 percent* 40 percent* 50 percent* 60 percent* 70 percent* 80 percent* 90 percent* 100 percent* $127 $251 $389 $560 $797 $1009 $1,272 $1,478 $1,661 $2,769

Benefits for service connected Veterans VA Health Care for all service connected conditions Vocational Rehabilitation and employment services $10,000 Life insurance Federal Employment preference Possible State and local benefits

Certain VA Benefits Require Wartime Service Under the law, VA recognizes these war periods: Mexican Border Period: May 9, 1916, through April 5, 1917, for veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders or in adjacent waters. World War I: April 6, 1917, through Nov. 11, 1918; for Veterans who served in Russia, April 6, 1917, through April 1, 1920; extended through July 1, 1921, for veterans who had at least one day of service between April 6, 1917, and Nov. 11, World War II: Dec. 7, 1941, through Dec. 31, Korean War: June 27, 1950, through Jan. 31, Vietnam War: Aug. 5, 1964 (Feb. 28, 1961, for Veterans who served “in country” before Aug. 5, 1964), through May 7, Gulf War: Aug. 2, 1990, through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation.

Presumptive Conditions for Disability Compensation Certain veterans are eligible for disability compensation based on the presumption that their disability is service-connected Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange and Other Herbicides: Veterans Exposed to Radiation: Gulf War Veterans with Chronic Disabilities Presumptive service connection may be granted for some infectious diseases:

ALASKA NATIONAL GUARD

Reserve and National Guard Reservists who serve on active duty establish Veteran status and may be eligible for the full- range of VA benefits, depending on the length of active military service and a discharge or release from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable. In addition, reservists not activated may qualify for some VA benefits.

Reserve and National Guard continued National Guard members can establish eligibility for VA benefits if activated for federal service during a period of war or domestic emergency. Activation for other than federal service does not qualify guard members for all VA benefits. Claims for VA benefits based on federal service filed by members of the National Guard should include a copy of the military orders, presidential proclamation or executive order that clearly demonstrates the federal nature of the service.

Programs for Service- Connected Disabilities Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E): The (VR&E): Program assists Veterans who have service-connected disabilities obtain and maintain suitable employment. Independent living services are also available for severely disabled Veterans who are not currently ready to seek employment. Additional information is available on VA’s Website at

Programs for service-connected Disabilities Continued Specially Adapted Housing Grants Automobile Allowance Clothing Allowance Additional Allowances for Veterans who Need Aid and Attendance are Housebound

Education and Training Post – 9/11 GI Bill The Post- 9/11 GI Bill is a new education benefit program for service members and veterans who served on active duty on or after Sept.11, Montgomery GI Bill VA educational benefits may be used while the service member is on active duty or after the service member’s separation from active duty with a fully honorable military discharge. Discharges “under honorable conditions” and “general” discharges do not establish eligibility. *For more information visit or call www.gibill.va.gov

Home Loan Guaranty  VA home loan guaranties are issued to help eligible service members, Veterans, reservists and certain unmarried surviving spouses obtain homes, condominiums, residential cooperative housing units, and manufactured homes, and to refinance loans For additional information or to obtain VA loan guaranty forms, visit

Native American Home Loan VA has a home loan program for Native American veterans at a competitive interest rate. It's unique in two ways: It can be used only to build or buy homes on Native American Trust Land (or "Tribal Trust Land"). AND VA — not a bank— makes the loan. Even though the Native American Loan isn't a VA- Guaranteed loan, you still use entitlement when you get the loan. And, you can get all your entitlement back if, when you sell the house, you require the buyer to get his or her own loan—and you use the proceeds of the sale to pay off the VA loan.

HOME LOAN CONTACT Richard Rodriguez VA Regional Office

Special Groups of Veterans Homeless Veterans (Expedited Claims) VA’s homeless programs constitute the largest integrated network of homeless assistance programs in the country, offering a wide array of services to help Veterans recover from homelessness and live as self-sufficiently and independently as possible. The National Call Center for Homeless Veterans (NCCHV) assists homeless Veterans, at-risk Veterans, their families and other interested parties with linkages to appropriate VA and community-based resources. The call center provides trained VA staff members 24 hours a day, seven days a week that assess a caller’s needs and connect them to appropriate resources. The call center can be accessed by dialing AID VET ( ).

Incarcerated Veterans  VA benefits are affected if a beneficiary is convicted of a felony and imprisoned for more than 60 days.  Disability or death pension paid to an incarcerated beneficiary must be discontinued.  Disability compensation paid to an incarcerated veteran rated 20 percent or more disabled is limited to the 10 percent rate.  For a Veteran whose disability payable to a Veteran evaluated as 10 percent disabled. Rating is 10 percent, the payment is reduced to half of the rate.  Any amounts not paid may be apportioned to eligible dependents.  Payments are not reduced for participants in work-release programs, residing in halfway houses or under community control.

Transition Assistance Transition From Military to VA: VA has stationed personnel at major military hospitals to help seriously injured service members returning from Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) as they transition from military to civilian life. OEF/OIF service members who have questions about VA benefits or need assistance in filing a VA claim or accessing services can contact the nearest VA office or call

VA Life Insurance For complete details on government life insurance, visit the VA Internet site at or call VA’s Insurance Center toll-free at

Burial and Memorial Benefits

Burial and Memorial Benefits Burial in VA National Cemeteries Veterans discharged from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable service members who die while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, spouses and dependent children of Veterans and active duty service members may be eligible for VA burial and memorial benefits. The Veteran does not have to die before a spouse or dependent child for them to be eligible. *For more information call , or visit the Web site at

PENSION REQUIREMENTS * At least 90 days of active military service (generally, 24 months for enlistment after September 7, 1980 *At least one day of wartime service (combat service not required) *Totally and permanently disabled, or attained age 65 *Within income limits to qualify for this benefit The 90-day active service requirement does not apply to veterans with a service-connected disability justifying discharge from the military. * Additional information can be found in the Compensation and Pension Benefits section of VA’s Internet pages at

Family Income Limits (effective December 1, 2011) If you are a... Your yearly income must be less than... Veteran with no dependents$12,256 Veteran with a spouse or a child$16,051 Veterans with additional children: add $2,093 to the limit for each child) Housebound veteran with no dependents$14,978 Housebound veteran with one dependent$18,773 Veteran who needs aid and attendance and has no dependents $20,447 Veteran who needs aid and attendance and has one dependent $24,239 Note: Some income is not counted toward the yearly limit (for example, welfare benefits, some wages earned by dependent children, and Supplemental Security Income.)

HOW TO APPLY FOR PENSION  Complete VA Form EZ and Provide supporting records  Submit All documents to the nearest VA Regional Office

TIME LIMIT TO APPLY There is NO time limit to Apply for Compensation or Pension For Compensation, benefits will be paid retroactive to the date of separation/retirement if VA receives the application within one year of the separation/retirement

REVIEW VA Form EZ or Review VA Forms

eBenefits www. ebenefits.va.gov

You are Not Alone

I AM HERE FOR YOU Clarissa “I can think of no higher responsibility than ensuring that the men and women who have served our nation in uniform are treated with the care and respect that they have earned.” -Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki-

Questions?

Phone Numbers Bereavement Counseling Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA) Caregiver Support Education Federal Recovery Coordination Program Foreign Medical Program…………… …… Headstones and Markers Health Care Homeless Veterans Home Loans Life Insurance National Cemetery Scheduling Office National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Pension Management Center Presidential Memorial Certificate Program Special Health Issues Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) VA Benefits Women Veterans

WEB SITES Burial and Memorial Benefits Caregiver Support CHAMPVA Education Benefits Federal Jobs Health Care Eligibility Home Loan Guaranty Life Insurance Memorial Certificate Program Mental Health My HealtheVet…………… National Resource Directory Prosthetics……………… Record Returning Servicemembers Women Veterans VA Vet Centers……… ………..…… VA Home Page VA Benefit Payment Rates VA Forms

List of Sources  Photos by Paul Ontooguk  Fotosearch.com  Federal Benefits for Veterans Dependents and Survivors Booklet 

BENEFIT PROCESS  Complete Application –Submit supporting documents (i.e.:copies of service treatment records, DD214, private medical records, other VA Forms  Submit Applications to Alaska VA Regional Office,Service Organization or Online Application  You will be contacted by letter by the Department of Veterans Affairs –You will be notified of additional information that is needed to process your claim or you may be told that an examination will be scheduled for you.

BENEFITS PROCESS cont…  Examination(s): –Automatically given to Veterans that have recently been released from Active Duty or are within a year from their discharge. You will be contacted by C & P in regards to the scheduling of an examination. There is no cost to the veteran for this travel You are required to show up for your examination in order to move forward with your claim

BENEFITS PROCESS cont…  Medical Opinions and Examinations –A condition MUST be found in service! After reviewing service treatment records, If there is a history found in service for your condition a Medical Opinion is ordered. This will result in the Veteran being scheduled for an examination. –This generally takes longer because a thorough review of the Veterans service treatment records is required!

No Examination(s)  There will NOT be an examination scheduled for the veteran if there was no condition found in service. –(There are exceptions: Secondary conditions, within a year, etc…) ACE (Acceptable Clinical Evidence) If you have evidence of your disability and you are seeing a private provider outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs, submit this information to our office. Your claim may be decided with the evidence that you provide.

DBQ’S (Disability Benefits Questionnaires) A Veteran is able to submit VA Form Disability Benefits Questionnaire. An examination may not be given, if a Veteran submits a DBQ with his/her claim.

RATING  The Veterans claim is sent to the Rating Board  The Veteran is notified of the decision