1. Mike Franks Accredited Veterans Service Officer
Benefits for Veterans
Mike Franks Accredited Veterans Service Officer

2. Key Facts
There are 660,000 Vets in Michigan and 1/3 of these Vets served during the Vietnam Era.
Michigan Vets leave over $1.5 Billion on the table by not connecting to benefits.
That’s Federal VA money intended for the veteran or their family members.
MVAA is a resource for you to directly service your Veterans.

3. Mission
To serve as the central coordinating point, connecting those who have served in the United States Armed Forces and their families, to services and benefits throughout the State of Michigan.

4. Vision For Michigan to be the most veteran-friendly state, by:
Providing the advice and assistance veterans need as they transition through the chapters of their lives;
Creating a “no wrong door” customer service culture; and
Advocating for and on behalf of veterans and their families.

5. Benefits Counseling 5 State Veteran Service Officers
56 Veteran Services Officers sub-contracted through the veteran service organizations
County Veteran Services Offices and Counselors

6. Federal VA Benefits Disability Compensation Pension Aid & Attendance
Housebound
Education & Training
Home Loans
Health Care
Burial
Dependents and Survivors

7. Disability Compensation
Tax-free benefit for a service connected disability
Service Connected:
Any injury or disease that is caused by or aggravated by
active military service
Injury or disease that is presumed by VA to be related to
Military service
VA will rate the severity of the injury/illness 0-100%.
Rating determines amount of monthly payment
Rating can be increased, as severity of injury/illness increases

8. Presumptive Conditions
VA “presumes” that specific disabilities were caused by
Military service
Vets with 90 days or more of service:
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)/Lou Gehrig’s disease
Former POW’s, Vets exposed to Agent Orange (Vietnam Vets),
Vets exposed to Ionizing Radiation, Gulf War Veterans

9. Presumptive Conditions
Vietnam Vets (Exposed to Agent Orange)
Served in-country in Vietnam between 1/9/1962-5/7/1975
AL Amyloidosis
Chronic B-cell Leukemias
Chloracne (or similar acneform disease)
Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
Hodgkin’s Disease
Ischemic Heart Disease
Multiple Myeloma
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
1/3 of Michigan’s Vets served during the Vietnam Era, most are in their 60’s
50 changes in VA laws for Vietnam Vets in last 10 years, most happened in 2010
Common conditions are in bold
Ischemic heart disease – disease characterized by a reduced supply of blood to the heart, that leads to chest pain

10. Presumptive Conditions
Vietnam Vets (Exposed to Agent Orange)
Served in-country in Vietnam between 1/9/1962-5/7/1975
Parkinson’s Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
Prostate Cancer
Respiratory Cancers (includes lung cancer)
Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Common conditions are in bold

11. Presumptive Conditions
Gulf War Veterans (Undiagnosed Illness)
Served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War
Medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Irritable bowel syndrome
Symptoms of an undiagnosed illness such as:
Fatigue, skin symptoms, headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, neurological symptoms, respiratory symptoms, sleep disturbance, GI symptoms, cardiovascular symptoms, weight loss, menstrual disorders

12. Pension Tax-free benefit for war-time Vets with limited or no income
Age 65, or
Permanently and totally disabled due to non-service
connected cause
May qualify for additional Aid & Attendance or Housebound benefits
Income limit is $1054 single, $1381 with spouse for 2014

13. Housebound
An increased monthly pension amount paid to a claimant who is substantially confined to his or her home because of a permanent disability.
You may not receive enhanced or special monthly pension without first establishing eligibility for VA pension.
Income limit is higher.
$1288/month single, $1615 with spouse in 2014

14. Aid and Attendance
An increased monthly pension amount paid to a claimant
that:
Requires the aid of another person in order to perform activities of daily living, OR
Is bedridden, OR
Patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity, OR
Has corrected visual acuity of 5/200 or less, in both eyes, or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.
You may not receive enhanced or special monthly pension without first establishing eligibility for VA pension.
Income limit is higher.
$1758/month single, $2085 with spouse in 2014

15. Death Pension
Monthly benefit payable to low-income surviving spouse and children of a deceased Veteran with wartime service.
No disability requirement, but spouse can not be remarried.
No time limit after death to apply
Spouse may also be eligible for additional Housebound or Aid and Attendance payments.
$707/month w/o kids, $864 housebound, $1130 A&A in 2014

16. Dependency & Indemnity Compensation
Monthly benefit payable to surviving spouse and children of a
Veteran that died during active service, or from a service- disability, or had a 100% service-connected rating.
Surviving Spouse and children may also be eligible for CHAMPVA healthcare and dependents education assistance
$1233/month in 2014

17. Burial Reimbursement for funeral, burial, and transportation costs
Headstone or marker at any cemetery, or medallion for family stone
American flag to drape the casket
Presidential Memorial Certificate for next of kin
Burial in a VA national cemetery
Honor Guard services at funerals, provided by local organizations
Some Counties also provide additional burial funds for Vets
Burial rates:
s/c death $2000
NSC death $300 funeral + $734 plot + transportation

18. How do I apply? How do I apply for benefits?
Meet with an accredited Service Officer
Apply online at eBenefits.va.gov
Need Level 2 premium account
Print application forms and mail/fax to VA

19. Healthcare
Any Veteran with active military service and separated under any condition other than dishonorable may qualify for VA healthcare benefits.
If enlisted prior to 9/7/1980, only need to have served on active duty for at least 1 day.
If enlisted after 9/7/1980, must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty.
Vets must apply for enrollment. May have a co-pay, depending on income level.
Must see a VA doctor at least every 24 months to remain enrolled.
Can enroll in person, by mail/fax, or online
VA will always treat S/C conditions without co-pay

20. Healthcare Benefits of enrolling in VA healthcare:
Hearing aids, Eyeglasses, mobility devices for NO cost
(Co-pay for specialist exam may apply)
Maintenance and batteries for non-VA hearing aids
Travel Pay
Low cost Dental Insurance
Nationwide coverage – Vet can go to ANY VA medical center or clinic for care
Enrollees can receive hearing aids, glasses, mobility devices free
May be eligible for travel pay – 30% s/c, pension recipients, C&P exams

21. State Veterans Homes Grand Rapids Home for Veterans
DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans, Marquette
Vets and Spouses are eligible
Cost is based on income and assets
Volunteer Opportunities

22. Michigan Veterans Trust Fund (MVTF)
Provides emergency grants to eligible Michigan veterans and dependent family members to temporarily meet essential expenses
Applications available through your MVTF agent or county committee
Eligibility
Details:

23. www.MichiganVeterans.com 1-800-MICH-VET
Mike Franks
(616)