Federal Benefits for

Veterans, Dependents and 

Survivors

2014 Edition

Department of

Veterans Affairs

810 Vermont Ave., N.W. 

Washington, DC 20420

Cover: Uncle Sam, arguably the most popular personification of the United 

States, was created by James Flagg in 1917 based on his own appearance. 

For more information visit the Library of Congress at http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm015.html.
Phone Numbers

Bereavement Counseling..................................................1-202-461-6530

Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA)...........1-800-733-8387

Caregiver Support ........................................................... 1-855-260-3274

Debt Management Center...........................................1-800-827-0648

Education...........................................................................1-888-442-4551

Federal Recovery Coordination Program .........................1-877-732-4456

Foreign Medical Program..............................................1-888-820-1756

Headstones and Markers..................................................1-800-697-6947

Health Care.......................................................................1-877-222-8387

Homeless Veterans...........................................................1-877-424-3838

Home Loans......................................................................1-877-827-3702

Life Insurance....................................................................1-800-669-8477

National Cemetery Scheduling Office................................1-800-535-1117

Pension Management Center............................................1-877-294-6380

Presidential Memorial Certificate Program........................1-202-565-4964

Special Health Issues........................................................1-800-749-8387

Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD).................1-800-829-4833

VA Benefits........................................................................1-800-827-1000

VA Combat Call Center .............................................1-877-927-8387

Veterans Crisis Line...........................................................1-800-273-8255

Women Veterans...............................................................1-855-829-6636

Web Sites

Burial and Memorial Benefits .........................................www.cem.va.gov

Caregiver Support ................................................. www.caregiver.va.gov

CHAMPVA..............www.va.gov/hac/forbeneficiaries/forbeneficiaries.asp

eBenefits................................................................www.ebenefits.va.gov

Education Benefits.............................................www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

Environmental Exposures................www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures

Health Care Eligibility.......................................www.va.gov/healthbenefits 

Homeless Veterans........................................ www.va.gov/homeless

Home Loan Guaranty........................www.benefits.va.gov/homeloansLife 

Insurance...............................................................www.insurance.va.gov

Memorial Certificate Program...........................www.cem.va.gov/pmc.asp

Mental Health....................................................www.mentalhealth.va.gov

My HealtheVet ......................................................www.myhealth.va.gov

National Resource Directory .................................................www.nrd.gov

Prosthetics........................................................ www.prosthetics.va.gov

Records...............................www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel

Returning Servicemembers...........................................www.oefoif.va.gov

State Departments of Veterans Affairs.............www.va.gov/statedva.htm

Women Veterans..................................................www.va.gov/womenvet/

VA Vet Centers......................................................www.vetcenter.va.gov

VA Home Page........................................................................www.va.gov

VA Benefit Payment Rates...........................www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/rates

VA Forms...................................................................www.va.gov/vaforms

Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment......www. benefits.va.gov/vocrehab
U.S. GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL EDITION NOTICE

Use of ISBN This is the official U.S. government edition 

of this publication and is herein identified to 

certify its authenticity. Use of the 0-16 ISBN 

prefix is for U.S. Government Printing Office 

Official Editions only. The Superintendent of 

Documents of the U.S. Government Printing Office requests that any reprinted edition 

clearly be labeled as a copy of the authentic 

work with a new ISBN. 

Legal Status and Use of Seals and Logos

The seal of the Department of Veterans Affairs authenticates the 2014 edition of Federal Benefits for 

Veterans, Dependents and Survivors as the official 

summary of benefits that have been separately promulgated under Federal regulations established under 

Register Act. Under the provisions of 38 Code of Federal Regulations 1.9(f), it is prohibited to use the official seal, replicas, reproductions, or embossed seals of the Department of Veterans Affairs on 

any republication of this material without the express, written permission of the Secretary or Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Any 

person using official seals and logos of the Department of Veterans 

Affairs in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of 38 Code of 

Federal Regulations 1.9 may be subject to the penalties specified in 

18 United States Code 506, 701, or 1017 as applicable. 

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office

Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512-1800; DC area (202) 512-1800

Fax: (202) 512-2104 Mail: Stop IDCC, Washington, DC 20401

978-0-16-092508-5
Contents

Chapter 1: VA Health Care Benefits 1

Chapter 2: Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities 34

 

Chapter 3: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment 42

Chapter 4: VA Pensions 49

Chapter 5: Education and Training 52

Chapter 6: Home Loan Guaranty 61

Chapter 7: VA Life Insurance 73

Chapter 8: Burial and Memorial Benefits 80

Chapter 9: Reserve and National Guard 87

Chapter 10: Special Groups of Veterans 95

Chapter 11: Transition Assistance 103

Chapter 12: Dependents and Survivors Health Care 112

Chapter 13: Dependents and Survivors Benefits 116

Chapter 14: Appeals of VA Claims Decisions 125

Chapter 15: Military Medals and Records 127

Chapter 16: Other Federal Benefits 131

VA Facilities 138
Introduction

Veterans of the United States armed forces may be eligible for a 

broad range of benefits and services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Some of these benefits may be utilized 

while on active duty. These benefits are codified in Title 38 of the 

United States Code. This booklet contains a summary of these 

benefits effective Jan. 1, 2014. For additional information, visit www.

va.gov/. 

La versión en español de este folleto se encuentra disponible en 

formato Adobe Acrobat a través de el link: http://www.va.gov/opa/

publications/benefits_book/federal_benefits_spanish.pdf 

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. 

Dishonorable and bad conduct discharges issued by general courtsmartial may bar VA benefits. Veterans in prison must contact VA to 

determine eligibility. VA benefits will not be provided to any Veteran 

or dependent wanted for an outstanding felony warrant. 

Certain VA Benefits Require Wartime Service: under the law, VA 

recognizes these periods of war:

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, 1918.

World War II: Dec. 7, 1941, through Dec. 31, 1946.
Korean War: June 27, 1950, through Jan. 31, 1955.

Vietnam War: Aug. 5, 1964 (Feb. 28, 1961, for Veterans who served 

“in country” before Aug. 5, 1964), through May 7, 1975.

Gulf War: Aug. 2, 1990, through a date to be set.

Important Documents 

In order to expedite benefits delivery, Veterans seeking a VA benefit 

for the first time must submit a copy of their service discharge form 

(DD-214, DD-215, or for World War II Veterans, a WD form), which 

documents service dates and type of discharge, or provides full 

name, military service number, and branch and dates of service. 

The Veteran’s service discharge form should be kept in a safe location accessible to the Veteran and next of kin or designated representative. 

The following documents will be needed for claims processing related to a Veteran’s death: 

1. Veteran’s marriage certificate for claims of a surviving spouse 

 or children.

2. Veteran’s death certificate if the Veteran did not die in a VA 

 health care facility.

3. Children’s birth certificates or adoption papers to determine 

 children’s benefits.

4. Veteran’s birth certificate to determine parents’ benefits.

eBenefits

eBenefits is a joint VA/Department of Defense (DoD) Web portal that 

provides resources and self-service capabilities to Servicemembers, 

Veterans, and their families to apply, research, access, and manage 

their VA and military benefits and personal information through a 

secure Internet connection. 

Through eBenefits Veterans can: apply for benefits, view their disability compensation claim status, access official military personnel 

documents (e.g., DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge 

from Active Duty), transfer entitlement of Post-9/11 GI Bill to eligible 

dependents (Servicemembers only), obtain a VA-guaranteed home 

loan Certificate of Eligibility, and register for and update direct depos-
it information for certain benefits. New features are added regularly.

Accessing eBenefits: The portal is located at www.ebenefits.

va.gov. Servicemembers or Veterans must register for an eBenefits

account at one of two levels: Basic or Premium. A Premium account

allows the user to access personal data in VA and DoD systems, as

well as apply for benefits online, check the status of claims, update

address records, and more. The Basic account allows access to

information entered into eBenefits by the Servicemember or Veteran

only. Basic accounts limit the self-service features that can be accessed in eBenefits.

In order to register for an eBenefits account, Veterans must be listed

in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and

first obtain a DoD Self Service (DS) Logon. Servicemembers can 

access eBenefits with a DS Logon or Common Access Card (CAC). 

They can choose from two levels of registration: DS Logon Level 1 

(Basic) and DS Logon Level 2 (Premium). Note: If Veterans attempt 

to register and they are informed they have no DEERS record, VA 

will first need to verify their military service and add them to DEERS. 

All VA regional offices have staff familiar with the procedures for adding a Veteran to DEERS.

A DS Logon is an identity (user name and password) that is used by

various DoD and VA Websites, including eBenefits. Those registered

in DEERS are eligible for a DS Logon. A DS Logon is valid for the

rest of your life.

Identity verification: Many people will be able to verify their identity

online by answering a few security questions. A few may need to visit

a VA regional office or TRICARE Service Center to have their identities verified. Servicemembers may verify their identity online by using

their CAC.

Military retirees may verify their identity online using their Defense

Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) Logon. Veterans in receipt

of VA benefits via direct deposit may have their identity verified by

calling 1-800-827-1000 and selecting option 7. Others may need to 

visit a VA regional office or TRICARE Service Center to have their 

identities verified in person. 

 
Abbreviations

ALS – Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

CHAMPVA – Civilian Health and Medical Program of VA

CLC – Community Living Center

C&P – Compensation and Pension

COE – Certificate of Eligibility

CRDP – Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments

CRSC – Combat-Related Special Compensation

CWT – Compensated Work Therapy

CZTE – Combat Zone Tax Exclusion

DIC – Dependency and Indemnity Compensation

DoD -- Department of Defense 

FHA – Federal Housing Administration

FSGLI – Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance

HUD – Department of Housing and Urban Development

IRR – Individual Ready Reserve

MGIB – Montgomery GI Bill

MIA – Missing in Action

NPRC – National Personnel Records Center

NSLI – National Service Life Insurance

OEF – Operation Enduring Freedom

OIF – Operation Iraqi Freedom

OND – Operation New Dawn

OPM – Office of Personnel Management

POW -- Prisoner of War

PTSD – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

SAH – Specially Adapted Housing

SBA – Small Business Administration

S-DVI – Service-Disabled Veterans’ Insurance

SGLI – Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance

SSB – Special Separation Benefits 

TAP – Transition Assistance Program

TSGLI – Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection

USCIS – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

USDA – U.S. Department of Agriculture

VA – Department of Veterans Affairs

VEAP – Veterans Educational Assistance Program

VEOA – Veterans’ Employment Opportunities Act

VGLI – Veterans’ Group Life Insurance

VHA – Veterans Health Administration

VMET – Verification of Military Experience and Training

VMLI – Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance

VR&E – Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

VSI – Voluntary Separation Incentive

WAAC – Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps

WASPs – Women Air Force Service Pilots
1 VA Health Care Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Health Care Benefits

VA operates the nation’s largest integrated health care system with 

more than 1,700 sites of care, including hospitals, community clinics, 

community living centers, domiciliaries, Vet Centers, and various 

other facilities. For additional information on VA health care, visit: 

www.va.gov/health. 

Basic Eligibility

A person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and 

who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable may qualify for VA health care benefits. Reservists and 

National Guard members may also qualify for VA health care benefits if they were called to active duty (other than for training only) by 

a Federal order and completed the full period for which they were 

called or ordered to active duty. 

Minimum Duty Requirements: Veterans who enlisted after Sept. 

7, 1980, or who entered active duty after Oct. 16, 1981, must have 

served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were 

called to active duty in order to be eligible. This minimum duty requirement may not apply to Veterans discharged for hardship, early 

out or a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.

Enrollment

For most Veterans, entry into VA health care system begins by applying for enrollment. Veterans can now apply and submit their application for enrollment (VA Form 1010EZ), online at www.1010ez.med.

va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/. If assistance is needed while completing the 

on-line enrollment form, an online chat representative is available to 

answer questions Monday - Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 pm EST. 

Veterans can also enroll by calling 1-877-222-VETS (8387) Monday 

through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ESTS, or at any VA health care facility or VA regional office. Once enrolled, Veterans can receive health 

care at VA health care facilities anywhere in the country. 

Veterans enrolled in VA health care system are afforded privacy 
Chapter 1 VA Health Care 2 

rights under federal law. VA’s Notice of Privacy Practices, which describes how VA may use and disclose Veterans’ medical information, 

is also available on line at www.va.gov/vhapublications/viewpublication.asp?pub_ID=1089 

The following four categories of Veterans are not required to enroll, 

but are urged to do so to permit better planning of health resources: 

1. Veterans with a service-connected disability of 50 percent or

 more.

2. Veterans seeking care for a disability the military determined 

 was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, but which VA

 has not yet rated, within 12 months of discharge.

3. Veterans seeking care for a service-connected disability only. 

4. Veterans seeking registry examinations (Ionizing Radiation,

 Agent Orange, Gulf War/Operation Enduring Freedom/

 Operation Iraqi Freedom/ Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIFOND) 

 depleted uranium, airborne hazards and Airborne Hazards and 

 Open Burn Pit Registry)..

Priority Groups

During enrollment, each Veteran is assigned to a priority group. VA 

uses priority groups to balance demand for VA health care enrollment with resources. Changes in available resources may reduce 

the number of priority groups VA can enroll. If this occurs, VA will 

publicize the changes and notify affected enrollees. A description of 

priority groups follows:

Group 1: Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 50 percent or more and/or Veterans determined by VA to be unemployable 

due to service-connected conditions.

Group 2: Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 30 or 40 

percent.

Group 3:

Veterans who are former prisoners of war (POWs).

Veterans awarded the Purple Heart medal. 

Veterans awarded the Medal of Honor. 

Veterans whose discharge was for a disability incurred or 

aggravated in the line of duty. 

Veterans with VA service-connected disabilities rated 10 percent

or 20 percent. 
3 VA Health Care Chapter 1

Veterans awarded special eligibility classification under Title 38, 

U.S.C., § 1151, “benefits for individuals disabled by treatment or 

vocational rehabilitation.” 

Group 4:

Veterans receiving increased compensation or pension based 

on their need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of 

being permanently housebound. 

Veterans determined by VA to be catastrophically disabled. 

Group 5:

Nonservice-connected Veterans and noncompensable serviceconnected Veterans rated 0 percent, whose annual income and/

or net worth are not greater than VA financial thresholds. 

Veterans receiving VA Pension benefits. 

Veterans eligible for Medicaid benefits. 

Group 6: 

Compensable 0 percent service-connected Veterans. 

Veterans exposed to ionizing radiation during atmospheric 

testing or during the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 

Project 112/SHAD participants. 

Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between Jan. 9, 

1962 and May 7, 1975. 

Veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations 

from Aug. 2, 1990, through Nov. 11, 1998. 

Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations after 

Nov.11, 1998, as follows: 

Veterans discharged from active duty on or after Jan. 28, 2003, 

for five years post discharge; 

Veterans who served on active duty at Camp Lejeune, N.C., for no 

fewer than 30 days beginning Jan. 1, 1957 and ending Dec. 31, 

1987.

Group 7:

Veterans with incomes below the geographic means test income 

thresholds and who agree to pay the applicable copayment.

Group 8: 

Veterans with gross household incomes above VA national 

income threshold and the geographically-adjusted income 

threshold for their resident location and who agrees to pay 
Chapter 1 VA Health Care 4 

copayments. Veterans eligible for enrollment: Noncompensable 

0-percent service-connected:

Subpriority a: Enrolled as of Jan. 16, 2003, and who have remained enrolled since that date and/ or placed in this subpriority 

due to changed eligibility status. 

Subpriority b: Enrolled on or after June 15, 2009 whose income 

exceeds the current VA national income thresholds or VA 

national geographic income thresholds by 10 percent or less 

Veterans eligible for enrollment: nonservice-connected and

Subpriority c: Enrolled as of Jan. 16, 2003, and who remained 

enrolled since that date and/ or placed in this subpriority due to 

changed eligibility status 

Subpriority d: Enrolled on or after June 15, 2009 whose income 

exceeds the current VA national income thresholds or VA 

national geographic income thresholds by 10 percent or less 

Veterans NOT eligible for enrollment: Veterans not meeting the 

criteria above:

Subpriority e: Noncompensable 0 percent service-connected 

Subpriority f: Nonservice-connected 

VA’s income thresholds change annually and current levels can be 

located at: http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/cost/income_thresholds.

asp. 

Recently Discharged Combat Veterans

Veterans, including activated reservists and members of the National 

Guard, are eligible for the enhanced combat Veteran benefits if they 

served on active duty in a theater of combat operations after Nov. 

11, 1998, and have been discharged under other than dishonorable 

conditions.

Combat Veterans discharged from active duty on or after Jan. 28, 

2003, are eligible for enhanced enrollment placement into Priority 

Group 6 (unless eligible for higher enrollment Priority Group placement) for five years post discharge and are eligible to receive VA 

health care and medication at no cost for any condition that may be 

related to their combat service.

Veterans who enroll with VA under this combat Veteran authority 

will remain enrolled even after their five-year post discharge period 
5 VA Health Care Chapter 1

ends. At the end of their post discharge period, VA will reassess the 

Veteran’s information (including all applicable eligibility factors) and 

make a new enrollment decision. For additional information, call 

1-877-222-VETS (8387), Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. 

and 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. 

Special Access to Care

Service-disabled Veterans: who are rated by VA as 50 percent or 

more disabled from service-connected conditions, unemployable due 

to service-connected conditions, or receiving care for a service-connected disability receive priority in scheduling of hospital or outpatient medical appointments. 

Women Veterans

Women Veterans are eligible for the same VA benefits as male 

Veterans. Comprehensive health services are available to women 

Veterans including primary care, specialty care, mental health care, 

residential treatment and reproductive health care services

VA provides management of acute and chronic illnesses, preventive 

care, contraceptive and gynecology services, menopause management, and cancer screenings, including pap smears and mammograms. Maternity care is covered in the Medical Benefits package. 

Women Veterans can receive maternity care from an OB/GYN, 

family practitioner, or certified nurse midwife who provides pregnancy 

care. 

VA covers the costs of care for newborn children of women Veterans 

for seven days after birth. Infertility evaluation and limited treatments 

are also available. Women Veterans Program Managers are available at all VA facilities to assist women Veterans in their health care 

and benefits. For more information, visit http://www.womenshealth.

va.gov/.

Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Veterans

LGBT Veterans are eligible for the same VA benefits as any other 

Veteran and will be treated in a welcoming environment. Comprehensive health services are available to LGBT Veterans including 

primary care, specialty care, mental health care, residential treatment and reproductive health care services. VA provides management of acute and chronic illnesses, preventive care, contraceptive 

and gynecology services, menopause management, and cancer 
Chapter 1 VA Health Care 6 

screenings. 

Transgender Veterans will be treated based upon their self-identified gender, including room assignments in residential and inpatient settings. Eligible transgender Veterans can receive cross-sex 

hormone therapy, gender dysphoria counseling, preoperative evaluations, as well as post-operative and long-term care following sex 

reassignment surgeries. 

Same-Sex Couples:VA launched a new website to inform Veterans 

and beneficiaries of the recent changes in the law and procedures 

involving same-sex marriages. The new website provides important 

information to help Veterans and beneficiaries understand the eligibility requirements under federal law and VA regulations, and answers 

frequently asked questions. Veterans can learn more about VA’s 

guidance regarding same-sex marriages at http://www.va.gov/opa/

marriage/ or by reaching out to VA call centers at 1-800-827-1000.

Military Sexual Trauma

Military sexual trauma (MST) is the term that the Department of Veterans Affairs uses to refer to sexual assault or repeated, threatening 

sexual harassment that occurred while a Veteran was serving on active duty (or active duty for training if the service was in the National 

Guard or Reserves). VA health care professionals provide counseling 

and treatment to help Veterans overcome health issues related to 

MST. Veterans who are not otherwise eligible for VA health care may 

still receive these services. Appropriate services are provided for any 

injury, illness or psychological condition related to such trauma. For 

additional information visit: http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/msthome.

asp 

Presumptive Eligibility for Psychosis and Other Mental Illness

Certain Veterans who experienced psychosis within a specified timeframe are to have their psychosis presumed to be service-connected 

for purposes of VA medical benefits. In addition, VA will presume 

that Persian Gulf War Veterans are service-connected for purposes 

of VA medical benefits if such Veterans develop mental illness other 

than psychosis within two years after discharge or release from 

service and before the end of the 2-year period beginning on the last 

day of the Persian Gulf War. Under this authority Veterans who are 

not otherwise eligible for VA health care and meet the description 

stated can receive treatment only for psychosis or mental illness and 
7 VA Health Care Chapter 1

other conditions directly related to psychosis or mental illness at no 

cost. 

Psychosis: Eligibility for treatment of psychosis, and such condition 

is exempted from copayments for any Veteran who served in the 

United States active duty military, naval, or air service and developed 

such psychosis within two years after discharge or release from the 

active military duty, naval or air service; and before the following date 

associated with the war or conflict in which the Veteran served:

Veteran Served During Date: 

World War II July 26, 1949 

Korean Conflict February 1, 1957 

Vietnam Era May 8, 1977 

Persian Gulf War Date to be determined

Mental Illness (other than Psychosis). Eligibility for benefits is established for treatment of an active mental illness (other than psychosis), and such condition is exempted from copayments for any 

Veteran of the Persian Gulf War who developed such mental illness: 

a. Within two years after discharge or release from the active 

 duty military, naval, or air service; and 

b. Before the end of the two-year period beginning on the last 

 day of the Persian Gulf War (end date not yet determined).

Veterans with Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders

There are 24 VA-operated Spinal Cord Injury Centers (SCI) that 

provide services for Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D). Comprehensive rehabilitation, SCI/D specialty care, 

medical, surgical, primary, preventive, psychological, respite, and 

home care are provided at these centers by interdisciplinary teams 

which include physicians, nurses, therapists (physical, occupational, 

kinesiotherapists, therapeutic recreation), psychologists, social workers, vocational counselors, dieticians, respiratory therapy, and other 

specialists as needed. 

There are five SCI centers that provide long-term care for Veterans 

with SCI/D. In VA facilities that do not have SCI centers, there is 

a designated team that consists of a physician, nurse, and social 

worker to address primary care needs for Veterans with SCI/D and to 

make referrals to SCI Centers. These SCI Centers and the teams in 

facilities that do not have centers, comprise VA SCI System of Care. 
Chapter 1 VA Health Care 8 

Some of the services provided in this system of care include rehabilitation, prosthetics and durable medical equipment, orthotics, sensory 

aids, assistive technology, environmental modifications, telehealth, 

ventilator weaning and care, chronic pain management, mental 

health treatment, drivers training, peer counseling, substance abuse 

treatment, vocational counseling, and caregiver training and support. 

There is a long-standing memorandum of agreement between VA 

and the Department of Defense (DoD) to provide specialized care 

at VA medical facilities for Active Duty Servicemembers who have 

sustained a spinal cord injury. Ongoing collaboration and education 

between VA and DoD ensures continuity of care and services. 

For more information about SCI/D care and the eligibility requirements for the above benefits and services, contact your local VA 

SCI/D Center and/or visit http://www.sci.va.gov.

OEF/OIF/OND Care Management 

Each VA medical center has an Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) Care 

Management team in place to coordinate patient care activities and 

ensure that Servicemembers and Veterans are receiving patient-centered, integrated care and benefits. All OEF/OIF/OND era Veterans 

are screened for the need for case management services to identify 

Veterans who may be at risk so VA can intervene early and provide 

assistance. More information for connecting with OEF/OIF/OND Care 

Management teams can be found at www.oefoif.va.gov 

Health Care Law

The Affordable Care Act, also known as the health care law, was 

created to expand access to affordable health care coverage, lower 

costs, and improve quality and care coordination. Under the law, 

people will:

• have health coverage that meets a minimum standard (called 

minimum essential coverage) by Jan.1, qualify for an 

exemption; or pay a fee when filing their taxes if they have 

affordable options but remain uninsured. 

Key Information for Veterans about the Health Care Law

• VA wants all Veterans to get health care that improves their 

 health and well-being.

• Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care don’t need to take 

 additional steps to meet the health care law coverage 
9 VA Health Care Chapter 1

 standards.

• The health care law does not change VA health benefits or 

 Veterans’ out-of-pocket costs.

• Veterans who are not enrolled in VA health care can apply at 

 any time.

For additional information about the VA and the health care law, visit 

www.va.gov/aca call 1-877-222-VETS (8387).

Financial Assessment

Most Veterans not receiving VA disability compensation or pension 

payments must provide a financial assessment, also known as a 

means test, upon initial application to determine whether they are 

below VA income thresholds. VA is currently not enrolling new applicants who decline to provide financial information unless they have a 

special eligibility factor exempting them from disclosure. VA’s income 

thresholds are located at: www.va.gov/healtheligibility/Library/AnnualThresholds.asp

The financial assessment includes all household income and net 

worth, including Social Security, retirement pay, unemployment insurance, interest and dividends, workers’ compensation, black lung benefits and any other income. Also considered are assets such as the 

market value of property that is not the primary residence, stocks, 

bonds, notes, individual retirement accounts, bank deposits, savings 

accounts and cash. 

Beginning in 2014, VA will no longer require enrolled non-service 

connected and 0 percent noncompensable service connected Veterans to provide their financial information annually. A means test will 

continue to be collected from Veterans at the time of application for 

enrollment. In lieu of the annual financial reporting, VA will confirm 

the Veteran’s financial information using information obtained from 

the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration.

Medical Services and Medication Copayments

Some Veterans are required to make copayments (copays) to receive VA health care and/or medications.

Inpatient Care: Priority Group 7 and certain other Veterans are 

responsible for paying 20 percent of VA’s inpatient copay, which 

totals $243.20 for the first 90 days of inpatient hospital care during 
Chapter 1 VA Health Care 10 

any 365-day period. For each additional 90-day period, the charge is 

$121.60. In addition, there is a $2 per diem charge. Copay amounts 

may change on an annual basis.

Priority Group 8 and certain other Veterans are responsible for VA’s 

inpatient copay , which totals $1,216 for the first 90 days of care 

during any 365-day period. For each additional 90-day period, the 

charge is $ 608. In addition, there is a $10 per diem charge. Copay 

amounts may change on an annual basis. 

Extended Care Services: Veterans may be subject to a copay for 

extended care services. The copay amount is based on the Veteran’s 

available resources and is determined by a calculation using the financial information from VA Form 10-10EC, Application for Extended 

Care Services. The copay can range from $0 to a maximum copay 

amount of $97 a day.

Note: VA social workers or case managers will counsel Veterans 

or their family representatives on the potential copay amounts for 

extended care services. Veterans determined to be catastrophically disabled are exempt from copays applicable to the receipt of 

non-institutional respite care, non-institutional geriatric evaluation, 

non-institutional adult day health care, homemaker/home health 

aide, purchase skilled home care, home-based primary care, hospice 

services and any other non-institutional alternative extended care 

services. Copayments for other extended care services not mentioned (e.g. Nursing Home Care) may be subject to copays. 

Outpatient Care: While many Veterans qualify for free health care 

services based on a VA compensable service-connected condition or 

other qualifying factor, most Veterans are asked to provide a financial 

assessment, to determine if they qualify for free services. Veterans 

whose income exceeds the established VA Income Thresholds as 

well as those who choose not to complete the financial assessment 

must agree to pay required copays to become eligible for VA health 

care services.

Primary Care Services: $15 

Specialty Care Services: $50 

NOTE: The copay amount is limited to a single charge per visit regardless of the number of health care providers seen in a single day. 

The copay amount is based on the highest level of clinical service 
11 VA Health Care Chapter 1

received. 

Outpatient Visits Not Requiring Copays: Certain services are not 

charged a copay. Copays do not apply to publicly announced VA 

health fairs or outpatient visits solely for preventive screening and/

or vaccinations, such as vaccinations for influenza and pneumococcal, or screening for hypertension, hepatitis B, tobacco, alcohol, 

hyperlipidemia, breast cancer, cervical cancer, Human papillomavirus (HPV), colorectal cancer by fecal occult blood testing, education 

about the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening, HIV testing 

and prevention counseling (including the distribution of condoms), 

and weight reduction or smoking cessation counseling (individual 

and group). Laboratory, flat plain film radiology, electrocardiograms, 

and hospice care and in-home video telehealth are also exempt from 

copays. While hepatitis C screening and HIV testing and counseling 

are exempt, medical care for HIV and hepatitis C are NOT exempt 

from copays. 

Medication Copays: While many Veterans are exempt for medication copays, nonservice-connected Veterans in Priority Groups 7 

and 8 are charged $9 for each 30-day or less supply of medication 

provided on an outpatient basis for the treatment of a nonserviceconnected condition. Veterans enrolled in Priority Groups 2 through 

6 are charged $8 for each 30-day or less supply of medication; the 

maximum copay for medications that will be charged in calendar 

year 2013 is $960 for nonservice-connected medications. 

NOTE: Copays apply to prescription and over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin, cough syrup or vitamins, dispensed by a VA 

pharmacy. Copays are not charged for medical supplies, such as 

syringes or alcohol wipes. Copays do not apply to condoms.

Health Savings Accounts (HSA) can be utilized to make VA copayments. HSAs are usually linked to High Deductible Health Plans 

(HDHPs).

Private Health Insurance Billing

VA is required to bill private health insurance providers for medical

care, supplies and medications provided for treatment of Veterans’

nonservice-connected conditions. Generally, VA cannot bill Medicare,

but can bill Medicare supplemental health insurance and/or TRICARE for Life (TFL) for covered
Chapter 1 VA Health Care 12 

services. VA is authorized to bill and accept reimbursement from

High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) for care provided for nonservice-connected conditions.VA may also accept reimbursement from

Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) for care provided for

nonservice-connected conditions.

Release of Information (ROI) for Sensitive Diagnosis

An ROI authorization form VAF 10-5345 is a VA standard form used 

to obtain authorization to release sensitive (protected) health information to an insurance company for purposes of reimbursement.. 

Veterans/patients who were treated or offered treatment for a sensitive condition of drug abuse, alcohol abuse or alcoholism, HIV testing 

or treatment, and sickle cell anemia or trait must provide written authorization to allow VA to release their sensitive information to a third 

party (insurance company).

NOTE: Any non-service connected care provided by the VA that 

has a sensitive diagnosis cannot be billed to the Veteran’s third party 

health insurance without a signed release of information (ROI) by 

the Veteran. The Veteran is either co-pay exempt or co-pay required 

based upon their means test and/or eligibility. If the Veteran does 

not sign the ROI form permitting VA to bill his/her insurance and is 

also in a required co-pay status, then the Veteran will be responsible 

for their entire co-pay amount because VA is not able to offset the 

Veteran’s account dollar for dollar based on what the insurance company would have reimbursed.

Reimbursement of Travel Costs

Eligible Veterans and non-veterans may be provided mileage reimbursement or, when medically indicated, special mode transport (e.g. 

wheelchair van, ambulance) when travel is in relation to VA medical 

care. 

Mileage reimbursement is 41.5 cents per mile and is subject to a 

deductible of $3 for each one-way trip and $6 for a round trip; with 

a maximum deductible of $18 or the amount after six one-way trips 

(whichever occurs first) per calendar month. 

The deductible may be waived when travel is; in relation to a VA 

compensation or pension examination; by a special mode of transportation; by an eligible non-Veteran; will cause a severe financial 

hardship, as defined by current regulatory guidelines.
13 VA Health Care Chapter 1

Eligibility: The following are eligible for VA travel benefits:

Veterans rated 30 percent or more service-connected.

Veterans traveling for treatment of service-connected.

conditions.

Veterans who receive a VA pension.

Veterans traveling for scheduled compensation or pension.

examinations.

Veterans whose income does not exceed the maximum. 

annual VA pension rate.

Veterans in certain emergency situations.

Veterans whose medical condition requires a special mode of 

transportation and travel is pre-authorized. (Advanced 

authorization is not required in an emergency and a delay 

would be hazardous to life or health). 

Certain non-Veterans when related to care of a Veteran

(caregivers, attendants, donors and other claimants subject to 

current regulatory guidelines)

Beneficiary travel fraud can take money out of the pockets of deserving Veterans. Inappropriate uses of beneficiary travel benefits 

include: incorrect addresses provided resulting in increased mileage; driving/riding together and making separate claims; and taking 

no cost transportation, such as DAV, and making claims. Veterans 

making false statements for beneficiary travel reimbursement may be 

prosecuted under applicable laws.

Reporting Fraud: Help VA’s Secretary ensure integrity by reporting 

suspected fraud, waste or abuse in VA programs or operations.

Report fraud to:

VA Inspector General Hotline 

P.O. Box 50410

Washington, DC 20091-0410

E-mail: vaoighotline@va.gov

VAOIG hotline 1-800-488-8244

Fax: (202) 565-7936

VA Medical Programs

Veteran Health Registries 

Certain Veterans can participate in a VA health registry and receive 

free evaluations. These evaluations include a medical history, physical exam, and if deemed necessary by the clinician, laboratory tests 
Chapter 1 VA Health Care 14 

or other studies. VA maintains health registries to provide special 

health evaluations and health-related information. To participate, 

contact the Environmental Health Coordinator at the nearest VA 

health care facility or visit www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures to see 

a directory which lists Environmental Health Coordinators by state 

and U.S. territory. Veterans should be aware that a health registry 

evaluation is not a disability compensation exam. A registry evaluation does not start a claim for compensation and is not required for 

any VA benefits. 

Gulf War Registry: For Veterans who served on active military 

duty in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War, which began in 1990 

and continues to the present, and includes Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation New Dawn (OND). The Gulf War registry 

was designed to identify possible health effects resulting from U.S. 

military personnel service in certain areas of Southwest Asia. Potential exposures include endemic infectious diseases and hazardous 

occupational or environmental exposures, including heavy metals, 

air pollutants (particulate matter and gases such as nitrogen oxides, 

carbon monoxide sulfur oxides, and hydrocarbons).

Depleted Uranium Registries: Depleted uranium (DU) is uranium 

left over after most of the more radioactive U-235 isotope has been 

removed. DU possesses about 60 percent of the radioactivity of 

naturally occurring uranium; it is a radiation hazard only in very 

large exposures for prolonged time. DU has some chemical toxicity 

related to being a heavy metal (similar to lead) which occurs at lower 

doses and is the main concern for Veterans with embedded DU fragments.

Veterans who are identified by the DoD or have concerns about possible depleted uranium (DU) exposure are eligible for a DU evaluation at their local facility. 

Embedded Fragment Registry: OEF, OIF, and OND Veterans 

who have or likely have an embedded fragment as the result of an 

injury they received while serving in an area of conflict are eligible for 

inclusion into the Embedded Fragment Registry. This registry was 

designed to identify track and conduct long-term medical surveillance 

of Veterans who potentially have embedded fragments. Clinical data 

captured in the Embedded Fragment Registy will be used to help develop medical and surgical guidelines to allow VA clinicians to deliver 
15 VA Health Care Chapter 1

appropriate medical care to these Veterans

Agent Orange Registry: Agent Orange is an herbicide the U.S. 

military used between 1962 and 1971 during the Vietnam War to remove jungle that provided enemy cover. Veterans serving in Vietnam 

were possibly exposed to Agent Orange or its dioxin contaminant. 

Veterans eligible for this registry evaluation are those who served 

on the ground in Vietnam between Jan. 9,1962, and May 7,1975, regardless of the length of service; this includes Veterans who served 

aboard boats that operated on inland waterways (“Brown Water 

Navy”) or who made brief visits ashore. 

Other Veterans with possible exposure who are eligible include those 

who served: along the demilitarized zone in Korea (between Apr. 1, 

1968 and Aug. 31, 1971), on certain bases or in certain units in Thailand (between Feb. 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975), or on certain U.S. 

bases or locations in other countries where Agent Orange or other 

herbicides were tested or stored. 

VA maintains a DoD-provided list of locations and dates where Agent 

Orange or other herbicides were tested or stored at military bases in 

the U.S. or locations in other countries at www.publichealth.va.gov/

exposures. For sites not listed, the Veteran should provide some 

proof of exposure to obtain a registry evaluation. Information is also 

available through VA’s Special Issues Helpline at 1-800-749-8387.

Ionizing Radiation Registry: For Veterans who have received 

nasopharyngeal (nose and throat) radium irradiation treatments while 

on active duty and Veterans possibly exposed to radiation during the 

following “radiation-risk activities:” 

On-site participation in:

• An atmospheric detonation of a nuclear device, whether or not 

the testing nation was the United States; 

• Occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki from Aug. 6, 1945, 

 through July 1, 1946; or 

• Internment as a POW in Japan during World War II, which VA 

 determines resulted in an opportunity for exposure to ionizing 

 radiation comparable to that of Veterans involved in the 

 occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki, or service at 

• Department of Energy gaseous diffusion plants at Paducah, 

Ky.; Portsmouth, Ohio; or the K-25 area at Oak Ridge, Tenn., for 
Chapter 1 VA Health Care 16 

at least 250 days before Feb. 1, 1992, if the Veteran was 

monitored for each of the 250 days using dosimetry badges to 

monitor radiation to external body parts; or

• Amchitka Island, Alaska, before Jan. 1, 1974, if the Veteran 

served for at least 250 days in a position that had exposures 

comparable to a job that was monitored using dosimetry badges 

in proximity to Longshot, Milrow, or Cannikin underground 

nuclear tests.

Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry: 

Participation in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry 

is voluntary and open to any Veteran or active-duty Servicemember who served in one or more of the following locations during 

eligible timeframes: OEF/OIF/ON: Djibouti, Africa after Sept.11, 

2001;, Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm;, or the Southwest 

Asia theater of operations after Aug. 2, 1990. The Southwest Asia 

theater of operations includes Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Gulf of 

Aden, Gulf of Oman, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, waters of 

the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, and the Red Sea. Eligible Servicemembers and Veterans can enroll in the registry by completing a 

web-based self-assessment questionnaire. Veterans will be asked 

about deployments, environmental and work-related exposures, 

health care usage, and current health. Unlike other registries, when 

Veterans complete the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry self-assessment questionnaire via the internet, they are in the 

registry. No in-person medical evaluation is required to become 

registered. However, Veteran participants are eligible for an optional 

no-cost medical evaluation from VA. Participants already enrolled in 

VA health care should contact their primary care provider or Patient 

Aligned Care Team (PACT) to schedule an evaluation. Veterans not 

already enrolled in VA health care should contact an Environmental 

Health Coordinator at a nearby VA facility by visiting the following 

link: (http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp) or 

calling 1-877-222-8387.

Vet Center Readjustment Counseling Services

VA provides readjustment counseling services, to include direct 

counseling, outreach, and referral, through 300 community-based 

Vet Centers located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, 

Puerto Rico, and American Samoa.

Eligibility: Veterans and active-duty Servicemembers, to include 
17 VA Health Care Chapter 1

federally-activated members of the National Guard and Reserve 

components, are eligible to receive readjustment counseling services 

at a Vet Center if they:

• Have served on active military duty in any combat theater or 

area of hostility such as World War II, the Korean War, the 

Vietnam War, the Gulf War, or the campaigns in Lebanon, 

Grenada, Panama, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and

Iraq;

• Experienced a military sexual trauma while serving on active

military duty;

• Provided direct emergent medical care or mortuary services, 

while serving on active military duty, to the casualties of war;

• Served as a member of an unmanned aerial vehicle crew that 

provided direct support to operations in a combat zone or area of 

hostility; or

• Are Veterans who served in the active military during the 

Vietnam-era, but not in the Republic of Vietnam, and have 

requested services at a Vet Center before January 1, 2004. 

Vet Center readjustment counseling services are free to the eligible 

Veterans and their family without time limitations. Servicemembers 

and Veterans are not required to enroll in the VA health care system or have received a service connection for conditions caused by 

military service. These services are also provided regardless of the 

nature of the Veteran’s discharge. This includes service provision to 

those individuals with problematic discharges.

Services Offered: Vet Center counselors provide individual, group, 

marriage, and family readjustment counseling to those individuals 

that have served in combat zones or areas of hostilities to assist 

them in making a successful transition from military to civilian life; 

to include treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 

help with any other military related problems that affect functioning 

within the family, work, school or other areas of everyday life. Other 

psycho-social services include outreach, education, medical referral, 

homeless Veteran services, employment, VA benefit referral, and the 

brokering of non-VA services. 

The Vet Centers also provide counseling to individuals who have 

experienced military sexual trauma of both genders and of any era of 

military service.
Chapter 1 VA Health Care 18 

Bereavement Counseling related to Servicemembers: Bereavement counseling is available through VA’s Vet Centers to all immediate family members (including spouses, children, parents, and 

siblings) of Servicemembers who die while serving on active service. 

This includes federally-activated members of the National Guard and 

reserve components. Vet Center bereavement services for surviving family members of Servicemembers may be accessed by calling 

(202) 461-6530. For additional information, contact the nearest Vet 

Center, listed in the back of this book, or visit www.vetcenter.va.gov/. 

Vet Center Combat Call Center: (1-877-WAR-VETS) is an around 

the clock confidential call center where combat Veterans and their 

families can call to talk about their military experience or any other 

issue they are facing in their readjustment to civilian life. The staff is 

comprised of combat Veterans from several eras as well as family 

members of combat Veterans.

Prosthetic and Sensory Aids

Veterans receiving VA care for any condition may receive VA prosthetic appliances, equipment and services, such as home respiratory 

therapy, artificial limbs, orthopedic braces and therapeutic shoes, 

wheelchairs, powered mobility, crutches, canes, walkers, special 

aids, appliances, optical and electronic devices for visual impairment 

and other durable medical equipment and supplies. Veterans who 

are approved for a guide or service dog may also receive service 

dog benefits including veterinary care and equipment. 

VA medical services include diagnostic audiology and diagnostic 

and preventive eye care services. VA will provide hearing aids and 

eyeglasses to the following Veterans: 

(a) Those with any compensable service-connected disability. 

(b) Those who are former Prisoners of War (POWs). 

(c) Those who were awarded a Purple Heart. 

(d) Those in receipt of benefits under Title 38 United States Code 

(U.S.C.) 1151. 

(e) Those in receipt of an increased pension based on being 

rated permanently housebound or in need of regular aid and 

attendance. 

(f) Those with vision or hearing impairment resulting from diseases 

or the existence of another medical condition for which the Veteran is 

receiving care or services from VHA, or which resulted from treatment of that medical condition, e.g., stroke, polytrauma, traumatic 

brain injury, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, vascular disease, geriatric 
19 VA Health Care Chapter 1

chronic illnesses, toxicity from drugs, ocular photosensitivity from 

drugs, cataract surgery, and/or other surgeries performed on the eye, 

ear, or brain resulting in vision or hearing impairment. 

(g) Those with significant functional or cognitive impairment 

evidenced by deficiencies in the ability to perform activities of daily 

living. but not including normally occurring visual or hearing impairments. Note: Veterans with normally occurring visual and/or hearing impairments that interfere with their medical care are eligible for 

eyeglasses and hearing aids.

(h) Those who have vision or hearing impairment or combined 

visual and hearing impairments severe enough that it interferes with 

their ability to participate actively in their own medical treatment. 

Note: The term “severe” is to be interpreted as a vision and/or hearing loss that interferes with or restricts access to, involvement in, or 

active participation in health care services (e.g., communication or 

reading medication labels). The term is not to be interpreted to mean 

that a severe hearing or vision loss must exist to be eligible for hearing aids or eyeglasses.

(i) Veterans who have a service-connected hearing disabilitiy that 

contributes to a loss of communication ability. However, hearing aids 

are to be provided only as needed for the service-connected hearing 

disability. 

Nonservice-connected (NSC) Veterans are eligible for hearing 

aids or eyeglasses on the basis of medical need. All such Veterans 

(including Medal of Honor recipients who do not have entitling conditions or circumstances and catastrophically disabled Veterans) must 

receive a hearing evaluation by a state-licensed audiologist prior to 

determining eligibility for hearing aids or an appropriate evaluation 

by an optometrist or ophthalmologist prior to determining eligibility 

for eyeglasses to establish medical justification for provision of these 

devices. These Veterans must meet the following criteria for eligibility 

based on medical need:

(a) Be enrolled at VA medical facility where they receive their 

 health care; and 

(b) Have hearing or vision loss that interferes with or restricts 

 communication to the extent that it affects their active 

 participation in the provision of health care services as 

 determined by an audiologist or an eye care practitioner or 

 provider. 

For additional information, contact the prosthetic chief or representative at the nearest VA medical center or go to www.prosthetics.
Chapter 1 VA Health Care 20 

va.gov.

Home Improvements and Structural Alterations 

VA provides up to $6,800 lifetime benefits for service-connected 

Veterans/Servicemembers and up to $2,000 lifetime benefits for 

nonservice-connected Veterans to make home improvements and/or 

structural changes necessary for the continuation of treatment or for 

disability access to the Veterans/Servicemembers home and essential lavatory and sanitary facilities. 

Modifications can include but are not limited to: Ramps allowing 

entrance to, or exit from, the Veterans/Servicemembers primary residence; Widening of doorways to allow access to essential lavatory 

and sanitary facilities; Raising or lowering kitchen or bathroom sinks 

and/or counters; Improving entrance paths or driveways in immediate area of the home to facilitate access to the home by the Veteran/

Servicemember; Improving plumbing or electrical systems made 

necessary due to installation of dialysis equipment or other medically 

sustaining equipment in the home. 

For application information, contact the Prosthetic Representative at 

the nearest VA medical center.

Special Eligibility Programs

Special Eligibility for Children with Spina Bifida: VA provides comprehensive health care benefits, including outpatient, inpatient, pharmacy, prosthetics, medical equipment, and supplies for certain Korea 

and Vietnam Veterans’ birth children diagnosed with spina bifida 

(except spina bifida occulta).

Special Eligibility for Veterans Participating in Vocational Rehabilitation: Veterans participating in VA’s vocational rehabilitation 

program may receive VA health care benefits including prosthetics, 

medical equipment, and supplies. 

Limitations on Benefits Available to Veterans outside the U.S.: 

Veterans outside the U.S. are eligible for prosthetics, medical equipment, and supplies only for a service-connected disability or any 

disability associated with, or found to be aggravating, a service-connected disability.

Services for Blind and Visually Impaired Veterans

Severely disabled blind Veterans may be eligible for case management services at a VA medical center and for admission to an inpatient or outpatient VA blind or vision rehabilitation program. In addi-
21 VA Health Care Chapter 1

tion, blind Veterans enrolled in VA health care system may receive:

1. A total health and benefits review as well as counseling on 

obtaining benefits that may be due to the Veteran but have 

not been received.

2. Adjustment to blindness training and counseling.

3. Home improvements and structural alterations.

4. Specially adapted housing and adaptations.

5. Automobile grant.

6. Rehabilitation assessment and training to improve 

independence and quality of life.

7. Low-vision devices and training in their use.

8. Electronic and mechanical aids for the blind, including 

adaptive computers and computer-assisted devices such as 

reading machines and electronic travel aids.

9. Facilitation and recommendation for guide dogs and support 

in the use of guide dogs.

10. Costs for veterinary care and equipment for guide dogs.

11. Talking books, tapes and Braille literature.

12. Family education and support.

Eligible visually impaired Veterans (who are not severely visually disabled) enrolled in VA health care system may be eligible for services at 

a VA medical center or for admission to an outpatient VA blind rehabilitation program and may also receive:

1. A total health and benefits review.

2. Adjustment to vision loss counseling. 

3. Rehabilitation assessment and training to improve 

independence and quality of life.

4. Low-vision devices and training in their use.

5. Electronic and mechanical aids for the visually impaired, 

including adaptive computers and computer-assisted 

devices, such as reading machines and electronic travel 

aids, and training in their use.

6. Family education and support. 

Mental Health Care Treatment

Veterans eligible for VA medical care may receive general and specialty mental health treatment as needed. Mental health services are 

available in primary care clinics (including Home Based Primary Care), 

general and specialty mental health outpatient clinics, inpatient mental 

health units, residential rehabilitation and treatment programs, specialty 

medical clinics, and Community Living Centers. 
Chapter 1 VA Health Care 22 

Mental Health services are also available in medical settings in which 

patients are receiving treatment, such as inpatient medicine and outpatient specialty medical clinics. In addition to general mental health 

care, this may include specialized PTSD services, treatment for Veterans with psychological conditions related to a history of military sexual 

trauma, psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery services, treatment 

for substance use disorders, suicide prevention programs, geriatric 

mental health problems, violence prevention, evidence-based psychotherapy programs, treatment with psychiatric medications consistent 

with the VA National Formulary, integrated care services, and mental 

health disaster response/post deployment activities. Extended hours 

care is available for Veterans at VA medical centers. Veterans should 

contact their local facility mental health service for more information. 

Specialized programs, such as mental health intensive case management, psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery centers, and work 

programs are provided for Veterans with serious mental health problems. VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers entitles the designated primary and secondary family caregiver(s) 

access to mental health. These services may be offered at VA and/

or contracted agencies. General caregivers (of all era Veterans) can 

receive counseling and other services when necessary if the treatment 

supports the Veteran’s treatment plan. For more information on VA 

mental health services visit http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/VAMentalHealthGroup.asp

Veterans Crisis Line:Veterans experiencing an emotional distress/

crisis or who need to talk to a trained mental health professional may 

call the Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The hotline is 

available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When callers press “1”, 

they are immediately connected with a qualified and caring provider 

who can help.

Chat feature: Veterans Chat is located at the Veterans Crisis Line and 

enables Veterans, their families and friends to go online where they 

can anonymously chat with a trained VA counselor. Veterans chat can 

be accessed through the suicide prevention website www.Veterancrisisline.net by clicking on the Veterans chat tab on the right side of the 

webpage. 

Text feature: Those in crisis may text 83-8255 free of charge to receive confidential, personal and immediate support.
23 VA Health Care Chapter 1

European access: Veterans and members of the military community 

in Europe may now receive free, confidential support from the European Military Crisis Line, a new initiative recently launched by VA. Callers 

in Europe may dial 0800-1273-8255 or DSN 118 to receive confidential 

support from responders at the Veterans Crisis Line in the U.S. For 

more information about VA’s suicide prevention program, visit: http://

www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/ or www.veteranscrisisline.net.

Make the Connection Resources help Veterans and their family 

members connect with information and services to improve their lives. 

Visitors to MakeTheConnection.net will find a one-stop resource where 

Veterans and their family and friends can privately explore information, 

watch stories similar to their own, research content on mental health 

issues and treatment, and easily access support and information that 

will help them live more fulfilling lives. 

At the heart of Make the Connection are powerful personal testimonials, which illustrate true stories of Veterans who faced life events, 

physical injuries or psychological symptoms; then reached out for support; and found ways to overcome their challenges. Veterans and their 

families are encouraged to “make the connection” - with strength and 

resilience of Veterans like themselves, with other people who care, 

and with information and available resources for getting their lives on a 

better track. For more information, go to www.MakeTheConnection.net

Coaching Into Care: works with family members or friends who become aware of the Veteran’s post-deployment difficulties, and supports 

their efforts to find help for the Veteran. This national clinical service 

provides information and help to Veterans and the loved ones who are 

concerned about them. More information about the service can be 

found at http://www.mirecc.va.gov/coaching/contact.asp

VA’s National Center for PTSD serves as a resource for health care 

professionals, Veterans and families. Information, self-help resources, 

and other helpful information can be found at www.ptsd.va.gov.

The PTSD Coach is a mobile application that provides information 

about PTSD, self-assessment and symptom management tools and 

information tabout how to connect with resources that are available 

for those who might be dealing with post trauma effects. The PTSD 

Coach is available as a free download for iPhone or Android devices.
Chapter 1 VA Health Care 24 

Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation 

Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs (MH 

RRTP) including domiciliaries, provide residential rehabilitative and 

clinical care to Veterans who have a wide range of problems, illnesses, 

or rehabilitative care needs, which can be medical, psychiatric, substance use, homelessness, vocational, educational, or social. The 

MH RRTP provides a 24-hour therapeutic setting utilizing a peer and 

professional support environment. The programs provide a strong emphasis on psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery services that instill 

personal responsibility to achieve optimal levels of independence upon 

discharge to independent or supportive community living. The MH 

RRTP also provides rehabilitative care for homeless Veterans. 

Eligibility: VA may provide domiciliary care to Veterans whose annual 

gross household income does not exceed the maximum annual rate of 

VA pension or to Veterans whom the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines have no adequate means of support. The copays for extended care services apply to domiciliary care. Call the nearest benefits or 

health care facility to obtain the latest information.

Outpatient Dental Treatment

Dental benefits are provided by VA according to law. In some instances, VA is authorized to provide extensive dental care, while in 

other cases treatment may be limited by law. This Fact Sheet table 

describes dental eligibility criteria and contains information to assist 

Veterans in understanding their eligibility for VA dental care.

By law, the eligibility for outpatient dental care is not the same as for 

most other VA medical benefits. It is categorized in classes. Those 

eligible for VA dental care under Class I, IIA, IIC, or IV are eligible for 

any necessary dental care to maintain or restore oral health and masticatory function, including repeat care. Other classes have time and/or 

service limitations.

*Note: Public Law 83 enacted June 16, 1955, amended Veterans’ 

eligibility for outpatient dental services. As a result, any Veteran who 

received a dental award letter from VBA dated before 1955 in which 

VBA determined the dental conditions to be non-compensable are no 

longer eligible for Class II outpatient dental treatment.

Veterans receiving hospital, nursing home, or domiciliary care will be 

provided dental services that are professionally determined by a VA 

dentist, in consultation with the referring physician, to be essential 

to the management of the patient’s medical condition under active 
25 VA Health Care Chapter 1

treatment. For more information about eligibility for VA medical and 

dental benefits, contact VA at 1-877-222-8387, Monday through Friday 

between 8 am and 8 pm EST or www.va.gov/healthbenefits. (See 

chart on page 26) 

VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP)

Veterans enrolled in VA health care and CHAMPVA beneficiaries have 

the opportunity to purchase dental insurance coverage at a reduced 

cost through Delta Dental and MetLife. 

Delta Dental and MetLife offer multiple plans to choose from. Coverage, available throughout the United States and its territories, includes 

diagnostic, preventative, surgical, emergency, and endodontic/restorative treatment and services. 

 

Enrolled Veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries may sign up to participate in VADIP by completing an application with Delta Dental or 

MetLife – online, over the phone, or by mail – for the plan that best 

meets their dental needs and budget. Each participant will pay fixed 

monthly premiums for coverage and copayments identified in the plan 

they select. The program is voluntary and there are no eligibility limitations based on service-connected disability or other factors. Participation in the program does not affect eligibility for VA-provided dental 

services and treatment.

Vocational and Work Assistance Programs

VHA Therapeutic & Supported Employment Services (TSES) Programs: VHA provides vocational assistance and therapeutic work opportunities through three primary TSES programs for Veterans enrolled 

in the VAhealth care system. These programs are designed to assist 

Veterans to live and work as independently as possible in their respective communities. Participation in TSES vocational services cannot be 

used to deny or discontinue VA disability benefits. Payments received 

from Compensated Work Therapy Sheltered Workshop and Transitional Work and Incentive Therapy cannot be used to deny or discontinue 

SSI and/or SSDI payments and they are not subject to IRS taxes.

Compensated Work Therapy/Transitional Work (CWT/TW) is a 

vocational assessment program that operates in VA medical centers 

and/or local community business and industry. CWT/TW participants 

are matched to real life work assignments for a time-limited basis. 

Veterans are supervised by personnel of the sponsoring site, under 

the same job expectations experienced by non-CWT workers. Veter-
Chapter 1 VA Health Care 26 

You are eligible for:

Any needed dental care.

Any dental care necessary to 

provide and maintain a functioning dentition. A Dental Trauma 

Rating (VA Form 10-564-D) or 

VA RO Decision letter (VA Form 

10-7131) identifies the tooth/teeth/

condition(s) that are trauma rated. 

Have a service-connected noncompensable dental condition or disability resulting from combat wounds or 

service trauma. 

Have a dental condition clinically 

determined by VA to be associated 

with and aggravating a serviceconnected medical condition.

Class I

Dental care to treat the oral 

conditions that are determined by 

a VA dental professional to have 

a direct and material detrimental 

effect to a service-connected 

medical condition. 

Are actively engaged in a 38 USC 

Chapter 31 vocational rehabilitation 

program. 

Are receiving VA care or are scheduled for inpatient care and require 

dental care for a condition complicating a current medical condition 

Are an enrolled Veteran who may 

be homeless and receiving care 

under VHA Directive 2007-039.

Any needed dental care. 

Dental care to the extent necessary to: to enter, achieve goals, 

and prevent interruption of a rehab 

program; hasten the return to a rehab program because of a dental 

condition; or to secure and adjust 

to employment during employment 

assistance, or enable to achieve 

maximum independence in daily 

living. 

Any needed dental care. 

[note: Veterans paid at the 100 

percent rate based on a temporary rating, are not eligible for 

comprehensive outpatient dental 

services. 

One-time dental care if a DD214 

certificate of discharge does not 

indicate that a complete dental 

examination and all appropriate 

dental treatment had been rendered prior to discharge.(NOTE)

A one-time course of dental care 

that is determined medically 

necessary to relieve pain, assist 

in gaining employment, or treat 

moderate to severe gingival and 

periodontal conditions. 

Dental care to treat the oral conditions that are determined by a VA 

dental professional to complicate 

a medical condition currently 

under treatment. 

Have a service-connected 

compensable dental disability or 

condition.

If you: Through

Are a former prisoner of war. 

Have service-connected disabilities 

rated 100 percent disabling, or 

are unemployable and paid at the 

100 percent rate due to serviceconnected conditions. 

Apply for dental care within 180 

days of discharge or release from of 

active duty (under conditions other 

than dishonorable) of 90 days or 

more during the Gulf War era. 

Class IIC

Class IV

Class II

Class IIA

Class V

Class VI

Class IIB

Class III

Dental Eligibility Chart
27 VA Health Care Chapter 1

ans participating in the CWT/TW program are not employees of either 

the Federal government or a host company and, as such, receive 

no traditional employee benefits. CWT/TW participants receive, at a 

minimum, the greater of Federal or state minimum wage for all hours 

worked. Approximately 40 percent of participants secure competitive 

employment at the time of discharge.

CWT/Supported Employment (CWT/SE) is a recovery-based intervention provided through an integrated partnership with the primary 

Mental Health treatment team. The employment is intended to be an 

extension of treatment to manage symptoms and advance recovery. 

CWT/SE consists of full- or part-time competitive employment with 

extensive clinical supports to Veterans, and accommodations/supervision guidance to employers.

Other Initiatives include the adaption of SE evidence-based principles 

for specialty TSES programs for Veterans diagnosed with spinal cord 

injury, polytrauma, traumatic brain injury, and/or posttraumatic stress 

disorder. A list of CWT program sites can be found on the Location 

Page at http://www.cwt.va.gov.

Vocational Assistance is a set of assessment, guidance, counseling, 

or other related services that may be offered to groups or individuals. These services are designed to enable Veterans to realize skills, 

resources, attitudes and expectations needed to prepare for searching 

for employment, succeeding in the employment interview process, and 

succeeding in employment.

CWT/Sheltered Workshop (CWT/SW) operates sheltered workshops 

at approximately 25 VA medical centers. CWT/SW is a pre-employment vocational activity that provides an opportunity for work hardening and assessment in a simulated work environment. Participating 

Veterans are paid the greater of Federal or state minimum wage on a 

piece rate basis.

Incentive Therapy (IT) is a pre-employment program that provides a 

limited work experience at VA medical centers for Veterans who are 

not actively seeking competitive employment and exhibit severe mental illness and/or physical impairments. IT services may consist of fullor part-time work with nominal remuneration limited to the maximum of 

one half of the Federal minimum wage.
Chapter 1 VA Health Care 28 

Long-term Services

VA provides institution based services (nursing home level of care) to 

Veterans through three national programs: VA owned and operated 

Community Living Centers (CLC), State Veterans’ Homes owned and 

operated by the states, and the community nursing home program. 

Each program has admission and eligibility criteria specific to the program. VA is obligated to pay the full cost of nursing home services for 

enrolled Veterans who need nursing home care for a service-connected disability, or Veterans or who have a 70 percent or greater serviceconnected disability and Veterans with a rating of total disability based 

on individual un-employability. VA provided nursing home care for all 

other Veterans is based on available resources. Institution based 

nursing home care is expected to be person centered and serves 

Veterans of all ages.

VA Community Community Living Centers (CLC) provide a dynamic array of short stay (less than 90 days) and long stay (91 days 

or more) services. Short stay services include but are not limited to 

skilled nursing, respite care, rehabilitation, hospice, and continuing 

care for Veterans awaiting placement in the community. Long stay services include but are not limited to dementia care and continuing care 

to maintain the Veteran’s level of functioning. Short stay and long stay 

services are available for Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care 

and require CLC services. 

State Veterans’ Home Program: State Veterans homes are owned 

and operated by the states. The states petition VA for grant dollars for 

a portion of the construction costs followed by a request for recognition as a state home. Once recognized, VA pays a portion of the per 

diem if the state meets VA standards. States establish eligibility criteria 

and determine services offered for short and long-term care. Specialized services offered are dependent upon the capability of the home to 

render them.

Community Nursing Home Program: VA health care facilities establish contracts with community nursing homes. The purpose of this 

program is to meet the nursing home needs of Veterans who require 

long-term nursing home care in their own community close to their 

families, and who meet the enrollment and eligibility requirements. 

Admission Criteria: The general criteria for nursing home place-
29 VA Health Care Chapter 1

ment in each of the three programs requires that a resident must be 

medically stable, i.e. not acutely ill, have sufficient functional deficits 

to require inpatient nursing home care, and be determined by an appropriate medical provider to need institutional nursing home care. 

Furthermore, the Veteran must meet the specific eligibility criteria for 

community living center care or the contract nursing home program 

and the eligibility criteria for the specific state Veterans home. 

Home and Community Based Services: IVA offers a variety of 

community-based non-institutional long-term services and supports 

these services either directly or by contract with community-based 

agencies. Home and community based services are expected to be 

person centered and serve Veterans of all ages. Veterans receiving 

these services may be subject to a copay.

In-Home and Community Based Care: Skilled home health care, 

homemaker/home health aide services, community adult day health 

care; Hhospice and Ppalliative Ccare, Veteran Ddirected Ccare. 

Respite Care: Designed to relieve the fFamily Caregiver from the constant burden of caring for a chronically ill or disabled Veteran at home. 

Services can include in-home care, a short stay in an institutional setting or adult day health care. 

Primary Care: Geri Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT) provide 

geriatric focused primary care in an outpatient setting; Home Based 

Primary Care PACT provides primary care in the home; Geriatric 

Evaluation and Management (GEM) provides inpatient or outpatient 

short- term comprehensive geriatric evaluation and management.

Emergency Medical Care in U.S. Non-VA Facilities

In the case of medical emergencies, VA may reimburse or pay for 

emergency non-VA medical care not previously authorized that is 

provided to certain eligible Veterans when VA or other federal facilities 

are not feasibly available. This benefit may be dependent upon other 

conditions, such as notification to VA, the nature of treatment sought, 

the status of the Veteran, the presence of other health care insurance, 

and third party liability. 

Because there are different regulatory requirements that may affect VA 

payment and Veteran liability for the cost of care, it is very important 

that the nearest VA medical facility to where emergency services are 

furnished be notified as soon as possible after emergency treatment 
Chapter 1 VA Health Care 30 

is sought. If emergency inpatient services are required, VA will assist 

in transferring the Veteran to a Department facility, if available. Timely 

filing claim limitations apply. For additional information, contact the 

nearest VA medical facility. Please note that reimbursement criteria for 

Veterans living or traveling outside the United States fall under VA’s 

Foreign Medical Program (FMP), and differ from the criteria for payment of emergency treatment received in the United States. 

Foreign Medical Program

VA may authorize reimbursement for medical services for serviceconnected disabilities or any disability associated with and found to be 

aggravating a service-connected disability for those Veterans living or 

traveling outside the United States. This program may also reimburse 

for the treatment of foreign medical services needed as part of an approved VA vocational rehabilitation program. Veterans receiving health 

care services in the Philippines should register with the U.S. Veterans 

Affairs office in Pasay City. Veterans calling from within the Philippines 

may contact the VA office in Pasay City at 1-800-1888-8782. If calling from outside of the Philippines, the number is 011-632-318-8387. 

Veterans may also register by email at IRIS.va.gov. All other Veterans living or planning to travel outside the U.S. should register with 

the Foreign Medical Program, P.O. Box 469061, Denver, CO 80246-

9061, USA; telephone 303-331-7590. For information visit: http://www.

va.gov/hac/forbeneficiaries/fmp/fmp.asp.

Some Veterans traveling or living overseas can telephone the Foreign 

Medical Program toll free from these countries: Germany 0800-1800-

011; Australia 1800-354-965; Italy 800-782-655; United Kingdom (England and Scotland) 0800-032-7425; Mexico 001-877-345-8179; Japan 

00531-13-0871; Costa Rica 0800-013-0759; and Spain 900-981-776. 

(Note: Veterans in Mexico or Costa Rica must first dial the United 

States country code.) 

On occasion Veterans will ask to have prescriptions mailed outside the 

United States and its territories. VA Pharmacy Service is not authorized to ship medications or medical/surgical supply items outside of 

the United States or US Territories (Virgin Islands, Guam, American 

Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). 

For Veterans registered with the Foreign Medical Program, prescription reimbursement is approved only for United States Food and Drug 

Administration (FDA) approved medications. 

Within the United States and prior to travel abroad, VA facilities may 
31 VA Health Care Chapter 1

opt to fill outpatient medications prior to the normal dispensing date in 

the event that a Veteran will be traveling and unable to obtain medications while abroad. This may be done on a limited basis and requires 

prior consultation with the Veteran’s VA provider prior to dispensing.

Online Health Services

VA offers Veterans, Servicemembers, their dependents and caregivers their own personal health record through My HealtheVet, found at 

www.myhealth.va.gov. 

My HealtheVet ’s free, online Personal Health Record is available 

24 hours a dya, seven days a week with Internet access. Those with 

an upgraded account (obtained by completing the one-time in-person 

authentication* process) can: 

• Participate in secure messaging with VA health care team 

members 

• View key portions of DoD military service information 

• Get VA wellness reminders 

• View VA appointments 

• View VA lab results

• View VA allergies, adverse reactions and other key portions of 

their VA electronic health record

• View their VA Comprehensive Care Document (CCD)

With My HealtheVet, Veterans can access trusted health information to 

better manage personal health care and learn about other VA benefits 

and services. 

My HealtheVet helps Veterans partner with VA health care teams by 

providing tools to make shared, informed decisions. Simply follow the 

directions on the website to register. VA patients registered on My 

HealtheVet can begin to refill VA medications online. Veterans can 

also use VA Blue Button to view, print, or download the health data 

currently in their My HealtheVet account. Veterans can share this 

information with family, caregivers or others such as non-VA health 

care providers. It puts the Veteran in control of their information stored 

in My HealtheVet. VA Blue Button also provides Veterans who were 

discharged from military service after 1979 access to DoD Military Service Information. This information may include Military Occupational 

Specialty (MOS) codes, pay details, service dates, deployment, and 

retirement periods. 
Chapter 1 VA Health Care 32 

*To access the advanced My HealtheVet features, Veterans will need 

to get an upgraded account by completing a one-time process at their 

VA facility. Visit My HealtheVet at www.myhealth.va.gov, register and 

learn more about in-person authentication plus the many features and 

tools available with Internet access. Veterans with questions should 

contact the My HealtheVet Coordinator at their VA facility. 

Caregiver Programs and Services

VA has long supported family caregivers as vital partners in providing care worthy of the sacrifices by America’s Veterans and Servicemembers. Each VA medical center has a Caregiver Support Program 

coordinated by a Caregiver Support Coordinator (CSC). The CSC 

coordinates caregiver activities and serves as a resource expert for 

Veterans, their families and VA providers. Several programs are available for all Veteran caregivers including:

In-Home and Community Based Care: Skilled home health care, 

homemaker/home health aide services, community adult day health 

care and Home Based Primary Care. 

Respite Care: Designed to relieve the family caregiver from the constant burden of caring for a chronically ill or disabled Veteran at home. 

Services can include in-home care, a short stay in an institutional setting or adult day health care. 

Post-9/11 Caregiver Program: The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 allows VA to provide unprecedented 

benefits to eligible Caregivers (a parent, spouse, child, step-family 

member, extended family member, or an individual who lives with the 

Veteran, but is not a family member) of eligible Veterans who incurred 

or aggravated a serious injury in the line of duty on or after Sept. 11, 

2001 (post-9/11 Veterans) under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. 

Services include:

• Monthly stipend based on the personal care needs of the 

Veteran

• Travel expenses, including lodging and per diem while 

accompanying Veterans undergoing care

• Access to health care insurance through the Civilian Health and 

Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs 

(CHAMPVA) if the Caregiver is not already entitled to care or

services under a health plan
33 VA Health Care Chapter 1

• Mental Health services and counseling 

• Comprehensive VA Caregiver training

• Respite care

• Appropriate caregiving instruction and training

VA currently provides multiple training opportunities, which include 

pre-discharge care instruction and specialized caregiver programs in 

multiple severe traumas such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal 

cord injury/disorders, and blind rehabilitation. VA has a caregiver 

website, www.caregiver.va.gov, which provides tools, resources, and 

information to Family Caregivers.

Family Support Services: These support groups can be face-toface or on the telephone. They include family counseling, spiritual 

and pastoral care, family leisure and recreational activities and temporary lodging in Fisher Houses. 

Travel: VA’s Comprehensive Assistance for family caregivers Program entitles the designated family caregiver to beneficiary travel 

benefits. These benefits include:

• Transport, lodging, and subsistence for period of caregiver 

 training 

• Transport, lodging, and subsistence while traveling as Veteran’s 

 attendant to and from VA Health care as well as duration of 

 care at VA or VA authorized facility. 

• Mileage or common carrier transport.

• Lodging and/or subsistence at 50 percent of local federal 

 employee rates

Other Benefits: VA provides durable medical equipment and prosthetic and sensory aides to improve function, financial assistance 

with home modification to improve access and mobility, and transportation assistance for some Veterans to and from medical appointments.

Veterans Canteen Service

Established in 1946, the Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) was created to provide merchandise and services at reasonable prices to 

Veterans enrolled in the VA health care system, caregivers, and visitors. The VCS PatriotStoreDirect 1-800-664-8258 provides services 

to those who cannot visist a VA facility. For more information, visit 

VCS online at www.vacanteen.va.gov for more information
Chapter 2 Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities 34

Chapter 2

Service-connected Disabilities

Disability Compensation

Disability compensation is a monetary benefit paid to Veterans who 

are determined by VA to be 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 for 

compensation, the Veteran must have been separated or discharged 

under conditions other than dishonorable.

Monthly disability compensation varies with the degree of disability 

and the number of eligible dependents. Veterans with certain severe 

disabilities may be eligible for additional special monthly compensation (SMC). Disability compensation benefits are not subject to 

federal or state income tax. 

The payment of military retirement pay, disability severance pay and 

separation incentive payments, known as Special Separation Benefit (SSB) and Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI), may affect the 

amount of VA compensation paid to disabled Veterans. For additional 

details on types of disability claims and how to apply, go to http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/ or apply online at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/.

* Veterans with disability ratings of at least 30 percent are eligible 

for additional allowances for dependents, including spouses, minor 

children, children between the ages of 18 and 23 who are attending school, children who are permanently incapable of self-support 

because of a disability arising before age 18, and dependent parents. The additional amount depends on the disability rating and the 

number of dependents.

Additional Benefits for Eligible Military Retirees 

Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) is a DoD program 

that allows some individuals to receive both military retired pay and 

VA disability compensation. Normally, such concurrent receipt is 

prohibited. 

Veterans do not need to apply for this benefit, as payment is coordinated between VA and the military pay center.
35 Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities Chapter 2

To qualify for CRDP, Veterans must have a VA service-connected rating of 50 percent or greater, be eligible to receive retired pay, and: 

• Be retired from military service based on longevity, including 

Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) retirees; or

• Be retired due to disability with 20 or more qualifying years of 

service*; or

• Be retired from National Guard or Reserve service with 20 or 

more qualifying years. 

* For Veterans who retired due to disability with 20 or more qualifying 

years, CRDP is subject to an offset for the difference between retired 

pay based on disability and retired pay based on longevity.

Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) is a DoD program 

that provides a tax-free monthly payment to eligible retired Veterans 

with combat-related disabilities. CRSC, in effect, restores retired pay 

lost due to VA disability compensation offset. Veterans must apply for 

CRSC through their branch of service. 

To qualify for CRSC, Veterans must be eligible to receive retired pay, 

and: 

• Be retired from military service based on longevity, including 

 Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) retirees; or

2014 VA Disability Compensation

Disability Rating Monthly Rate

10 percent $130.94

20 percent $258.83

30 percent* $400.93

40 percent* $577.54

50 percent* $822.15

60 percent* $1,041.39

70 percent* $1,312.40

80 percent* $1,525.55

90 percent* $1,714.34

100 percent* $2,858.24
Chapter 2 Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities 36

• Be retired due to disability, including Veterans with less than 20 

years of service*; or

• Be retired from National Guard or Reserve service with 20 or 

more qualifying years, and 

• Have waived retired pay to receive VA compensation, and 

• Have a compensable service-connected disability

*For Veterans who retired due to disability, CRSC is subject to an 

offset for the difference between retired pay based on disability and 

retired pay based on years of service.

Disabilities related to in-service exposure to hazards (e.g., Agent 

Orange, Gulf War illnesses, radiation exposure) for which VA awards 

compensation are considered combat-related for CRSC purposes. 

However, Veterans still must apply to their branch of service for a 

combat-related determination. 

For more information, visit www.defense.gov, or call the toll-free 

phone number for the Veteran’s branch of service: 

Army 1-866-281-3254, https://www.hrc.army.mil/TAGD/CRSC or email at usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.tagd-crsc-claims@mail.mil

Air Force 1-800-525-0102, http://www.afpc.af.mil/library/combat.asp 

or email at AFPC.DPPDC.AFCRSC@RANDOLPH.AF.MIL

Navy/Marine Corps 1-877-366-2772, http://www.public.navy.mil/asnmra/corb/CRSCB/Pages/CRSCB%20main%20page.aspx or email 

at crsc@navy.mil

Coast Guard 1-703-872-6626, http://www.uscg.mil/adm1/crsc.asp

Disability Compensation for Presumptive Conditions

Certain chronic and tropical diseases (for example, multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, and arthritis) may be service connected if the 

disease becomes at least 10 percent disabling within the applicable 

time limit following service. For a comprehensive list of these chronic 

diseases, see 38 CFR 3.309; for applicable time limits, see 38 CFR 

3.307.

All Veterans who develop Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also 

known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, at any time after separation from 
37 Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities Chapter 2

service may be eligible for compensation for that disability. To be 

eligible, the Veteran must have served a minimum of 90 consecutive 

days of active service.

Prisoners of War: For former prisoners of war (POWs) who were 

imprisoned for any length of time, VA presumes the following disabilities to be service connected if they become at least 10 percent 

disabling any time after military service: psychosis, any of the anxiety 

states, dysthymic disorder, organic residuals of frostbite, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, atherosclerotic heart disease or hypertensive 

vascular disease and their complications, stroke and its complications, and, effective Oct.10, 2008, osteoporosis if the Veteran has 

post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

For former POWs who were imprisoned for at least 30 days, the 

following conditions are also presumed to be service connected: 

avitaminosis, beriberi, chronic dysentery, helminthiasis, malnutrition 

(including optic atrophy associated with malnutrition), pellagra and/or 

other nutritional deficiencies, irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcer 

disease, peripheral neuropathy except where related to infectious 

causes, cirrhosis of the liver, and, effective Sept. 28, 2009, osteoporosis.

Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange and Other Herbicides: A 

Veteran who served in the Republic of Vietnam between Jan. 9, 

1962, and May 7, 1975, is presumed to have been exposed to Agent 

Orange and other herbicides used in support of military operations. 

VA presumes the following diseases to be service-connected for 

such exposed Veterans: AL amyloidosis, chloracne or other acneform disease similar to chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, soft-tissue sarcoma (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s 

sarcoma or mesothelioma), Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma, 

respiratory cancers (lung, bronchus, larynx, trachea), non-Hodgkin’s 

lymphoma, prostate cancer, acute and sub-acute peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus (Type 2), all chronic B-cell leukemias (including, but not limited to, hairy-cell leukemia and chronic lymphocytic 

leukemia), Parkinson’s disease, and ischemic heart disease.

Veterans Exposed to Radiation: For Veterans who participated in 

radiation risk activities as defined in VA regulations while on active 

duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, the following 
Chapter 2 Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities 38

conditions are presumed to be service connected: all forms of leukemia (except for chronic lymphocytic leukemia); cancer of the thyroid, 

breast, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, bile 

ducts, gall bladder, salivary gland, urinary tract (renal pelvis, ureter, 

urinary bladder and urethra), brain, bone, lung, colon, and ovary; 

bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma; multiple myeloma; lymphomas (other 

than Hodgkin’s disease), and primary liver cancer (except if cirrhosis 

or hepatitis B is indicated). 

To determine service connection for other conditions or exposures 

not eligible for presumptive service connection, VA considers factors such as the amount of radiation exposure, duration of exposure, 

elapsed time between exposure and onset of the disease, gender 

and family history, age at time of exposure, the extent to which a 

nonservice exposure could contribute to disease, and the relative 

sensitivity of exposed tissue.

Gulf War Veterans with Chronic Disabilities: Some Veterans may 

receive disability compensation for chronic disabilities resulting from 

undiagnosed illnesses and/or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses defined by a cluster of signs or symptoms. A disability is considered chronic if it has existed for at least six months. 

The undiagnosed illness must have appeared either during active 

service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf 

War period of Aug. 2, 1990, to July 31, 1991, or to a degree of at 

least 10 percent at any time since then through Dec.31, 2016. This 

theater of operations includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral 

zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab 

Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian 

Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, and the airspace above these 

locations.

Examples of symptoms of an undiagnosed illness and medically 

unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness defined by a cluster of 

signs and symptoms include: chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, functional gastrointestinal disorders, fatigue, signs or symptoms 

involving the skin, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, neurological 

signs or symptoms, neuropsychological signs or symptoms, signs or 

symptoms involving the respiratory system (upper or lower), sleep 

disturbances, gastrointestinal signs or symptoms, cardiovascular 

signs or symptoms, abnormal weight loss, and menstrual disorders.
39 Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities Chapter 2

Presumptive service connection may be granted for the following infectious diseases if found compensable within a specific time period: 

Brucellosis, Campylobacter jejuni, Coxiella burnetti (Q fever), Malaria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, non-typhoid Salmonella, Shigella, 

Visceral leishmaniasis, and West Nile virus. Qualifying periods of 

service for these infectious diseases include active military, naval, or 

air service in the above stated Southwest Asia theater of operations 

during the Gulf War period of Aug. 2, 1990, until such time as the 

Gulf War is ended by Congressional action or Presidential proclamation; and active military, naval, or air service on or after Sept. 19, 

2001, in Afghanistan. 

Housing Grants for Disabled Veterans

Certain Servicemembers and Veterans with service-connected disabilities may be entitled to a housing grant from VA to help build a 

new specially adapted house, to adapt a home they already own, 

or buy a house and modify it to meet their disability-related requirements. Eligible Veterans or Servicemembers may now receive up to 

three grants, with the total dollar amount of the grants not to exceed 

the maximum allowable. Previous grant recipients who had received 

assistance of less than the current maximum allowable may be eligible for an additional grant.

Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant: VA may approve a grant 

of not more than 50 percent of the cost of building, buying, or adapting existing homes or paying to reduce indebtedness on a currently 

owned home that is being adapted, up to a maximum of $67,555. In 

certain instances, the full grant amount may be applied toward remodeling costs. Veterans and Servicemembers must be determined 

eligible to receive compensation for permanent and total serviceconnected disability due to one of the following:

1. Loss or loss of use of both lower extremities, which so affects 

 the functions of balance or propulsion to preclude ambulating 

 without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair. 

2. Loss or loss of use of both upper extremities at or above the 

 elbow.

3. Blindness in both eyes, having only light perception, plus loss 

 or loss of use of one lower extremity.

4. Loss or loss of use of one lower extremity together with (a) 

 residuals of organic disease or injury, or (b) the loss or loss of

 use of one upper extremity which so affects the functions of 

 balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the
Chapter 2 Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities 40

 use of braces, canes, crutches or a wheelchair.

5. Severe burn injuries, which are defined as full thickness or 

 subdermal burns that have resulted in contractures with

 limitation of motion of two or more extremities or of at least 

 one extremity and the trunk.

6. The loss, or loss of use of one or more lower extremities due 

 to service on or after Sept. 11, 2001, which so affects the 

 functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude ambulating 

 without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.

Special Home Adaption (SHA) Grant: VA may approve a benefit 

amount up to a maximum of $13,511 for the cost of necessary adaptations to a Servicemember’s or Veteran’s residence or to help him/

her acquire a residence already adapted with special features for his/

her disability, to purchase and adapt a home, or for adaptations to a 

family member’s home in which they will reside. 

To be eligible for this grant, Servicemembers and Veterans must be 

entitled to compensation for permanent and total service-connected 

disability due to one of the following:

1. Blindness in both eyes with 20/200 visual acuity or less.

2. Anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands.

3. Severe burn injuries (see above).

Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA): Eligible Veterans and 

Servicemembers who are temporarily residing in a home owned by a 

family member may also receive a TRA grant to help the Veteran or 

Servicemember adapt the family member’s home to meet his or her 

special needs. Those eligible for a $67,555 grant would be permitted to use up to $29,657 and those eligible for a $13,511 grant would 

be permitted to use up to $5,295. Grant amounts are adjusted Oct.1 

every year based on a cost-of-construction index. These adjustments 

will increase the grant amounts or leave them unchanged; grant 

amounts will not decrease. Under the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012, TRA grant 

amounts do not count against SAH grant maximum amounts starting 

Aug. 6, 2013.

The property may be located outside the United States, in a country 

or political subdivision which allows individuals to have or acquire a 

beneficial property interest, and in which the Secretary of Veterans 

Affairs, in his or her discretion, has determined that it is reason-
41 Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities Chapter 2

ably practicable for the Secretary to provide assistance in acquiring 

specially adapted housing. For more information on SAH, visit http://

www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/sah.asp. 

Supplemental Financing: Veterans and Servicemembers with available loan guaranty entitlement may also obtain a guaranteed loan 

or a direct loan from VA to supplement the grant to acquire a specially adapted home. Amounts with a guaranteed loan from a private 

lender will vary, but the maximum direct loan from VA is $33,000. 

Additional information about the Specially Adapted Housing Program 

is available at http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/sah.asp.

Automobile Allowance: As of Oct. 1, 2013, Veterans and Servicemembers may be eligible for a one-time payment of not more than 

$19,817 toward the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance 

if they have service-connected loss or permanent loss of use of one 

or both hands or feet, or permanent impairment of vision of both 

eyes to a certain degree. 

They may also be eligible for adaptive equipment, and for repair, 

replacement, or reinstallation required because of disability or for the 

safe operation of a vehicle purchased with VA assistance. To apply, 

contact a VA regional office at 1-800-827-1000 or the nearest VA 

health care facility.

Clothing Allowance: Any Veteran who has service-connected 

disabilities that require a prosthetic or orthopedic appliances may 

receive clothing allowances. This allowance is also available to any 

Veteran whose service-connected skin condition requires prescribed 

medication that irreparably damages outer garments. To apply, contact the prosthetic representative at the nearest VA medical center. 

Allowance for Aid and Attendance or Housebound Veterans

A Veteran who is determined by VA to be in need of the regular aid 

and attendance of another person, or a Veteran who is permanently 

housebound, may be entitled to additional disability compensation or 

pension payments. A Veteran evaluated at 30 percent or more disabled is entitled to receive an additional payment for a spouse who is 

in need of the aid and attendance of another person. 
Chapter 3 Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment 42

Chapter 3

Vocational Rehabilitation and 

Employment

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E), sometimes 

referred to as the Chapter 31 program, provides services to eligible 

Servicemembers and Veterans with service-connected disabilities to 

help them prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment or 

achieve independence in daily living. 

Eligibility for Veterans

A Veteran must have a VA service-connected disability rating of at 

least 20 percent with an employment handicap, or rated 10 percent 

with a serious employment handicap, and be discharged or released 

from military service under other than dishonorable conditions. 

Eligibility for Servicemembers

Servicemembers are eligible to apply if they expect to receive an 

honorable discharge upon separation from active duty, obtain a 

rating of 20 percent or more from VA, obtain a proposed Disability 

Evaluation System (DES) rating of 20 percent or more from VA, or 

obtain a referral to a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) through the 

Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES).

Entitlement

A Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) works with the Veteran 

to determine if an employment handicap exists. An employment 

handicap exists if a Veteran’s service-connected disability impairs 

his/her ability to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable career 

employment. After an entitlement decision is made, the Veteran and 

VRC work together to develop a rehabilitation plan. The rehabilitation 

plan outlines the rehabilitation services to be provided.

Services

Based on their individualized needs, Veterans work with a VRC to 
43 Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Chapter 3

select one of five tracks to employment. The Five Tracks to Employment provide greater emphasis on exploring employment options 

early in the rehabilitation planning process, greater informed choice 

for the Veteran regarding occupational and employment options, 

faster access to employment for Veterans who have identifiable and 

transferable skills for direct placement into suitable employment, and 

an option for Veterans who are not able to work, but need assistance 

to lead a more independent life. If a program of training is selected, 

VA pays the cost of the approved training and services (except those 

coordinated through other providers) that are included in an individual’s rehabilitation plan, including subsistence allowance. 

The Five Tracks to Employment are: 

Reemployment with Previous Employer 

This track is for Veterans who served on active military service or in 

the National Guard or Reserves, and are now returning to employers 

for whom they worked prior to going on active duty.

Rapid Access to Employment

This track is for Veterans who express a desire to obtain employment 

as soon as possible and already have the necessary skills to qualify 

for competitive employment in a suitable career. 

Self-Employment

This track is targeted to Veterans who have limited access to traditional employment, need flexible work schedules, or need a more 

accommodating work environment due to their disabling conditions 

or other life circumstances. 

Employment through Long-Term Services

This track is targeted to Veterans who need long-term services, such 

as remedial or refresher courses, specialized training, and/or postsecondary education, to obtain and maintain suitable employment. 

Independent Living Services 

This track is for Veterans who are not currently able to work due to 

the effects of their disability, and services are needed to improve 

their independence in daily living. 
Chapter 3 Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment 44

Length of a Rehabilitation Program

The basic period of eligibility in which VR&E benefits may be used 

is 12 years from the later of the following: 1) A Veteran’s date of 

separation from active military service, or 2) The date VA first notified 

a Veteran that he/she has a compensable service-connected disability. Depending on the length of program needed, Veterans may 

be provided up to 48 months of full-time services or the part-time 

equivalent. Rehabilitation plans that only provide services to improve 

independence in daily living are limited to 30 months. These limitations may be extended in certain circumstances. 

Subsistence Allowance

In some cases, a Veteran may require additional education or training to become employable. A subsistence allowance is paid each 

month during training and is based on the rate of attendance (fulltime or part-time), the number of dependents, and the type of training. (See Chart on Page 46) 

Veterans who are eligible for both VR&E services and Post-9/11 

GI Bill benefits may elect a special subsistence allowance that is 

based on the monthly basic allowance for housing paid to active duty 

military. The monthly amount varies depending on the ZIP code of 

the training facility and is usually greater than the following regular 

subsistence allowance rates that are available to Veterans with no 

Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility who are using VR&E benefits. Active-duty 

Servicemembers are not eligible for subsistence allowance until after 

release from active duty. 

Employment Services

VR&E staff assists Veterans and Servicemembers with achieving 

their employment goals by providing job development and placement services, which include: on-the-job training, job-seeking skills, 

resume development, interviewing skills and direct placement. VR&E 

has partnerships with federal, state and private agencies to provide 

direct placement of Veterans or Servicemembers. VR&E can assist 

with placement using the following resources:

On the Job Training (OJT) Program 

Employers hire Veterans at an apprentice wage, and VR&E supplements the salary up the journeyman wage (up to maximum allowable 

under OJT). As the Veterans progress through training, the employ-
45 Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Chapter 3

ers begin to pay more of the salary until the Veterans reach journeyman level and the employers are paying the entire salary. VR&E will 

also pay for any necessary tools. Employers are also eligible for a 

federal tax credit for hiring an individual who participated in a vocational rehabilitation program.

Non-Paid Work Experience (NPWE) 

The NPWE program provides eligible Veterans the opportunity to 

obtain training and practical job experience concurrently. This program is ideal for Veterans or Servicemembers who have a clearly 

established career goal, and who learn easily in a hands-on environment. This program is also well suited for Veterans who are having 

difficulties obtaining employment due to lack of work experience. The 

NPWE program may be established in a federal, state, or local (i.e. 

city, town, school district) government agencies only. The employer 

may hire the Veteran at any point during the NPWE. 

Special Employer Incentive (SEI) 

The SEI program is for eligible Veterans who face challenges in 

obtaining employment. Veterans approved to participate in the SEI 

program are hired by participating employers and employment is 

expected to continue following successful completion of the program. 

Employers may be provided this incentive to hire Veterans. If approved, the employer will receive reimbursement for up to 50 percent 

of the Veteran’s salary during the SEI program, which can last up to 

six months. 

The Veterans Employment Center (www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/jobs) is the federal government’s single authoritative online 

source for connecting transitioning Servicemembers, Veterans, and 

military families with meaningful career opportunities with both public 

and private-sector employers. 

Job seekers can use the site to translate their military skills into civilian skills that employers can understand, post a public resume that 

is searchable by employers, and conduct a job search for both public 

and private-sector positions. Employers can use the site to post job 

opportunities, search verified resumes, make public commitments to 

hire Veterans, and obtain additional hiring and employment resources. All referral links direct job seekers to the employer’s website and 

their unique job application system.
Chapter 3 Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment 46

VetSuccess On Campus (VSOC)

The VSOC program is designed to assist Veterans as they make 

the transition to college life. Through the VSOC program, VR&E is 

strengthening partnerships with institutions of higher learning and 

creating opportunities to help Veterans achieve success by providing 

outreach and transition services to the general Veteran population 

during their transition from military to college life.

The VSOC program provides:a VA Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor assigned to each VSOC school to provide vocational testing 

and career, academic, and readjustment counseling services, and a 

VA Vet Center Outreach Coordinator, co-located on many campuses, 

to provide peer-to-peer counseling and referral services.

 VSOC counselors ensure that Veterans receive the support and assistance needed to pursue their educational and employment goals. 

VR&E Subsistence Allowance Rates

Training Time No 

dependents

One

dependent

Two

dependents

Each

Additional 

dependent

Institutional* Full-Time $594.47 $737.39 $868.96 $63.34

3/4-Time $446.67 $553.85 $649.68 $48.71

1/2-Time $298.88 $370.30 $435.27 $32.50

Farm Co-op

Apprentice 

 OJT**

Full-Time $519.77 $628.55 $724.41 $47.12

Extended 

Evaluation

Services in 

Rehab Facility

Full-Time $594.47 $737.39 $868.96 $63.34

3/4-Time $446.67 $553.85 $649.68 $48.71

1/2-Time $298.88 $370.30 $435.27 $32.50

1/4-Time $149.41 $185.17 $217.64 $16.21

Independ. 

Living

Full-Time $594.47 $737.39 $868.96 $63.34

3/4-Time $446.67 $553.85 $649.68 $48.71

1/2-Time $298.88 $370.30 $435.27 $32.50
47 Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Chapter 3

Because the VSOC counselors are easily accessible on campuses, 

they help resolve any problems that could potentially interfere with 

a Veteran’s educational program, to include assisting with disability 

requirements. If needed, they can also provide referrals for health 

services through VA Medical Centers, Community-Based Outpatient 

Clinics, or Vet Centers.

Current VSOC locations include: American River College, Arizona State University, Austin Community College, Austin Peay State 

University – Clarksville, Bellevue University, Bluegrass Community 

College, Boise State University, California State University – LA, 

California State University-Long Beach, Central New Mexico Community College, Central Texas College, Citrus College, Cleveland 

State University, Community College of Rhode Island, East Carolina 

University, Eastern Kentucky University, Eastern Michigan University, 

Ecpi University, Florida International University, Florida State College 

at Jacksonville, Florida State University, George Mason University, 

George Washington University, Harrisburg Area Community College, 

Hawaii Pacific University, Houston Community College, Irvine Valley 

College, Johnson County Community College, Kalamazoo Valley 

Community College, Kellogg Community College, LA City College, 

Leeward Community College, Liberty University, Lone Star College 

System-University Park, Long Beach City College, Middle Tennessee 

State University, Middlesex Community College, Midlands Technical 

College, Mira Costa College, Mt. San Antonio College, Norfolk State 

University, Northern Virginia Community College – Alexandria, Northern Virginia Community College – Annandale, Northwest Arkansas 

College, Northwest Florida State College, Old Dominion University, 

Pasadena City College, Portland Community College, Portland State 

University, Rhode Island College, Rutgers University, Saddleback 

College, Salt Lake Community College, Sam Houston State University, San Antonio College, San Diego State University, Santa Fe 

Community College, Southwestern Illinois College, St. Leo University 

- South Hampton, Syracuse University, Tallahassee Community College, Tarrant County College District-NorthEast, Tarrant County College District-South, Texas A&M University - College Station, Texas 

A&M University-Central Texas, The Ohio State University, Tidewater 

Community College - Virginia Beach, Tidewater Community College –Chesapeake, Tidewater Community College –Portsmouth, 

Tidewater Community College-Norfolk, Troy University, University of 

Alabama, University of Alaska – Anchorage, University of Arkansas, 

University of Cincinnati, University of Florida, University of Hawaii-
Chapter 3 Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment 48

Manoa, University of Houston, University of Illinois – Champaign, 

University of Kentucky, University of Maryland - University College, 

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, University of Nebraska (Omaha), 

University of Nevada - Las Vegas, University of New Mexico, University of South Florida, University of Texas – Arlington, University 

of Texas-San Antonio, University of Utah, University of West Florida, 

University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Washtenaw Community College, Webster University-St. Louis, and Western Michigan University

Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES): VR&E is providing earlier access to VR&E benefits to wounded, ill or injured Servicemembers pending a medical separation from military service. 

VRCs are assigned to military installations hosting an IDES site and 

provide VR&E services to assist Servicemembers in the transition 

from active-duty to entering the labor market in viable careers. At 

these sites, Servicemembers will have a mandatory meeting with a 

VRC when referred to the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB). Servicemembers receive services ranging from a comprehensive rehabilitation evaluation to determine abilities, skills and interests for employment purposes; entry into training programs; and case management 

and support to become job ready and employed.

Current IDES locations include: Ft. Meade, Patuxent River NMC, 

Ft. Drum, New England NHC, West Point, McGuire AFB, Ft. Benning, Ft. Gordon, Ft. Stewart, Robins AFB, Beaufort NH, Ft. Jackson, 

Charleston NH, Shaw AFB, Fort Knox, Pensacola NH, Maxwell AFB, 

Fort Rucker, Redstone Arsenal, Ft. Campbell, Ft. Eustis, Portsmouth 

NMC, Ft. Lee, Langley JB, Jacksonville NH, MacDill AFB, Bethesda 

NNMC/WRAMC, Quantico NHC, Andrews AFB, Ft. Belvoir, Camp 

Lejeune, Ft. Bragg, Seymour Johnson AFB, Cherry Point NH, Fort 

Buchanan, Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio JB ( Lakeland), Little Rock 

AFB, Ft. Sill, Sheppard AFB, Tinker AFB, Ft. Polk, Ft. Leonard Wood, 

Ft. Bliss, Ft. Hood, Dyess AFB, Ft. Riley, Kirtland AFB, Richardson 

JB, Ft. Wainwright, Elmendorf AFB, Ft. Carson, F.E. Warren AFB, 

Peterson AFB, Schofield Barracks, Tripler AMC, Ft. Irwin, 29 Palms, 

Travis AFB, Lemoore NH, Ft. Huachuca, Davis-Monthan AFB, Luke 

AFB, Nellis AFB, Hill AFB, San Diego NMC, Camp Pendleton, Ft. 

Lewis, Bremerton NH, Oak Harbor NH, and Fairchild AFB

Additional information on VR&E benefits is available at www.benefits.

va.gov/vocrehab
49 VA Pensions Chapter 4

Chapter 4

VA Pensions

Eligibility for Veterans Pension

Low-income wartime Veterans may qualify for pension if they meet 

certain service, income and net worth limits set by law, are age 65 or 

older, or permanently and totally disabled, or a patient in a nursing 

home receiving skilled nursing care, or receiving Social Security Disability Insurance, or receiving Supplemental Security Income. Generally, a Veteran must have at least 90 days of active duty service, with 

at least one day during a VA recognized wartime period. The 90-day 

active service requirement does not apply to Veterans discharged 

from the military due to a service-connected disability. 

Note: Veterans may have to meet longer minimum periods of active 

duty if they entered active duty on or after Sept. 8, 1980, or, if they 

were officers who entered active duty on or after Oct. 16,1981. The 

Veteran’s discharge must have been under conditions other than 

dishonorable and the disability must be for reasons other than the 

Veteran’s own willful misconduct. 

Payments are made to bring the Veteran’s total income, including other retirement or Social Security income, to a level set by 

Congress. Unreimbursed medical expenses may reduce countable 

income for VA purposes. 

Protected Pension

Pension beneficiaries, who were receiving a VA pension on Dec. 31, 

1978, and do not wish to elect the Improved Pension, will continue 

to receive the pension rate received on that date. This rate generally 

continues as long as the beneficiary’s income remains within established limits, or net worth does not bar payment, and the beneficiary 

does not lose any dependents.

Beneficiaries must continue to meet basic eligibility factors, such as 

permanent and total disability for Veterans. VA must adjust rates for 

other reasons, such as a Veteran’s hospitalization in a VA facility. 
Chapter 4 VA Pensions 50

Medal of Honor Pension

VA administers a pension benefit to recipients of the Medal of Honor. 

This entitlement is not based on income level or need. Congress set 

the monthly pension at $1,277.89 for 2014.

Veterans Pension 

Congress establishes the maximum annual Veterans Pension rates. 

Payments are reduced by the amount of countable income of the 

Veteran, spouse, and dependent children. When a Veteran without 

a spouse or a child is furnished nursing home or domiciliary care 

by VA, the pension is reduced to an amount not to exceed $90 per 

month after three calendar months of care. The reduction may be delayed if nursing-home care is being continued to provide the Veteran 

with rehabilitation services.

Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits 

(Special Monthly Pension) 

Veterans and surviving spouses who are eligible for VA pensions are 

eligible for higher maximum pension rates if they qualify for aid and 

attendance or housebound benefits. An eligible individual may qualify 

if he or she requires the regular aid of another person in order to 

perform personal functions required in everyday living, or is bedridden, a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity, 

blind, or permanently and substantially confined to his/her immediate 

premises because of a disability. 

Veterans and surviving spouses who are ineligible for basic pension 

based on excessive annual income may still be eligible for special 

monthly pension (SMP) if they require the aid and attendance of 

another in performing their daily functions, or if they are housebound 

due to a nonservice-connected condition as a higher income limit applies to SMP entitlement. In addition, unreimbursed medical expenses for nursing home or home-health care may be used to reduce 

countable annual income.

Claimants may apply for aid and attendance or housebound benefits 

by completing VA Form 21-2680 (available through www.va.gov). 

Claimants may also write to the nearest VA regional office and include copies of any evidence, preferably a report from an attending 

physician or a nursing home, validating the need for aid and attendance or housebound care. The report should be in sufficient detail 

to determine whether there is disease or injury producing physical 
51 VA Pensions Chapter 4

or mental impairment, loss of coordination, or conditions affecting 

the ability to dress and undress, to feed oneself, to attend to sanitary 

needs, and to keep oneself ordinarily clean and presentable. In addition, VA may need to determine whether the claimant is confined to 

the home or immediate premises. 

VA also pays a special $90 monthly rate to pension-eligible Veterans 

or surviving spouses with no dependents who receive Medicaid-covered nursing home care. These funds are available for the beneficiary’s personal use and may not be used to offset the cost of his or 

her care.

Status of Veteran’s 

Family Situation and 

Caretaking Needs 

Maximum 

Annual Rate

Veteran without 

dependents

$12,652

Veteran with one 

dependent

$16,569

Veteran permanently housebound, no 

dependents

$15,462

Veteran permanently housebound, one 

dependent

$19,380

Veteran needing regular aid and 

attendance, no dependents $21,107

Veteran needing regular aid and 

attendance,

one dependent

$25,022

Two Veterans married to one 

another

$16,569

Increase for each 

additional dependent child

$2,161

* Additional information can be found in the Pension Benefits section at 

www.benefits.va.gov/pension.

2014 VA Improved Pension - Veterans Rates
Chapter 5 Education and Training 52

Chapter 5

Education and Training

This chapter provides a summary of VA educational and training 

benefits. Additional information can be found at www.benefits.va.gov/

gibill/ or by calling 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551). 

Post–9/11 GI Bill

Eligibility 

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is an education benefit program for Servicemembers and Veterans who served on active duty after Sept.10, 

2001. Benefits are payable for training pursued on or after Aug. 1, 

2009. No payments can be made under this program for training 

pursued before that date. 

To be eligible, the Servicemember or Veteran must serve at least 90 

aggregate days on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, and remain on 

active duty or be honorably discharged. Active duty includes active 

service performed by National Guard members under title 32 U.S.C. 

for the purposes of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or training the National Guard; or under section 502(f) for the 

purpose of responding to a national emergency. Veterans may also 

be eligible if they were honorably discharged from active duty for a 

service-connected disability after serving 30 continuous days after 

Sept. 10, 2001. Generally, Servicemembers or Veterans may receive 

up to 36 months of entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. 

Eligibility for benefits expires 15 years from the last period of active duty of at least 90 consecutive days. If released for a serviceconnected disability after at least 30 days of continuous service, 

eligibility ends 15 years from when the member is released for the 

service-connected disability. If, on Aug. 1, 2009, the Servicemember 

or Veteran is eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill; the Montgomery GI 

Bill – Selected Reserve; or the Reserve Educational Assistance Program, and qualifies for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, an irrevocable election 

must be made to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. 

In most instances, once the election to receive benefits under the 

Post-9/11 GI Bill is made, the individual will no longer be eligible to 

receive benefits under the relinquished program.
53 Education and Training Chapter 5

Based on the length of active duty service, eligible participants are 

entitled to receive a percentage of the following: 

• Cost of in-state tuition and fees at public institutions and for the 

2013-2014 academic year, up to $19,198.31 toward tuition 

and fee costs at private and foreign institutions (paid directly to 

the school), 

• Monthly housing allowance* equal to the basic allowance for 

housing payable to a military E-5 with dependents, in the same 

ZIP code as the primary school (paid directly to the 

Servicemember, Veteran, or eligible dependents),

• Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year (paid 

directly to the Servicemember, Veteran, or eligible dependents), 

and 

• A one-time payment of $500 paid to certain individuals relocating 

from highly rural areas. 

* Housing allowance is not payable to individuals pursuing training at half 

time or less.

Approved training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill includes graduate and 

undergraduate degrees, vocational/technical training, on-the-job 

training, flight training, correspondence training, licensing and national testing programs, and tutorial assistance.

Individuals serving an aggregate period of active duty after Sept. 

10, 2001, can receive the following percentages based on length of 

service: 

Individuals serving an aggregate period of active duty after Sept. 

10, 2001, can receive the percentages listed in the chart on page 54 

based on length of service: 

1. Includes service on active duty in entry level and skill training. 

2. Excludes service on active duty in entry level and skill training. 

3. If the individual would only qualify at the 70 percent level when 

service on active duty in entry level and skill training is excluded, 

then VA can only pay at the 70 percent level.

The Yellow Ribbon G.I. Bill Education Enhancement Program

This program may assist eligible individuals with payment of their 

tuition and fees in instances where costs exceed the in-state tuition 

charges at a public institution or the national maximum payable at 

private and foreign institutions. To be eligible, the student must be: 

a Veteran receiving benefits at the 100-percent benefit rate payable, 
Chapter 5 Education and Training 54

a transfer-of-entitlement-eligible dependent child, or a transfer-ofentitlement-eligible spouse of a Veteran. 

The school of attendance must have accepted VA’s invitation to participate in the program, state how much student tuition will be waived 

(up to 50 percent) and how many participants will be accepted into 

the program during the current academic year. VA will match the 

school’s percentage (up to 50 percent) to reduce or eliminate out-ofpocket costs for eligible participants. 

Transfer of Entitlement 

DoD may offer members of the armed forces on or after Aug. 1, 

2009, the opportunity to transfer benefits to a spouse or dependent 

children. DoD and the military services must approve all requests for 

this benefit. Members of the armed forces approved for transfer of 

entitlement may only transfer any unused portion of their Post-9/11 

GI Bill benefits while a member of the armed forces, subject to their 

period of eligibility. 

Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship 

This scholarship entitles children of those who die in the line of duty 

on or after Sept. 11, 2001, to use Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. 

Eligible children: 

• Are entitled to 36 months of benefits at the 100 percent level, 

Active Duty Service Maximum Benefit

At least 36 months 100 percent

At least 30 continuous days and 

discharged due to service-connected 

disability

100 percent

At least 30 months < 36 months (1) 90 percent

At least 24 months < 30 months (1) 80 percent

At least 18 months < 24 months (2) 70 percent

At least 12 months < 18 months (2) 60 percent

At least 6 months < 12 months (2) 50 percent

At least 90 days < 6 months (2) 40 Percent

(1) Includes service on active duty in entry level and skill training. (2) Excludes service 

on active duty in entry level and skill training. (3) If the individual would only qualify 

at the 70 percent level when service on active duty in entry level and skill training is 

excluded, then VA can only pay at the 70 percent level.
55 Education and Training Chapter 5

• Have 15 years to use the benefit beginning on their 18th 

birthday, 

• May use the benefit until their 33rd birthday, and 

• Are not eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program. 

VetSuccess on Campus

This is designed to provide on-campus benefits assistance and 

readjustment counseling to assist Veterans in completing their college educations and entering the labor market in viable careers. 

Under this program, a full-time, experienced Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and a part-time Vet Center Outreach Coordinator are 

assigned at each campus to provide VA benefits outreach, support, 

and assistance to ensure their health, educational, and benefit needs 

are met. 

Montgomery GI Bill

Eligibility 

VA educational benefits may be used while the Servicemember is on 

active duty or after the Servicemember’s separation from active duty 

with a fully honorable military discharge. Discharges “under honorable conditions” and “general” discharges do not establish eligibility. 

Eligibility generally expires 10 years after the Servicemember’s 

discharge. However, there are exceptions for disability, re-entering 

active duty, and upgraded discharges. All participants must have a 

high school diploma, equivalency certificate, or have completed 12 

hours toward a college degree before applying for benefits. 

Previously, Servicemembers had to meet the high school requirement before they completed their initial active duty obligation. Those 

who did not may now meet the requirement and reapply for benefits. 

If eligible, they must use their benefits within 10 years from the date 

of last discharge from active duty. 

Additionally, every Veteran must establish eligibility under one of four 

categories. 

Category 1: Service after June 30, 1985

For Veterans who entered active duty for the first time after June 

30, 1985, did not decline MGIB in writing, and had their military 

pay reduced by $100 a month for 12 months. Servicemembers can 

apply after completing two continuous years of service. Veterans 
Chapter 5 Education and Training 56

must have completed three continuous years of active duty, or two 

continuous years of active duty if they first signed up for less than 

three years or have an obligation to serve four years in the Selected 

Reserve (the 2x4 program) and enter the Selected Reserve within 

one year of discharge. 

Servicemembers or Veterans who received a commission as a result 

of graduation from a service academy or completion of an ROTC 

scholarship are not eligible under Category 1 unless they received 

their commission:

• After becoming eligible for MGIB benefits (including completing 

the minimum service requirements for the initial period of active 

duty), or

• After Sept. 30, 1996, and received less than $3,400 during any 

one year under ROTC scholarship. 

Servicemembers or Veterans who declined MGIB because they 

received repayment from the military for education loans are also 

ineligible under Category 1. If they did not decline MGIB and received loan repayments, the months served to repay the loans will 

be deducted from their entitlement. 

Early Separation from Military Service: Servicemembers who did 

not complete the required period of military service may be eligible 

under Category 1 if discharged for one of the following: 

1. Convenience of the government – with 30 continuous 

months of service for an obligation of three or more years, or 

20 continuous months of service for an obligation of less 

 than three years,

2. Service-connected disability, 

3. Hardship,

4. A medical condition diagnosed prior to joining the military,

5. A condition that interfered with performance of duty and did 

not result from misconduct,

6. A reduction in force (in most cases)

7. Sole Survivorship (if discharged after 9/11/01).

Category 2: Vietnam Era GI Bill Conversion

For Veterans who had remaining entitlement under the Vietnam Era 

GI Bill on Dec. 31, 1989, and served on active duty for any number 

of days during the period Oct. 19, 1984, to June. 30, 1985, for at 

least three continuous years beginning on July 1, 1985; or at least 
57 Education and Training Chapter 5

two continuous years of active duty beginning on July 1, 1985, followed by four years in the Selected Reserve beginning within one 

year of release from active duty. Veterans not on active duty on 

Oct. 19, 1984, may be eligible under Category 2 if they served three 

continuous years on active duty beginning on or after July 1, 1985, 

or two continuous years of active duty at any time followed by four 

continuous years in the Selected Reserve beginning within one year 

of release from active duty. 

Veterans are barred from eligibility under Category 2 if they received 

a commission after Dec. 31, 1976, as a result of graduation from a 

service academy or completion of an ROTC scholarship. 

However, such a commission is not disqualifying if they received the 

commission after becoming eligible for MGIB benefits, or received 

the commission after Sept. 30, 1996, and received less than $3,400 

during any one year under ROTC scholarship. 

Category 3: Involuntary Separation/Special Separation

For Veterans who meet one of the following requirements: 

1. Elected MGIB before being involuntarily separated, or

2. Were voluntarily separated under the Voluntary Separation 

Incentive or the Special Separation Benefit program, elected 

MGIB benefits before being separated, and had military pay 

reduced by $1,200 before discharge. 

Category 4: Veterans Educational Assistance Program

For Veterans who participated in the Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) and: 

1. Served on active duty on Oct. 9, 1996.

2. Participated in VEAP and contributed money to an account.

3. Elected MGIB by Oct. 9, 1997, and paid $1,200. 

Veterans who participated in VEAP on or before Oct. 9, 1996, may 

also be eligible even if they did not deposit money in a VEAP account if they served on active duty from Oct. 9, 1996, through April 

1, 2000, elected MGIB by Oct. 31, 2001, and contributed $2,700 to 

MGIB. 

Certain National Guard Servicemembers may also qualify under 

Category 4 if they:
Chapter 5 Education and Training 58

1. Served for the first time on full-time active duty in the 

National Guard between June 30, 1985, and Nov. 29, 1989, 

and had no previous active duty service.

2. Elected MGIB during the nine-month window ending on 

July 9, 1997; and

 3. Paid $1,200. 

Payments 

Effective Oct. 1, 2013, the rate for full-time training in college, technical or vocational school is $1,648 a month for those who served 

three years or more or two years plus four years in the Selected 

Reserve. For those who served less than three years, the monthly 

rate is $1,339.

Benefits are reduced for part-time training. Payments for other types 

of training follow different rules. VA will pay an additional amount, 

called a “kicker” or “college fund,” if directed by DoD. Visit www.

benefits.va.gov/gibill for more information. The maximum number of 

months Veterans can receive payments is 36 months at the full-time 

rate or the part-time equivalent. 

The following groups qualify for the maximum 

Veterans who served the required length of active duty, Veterans 

with an obligation of three years or more who were separated early 

for the convenience of the government and served 30 continuous 

months, and Veterans with an obligation of less than three years who 

were separated early for the convenience of the government and 

served 20 continuous months.

Types of Training Available: 

• Courses at colleges and universities leading to associate, 

bachelor or graduate degrees, including accredited independent 

study offered through distance education. 

• Courses leading to a certificate or diploma from business, 

technical or vocational schools. 

• Apprenticeship or on-the-job training for those not on active duty, 

including self-employment training begun on or after June 16, 

2004, for ownership or operation of a franchise.

• Correspondence courses, under certain conditions.

• Flight training, if the Veteran holds a private pilot’s license upon 

beginning the training and meets the medical requirements.

• State-approved teacher certification programs.
59 Education and Training Chapter 5

• Preparatory courses necessary for admission to a college or 

graduate school.

• License and certification tests approved for Veterans.

• Entrepreneurship training courses to create or expand small 

businesses. 

• Tuition assistance using MGIB as “Top-Up” (active duty 

Servicemembers). 

Accelerated payments for certain high-cost programs are authorized.

Work-Study Program 

Participants who train at the three-quarter or full-time rate may be 

eligible for a work-study program in which they work for VA and receive hourly wages. Students under the work-study program must be 

supervised by a VA employee, and all duties performed must relate 

to VA. The types of work allowed include: 

• The preparation and processing of necessary papers and other 

documents at educational institutions

• Any activity at a VA facility

• Any activity at Department of Defense, Coast Guard, or National 

Guard facilities relating to the administration of Chapters 1606 or 

1607 of Title 10 U.S.C.

• Any activity of a State Veterans agency related to providing 

assistance to Veterans in obtaining any benefit under Title 38, 

U.S.C. or the laws of the State

• A position working in a Center for Excellence for Veteran Student 

Success, as established under 20 U.S.C. 1161t, which purpose 

is to support and coordinate academic, financial, physical, and 

social needs of Veteran students

• A position working in a cooperative program carried out jointly by 

VA and an Institution of Higher Learning

• Any Veterans-related position in an institution of higher 

learning, such as: 

Assisting with dissemination of general information 

regarding Veteran benefits and/or services

* providing assistance to Veteran students with general 

 inquiries about Veteran benefits via phone, email, or in 

 person; or

* Maintaining and organizing Veteran-related files
Chapter 5 Education and Training 60

Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program

Eligibility 

Active duty personnel could participate in the Veterans’ Educational 

Assistance Program (VEAP) if they entered active duty for the first 

time after Dec. 31, 1976, and before July 1, 1985, and made a contribution prior to Apr. 1, 1987. 

The maximum contribution is $2,700. Active duty participants may 

make a lump-sum contribution to their VEAP account. For more information, visit www. www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

Servicemembers who participated in VEAP are eligible to receive 

benefits while on active duty if: 

1. At least three months of contributions are available, except 

for high school or elementary, in which only one month is 

needed.

2. And they enlisted for the first time after Sept. 7, 1980, and 

completed 24 months of their first period of active duty. 

Servicemembers must receive a discharge under conditions other 

than dishonorable for the qualifying period of service. Servicemembers who enlisted for the first time after Sept. 7, 1980, or entered 

active duty as an officer or enlistee after Oct. 16, 1981, must have 

completed 24 continuous months of active duty, unless they meet a 

qualifying exception. 

Eligibility generally expires 10 years from release from active duty, 

but can be extended under special circumstances. 

Payments 

DoD will match contributions at the rate of $2 for every $1 put into 

the fund and may make additional contributions, or “kickers,” as necessary. For training in college, vocational or technical schools, the 

payment amount depends on the type and hours of training pursued. 

The maximum amount is $300 a month for full-time training. 

Training, Work-Study, Counseling 

VEAP participants may receive the same training, work-study benefits and counseling as provided under the MGIB with the exception 

of preparatory courses. 
61 Home Loan Guaranty Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Home Loan Guaranty

VA home loan guaranties are issued to help eligible Servicemembers, Veterans, Reservists, National Guard members, and certain 

surviving spouses obtain homes, condominiums, and manufactured 

homes, and to refinance loans. For additional information or to obtain 

VA loan guaranty forms, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/. 

Loan Uses 

A VA guaranty helps protect lenders from loss if the borrower fails to 

repay the loan. It can be used to obtain a loan to: 

1. Buy or build a home. 

2. Buy a residential condominium unit.

3. Repair, alter, or improve a residence owned by the Veteran 

and occupied as a home.

4. Refinance an existing home loan.

5. Buy a manufactured home and/or lot.

6. Install a solar heating or cooling system or other 

energy-efficient improvements. 

Eligibility 

In addition to the periods of eligibility and conditions of service 

requirements, applicants must have a good credit rating, sufficient 

income, a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE), and agree to live in the 

property in order to be approved by a lender for a VA home loan. 

Lenders can apply for a COE online through the Veterans Information Portal (https://vip.vba.va.gov/portal/VBAH/Home). Active duty 

Servicemembers and Veterans can also apply online at http://www.

ebenefits.va.gov. Although it’s preferable to apply electronically, it 

is possible to apply for a COE using VA Form 26-1880, Request for 

Certificate of Eligibility.

In applying for a hard-copy COE from VA Eligibility Center using VA 

Form 26-1880, it is typically necessary that the eligible Veteran present a copy of his/her report of discharge or DD Form 214, Certificate 
Chapter 6 Home Loan Guaranty 62

of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other adequate substitute evidence to VA. An eligible active duty Servicemember should 

obtain and submit a statement of service signed by an appropriate 

military official to the VA Eligibility Center. A completed VA Form 26-

1880 and any associated documentation should be mailed to Atlanta 

Regional Loan Center, Attn: COE (262), P.O. Box 100034, Decatur, 

GA 30031.Please note that while VA’s electronic applications can 

establish eligibility and issue an online COE in a matter of seconds, 

not all cases can be processed online. The system can only process 

those cases for which VA has sufficient data in its records. If a COE 

cannot be issued immediately, users have the option of submitting an 

electronic application.

Periods of Eligibility: 

World War II 

(1) Active duty service after Sept.15, 1940, and prior to July 26, 

1947; (2) discharge under other than dishonorable conditions; 

and (3) at least 90 days total service unless discharged early for a 

service-connected disability. 

Post-World War II period 

(1) Active duty service after July 25, 1947, and prior to June 27, 

1950; (2) discharge under other than dishonorable conditions; and 

(3) 181 days continuous active duty service unless discharged early 

for a service-connected disability.

Korean War 

(1) Active duty after June 26, 1950, and prior to Feb. 1, 1955; (2) discharge under other than dishonorable conditions; and (3) at least 90 

days total service, unless discharged early for a service-connected 

disability. 

Post-Korean War period 

(1) Active duty after Jan. 31, 1955, and prior to Aug. 5, 1964; (2) 

discharge under other than dishonorable conditions; (3) 181 days 

continuous service, unless discharged early for a service-connected 

disability.

Vietnam War 

(1) Active duty after Aug. 4, 1964, and prior to May 8, 1975; (2) discharge under other than dishonorable conditions; and (3) 90 days to-
63 Home Loan Guaranty Chapter 6

tal service, unless discharged early for a service-connected disability. 

For Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam, the beginning 

date is Feb. 28,1961.

Post-Vietnam period 

(1) Active duty after May 7, 1975, and prior to Aug. 2, 1990; (2) active duty for 181 continuous days, all of which occurred after May 7, 

1975; and (3) discharge under conditions other than dishonorable or 

early discharge for service-connected disability.

24-Month Rule 

If service was between Sept. 8, 1980, (Oct. 16, 1981, for officers) 

and Aug. 1, 1990, Veterans must generally complete 24 months of 

continuous active duty service or the full period (at least 181 days) 

for which they were called or ordered to active duty, and be discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

Exceptions are allowed if the Veteran completed at least 181 days 

of active duty service but was discharged earlier than 24 months for 

(1) hardship, (2) the convenience of the government, (3) reductionin-force, (4) certain medical conditions, or (5) service-connected 

disability.

Gulf War 

Veterans of the Gulf War era – Aug. 2, 1990, to a date to be determined – must generally complete 24 months of continuous active 

duty service or the full period (at least 90 days) for which they were 

called to active duty, and be discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. 

Exceptions are allowed if the Veteran completed at least 90 days of 

active duty but was discharged earlier than 24 months for (1) hardship, (2) the convenience of the government, (3) reduction-in-force, 

(4) certain medical conditions, or (5) service-connected disability. 

Reservists and National Guard members are eligible if they were 

activated after Aug. 1, 1990, and completed the full period for which 

they were called to active duty, served at least 90 days, and were 

discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.

Active Duty Personnel 

Until the Gulf War era is ended, persons on active duty are eligible 

after serving 90 continuous days.
Chapter 6 Home Loan Guaranty 64

Eligibility for Reserves and/or Guard (not activated) 

Members of the Reserves and National Guard who are not otherwise eligible for loan guaranty benefits are eligible upon completing 

6 years of service in the Reserves or Guard (unless released earlier 

due to a service-connected disability). The applicant must have 

received an honorable (a general or under honorable conditions is 

not qualifying) discharge from such service unless he or she is either 

in an inactive status awaiting final discharge, or still serving in the 

Reserves or Guard.

Surviving Spouses: Some spouses of Veterans may have home 

loan eligibility. They are:

• the unmarried surviving spouse of a Veteran who died as a result 

of service or service-connected causes,

• the surviving spouse of a Veteran who dies on active duty or 

from service-connected causes, who remarries on or after 

attaining age 57 and on or after Dec. 16, 2003, and

• the spouse of an active duty member who is listed as missing in 

action (MIA) or a prisoner of war (POW) for at least 90 days.

Eligibility under this MIA/POW provision is limited to one-time use 

only.

Surviving spouses of Veterans who died from nonservice-connected 

causes may also be eligible if any of the following conditions are met: 

The Veteran was rated totally service-connected disabled for 10 

years or more immediately preceding death, or was rated totally disabled for not less than five years from date of discharge or release 

from active duty to date of death, or was a former prisoner of war 

who died after Sept. 30, 1999, and was rated totally service-connected disabled for not less than one year immediately preceding death.

Under the Home Loan Guaranty Program, VA does not make loans 

to Veterans and Servicemembers; VA guarantees loans made by 

private-sector lenders. The guaranty amount is what VA could pay a 

lender should the loan go to foreclosure. 

It is important to note that VA does not impose a maximum loan 

amount that a Veteran may borrow to purchase a home; instead, the 

law directs the maximum amount that VA may guarantee on a home 

loan. Because most VA loans are pooled in mortgage securities that 
65 Home Loan Guaranty Chapter 6

require a 25 percent guaranty, the effective no-downpayment loan 

limit on VA loans tends to be four times VA’s maximum guaranty 

amount. Loans for more than the effective no-downpayment loan 

limit generally require downpayments. Then, VA’s effective no-downpayment loan limits are established annually, and vary, depending on 

the size of the loan and the location of the property. are established 

annually, and vary, depending on the size of the loan and the location 

of the property. 

An eligible borrower can use a VA-guaranteed Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan to refinance an existing VA loan to lower the 

interest rate and payment. Typically, no credit underwriting is required for this type of loan. The loan may include the entire outstanding balance of the prior loan, the costs of energy-efficient improvements, as well as closing costs, including up to two discount points. 

An eligible borrower who wishes to obtain a VA-guaranteed loan to 

purchase a manufactured home or lot can borrow up to 95 percent 

of the home’s purchase price. The amount VA will guarantee on a 

manufactured home loan is 40 percent of the loan amount or the Veteran’s available entitlement, up to a maximum amount of $20,000. 

These provisions apply only to a manufactured home that will not be 

placed on a permanent foundation. 

VA Appraisals 

No loan can be guaranteed by VA without first being appraised by 

a VA-assigned fee appraiser. A lender can request a VA appraisal 

through VA systems. The Veteran borrower typically pays for the 

appraisal upon completion, according to a fee schedule approved 

by VA. This VA appraisal estimates value of the property. It is not an 

inspection and does not guarantee the house is free of defects. VA 

guarantees the loan, not the condition of the property. A thorough 

inspection of the property by a reputable inspection firm may help 

minimize any problems that could arise after loan closing. In an existing home, particular attention should be given to plumbing, heating, 

electrical, and roofing components. 

Closing Costs 

For purchase home loans, payment in cash is required on all closing costs, including title search and recording fees, hazard insurance premiums and prepaid taxes. For refinancing loans, all such 

costs may be included in the loan, as long as the total loan does not 
Chapter 6 Home Loan Guaranty 66

Loan Category Active Duty and 

Veterans

Reservists and 

National Guard

Loans for purchase 

or construction with 

downpayments of 

less than 5 percent, 

refinancing, and home 

improvement

2.15 percent 2.40 percent

Loans for purchase 

or construction with 

downpayments of at 

least 5 percent but less 

than 10 percent

1.50 percent 1.75 percent

Loans for purchase 

or construction 

with downpayments 

of 10percent or 

more

1.25 percent 1.50 percent

Loans for manufactured homes1 percent 1 percent

Interest rate reduction 

refinancing loans

.50 percent .50 percent

Assumption of a VAguaranteed loan.50 percent .50 percent

Second or subsequent 

use of 

entitlement with no 

downpayment

3.3 percent 3.3 percent

exceed the reasonable value of the property. Interest rate reduction loans may include closing costs, including a maximum of two 

discount points. 

VA Funding Fees 

A funding fee must be paid to VA unless the Veteran is exempt from 

such a fee. The fee may be paid in cash or included in the loan. 

2014 VA Funding Fee Rates
67 Home Loan Guaranty Chapter 6

Closing costs such as VA appraisal, credit report, loan processing 

fee, title search, title insurance, recording fees, transfer taxes, survey 

charges, or hazard insurance may not be included for purchase 

home loans. 

All Veterans, except those who are specified by law as exempt, are 

charged a VA funding fee (See chart above). Currently, exemptions 

from the funding fee are provided for those Veterans and Servicemembers receiving VA disability compensation, those who are 

rated by VA as eligible to receive compensation as a result of predischarge disability examination and rating, and those who would be 

in receipt of compensation, but who were recalled to active duty or 

reenlisted and are receiving active-duty pay in lieu of compensation. 

Additionally, unmarried surviving spouses in receipt of Dependency 

and Indemnity Compensation may be exempt from the funding fee. 

For all types of loans, the loan amount may include this funding fee. 

VA funding fee and up to $6,000 of energy-efficient improvements 

can be included in VA loans. However, no other fees, charges, or 

discount points may be included in the loan amount for regular 

purchase or construction loans. For refinancing loans, most closing 

costs may be included in the loan amount. 

Required Occupancy 

To qualify for a VA home loan, a Veteran or the spouse of an activeduty Servicemember must certify that he or she intends to occupy 

the home. A dependent child of an active-duty Servicemember also 

satisfies the occupancy requirement. When refinancing a VA-guaranteed loan solely to reduce the interest rate, a Veteran need only 

certify to prior occupancy. 

Financing, Interest Rates and Terms 

Veterans obtain VA-guaranteed loans through the usual lending 

institutions, including banks, credit unions, and mortgage brokers. 

VA-guaranteed loans can have either a fixed interest rate or an 

adjustable rate, where the interest rate may adjust up to one percent 

annually and up to five percent over the life of the loan. VA does not 

set the interest rate. Interest rates are negotiable between the lender 

and borrower on all loan types.

Veterans may also choose a different type of adjustable rate mortgage called a hybrid ARM, where the initial interest rate remains 
Chapter 6 Home Loan Guaranty 68

fixed for three to 10 years. If the rate remains fixed for less than five 

years, the rate adjustment cannot be more than one percent annually and five percent over the life of the loan. For a hybrid ARM with 

an initial fixed period of five years or more, the initial adjustment may 

be up to two percent. The Secretary has the authority to determine 

annual adjustments thereafter. 

Currently annual adjustments may be up to two percentage points 

and six percent over the life of the loan. If the lender charges discount points on the loan, the Veteran may negotiate with the seller as 

to who will pay points or if they will be split between buyer and seller. 

Points paid by the Veteran may not be included in the loan (with 

the exception that up to two points may be included in interest rate 

reduction refinancing loans). The term of the loan may be for as long 

as 30 years and 32 days.

Loan Assumption Requirements and Liability 

VA loans made on or after March 1, 1988, are not assumable without 

the prior approval of VA or its authorized agent (usually the lender 

collecting the monthly payments). To approve the assumption, the 

lender must ensure that the purchaser is a satisfactory credit risk and 

will assume all of the Veteran’s liabilities on the loan. If approved, the 

purchaser will have to pay a funding fee that the lender sends to VA, 

and the Veteran will be released from liability to the federal government. 

Loans made prior to Mar. 1, 1988, are generally freely assumable, 

but Veterans should still request the lender’s approval in order to be 

released of liability. Veterans whose loans were closed after Dec. 31, 

1989, usually have no liability to the government following a foreclosure, except in cases involving fraud, misrepresentation, or bad faith, 

such as allowing an unapproved assumption. However, for the entitlement to be restored, any loss suffered by VA must be paid in full.

A release of liability does not mean that a Veteran’s guaranty entitlement is restored. That occurs only if the borrower is an eligible 

Veteran who agrees to substitute his or her entitlement for that of 

the seller. If a Veteran allows assumption of a loan without prior approval, then the lender may demand immediate and full payment of 

the loan, and the Veteran may be liable if the loan is foreclosed and 

VA has to pay a claim under the loan guaranty.
69 Home Loan Guaranty Chapter 6

VA Assistance to Veterans in Default 

VA urges all Veterans who are encountering problems making their 

mortgage payments to speak with their servicers as soon as possible 

to explore options to avoid foreclosure. Contrary to popular opinion, 

servicers do not want to foreclose because foreclosure costs money. 

Depending on a Veteran’s specific situation, servicers may offer any 

of the following options to avoid foreclosure: 

• Repayment Plan – The borrower makes a regular installment 

each month plus part of the missed installments.

• Special Forbearance – The servicer agrees not to initiate 

foreclosure to allow time for borrowers to repay the missed 

installments. An example of when this would be likely is when a 

borrower is waiting for a tax refund. 

• Loan Modification– Provides the borrower a fresh start by adding 

the delinquency to the loan balance and establishing a new 

payment schedule. 

• Additional time to arrange a private sale – The servicer agrees to 

delay foreclosure to allow a sale to close if the loan will be paid 

off. 

• Short Sale – When the servicer agrees to allow a borrower to sell 

his/her home for a lesser amount than what is currently required 

to pay off the loan. 

• Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure – The borrower voluntarily agrees to 

deed the property to the servicer instead of going through a 

lengthy foreclosure process. 

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

Veteran borrowers may be able to request relief pursuant to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). In order to qualify for certain 

protections available under the Act, their obligation must have originated prior to their current period of active military service. SCRA

may provide a lower interest rate during military service and for up to 

one year after service ends, provide forbearance, or prevent foreclosure or eviction up to nine months from period of military service.

Assistance to Veterans with VA-Guaranteed Home Loans 

When a VA-guaranteed home loan becomes delinquent, VA may provide supplemental servicing assistance to help cure the default. The 

servicer has the primary responsibility of servicing the loan to resolve 

the default. 

However, in cases where the servicer is unable to help the Veteran 
Chapter 6 Home Loan Guaranty 70

borrower, VA has loan technicians in eight Regional Loan Centers 

and a special servicing center in Hawaii who take an active role 

in interceding with the mortgage servicer to explore all options to 

avoid foreclosure. Veterans with VA-guaranteed home loans can call 

1-877-827-3702 to reach the nearest VA office where loan specialists 

are prepared to discuss potential ways to help save the loan.

VA Acquired Property Sales 

VA acquires properties as a result of foreclosures of VA-guaranteed 

and VA-owned loans. A private contractor is currently marketing the 

acquired properties through listing agents using local Multiple Listing 

Services. A listing of “VA Properties for Sale” may be found at http://

listings.vrmco.com/. Contact a real estate agent for information on 

purchasing a VA-acquired property. 

Preventing Veteran Homelessness 

Veterans who feel they may be facing homelessness as a result of 

losing their home can call 1-877-4AID VET (877-424-3838) or go to 

http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/index.asp to receive assistance from 

VA.

Assistance to Veterans with Non-VA Guaranteed Home Loans 

For Veterans or Servicemembers who have a non-VA-guaranteed 

or sub-prime loan, VA has a network of eight Regional Loan Centers 

and a special servicing centers in Hawaii that can offer advice and 

guidance. Borrowers may visit www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/, 

or call toll free -1-877-827-3702 to speak with a VA loan technician. 

However, unlike when a Veteran has a VA-guaranteed home loan, 

VA does not have the authority to intervene on the borrower’s behalf. 

It is imperative that a borrower contact his/her servicer as quickly as 

possible.

VA Refinancing of a Non-VA Guaranteed Home Loan 

Veterans with non-VA guaranteed home loans now have new options 

for refinancing to a VA-guaranteed home loan. These new options 

are available as a result of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act 

of 2008. Veterans who wish to refinance their subprime or conventional mortgage may now do so for up to 100 percent of value of the 

property.

Additionally, Congress raised VA’s maximum loan guaranty for these 

types of refinancing loans. Loan limits were effectively raised from 
71 Home Loan Guaranty Chapter 6

$144,000 to $417,000. High-cost counties have even higher maximum loan limits. VA county loan limits can be found at http://www.

benefits.va.gov/homeloans/. These changes will allow more qualified 

Veterans to refinance through VA, allowing for savings on interest 

costs and avoiding foreclosure. 

Other Assistance for Delinquent Veteran Borrowers 

If VA is not able to help a Veteran borrower retain his/her home 

(whether a VA-guaranteed loan or not), the Department of Housing 

and Urban Development (HUD) offers assistance to homeowners by 

sponsoring local housing counseling agencies. To find an approved 

agency in your area, please search online at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm, or call HUD’s interactive voice system at 

(800) 569-4287. 

Loans for Native American Veterans

Eligible Native American Veterans can obtain a loan from VA to 

purchase, construct, or improve a home on federal Trust Land, or to 

reduce the interest rate on such a VA loan. Native American Direct 

Loans are only available if a memorandum of understanding exists 

between the tribal organization and VA. 

Veterans who are not Native American, but who are married to Native American non-Veterans, may be eligible for a direct loan under 

this program. To be eligible for such a loan, the qualified non-Native 

American Veteran and the Native American spouse must reside on 

federal Trust Land, both the Veteran and spouse must have a meaningful interest in the dwelling or lot, and the tribal authority which 

has jurisdiction over the Trust Land must recognize the non-Native 

American Veteran as subject to its authority.

Safeguards

The following safeguards have been established to protect Veterans:

1. VA may suspend from the loan program those who take 

unfair advantage of Veterans or discriminate because of 

race, color, religion, sex, disability, family status, or national 

origin. 

2. The builder of a new home (or new manufactured home) is 

required to give the purchasing Veteran either a one-year 

warranty or a 10-year insurance-backed protection plan.

3. The Veteran obtaining a loan may only be charged closing 

costs allowed by VA. 
Chapter 6 Home Loan Guaranty 72

4. The Veteran can prepay without penalty the entire loan or 

any part not less than one installment or $100.

5. VA encourages holders to extend forbearance if a Veteran 

becomes temporarily unable to meet the terms of the loan.
73 VA Life Insurance Chapter 7

Chapter 7

VA Life Insurance

For complete details on government life insurance, visit www.

benefits.va.gov/insurance/ or call VA’s Insurance Center toll-free at 

1-800-669-8477. Specialists are available between the hours of 8:30 

a.m. and 6 p.m., Eastern Time, to discuss premium payments, insurance dividends, address changes, policy loans, naming beneficiaries, reporting the death of the insured, and other insurance issues. 

If the insurance policy number is not known, provide whatever 

information is available, such as the Veteran’s VA file number, date 

of birth, Social Security number, military serial number or military 

service branch and dates of service. To provide the information by 

mail, send it to:

Department of Veterans Affairs

Insurance Center

PO Box 42954

Philadelphia, PA 19101

For information about Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance, Veterans’ Group Life Insurance, Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance 

Traumatic Injury Protection, or Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Family Coverage, visit the Website above or call the Office of 

Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance directly at 1-800-419-1473.

Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) 

The following are automatically insured for $400,000 under SGLI:

1. Active duty members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines 

and Coast Guard. 

2. Commissioned members of the National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Public Health 

Service (PHS). 

3. Cadets or midshipmen of the U.S. military academies. 

4. Members, cadets and midshipmen of the ROTC while 
Chapter 7 VA Life Insurance 74

engaged in authorized training and practice cruises.

5. Members of the Ready Reserves/National Guard who are 

scheduled to perform at least 12 periods of inactive training 

per year. 

6. Members who volunteer for a mobilization category in the 

Individual Ready Reserve. 

Individuals may elect in writing to be covered for a lesser amount or 

to decline coverage. SGLI coverage is available in $50,000 increments up to the maximum of $400,000. 

Full-time Servicemembers on active duty are covered 24/7, 365 days 

of the year. Coverage is in effect during the period of active duty 

or inactive duty training and for 120 days following separation or 

release from duty. Reservists or National Guard members who have 

been assigned to a unit in which they are scheduled to perform at 

least 12 periods of inactive duty that is creditable for retirement purposes are also covered 24/7, 365 days of the year and for 120 days 

following separation or release from duty. 

Part-time coverage is provided for Reservists or National Guard 

members who do not qualify for the full-time coverage described 

above. Part-time coverage generally applies to Reservists/National 

Guard members who drill only a few days in a year. These individuals are covered only while on active duty or active duty for training, 

or traveling to and from such duty. Members covered part-time do not 

receive 120 days of free coverage after separation unless they incur 

or aggravate a disability during a period of duty

SGLI Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) 

Members of the armed services serve our nation heroically during 

times of great need, but what happens when they experience great 

needs of their own because they have sustained a traumatic injury? 

TSGLI provides for payment traumatically injured Servicemembers 

who have suffered certain physical losses. The TSGLI benefit ranges 

between $25,000 and $100,000 depending on the loss,. TSGLI helps 

Servicemembers by allowing their families to be with them during 

their recovery or by helping with other expenses incurred during their 

recovery period. 

TSGLI is attached to SGLI. An additional $1.00 is added to the 

Servicemember’s SGLI premium to cover TSGLI. After Dec. 1, 2005, 
75 VA Life Insurance Chapter 7

all Servicemembers who are covered by SGLI are automatically also 

covered by TSGLI. TSGLI cannot be declined unless the Servicemember also declines basic SGLI. TSGLI claims are adjudicated by 

the individual military branches of service. 

In addition, there is retroactive TSGLI coverage for Servicemembers 

who sustained a qualifying loss between Oct. 7, 2001, and Nov. 30, 

2005, regardless of where it occurred TSGLI coverage is payable to 

these Servicemembers regardless of whether they had SGLI coverage in force at the time of their injury. 

For more information and branch of service contact information, visit 

http://benefits.va.gov/insurance/tsgli.asp, or call 1-800-237-1336 

(Army); 1-800-368-3202 (Navy); 1-877-216-0825 (Marine Corps); 

1-800-433-0048 (Active Duty Air Force); 1-800-525-0102 (Air Force 

Reserves); 1-240-612-9140 (Air National Guard); 1-703-872-6647 

(U.S. Coast Guard); 1-301-427-3280 (PHS); or 1-301-713-3444 

(NOAA). 

Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Family Coverage (FSGLI): coverage consists of spousal coverage and dependent child 

coverage. FSGLI provides up to $100,000 of life insurance coverage 

for spouses of Servicemembers with full-time SGLI coverage, not 

to exceed the amount of SGLI the member has in force. Premiums 

for spouse coverage are based on the age of the spouse and the 

amount of FSGLI coverage. FSGLI is a Servicemembers’ benefit; the 

member pays the premium and is the only person allowed to be the 

beneficiary of the coverage. FSGLI spousal coverage ends 120 days 

after any of the following events: 1) the Servicemember elects in 

writing to terminate coverage on the spouse; 2) the Servicemember 

elects to terminate his or her own SGLI coverage; 3) the Servicemember dies; 4) the Servicemember separates from service; or 5) 

the Servicemember is divorced from the spouse. The insured spouse 

may convert his or her FSGLI coverage to a permanent policy offered by participating private insurers within 120 days of the date of 

any of the termination events noted above. FSGLI dependent coverage of $10,000 is also automatically provided for dependent children 

of Servicemembers insured under SGLI, with no premium required. 

Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) 

SGLI may be converted to VGLI, which provides renewable term 

coverage to: 
Chapter 7 VA Life Insurance 76

1. Veterans who had full-time SGLI coverage upon separation 

from active duty or the Reserves. 

2. Members of the Ready Reserves/National Guard with parttime SGLI coverage who incur a disability or aggravate a 

pre-existing disability during a period of active duty or a 

period of inactive duty for less than 31 days that renders 

them uninsurable at standard premium rates.

3. Members of the Individual Ready Reserve and Inactive 

National Guard. 

Servicemembers must apply for VGLI within one year and 120 days 

from separation. Servicemembers discharged on or after November 

1, 2012, who apply for VGLI within 240 days of separation do not 

need to submit evidence of good health, while Servicemembers who 

apply after the 240-day period must submit evidence of insurability. 

The initial VGLI coverage available is equal to the amount of SGLI 

coverage at the time of separation from service.

Effective April 11, 2011, VGLI insureds who are under age 60 and 

have less than $400,000 in coverage can purchase up to $25,000 of 

additional coverage on each five-year anniversary of their coverage, 

up to the maximum $400,000. No medical underwriting is required 

for the additional coverage. 

SGLI Disability Extension 

Servicemembers who are totally disabled at the time of separation 

(unable to work or have certain statutory conditions), can apply for 

the SGLI Disability Extension, which provides free coverage for up 

to two years from the date of separation. To apply, Servicmembers 

must complete and return SGLV 8715, the SGLI Disability Extension 

Application. 

Those covered under the SGLI Disability Extension are automatically converted to VGLI at the end of their extension period, subject 

to the payment of premiums. VGLI is convertible at any time to a 

permanent plan policy with any participating commercial insurance 

company. 

Accelerated Death Benefits 

Like many private life insurance companies, the SGLI, FSGLI and 

VGLI programs offer an accelerated benefits option to terminally ill 

insured members. An insured member is considered to be terminally 
77 VA Life Insurance Chapter 7

ill if he or she has a written medical prognosis of nine months or 

less to live. All terminally ill members are eligible to receive up to 50 

percent of their SGLI or VGLI coverage, and terminally ill spouses 

can receive up to 50 percent of their FSGLI, in a lump sum. Payment of an accelerated benefit reduces the amount payable to the 

beneficiaries at the time of the insured’s death. To apply, an insured 

member must submit SGLV 8284, Servicemember/Veteran Accelerated Benefit Option Form, and spouses must complete SGLV 8284A, 

Servicemember Family Coverage Accelerated Benefits Option Form.

Service-Disabled Veterans’ Insurance (S-DVI)

Veterans who separated from service on or after Apr. 25, 1951, under other than dishonorable conditions who have service-connected 

disabilities, even zero percent, but are otherwise in good health, may 

apply to VA for up to $10,000 in life insurance coverage under the SDVI program. Applications must be submitted within two years from 

the date of being notified of the approval of a new service-connected 

disability by VA. 

Veterans who are totally disabled may apply for a waiver of premiums. If approved for waiver of premiums, the Veteran can apply 

for additional supplemental insurance coverage of up to $30,000. 

However, premiums cannot be waived on the additional supplemental insurance. To be eligible for this type of supplemental insurance, 

Veterans must meet all of the following three requirements: 

1. Be under age 65.

2. Be eligible for a waiver of premiums due to total disability.

3. Apply for additional insurance within one year from the date 

of notification of waiver approval on the basic S-DVI policy. 

Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI) 

VMLI is mortgage protection insurance available to severely disabled Veterans who have been approved by VA for a Specially 

Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant. Maximum coverage is the smaller of 

the existing mortgage balance or $200,000, and is payable only to 

the mortgage company. Protection is issued automatically following 

SAH approval, provided the Veteran submits mortgage information 

required to establish a premium and does not decline coverage. 

Coverage automatically terminates when the mortgage is paid off. If 

a mortgage is disposed of through sale of the property, VMLI may be 
Chapter 7 VA Life Insurance 78

obtained on the mortgage of another home.

Other Insurance Information

The following information applies only to policies issued to World War 

II, Korean-era, and Vietnam-era Veterans and any Service-Disabled 

Veterans’ Insurance policies. Policies in this group are prefixed by 

the letters K, V, RS, W, J, JR, JS, or RH.

Insurance Dividends Issued Annually: World War II and Koreanera Veterans with active policies beginning with the letters V, RS, 

W, J, JR, JS, or K earn tax-free dividends annually on the policy 

anniversary date. (Policies prefixed by RH do not earn dividends.) 

Policyholders do not need to apply for dividends, but may select from 

among the following dividend options:

1. Cash: The dividend is paid directly to the insured by direct 

 deposit to a bank account or by check. 

2. Paid-Up Additional Insurance: The dividend is used to 

 purchase additional insurance coverage.

3. Credit or Deposit: The dividend is held in an account for the 

 policyholder with interest. Withdrawals from the account can be 

 made at any time. The interest rate may be adjusted. 

4. Net Premium Billing Options: These options use the dividend 

 to pay the annual policy premium. If the dividend exceeds the 

 premium, the policyholder has options to choose how the 

 remainder is used. If the dividend is not enough to pay an 

 annual premium, the policyholder is billed the balance. 

5. Other Dividend Options: Dividends can also be used to repay 

 a loan or pay premiums in advance. 

Reinstating Lapsed Insurance 

Lapsed term policies may be reinstated within five years from the 

date of lapse. A five-year term policy that is not lapsed at the end 

of the term is automatically renewed for an additional five years. 

Lapsed permanent plans may be reinstated within certain time limits 

and with certain health requirements. Reinstated permanent plan 

policies require repayment of all back premiums, plus interest.

Converting Term Policies 

Term policies are renewed automatically every five years, with premiums increasing at each renewal. Premiums do not increase after age 

70. Term policies may be converted to permanent plans, which have 

fixed premiums for life and earn cash and loan values.
79 VA Life Insurance Chapter 7

Dividends on Capped Term Policies 

Effective Sept. 2000, VA provides either a cash dividend or paidup insurance on term policies whose premiums have been capped. 

Veterans with National Service Life Insurance (NSLI) term insurance 

that has renewed at age 71 or older and who stop paying premiums 

on their policies will be given a “termination dividend.” This dividend 

can either be received as a cash payment or used to purchase a 

reduced amount of paid-up insurance, which insures the Veteran for 

life with no premium payments required. The amount of the reduced 

paid-up insurance remains level. This does not apply to S-DVI (RH) 

policies.

Borrowing on Policies 

Policyholders with permanent plan policies may borrow up to 94 

percent of the cash surrender value of their insurance after the insurance is in force for one year or more. Interest is compounded annually. The loan interest rate is variable and may be obtained by calling 

toll-free 1-800-669-8477.
Chapter 8 Burial and Memorial Benefits 80

Chapter 8

Burial and Memorial Benefits

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; and spouses and depen

dent children of Veterans and active duty service members, may 

be eligible for VA burial and memorial benefits. (For the purposes 

of this chapter, the term “Veteran” includes eligible persons who die 

during active duty service.) The Veteran does not have to die before 

a spouse or dependent child can be eligible for burial or memorial 

benefits.

Burial in VA National Cemeteries

Burial in a VA national cemetery is available for eligible Veterans, 

spouses and dependents at no cost and includes the gravesite,

grave-liner, opening and closing of the grave, a headstone or marker,

and perpetual care as part of a national shrine. For Veterans, ben

efits may also include a burial flag and military funeral honors.

With certain exceptions, active duty service beginning after Sept 7,

1980, as an enlisted person, and after Oct 16, 1981, as an officer, 

must be for a minimum of 24 consecutive months or the full period of 

active duty (as in the case of reservists or National Guard members 

called to active duty for a limited duration). Active duty for training, 

by itself, while serving in the reserves or National Guard, is not sufficient to confer eligibility. Reservists and National Guard members, 

as well as their spouses and dependent children, are eligible if they 

were entitled to retired pay at the time of death, or would have been 

upon reaching requisite age. 

Certain otherwise eligible individuals found to have committed fed

eral or state capital crimes or certain sex offenses are barred from 

burial in a VA national cemetery and from receipt of a Governmentfurnished headstone, marker, medallion, burial flag, and Presidential 

Memorial Certificate. Veterans and other claimants for VA burial 

benefits have the right to appeal decisions made by VA regarding 

eligibility for national cemetery burial or other memorial benefits. 

Chapter 13 discusses the procedures for appealing VA claims. 

This chapter contains information on the full range of VA burial and 
81 Burial and Memorial Benefits Chapter 8

memorial benefits. Readers with questions may contact the nearest 

national cemetery, listed by state in VA Facilities section of this book, 

call1-800-827-1000, or visit the website at www.cem.va.gov/.

Surviving spouses of Veterans who died on or after Jan. 1, 2000, do 

not lose eligibility for burial in a national cemetery if they remarry. 

Unmarried dependent children of Veterans who are under 21 years

of age, or under 23 years of age if a full-time student at an approved

educational institution, are eligible for burial. Unmarried adult 

children who become physically or mentally disabled and incapable 

of self-support before age 21, or age 23 if a full-time student may 

also be eligible.

Certain parents of Servicemembers who die as a result of hostile 

activity or from combat training-related injuries may be eligible for 

burial in a national cemetery with their child. The biological or adopt

ed parents of a servicemember who died in combat or while perform

ing training in preparation for a combat mission, who leaves no sur

viving spouse or dependent child, may be buried with the deceased 

servicemember if there is available space. Eligibility is limited to 

servicemembers who died on or after Oct. 7, 2001, and biological or 

adoptive parents who died on or after Oct. 13, 2010.

The next of kin or authorized representative (e.g., funeral director) 

makes interment arrangements at time of need by contacting the 

National Cemetery Scheduling Office (see information available at 

http://www.cem.va.gov/bbene/need.asp) or, in some cases, the na

tional cemetery in which burial is desired. VA normally does not con

duct burials on weekends. Gravesites cannot be reserved; however, 

VA will honor reservations made before 1973 by the Department of 

the Army.

VA’s National Cemetery Scheduling Office or local national cemetery 

directors verify eligibility for burial. A copy of the Veteran’s discharge 

document that specifies the period(s) of active duty and character

of service is usually sufficient to determine eligibility. A copy of the 

deceased’s death certificate and proof of relationship to the Veteran 

(for eligible family members) may be required.

VA operates 131 national cemeteries, of which 72 are currently 

open for both new casket and cremation interments and 18 may 

accept new interment of cremated remains only. Burial options are 
Chapter 8 Burial and Memorial Benefits 82

limited to those available at a specific cemetery and may include in

ground casket, or interment of cremated remains in a columbarium, 

in-ground, or in a scattering area. Contact the national cemetery 

directly, or visit our website at http://www.cem.va.gov to determine if

a particular cemetery is open for new burials, and what other options

are available.

Headstones, Markers and Medallions Veterans, active duty service members, and retired Reservists and National Guard service 

members, are eligible for an inscribed headstone or marker for their 

unmarked grave at any cemetery- national, state veterans, tribal, or 

private. VA will deliver a headstone or marker at no cost, anywhere in 

the world.

For eligible Veterans or service members buried in a private ceme

tery whose deaths occurred on or after Nov. 1, 1990, VA may furnish 

a government headstone or marker (even if the grave is already 

marked with a private one); or VA may furnish a medallion to affix to 

an already existing privately-purchased headstone or marker.

Spouses and dependent children are eligible for a government head

stone or marker only if they are buried in a national or State Veterans 

cemetery.

Flat markers are available in bronze, granite or marble. Upright headstones come in granite or marble. The style provided will be consistent with existing monuments at the place of burial. Niche markers 

are available to mark columbaria used for inurnment of cremated 

remains. Medallions are made of bronze and are available in three 

sizes: 5-inch, 3-inch, and 1 1/2 inches. Headstones, mark ers and 

medallions previously furnished by the government may be replaced 

at the government’s expense if badly deteriorated, illegible,

vandalized or stolen.

Headstones or markers for VA national cemeteries will be ordered by 

the cemetery director using information provided by the next of kin or 

authorized representative. Headstones or Markers for private cemeteries: Before ordering, the next of kin or authorized representative 

should check with the cemetery to ensure that the Government-furnished headstone or marker will be accepted. All installation fees at 

private cemeteries are the responsibility of the applicant. 
83 Burial and Memorial Benefits Chapter 8

To submit a claim for a head stone or marker for a gravesite in a 

private cemetery, use VA Form 40-1330, Application for Standard 

Government Headstone or Marker (available at http://www.va.gov/

vaforms/. A copy of the Veteran’s military discharge document is 

required. Mail forms to Memorial Pro grams Service, Department 

of Veterans Affairs, 5109 Russell Road, Quantico, VA 22134-3903. 

The form and supporting documents may also be faxed toll free to 

1-800-455-7143.

“In Memory Of” Markers: VA provides memorial headstones and 

markers with “In Memory Of” as the first line of inscription for those 

whose remains have not been recovered or identified, were buried at 

sea, donated to science or cremated and scattered. Eligibility is the 

same as for regular headstones and markers. There is no fee

when the “In Memory Of” marker is placed in a national cemetery. All 

installation fees at private cemeteries are the responsibility of the ap

plicant. Memorial headstones/markers for spouses and dependents 

can be provided only for placement in a national or state Veterans 

cemetery.

Inscriptions: Headstones and markers must be inscribed with the 

name of the deceased, branch of service, and year of birth and 

death. They also may be inscribed with other optional information, 

including an emblem of belief and, space permitting, additional text 

including military rank; war service such as “World War II;” complete 

dates of birth and death; military awards; military organizations; civilian or Veteran affiliations; and personalized words of endearment.

Medallion in lieu of government headstone or marker for private 

cemeteries: For Veterans or service members whose death 

occurred on or after Nov. 1, 1990, VA is authorized to provide a me

dallion instead of a headstone or marker if the grave is in a private 

cemetery and already marked with a privately-purchased headstone 

or marker. 

To submit a claim for a medallion to be affixed to a private headstone/marker in a private cemetery, use VA Form 40-1330M, Claim 

for Government Medallion (available at http://www.va.gov/vaforms). 

A copy of the Veteran’s military discharge document is required. 

Mail forms to Memorial Programs Service, Department of Veterans 

Affairs, 5109 Russell Road, Quantico, VA 22134-3903. The form and 

supporting documents may also be faxed toll free to 1-800-455-7143.
Chapter 8 Burial and Memorial Benefits 84

To check the status of a claim for a headstone or marker for place

ment in a national, state, or tribal Veterans cemetery, please call the 

cemetery. To check the status of one being placed in a private

cemetery, please contact the Applicant Assistance Unit at 1-800-697-

6947 or via email at mps.headstones@va.gov.

Other Memorialization

Presidential Memorial Certificates are issued to recognize the military service of honorably discharged deceased Veterans and per

sons who died in the active military, naval, or air service. Next of kin, 

relatives and other loved ones may apply for a certificate by mailing, 

or faxing a completed and signed VA Form 40-0247, Presidential 

Memorial Certificate Request Form (available at http://www.va.gov/

vaforms), along with a copy of the Veteran’s military discharge 

documents or proof of honorable military service. The processing 

of requests sent without supporting documents will be delayed until 

eligibility can determined. Eligibility requirements can be found at 

http://www.cem.va.gov.

Burial Flags: Generally, VA will furnish a U.S. burial flag to memori

alize Veterans who received other than dishonorable discharge. This 

includes certain persons who served in the organized military forces 

of the Commonwealth of the Philippines while in service of

the U.S armed forces and who died on or after April 25, 1951. Also

eligible for a burial flag are Veterans who were entitled to retired pay 

for service in the Reserve or National Guard, or would have been 

entitled if over age 60; and members or former members of the 

Selected Reserve who served their initial obligation, or were discharged for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, or 

died while a member of the Selected Reserve. The next of kin may 

apply for the flag at any VA Regional Office or U.S. Post Office by 

completing VA Form 21-2008, Application for United States Flag for 

Burial Purposes (available at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/. In most 

cases, a funeral director will help the family obtain the flag.

Reimbursement of Burial Expenses: VA will pay a burial allowance 

up to $2,000 if the Veteran’s death is service-connected. In such 

cases, the person who bore the Veteran’s burial expenses may claim 

reimbursement from VA.

In some cases, VA will pay the cost of transporting the remains of a 

Veteran whose death was service-connected to the nearest national 
85 Burial and Memorial Benefits Chapter 8

cemetery with available gravesites. There is no time limit for filing 

reimbursement claims in service-connected death cases.

Burial Allowance: VA will pay a burial and funeral allowance of up to

$2,000 for Veterans who die from service-connected injuries. VA will 

pay a burial and funeral allowance of up to $300 for Veterans who, at 

the time of death from nonservice-connected injuries were entitled to 

receive pension or compensation or would have been entitled if they 

were not receiving military retirement pay. VA will pay a burial and 

funeral allowance of up to $734 when the Veteran’s death occurs in a 

VA facility, a VA-contracted nursing home or a state Veterans nursing 

home. In cases in which the Veteran’s death was not service con

nected, claims must be filed within two years after burial or crema

tion.

Plot Allowance: VA will pay a plot allowance of up to $734 when a 

Veteran is buried in a cemetery not under U.S. government

 jurisdiction if: the Veteran was discharged from active duty because 

of disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty; the Veteran 

was receiving compensation or pension or would have been if the 

Veteran was not receiving military retired pay; or the Veteran died 

in a VA facility. The plot allowance may be paid to the state for the 

cost of a plot or interment in a state-owned cemetery reserved solely 

for Veteran burials if the Veteran is buried without charge. Burial 

expenses paid by the deceased’s employer or a state agency will not 

be reimbursed.

Veterans Cemeteries Administered by Other Agencies Department of the Army: Administers Arlington National Cemetery and 

other Army installation cemeteries. Eligibility is generally more restrictive than at VA national cemeteries. For information, call (703)

607-8000, write Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery, Arling

ton, VA 22211, or visit www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/.

Department of the Interior: Administers two active national cemeteries- Andersonville National Cemetery in Georgia and Andrew 

Johnson National Cemetery in Tennessee. Eligibility is similar to VA 

national cemeteries. For information, call (202) 208-4747, write 

Department of Interior, National Park Service 1849 C. St. NW, 

Washing ton, D. C. 20240.

State and Tribal Veterans Cemeteries: There are currently 90 VA 
Chapter 8 Burial and Memorial Benefits 86

grant-funded Veterans cemeteries operating in 45 states and U.S. 

Territories that offer burial options for Veterans and their families. 

Two of these cemeteries are operated by federally recognized tribal 

organizations. VA grant-funded cemeteries have similar eligibility requirements and certain states/tribal organizations may require state 

or tribal residency/membership. Some services, particularly for family members, may require a fee. Contact the state or tribal Veterans 

cemetery or the state Veterans Affairs office for information. To locate 

a state or tribal Veterans cemetery, visit www.cem.va.gov/grants/veterans_cemeteries.asp

Military Funeral Honors: Upon request, DoD will provide military funeral honors consisting of folding and the presentation of the United 

States flag and the playing of “Taps.” A funeral honors detail consists 

of two or more uniformed members of the armed forces, with at least 

one member from the deceased’s branch of service.

Family members should inform their funeral director if they want 

military funeral honors. DoD maintains a toll-free number (1-877-M 

IL HONR) for use by funeral directors only to request honors. VA can 

help arrange honors for burials at VA national cemeteries. Veteran’s 

service organizations or volunteer groups may help provide honors. 

For more information, visit www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil/.
87 Reserve and National Guard Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Reserve and National Guard

Eligibility for VA Benefits

Generally, all Reserve and National Guard members discharged or 

released under conditions that are not dishonorable are eligible for 

some VA benefits. The length of your service, service commitment 

and/or your duty status may determine your eligibility for specific 

benefits. 

Eligibility requirements for several VA benefits include a certain 

length of active service. Active service in the National Guard or Reserve includes:

Active duty (Title 10) - full-time duty in the Armed Forces, such as 

unit deployment during war, including travel to and from such duty, 

except active duty for training, OR

Full-time National Guard duty (Title 32) – duty performed for which 

you are entitled to receive pay from the federal government, such as 

responding to a national emergency or performing duties as an Active Guard Reserve (AGR) member.

Note: A state or territory’s governor may activate National Guard 

members for State Active Duty, such as in response to a natural or 

man-made disaster. State Active Duty is based on state law and 

does not qualify as “active service” for VA benefits. Unlike full-time 

National Guard duty, National Guard members on State Active Duty 

are paid with state funds as opposed to federal funds.

Qualifying for VA Health Care

Under the “Combat Veteran” authority, Combat Veterans who were 

discharged or released from active service on or after Jan. 28, 2003, 

are eligible for enrollment in Priority Group 6, unless eligible for 

enrollment in a higher priority group. This authority provides a 5-year 

enrollment period, which begins on the discharge or separation date. 

These Combat Veterans are eligible for health care services and 

community living care for conditions possibly related to their military 

service, and are not required to disclose their income information 

unless they would like to be considered for a higher priority status, 
Chapter 9 Reserve and National Guard 88

beneficiary travel benefits, or exemption of co-pays for care unrelated to their military service.

Activated Reservists and members of the National Guard are eligible 

if they served on active duty in a theater of combat operations after 

Nov. 11, 1998, and were discharged under other than dishonorable 

conditions.

Veterans who enroll with VA under this authority will continue to 

be enrolled even after their enhanced eligibility period ends. At the 

end of their enhanced eligibility period, Veterans enrolled in Priority Group 6 may be shifted to a lower priority group depending on 

their income level. For additional information, call 1-877-222-VETS 

(8387).

OEF/OIF/OND Veterans may be eligible for a one-time dental evaluation and treatment following separation from service, if they did 

not have a dental exam prior to separation. Veterans must request 

a dental appointment within the first 180 days post separation from 

active duty.

Disability Benefits

VA pays monthly compensation benefits for disabilities incurred or 

aggravated during active duty, or active duty for training for disabilities as a result of injury or disease, or inactive duty training for 

disabilities due to injury, heart attack, or stroke. Additionally, the 

discharge must be under other than dishonorable conditions. For additional information see Chapter 2, “Service-connected Disabilities.”

Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is an education benefit program for Servicemembers and Veterans who served on active duty after Sept. 10, 

2001. Benefits are payable for training pursued on or after Aug. 1, 

2009. No payments can be made under this program for training 

pursued before that date.

To be eligible, the Servicemember or Veteran must serve at least 90 

aggregate days on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, and remain on 

active duty or be honorably discharged. Active duty includes active 

service performed by National Guard members under title 32 U.S.C. 

for the purposes of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, 

or training the National Guard; or under section 502(f) for the pur-
89 Reserve and National Guard Chapter 9

pose of responding to a national emergency.

Eligibility for benefits expires 15 years from the last period of active duty of at least 90 consecutive days. If released for a serviceconnected disability after at least 30 days of continuous service, 

eligibility ends 15 years from when the member is released for the 

service-connected disability. If, on August1, 2009, the Servicemember or Veteran is eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill; the Montgomery 

GI Bill – Selected Reserve; or the Reserve Educational Assistance 

Program, and qualifies for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, an irrevocable election must be made to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve

Members of reserve elements of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine 

Corps and Coast Guard, and members of the Army National Guard 

and the Air National Guard, may be entitled to up to 36 months of 

educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) – Selected Reserve. To be eligible, the participant must: 

1. Have a six-year obligation in the Selected Reserve or 

National Guard signed after June 30, 1985, or, if an officer, 

agree to serve six years in addition to the original obligation.

2. Complete initial active duty for training (IADT).

3. Meet the requirement to receive a high school diploma or 

equivalency certificate before Completing IADT.

4. Remain in good standing in a Selected Reserve or National 

Guard unit.

Reserve components determine eligibility for benefits. VA does not 

make decisions about eligibility and cannot make payments until the 

Reserve component has determined eligibility and notified VA. 

Period of Eligibility 

Benefits generally end the day a reservist or National Guard member 

separates from the military. Additionally, if in the Selected Reserve 

and called to active duty, VA can generally extend the eligibility 

period by the length of time on active duty plus four months for each 

period of active duty. Once this extension is granted, it will not be 

taken away after leaving the Selected Reserve. 

Eligible members separated because of unit deactivation, a disability that was not caused by misconduct, or otherwise involuntarily 
Chapter 9 Reserve and National Guard 90

separated during Oct. 1, 1991, through Dec. 31, 2001, have 14 years 

after their eligibility date to use benefits. Similarly, members involuntarily separated from the Selected Reserve due to a deactivation of 

their unit between Oct.1, 2007, and Sept. 30, 2014, may receive a 

14-year period of eligibility.

Payments 

The rate for full-time training effective Oct.1, 2013, is $362.00 a 

month for 36 months. Part-time benefits are reduced proportionately. 

For complete current rates, visit www.www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/. 

DoD may make additional contributions. 

Training 

Participants may pursue training at a college or university, or take 

technical training at any approved facility. Training includes undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate courses; state licensure and 

certification; courses for a certificate or diploma from business, 

technical or vocational schools; cooperative training; apprenticeship 

or on-the-job training; correspondence courses; independent study 

programs; flight training; entrepreneurship training; remedial, deficiency or refresher courses needed to complete a program of study; 

or preparatory courses for tests required or used for admission to an 

institution of higher learning or graduate school. 

Accelerated payments for certain high-cost programs are authorized 

effective Jan.28, 2008

Education and Career Counseling: Refer to Chapter 11, “Transition Assistance,” for detailed information on available services.

 Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

This program provides educational assistance to members of National Guard and Reserve components who are called or ordered to 

active duty service in response to a war or national emergency as 

declared by the President or Congress. Visit www.benefits.va.gov/

gibill/ for more information.

Eligibility

Eligibility is determined by DoD or the Department of Homeland Security. Generally, a Servicemember who serves on active duty on or 

after Sept.11, 2001, for at least 90 consecutive days, or accumulates 

a total of three or more of years of service is eligible. 
91 Reserve and National Guard Chapter 9

Payments 

Reserve or National Guard members whose eligibility is based upon 

continuous service receive a payment rate based upon their number 

of continuous days on active duty. Members who qualify after the 

accumulation of three or more years of aggregate active duty service 

receive the full payment allowable. 

Reserve Educational Assistance Rates

Active Duty Service Monthly Payment

Rate for Full-Time Students

90 days but less than one year $625.60

One year but less than two 

years

$938.40

Two or more continuous years $1,251.20

Training 

Participants may pursue training at a college or university, or take 

technical training at any approved facility. Training includes undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate courses; state licensure and 

certification courses; courses for a certificate or diploma from business, technical or vocational schools; cooperative training; apprenticeship or on-the-job training; correspondence courses; independent 

study programs; flight training; entrepreneurship training; remedial, 

deficiency, or refresher courses needed to complete a program of 

study; or preparatory courses for tests required or used for admission to an institution of higher learning or graduate school. Accelerated payments for certain high-cost programs are authorized. 

Period of Eligibility 

Prior to Jan. 28, 2008, members of the Selected Reserve called to 

active duty were eligible as long as they continued to serve in the 

Selected Reserve. They lost eligibility if they went into the Inactive 

Ready Reserve (IRR). Members of the IRR called to active duty were 

eligible as long as they stayed in the IRR or Selected Reserve. 

Effective Jan. 28, 2008, members who are called up from the Selected Reserve, complete their REAP-qualifying period of active duty 

service, and then return to the Selected Reserve for the remainder 

of their service contract, have 10 years to use their benefits after 

separation. 
Chapter 9 Reserve and National Guard 92

In addition, members who are called up from the IRR or Inactive National Guard (ING), complete their REAP-qualifying period of active 

duty service, and then enter the Selected Reserve to complete their 

service contract, have 10 years to use their benefits after separation. 

Education and Career Counseling: Refer to Chapter 101, “Transition Assistance”,, for detailed information on available services.

Home Loan Guaranty

National Guard members and reservists are eligible for a VA home 

loan if they have completed at least six years of honorable service, 

are mobilized for active duty service for a period of at least 90 days, 

or are discharged because of a service-connected disability. 

Reservists who do not qualify for VA housing loan benefits may be 

eligible for loans on favorable terms insured by the federal Housing 

Administration (FHA), which is a part of HUD. Additional information 

can be found in Chapter 6.

Life Insurance

National Guard members and reservists are eligible to receive SGLI, 

VGLI, and FSGLI. They may also be eligible for SGLI Traumatic 

Injury Protection if severely injured and suffering a qualifying loss, 

Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance if they receive a service-connected disability rating from VA, and Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance if approved for a Specially Adapted Housing Grant. Complete 

details can be found in Chapter 7 – “VA Life Insurance.”

 

Burial and Memorial Benefits

VA provides a burial flag to memorialize members or former members of the Selected Reserve who served their initial obligation, or 

were discharged for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of 

duty, or died while a member of the Selected Reserve. 

Reservists and National Guard members may be eligible for additional burial benefits if their death was due to an injury or disease 

that developed during, or was aggravated during, active duty, active 

duty for training, or inactive duty for training. Burial benefits may include burial in a national cemetery; an inscribed headstone, marker, 

or medallion; a Presidential Memorial Certificate; and an allowance 

to partially reimburse burial and funeral costs. Additional information 

about burial benefits that may be available can be found in Chapter 
93 Reserve and National Guard Chapter 9

7 – “Burial and Memorial Benefits”.

Re-employment Rights

A person who left a civilian job to enter active duty in the armed 

forces is entitled to return to the job after discharge or release from 

active duty if they: 

1. Gave advance notice of military service to the employer.

2. Did not exceed five years cumulative absence from the 

civilian job (with some exceptions).

3. Submitted a timely application for re-employment.

4. Did not receive a dishonorable or other punitive discharge.

The law calls for a returning Veteran to be placed in the job as if he/

she had never left, including benefits based on seniority such as 

pensions, pay increases and promotions. The law also prohibits discrimination in hiring, promotion, or other advantages of employment 

on the basis of military service. Veterans seeking re-employment 

should apply, verbally or in writing, to the company’s hiring official 

and keep a record of their application. If problems arise, contact the 

Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service 

(VETS) in the state of the employer. 

Federal employees not properly re-employed may appeal directly to 

the Merit Systems Protection Board. Non-federal employees may file 

complaints in U.S. District Court. For information, visit www.dol.gov/

vets/programs/userra/main.htm. 

Transition Assistance Advisor Program

The Transition Assistance Advisor (TAA) program is a partnership 

between the National Guard and VA to assist Veterans. The TAA 

Program, housed within the National Guard (NG) Office of Warrior 

Support, places an NG/VA trained expert at the NG Headquarters 

in each of the 50 states as well as PR, GU, VI, and the District of 

Columbia. The advisor serves as an advocate for Guard members 

and their families, as well as other geographically dispersed military 

members and families. 

In collaboration with state and local coalition partners, the TAA 

Program provides VA benefit enrollment assistance, referrals, and 

assists in facilitating access for Veterans through the overwhelming maze of programs, with the compassion of someone who knows 

what it is like to transition from the Guard to active duty and then 
Chapter 9 Reserve and National Guard 94

back to civilian status. 

Advisors receive annual training from VA experts in VA health care 

and benefits to assist Guard members and their families with access to VA health care facilities and TRICARE facilities within their 

network. To find a local Transition Assistance Advisor call 1-877-577-

6691 or go to http://www.taapmo.com.

Outreach for OEF/OIF/OND Veterans 

VA’s OEF/OIF/OND Outreach Teams focus on improving outreach 

to members of the National Guard and Reserve by engaging them 

throughout the deployment cycle with targeted messages and faceto-face encounters with VA staff. These outreach teams are located 

at VAMCs to help ease the transition from military to civilian life. 

To learn more, visit www.oefoif.va.gov. Veterans can also call the 

toll-free OEF/OIF/OND Help Line at 1-866-606-8216 for answers to 

questions about VA benefits, health care, and enrollment procedures.

Air Reserve Personnel Center

The Air Reserve Personnel Center (ARPC) is available to assist with 

various personnel issues, including requests for personnel records, 

copies of DD Form 214, or other military documents. Many Veterans 

file an Air Force Board Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR) or 

write their Congressman to get these basic issues resolved which 

requires that the request be routed through appropriate authorities, 

sometimes taking up to 180 days. Alternately, the ARPC routinely 

handles these actions on a much quicker basis. Members should call 

the ARPC for assistance at 1-800-525-0102 or logon to https://gumcrm.csd.disa.mil. 
95 Special Groups of Veterans Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Special Groups of Veterans 

Veterans Needing Fiduciary Services 

The fiduciary program provides oversight of VA’s most vulnerable 

beneficiaries who are unable to manage their VA benefits because 

of injury, disease, the infirmities of advanced age, or being under 18 

years of age. VA appoints fiduciaries who manage VA benefits for 

these beneficiaries and conducts oversight of VA-appointed fiduciaries to ensure that they are meeting the needs of the beneficiaries 

they serve. 

VA closely monitors fiduciaries for compliance with program responsibilities to ensure that VA benefits are being used for the purpose of 

meeting the needs, security, and comfort of beneficiaries and their 

dependents. In deciding who should act as fiduciary for a beneficiary, 

VA will always select the most effective and least restrictive fiduciary 

arrangement. 

This means that VA will first consider whether the beneficiary can 

manage his/her VA benefits with limited supervision. VA will consider 

the choice of the beneficiary as well as any family, friends and caregivers who are qualified and willing to provide fiduciary services for 

the beneficiary without a fee. 

As a last resort, VA will consider appointment of a paid fiduciary. For 

more information about VA’s fiduciary program, please visit our website at http://benefits.va.gov/fiduciary/index.asp.

Homeless Veterans 

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. 

VA Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program provides 

a gateway to VA and community supportive services for eligible 

Veterans. Through the HCHV Program, Veterans are provided with 

case management and residential treatment in the community. The 

program also conducts outreach to homeless Veterans who are not 
Chapter 10 Special Groups of Veterans 96

likely to come to VA facilities on their own.

Homeless Veterans Supported Employment Program (HVSEP)

provides vocational assistance, job development and placement, and 

ongoing employment supports designed to improve employment outcomes among homeless Veterans. HVSEP is coordinated between 

CWT and the continuum of Homeless Veterans Programs for the 

purpose of providing community-based vocational and employment 

services. All of the HVSEP vocational rehabilitation specialists (VRS) 

hired to provide employment services for the program consists of 

homeless, formerly homeless, or at risk of homelessness Veterans. 

For more information, please visit: http://www.va.gov/homeless/employment_programs.asp

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 to assess a caller’s needs and connect them to appropriate resources. The call center can be accessed 

by dialing 1-877-4AID VET (1-877-424-3838). NCCHV Chat services are also available through the National Call Center’s website 

at www.va.gov/HOMELESS. NCCHV Chat enables Veterans, their 

families and friends to go on-line where they can anonymously chat 

with an information and referral specialist by visiting the www.va.gov/

HOMELESS webpage, clicking on the Help for Homeless Veteran 

badge, and then the Chat Online tab on the right side of the webpage.

VA’s Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program provides 

funds to non-profit community agencies providing transitional housing (up to 24 months) and/or offering services to homeless Veterans, 

such as case management, education, crisis intervention, counseling, and services targeted towards specialized populations including 

homeless women Veterans. The goal of the program is to help homeless Veterans achieve residential stability, increase their skill levels 

and/or income, and obtain greater self-determination. For more 

information, please visit: http://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp

The Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program provides permanent housing 

aand case management for eligible homeless Veterans who need 
97 Special Groups of Veterans Chapter 10

community-based support to keep stable housing. This program allows eligible Veterans to live in Veteran-selected housing units with 

a “Housing Choice” voucher. These vouchers are portable to support 

the Veteran’s choice of housing in communities served by their VA 

medical facility where case management services can be provided. 

HUD-VASH services include outreach and case management to 

ensure integration of services and continuity of care. This program 

enhances the ability of VA to serve homeless women Veterans, and 

homeless Veterans with families. For more information, please visit: 

http//www.va.gov/homeless/hud-vash.asp 

The Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) Program is 

designed to rapidly re-house homeless Veteran families and prevent 

homelessness for those at imminent risk due to a housing crisis. 

Funds are granted to private non-profit organizations and consumer 

cooperatives that will assist very low-income Veteran families by providing a range of supportive services designed to promote housing 

stability. To meet this goal, grantees (private non-profit organizations 

and consumer cooperatives) provide eligible Veteran families with 

outreach, case management, and assistance in obtaining VA and 

other benefits, which may include: health care services; daily living 

services; personal financial planning services ; transportation services; fiduciary and payee services; legal services; child care services; 

and housing counseling services . 

In addition, grantees also provide time-limited payments to third 

parties (e.g., landlords, utility companies, moving companies, and 

licensed child care providers) if these payments help Veterans’ families stay in or acquire permanent housing on a sustainable basis. To 

locate a SSVF provider in your community, please visit http://www.

va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp and look for the list of current year SSVF 

providers or call VA’s National call Center for Homeless Veterans at 

1-888-4AIDVET (1-888-424-3838).

In VA’s Compensated Work Therapy/Transitional Residence 

(CWT/TR) Program, disadvantaged, at-risk, and homeless Veterans 

live in CWT/TR community-based supervised group homes while 

working for pay in VA’s CWT Program. While in this program, they 

learn new job skills, relearn successful work habits, and regain a 

sense of self-esteem and self-worth.
Chapter 10 Special Groups of Veterans 98

The Veterans Justice Outreach Program (VJO) offers outreach and 

case management to Veteran involved in law enforcement encounters, overseen by treatment courts, and incarcerated in local jails who 

may be at risk for homelessness upon their release.

The Health Care for Re-Entry Veterans (HCRV) Program offers outreach, referrals, and short-term case management assistance for incarcerated Veterans who may be at risk for homelessness upon their 

release. Visit www.va.gov/homeless/ to locate an outreach worker

For more information on VA homeless programs and services, Veterans currently enrolled in VA health care can speak with their VA 

mental health or health care provider. Other Veterans and interested 

parties can find a complete list of VA health care facilities at www.

va.gov, or they can call VA’s general information hotline at 1-800-

827-1000. If assistance is needed when contacting a VA facility, ask 

to speak to the Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program or the 

Mental Health service manager. Information is also available on VA 

Homeless program website at www.va.gov/homeless.

Filipino Veterans 

World War II era Filipino Veterans are eligible for certain VA benefits. 

Generally, Old Philippine Scouts are eligible for VA benefits in the 

same manner as U.S. Veterans. Commonwealth Army Veterans, 

including certain organized Filipino guerrilla forces and New Philippine Scouts residing in the United States who are citizens or lawfully 

admitted for permanent residence, are also eligible for VA health care 

in the United States on the same basis as U.S. Veterans. 

Certain Commonwealth Army Veterans and new Philippine Scouts 

may be eligible for disability compensation and burial benefits. Other 

Veterans of recognized guerrilla groups also may be eligible for certain VA benefits. Survivors of World War II era Filipino Veterans may 

be eligible for dependency and indemnity compensation. Eligibility 

and the rates of benefits vary based on the recipient’s citizenship and 

place of residence. Call 1-800-827-1000 for additional information. 

VA Benefits for Veterans Living Overseas

VA monetary benefits, including disability compensation, pension, 

educational benefits, and burial allowances, are generally payable 

overseas. Some programs are restricted. Home loan guaranties are 

available only in the United States and selected U.S. territories and 
99 Special Groups of Veterans Chapter 10

possessions. Educational benefits are limited to approved, degreegranting programs in institutions of higher learning. Beneficiaries 

living in foreign countries should contact the nearest American embassy or consulate for help. In Canada, contact an office of Veterans 

Affairs Canada. For information, visit http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/

Foreign/index.htm.

World War II Era Merchant Marine Seamen 

Certain Merchant Marine seamen who served in World War II may 

qualify for Veterans benefits. When applying for medical care, Merchant Marine seamen must present their discharge certificate from 

the Department of Defense. Call 1-800-827-1000 for help obtaining a 

certificate. 

Allied Veterans Who Served During WWI or WWII

VA may provide medical care to certain Veterans of nations allied or 

associated with the United States during World War I or World War 

II if authorized and reimbursed by the foreign government. VA also 

may provide hospitalization, outpatient care, and domiciliary care to 

former members of the armed forces of Czechoslovakia or Poland 

who fought in World War I or World War II in armed conflict against 

an enemy of the United States if they have been U.S. citizens for at 

least 10 years.

World War Service by Particular Groups

A number of groups who provided military-related service to the 

United States can receive VA benefits. A discharge by the Secretary 

of Defense is needed to qualify. Service in the following groups has 

been certified as active military service for benefits purposes: 

1. Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs).

2. World War I Signal Corps Female Telephone Operators Unit.

3. World War I Engineer Field Clerks. 

4. Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC).

5. Quartermaster Corps female clerical employees serving with the 

American Expeditionary Forces in World War I. 

6. Civilian employees of Pacific naval air bases who actively participated in defense of Wake Island during World War II. 

7. Reconstruction aides and dietitians in World War I.

8. Male civilian ferry pilots. 

9. Wake Island defenders from Guam. 

10. Civilian personnel assigned to OSS secret intelligence. 

11. Guam Combat Patrol. 

12. Quartermaster Corps members of the Keswick crew on Corregi-
Chapter 10 Special Groups of Veterans 100

dor during World War II. 

13. U.S. civilians who participated in the defense of Bataan. 

14. U.S. merchant seamen on block ships in support of Operation 

Mulberry in the World War II invasion of Normandy.

15. American merchant marines in oceangoing service during World 

War II.

16. Civilian Navy IFF radar technicians who served in combat areas 

of the Pacific during World War II. 

17. U.S. civilians of the American Field Service who served overseas 

in World War I.

18. U.S. civilians of the American Field Service who served overseas 

under U.S. armies and U.S. army groups in World War II. 

19. U.S. civilian employees of American Airlines who served overseas in a contract with the Air Transport Command between Dec. 14, 

1941, and Aug. 14, 1945. 

20. Civilian crewmen of U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey vessels 

who served in areas of immediate military hazard while conducting 

cooperative operations with and for the U.S. armed forces between 

Dec. 7, 1941, and Aug. 15, 1945. Qualifying vessels are: the Derickson, Explorer, Gilber, Hilgard, E. Lester Jones, Lydonia Patton, 

Surveyor, Wainwright, Westdahl, Oceanographer, Hydrographer and 

Pathfinder. 

21. Members of the American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) who 

served between Dec. 7, 1941, and July 18, 1942. 

22. U.S. civilian flight crew and aviation ground support employees 

of United Air Lines who served overseas in a contract with Air Transport Command between Dec. 14, 1941, and Aug. 14, 1945. 

23. U.S. civilian flight crew, including pursers, and aviation ground 

support employees of Transcontinental, and 

Western Air, Inc. who served overseas in a contract with the Air 

Transport Command between Dec. 14, 1941, and Aug. 14, 1945.

24. U.S. civilian flight crew and aviation ground support employees 

of Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corp. who served overseas in a contract with Air Transport Command between Dec. 14, 1941, and Aug. 

14, 1945. 

25. U.S. civilian flight crew and aviation ground support employees 

of Pan American World Airways and its subsidiaries and affiliates, 

who served overseas in a contract with the Air Transport Command 

and Naval Air Transport Service between Dec. 14, 1941, and Aug. 

14, 1945. 

26. Honorably discharged members of the American Volunteer 

Guard, Eritrea Service Command, between June 21, 1942, and Mar. 
101 Special Groups of Veterans Chapter 10

31, 1943.

27. U.S. civilian flight crew and aviation ground support employees 

of Northwest Airlines who served overseas under the airline’s contract with Air Transport Command from Dec. 14, 1941, through Aug. 

14, 1945. 

28. U.S. civilian female employees of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps 

who served in the defense of Bataan and Corregidor between Jan. 2, 

1942, and Feb. 3, 1945.

29. U.S. flight crew and aviation ground support employees of 

Northeast Airlines Atlantic Division, who served overseas as a result 

of Northeast Airlines’ contract with the Air Transport Command from 

Dec. 7, 1941, through Aug. 14, 1945.

30. U.S. civilian flight crew and aviation ground support employees of Braniff Airways, who served overseas in the North Atlantic 

or under the jurisdiction of the North Atlantic Wing, Air Transport 

Command, as a result of a contract with the Air Transport Command 

between Feb. 26, 1945, and Aug. 14, 1945.

31. Chamorro and Carolina former native police who received military training in the Donnal area of central Saipan and were placed 

under command of Lt. Casino of the 6th Provisional Military Police 

Battalion to accompany U.S. Marines on active, combat patrol from 

Aug. 19, 1945, to Sept. 2, 1945.

32. Three scouts/guides, Miguel Tenorio, Penedicto Taisacan, and 

Cristino Dela Cruz, who assisted the United States Marines in the 

offensive operations against the Japanese on the Northern Mariana 

Islands from June 19, 1944, through Sept. 2, 1945.

33. The operational Analysis Group of the Office of Scientific Research and Development, Office of Emergency Management, which 

served overseas with the U.S. Army Air Corps from Dec. 7, 1941, 

through Aug. 15, 1945. 

34. Service as a member of the Alaska Territorial Guard during World 

War II or any individual who was honorably discharged under section 

8147 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2001. 

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 rating is 10 percent, the payment is reduced to half of the rate 

payable to a Veteran evaluated as 10 percent disabled. 
Chapter 10 Special Groups of Veterans 102

Any amounts not paid to the Veteran while incarcerated may be 

apportioned to eligible dependents. Payments are not reduced for 

participants in work-release programs, residing in halfway houses, or 

under community control. Failure to notify VA of a Veteran’s incarceration can result in overpayment of benefits and the subsequent 

loss of all VA financial benefits until the overpayment is recovered. 

VA benefits will not be provided to any Veteran or dependent wanted 

for an outstanding felony warrant. 

The Health Care for Reentry Veterans Program (HCRV) offers 

outreach to Veterans incarcerated in state and federal prisons, and 

referrals and short-term case management assistance upon release 

from prison. he Veterans Justice Outreach Program (VJO) offers 

outreach and case management to Veterans involved in law enforcement encounters, overseen by treatment courts, and incarcerated in 

local jails. Visit www.va.gov/homeless/ to locate an outreach worker.

The Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Program offers outreach and 

linkage to needed treatment and services to Veterans involved in law 

enforcement encounters, seen in the court system, and/or incarcerated in local jails who may be at risk for homelessness upon their 

release. Visit http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/VJO.asp to locate a 

Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist.

The Health Care for Re-Entry Veterans (HCRV) Program offers 

outreach, linkage to needed treatment and services, and short-term 

case management assistance for Veterans incarcerated in state 

or federal prison who may be at risk for homelessness upon their 

release. Visit http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/Reentry.asp to locate a 

Reentry Specialist.
103 Transition Assistance Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Transition Assistance

Joint Transition Assistance

The Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, and Labor relaunched a new and improved website for wounded warriors – the 

National Resource Directory (NRD). This directory (www.nrd.gov) 

provides access to thousands of services and resources at the 

national, state and local levels to support recovery, rehabilitation and 

community reintegration. The NRD is a comprehensive online tool 

available nationwide for wounded, ill and injured Servicemembers, 

Veterans and their families. The NRD includes extensive information for Veterans seeking resources on VA benefits such as disability 

benefits, pensions for Veterans and their families, VA health care 

insurance and the GI Bill. The NRD’s design and interface is simple, 

easy-to-navigate and intended to answer the needs of a broad audience of users within the military, Veteran and caregiver communities. 

Transition from Military to VA

VA has personnel stationed at major military hospitals to help seriously injured Servicemembers returning from Operations Enduring 

Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) as they 

transition from military to civilian life. OEF/OIF/OND Servicemembers 

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 1-800-827-1000.

eBenefits

The eBenefits portal (www.ebenefits.va.gov) provides Servicemembers, Veterans, their families, and caregivers with self-service access 

to benefit applications, benefits information, and access to personal 

information such as official military personnel file documents. The 

portal provides two main services: 1. it catalogs links to information 

on other websites about military and Veteran benefits, 2. and it provides a personalized workspace called My Dashboard, which gives 

quick access to all the online tools currently integrated into eBenefits. 

Transition Assistance Program

This consists of comprehensive workshops at military installations 

designed to assist Servicemembers as they transition from military 
Chapter 11 Transition Assistance 104

to civilian life. The program includes job search, employment and 

training information, as well as VA benefits information for Servicemembers who are within 18 months of separation or retirement. VA 

Benefit Briefings are comprised of two briefings focusing on education, benefits, and VA health care and disability compensation. 

Servicemembers can sign up for one-on-one appointments with a VA 

representative. Interested Servicemembers should contact their local 

TAP Manager to sign up for this program.

VOW to Hire Heroes Act

Improving the Transition Assistance Program (TAP): The VOW to 

Hire Heroes Act of 2011 (“the Act”) made TAP, including attendance 

at VA Benefit Briefings, mandatory for most Servicemembers transitioning to civilian status, upgraded career counseling options, and 

tailored TAP for the 21st Century job market.

Facilitating Seamless Transition 

The Act allows Servicemembers to begin the federal employment 

process prior to separation or retirement from military service. This 

allows a truly seamless transition from the military to jobs at VA, Department of Homeland Security, and the many other federal agencies 

seeking to hire Veterans. 

Expanding Education and Training 

The Act provides nearly 100,000 unemployed Veterans of past eras 

and wars with up to one year of assistance (equal to the full-time 

payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty program) 

to qualify for jobs in high-demand sectors. It also provides disabled 

Veterans up to one year of additional Vocational Rehabilitation and 

Employment benefits.

Translating Military Skills and Training 

The Act requires the Department of Labor take a hard look at military 

skills and training equivalencies that are transferrable to the civilian 

sector, and make it easier to obtain licenses and certifications. 

Veterans Tax Credits 

The Act provides tax credits for hiring Veterans and disabled Veterans who are out of work

The inTransition 

Servicemembers and Veterans may receive assistance from the in-
105 Transition Assistance Chapter 11

Transition Program when they are receiving mental health treatment 

and are making transitions from military service, location or a health 

care system. This program provides access to transitional support, 

motivation, and healthy lifestyle assistance and advice from qualified 

coaches through the toll-free telephone number 1-800-424-7877. For 

more information about the inTransition Program, please log onto 

www.health.mil/inTransition.

Pre-Discharge Program 

The Pre-Discharge Program is a joint VA and DoD program that 

affords Servicemembers the opportunity to file claims for disability 

compensation and other benefits up to 180 days prior to separation 

or retirement. The two primary components of the Pre-Discharge 

Program, Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) and Quick Start, may 

be utilized by separating and retiring Servicemembers on active duty, 

including members of the Coast Guard, and members of the National 

Guard and Reserves (activated under Titles 10 or 32) in CONUS and 

some overseas locations. BDD is offered to accelerate receipt of VA 

disability benefits after release or discharge from active duty. 

To participate in the BDD program, Servicemembers must:

1. Have at least 60 days, but not more than 180 days, 

 remaining on active duty.

2. Have a known date of separation or retirement.

3. Provide VA with a complete copy of service treatment records 

 for the current period of service.

4. Be available to complete all necessary examinations prior to 

 leaving the point of separation.

Quick Start is offered to Servicemembers who have less than 60 

days remaining on active duty or are unable to complete the necessary examinations prior to leaving the point of separation.

To participate in the Quick Start Program, Servicemembers must:

1. Have at least one day remaining on active duty.

2. Have a known date of separation or retirement. 

3. Provide VA with a complete copy of service treatment records, 

 for the current period of service.

Servicemembers should contact the local Transition Assistance 

Office or Army Career Alumni Program Center to schedule appointments to attend VA benefits briefings and learn how to initiate a pre-
Chapter 11 Transition Assistance 106

discharge claim. Servicemembers can obtain more information by 

calling VA toll-free at 1-800-827-1000 or by visiting www.vba.va.gov/

predischarge.

Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES)

The Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) is a joint VA and 

DoD program designed to improve the process for Servicemembers who face potential medical discharges. IDES participants are 

referred into the program by the respective service departments 

when an injury or disability calls into question the member’s ability to 

continue serving. 

IDES promotes efficiency and consistency by utilizing a single set of 

disability examinations and a single disability rating. Examinations 

and ratings completed in IDES meet the requirements of both VA and 

DoD and are used by both Departments in their respective disability 

determinations.

 

IDES serves to provide timely, accurate and fair determinations 

regarding Servicemembers’ fitness for continued military service and 

entitlement to military disability benefits, as well as entitlement to VA 

Compensation. Further, since processing is initiated while the Servicemember is still serving on active duty, IDES allows the expeditious payment of VA benefits following the member’s separation from 

service. 

Federal Recovery Coordination Program

The Federal Recovery Coordination Program (FRCP), a joint program of DoD and VA, helps coordinate and access federal, state and 

local programs, benefits and services for seriously wounded, ill, and 

injured Servicemembers, and their families through recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration into the community. 

Federal Recovery Coordinators (FRCs) have the delegated authority for oversight and coordination of the clinical and non-clinical care 

identified in each client’s Federal Individual Recovery Plan (FIRP). 

Working with a variety of case managers, FRCs assist their clients 

in reaching their FIRP goals. FRCs remain with their clients as long 

as they are needed regardless of the client’s location, duty or health 

status. In doing so, they often serve as the central point of contact 

and provide transition support for their clients.
107 Transition Assistance Chapter 11

Military Services Provide Pre-Separation Counseling

Servicemembers may receive pre-separation counseling 24 months 

prior to retirement or 12 months prior to separation from active duty. 

These sessions present information on education, training, employment assistance, National Guard and Reserve programs, medical 

benefits, and financial assistance. 

Verification of Military Experience and Training (VMET)

The VMET Document, DD Form 2586, helps Servicemembers verify 

previous experience and training to potential employers, negotiate 

credits at schools, and obtain certificates or licenses. VMET documents are available only through each military branch’s support 

office and are intended for Servicemembers who have at least six 

months of active service. Servicemembers should obtain VMET 

documents from their Transition Support Office within 12 months of 

separation or 24 months of retirement. 

Transition Bulletin Board

To find business opportunities, a calendar of transition seminars, job 

fairs, information on Veterans associations, transition services, training and education opportunities, as well as other announcements 

visit www.turbotap.org 

DoD Transportal

To find locations and phone numbers of all Transition Assistance 

Offices as well as mini-courses on conducting successful job-search 

campaigns, writing resumes, using the internet to find a job, and links 

to job search and recruiting Websites, visit the DoD Transportal at 

www.Veteranprograms.com/index.html 

Education and Career Counseling

The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program provides education and career counseling services to Servicemembers, 

Veterans, and certain dependents (U.S.C. Title 38, Section 3697) at 

no charge. These services provide an opportunity for transitioning 

Servicemembers and Veterans to receive personalized counseling 

and support to guide their careers, ensure the most effective use of 

VA benefits, and achieve their goals. Services include assisting the 

Servicemember or Veteran with: 

• Career Choice: Understand the best career options based on 

interests and capabilities; 

• Benefits Coaching: Guidance on the effective use of VA benefits 
Chapter 11 Transition Assistance 108

and other resources available to assist in achieving education and 

career goals; and 

• Personalized Support: Academic or adjustment counseling and 

personalized support to help remove any barriers to success. 

Eligibility: Education and career counseling services are available 

during the period the individual is on active duty with the armed forces and within 180 days of the estimated date of his or her discharge 

or release from active duty. The projected discharge must be under 

conditions other than dishonorable. 

Servicemembers are eligible even if they are only considering 

whether or not they will continue as members of the armed forces. 

Veterans are eligible if not more than one year has elapsed since the 

date they were last discharged or released from active duty. 

Servicemembers, Veterans, Survivors and dependents who are 

eligible for VA education benefits may receive education and career 

counseling at any time during their eligibility period. This service 

is based on having eligibility for a VA program such as Chapter 30 

(Montgomery GI Bill); Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation and 

Employment); Chapter 32 (Veterans Education Assistance Program 

– VEAP); Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill); Chapter 35 (Dependents’ 

Educational Assistance Program) for certain spouses and dependent 

children; Chapter 18 (Spina Bifida Program) for certain dependent 

children; and Chapter 1606 and 1607 of Title 10.

Servicemembers, Veterans, Survivors and dependents may apply for 

counseling services using VA Form 28-8832, Application for Counseling. Veterans and Servicemembers may also write a letter expressing a desire for counseling services. 

Upon receipt of either type of request for counseling from an eligible 

individual, an appointment for counseling will be scheduled. Counseling services are provided to eligible persons at no charge. 

Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program

Recently separated Veterans and those with service-connected disabilities, significant barriers to employment, or who served on active 

duty during a period in which a campaign or expedition badge was 

authorized, can contact the nearest state employment office for employment help through the Veterans Workforce Investment Program. 
109 Transition Assistance Chapter 11

The program may be conducted through state or local public agencies, community organizations or private, nonprofit organizations. 

State Employment Services

Veterans can find employment information, education and training 

opportunities, job counseling, job search workshops, and resume 

preparation assistance at state Workforce Career or One-Stop Centers. These offices also have specialists to help disabled Veterans 

find employment. 

Unemployment Compensation

Veterans who do not begin civilian employment immediately after 

leaving military service may receive weekly unemployment compensation for a limited time. The amount and duration of payments 

are determined by individual states. Apply by contacting the nearest 

state employment office listed in the local telephone directory.

Veterans Preference for Federal Jobs

Since the time of the Civil War, Veterans of the U.S. armed forces 

have been given some degree of preference in appointments to 

federal jobs. Veterans’ preference in its present form comes from the 

Veterans’ Preference Act of 1944, as amended, and now codified in 

Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.). By law, Veterans who are disabled or who served on active duty in the U.S. armed forces during 

certain specified time periods or in military campaigns are entitled to 

preference over others when hiring from competitive lists of eligible 

candidates, and also in retention during a reduction in force (RIF). 

To receive preference, a Veteran must have been discharged or 

released from active duty in the U.S. armed forces under honorable conditions (honorable or general discharge). Preference is also 

provided for certain widows and widowers of deceased Veterans who 

died in service, spouses of service-connected disabled Veterans, 

and mothers of Veterans who died under honorable conditions on active duty or have permanent and total service-connected disabilities. 

For each of these preferences, there are specific criteria that must be 

met in order to be eligible to receive the Veterans’ preference. 

Recent changes in Title 5 clarify Veterans preference eligibility 

criteria for National Guard and Reserve members. Veterans eligible 

for preference include Reservists and National Guard members who 

served on active duty as defined by Title 38 at any time in the armed 
Chapter 11 Transition Assistance 110

forces for a period of more than 180 consecutive days, any part of 

which occurred during the period beginning on Sept. 11, 2001, and 

ending on the date prescribed by Presidential proclamation or by law 

as the last date of OEF/OIF/OND. Reservists and National Guardsmen must have been discharged or released from active duty in the 

armed forces under honorable conditions. 

Another recent change involves Veterans who earned the Global 

War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for service in OEF/OIF/OND. 

Under Title 5, service on active duty in the armed forces during a war 

or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been 

authorized, also qualifies for Veterans preference. Any Armed Forces 

Expeditionary medal or campaign badge qualifies for preference. 

Medal holders must have served continuously for 24 months or the 

full period called or ordered to active duty. For additional information, 

visit the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website at www.

fedshirevets.gov. 

In 2011, President Obama signed the VOW (Veterans Opportunity 

to Work) To Hire Heroes Act. VOW amends Chapter 21 of Title 5, 

U.S.C. by adding section 2108a, “Treatment of certain individuals 

as Veterans, disabled Veterans, and preference eligibles.” Section 

2108a requires federal agencies to treat active duty Servicemembers 

as Veterans, disabled Veterans, or preference eligibles for purposes 

of appointment in the competitive service when these Servicemembers submit a certification of expected discharge or release from 

active duty under honorable conditions, along with their applications 

for federal employment. A certification is any written document from 

the armed forces that certifies the Servicemember is expected to be 

discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces 

under honorable conditions not later than 120 days from the date the 

certification is signed.

Veterans’ preference does not require an agency to use any particular appointment process. Agencies can pick candidates from a 

number of different special hiring authorities or through a variety of 

different sources. For example, the agency can reinstate a former 

federal employee, transfer someone from another agency, reassign 

someone from within the agency, make a selection under merit promotion procedures or through open, competitive exams, or appoint 

someone noncompetitively under special authority such as a Veterans Readjustment Appointment or special authority for 30 percent or 
111 Transition Assistance Chapter 11

more disabled Veterans. The decision on which hiring authority the 

agency desires to use rests solely with the agency. When applying 

for federal jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on their 

application or resume. Veterans should apply for a federal job by 

contacting the personnel office at the agency in which they wish to 

work. For more information, visit www.usajobs.gov for job openings 

or help creating a federal resume. 

Veterans’ Employment Opportunities Act 

When an agency accepts applications from outside its own workforce, the Veterans’ Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 allows 

preference eligible candidates or Veterans to compete for these 

vacancies under merit promotion procedures. Veterans who are selected are given career or career-conditional appointments. Veterans 

are those who have been separated under honorable conditions 

from the U.S. armed forces with three or more years of continuous 

active service. For more information, visit www.usajobs.gov or www.

fedshirevets.gov. 

Veterans’ Recruitment Appointment 

Allows federal agencies to appoint eligible Veterans to jobs without 

competition. These appointments can be converted to career or 

career-conditional positions after two years of satisfactory work. Veterans should apply directly to the agency where they wish to work. 

For information,www.fedshirevets.gov/.

Small Businesses

VA’s Center for Veterans Enterprise helps Veterans interested in 

forming or expanding small businesses, and helps VA contracting 

offices identify Veteran-owned small businesses. For information, 

write the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (OOVE), 810 Vermont 

Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20420-0001, call toll-free 1-866-

584-2344, or visit www.vetbiz.gov. Like other federal agencies, VA is 

required to place a portion of its contracts and purchases with small 

and disadvantaged businesses. VA has a special office to help small 

and disadvantaged businesses get information on VA acquisition 

opportunities. For information, write the U.S. Department of Veterans 

Affairs (OOSB), 810 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20420-

0001, call toll-free 1-800-949-8387, or visit www.va.gov/osdbu/. 
Chapter 12 Dependents and Survivors Health Care 112

Chapter 12

Dependents & Survivors Health Care

Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans 

Affairs (CHAMPVA). Under CHAMPVA, certain dependents and 

survivors can receive reimbursement for most medical expenses – 

inpatient, outpatient, mental health, prescription medication, skilled 

nursing care and durable medical equipment. 

Eligibility: To be eligible for CHAMPVA, an individual cannot be 

eligible for TRICARE (the medical program for civilian dependents 

provided by DoD) and must be one of the following:

1. The spouse or child of a Veteran whom VA has rated 

 permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected 

 disability.

2. The surviving spouse or child of a Veteran who died from a VA-

 rated service-connected disability, or who, at the time of death, 

 was rated permanently and totally disabled.

3. The surviving spouse or child of a Veteran who died on active 

 duty service and in the line of duty, not due to misconduct. 

 However, in most of these cases, these family members are 

 eligible for TRICARE, not CHAMPVA.

A surviving spouse under age 55 who remarries loses CHAMPVA 

eligibility at midnight of the date on remarriage. He/she may re-establish eligibility if the remarriage ends by death, divorce or annulment effective the first day of the month following the termination of 

the remarriage or December 1, 1999, whichever is later. A surviving 

spouse who remarries after age 55 does not lose eligibility upon 

remarriage. 

For those who have Medicare entitlement or other health insurance, 

CHAMPVA is a secondary payer. Beneficiaries with Medicare must 

be enrolled in Parts A&B to maintain CHAMPVA eligibility. For additional information, contact the Chief Business Office Purchased 

Care at the VA Health Administration Center, CHAMPVA, P.O. Box 

469028, Denver, CO 80246, call 1-800-733-8387 or visit www.

va.gov/hac/forbeneficiaries/champva/champva.asp.

Many VA health care facilities provide services to CHAMPVA ben-
113 Dependents and Survivors Health Care Chapter 12 Chapter 13

eficiaries under the CHAMPVA In-house Treatment Initiative (CITI) 

program. Contact the nearest VA health care facility to determine if 

it participates. Beneficiaries who use a CITI facility incur no cost for 

services; however, services are provided on a space-available basis, 

after the needs of Veterans are met. Not all services are available at 

all times. The coverage of services is dependent upon the CHAMPVA benefit coverage. CHAMPVA beneficiaries who are covered by 

Medicare cannot use CITI. 

VA’s Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers Program

entitles the designated Primary Family Caregiver, who is without 

health insurance coverage, CHAMPVA benefits. Some of the health 

plans that would make a Primary Family Caregiver ineligible for 

CHAMPVA benefits include Medicare, Medicaid, commercial health 

plans through employment and individual plans. 

Children Born with Spina Bifida to Certain Vietnam or Korea 

Veterans: The Spina Bifida (SB) Health Care Benefits Program is 

a health care benefits program administered by the Department of 

Veterans Affairs for birth children of certain Vietnam and Korea Veterans who have been diagnosed with spina bifida (except spina bifida 

occulta). The SB Health Care Benefits Program provides reimbursement for covered medical services and supplies, such as inpatient 

and outpatient medical services, pharmacy, durable medical equipment, and supplies. The Chief Business Office Purchased Care in 

Denver, Colorado manages the SB Health Benefits Program, including the authorization of benefits and the subsequent processing and 

payment of health care claims. For more information about spina 

bifida health care benefits, call 1-888-820-1756 or visit www.va.gov/

hac/forbeneficiaries/spina/spina.asp

Eligibility: To be eligible for the SB Health Care Benefits Program, 

the child must have received a monetary award under the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). The Denver VA Regional Office 

makes the determination regarding this entitlement. VBA notifies the 

Chief Business Office Purchased Care after an award is made and 

the eligible child is enrolled in the SB Health Care Benefits Program. 

Children of Women Vietnam Veterans (CWVV) Born with Certain 

Birth Defects: The CWVV Health Care Program is a federal health 

benefits program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs for children of women Vietnam Veterans born with certain birth 
Chapter 12 Dependents and Survivors Health Care 114

defects. The CWVV Program provides reimbursement for medical 

care related to covered birth defects and conditions associated with 

the covered birth defect except for spina bifida. For more information 

about benefits for children with birth defects, call 1-888-820-1756 or 

visit www.va.gov/hac/forbeneficiaries/spina/spina.asp

Eligibility: To be eligible for the CWVV Program, the child must have 

received a monetary award under VBA. The Denver VA Regional Office makes determination regarding this entitlement. VBA notifies the 

Chief Business Office Purchased Care after an award is made and 

the eligible child is enrolled in CWVV.

Bereavement Counseling: VA Vet Centers provide bereavement 

counseling to all family members including spouses, children, parents, and siblings of Servicemembers who die while on active duty. 

This includes federally activated members of the National Guard and 

reserve components. Bereavement services may be accessed by 

calling (202) 461-6530. 

Bereavement Counseling related to Veterans: Bereavement counseling is available through any VA medical center to immediate family 

members of Veterans who die unexpectedly or while participating 

in a VA hospice or similar program, as long as the immediate family 

members had been receiving family support services in connection 

with or in furtherance of the Veteran’s treatment. (In other cases, 

bereavement counseling is available to the Veteran’s legal guardian or the individual with whom the Veteran had certified an intention to live, as long as the guardian or individual had been receiving 

covered family support services.) This bereavement counseling is of 

limited duration and may only be authorized up to 60 days. However, 

VA medical center directors have authority to approve a longer period 

of time when medically indicated. Contact the Social Work Service at 

the nearest VA medical center to access bereavement counseling.

Dependents/Survivors and the Health Care Law

The Affordable Care Act, also known as the health care law, was 

created to expand access to affordable health care coverage to all 

Americans, lower costs, and improve quality and care coordination. 

Under the health care law, people will:

• have health coverage that meets a minimum standard (called 

“minimum essential coverage”) by January 1, 2014;

• qualify for an exemption; or
115 Dependents and Survivors Health Care Chapter 12

• pay a fee when filing their taxes if they have affordable options 

 but remain uninsured.

Key Information for Family Members about the Health Care Law

• VA wants all Veterans and their families to receive health care 

that improves their health and well-being. 

• Family members are a key part of Veterans’ good health and 

support network. 

• Dependents/survivors enrolled in the Civilian Health and 

Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs 

(CHAMPVA) or the Spina Bifida Health Care Program meet the 

requirement to have health care coverage under the health care 

law and do not need to take any additional steps. The health 

care law does not change CHAMPVA or Spina Bifida benefits, 

access to care, or out-of-pocket costs.

Veterans’ family members who do not have coverage that meets 

the health care law’s standard should consider their options through 

the Health Insurance Marketplace, which is a new way to shop for 

and purchase private health insurance. Family members may also 

get lower costs on monthly premiums or out-of-pocket costs or be 

eligible for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). For more information about 

the Health Insurance Marketplace, visit www.healthcare.gov or call 

1-800-318-2596. For additional information about the VA and the 

health care law, visit www.va.gov/aca or call 1-877-222-VETS (8387).
Chapter 13 Dependents and Survivors Benefits 116

Chapter 13

Dependents & Survivors Benefits

Death Gratuity Payment

Military services provide payment, called a death gratuity, in the 

amount of $100,000 to the next of kin of Servicemembers who die 

while on active duty (including those who die within 120 days of 

separation) as a result of service-connected injury or illness. 

If there is no surviving spouse or child, then parents or siblings designated as next of kin by the Servicemember may be provided the 

payment. The payment is made by the last military command of the 

deceased. If the beneficiary is not paid automatically, application may 

be made to the military service concerned.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation

Eligibility: For a survivor to be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity 

Compensation (DIC), one of the following must have directly caused 

or contributed to the Veteran’s death:

1. A disease or injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty 

 while on active duty or active duty for training.

2. An injury, heart attack, cardiac arrest, or stroke incurred or

 aggravated in the line of duty while on inactive duty for training.

3. A service-connected disability or a condition directly related 

 to a service-connected disability. 

Allowances Monthly Rate

Basic Payment Rate $1,233.23

Additional Allowances

Each Dependent Child $305.52

Aid and Attendance $305.52

Housebound $143.12

Special Allowances

Add $261.87 if the Veteran was totally disabled eight continuous 

2014 DIC Payment Rates for Surviving Spouses DIC rates

(Veteran died on or after Jan. 1, 1993.)
117 Dependents and Survivors Benefits Chapter 13

DIC also may be paid to certain survivors of Veterans who were totally disabled from service-connected conditions at the time of death, 

even though their service-connected disabilities did not cause their 

deaths. The survivor qualifies if the Veteran was: 

1. Continuously rated totally disabled for a period of 10 years 

 immediately preceding death; or 

2. Continuously rated totally disabled from the date of military

 discharge and for at least 5 years immediately preceding

 death; or

3. A former POW who was continuously rated totally disabled for 

 a period of at least on a year immediately preceding death. 

Payments will be offset by any amount received from judicial proceedings brought on by the Veteran’s death. When the surviving 

spouse is eligible for payments under the military’s Survivor Benefit 

Plan (SBP), only the amount of SBP greater than DIC is payable. If 

DIC is greater than SBP, only DIC is payable. The Veteran’s discharge must have been under conditions other than dishonorable.

Payments for Deaths After Jan. 1, 1993: Surviving spouses of 

Veterans who died on or after Jan. 1, 1993, receive a basic rate, 

plus additional payments for dependent children, for the aid and 

attendance of another person if they are patients in a nursing home 

or require the regular assistance of another person, or if they are 

permanently housebound.

Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits

Surviving spouses who are eligible for DIC or survivors pension may 

also be eligible for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits. They 

may apply for these benefits by writing to their VA regional office. 

They should include copies of any evidence, preferably a report from 

an attending physician or a nursing home, validating the need for aid 

and attendance or housebound care. The report should contain sufficient detail to determine whether there is disease or injury producing physical or mental impairment, loss of coordination, or conditions 

affecting the ability to dress and undress, to feed oneself, to attend to 

sanitary needs, and to keep oneself ordinarily clean and presentable. 

In addition, it is necessary to determine whether the surviving spouse 

is confined to the home or immediate premises.

Special Allowances

Add $261.87 if the Veteran was totally disabled eight continuous 
Chapter 13 Dependents and Survivors Benefits 118

years prior to death. Add $266 if there are dependent children under 

age 18 for the initial two years of entitlement for DIC awards commencing on or after Jan. 1, 2005. 

Payments for Deaths Prior to Jan. 1, 1993: Surviving spouses of 

Veterans who died prior to Jan. 1, 1993, receive an amount based 

Parents’ DIC: VA provides an income-based monthly benefit to the 

surviving parent(s) of a Servicemember or Veteran whose death was 

service-related. When countable income exceeds the limit set by law, 

no benefits are payable. The spouse’s income must also be included 

if living with a spouse. 

A spouse may be the other parent of the deceased Veteran, or a 

spouse from remarriage. Unreimbursed medical expenses may be 

used to reduce countable income. Benefit rates and income limits 

change annually. 

Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors: Survivors of Veterans who died of service-connected causes incurred or aggravated 

prior to Aug. 13, 1981, may be eligible for a special benefit payable 

in addition to any other benefits to which the family may be entitled. 

The amount of the benefit is based on information provided by the 

Social Security Administration.

Survivors Pension

VA provides pension benefits to qualifying surviving spouses and 

unmarried dependent children of deceased Veterans with wartime 

service. 

Eligibility

To be eligible, spouses must not have remarried (with an exception 

that remarriage of surviving spouse terminated prior to Nov. 1, 1990), 

and children must be under age 18, or under age 23 if attending a 

VA-approved school, or have become permanently incapable of selfsupport because of disability before age 18. Surviving spouses and 

children must have qualifying income.

The Veteran must have been discharged under conditions other than 

dishonorable and must have had 90 days or more of active military 

service, at least one day of which was during a period of war, or a 

service-connected disability justifying discharge. Longer periods of 
119 Dependents and Survivors Benefits Chapter 13

service may be required for Veterans who entered active duty on or 

after Sept. 8, 1980, or Oct. 16, 1981, if an officer. If the Veteran died 

in service but not in the line of duty, survivors pension may be payable if the Veteran completed at least two years of honorable service. 

Children who become incapable of self-support because of a disability before age 18 may be eligible for survivors pension as long 

as the condition exists, unless the child marries or the child’s income 

exceeds the applicable limit. 

Payment: Survivors pension provides a monthly payment to bring an 

eligible person’s income to a level established by law. The payment 

is reduced by the annual income from other sources such as Social 

Security. The payment may be increased if the recipient has unreimbursed medical expenses that can be deducted from countable 

income. 

Recipient of Pension Maximum Annual Rate

Surviving spouse $8,485

(With dependent child) $11,107

Permanently housebound $10,371

(With dependent child) $12,988

Needs regular aid & attendance $13,563

(With dependent child) $16,180

Each additional dependent child $2,161

Pension for each surviving child $2,161

2014 Survivors Pension Rates

Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits

Surviving spouses who are eligible for VA survivors pension are 

eligible for a higher maximum pension rate if they qualify for aid 

and attendance or housebound benefits. An eligible individual may 

qualify if he or she requires the regular aid of another person in 

order to perform personal functions required for everyday living, or 

is bedridden, a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical 

incapacity, blind, or permanently and substantially confined to his/her 

immediate premises because of a disability. 

Surviving spouses who are ineligible for basic survivors pension 

based on annual income may still be eligible for survivors pension 
Chapter 13 Dependents and Survivors Benefits 120

if they are eligible for aid and attendance or housebound benefits 

because a higher income limit applies. In addition, unreimbursed 

medical expenses for nursing-home or home-health care may be 

used to reduce countable annual income, which may result in a 

higher pension benefit. 

To apply for aid and attendance or housebound benefits, write to a 

VA regional office. Please include copies of any evidence, preferably 

a report from an attending physician or a nursing home, validating 

the need for aid and attendance or housebound type care. The report 

should contain sufficient detail to determine whether there is disease 

or injury producing physical or mental impairment, loss of coordination, or conditions affecting the ability to dress and undress, to feed 

oneself, to attend to sanitary needs, and to keep oneself ordinarily clean and presentable. In addition, it is necessary to determine 

whether the claimant is confined to the home or immediate premises.

Survivors’ & Dependents’ Educational Assistance

Eligibility: VA provides educational assistance to qualifying dependents as follows: 

1. The spouse or child of a Servicemember or Veteran who 

 either died of a service-connected disability, or who has 

 permanent and total service-connected disability, or who died 

 while such a disability existed.

2. The spouse or child of a Servicemember listed for more than 

 90 days as currently Missing in Action (MIA), captured in the 

 line of duty by a hostile force, or detained or interned by a

 foreign government or power. 

3. The spouse or child of a Servicemember who is hospitalized 

 or receives outpatient care or treatment for a disability that 

 is determined to be totally and permanently disabling, incurred

 or aggravated due to active duty, and for which the service 

 member is likely to be discharged from military service. 

Surviving spouses lose eligibility if they remarry before age 57 or are 

living with another person who has been recognized publicly as their 

spouse. They can regain eligibility if their remarriage ends by death 

or divorce or if they cease living with the person. Dependent children 

do not lose eligibility if the surviving spouse remarries. Visit www.

benefits.va.gov/gibill// for more information.

Period of Eligibility: The period of eligibility for Veterans’ spouses 
121 Dependents and Survivors Benefits Chapter 13

expires 10 years from either the date they become eligible or the 

date of the Veteran’s death. Children generally must be between the 

ages of 18 and 26 to receive educational benefits. VA may grant 

extensions to both spouses and children. 

The period of eligibility for spouses of Servicemembers who died on 

active duty expires 20 years from the date of death. This is a change 

in law that became effective Dec. 10, 2004. Spouses of Servicemembers who died on active duty whose 10-year eligibility period expired 

before Dec. 10, 2004, now have 20 years from the date of death to 

use educational benefits. 

Effective Oct. 10, 2008, Public Law 110-389 provides a 20-year period of eligibility for spouses of Veterans with a permanent and total 

service-connected disability rating effective within 3 years of release 

from active duty.

Payments: The payment rate effective Oct. 1, 2013, is $1,003 a 

month for full-time school attendance, with lesser amounts for parttime. Benefits are paid for full-time training up to 45 months or the 

equivalent in part-time training. 

Training Available: Benefits may be awarded for pursuit of associate, bachelor, or graduate degrees at colleges and universities; 

independent study; cooperative training; study abroad; certificate or 

diploma from business, technical, or vocational schools; apprenticeships; on-the-job training programs; farm cooperative courses; and 

preparatory courses for tests required or used for admission to an 

institution of higher learning or graduate school. 

Benefits for correspondence courses under certain conditions are 

available to spouses only. Beneficiaries without high-school degrees 

can pursue secondary schooling, and those with a deficiency in a 

subject may receive tutorial assistance if enrolled half-time or more. 

Special Benefits: Dependents over age 14 with physical or mental 

disabilities that impair their ability to pursue an education may receive specialized vocational or restorative training, including speech 

and voice correction, language retraining, lip reading, auditory 

training, Braille reading and writing, and similar programs. Certain 

disabled or surviving spouses are also eligible. 
Chapter 13 Dependents and Survivors Benefits 122

Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship

Children of those who died in the line of duty on or after Sept. 11, 

2001, are potentially eligible to use Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Refer 

to Chapter 4, “Education and Training”, for more details. 

Counseling: VA may provide counseling to help participants pursue 

an educational or vocational objective.

Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) Death Benefit: VA will pay a special 

MGIB death benefit to a designated survivor in the event of the 

service-connected death of a Servicemember while on active duty 

or within one year after discharge or release. The deceased must 

either have been entitled to educational assistance under the MGIB 

program or a participant in the program who would have been so 

entitled but for the high school diploma or length-of-service requirement. The amount paid will be equal to the participant’s actual military pay reduction, less any education benefits paid. 

Children of Vietnam or Korean Veterans Born with Spina Bifida: 

Biological children of male and female Veterans who served in Vietnam at any time during the period beginning Jan. 9, 1962, and ending May 7, 1975, or who served in or near the Korean demilitarized 

zone (DMZ) during the period beginning Sept. 1, 1967, and ending 

Aug. 31, 1971, born with spina bifida may be eligible for a monthly 

monetary allowance and vocational training if reasonably feasible.

The law defines “child” as the natural child of a Vietnam Veteran, 

regardless of age or marital status. The child must have been conceived after the date on which the Veteran first entered the Republic 

of Vietnam. 

Level I Level II Level III

Monthly Rate $308 $1,054 $1,796

2014 VA Benefits for Children of Vietnam or Korean Veterans 

Born with Spina Bifida

For more information about benefits for children with birth defects, 

visit www.va.gov/hac/forbeneficiaries/spina/spina.asp. A monetary 

allowance is paid at one of three disability levels based on the 

neurological manifestations that define the severity of disability: 

impairment of the functioning of extremities, impairment of bowel or 
123 Dependents and Survivors Benefits Chapter 13

bladder function, and impairment of intellectual functioning. 

Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Born with Certain Birth 

Defects: Biological children of women Veterans who served in Vietnam at any time during the period beginning on Feb. 28, 1961, and 

ending on May 7, 1975, may be eligible for certain benefits because 

of birth defects associated with the mother’s service in Vietnam that 

resulted in a permanent physical or mental disability. 

The covered birth defects do not include conditions due to family 

disorders, birth-related injuries, or fetal or neonatal infirmities with 

well-established causes. A monetary allowance is paid at one of four 

disability levels based on the child’s degree of permanent disability. 

Vocational Training: VA provides vocational training, rehabilitation 

services, and employment assistance to help these children prepare 

for and attain suitable employment. To qualify, an applicant must be 

a child receiving a VA monthly allowance for spina bifida or another 

covered birth defect and for whom VA has determined that achievement of a vocational goal is reasonably feasible. A child may not 

begin vocational training before his/her 18th birthday or the date he/

she completes secondary schooling, whichever comes first. Depending on need and eligibility, a child may be provided up to 24 months 

of full-time training with the possibility of an extension of up to 24 

months if it is needed to achieve the identified employment goal. 

Other Benefits for Survivors

VA Home Loan Guaranty 

A VA loan guaranty to acquire a home may be available to an unmarried spouse of a Veteran or Servicemember who died as a result 

of service-connected disabilities, a surviving spouse who remarries 

after age 57, or to a spouse of a Servicemember officially listed as 

MIA or who is currently a POW for more than 90 days. Spouses of 

those listed MIA/POW are limited to one loan. Surviving spouses of 

certain totally disabled Veterans, whose disability may not have been 

the cause of death, may also be eligible for VA loan guaranty. 

“No-Fee” Passports

“No-fee” passports are available to immediate family members 

(spouse, children, parents, brothers and sisters) for the expressed 

purpose of visiting their loved one’s grave or memorialization site 
Chapter 13 Dependents and Survivors Benefits 124

at an American military cemetery on foreign soil. For additional 

information, write to the American Battle Monuments Commission, 

Courthouse Plaza II, Suite 500, 2300 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA 

22201, or telephone 703-696-6897, or visit www.abmc.gov

Burial and Memorial Benefits for Survivors

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers several burial and memo

rial benefits for eligible survivors and dependents. These benefits 

may include interment at a state, tribal or national Veterans cemetery, plot, marker and more. To learn more about these and other 

benefits please refer to Chapter 8 of this guide.
125 Appeals of VA Claims Decisions Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Appeals of VA Claims Decisions

Veterans and other claimants for VA benefits have the right to appeal 

decisions made by a VA regional office, medical center or National 

Cemetery Administration (NCA) office. Typical issues appealed are 

disability compensation, pension, education benefits, recovery of 

overpayments, reimbursement for unauthorized medical services, 

and denial of burial and memorial benefits.

A claimant has one year from the date of the notification of a VA 

decision to file an appeal. The first step in the appeal process is for 

a claimant to file a written notice of disagreement with VA regional 

office, medical center or national cemetery office that made the 

decision. Following receipt of the written notice, VA will furnish the 

claimant a “Statement of the Case” describing what facts, laws, and 

regulations were used in deciding the case. To complete the request 

for appeal, the claimant must file a “Substantive Appeal” within 60 

days of the mailing of the Statement of the Case, or within one year 

from the date VA mailed its decision, whichever period ends later.

Board of Veterans’ Appeals 

The Board of Veterans’ Appeals (“the Board”) makes decisions on 

appeals on behalf of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Although it is 

not required, a veterans service organization, an agent, or an attorney may represent a claimant. Appellants may present their cases in 

person to a member of the Board at a hearing in Washington, D.C., 

at a VA regional office or by videoconference.

Decisions made by the Board can be found at www.index.va.gov/

search/va/bva.html. The pamphlet, “Understanding the Appeal Process,” is available on the website or may be requested by writing: 

Mail Process Section (014), Board of Veterans’ Appeals, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. 

U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 

A final Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision that does not grant a 

claimant the benefits desired may be appealed to the U.S. Court of 
Chapter 14 Appeals of VA Claims Decisions 126

Appeals for Veterans Claims. The court is an independent body, not 

part of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Notice of an appeal must be received by the court with a postmark 

that is within 120 days after the Board of Veterans’ Appeals mailed 

its decision. The court reviews the record considered by the Board of 

Veterans’ Appeals. It does not hold trials or receive new evidence. 

Appellants may represent themselves before the court or have lawyers or approved agents as representatives. Oral argument is held 

only at the direction of the court. Either party may appeal a decision 

of the court to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and 

may seek review in the Supreme Court of the United States.

Published decisions, case status information, rules and procedures, 

and other special announcements can be found at http://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/. The court’s decisions can also be found in West’s 

Veterans Appeals Reporter, and on the Westlaw and LEXIS online 

services. For questions, write the Clerk of the Court, 625 Indiana 

Ave. NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20004, or call (202) 501-5970.
127 Military Medals and Records Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Military Medals and Records

Replacing Military Medals

Medals awarded while in active service are issued by the individual 

military services if requested by Veterans or their next of kin. Requests for replacement medals, decorations, and awards should be 

directed to the branch of the military in which the Veteran served. 

However, for Air Force (including Army Air Corps) and Army Veterans, the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) verifies awards 

and forwards requests and verification to appropriate services. 

Requests for replacement medals should be submitted on Standard 

Form 180, “Request Pertaining to Military Records,” which may be 

obtained at VA offices or the Internet at www.va.gov/vaforms/. Forms, 

addresses, and other information on requesting medals can be found 

on the Military Personnel Records section of NPRC’s Website at 

www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/index.html. For questions, call Military Personnel Records at (314) 801-0800, or e-mail 

questions to: MPR.center@nara.gov. 

When requesting medals, type or clearly print the Veteran’s full 

name, include the Veteran’s branch of service, service number or Social Security number, and provide the Veteran’s exact or approximate 

dates of military service. The request must contain the signature of 

the Veteran or next of kin if the Veteran is deceased. If available, 

include a copy of the discharge or separation document, WDAGO 

Form 53-55 or DD Form 214. 

If discharge or separation documents are lost, Veterans or the next 

of kin of deceased Veterans may obtain duplicate copies through 

the eBenefits portal (www.ebenefits.va.gov) or by completing forms 

found on the Internet at www.archives.gov/research/index.html and 

mailing or faxing them to the NPRC. 

Alternatively, write the National Personnel Records Center, Military 

Personnel Records, One Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138-1002. 

Specify that a duplicate separation document is needed. The Vet-
Chapter 15 Military Medals and Records 128

eran’s full name should be printed or typed so that it can be read 

clearly, but the request must also contain the signature of the Veteran or the signature of the next of kin, if the Veteran is deceased. 

Include the Veteran’s branch of service, service number or Social Security number, and exact or approximate dates and years of service. 

Use Standard Form 180, “Request Pertaining To Military Records.” 

It is not necessary to request a duplicate copy of a Veteran’s discharge or separation papers solely for the purpose of filing a claim 

for VA benefits. If complete information about the Veteran’s service is 

furnished on the application, VA will obtain verification of service. 

Correcting Military Records 

The Secretary of a military department, acting through a Board for 

Correction of Military Records, has authority to change any military 

record when necessary to correct an error or remove an injustice. A 

correction board may consider applications for correction of a military 

record, including a review of a discharge issued by court-martial. 

The Veteran, survivor, or legal representative must file a request 

for correction within three years of discovering an alleged error or 

injustice. The board may excuse failure to file within this time, however, if it finds it would be in the interest of justice. It is an applicant’s 

responsibility to show why the filing of the application was delayed 

and why it would be in the interest of justice for the board to consider 

it despite the delay. To justify a correction, it is necessary to show to 

the satisfaction of the board that the alleged entry or omission in the 

records was in error or unjust. Applications should include all available evidence, such as signed statements of witnesses or a brief of 

arguments supporting the correction. Application is made with DD 

Form 149, available at VA offices, Veterans organizations or visit 

www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt/forms/formsprogram.htm.

Review of Discharge from Military Service

Each of the military services maintains a discharge review board with 

authority to change, correct or modify discharges or dismissals not 

issued by a sentence of a general court-martial. The board has no 

authority to address medical discharges. 

The Veteran or, if the Veteran is deceased or incompetent, the 

surviving spouse, next of kin or legal representative, may apply for a 

review of discharge by writing to the military department concerned, 
129 Military Medals and Records Chapter 15

using DD Form 293, “Application for the Review of Discharge from 

the Armed Forces of the United States.” This form may be obtained 

at a VA regional office, from Veterans organizations or online at www.

dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt/forms/formsprogram.htm. 

However, if the discharge was more than 15 years ago, a Veteran 

must petition the appropriate Service’s Board for Correction of 

Military Records using DD Form 149, “Application for Correction of 

Military Records Under the Provisions of Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 

1552.” A discharge review is conducted by a review of an applicant’s 

record and, if requested, by a hearing before the board.

Discharges awarded as a result of a continuous period of unauthorized absence in excess of 180 days make persons ineligible for 

VA benefits regardless of action taken by discharge review boards, 

unless VA determines there were compelling circumstances for the 

absence. Boards for the Correction of Military Records also may 

consider such cases.

Veterans with disabilities incurred or aggravated during active duty 

may qualify for medical or related benefits regardless of separation 

and characterization of service. Veterans separated administratively 

under other than honorable conditions may request that their discharge be reviewed for possible re-characterization, provided they 

file their appeal within 15 years of the date of separation. Questions 

regarding the review of a discharge should be addressed to the appropriate discharge review board at the address listed on DD Form 

293.

Physical Disability Board of Review

Veterans separated due to disability from Sept. 11, 2001, through 

Dec. 31, 2009, with a combined rating of 20 percent or less, as 

determined by the respective branch of service Physical Evaluation 

Board (PEB), and not found eligible for retirement, may be eligible for 

a review by the Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR).

The PDBR was established to reassess the accuracy and fairness 

of certain PEB decisions, and where appropriate, recommend the 

correction of discrepancies and errors. A PDBR review will not lower 

the disability rating previously assigned by the PEB, and any correction may be made retroactively to the day of the original disability 

separation. As a result of the request for review by the PDBR, no 
Chapter 15 Military Medals and Records 130

further relief from the Board of Corrections of Military Records may 

be sought, and the recommendation by the PDBR, once accepted by 

the respective branch of service, is final. A comparison of these two 

boards, along with other PDBR information, can be viewed at www.

health.mil/pdbr.

The Veteran or, if the Veteran is deceased or incompetent, the 

spouse or surviving spouse, next of kin or legal representative, may 

apply for a review using DD Form 294, “Application for a Review by 

the Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) of the Rating Awarded Accompanying a Medical Separation from the Armed Forces of 

the United States.” As part of the review process, the PDBR considers the rating(s) previously awarded by VA. The completion of VA 

Form 3288, “Request for and Consent to Release of Information from 

Individual’s Records,” along with DD Form 294, allows the PDBR to 

request VA records. Both forms can be downloaded from the PDBR 

website at www.health.mil/pdbr. These forms may also be obtained 

at a VA Regional Office (VARO), from a veterans service organization (VSO) or online at www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt/forms/

formsprogram.htm.
131 Military Medals and Records Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Benefits Provided by Other Federal 

Agencies

Internal Revenue Service 

Disabled Military Retirees may be eligible to claim a federal tax 

refund based on an increase in their disability rating percentage from 

VA, or, if combat disabled, applying for and being granted CombatRelated Special Compensation after an award for Concurrent Retirement and Disability. To do so, the disabled Military Retiree needs 

to file the amended return, Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual 

Income Tax Return, to correct a previously filed Form 1040, 1040A or 

1040EZ. An amended return cannot be e-filed. It must be filed as a 

paper return. The filer should include all documents received from VA 

and any information received from Defense Finance and Accounting 

Service explaining proper tax treatment for the current year.

If needed, Military Retirees should seek assistance from a competent 

tax professional before filing amended returns based on a disability 

determination. Refund claims based on an incorrect interpretation 

of the tax law could subject the taxpayer to interest and/or penalty 

charges. Complete information and requirements can be found at 

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Military/Special-Tax-Considerations-forVeterans.

USDA Provides Loans for Farms and Homes

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides loans and 

guaranties to buy, improve or operate farms. Loans and guaranties 

are generally available for housing in towns with a population up 

to 20,000. Applications from Veterans have preference. For further 

information, contact Farm Service Agency or Rural Development, 

USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20250, or 

apply at local Department of Agriculture offices, usually located in 

county seats.

HUD Veteran Resource Center (HUDVET)

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sponsors the Veteran 

Resource Center (HUDVET), which works with national Veterans 

service organizations to serve as a general information center on all 

Benefits Provided By Other Federal Agencies Chapter 16
Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Military Medals and Records 132

HUD-sponsored housing and community development programs and 

services. To contact HUDVET, call 1-800-998-9999, TDD 800-483-

2209, or visit www.hud.gov/hudvet. 

Veterans Receive Naturalization Preference

Honorable active duty service in the U.S. armed forces during a 

designated period of hostility allows an individual to naturalize without being required to establish any periods of residence or physical 

presence in the United States. A Servicemember who was in the 

United States, certain territories, or aboard an American public vessel at the time of enlistment, re-enlistment, extension of enlistment or 

induction, may naturalize even if he or she is not a lawful permanent 

resident.

On July 3, 2002, the President issued Executive Order 13269 establishing a new period of hostility for naturalization purposes beginning 

Sept. 11, 2001, and continuing until a date designated by a future 

Executive Order. Qualifying members of the armed forces who have 

served at any time during a specified period of hostility may immediately apply for naturalization using the current application, Form 

N-400, “Application for Naturalization”. Additional information about 

filing and requirement fees and designated periods of hostility are 

available on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Website 

at www.uscis.gov.

Individuals who served honorably in the U.S. armed forces, but were 

no longer serving on active duty status as of Sept. 11, 2001, may 

still be naturalized without having to comply with the residence and 

physical presence requirements for naturalization if they filed Form 

N-400 while still serving in the U.S. armed forces or within six months 

of termination of their active duty service. 

An individual who files the application for naturalization after the 

six-month period following termination of active-duty service is not 

exempt from the residence and physical presence requirements, but 

can count any period of active-duty service towards the residence 

and physical presence requirements. Individuals seeking naturalization under this provision must establish that they are lawful permanent residents (such status not having been lost, rescinded, or 

abandoned) and that they served honorably in the U.S. armed forces 

for at least one year.

Chapter 16 Benefits Provided By Other Federal Agencies VA Facilities
133 Military Medals and Records Chapter 15 Chapter 16

If a Servicemember dies as a result of injury or disease incurred or 

aggravated by service during a time of combat, the Servicemember’s 

survivor(s) can apply for the deceased Servicemember to receive 

posthumous citizenship at any time within two years of the Servicemember’s death. The issuance of a posthumous certificate of citizenship does not confer U.S. citizenship on surviving relatives. However, 

a non-U.S. citizen spouse or qualifying family member may file for 

certain immigration benefits and services based upon their relationship to a Servicemember who died during hostilities or a non-citizen 

Servicemember who died during hostilities and was later granted 

posthumous citizenship. 

For additional information, USCIS has developed a web page, www.

uscis.gov/military, that contains information and links to services 

specifically for the military and their families. Members of the U.S. 

military and their families stationed around the world can also call 

USCIS for help with immigration services and benefits using a dedicated, toll-free help line at 1-877-CIS-4MIL (1-877-247-4645).

Small Business Administration (SBA) 

Historically, Veterans do very well as small business entrepreneurs. 

Veterans interested in entrepreneurship and small business ownership should look to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office 

of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) for assistance. OVBD 

conducts comprehensive outreach to Veterans, service-disabled 

Veterans, and Reservists of the U.S. military. OVBD also provides 

assistance to Veteran- and Reservist-owned small businesses. SBA 

is the primary federal agency responsible for assisting Veterans who 

own or are considering starting their own small businesses. 

Among the services provided by SBA are business-planning assistance, counseling, and training through community based Veterans 

Business Outreach Centers. For more information, go to www.sba.

gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/ovbd/OVBD_VBOP.html. There are more 

than 1,000 university-based Small Business Development Centers; 

nearly 400 SCORE chapters (www.score.org/Veteran.html) with 

11,000 volunteer counselors, many of whom are Veterans; and 100 

Women’s Business Centers. 

SBA also manages a range of special small business lending programs at thousands of locations, ranging from Micro Loans to the 

Military-community-targeted Patriot Express Pilot Loan, to venture 

 VA Facilities Benefits Provided By Other Federal Agencies Chapter 16
Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Military Medals and Records 134

capital and Surety Bond Guarantees (www.sba.gov/services/financialassistance/index.html). Veterans also participate in all SBA federal 

procurement programs, including a special 3 percent federal procurement goal specifically for service-connected disabled Veterans, and 

SBA supports Veterans and others participating in international trade.

A special Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan (www.sba.

gov/reservists) is available for self-employed Reservists whose small 

businesses may be damaged through the absence of the owner or 

an essential employee as a result of Title 10 activation to Active Duty. 

A Veterans Business Development Officer is stationed at every SBA 

District Office to act as a guide to Veterans, and SBA offers a full 

range of self-paced small business planning assistance at www.sba.

gov/survey/checklist/index.cgi for Veterans, Reservists, discharging Servicemembers, and their families. Information about the full 

range of services can be found at http://www.sba.gov/about-officescontent/1/2985, or by calling 202-205-6773 or 1-800-U-ASK-SBA 

(1-800-827-5722). 

Social Security Administration 

Monthly retirement, disability, and survivor benefits under Social 

Security are payable to Veterans and dependents if the Veteran has 

earned enough work credits under the program. Upon the Veteran’s 

death, a one-time payment of $255 may be made to the Veteran’s 

spouse or child. In addition, a Veteran may qualify at age 65 for 

Medicare’s hospital insurance and medical insurance. Medicare 

protection is available to people who have received Social Security 

disability benefits for 24 months, and to insured people and their 

dependents who need dialysis or kidney transplants, or who have 

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Since 1957, military service earnings for active duty (including active 

duty for training) have counted toward Social Security, and those 

earnings are already on Social Security records. Since 1988, inactive 

duty service in the Reserve Component (such as weekend drills) has 

also been covered by Social Security. Servicemembers and Veterans are credited with $300 in additional earnings for each calendar 

quarter in which they received active duty basic pay after 1956 and 

before 1978. 

Chapter 16 Benefits Provided By Other Federal Agencies 
135 Military Medals and Records Chapter 15 Chapter 16

Veterans who served in the military from 1978 through 2001 are 

credited with an additional $100 in earnings for each $300 in active 

duty basic pay, up to a maximum of $1,200 a year. No additional 

Social Security taxes are withheld from pay for these extra credits. 

Veterans who enlisted after Sept. 7, 1980, and did not complete at 

least 24 months of active duty or their full tour of duty, may not be 

able to receive the additional earnings. Check with Social Security 

for details. Additional earnings will no longer be credited for military 

service periods after 2001. 

Also, non-contributory Social Security earnings of $160 a month may 

be credited to Veterans who served after Sept. 15, 1940, and before 

1957, including attendance at service academies. For information, 

call 1-800-772-1213 or visit www.socialsecurity.gov/. (Note: Social 

Security cannot add these extra earnings to the record until an application is filed for Social Security benefits).

Armed Forces Retirement Homes

Veterans are eligible to live in the Armed Forces Retirement Homes 

located in Gulfport, Miss., or Washington, D.C., if their active duty 

military service is at least 50 percent enlisted, warrant officer or limited duty officer if they qualify under one of the following categories: 

1. Are 60 years of age or older; and were discharged or released

 under honorable conditions after 20 or more years of active 

 service.

2. Are determined to be incapable of earning a livelihood 

 because of a service-connected disability incurred in the line 

 of duty.

3. Served in a war theater during a time of war declared by 

 Congress or were eligible for hostile-fire special pay and 

 were discharged or released under honorable conditions;

 and are determined to be incapable of earning a livelihood 

 because of injuries, disease or disability. 

4. Served in a women’s component of the armed forces before 

 June 12, 1948; and are determined to be eligible for 

 admission due to compelling personal circumstances. 

Eligibility determinations are based on rules prescribed by the 

Home’s Chief Operating Officer. Veterans are not eligible if they have 

been convicted of a felony or are not free from alcohol, drug or psychiatric problems. Married couples are welcome, but both must be 

 VA Facilities Benefits Provided By Other Federal Agencies Chapter 16
Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Military Medals and Records 136

eligible in their own right. At the time of admission, applicants must 

be capable of living independently. The Armed Forces Retirement 

Home is an independent federal agency. For information, call 1-800-

332-3527 or 1-800-422-9988, or visit www.afrh.gov/. 

Commissary and Exchange Privileges 

Unlimited commissary and exchange store privileges in the United 

States are available to honorably discharged Veterans with a serviceconnected disability rated at 100 percent or totally disabling, and to 

the un-remarried surviving spouses and dependents of Servicemembers who die on active duty, military retirees, recipients of the Medal 

of Honor, and Veterans whose service-connected disability was rated 

100 percent or totally disabling at the time of death. Certification of 

total disability is done by VA. National Guard Reservists and their dependents may also be eligible. Privileges overseas are governed by 

international law and are available only if agreed upon by the foreign 

government concerned 

Though these benefits are provided by DOD, VA does provide assistance in completing DD Form 1172, “Application for Uniformed 

Services Identification and Privilege Card.” For detailed information, 

contact the nearest military installation. 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides funding to states to help low-income households with their heating and 

home energy costs under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance 

Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP can also assist with insulating homes 

to make them more energy efficient and reduce energy costs. The 

LIHEAP program in your community determines if your household’s 

income qualifies for the program. To find out where to apply call 

1-866-674-6327 or e-mail energy@ncat.org 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. (Mountain 

Time). More information can be found at www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/

ocs/liheap/#index.html

Chapter 16 Benefits Provided By Other Federal Agencies 
137 VA Facilities

VA Facilities 

Patients should call the telephone numbers listed to obtain clinic hours 

of operation and services. 

For more information or to search for a facility by ZIP code, visit www1.

va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp?isFlash=1

Benefits Office:

Pago Pago 96799 (PO Box 1005, 684-633-5073)

Vet Centers:

American Samoa Vet Center, American Samoa Vet Center, Ottoville Road, 

Equator Bldg, Pago Pago, AS, 96799, 684-699-3760