Appendix A

The Survey Instrument
NATIONAL SURVEY OF 

VETERANS

EXTENDED VERSION

QUESTIONNAIRE
A-1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Page

INTRODUCTION............................................................................... 2

MILITARY BACKGROUND MODULE............................................. 3

HEALTH BACKGROUND MODULE................................................ 27

HEALTH CARE BENEFITS MODULE............................................. 35

DISABILITY MODULE...................................................................... 43

MORTGAGE LOAN MODULE......................................................... 48

LIFE INSURANCE MODULE........................................................... 50

EDUCATION AND TRAINING MODULE ........................................ 52

BURIAL BENEFITS MODULE ......................................................... 56

COMMUNICATION MODULE.......................................................... 59

SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION MODULE..................... 61
A-2

INTRODUCTION

INTRO2. Hello, may I speak to {SELECTED RESPONDENT}?

[My name is {INTERVIEWER}. I'm calling from Westat on behalf of the Department of Veterans 

Affairs. We're conducting a study that will provide information for the Department of Veterans Affairs 

as part of its ongoing efforts to improve services it provides to America’s veterans.]

[We are conducting this study for the Department of Veterans Affairs to obtain information about 

veterans, their families and their use of VA benefits and programs.]

1. SUBJECT SPEAKING/COMING TO PHONE

2. SUBJECT LIVES HERE – NEEDS APPOINTMENT

3. SUBJECT KNOWN LIVES AT ANOTHER NUMBER

4. NEVER HEARD OF SUBJECT

5. TELEPHONE COMPANY RECORDING

AM. ANSWERING MACHINE

RT. RETRY DIALING

GT. GO TO RESULT

INFO. Your response to any question is voluntary, and you may ask us to skip any question that you do not 

wish to answer. You can stop this discussion at any time.

The information that you provide is protected under the Privacy Act and section 5701 of Title 38 U. S. 

Code. The VA will use the information you provide to evaluate current VA policies, programs and 

services for veterans and in deciding how to help veterans in the future. The VA will not use any 

information that you give us in any VA claim that you have applied for or are receiving. You are 

entitled to a printed copy of the Privacy Act Notice that applies to this survey. Would you like a copy 

of this notice? 

[IF YES, COMPLETE ADDRESS FORM.]

[PRESS RETURN TO CONTINUE.]

DISCL. This survey was reviewed and approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The 

survey is estimated to take about 30 minutes of your time. This may vary as some interviews will 

take more time and some will take less time. You may send comments regarding this estimate or any 

other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the length, to the 

Federal Government. 

Would you like the address of the Government office you may contact? 

[OMB # 2900-0615]

YES.....................1

NO .....................2 (GO TO MB0)

DISC1. The address is...

Department of Veterans Affairs 

Office of Policy and Planning (008A) 

810 Vermont Avenue, NW 

Washington, D.C. 20420.

[PRESS RETURN TO CONTINUE]
A-3

MILITARY BACKGROUND MODULE

VETS.EXTSEX

MB0.

[IF NOT OBVIOUS ASK:] Are you male or female?

MALE ........................................................ 1

FEMALE .................................................... 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 1:

IN ALL MONTH FIELDS, HARD RANGE = 1 – 12. 

IN ALL INSTANCES WHERE 91 = 1 PROVIDE 30 CHARACTER OTHER SPECIFY FIELD.

IN MB0a, RANGE FOR YEAR = 1885 – (CURRENT YEAR – 18).

VETS.DOBMM, VETS.DOBYYYY

MB0a. First, I’d like to ask you for the month and year you were born.

|__|__| MONTH

|__|__|__|__| YEAR

REFUSED .......................... -7

DON'T KNOW ..................... -8

1. JANUARY 7. JULY

2. FEBRUARY 8. AUGUST

3. MARCH 9. SEPTEMBER

4. APRIL 10. OCTOBER

5. MAY 11. NOVEMBER

6. JUNE 12. DECEMBER

[A2a.]

VETS.ACTEVER

MB1. I’d like to start with some questions about your military service. 

Not counting a call to active duty as a result of your National Guard or military reserve service, did you 

ever serve on active duty in the United States Armed Forces?

[ARMY, NAVY, MARINES, AIR FORCE, COAST GUARD, NURSING CORPS, WOMEN’S ARMED 

FORCES BRANCHES]

YES........................................................... 1 (GO TO MB4)

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8
A-4

PROGRAMMER NOTE 2:

VETS.VETSAGE

COMPUTE R AGE (CURRENT MONTH AND YEAR – [MB0a MONTH AND YEAR] DOBMM AND DOBYYYY). 

IF CURRENT MONTH =DOBMM, ASSUME BIRTHDAY HAS OCCURRED. IF R IS MALE AND 65 YEARS OF 

AGE OR OLDER, OR AGE = -7 OR –8, CONTINUE WITH MB2, ELSE GO TO MB3a.

IF R IS FEMALE GO TO MB3.

[A2b.]

VETS.MERCMAR

MB2. Did you serve in the U.S. Merchant Marine on a ship under U.S. Flag at any time between December 

1941 through August 1945?

YES........................................................... 1 (GO TO MB4)

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO MB3a)

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (GO TO MB3a)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (GO TO MB3a)

[A2c.]

VETS.WAF

MB3. Did you ever serve in the nursing corps, air transport corps, or any of the women’s armed forces 

branches?

YES........................................................... 1 (GO TO MB4)

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO MB3a)

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (GO TO MB3a)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (GO TO MB3a)

VETS.COMMOFF

MB3a. Have you ever served as a commissioned officer in the Public Health Service, the Environmental 

Services Administration, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration?

YES........................................................... 1 (GO TO MB4)

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO MB5)

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (GO TO MB5)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (GO TO MB5)

[A3.]

VETS.ACTNOW

MB4. Are you currently on full-time active duty?

YES........................................................... 1 (END INTERVIEW-CODE IA)

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO MB14)

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (END INTERVIEW-CODE NU)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE SERVICE

[A12.]

VETS.RENGEVER

MB5. Have you ever served in the National Guard or Military Reserves?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2 (END INTERVIEW-CODE IA)

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (END INTERVIEW-CODE NU)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (END INTERVIEW-CODE NU)
A-5

[A13.]

VETS.RESTOACT

MB6. While you were in the National Guard or Military Reserves, were you ever called into the regular armed 

forces for active duty, not counting the 4 to 6 months duty for initial basic training or yearly summer 

camp?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO MB13)

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (GO TO MB13)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (GO TO MB13)

PROGRAMMER NOTE 3:

IN (MB7) RYRACT, (MB9) RRELYR, (MB9A) RYRACTNW AND (MB9B) RYRRLNEW, HARD RANGE = 1885 

THROUGH CURRENT YEAR. IN MB7 AND MB9a SOFT RANGE = 1903 THROUGH CURRENT YEAR AND 

DATE > DOB. IN MB9 AND MB9b SOFT RANGE = 1903 THROUGH CURRENT YEAR.

[A14.]

VETS.RMTHACT, VETS.RDAYACT, VETS.RYRACT

MB7. What is the date you were first called-up for active duty?

|__|__| MONTH

|__|__| DAY

|__|__|__|__| YEAR

REFUSED ...................................... -7

DON'T KNOW ................................. -8

1. JANUARY 7. JULY

2. FEBRUARY 8. AUGUST

3. MARCH 9. SEPTEMBER

4. APRIL 10. OCTOBER

5. MAY 11. NOVEMBER

6. JUNE 12. DECEMBER

PROGRAMMER NOTE 4:

IF RYRACT = -7, -8 or RMTHACT and RYRACT < DOBMM AND DOBYYYY END INTERVIEW AND CODE 

NU

ELSE IF RYRACT = 1955 AND RMTHACT IS NOT MISSING GO TO MB8

ELSE IF RYRACT AND RMTHACT = YEAR AND MONTH IN BOX AND RDAYACT IS MISSING 

OR IF RYRACT = YEAR IN BOX AND RMTHACT IS MISSING, GO TO MB7a AND DISPLAY THE 

APPROPRIATE DATE.

OTHERWISE GO TO MB8 (RYRACT NOT IN BOX AND RMTHACT NOT IN BOX)

IF RYRACT = : DISPLAY:

1917 April 6th”

1918 November 12th

1940 September 16th

1947 July 26th

1950 June 27th

1955 February 1st

1964 August 5th

1975 May 8th

1980 September 8th 

1990 August 2nd
A-6

VETS. SEE CHART

MB7A. Were you called up for active duty before {DATE FROM ABOVE BOX}?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

[A14a.]

VETS.RACTSTIL

MB8. Are you still on full-time active duty?

YES........................................................... 1 (END INTERVIEW-CODE IA)

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (END INTERVIEW-CODE NU)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (END INTERVIEW-CODE NU)

[A5 & A15.]

VETS.RRELMTH, VETS.RRELDAY, VETS.RRELYR

MB9. What was the date you were last released from active duty?

|__|__| MONTH

|__|__| DAY

|__|__|__|__| YEAR

REFUSED ...................................... -7

DON'T KNOW ................................. -8

1. JANUARY 7. JULY

2. FEBRUARY 8. AUGUST

3. MARCH 9. SEPTEMBER

4. APRIL 10. OCTOBER

5. MAY 11. NOVEMBER

6. JUNE 12. DECEMBER

PROGRAMMER NOTE 5:

IF RRELYR = -7, -8 END INTERVIEW AND CODE NU

ELSE IF RRELYR = 1955 AND RRELMTH IS NOT MISSING GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 6

ELSE IF RRELYR AND RRELMTH = YEAR AND MONTH IN BOX AND RRELDAY IS MISSING

OR IF RRELYR = YEAR IN BOX AND RRELMTH IS MISSING, GO TO MB7b AND DISPLAY THE 

APPROPRIATE DATE.

OTHERWISE GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 6 (RRELYR NOT IN BOX AND RRELMTH NOT IN BOX)

IF RRELYR = : DISPLAY:

1917 April 6th”

1918 November 12th

1940 September 16th

1947 July 26th

1950 June 27th

1955 February 1st

1964 August 5th

1975 May 8th

1980 September 8th

1990 August 2nd
A-7

VETS.SEE CHART

MB7B. Were you released from active duty before {DATE FROM ABOVE BOX}?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 6:

(MB9) RRELMTH, RRELDAY AND RRELYR MUST BE > (MB7) RMTHACT, RDAYACT AND RYRACT. IF 

NOT GO TO MB9a, ELSE GO TO MB10.
A-8

PROGRAMMER NOTE: IF (MB7A) IS NOT MISSING AUTOCODE (MB18) AS DETAILED BELOW.

ACTIVE... MB7A = PREWWI INWWI BWW1_WW2 INWWII WW2KOR KOREAN KOR_NAM VIETNAM PNAM1980 PNAM1990 GULF

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

4/6/17

ACT4_6 -7 OR –8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

11/12/18

ACT11_12 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

9/16/40

ACT9_16 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

7/26/47

ACT7_26 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

6/27/50

ACT6_27 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

2/1/55

ACT2_1 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

8/5/64

ACT8_5 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

5/8/75

ACT5_8 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

9/8/80

ACT9_8 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

8/2/90

ACT8_2 -7 OR -8 YES YES
A-9

PROGRAMMER NOTE: IF (MB7B) IS NOT MISSING AUTOCODE (MB18) AS DETAILED BELOW.

RELEASED MB7B = PREWWI INWWI BWW1_WW2 INWWII WW2KOR KOREAN KOR_NAM VIETNAM PNAM1980 PNAM1990 GULF

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

4/6/17

REL4_6 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

11/12/18

REL11_12 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

9/16/40

REL9_16 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

7/26/47

REL7_26 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

6/27/50

REL6_27 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

2/1/55

REL2_1 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

8/5/64

REL8_5 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

5/8/75

REL5_8 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

9/8/80

REL9_8 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

8/2/90

REL8_2 -7 OR -8 YES YES
A-10

VETS.RMHACTNW, VETS. RDYACTNW, VETS.RYRACTNW

MB9a. I have recorded that you were released from active duty {RRELMTH, RRELDAY, RRELYR}. That date 

is earlier than the date you began active duty. Please tell me the date you began your active duty.

|__|__| MONTH

|__|__| DAY

|__|__|__|__| YEAR

REFUSED ....................................-7

DON'T KNOW ...............................-8

1. JANUARY 7. JULY

2. FEBRUARY 8. AUGUST

3. MARCH 9. SEPTEMBER

4. APRIL 10. OCTOBER

5. MAY 11. NOVEMBER

6. JUNE 12. DECEMBER

PROGRAMMER NOTE 7:

STORE ORIGINAL VALUES OF MB7 AS FOLLOWS:

RMTHACT AS RMTHACT1;

RDAYACT AS RDAYACT1;

RYRACT AS RYRACT1.

NEXT, STORE THE VALUES ENTERED IN (MB9a) AS FOLLOWS:

RMHACTNW AS RMTHACT;

RDYACTNW AS RDAYACT;

RYRACTNW AS RYRACT.

IF RYRACTNW = -7, -8 OR RMHACTNW AND RYRACTNW<DOBMM AND DOBYYYY END INTERVIEW 

AND CODE NU

ELSE IF RYRACTNW = 1955 AND RMHACTNW IS NOT MISSING GO TO MB9b

ELSE, IF RYRACTNW AND RMHACTNW = YEAR AND MONTH IN BOX AND RDYACTNW IS MISSING 

OR IF RYRACTNW = YEAR IN BOX AND RMHACTNW IS MISSING GO TO MB7a AND DISPLAY THE 

APPROPRIATE DATE.

OTHERWISE GO TO MB9b (RYRACTNW NOT IN BOX AND RMHACTNW NOT IN BOX)

IF RYRACT = : DISPLAY:

1917 April 6th”

1918 November 12th

1940 September 16th

1947 July 26th

1950 June 27th

1955 February 1st

1964 August 5th

1975 May 8th

1980 September 8th 

1990 August 2nd

VETS. SEE CHART

MB7A. Were you called up for active duty before {DATE FROM ABOVE BOX}?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8
A-11

VETS.RMTHRLNW, VET.RDAYRLNW, VETS.RYRRLNEW

MB9b. And again, what was the date you were released from active duty?

|__|__| MONTH

|__|__| DAY

|__|__|__|__| YEAR

REFUSED ...................................... -7

DON'T KNOW ................................. -8

1. JANUARY 7. JULY

2. FEBRUARY 8. AUGUST

3. MARCH 9. SEPTEMBER

4. APRIL 10. OCTOBER

5. MAY 11. NOVEMBER

6. JUNE 12. DECEMBER

PROGRAMMER NOTE 8:

STORE ORIGINAL VALUES OF MB9 AS FOLLOWS:

RRELMTH AS RRELMTH1;

RRELDAY AS RRELDAY1; AND

RRELYR AS RRELYR1.

NEXT, STORE THE VALUES ENTERED IN (MB9b) AS FOLLOWS:

RMTHRLNW AS RRELMTH;

RDAYRLNW AS RRELDAY; AND

RYRRLNEW AS RRELYR.

IF RYRRLNEW = -7, -8 END INTERVIEW AND CODE NU

ELSE IF RYRRLNEW = 1955 AND RMTHRLNW IS NOT MISSING GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 9

ELSE IF RYRRLNEW AND RMTHRLNW = YEAR AND MONTH IN BOX AND RDAYRLNW IS MISSING 

OR IF RYRRLNEW = YEAR IN BOX AND RMTHRLNW IS MISSING GO TO MB7b AND DISPLAY THE 

APPROPRIATE DATE.

OTHERWISE GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 9 (RYRRLNEW NOT IN BOX AND RMTHRLNW NOT IN BOX)

IF RYRACT = : DISPLAY:

1917 April 6th”

1918 November 12th

1940 September 16th

1947 July 26th

1950 June 27th

1955 February 1st

1964 August 5th

1975 May 8th

1980 September 8th 

1990 August 2nd

VETS.SEE CHART

MB7B. Were you released from active duty before {DATE FROM ABOVE BOX}?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 9:

(MB9a) RRELMTH, RRELDAY AND RRELYR MUST BE > (MB9b) RMTHACT, RDAYACT AND RYRACT. IF 

NOT END INTERVIEW AND CODE NU, ELSE GO TO MB10.
A-12

[A17.]

VETS.RACT2YRS

MB10. Excluding the 4 to 6 months for initial basic training or yearly summer camp, did you serve at least 2 

consecutive years of active duty?

YES........................................................... 1 (GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 18)

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

[A8b & A18.]

VETS.RACTFULL

MB11. Did you serve the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty?

YES........................................................... 1 (GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 18)

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

[A9 & A19a.]

VETS.RRIFDISC

MB12. Were you discharged early for a medical condition, for hardship reasons, for reduction in force, or at the 

convenience of the government?

YES........................................................... 1 (GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 18)

NO ............................................................ 2 (END INTERVIEW-CODE IA)

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (END INTERVIEW-CODE NU)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (END INTERVIEW-CODE NU)

[A19b.]

VETS.RMEDDISC

MB13. Did you ever receive a Medical Discharge? 

YES........................................................... 1 (GO TO HB1)

NO ............................................................ 2 (END INTERVIEW-CODE IA)

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (END INTERVIEW-CODE IA)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (END INTERVIEW-CODE IA)
A-13

ACTIVE DUTY

PROGRAMMER NOTE 10:

IN MB14, MB15, MB15a AND MB15b HARD RANGE = 1885 – CURRENT YEAR. IN MB14 AND MB14a 

SOFT RANGE = 1903 – CURRENT YEAR AND DATE GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO DOB. IN MB15 AND 

MB15b SOFT RANGE = 1903 THROUGH CURRENT YEAR.

VETS.MTHACT, VETS.DAYACT, VETS.YRACT

MB14. What was the date you first entered active duty?

|__|__| MONTH

|__|__| DAY

|__|__|__|__| YEAR

REFUSED ...................................... -7

DON'T KNOW ................................. -8

1. JANUARY 7. JULY

2. FEBRUARY 8. AUGUST

3. MARCH 9. SEPTEMBER

4. APRIL 10. OCTOBER

5. MAY 11. NOVEMBER

6. JUNE 12. DECEMBER

PROGRAMMER NOTE 11:

IF YRACT = -7, -8 OR MTHACT AND YRACT < DOBMM AND DOBYYYY END INTERVIEW – CODE NU

ELSE IF YRACT = 1955 AND MTHACT IS NOT MISSING GO TO MB15

ELSE IF YRACT AND MTHACT = YEAR AND MONTH IN BOX AND DAYACT IS MISSING 

OR IF YRACT = YEAR IN BOX AND MTHACT IS MISSING GO TO MB14a AND DISPLAY THE

APPROPRIATE DATE.

OTHERWISE GO TO MB15 (YRACT NOT IN BOX AND MTHACT NOT IN BOX)

IF RYRACT = : DISPLAY:

1917 April 6th”

1918 November 12th

1940 September 16th

1947 July 26th

1950 June 27th

1955 February 1st

1964 August 5th

1975 May 8th

1980 September 8th 

1990 August 2nd

VETS SEE CHART

MB14a. Were you called up for active duty before {DATE FROM ABOVE BOX}?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8
A-14

VETS.RELMTH, VETS.RELDAY, VETS.RELYR

MB15. What was the date you were last released from active duty?

|__|__| MONTH

|__|__| DAY

|__|__|__|__| YEAR

REFUSED ...................................... -7

DON'T KNOW ................................. -8

1. JANUARY 7. JULY

2. FEBRUARY 8. AUGUST

3. MARCH 9. SEPTEMBER

4. APRIL 10. OCTOBER

5. MAY 11. NOVEMBER

6. JUNE 12. DECEMBER

PROGRAMMER NOTE 12:

IF RELYR = -7, -8 END INTERVIEW - CODE NU

ELSE IF RELYR = 1955 AND RELMTH IS NOT MISSING GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 13

ELSE IF RELYR AND RELMTH = YEAR AND MONTH IN BOX AND RELDAY IS MISSING 

OR IF RELYR = YEAR IN BOX AND RELMTH IS MISSING GO TO M14b AND DISPLAY THE

APPROPRIATE DATE.

OTHERWISE GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 13 (RELYR NOT IN BOX AND RELMTH NOT IN BOX)

IF RRELYR = : DISPLAY:

1917 April 6th”

1918 November 12th

1940 September 16th

1947 July 26th

1950 June 27th

1955 February 1st

1964 August 5th

1975 May 8th

1980 September 8th

1990 August 2nd

VETS.SEE CHART

MB14b. Were you released from active duty before {DATE FROM ABOVE BOX}?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8
A-15

PROGRAMMER NOTE: IF (MB14A) IS NOT MISSING AUTOCODE (MB18) AS DETAILED BELOW.

ACTIVE... MB14A = PREWWI INWWI BWW1_WW2 INWWII WW2KOR KOREAN KOR_NAM VIETNAM PNAM1980 PNAM1990 GULF

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

4/6/17

ACT4_6 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

11/12/18

ACT11_12 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

9/16/40

ACT9_16 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

7/26/47

ACT7_26 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

6/27/50

ACT6_27 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

2/1/55

ACT2_1 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

8/5/64

ACT8_5 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

5/8/75

ACT5_8 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

9/8/80

ACT9_8 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

8/2/90

ACT8_2 -7 OR -8 YES YES
A-16

PROGRAMMER NOTE: IF (MB14B) IS NOT MISSING AUTOCODE (MB18) AS DETAILED BELOW.

RELEASED MB14B = PREWWI INWWI BWW1_WW2 INWWII WW2KOR KOREAN KOR_NAM VIETNAM PNAM1980 PNAM1990 GULF

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

4/6/17

REL4_6 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

11/12/18

REL11_12 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

9/16/40

REL9_16 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

7/26/47

REL7_26 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

6/27/50

REL6_27 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

2/1/55

REL2_1 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

8/5/64

REL8_5 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

5/8/75

REL5_8 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

9/8/80

REL9_8 -7 OR -8 YES YES

YES YES

NO YES

BEFORE 

8/2/90

REL8_2 -7 OR -8 YES YES
A-17

PROGRAMMER NOTE 13:

(MB15) RELMTH, RELDAY AND RELYR MUST BE > (MB14) MTHACT, DAYACT AND YRACT. IF NOT GO 

TO MB15a, ELSE GO TO MB16.

VETS.MTHACTNW, VETS.DAYACTNW, VETS.YRACTNEW

MB15a. I have recorded that you were released from active duty {RELMTH, RELDAY, RELYR}. That date is 

earlier than the date you began active duty. Please tell me the date you began your active duty.

|__|__| MONTH

|__|__| DAY

|__|__|__|__| YEAR

REFUSED ...................................... -7

DON'T KNOW ................................. -8

1. JANUARY 7. JULY

2. FEBRUARY 8. AUGUST

3. MARCH 9. SEPTEMBER

4. APRIL 10. OCTOBER

5. MAY 11. NOVEMBER

6. JUNE 12. DECEMBER

PROGRAMMER NOTE 14:

STORE ORIGINAL VALUES OF MB14 AS FOLLOWS:

MTHACT AS MTHACT1;

DAYACT AS DAYACT1;

YRACT AS YRACT1.

NEXT, STORE THE VALUES ENTERED MB15a AS FOLLOWS:

MTHACTNW AS MTHACT;

DAYACTNW AS DAYACT;

YRACTNEW AS YRACT.

IF YRACTNEW = -7, -8 OR MTHACTNW AND YRACTNEW < DOBMM AND DOBYYYY END INTERVIEW -

CODE NU

ELSE IF YRACTNEW = 1955 AND MTHACTNW IS NOT MISSING GO TO MB15b

ELSE IF YRACTNEW AND MTHACTNW = YEAR AND MONTH IN BOX AND DAYACTNW IS MISSING 

OR IF YRACTNEW = YEAR IN BOX AND MTHACTNW IS MISSING GO TO MB14a AND DISPLAY THE 

APPROPRIATE DATE.

OTHERWISE GO TO MB15b (YRACTNEW NOT IN BOX AND MTHACTNW NOT IN BOX)

IF RYRACT = : DISPLAY:

1917 April 6th”

1918 November 12th

1940 September 16th

1947 July 26th

1950 June 27th

1955 February 1st

1964 August 5th

1975 May 8th

1980 September 8th 

1990 August 2nd
A-18

VETS.SEE CHART

MB14a. Were you called up for active duty before {DATE FROM ABOVE BOX}?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

VETS.MTHRLNEW, VETS.DAYRLNEW, VETS.YRRLNEW

MB15b. And again, what was the date you were released from active duty?

|__|__| MONTH

|__|__| DAY

|__|__|__|__| YEAR

REFUSED ...................................... -7

DON'T KNOW ................................. -8

1. JANUARY 7. JULY

2. FEBRUARY 8. AUGUST

3. MARCH 9. SEPTEMBER

4. APRIL 10. OCTOBER

5. MAY 11. NOVEMBER

6. JUNE 12. DECEMBER

PROGRAMMER NOTE 15:

STORE ORIGINAL VALUES OF MB15 AS FOLLOWS:

RELMTH AS RELMTH1;

RELDAY AS RELDAY1; AND

RELYR AS RELYR1.

NEXT, STORE THE VALUES ENTERED IN (MB15b) AS FOLLOWS:

MTHRLNEW AS RELMTH;

DAYRLNEW AS RELDAY; AND

YRRLNEW AS RELYR.

IF YRRLNEW = -7, -8 END INTERVIEW - CODE NU

ELSE IF YRRLNEW = 1955 AND MTHRLNEW IS NOT MISSING GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 16

ELSE IF YRRLNEW AND MTHRLNEW = YEAR AND MONTH IN BOX AND DAY RLNEW IS MISSING

OR IF YRRLNEW = YEAR IN BOX AND MTHRLNEW IS MISSING GO TO MB14b AND DISPLAY

APPROPRIATE DATE.

ELSE GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 16 (YRRLNEW NOT IN BOX AND MTHRLNEW NOT IN BOX)

IF RYRACT = : DISPLAY:

1917 April 6th”

1918 November 12th

1940 September 16th

1947 July 26th

1950 June 27th

1955 February 1st

1964 August 5th

1975 May 8th

1980 September 8th 

1990 August 2nd
A-19

VETS.SEE CHART

MB14b. Were you released from active duty before {DATE FROM ABOVE BOX}?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 16:

(MB15) RELMTH, RELDAY AND RELYR MUST BE > (MB14) MTHACT, DAYACT AND YRACT. IF NOT END 

INTERVIEW AND CODE NU, ELSE GO TO MB16.

 [A6.]

VETS.CONACT

MB16. Did your active duty continue without interruption between {YRACT} and {RELYR}?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 17:

IF BEGIN ACTIVE DUTY DATE IS ON OR AFTER 9/8/1980 OR ACT9_8 = 2, -7, -8 (FROM MB7a OR MB14a)

CONTINUE IN BOX, ELSE GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 18.

IF (MB16) CONACT = 1 AND VALUE OF RELYR – YRACT GE 2 AUTOCODE (MB17) CONT2YRS = 1 THEN 

GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 18, ELSE GO TO MB17.

[A8a.]

VETS.CONT2YRS

MB17. Did you serve on continuous active duty for at least 2 years?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8
A-20

PROGRAMMER NOTE 18

1. CYCLE THROUGH STEPS A-D FOR THE BEGIN ACTIVE DUTY DATE THEN FOR THE RELEASE FROM 

ACTIVE DUTY DATE.

A. IF DATE (RMTHACT/MTHACT, RDAYACT/DAYACT, RYRACT/YRACT OR RRELMTH/RELMTH, 

RRELDAY/RELDAY, RRELYR/RELYR HAS NO MISSING VALUES, CONTINUE. ELSE GO TO B.

IF DATE FALLS ON OR BETWEEN BEGIN DATE AND END DATE CODE VARIABLE FOLLOWING

MONTH DAY YEAR MONTH DAY YEAR VARIABLE

 1 1 1885 4 5 1917 PREWWI=1

 4 6 1917 11 11 1918 INWWI=1

11 12 1918 9 15 1940 BWW1_WW2=1

 9 16 1940 7 25 1947 INWWII=1

 7 26 1947 6 26 1950 WW2KOR=1

 6 27 1950 1 31 1955 KOREAN=1

 2 1 1955 8 4 1964 KOR_NAM=1

 8 5 1964 5 7 1975 VIETNAM=1

 5 8 1975 9 7 1980 PNAM1980=1

 9 8 1980 8 1 1990 PNAM1990=1

 8 2 1990 CURRENT DATE GULF=1

IF FIRST TIME THROUGH GO TO 1, OTHERWISE GO TO 2.

B. IF YEAR (RYRACT/YRACT, RRELYR/RELYR) APPEARS IN LIST, CONTINUE. ELSE GO TO C.

IF YEAR = 1885 – 1916, PREWWI = 1;

PROGRAMMER NOTE 18 CONT’

IF YEAR = 1919 – 1939, BWW1_WW2 = 1;

IF YEAR = 1941 – 1946, INWWII = 1;

IF YEAR = 1948 – 1949, WW2KOR = 1;

IF YEAR = 1951 – 1954, KOREAN = 1;

IF YEAR = 1956 – 1963, KOR_NAM = 1;

IF YEAR = 1965 – 1974, VIETNAM = 1;

IF YEAR = 1976 – 1979, PR PNAM1980 = 1;

IF YEAR = 1981 – 1989, PNAM1990 = 1;

IF YEAR = 1991 – CURRENT YEAR, GULF = 1.

IF FIRST TIME THROUGH GO TO 1, OTHERWISE GO TO 2.
A-21

C. IF YEAR (RYRACT/YRACT, RRELYR/RELYR) APPEARS IN LIST AND MONTH

(RMTHACT/MTHACT, RRELMTH/RELMTH) NE –7, -8 AND MONTH APPEARS IN LIST, CONTINUE. 

ELSE GO TO D.

IF MONTH/YEAR = 1/1917 – 3/1917, PREWWI = 1;

IF MONTH/YEAR = 5/1917 – 12/1917, INWWI = 1;

IF MONTH/YEAR = 1/1918 – 10/1918, INWWI = 1;

IF MONTH/YEAR = 12/1918, BWW1_WW2 = 1;

IF MONTH/YEAR = 1/1940 – 8/1940, BWW1_WW2 = 1;

IF MONTH/YEAR = 10/1940 – 12/1940, INWWII = 1;

IF MONTH/YEAR = 1/1947 – 6/1947, INWWII = 1;

IF MONTH/YEAR = 8/1947 – 12/1947, WW2KOR = 1;

IF MONTH/YEAR = 1/1950 – 5/1950, WW2KOR = 1;

IF MONTH/YEAR = 7/1950 – 12/1950, KOREAN = 1;

IF MONTH/YEAR = 1/1955, KOREAN = 1;

IF MONTH/YEAR = 2/1955 – 12/1955, KOR_NAM = 1;

IF MONTH/YEAR = 1/1964 – 7/1964, KOR_NAM = 1;

IF MONTH/YEAR = 9/1964 – 12/1964, VIETNAM = 1;

IF MONTH/YEAR = 1/1975 – 4/1975, VIETNAM = 1;

IF MONTH/YEAR = 6/1975 – 12/1975, PNAM1980 = 1;

IF MONTH/YEAR = 1/1980 – 8/1980, PNAM1980 = 1;

IF MONTH/YEAR = 10/1980 – 12/1980, PNAM1990 = 1;

IF MONTH/YEAR = 1/1990 – 7/1990, PNAM1990 = 1;

IF MONTH/YEAR = 9/1990 - 12/1990, GULF = 1

IF FIRST TIME THROUGH GO TO 1, OTHERWISE GO TO 2.

D. USE CHART FOLLOWING MB7a/MB14a TO CODE APPROPRIATE VARIABLES FOR

RYRACT/YRACT. USE CHART FOLLOWING MB7b/MB14b TO CODE APPROPRIATE VARIABLES FOR 

RRELYR/RELYR.

IF FIRST TIME THROUGH GO TO 1, OTHERWISE GO TO 2.

2. CODE ALL VARIABLES BETWEEN FIRST SERVICE ERA AND LAST SERVICE ERA IF MORE 

THAN ONE ERA IS SPANNED.
A-22

MILITARY SERVICE

[A7 & A16.]

VETS.

MB18. CODE ALL SERVICE ERAS BASED ON DATES GIVEN PREVIOUSLY.

YES NA

a. Prior to World War I, before April 6, 1917? ........................... 1 -1

b. During World War I, from April 6, 1917 through 

November 11, 1918?............................................................ 1 -1

c. Between World War I and II from November 12, 1918

through September 15, 1940?............................................... 1 -1

d. During World War II, from September 16, 1940

through July 25, 1947?......................................................... 1 -1

e. Between World War II and the Korean Conflict, from

July 26, 1947 through June 26, 1950? ................................... 1 -1

f. During the Korean Conflict, from June 27, 1950 through

January 31, 1955? ............................................................... 1 -1

g. Between the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam Era, from

February 1, 1955 through August 4, 1964? ............................ 1 -1

h. During the Vietnam Era, from August 5, 1964 through

May 7, 1975?....................................................................... 1 -1

i. During the Post-Vietnam Era from May 8, 1975

through September 7, 1980? ................................................ 1 -1

j. During the Post-Vietnam Era from September 8, 1980

through August 1, 1990? ...................................................... 1 -1

k. During the Persian Gulf War Era from August 2, 1990

through the present? ............................................................ 1 -1

[B1.]

VETS.ONLY48

MB19. While on active duty, did you serve only within the 48 continental United States?

[DO NOT INCLUDE SERVICE IN ALASKA OR HAWAII.]

YES........................................................... 1 (GO TO MB21)

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON'T KNOW ............................................ -8

PREWWI

INWWI

BWW1_WW2

INWWII

WW2KOR

KOREAN

KOR_NAM

VIETNAM

PNAM1980

PNAM1990

GULF
A-23

PROGRAMMER NOTE 19:

IF INWWII OR VIETNAM = 1 DISPLAY “Now I’m going...”, ELSE DISPLAY “Please tell 

me...”.

IF (MB18c) BWW1_WW2 = 1, (MB18e) WW2KOR = 1, (MB18g) KOR_NAM = 1 OR (MB18i) 

PNAM1980 = 1 AND NO OTHER MB18 VARIABLES = 1 GO TO MB21, ELSE GO TO MB20 

AND DISPLAY RESPONSE CATEGORIES AS OUTLINED BELOW. ONLY DISPLAY EACH 

CATEGORY ONCE.

IF PREWWI = 1 DISPLAY c, k AND s;

IF INWWI = 1 DISPLAY d, p AND s;

IF INWWII = 1 DISPLAY b, c, d, e, f, g, i, j, k, l, m, p, q, r AND s;

IF KOREAN = 1 DISPLAY b, f, g AND s;

IF VIETNAM = 1 DISPLAY f, h, k, l, n, o AND s;

IF PNAM1990 = 1 DISPLAY a AND s;

IF GULF = 1 DISPLAY d, p AND s.

[B2.]

VETS.

MB20. {Now I’m going to read a list of places. Please tell me if you served in, sailed in, or flew missions over 

each while on active duty./Please tell me if you served in, sailed in, or flew missions over each of the 

following while on active duty.} Did you serve in...

[IF ON BOARD SHIP IN SURROUNDING WATERS, MARK THE NEAREST GEOGRAPHIC AREA.]

DON’T

YES NO REFUSED KNOW

a. the Canal Zone [PANAMA]? ................................................ 1 2 -7 -8

b. China, Burma, India?............................................................ 1 2 -7 -8

c. Cuba? ................................................................................. 1 2 -7 -8

d. Europe including Sicily, Turkey and the Mediterranean?......... 1 2 -7 -8

e. the Indian Ocean?................................................................ 1 2 -7 -8

f. Japan or Okinawa? .............................................................. 1 2 -7 -8

g. Korea? ................................................................................ 1 2 -7 -8

h. Laos or Cambodia? .............................................................. 1 2 -7 -8

i. Midway, or some other N. Pacific Island? .............................. 1 2 -7 -8

j. North Africa? ....................................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

k. the Philippines or Guam? ..................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

l. the South China Sea? .......................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

m. the South Pacific including Australia or New Guinea? ............. 1 2 -7 -8

n. Thailand? ............................................................................ 1 2 -7 -8

o. Vietnam? ............................................................................. 1 2 -7 -8

p. the Persian Gulf Area? ......................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

q. Hawaii? ............................................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

r. Alaska? .............................................................................. 1 2 -7 -8

s. Any other place outside of the continental U.S.? .................... 1 2 -7 -8

 [SPECIFY] (ZONEOS)_______________________________

PANAMA

CHINA

CUBA

EUROPE

INDIAN

JAPAN

KOREA

LAOS

MIDWAY

NAFRICA

GUAM

SCHINA

SPACIFIC

THAI

VIETNAM1

GULF1

HAWAII

ALASKA

OTHZONE
A-24

VETS.DISC_AS

MB21. At your most recent discharge were you...

A commissioned officer, .............................. 1

A warrant officer, or .................................... 2

An enlisted person?.................................... 3

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

[A10 & A20 (reservist).]

VETS.DIS_FOR

MB22. What type of discharge did you receive? Were you discharged...

At the end of a normal term of service with less than 20 

years of service [NOT MEDICAL OR DISABILITY],.............................. 1

For military retirement for length of service 

[USUALLY 20 YEARS OR MORE],..................................................... 2

For military retirement due to disability, ............................................... 3

For medical release, .......................................................................... 4

Due to marriage, pregnancy, or children, ............................................. 5

On a dishonorable discharge, or ........................................................ 6

On some other kind of discharge? ...................................................... 91

 [SPECIFY DISFOROS] _____________________________________

REFUSED ........................................................................................-7 (END-CODE NU)

DON’T KNOW ...................................................................................-8 (END-CODE NU)

PROGRAMMER NOTE 19A:

IF CASE IS FROM RDD SAMPLE AND RESPONSE TO MB22 IS “6”, END INTERVIEW - CODE IA. 

OTHERWISE, GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 20.

PROGRAMMER NOTE 20:

IN MB23, IF R IS MALE AND AGE IS < 65 DISPLAY A – E AND M, THEN MB23A. IF R IS 

MALE AND AGE IS GE 65 OR UNKNOWN, DISPLAY A – E, M AND N, THEN MB23A.

IF R IS FEMALE DISPLAY A – M, AND MB23A. 

IF AGE AND SEX MISSING/UNKNOWN, DISPLAY ALL.
A-25

[A11.]

VETS.

MB23. In which branch or branches of the U.S. Military did you serve on active duty? Did you serve in the...

DON’T

YES NO REFUSED KNOW

a. Army? ................................................................................. 1 2 -7 -8

b. Navy? ................................................................................. 1 2 -7 -8

c. Air Force? ........................................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

d. Marine Corps? ..................................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

e. Coast Guard? ...................................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

f. Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps [WAAC]? .............................. 1 2 -7 -8

g. Women’s Army Corps [WACs]? ............................................ 1 2 -7 -8

h. Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency

Services [WAVES]? ............................................................. 1 2 -7 -8

i. Navy Nursing Corps [NNC]? ................................................. 1 2 -7 -8

j. Air Force Nursing Corps [AFNC]? ......................................... 1 2 -7 -8

k. Women’s Air Force Service Pilots [WASPS]?......................... 1 2 -7 -8

l. Coast Guard Women’s Reserve [SPARS]?............................ 1 2 -7 -8

m. The Public Health Service, the Environmental

Services Administration, or the National Oceanic

and Atmospheric Administration?.......................................... 1 2 -7 -8

n. U.S. Merchant Marine, Dec. 7, 1941-Aug. 5, 1945

on ships under U.S. Flag during WWII only?.......................... 1 2 -7 -8

VETS.ACTOTH

MB23A. Did you serve in any other branch?

YES........................................................... 1 (GO TO MB23OV)

NO ........................................................... 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 21:

IF (MB23A) ACTOTH = 1 DISPLAY 30 CHARACTER OTHER SPECIFY FIELD (IN MB23OV) ACTOS.

VETS.ACTOS

MB23OV. Which branch was that?

________________________________

PROGRAMMER NOTE 22:

IF ALL MB23 QUESTIONS ASKED = 2, -7, -8 AND MB23A = 2, -7, -8 END INTERVIEW – CODE IA.

OTHERWISE CONTINUE.

ARMY

NAVY

AIR

MARINE

COAST

WAAC

WAC

WAVES

NNC

AFNC

WASPS

SPARS

NOAA

USMM
A-26

COMBAT AND OTHER MILITARY EXPERIENCES

[B3.]

VETS.COMBAT

MB24. Next, I’m going to ask about combat and other military experiences.

Did you ever serve in a combat or war zone?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ........................................................... 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

VETS.EXP_DEAD

MB25. Were you ever exposed to dead, dying, or wounded people?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ........................................................... 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

VETS.POW

MB26. Were you ever a prisoner of war?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ........................................................... 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

VETS.CHEMS

MB27. During your military service, were you ever exposed to environmental hazards such as Agent Orange, 

chemical warfare agents, ionizing radiation, or other potentially toxic substances?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ........................................................... 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

.......................................................... PROGRAMMER NOTE 22A:

IF INTERVIEW HAS A PROXY SEGMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE CASE, SKIP TO QUESTION HB13.

ELSE, CONTINUE WITH HB1.
A-27

HEALTH BACKGROUND MODULE

HEALTH STATUS 

VETS.HEATLH

HB1. Now I’m going to ask some general questions about your health and your health insurance.

In general, would you say your health is...

Excellent,................................................... 1

Very good, ................................................. 2

Good, ........................................................ 3

Fair, or....................................................... 4

Poor? ........................................................ 5

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

VETS.MODACTS

HB2. Now I’m going to read a list of activities that you might do during a typical day. As I read each item, 

please tell me if your health now limits you a lot, limits you a little, or does not limit you at all in these 

activities.

Moderate activities, such as moving a table, pushing a vacuum cleaner, bowling or playing golf, would 

you say your health currently...

Yes, limited a lot,........................................ 1

Yes, limited a little, or.................................. 2

No, not limited at all? .................................. 3

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

VETS.CLIMBING

HB3. What about climbing several flights of stairs, would you say your health currently...

Yes, limited a lot,........................................ 1

Yes, limited a little, or.................................. 2

No, not limited at all? .................................. 3

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8
A-28

VETS.PHYACCOM

HB4. During the past 4 weeks, have you accomplished less than you would like as a result of your physical 

health? Would you say...

No, none of the time, .................................. 1

Yes, a little of the time,................................ 2

Yes, some of the time, ................................ 3

Yes, most of the time, or ............................. 4

Yes, all of the time? .................................... 5

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

VETS.LTDWORK

HB5. During the past 4 weeks, were you limited in the kind of work or other regular daily activities you do as a 

result of your physical health? Would you say...

No, none of the time, .................................. 1

Yes, a little of the time,................................ 2

Yes, some of the time, ................................ 3

Yes, most of the time, or ............................. 4

Yes, all of the time? .................................... 5

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

VETS.EMOACCOM

HB6. During the past 4 weeks, have you accomplished less than you would like as a result of any emotional 

problems such as feeling depressed or anxious?

No, none of the time, .................................. 1

Yes, a little of the time,................................ 2

Yes, some of the time, ................................ 3

Yes, most of the time, or ............................. 4

Yes, all of the time? .................................... 5

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

VETS.LESSCARE

HB7. During the past 4 weeks, did you not do work or other regular daily activities as carefully as usual as a 

result of any emotional problems, such as feeling depressed or anxious?

No, none of the time, .................................. 1

Yes, a little of the time,................................ 2

Yes, some of the time, ................................ 3

Yes, most of the time, or ............................. 4

Yes, all of the time? .................................... 5

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8
A-29

VETS.WORKPAIN

HB8. During the past 4 weeks, how much did pain interfere with your normal work, including both work 

outside the home and housework? Did it interfere...

Not at all, ................................................... 1

A little bit,................................................... 2

Moderately, ................................................ 3

Quite a bit, or ............................................. 4

Extremely?................................................. 5

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

VETS.SOCINTER

HB9. During the past 4 weeks, how much of the time has your physical health or emotional problems 

interfered with your social activities like visiting with friends or relatives? Has it interfered...

All of the time, ............................................ 1

Most of the time, ......................................... 2

Some of the time, ....................................... 3

A little of the time, or................................... 4

None of the time? ....................................... 5

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

VETS.CALM

HB10. How much of the time during the past 4, weeks have you felt calm and peaceful? Would you say...

All of the time, ............................................ 1

Most of the time, ......................................... 2

A good bit of the time, ................................. 3

Some of the time, ....................................... 4

A little of the time, or................................... 5

None of the time? ....................................... 6

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

VETS.ENERGY

HB11. How much of the time during the past 4, weeks did you have a lot of energy? Would you say...

All of the time, ............................................ 1

Most of the time, ......................................... 2

A good bit of the time, ................................. 3

Some of the time, ....................................... 4

A little of the time, or................................... 5

None of the time? ....................................... 6

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8
A-30

VETS.BLUE

HB12. How much of the time during the past 4, weeks have you felt downhearted and blue? Would you say...

All of the time, ............................................ 1

Most of the time, ......................................... 2

A good bit of the time, ................................. 3

Some of the time, ....................................... 4

A little of the time, or................................... 5

None of the time? ....................................... 6

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

VETS.DISACOND

HB13. Do you have a disabling condition?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO HB15)

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (GO TO HB15)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (GO TO HB15)

VETS.SVCREL

HB14. Is this condition service-related?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

[C8.]

VETS.HAVERATE

HB15. Do you have a service-connected disability rating?

[IF R SAYS ZERO RATING CODE YES.]

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO HB18)

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (GO TO HB18)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (GO TO HB18)
A-31

PROGRAMMER NOTE 23:

IN HB16 HARD RANGE = 0 – 100. 

[C9.]

VETS.DISARATE

HB16. What is your service-connected percent disability rating?

|__|__|__| % (GO TO HB18)

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (GO TO HB17)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (GO TO HB17)

VETS.DRATING

HB17. Is your service-connected disability rating...

50 percent or higher, ................................... 1

30 to 40 percent, ........................................ 2

10 to 20 percent, or .................................... 3

Zero percent?............................................. 4

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

DAILY ACTIVITIES

PROGRAMMER NOTE 24:

IN HB18 FILL DISPLAY WITH CURRENT DAY OF THE WEEK.

[E9. & E11.]

VETS.

HB18. The next questions concern difficulties people may have because of health problems.

During the past week, that is since last {FILL DAY OF WEEK}, because of health problems, did 

you have any difficulty...

[PROBE: IF R ANSWERS “DON’T DO”, ASK “Is this because of a health problem?”

 IF NO, CODE 3. IF YES, CODE 1.]

DON’T DON’T

YES NO DO REF KNOW

a. Bathing or showering............................................... 1 2 3 -7 -8

b. Getting dressed? .................................................... 1 2 3 -7 -8

c. Getting in or out of chairs or bed? ............................ 1 2 3 -7 -8

d. Walking across a room? .......................................... 1 2 3 -7 -8

e. Eating?................................................................... 1 2 3 -7 -8

f. Using the toilet or getting to it?................................. 1 2 3 -7 -8

g. Controlling your bladder or bowels? ......................... 1 2 3 -7 -8

h. Preparing meals?.................................................... 1 2 3 -7 -8

i. Doing light housework? ........................................... 1 2 3 -7 -8

j. Managing money, such as paying bills?.................... 1 2 3 -7 -8

k. Using the telephone? .............................................. 1 2 3 -7 -8

l. Going places within walking distance?...................... 1 2 3 -7 -8

m. Shopping for groceries? .......................................... 1 2 3 -7 -8

n. Shopping for personal items? .................................. 1 2 3 -7 -8

o. Getting to places out of walking distance? ................ 1 2 3 -7 -8

BATH

DRESS

BED

WALK

EAT 

TOILET

BLADDER

MEALS

HSEWORK

BILLS

TELPHONE

GOING

SHOP

SHOPITEM

GETTING
A-32

HEALTH CONDITIONS

VETS.

HB20. In the past year, have you received medical treatment for...

DON’T

YES NO REFUSED KNOW

a. High blood pressure? ........................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

b. Lung trouble? ...................................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

c. A hearing condition that requires a hearing aid? ..................... 1 2 -7 -8

d. Any other ear, nose, or throat condition? ............................... 1 2 -7 -8

e. Any eye or vision problem, including needing glasses?........... 1 2 -7 -8

f. Cancer? .............................................................................. 1 2 -7 -8

g. Heart trouble?...................................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

h. A stroke?............................................................................. 1 2 -7 -8

i. Kidney or bladder trouble? .................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

j. Arthritis or rheumatism? ....................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

k. Hepatitis C or other liver disease? ......................................... 1 2 -7 -8

l. An immune deficiency disease like HIV/AIDS?....................... 1 2 -7 -8

m. Diabetes requiring insulin or diet treatment? .......................... 1 2 -7 -8

n. Stomach or digestive disorder?............................................. 1 2 -7 -8

o. Severe chronic pain?............................................................ 1 2 -7 -8

p. Drug abuse or alcoholism? ................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

q. Post-traumatic stress disorder [P.T.S.D.]? ............................. 1 2 -7 -8

r. Other mental or emotional problems?.................................... 1 2 -7 -8

s. An accident-related injury? ................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

t. Any other serious condition? ................................................. 1 2 -7 -8

 [SPECIFY TXOTHOS] _______________________________

HEALTH INSURANCE

[F1a.]

VETS.MEDICARE

HB21. My next questions are about health insurance plans or programs that you currently have, or are covered 

by.

Medicare is a health insurance program for people 65 years and older and people under age 65 who 

have certain disabilities. Are you currently covered by the Medicare program?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 25)

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

VETS.MEDICHMO

HB22. Are you currently enrolled in Medicare managed care or a Medicare HMO? 

YES........................................................... 1 (GO TO HB25)

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

HIGHBP

LUNG

HEAR

ENT

EYE

CANCER

HEART

STROKE

KIDNEY

RHEUM

LIVER

HIV

DIABETES

STOMACH

CHRONIC

DRUGS

PTSD

MENTAL

INJURY

TXOTH
A-33

VETS.PARTA

HB23. Medicare Part A pays for hospital care. Are you currently covered by Medicare Part A for hospital care?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

[F1b revised.]

VETS.PARTB

HB24. Medicare Part B pays for visits to doctor offices. Are you currently covered by Medicare Part B for visits 

to doctor offices?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

VETS.MEDIGAP

HB25. Some people who are eligible for Medicare have additional health insurance coverage through a private 

insurance company. This is sometimes referred to as Medigap or Medicare Supplement, and it is

different from insurance you might have through an employer or former employer. Are you currently 

covered by a Medigap or Medicare Supplement health insurance plan?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 25:

IN HB26, IF STATE = CALIFORNIA DISPLAY “Medi-Cal”, ELSE DISPLAY “Medicaid”.

[F2b.]

VETS.MEDICAID

HB26. {Medicaid/Medi-Cal} is a program that pays for health care for persons in need. It is different from 

Medicare, the program for persons 65 and older and persons under 65 with certain disabilities. Are you 

currently covered by {Medicaid/Medi-Cal}?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

VETS.TRICARE

HB27. Are you currently covered by CHAMPUS or TRICARE?

[IF NEEDED: CHAMPUS is the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed 

Services and covers both active duty and retired career military persons, dependents 

and survivors.]

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8
A-34

VETS.OTHGOVHC

HB28. Excluding VA health care benefits and Federal employee health benefits, are you currently covered by 

any other government-provided health insurance or health service plan? For example, Indian Health 

Service or military health care?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

VETS.PRIVATE

HB29. Excluding the programs we’ve already talked about, are you currently covered by private health

insurance that you or someone else provides for you? For example, private insurance from an employer 

or union, Federal employee health benefits, or private insurance that someone bought directly from an 

insurance company? 

Please remember to include plans obtained through someone who does not live in your household. Do 

not include plans provided by military employers. 

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO HC1)

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

VETS.PRIVHMO

HB30. Is your private health insurance plan an HMO?

[IF NEEDED: An HMO is a Health Maintenance Organization.]

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8
A-35

HEALTH CARE BENEFITS MODULE

SERVICE USE

BENS.ERYOU

HC1. My next questions are about your use of health care benefits in the last 12 months.

In the last 12 months, did you go to an emergency room to get care for yourself?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO HC5)

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 26:

IN (HC2) ER_VA AND (HC3) ER_OTH HARD RANGE = 0 – 365. SOFT RANGE = 0 – 10.

BENS.ER_VA

HC2. How many times did you go to the emergency room in a VA hospital [in the last 12 months]?

|__|__|__| NUMBER OF TIMES

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

BENS.ER_OTH

HC3. How many times did you go to some other hospital emergency room [in the last 12 months]?

|__|__|__| NUMBER OF TIMES

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8
A-36

PROGRAMMER NOTE 27:

IF (HC3) ER_OTH = 0, GO TO HC5, ELSE GO TO HC4.

IN HC4, IF STATE = CALIFORNIA DISPLAY “Medi-Cal” IN E, ELSE DISPLAY “Medicaid”.

BENS.

HC4. Who paid for your emergency room care in these other, non-VA hospitals? Was it...

DON’T

YES NO REFUSED KNOW

a. The VA?.............................................................................. 1 2 -7 -8

b. CHAMPUS, TRICARE, or the military?.................................. 1 2 -7 -8

c. Medicare? ........................................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

d. Medigap insurance [MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT]?................. 1 2 -7 -8

e. {Medicaid/STATE NAME FOR MEDICAID}? .......................... 1 2 -7 -8

f. Some other government program?........................................ 1 2 -7 -8

g. Private insurance from an employer, union, or directly?.......... 1 2 -7 -8

h. You or your family? .............................................................. 1 2 -7 -8

i. Anyone else?....................................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

[SPECIFY ELSEOS]_________________________________

BENS.OUTCARE

HC5. In the last 12 months, did you get any outpatient care for yourself? For example, doctor visits, urgent 

care, routine exams, medical tests, or shots.

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO HC9)

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 28:

IN HC6 AND HC7 HARD RANGE = 0 – 365. SOFT RANGE = 0 – 10.

BENS.NUMVAOUT

HC6. How many times did you go to a VA facility for outpatient care [in the last 12 months]?

|__|__|__| NUMBER OF TIMES

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

BENS.NUMOTH

HC7. How many times did you go somewhere else to get outpatient care [in the last 12 months]? For

example, a doctor’s office, clinic, HMO, or medical facility run by someone other than the VA.

|__|__|__| NUMBER OF TIMES

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

VA

CHAMPTRI

MEDCARE

MEDGAP

MEDCAID

GOVPGM

PRIVINS

SELF

ELSEOTH
A-37

PROGRAMMER NOTE 29:

IF (HC7) NUMOTH=0, GO TO HC9, ELSE GO TO HC8.

IN HC8, IF STATE = CALIFORNIA DISPLAY “Medi-Cal” IN E, ELSE DISPLAY “Medicaid”.

BENS.

HC8. Who paid for the outpatient care you received at these other, non-VA locations? Was it...

DON’T

YES NO REFUSED KNOW

a. The VA?.............................................................................. 1 2 -7 -8

b. CHAMPUS, TRICARE, or the military?.................................. 1 2 -7 -8

c. Medicare? ........................................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

d. Medigap insurance [MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT]?................. 1 2 -7 -8

e. {Medicaid/STATE NAME FOR MEDICAID}? .......................... 1 2 -7 -8

f. Some other government program?........................................ 1 2 -7 -8

g. Private insurance from an employer, union, or directly?.......... 1 2 -7 -8

h. You or your family? .............................................................. 1 2 -7 -8

i. Anyone else?....................................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

[SPECIFY ELSE1OS] _______________________________

BENS.VAOVNITE

HC9. In the last 12 months, were you hospitalized overnight in a VA hospital?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO HC11)

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 30:

IN (HC10) VANITES HARD RANGE = 1 – 365. SOFT RANGE = 1 –10.

[X2.]

BENS.VANITES

HC10. How many nights did you spend in a VA hospital [in the last 12 months]?

|__|__|__| NUMBER OF NIGHTS

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

BENS.HOSPOTH

HC11. In the last 12 months, were you hospitalized somewhere else overnight?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO HC14)

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

VA1

TRICHAMP

MEDCARE1

MEDGAP1

MEDCAID1

GOVPGM1

PRIVINS1

SELF1

ELSE1
A-38

PROGRAMMER NOTE 31:

IN HC12 HARD RANGE = 1 – 365. SOFT RANGE = 1 – 10.

BENS.OTHNITES

HC12. How many nights did you spend in other, non-VA hospitals [in the last 12 months]?

|__|__|__| NUMBER OF NIGHTS

.................................................................

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 32:

IN HC13, IF STATE = CALIFORNIA DISPLAY “Medi-Cal” IN E, ELSE DISPLAY “Medicaid”.

BENS.

HC13. Who paid for your night(s) in these other, non-VA hospitals? Was it...

DON’T

YES NO REFUSED KNOW

a. The VA?.............................................................................. 1 2 -7 -8

b. CHAMPUS, TRICARE, or the military?.................................. 1 2 -7 -8

c. Medicare? ........................................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

d. Medigap insurance [MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT]?................. 1 2 -7 -8

e. {Medicaid/ STATE NAME FOR MEDICAID}? ......................... 1 2 -7 -8

f. Some other government program?........................................ 1 2 -7 -8

g. Private insurance from an employer, union, or directly?.......... 1 2 -7 -8

h. You or your family? .............................................................. 1 2 -7 -8

i. Anyone else?....................................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

[SPECIFY ELSE2OS] _______________________________

BENS.RXVA

HC14. In the last 12 months, did you get prescription medications from the VA or paid for by the VA?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

BENS.RXOTHER

HC15. Did you get any other prescription medications from any other source [in the last 12 months]?

YES........................................................... 1 (GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 32A)

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO HC16)

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (GO TO HC16)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (GO TO HC 16)

VA2

TRICHAM2

MEDCARE2

MEDGAP2

MEDCAID2

GOVPGM2

PRIVINS2

SELF2

ELSE2
A-39

PROGRAMMER NOTE 32a:

IN HC15a HARD RANGE = 1-100. SOFT RANGE = 1-50.

BENS.RXQUAN

HC15a. Altogether, how many prescription medications, not counting refills, did you get from these other 

sources [in the last 12 months]?

I__I__I__I NUMBER OF PRESCRIPTIONS

REFUSED.......................................-7

DON’T KNOW..................................-8

BENS.VAENVIR

HC16. In the last 12 months, did you get medical care from the VA or paid for by the VA because you were 

exposed to environmental hazards while you were in the military? 

[IF NEEDED: Examples of environmental hazards are Agent Orange or ionizing radiation.]

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

BENS.OTHENVIR

HC17. [In the last 12 months,] Did you receive any other medical care for exposure to environmental hazards 

while you were in the military?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

BENS.VAPSYC

HC18. In the last 12 months, did you receive psychological counseling, therapy, alcohol or drug treatment for 

yourself from the VA or paid for by the VA?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

BENS.OTHPSYC

HC19. Did you receive any other psychological counseling, therapy, alcohol or drug treatment [in the last 12 

months]?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8
A-40

BENS.VAHOME

HC20. In the last 12 months, did you receive in-home health care for yourself from the VA or paid for by the 

VA? 

[HOME HEALTH CARE INCLUDES HAVING A NURSE OR OTHER HEALTH CARE WORKER

COME TO YOUR HOME TO HELP YOU.]

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

BENS.OTHHOME

HC21. Did you receive in-home health care from any other sources [in the last 12 months]?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

BENS.VAPROS

HC22. In the last 12 months, did you receive care for any prosthetics, including hearing aids, eye glasses or 

home oxygen, from the VA or paid for by the VA? 

[PROSTHETICS ARE JOINT REPLACEMENTS, ARTIFICIAL ARMS OR LEGS, OR ARTIFICIAL 

EYES AND INCLUDES HEARING AIDS, EYE GLASSES AND HOME OXYGEN.]

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

BENS.OTHPROS

HC23. Did you receive any other care for prosthetics [in the last 12 months]?

[PROSTHETICS ARE JOINT REPLACEMENTS, ARTIFICIAL ARMS OR LEGS, OR ARTIFICIAL 

EYES AND INCLUDES HEARING AIDS, EYE GLASSES AND HOME OXYGEN.]

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8
A-41

PROGRAMMER NOTE 33:

[IF NO TO ALL VA HEALTH CARE SERVICES USE QUESTIONS (HC9, HC14, HC16, HC18, HC20, HC22) 

OR IF 0 OR –1 TO HC2 OR HC6 GO TO HC24. OTHERWISE GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 35.]

IN HC24 ALLOW 6 RESPONSE FIELDS.

BENS.HC24ARRY [1] – [6]

HC24. You told me you have not used any of these health care services from the VA in the last 12 months. 

What were the main reasons you didn’t use the VA health care services? [Any other reasons?]

[CODE UP TO 6 RESPONSES. CTRL/P TO EXIT.]

DID NOT NEED ANY CARE ....................................................................................................... 1

NOT AWARE OF THE VA HEALTH CARE BENEFITS ................................................................. 2

DID NOT BELIEVE SELF ENTITLED OR ELIGIBLE FOR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS ................... 3

TREATED RUDELY IN PAST..................................................................................................... 4

DID NOT KNOW HOW TO APPLY FOR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS ............................................ 5

DID NOT NEED OR WANT ASSISTANCE FROM THE VA........................................................... 6

APPLYING FOR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS TOO MUCH TROUBLE OR RED TAPE.................... 7

NEVER CONSIDERED GETTING ANY HEALTH CARE FROM THE VA....................................... 8

DIDN’T THINK VA HEALTH CARE WOULD BE AS GOOD AS THAT AVAILABLE

ELSEWHERE ............................................................................................................................ 9

USES OTHER SOURCES FOR HEALTH CARE .......................................................................... 10

VA CARE IS INCONVENIENT .................................................................................................... 11

OTHER [SPECIFY NOVAOS] _________________________________________________________ 91

REFUSED ............................................................................................................................-7

DON’T KNOW ............................................................................................................ -8

BENS.HTHEVER

HC25. Have you ever used any VA health care benefits that you’re entitled to because of your military 

service?

YES........................................................... 1 (GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 35)

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO HC26)

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 35)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 35)

NOTNEED

NOTAWAR

NOTELIG

RUDE

HOW

NOTVA

TROUBLE

NOTCONS

NOTGOOD

USEOTH

INCONV

CAREOTH
A-42

PROGRAMMER NOTE 34:

IN HC26 ALLOW 6 RESPONSE FIELDS.

BENS.HC26ARRY [1] – [6]

HC26. What are the main reasons you haven’t used any VA health care benefits? [Any other reasons?]

[CODE UP TO 6 RESPONSES CTRL/P TO EXIT.]

DID NOT NEED ANY CARE ....................................................................................... 1

NOT AWARE OF THE VA HEALTH CARE BENEFITS ................................................. 2

DID NOT BELIEVE SELF ENTITLED OR ELIGIBLE FOR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS ... 3

DID NOT KNOW HOW TO APPLY FOR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS............................. 4

DID NOT NEED OR WANT ASSISTANCE FROM THE VA........................................... 5

APPLYING FOR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS TOO MUCH TROUBLE OR RED TAPE.... 6

NEVER CONSIDERED GETTING ANY HEALTH CARE FROM THE VA ....................... 7

DIDN’T THINK VA HEALTH CARE WOULD BE AS GOOD AS THAT AVAILABLE

ELSEWHERE ............................................................................................................ 8

USES OTHER SOURCES FOR HEALTH CARE .......................................................... 9

VA CARE IS INCONVENIENT..................................................................................... 10

OTHER [SPECIFY NOVAOS1] _______________________________________________ 91

REFUSED ................................................................................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................................................................................ -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 35:

IF HB13 (DISACOND) AND HB15 (HAVERATE) = 2, GO TO ML1. 

OTHERWISE GO TO DIS1.

NOTNEED1

NOTAWAR1

NOTELIG1

HOW1

NOTVA1

TROUBLE1

NOTCONS1

NOTGOOD1

USEOTH1

INCONV1

VHTLHOTH
A-43

DISABILITY MODULE

ELIGIBILITY FOR BENEFITS

BENS.APPLIED

DIS1. Have you ever applied for VA disability benefits? 

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO DIS3)

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (GO TO DIS4)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (GO TO DIS4)

BENS.APSTATUS

DIS2. What is the status of your most recent claim application? Is it...

Approved, ........................................................... 1 (GO TO DIS4)

Waiting for decision from VA regional office, .......... 2 (GO TO DIS4)

Waiting for decision about appeal, or.................... 3 (GO TO DIS4)

Denied?.............................................................. 4 (GO TO DIS4)

REFUSED .......................................................... -7 (GO TO DIS4)

DON'T KNOW ..................................................... -8 (GO TO DIS4)

PROGRAMMER NOTE 37:

IN DIS3 ALLOW 6 RESPONSE FIELDS.

BENS.DIS3ARRY [1] – [6]

DIS3. What are the main reasons you haven’t applied for any VA disability benefits? [Any other reasons?]

[CODE UP TO 6 RESPONSES. CTRL/P TO EXIT.]

NOT AWARE OF VA SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY PROGRAM ................... 1

DIDN’T THINK WAS ENTITLED OR ELIGIBLE ........................................................ 2

GETTING MILITARY DISABILITY PAY.................................................................... 3

GETTING DISABILITY INCOME FROM ANOTHER SOURCE .................................. 4

DIDN’T THINK DISABILITY SEVERE ENOUGH....................................................... 5

DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO APPLY ............................................................................. 6

DIDN’T WANT ANY ASSISTANCE .......................................................................... 7

DIDN’T NEED ASSISTANCE .................................................................................. 8

APPLYING TOO MUCH TROUBLE OR RED TAPE ................................................. 9

NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT ................................................................................ 10

OTHER [SPECIFY APPLYOS] _____________________________________________ 91

REFUSED ............................................................................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ........................................................................................................ -8

DISPGM

NOTENT

DISPAY

DISINC

DISSEV

HOW2

NOWANT

NONEED

TROUBLE2

NOTHINK

APPLYOTH
A-44

DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND PENSION

BENS.DISPYMTS

DIS4. My next questions are about disability payments from the VA. 

Are you currently receiving regular payments from the VA?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO DIS8)

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON'T KNOW ............................................ -8

BENS.

DIS5. Are you receiving...

DON’T

YES NO REFUSED KNOW

a. Service-connected disability compensation?.......................... 1 2 -7 -8

b. Non-service-connected disability pension? ............................ 1 2 -7 -8

c. Anything else?..................................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 38:

IF (DIS5b) NONSVC =1, GO TO DIS6. 

IF (DIS5a) SVC =1 AND (DIS5b) NONSVC =2, GO TO DIS7. 

IF (DIS5a) SVC AND (DIS5b) NONSVC =2, GO TO DIS8.

BENS.HHAID

DIS6. Does your pension include either aid and attendance, or household-bound benefits?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON'T KNOW ............................................ -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 39:

IF (DIS5a) SVC = 2 GO TO DIS8, ELSE GO TO DIS7.

BENS.PYMTIMP

DIS7. During the past year, how important was the disability payment benefit you received from the VA in 

helping you meet your financial needs? Was it...

Extremely important,................................... 1

Very important,........................................... 2

Moderately important, ................................ 3

Slightly important, or................................... 4

Not at all important ..................................... 5

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

SVC

NONSVC

OTHCOMP
A-45

BENS.REGBENS

DIS8. Have you ever received regular monetary benefits from any other source due to your disability?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO DIS10)

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 40:

IN DIS9 ALLOW 7 RESPONSE FIELDS.

BENS.DIS9ARRY [1] – [7]

DIS9. From whom have you received these benefits? [Any others?]

[CODE UP TO 7 RESPONSES. CTRL/P TO EXIT.]

MILITARY DISABILITY ............................................... 1

MILITARY RETIREMENT ........................................... 2

SOCIAL SECURITY ................................................... 3

STATE, MEDICAID, SSI ............................................. 4

WORKERS COMPENSATION .................................... 5

LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE

[FROM EMPLOYER OR SELF-PURCHASED] ............. 6

OTHER...................................................................... 91

 [SPECIFY WHOBENOS] _______________________

REFUSED ................................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................................ -8

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION BENEFITS

[C12.]

BENS.VOCREHAB

DIS10. Have you ever used vocational rehabilitation services from the VA? 

YES........................................................... 1 (GO TO DIS12)

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (GO TO DIS13)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (GO TO DIS13)

MILDIS

MILRET

SOCSEC_

SSI

WRKCOMP_

LTDIS

BENOTH
A-46

PROGRAMMER NOTE 41:

IN DIS11 ALLOW 6 RESPONSE FIELDS.

BENS.DIS11ARR [1] – [6]

DIS11. What are the main reasons you haven’t used any VA vocational rehabilitation services? [Any other

reasons?]

[CODE UP TO 6 RESPONSES. CTRL/P TO EXIT.]

DIDN’T THINK DISABILITY WAS SEVERE ENOUGH ...........................................1 (GO TO DIS13)

DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO APPLY FOR OR GET NEEDED BENEFITS ...................2 (GO TO DIS13)

DIDN’T WANT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE VA.....................................3 (GO TO DIS13)

DIDN’T NEED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE VA.....................................4 (GO TO DIS13)

APPLYING WAS TOO MUCH TROUBLE OR RED TAPE......................................5 (GO TO DIS13)

NEVER CONSIDERED APPLYING ......................................................................6 (GO TO DIS13)

GOT ASSISTANCE FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE..................................................7 (GO TO DIS13)

GOT BETTER/DIDN’T NEED ASSISTANCE ANY MORE ......................................8 (GO TO DIS13)

JUST HAD CLAIM APPROVED ...........................................................................9 (GO TO DIS13)

OTHER [SPECIFY VOCREAOS] _________________________________________ 91 (GO TO DIS13)

REFUSED ..........................................................................................................-7 (GO TO DIS13)

DON’T KNOW .....................................................................................................-8 (GO TO DIS13)

BENS.VOCIMP

DIS12. How important were these services in helping you meet your educational goals or in helping you get a 

job? Were they... 

Extremely important,................................... 1

Very important,........................................... 2

Moderately important, ................................ 3

Slightly important, or................................... 4

Not at all important ..................................... 5

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

BENS.VOCOTH

DIS13. In the past 5 years, have you received vocational rehabilitation from any other source due to your 

disability?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO DIS15)

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (GO TO DIS15)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (GO TO DIS15)

DISSEV1

HOW3

NOWANT1

NONEED1

TROUBLE3

NOTHINK1

GOTELSE

GOTBET

APPROVE

REHABOS
A-47

PROGRAMMER NOTE 42:

IN DIS14 ALLOW 6 RESPONSE FIELDS.

BENS.DIS14ARR [1] – [6]

DIS14. Who provided the vocational rehabilitation you received during the past 5 years? [Any others?]

[CODE UP TO 6 RESPONSES. CTRL/P TO EXIT.]

STATE EMPLOYMENT OFFICE .............................................................. 1

STATE REHABILITATION ....................................................................... 2

DISABLED VETERANS OUTREACH PROGRAM [DVOP] ......................... 3

PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS [E.G., EASTER SEALS, GOODWILL] ........... 4

VHA OR VETERANS HOSPITAL ............................................................. 5

DoD, MILITARY, OR TRICARE ................................................................ 6

OTHER STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCY .................................................. 7

OTHER PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANY ............................................. 8

REFUSED .............................................................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ......................................................................................... -8

ACCESS AND BARRIERS

BENS.DISBENS

DIS15. Now, I would like to know, how much you agree or disagree with the following statements about Veteran

disability benefits. 

I thoroughly understand the Veterans disability benefits I’m entitled to. Would you say you...

Strongly agree, ........................................... 1

Agree,........................................................ 2

Neither agree nor disagree, ......................... 3

Disagree, or ............................................... 4

Strongly disagree?...................................... 5

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 42A:

IF (DIS1) APPLIED = 2, -7, -8, DISPLAY “It would be...”

ELSE DISPLAY “It was...”

BENS.EASYBENS

DIS16. {It would be/It was} easy for me to get the Veterans disability benefits I’m entitled to. Would you say 

you...

Strongly agree, ........................................... 1

Agree,........................................................ 2

Neither agree nor disagree, ......................... 3

Disagree, or ............................................... 4

Strongly disagree?...................................... 5

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

EMPOFC

STREHAB

DVOP

PRIVORG

VHA

DOD

FEDERAL

PRIVINS3
A-48

MORTGAGE LOAN MODULE

[M1.]

BENS.HOME

ML1. The next questions ask about the VA home loan program.

Do you own your current living quarters, rent them, or occupy them without paying cash rent?

OWNED OR BEING BOUGHT BY YOU OR SOMEONE 

IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD ............................................................ 1

RENTED FOR CASH................................................................. 2

OCCUPIED WITHOUT PAYMENT OF CASH RENT ................... 3

REFUSED ................................................................................ -7

DON’T KNOW ........................................................................... -8

BENEFIT USE

BENS.LOANS

ML2. Since you left the military, have you gotten any loans to purchase a home, make home improvements, 

or refinance a home loan?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO LIF1)

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

[M2.]

BENS.

ML3. Have you ever used the VA loan program to...

YES NO REF DK

 a. Purchase a home? ............................................................. 1 2 -7 -8

 b. Make home improvements? ................................................ 1 2 -7 -8

 c. Refinance a home loan? ..................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 43:

IF (ML3a) PURCHASE, (ML3b) IMPROVE OR (ML3c) REFINANC = 1, -7 OR –8, GO TO LIF1, ELSE GO TO 

ML4.

PURCHASE

IMPROVE

REFINANC
A-49

[M6.]

BENS.ML4ARRY [1] – [10]

ML4. What were the main reasons you didn’t use the VA loan program? [Any other reasons?]

[CODE UP TO 10 RESPONSES. CTRL/P TO EXIT.]

NOT AWARE OF THE VA LOAN PROGRAM ...................................................................... 1

THINKS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR VA LOAN .............................................................................. 2

DID NOT KNOW HOW TO APPLY FOR VA LOAN............................................................... 3

DID NOT NEED OR WANT LOAN ASSISTANCE FROM THE VA......................................... 4

THINKS APPLYING FOR VA LOAN TOO MUCH TROUBLE OR RED TAPE......................... 5

NEVER CONSIDERED GETTING A LOAN FROM THE VA.................................................. 6

THINKS AMOUNT NEEDED LARGER THAN VA MAXIMUM ................................................ 7

THINKS VA INSPECTION OR APPRAISAL REQUIREMENTS TOO STRINGENT................. 8

THINKS VA FUNDING FEE TOO HIGH ............................................................................... 9

THINKS OTHER FEES OR COSTS TOO HIGH [E.G., CLOSING COSTS] ............................ 10

THINKS NO ADJUSTABLE RATES AVAILABLE .................................................................. 11

THINKS SELLER WOULD NOT SELL IF USED VA LOAN.................................................... 12

THINKS WOULDN’T QUALIFY FOR VA LOAN .................................................................... 13

APPLIED BUT NOT APPROVED FOR VA LOAN................................................................. 14

OTHER [SPECIFY] (NOLOANOS)_________________________________________________ 91

REFUSED ......................................................................................................................... -7

DON’T KNOW .................................................................................................................... -8

NOTAWAR2

NOTELIG2

HOW4

NOTWANT1

TROUBLE4

NOTHINK2

TOOMUCH

INSPECT

FUNDFEE

HIGHFEE

NOARMS

SELLER

QUALVA

APPLIED1

NOLOAN
A-50

LIFE INSURANCE MODULE

BENEFIT USE

BENS.VAINS

LIF1. Are you currently covered by life insurance from the VA?

YES........................................................... 1 (GO TO LIF3)

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (GO TO LIF3)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (GO TO LIF3)

PROGRAMMER NOTE 44:

IN LIF2 ALLOW 6 RESPONSE FIELDS.

BENS.LIF2ARRY [1] – [6]

LIF2. What are the main reasons you don’t have VA life insurance coverage? [Any other reasons?]

[CODE UP TO 6 RESPONSES. CTRL/P TO EXIT.]

NOT AWARE OF VA INSURANCE BENEFITS ......................................... 1

DIDN’T BELIEVE ENTITLED OR ELIGIBLE .............................................. 2

DID NOT KNOW HOW TO APPLY FOR BENEFITS .................................. 3

DID NOT NEED ANY INSURANCE .......................................................... 4

DID NOT NEED OR WANT ASSISTANCE FROM THE VA........................ 5

TOO MUCH TROUBLE OR RED TAPE.................................................... 6

NEVER CONSIDERED GETTING ANY INSURANCE FROM THE VA........ 7

ELECTED TO FORGO COVERAGE WHILE ON ACTIVE DUTY ................ 8

NEVER CONVERTED ACTIVE DUTY LIFE INSURANCE POLICY

TO VETERANS POLICY.......................................................................... 9

ALLOWED POLICY TO LAPSE................................................................ 10

OTHER [SPECIFY INSREAOS] ___________________________________ 91

REFUSED .............................................................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ......................................................................................... -8

NON-VA BENEFIT USE

PROGRAMMER NOTE 45:

IF (LIF1) VAINS = 1 DISPLAY “Excluding your VA life insurance policy, do” IN LIF3, ELSE DISPLAY “Do”.

BENS.INSOTH

LIF3. {Excluding your VA life insurance policy, do/Do} you currently have life insurance from any other

source?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

NOTAWAR3

NOTELIG3

HOW5

NONEED2

NOTWANT2

TROUBLE5

NOTHINK3

FORGO

CONVERT

LAPSE

INSOTH1
A-51

ACCESS AND BARRIERS

BENS.KNOWING

LIF4. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement about life insurance benefits from the 

VA? 

I thoroughly understand the life insurance I’m entitled to from the VA. Would you say you...

Strongly agree, ........................................... 1

Agree,........................................................ 2

Neither agree nor disagree, ......................... 3

Disagree, or ............................................... 4

Strongly disagree?...................................... 5

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8
A-52

EDUCATION AND TRAINING MODULE

BENEFIT USE

[L3.]

BENS.EDUCTRG

ET1. These next few questions ask about your experience with education and training benefits provided by 

the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Excluding vocational rehabilitation, have you received any education or training benefits from the VA 

since you left the military?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO ET4)

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 46:

IF ET2h = 1 PROVIDE OTHER SPECIFY FIELD.

BENS.

ET2. How did you use the VA educational benefit? Did you...

DON’T

YES NO REFUSED KNOW

a. Take college or university coursework leading to a 

bachelor or graduate degree? .................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

b. Attend business, technical or vocational school training 

leading to a certificate or diploma?.............................................. 1 2 -7 -8

c. Participate in an apprenticeship or on-job training program?......... 1 2 -7 -8

d. Take correspondence courses?.................................................. 1 2 -7 -8

e. Take flight training? ................................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

f. Get tutorial assistance, refresher courses, or deficiency training? . 1 2 -7 -8

g. Attend a teacher certification program?....................................... 1 2 -7 -8

h. Do something else? [SPECIFY EDUCOS] ___________________ 1 2 -7 -8

BENS.GOALSIMP

ET3. How important were your VA education benefits in helping you meet your educational goals or preparing 

you to get a better job? Would you say they were... 

Extremely important,................................... 1 (GO TO ET5)

Very important,........................................... 2 (GO TO ET5)

Moderately important, ................................ 3 (GO TO ET5)

Slightly important, or................................... 4 (GO TO ET5)

Not at all important ..................................... 5 (GO TO ET5)

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (GO TO ET5)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (GO TO ET5)

DEGREE

CERT

OJT

CORRES

FLIGHT

TUTORIAL

TCERT

EDUC
A-53

PROGRAMMER NOTE 47:

IN ET4 ALLOW 6 RESPONSE FIELDS.

BENS.ET4ARRY [1] – [6]

ET4. What are the main reasons you haven’t used any of the VA educational or training benefits? [Any other

reasons?]

[CODE UP TO 6 RESPONSES. CTRL/P TO EXIT.]

NOT AWARE OF VA EDUCATION OR TRAINING BENEFITS.................................. 1

DIDN’T BELIEVE ENTITLED OR ELIGIBLE FOR EDUCATION OR

TRAINING BENEFITS ............................................................................................ 2

TIME RAN OUT ..................................................................................................... 3

DID NOT KNOW HOW TO APPLY FOR EDUCATION OR TRAINING BENEFITS ... 4

DID NOT NEED ANY EDUCATION OR TRAINING .................................................. 5

DID NOT NEED OR WANT ASSISTANCE FROM THE VA....................................... 6

TOO MUCH TROUBLE OR RED TAPE................................................................... 7

NEVER CONSIDERED GETTING ANY EDUCATION OR TRAINING 

FROM THE VA....................................................................................................... 8

DID NOT PAY INTO TRAINING FUNDS DURING ACTIVE DUTY ............................. 9

OTHER [SPECIFY EDUCREOS]____________________________________________ 91

REFUSED ............................................................................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ........................................................................................................ -8

NON-VA SERVICE USE

BENS.EDUCAID

ET5. Since you left the military, have you received financial assistance for education or training from any 

other source?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO ET7)

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

NOTAWAR4

NOTELIG4

TIMEOUT

HOW6

NONEED3

NOWANT3

TROUBLE7

NOTHINK4

NOPAY

EDUCOTH
A-54

PROGRAMMER NOTE 48:

IN ET6 ALLOW 6 RESPONSE FIELDS.

BENS.ET6ARRY [1] – [6]

ET6. What kinds of assistance did you receive? [Any others?]

[CODE UP TO 6 RESPONSES. CTRL/P TO EXIT.]

EMPLOYER ASSISTANCE ..................................................................................... 1

PELL GRANT......................................................................................................... 2

STATE OR FEDERAL STUDENT GRANTS ............................................................. 3

STUDENT LOANS ................................................................................................. 4

A STATE OR FEDERAL REHABILITATION AGENCY’S ASSISTANCE ..................... 5

A VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION ASSISTANCE ........................................ 6

SOME OTHER ORGANIZATION’S ASSISTANCE.................................................... 7

SELF OR FAMILY .................................................................................................. 8

OTHER [SPECIFY TYPAIDOS]_____________________________________________ 91

REFUSED ............................................................................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ........................................................................................................ -8

ACCESS AND BARRIERS

BENS.KNOWEDUC

ET7. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements about your VA education and training 

benefits? 

I thoroughly understand the education and training benefits I’m entitled to from the VA. Would you say 

you...

Strongly agree, ........................................... 1

Agree,........................................................ 2

Neither agree nor disagree, ......................... 3

Disagree, or ............................................... 4

Strongly disagree?...................................... 5

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 49:

IF CURRENT YEAR – (MB9/MB9a) RRELYR OR (MB15 / MB15a) RELYR LE 10, CONTINUE IN BOX. ELSE 

GO TO BB1.

FOR THE FIRST DISPLAY FIELD IN ET8, IF (ET1) EDUCTRG = 1 DISPLAY “additional”, ELSE USE NO 

DISPLAY.

FOR THE SECOND DISPLAY FIELD IN ET8, SUM CURRENT YEAR – (MB9 / MB9a) RRELYR OR 

(MB15/MB15a) RELYR AND SUBTRACT FROM 10. IF THAT VALUE = 0 DISPLAY “few months”. IF THAT 

VALUE = 1 DISPLAY “year”, ELSE DISPLAY THAT VALUE AND “years”.

EMPASST

PELL

GRANTS

SLOANS

FEDREHAB

VETSERV

OTHORG

SELF3

PAIDOTH
A-55

FUTURE USE PLANS

BENS.EDUCUSE

ET8. How likely are you to use {additional} VA benefits for education or training within the next {few

months/year/N years}? Would you say...

Very likely, ................................................. 1 (GO TO BB1)

Somewhat likely, or .................................... 2 (GO TO BB1)

Not at all likely?.......................................... 3

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 50:

IN ET9 ALLOW 6 RESPONSE FIELDS.

BENS.ET9ARRY [1] – [6]

ET9. What are the main reasons you think you won’t use any VA educational or training benefits available to

you? [Any other reasons?]

[CODE UP TO 6 RESPONSES. CTRL/P TO EXIT.]

NOT AWARE OF VA EDUCATION AND TRAINING BENEFITS................................ 1

DOESN’T BELIEVE ENTITLED OR ELIGIBLE FOR EDUCATION AND 

TRAINING BENEFITS ............................................................................................ 2

DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO APPLY FOR EDUCATION AND 

TRAINING BENEFITS ............................................................................................ 3

DOES NOT NEED ANY EDUCATION OR TRAINING............................................... 4

DOES NOT NEED OR WANT ASSISTANCE FROM THE VA ................................... 5

TOO MUCH TROUBLE OR RED TAPE................................................................... 6

NEVER CONSIDERED GETTING ANY EDUCATION AND TRAINING 

FROM THE VA....................................................................................................... 7

DID NOT PAY INTO TRAINING FUNDS DURING ACTIVE DUTY ............................. 8

OTHER [SPECIFY TRGREAOS]____________________________________________ 91

REFUSED ............................................................................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ........................................................................................................ -8

NOTAWAR5

NOTELIG5

HOW7

NONEED4

NOWANT4

TROUBLE8

NOTHINK5

NOPAY1

TRGOTH
A-56

BURIAL BENEFITS MODULE

[N1.]

BENS.

BB1. The next questions are about burial benefits you may be entitled to because of your military service.

I am going read a list of programs relating to the burial of veterans. For each one, please tell me 

whether you had heard about the program before this interview.

DON’T

YES NO REFUSED KNOW

a. VA headstones and burial markers in private

cemeteries? .................................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

b. Burial in a national or state Veterans Cemetery? ............... 1 2 -7 -8

c. Presidential Memorial Certificates for next of kin

of deceased veterans?..................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

BURIAL PLANS

[N2.]

BENS.BURYKIND

BB2. The VA is interested in understanding veterans’ preferences about burial. Your answers to these

questions are important to us, even if you haven’t given much thought to how you’d like to be buried. 

What kind of burial do you think you’ll have? Do you think you’ll have...

A traditional in-ground burial,........................................................ 1 (GO TO BB4)

A cremation burial, or................................................................... 2

Something else? [SPECIFY BURYKIOS], ____________________ 3 (GO TO BB4)

UNDECIDED............................................................................... 4 (GO TO BB4)

REFUSED .................................................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................................................. -8

BENS.ASHES

BB3. What do you want to have done with your ashes? Do you want them...

Placed in a columbarium, ............................ 1

Buried [INGROUND], or.............................. 2

Scattered? ................................................. 3 (GO TO BB9)

OTHER ..................................................... 4 (GO TO BB9)

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW.......................................... -8

[N3.]

BENS.VETCEM

BB4. Do you think you’ll be buried in either a National or State Veterans Cemetery?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO BB6)

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (GO TO BB7)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (GO TO BB7)

MARKERS

BURIAL

MEMORIAL
A-57

PROGRAMMER NOTE 51:

IN BB5 ALLOW 5 RESPONSES.

BENS.BB5ARRY [1] – [5]

BB5. What would you say are your main reasons for wanting to be buried in a Veterans Cemetery? [Any other 

reasons?]

[CODE UP TO 5 RESPONSES. CTRL/P TO EXIT.]

COST........................................................................... 1 (GO TO BB7)

FRIENDS OR FAMILY BURIED THERE ......................... 2 (GO TO BB7)

QUALITY OF SERVICES............................................... 3 (GO TO BB7)

THE HONOR OF BURIAL IN NATIONAL SHRINE .......... 4 (GO TO BB7)

OTHER [SPECIFY CEMYESOS]_____________________ 91 (GO TO BB7)

REFUSED .................................................................... -7 (GO TO BB7)

DON’T KNOW ............................................................... -8 (GO TO BB7)

PROGRAMMER NOTE 52:

IN BB6 ALLOW 6 RESPONSE FIELDS.

BENS.BB6ARRY [1] – [6]

BB6. What are your main reasons for not planning to be buried in a Veterans Cemetery? [Any other

reasons?]

[CODE UP TO 6 RESPONSES. CTRL/P TO EXIT.]

DOESN’T KNOW ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA ............................................................... 1

QUALITY OF SERVICE .......................................................................................... 2

DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS WITH VA .................................. 3

MADE OTHER ARRANGEMENTS .......................................................................... 4

VA SERVICES DON’T ACCOMMODATE RELIGIOUS PREFERENCES ................... 5

VETERANS CEMETERY TOO FAR AWAY ............................................................. 6

WANTED LOCATION CLOSE TO OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS ................................ 7

WANTED SERVICES THAT WEREN’T AVAILABLE AT VETERANS CEMETERY ..... 8

TOO DIFFICULT TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS WITH VA ........................................ 9

UNABLE TO MAKE ADVANCE ARRANGEMENTS WITH VA ................................... 10

OTHER [SPECIFY CEMREAOS] _________________________________________ 91

REFUSED ............................................................................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ........................................................................................................ -8

BENS.VAMARKER

BB7. Do you think you’ll have your burial place marked by a headstone or marker provided by the VA?

YES........................................................... 1 (GO TO BB9)

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (GO TO BB9)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (GO TO BB9)

COST

FAMILY

QUALSVC

HONOR

CEMOTH

ELIGUNK

QUALSVC1

ARRHOW

ARROTH

RELIG

TOOFAR

FAMCLOS

AVALSVC

ARRHARD

NOADV

CEMOTH1
A-58

PROGRAMMER NOTE 53:

IN BB8 ALLOW 4 RESPONSE FIELDS.

BENS.BB8ARRY [1] – [4]

BB8. What are the main reasons you don’t plan to use a headstone or marker provided by the VA? [Any other

reasons?]

[CODE UP TO 4 RESPONSES. CTRL/P TO EXIT.]

DOESN’T KNOW ABOUT MARKERS AND HEADSTONES FOR VETERANS ........... 1

MADE OTHER ARRANGEMENTS .......................................................................... 2

WANTS HEADSTONE SIMILAR TO OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS ............................ 3

DOESN’T LIKE VA MARKERS AND HEADSTONES................................................ 4

REFUSED ............................................................................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ........................................................................................................ -8

ACCESS AND BARRIERS

BENS.KNOWBURY

BB9. How much do you agree or disagree with this statement about veterans burial benefits? 

I thoroughly understand the veterans burial benefits available to me. Would you say you...

Strongly agree, ........................................... 1

Agree,........................................................ 2

Neither agree nor disagree, ......................... 3

Disagree, or ............................................... 4

Strongly disagree?...................................... 5

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

BENS.BURYEASY

BB10. If your family needed to get information about veteran burial benefits, how easy or difficult do you think it 

would be for them to find it? Do you think it would be...

Very easy,.................................................. 1

Easy,......................................................... 2

Neither easy nor difficult,............................. 3

Difficult, or.................................................. 4

Very difficult? ............................................. 5

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

MARKUNK

ARROTH1

FAMMARK

NOLIKE
A-59

COMMUNICATION MODULE

PROGRAMMER NOTE 54:

IN CM1 ALLOW 6 RESPONSE FIELDS.

CM1INTRO

Now I would like to talk about the information you need about the veterans benefits you are entitled to 

because of your military service.

[PRESS RETURN TO CONTINUE.]

BENS.CM1ARRY [1] – [6]

CM1. If you needed information about VA benefits, where do you think you would go to get it? [Anywhere 

else?]

[CODE UP TO 6 RESPONSES. CTRL/P TO EXIT.]

NOWHERE .................................................................................................... 1

VA

THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS [VA] ........................................ 2

VA: TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER........................................................ 3

VA WEB SITE ................................................................................................ 4

OTHER INTERNET OR WEB SITE ................................................................. 5

VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION [ VFW, AMERICAN LEGION] ............. 6

VA BENEFITS HANDBOOK............................................................................ 7

OTHER GOVERNMENT

SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE .......................................................................... 8

ANOTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY ............................................................. 9

OTHER SOURCE

SENIOR CITIZENS GROUP [AARP] ............................................................... 10

HEALTH ADVOCACY GROUP [MS SOCIETY; AMERICAN 

 ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND; EASTER SEALS; MARCH OF DIMES]..... 11

DOCTOR OR DOCTOR’S OFFICE ................................................................. 12

EMPLOYER OR FORMER EMPLOYER .......................................................... 13

ANOTHER VETERAN .................................................................................... 14

FAMILY OR FRIENDS .................................................................................... 15

NEWSPAPER OR MAGAZINE ........................................................................ 16

TV OR RADIO................................................................................................ 17

SOME OTHER PERSON OR PLACE [SPECIFY NEEDOS] _________________ 91

REFUSED ..................................................................................................... -7

DON’T KNOW ................................................................................................ -8

NOWHERE

THEVA

TOLLFREE

WEBSITE

INTERNET

VSVCORG

HANDBK

SSOFC

GOVTAGEN

SRGRP

ADVOGRP

DOCTOR

BOSS

VETERAN

FAMILY1

NEWSMAG

RADIOTV

PEROTH
A-60

INFORMATION NEEDS

BENS.KNOWBENS

CM2. How much would you say you know about your VA benefits? Would you say you know...

Everything you need to know, .................................................................... 1

Most of what you need to know, ................................................................ 2

Some of what you need to know, ............................................................... 3

A little of what you need to know, or........................................................... 4

Almost none of what you need to know about your veterans benefits? ......... 5

DON’T NEED TO KNOW ANYTHING........................................................ 6

REFUSED ............................................................................................... -7

DON’T KNOW .......................................................................................... -8

BENS.INFOSAT

CM3. How satisfied are you with your ability to get information about veterans benefits when you need it? 

Would you say you are...

Very satisfied, ............................................ 1

Somewhat satisfied,.................................... 2

Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, ................. 3

Somewhat dissatisfied, or ........................... 4

Very dissatisfied? ....................................... 5

DON’T NEED TO KNOW ANYTHING.......... 6

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

BENS.INFONEED

CM4. In the past year, have you needed any information about your veterans benefits?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

INTERNET USE 

BENS.WWW

CM5. Do you have access to the Internet [THE WORLD WIDE WEB]?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8
A-61

SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION MODULE

EMPLOYMENT

PROGRAMMER NOTE 55:

IN SD1 DISPLAY CURRENT DAY OF THE WEEK.

[D1.]

VETS.WORK

SD1. Now, I am going to ask you a few questions about your employment status. During the last week, that is, 

since last {SAME DAY AS TODAY}, were you... 

Working, or on vacation or sick leave from work, ............................... 1(PROG. NOTE 57A)

Not working, but looking for work, or ................................................. 2(PROG. NOTE 57A)

Not working and not looking for work?............................................... 3

REFUSED ........................................................................................-7(PROG. NOTE 57A)

DON'T KNOW ...................................................................................-8(PROG. NOTE 57A)

[D8.]

VETS.LOOKWORK

SD2. I am going to read you a list of reasons why people may not be looking for work. Please tell me which is 

the main reason you were not looking for work.

You are retired, ................................................................................. 1

You are disabled, .............................................................................. 2

You stopped looking for work because you could not find work,............ 3

You were temporarily laid off from work,.............................................. 4

You were taking care of your home and family, or................................ 5

You were going to school? ................................................................. 6

OTHER [SPECIFY LOOKWOOS] _______________________________ 91

REFUSED ........................................................................................ -7

DON'T KNOW ................................................................................... -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 56:

IN SD3 HARD RANGE = 1885 – CURRENT YEAR. 

VETS.WORKLAST

SD3. In what year did you last work, even for a few days?

|__|__|__|__| YEAR 

REFUSED .................... -7

DON'T KNOW ............... -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 57:

IF WORKLAST > 1998 GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 57A, ELSE GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 61.

PROGRAMMER NOTE 57A:

IN SD4 ALLOW RESPONSES 0 – 52.
A-62

VETS.WKSWORK

SD4. During the past year, how many weeks did you work?

|__|__| WEEKS

REFUSED .................... -7

DON'T KNOW ............... -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 58:

IF (SD4) WKSWORK = 0 GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 59, ELSE GO TO SD5.

IN SD5 HARD RANGE = 0 – 100. SOFT RANGE = 0 – 60.

VETS.HRSWORK

SD5. During the weeks you worked last year, how many hours did you usually work each week?

|__|__|__| HOURS

REFUSED .................... -7

DON'T KNOW ............... -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 59:

IF (SD1) WORK = 1 GO TO SD6, ELSE GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 61.

VETS.SMALLBUS

SD6. Do you own or operate a small business?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 61)

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 61)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 61)

PROGRAMMER NOTE 60:

IN (SD7) FEDID, FEDERAL EMPLOYER ID NUMBER MUST CONSIST OF 9 DIGITS, ELSE PROMPT 

INTERVIEWERS TO VERIFY THEIR ENTRY BY RETYPING THE RESPONSE.

VETS.FEDID

SD7. It would be helpful for VA to have your Federal Employer Identification number in order to obtain data 

from other federal agencies to study the growth of veteran-owned small businesses in specific areas 

and industries. Giving your Employer Identification Number is completely voluntary and VA won’t take 

action against you if you don’t provide it to us.

What is your Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)?

|__|__| - |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 61:

IF RESPONDENT IS SCREENER RESPONDENT SKIP TO SD12, ELSE GO TO SD9.
A-63

BACKGROUND

[O1.]

VETS.ETHNIC

SD9. Next I have a few questions about your background.

Are you Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 62:

IN SD10 ALLOW 8 RESPONSE FIELDS.

[O2.]

VETS.SD10ARRY [1] – [8]

SD10. I’m going to read a list of racial categories. Please select one or more to describe your race. Are you...

[CODE UP TO 8 RESPONSES. CTRL/P TO EXIT.]

White, ........................................................ 1

Black or African American, .......................... 2

American Indian or Alaska Native, ............... 3

Asian, ........................................................ 4

Native Hawaiian, or .................................... 5

Other Pacific Islander?................................ 6

HISPANIC/MEXICAN.................................. 7

OTHER [SPECIFY RACEOS] ___________ 91

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON'T KNOW ............................................ -8

WHITE

BLACK

ALASKAN

ASIAN

HAWAII1

PACIFIC

HISPANIC

RACEOTH
A-64

VETS.GRADE

SD11. What is the highest grade or year of school you have ever completed?

NO FORMAL SCHOOLING................................................................. 0

NURSERY SCHOOL TO 4th GRADE .................................................. 1

5th, 6th, or 7th GRADE ....................................................................... 2

8th GRADE ........................................................................................ 3

9th, 10th, or 11th GRADE ................................................................... 4

12th GRADE, NO DIPLOMA ............................................................... 5

GED .................................................................................................. 6

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE............................................................... 7

TRADE/TECHNICAL/VOCATIONAL AFTER HIGH SCHOOL................ 8

SOME COLLEGE BUT NO DEGREE .................................................. 9

ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE IN COLLEGE ............................................... 10

BACHELOR'S DEGREE ..................................................................... 11

MASTER'S DEGREE.......................................................................... 12

PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL DEGREE [MD, DDS, DVM, LLB, JD].......... 13

DOCTORAL DEGREE [PHD, EDD] ..................................................... 14

REFUSED ......................................................................................... -7

DON'T KNOW .................................................................................... -8

[O4.]

VETS.MARRY

SD12. What is your marital status? Are you...

Married, living with your spouse, .................. 1

Married, not living with your spouse, ............ 2

Widowed, ................................................... 3

Divorced, ................................................... 4

Legally separated, or.................................. 5

Never been married? .................................. 6

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON'T KNOW ............................................ -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 63:

IN (SD13) DEPEND HARD RANGE = 0 – 15. SOFT RANGE = 0 – 10.

[O6a.]

VETS.DEPEND

SD13. During the year 2000, how many children depended on you for at least half of their support?

NUMBER............................................. |__|__|

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON'T KNOW ............................................ -8
A-65

INCOME

[O7.]

VETS.

SD14. I am going to read a list of income sources. Please tell me which sources are included in your total 

family income for the year 2000. For 2000, including yourself, your spouse, or your dependent children, 

did you receive income from...

DON’T

YES NO REFUSED KNOW

a. Wages, salaries, or other employment income,

like commissions, bonuses, or tips?.................................. 1 2 -7 -8

b. Your own business? ........................................................ 1 2 -7 -8

c. Social Security? .............................................................. 1 2 -7 -8

d. VA service-connected disability compensation?................. 1 2 -7 -8

e. VA non-service connected disability pension? ................... 1 2 -7 -8

f. Any retirement or pension plan [including U.S. Civil

Service Retirement or U.S. Railroad Retirement]? ............ 1 2 -7 -8

g. Unemployment insurance?............................................... 1 2 -7 -8

h. Interest and dividends?.................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

i. Worker’s Compensation or Black Lung benefit?................. 1 2 -7 -8

j. Public assistance, such as welfare, AFDC, or

SSI payments?................................................................ 1 2 -7 -8

k. Any other source? ........................................................... 1 2 -7 -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 64:

IN SD15 HARD RANGE = 0 – 9,999,999. SOFT RANGE = 0 – 250,000.

[O8.]

VETS.INCOME

SD15. In studies like these, households are sometimes grouped according to income. Including any VA 

payments you receive, and from all of these sources combined, what was your total family income for 

2000, before taxes and deductions? 

[IF R DOES NOT KNOW EXACT AMOUNT, PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE.]

$ |__| , |__|__|__| , |__|__|__| (GO TO SD17)

REFUSED ........................ -7

DON’T KNOW ................... -8

WAGES

BUSINESS

SOCSEC

VADISCMP

VADISPEN

PENSION

UNEMPLOY

INTEREST

WRKCOMP

WELFARE

INCOMEOT
A-66

[O9.]

VETS.INCOME1

SD16. Can you tell me which group best describes an estimate of your total combined family income in 2000 

before taxes and deductions? Would you say...

$10,000 or less,................. 1

$10,001 to $20,000, ........... 2

$20,001 to $30,000, ........... 3

$30,001 to $40,000, ........... 4

$40,001 to $50,000, or....... 5

Over $50,000? .................. 6

REFUSED ........................ -7

DON’T KNOW ................... -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 65:

IN SD17 HARD RANGE = 0 – 99,999,999. SOFT RANGE = 0 – 500,000.

[O10a.]

VETS.ASSETS

SD17. Excluding your primary residence, what is the total amount of assets your family owns? Please include 

items such as stocks, bonds, bank deposits, other real estate and property.

[IF R DOES NOT KNOW EXACT AMOUNT, PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE.]

$ |__|__| , |__|__|__| , |__|__|__| (GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 66)

REFUSED ........................ -7

DON’T KNOW ................... -8

[O10b.]

VETS.ESTASSET

SD18. Excluding your primary residence, can you tell me which group best describes an estimate of the total 

amount of assets your family owns? Would you say...

$10,000 or less,................. 1

$10,001 to $20,000, ........... 2

$20,001 to $30,000, ........... 3

$30,001 to $40,000, ........... 4

$40,001 to $50,000, or....... 5

Over $50,000? .................. 6

REFUSED ........................ -7

DON’T KNOW ................... -8
A-67

PROGRAMMER NOTE 66:

IF ML1 IS NE 1, GO TO SD21, ELSE GO TO SD19.

IN SD19 HARD RANGE = 5,000 – 99,999,999. SOFT RANGE = 10,000 – 1,000,000.

[O11.]

VETS.MKTHOME

SD19. What is the market value of your primary residence?

[IF R DOES NOT KNOW EXACT AMOUNT, PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE.]

$ |__|__| , |__|__|__| , |__|__|__|

REFUSED ........................ -7

DON’T KNOW ................... -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 67:

IN SD20 HARD RANGE = 0 – 99,999,999. SOFT RANGE = 0 – 1,000,000.

[O12.]

VETS.MORTAMT

SD20. What is the amount remaining on the mortgage of your primary residence?

[IF R DOES NOT KNOW EXACT AMOUNT, PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE.]

$ |__|__| , |__|__|__| , |__|__|__|

REFUSED ........................ -7

DON’T KNOW ................... -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 68:

IF (ML1) HOME = 1 AND (SD20) MORTAMT ^= 0, DISPLAY “Excluding the mortgage...”, ELSE DISPLAY 

“What”.

IN SD21 HARD RANGE = 0 – 9,999,999. SOFT RANGE = 0 – 200,000.

[O13a.]

VETS.DEBTS

SD21. {Excluding the mortgage debt on your primary residence, what/What} is the total amount of outstanding 

debts your family has as of today? Please include such items as car loans, credit cards, educational 

expenses, unpaid medical bills, and back taxes.

[IF R DOES NOT KNOW EXACT AMOUNT, PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE.]

$ |__| , |__|__|__| , |__|__|__| (GO TO SD23)

REFUSED ........................ -7

DON’T KNOW ................... -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 69:

IF (ML1) HOME = 1 AND (SD20) MORTAMT ^= 0, DISPLAY “Excluding the mortgage...”, ELSE DISPLAY 

“Which”.
A-68

[O13b.]

VETS.ESTDEBTS

SD22. {Excluding the mortgage debt on your primary residence, which/Which} of the following best describes 

an estimate of the total amount of outstanding debts your family has as of today? Would you say...

$10,000 or less,................. 1

$10,001 to $20,000, ........... 2

$20,001 to $30,000, ........... 3

$30,001 to $40,000, ........... 4

$40,001 to $50,000, or....... 5

Over $50,000? .................. 6

REFUSED ........................ -7

DON’T KNOW ................... -8

PROGRAMMER NOTE 70 DELETED.

 [P1.]

VETS.ZIP

SD23. May I have your ZIP code, please? 

[IF NEEDED: We would like to assess the availability of health care services. The ZIP code 

information allows us to estimate the distance to the nearest medical care facilities.]

ZIP |__|__|__|__|__|

REFUSED ................................................. -7

DON'T KNOW ............................................ -8

THANK

Thank you for your cooperation and patience in this study. Finally, we would like to ask you for your 

social security number. Giving us your social security number is completely voluntary, and VA won’t 

take any action against you if you don’t provide it to us. 

The Department of Veterans Affairs will use your social security number for two purposes. First, VA will 

use it to ensure that each respondent is interviewed only once. Second, VA will use your social security 

number to obtain additional data from the VA files, the Department of Defense and the Department of 

Health and Human Services to better understand your needs. Neither agency will use this information 

obtained from VA in connection with this survey for any other purpose. 

[PRESS ENTER TO CONTINUE]

PROGRAMMER NOTE 71:

IN SD24 REQUIRE 9 DIGITS.

[P2.]

VETS.SOCIAL

SD24. May I please have your social security number?

VETS.SOCAREA

VETS.SOCGRP SSN |__|__|__| - |__|__| - |__|__|__|__| HARD RANGE: SSN LOGIC

VETS.SOCEND

 REFUSED............................................... -7

DON'T KNOW ............................................ -8
A-69

PROGRAMMER NOTE 72:

IF ADDRESS INFORMATION IS KNOWN (LIST SAMPLE) DISPLAY ON SCREEN.

VETS.FUTRPART

SD25. The VA wants to know what veterans think. Would you be interested in participating in future studies or 

focus groups that will help VA to better serve America's veterans?

YES........................................................... 1

NO ............................................................ 2 (GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 73)

REFUSED ................................................. -7 (GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 73)

DON’T KNOW ............................................ -8 (GO TO PROGRAMMER NOTE 73)

VETS.

MAILSCRN

Could I please have your name and address so that you may be notified if you are selected to 

participate in any future VA studies?

[IF ADDRESS INFORMATION IS THE SAME, PRESS RETURN THROUGH FIELD. IF ADDRESS 

INFORMATION IS DIFFERENT, RETYPE ENTIRE FIELD.]

VETFNAM FIRST NAME: __________________ LAST NAME: _____________________

VETLNAM

VETADDR STREET ADDRESS: _______________________________________________

VETCITY

VETSTATE CITY OR TOWN: ___________________________________

VETZIP

STATE:_____ ZIP CODE: ___________

PROGRAMMER NOTE 73:

CODE CASE CE AND GO TO CLOSE1.
Appendix B

Sampling Plan
B-1

APPENDIX B. SAMPLING PLAN

The NSV 2000 target population includes veterans living in private households in the US 

and Puerto Rico. Thus, institutionalized veterans, homeless veterans, and veterans living outside the US 

are not covered in the survey. Additionally, the survey was also required to provide information on 

veteran population subgroups of particular interest. The subgroups of primary interest were:

n The seven health care enrollment groups,

n Females, 

n African Americans, and 

n Hispanic veterans. 

In addition, the survey was required to provide information needed for major initiatives that 

would have a direct effect on veterans, such as benefit eligibility reform and health care benefit reform. 

The sample design had to accommodate these policy issues.

Sample Design

VA desired to obtain 95 percent confidence intervals of ±5 percent or smaller for estimates 

of proportion of 0.5 for each of the veteran population subgroups. The resulting design called for 20,000 

interviews to be completed by random selection of veterans. We evaluated a number of alternative sample 

design options and adopted a dual frame design consisting of a random digit dialing sample (RDD 

Sample) and a List Sample. The selected design resulted in sample allocation of 13,000 RDD completed 

interviews and 7,000 List Sample interviews. The List Sample design used the VHA Healthcare

enrollment file and the VBA Compensation and Pension (C&P) file to construct the sampling frame. VA 

administrative files alone could not be used for the sample design because the coverage from these files 

was only about 21 percent. 

Veterans living in institutions were included in the survey target population only if they were 

in the institution for less than 6 months and also had a principal residence elsewhere. Although the list 

frame contained institutionalized veterans, they were not interviewed as part of the List Sample because 
B-2

these would have to be screened for eligibility. They were, however, included as part of the RDD sample. 

Veterans living abroad and in the territories were also excluded from the survey target population.

Allocation of Sample across Health Care Enrollment Groups

There were approximately 25 million veterans living in the U.S. in 2000 according to VA 

projections. VA manages its provision of health care services by assigning veterans to one of seven health 

care enrollment groups.

The distribution of the total veteran population across the seven enrollment groups is given 

in Table 1. The law defines two eligibility categories: mandatory and discretionary. Enrollment groups 1 

through 6 are termed as mandatory, whereas enrollment group 7 is termed as discretionary. 

Table 1. Distribution of total veteran population across health care enrollment groups

Mandatory Discretionary

Enrollment group 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Percent of total 2.31 2.06 5.01 0.73 29.96 0.34 59.59

Three Approaches to Sample Allocation

VA required that the sample design produce estimates of proportions for veterans belonging 

to each of the seven enrollment groups and for female, Hispanic, and African American veterans.

Therefore, different sampling rates had to be applied to the seven enrollment groups to produce estimates 

with the required levels of reliability.

We considered three approaches to allocate the total sample across the seven enrollment 

groups: (1) equal allocation, (2) proportional allocation, and (3) compromise allocation.
B-3

Approach I – Equal Allocation

Under this approach, the sample is allocated equally to each of the seven enrollment groups. 

The equal allocation approach achieves roughly the same reliability for the enrollment group estimates of 

proportions. As a result, the variation between the sampling weights would have been very large and 

would have resulted in large variances for the national level estimates. We therefore did not choose this 

allocation because it would not have been very efficient for the national level estimates.

Approach II – Proportional Allocation

For this approach, the sample is allocated to the enrollment groups based on the proportion 

of the veteran population that each enrollment group represents. Thus, the enrollment groups with larger 

veteran populations would have received the larger share of the sample. The proportional allocation 

would be the most efficient allocation for the national level estimates because the probabilities of

selection are the same for all veterans irrespective of the enrollment group. We did not choose this 

allocation because reliable enrollment group estimates would only have been possible for the three largest 

groups (enrollment groups 3, 5, and 7).

Approach III – Compromise Allocation

As the name implies, the compromise allocation is aimed at striking a balance between

producing reliable enrollment group estimates (Approach I) and reliable national level estimates

(Approach II). Because we were interested in both national level estimates and the estimates for each of 

the enrollment groups, we used the “square root” compromise allocation to allocate the sample across the 

seven enrollment groups (see Table 2). 

Table 2. Allocation of NSV 2000 sample across enrollment groups under “square root” allocation

Enrollment group 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Percent of sample 7.66 7.25 11.29 4.32 27.61 2.92 38.95
B-4

Dual Frame Sample Design

Although it would have been theoretically feasible to select an RDD Sample with “square 

root” allocation of the sample across enrollment groups, such a sample design would have been

prohibitively expensive. The alternative was to adopt a dual frame approach so that all of the categories 

with insufficient sample size in the RDD Sample could be directly augmented by sampling from the VA 

list frame. The survey database resulting from this approach would then be constructed by combining the 

List and the RDD Samples with a set of composite weights.

RDD Sample Design

We used a list-assisted RDD sampling methodology to select a sample of telephone

households that we screened to identify veterans. As a result, the RDD sampling frame consisted of all the 

telephone numbers in the “100-banks” containing at least one listed telephone number. (Each 100-bank 

contains the 100 telephone numbers with the same area code, exchange, and first two of the last four 

digits of the telephone number.) This type of list-assisted RDD sampling approach has two sources of 

undercoverage:

n Nontelephone households are not represented in the survey, and 

n The loss of telephone households with unlisted telephone numbers in the banks having 

no listed telephone numbers

Studies show that the undercoverage from these two sources is approximately 4 to 6 percent 

and an adjustment to correct for the undercoverage was applied for NSV2000.

List Sample Design

The VA constructed the list frame from two VA administrative files, the 2000 VHA

Healthcare enrollment file and the 2000 VBA Compensation and Pension (C&P) file. The list frame 

included information about the enrollment group to which each veteran belonged. Table 3 lists the total 

veteran population and the percentage of population represented by the list frame for each of the

enrollment groups.
B-5

Table 3. Percentage of veterans in the VA files by enrollment group

Enrollment group

Veteran population 

(thousands)

Percentage of veterans 

in the list frame

1 577.5 100.0

2 516.4 100.0

3 1,254.1 100.0

4 183.6 94.7

5 7,501.4 25.5

6 83.8 100.0

7 14,920.3 5.9

All veterans 25,037.1 21.6

The coverage offered by the list frame was advantageous for the dual frame sample design 

because the sample could be augmented from the list frame for the smaller enrollment groups. The list 

frame was stratified on the basis of enrollment group and gender, and a systematic sample of veterans was 

selected independently from each stratum.

Allocation of Sample to List and RDD Frames

Because it was less costly to complete an interview with a case from the List Sample than 

the RDD Sample, the goal was to determine the combination of List and RDD Sample cases that would 

achieve the highest precision at the lowest cost. The higher RDD unit cost was due to the additional 

screening required to identify telephone households with veterans. After analysis, it was determined that 

65 percent was the optimum RDD allocation that minimized the cost while achieving square root 

allocation of the total sample across enrollment groups. (The NSV 2000 cost assumptions were based on 

the previous RDD studies and the assumption that about one in four households would be a veteran

household.)

Sample Size Determination

The decision on the sample size of completed extended interviews was guided by the 

precision requirements for the estimates at the health care enrollment group level and for the population 

subgroups of particular interest (namely, female, African American, and Hispanic veterans). The 95

percent confidence interval for a proportion equal to 0.5 was required with 5 percent or smaller 
B-6

confidence interval half-width for these population subgroups. The precision requirements meant a

sample size of n=768 was needed for each enrollment group, and the total survey would have been 26,000 

interviews. This sample size was larger than VA was prepared to select, so it was decided that larger 

sampling errors for smaller subgroups would be accepted. As a result, the sample size of 20,000 

completed interviews was sufficient to satisfy the new precision requirements.

Alternative Sample Design Options 

We evaluated six sample design options with respect to cost and design efficiency for a fixed 

total sample of 20,000 completed interviews. Two of the designs were based on RDD sampling alone, and 

the remaining four designs were based on a dual frame methodology using RDD and list sampling. For 

each of the sample designs considered, we compared the coefficients of variation (cv) of the national 

estimates and veteran population subgroups, as well as the corresponding design effects. The cv was 

computed to check the precision requirements for the survey estimates, while the design effects were 

computed to evaluate the efficiency of each of the alternative sample designs. Cost estimates for the 

alternative sample designs were also calculated using linear cost models incorporating screener and

extended interview unit costs. 

Out of the six designs analyzed, the sample design that provided the best solution that 

satisfied the survey objectives of producing reliable estimates and controlling the overall cost of the 

survey is summarized below.

The sampling parameters of this selected sample design (sample allocation and sample sizes) 

are given in Table 4. The table also gives the effective sample size, defined as the total sample size 

divided by the design effect. The minimum effective sample size must be 384 in order to achieve the 

required 5 percent half-width for 95 percent confidence interval of the estimate of proportion equal to 0.5. 

Thus, for this sample design, the only veteran population subgroup for which the precision requirement 

could not be met was Hispanics. 
B-7

Table 4. Sample allocation for selected sample design

Sample size

Characteristic RDD List Total

Design

effect

Effective

sample size

All veterans 13,000 7,000 20,000 1.48 13,489

Enrollment group 1 295 1,240 1,535 1.13 1,357

Enrollment group 2 271 1,199 1,470 1.12 1,308

Enrollment group 3 661 1,636 2,296 1.18 1,939

Enrollment group 4 69 931 1,000 2.47 405

Enrollment group 5 3,731 1,231 4,962 1.92 2,589

Enrollment group 6 36 764 800 1.04 773

Enrollment group 7 7,937 0 7,937 1.39 5,712

Male 12,338 6,419 18,757 1.52 12,344

Female 662 581 1,243 2.96 420

African American 1,066 574 1,640 2.52 650

Hispanic 520 280 800 2.57 311

Sample Selection

The samples from the list and RDD frames were selected independently. The RDD Sample 

consists of a sample of telephone households, and the List Sample consists of veterans sampled from the 

VA list frame. This section describes sampling procedures for each of the two components.

List Sample Selection

The List Sample is a stratified sample with systematic sampling of veterans from within 

strata. The strata were defined on the basis of enrollment group and gender. The first level of stratification 

was by enrollment group and then each enrollment group was further stratified by gender. Thus, the 

sample had 12 strata (enrollment group by gender).

Under the assumption of an 80 percent response rate to the main extended interview, a List 

Sample of about 8,750 veterans was anticipated to yield 7,000 complete interviews. We also decided to 

select an additional 50 percent reserve List Sample to be used in the event that response rates turned out 

to be lower than expected. With the systematic sampling methodology, we achieved a total sample of 

13,129 veterans from the list frame, out of which a sample of 4,377 veterans was kept as a reserve 

sample.
B-8

RDD Sample Selection

National RDD Sample

We selected the RDD Sample of households using the list-assisted RDD sampling method. 

This method significantly reduces the cost and time involved in such surveys in comparison to dialing 

numbers completely at random. The general approach we employed was a two-stage sampling procedure 

in which we initially selected a sample of telephone numbers and successfully screened for households 

with veterans.

Based on propensity estimates from the 1992 NSV RDD Sample, we estimated that we 

needed a sample of 135,440 telephone numbers to obtain 13,000 completed extended interviews for the 

RDD component of the sample. Our assumptions were:

n Residential numbers – 60 percent;

n Response to screening interview – 80 percent;

n Households with veterans – 25 percent; and

n Response to extended interview – 80 percent.

We also decided to select an additional 75 percent reserve RDD Sample to be used in the 

event that the yield assumptions above did not hold. Thus, a total of 240,000 telephone numbers were 

selected from the GENESYS RDD sampling frame as of December 2000. From this total, 138,000 

telephone numbers served as the main RDD Sample and the remaining 102,000 served as the reserve 

sample. A supplementary sample of 60,000 telephone numbers were also selected later from the 

GENESYS RDD sampling frame because of interim RDD sample yields.

Puerto Rico RDD Sample

No listed household information was available for Puerto Rico. As a result, we used a naïve 

RDD sampling approach called “RDD element sampling” (Lepkowski, 1988) instead of the list-assisted 

RDD method that we used for the national RDD Sample. With this methodology, all possible 10-digit 

telephone numbers were generated by appending four-digit suffixes (from 0000 to 9999) to known 6-digit 
B-9

exchanges consisting of 3-digit area code and 3-digit prefix combinations. This resulted in a Puerto Rico 

RDD sample frame that had 3,250,000 telephone numbers. A systematic sample of 5,500 telephone 

numbers was drawn from this frame to achieve 176 completed extended interviews.

Sample Management

Successful execution of the NSV 2000 required not only an effective sample design but also 

careful management of the entire sampling process, from creating the sampling frame to completing data 

collection. Before each sampling step, project staff identified the goals, designed the process, and

prepared detailed specifications for carrying out the procedures. At each stage, quality control procedures 

were carried out that guaranteed survey data integrity.

To ensure that the sample remained unbiased during the data collection process, we

partitioned both the RDD and List Samples into a number of release groups so that each release group 

was a random sample. The sample was released to data collection staff in waves. Each of these sample 

waves comprised a number of release groups, which were selected at random. The small size and 

independence of sample release groups gave precise control over the sample. During data collection, we 

monitored sample yield and progress toward our targets. When we noticed that a sufficient number of 

sample cases from the previous waves had been assigned final result codes, we released new waves of the 

sample.

Sample yield is defined as the ratio of the number of completed extended interviews and the 

number of sampled cases expressed as a percent. We used chi-square statistics to test for homogeneity of 

distributions of the sample yield by enrollment group, demographic variables, level of education, and 

census region across waves and found that none of the chi-square values was signific ant at 5 percent level 

of significance. Thus, the time effect introduced by releasing waves of sample at various times during 

data collection, produced no evidence of bias across the sample waves.
Appendix C

Sample Weighting
C-1

APPENDIX C. SAMPLE WEIGHTING

After the data collection and editing phases of the NSV 2000 were completed, we began the 

sample weighting phase of the project. We constructed the sampling weights for the data collected from 

the veterans who responsed so they would represent the entire veteran population. The weights were the 

result of calculations involving several factors, including original selection probabilities, adjustment for 

nonresponse, households with multiple residential telephones, and benchmarking to veteran population 

counts from external sources. The weighting process would also correct for noncoverage and help reduce 

variance of estimates. We produced a separate set of weights for the List and the RDD Samples and then 

combined them to produce the composite weights for use with the combined sample.

We also constructed a set of replicate weights for each respondent veteran and appended 

them to each record for use in estimating variances. This chapter describes the calculation of the full 

sample composite weights and replicate composite weights. We start with a description of the List and 

RDD Sample weights because the two sets of weights were constructed independently.

C.1 List Sample Weights

The List Sample weights are used to produce estimates from the List Sample that represent 

the population of veterans who are on the list frame. The steps involved in constructing the List Sample 

weights are the calculation of a base weight, poststratification adjustment to known list frame population 

counts, and adjustments to compensate for veterans with unknown eligibility, and for nonresponse. These 

steps are summarized below.

Calculation of List Sample Base Weights

The base weight for each veteran is equal to the reciprocal of his/her probability of selection. 

The probability of selection of a veteran is the sampling rate for the corresponding sampling stratum. If 
C-2

h

n out of Nh veterans are selected from a stratum denoted by h, then the base weight assigned to the 

veterans sampled from the stratum was obtained as

; . h

hi

h

N

w i h

n

= ∈

Properly weighted estimates using the base weights above would be unbiased if the

eligibility status of every sampled veteran could be determined and every eligible sampled veteran agreed 

to participate in the survey. However, the eligibility status of each and every sampled veteran could not be 

determined and some were not even located. Moreover, nonresponse is always present in any survey 

operation. Thus, weight adjustment was necessary to minimize the potential biases due to unknown 

eligibility and nonresponse. In order to improve the reliability of the estimates we also applied a 

poststratification adjustment. Normally, the poststratification adjustment is applied after applying the 

nonresponse adjustment, but we carried this out before the nonresponse adjustment because determining 

the eligibility status of every veteran on the list frame was not possible.

Poststratification Adjustment

Poststratification is a popular estimation procedure in which the base weights are adjusted so 

that the sums of the adjusted weights are equal to known population totals for certain subgroups of the 

population. We defined the poststrata to be the cross classification of three age categories (under 50, 50-

64, over 64), gender (male, female), and census regions (Northeast, Midwest, South, and West), which 

resulted in 24 poststrata. The advantage of poststratified weighting is that the reliability of the survey 

estimates is improved. 

The minimum sample size for poststratification cells was set at 30 veterans. For 2 out of the 

24 poststrata, the sample sizes were fewer than 30 veterans so we collapsed these two cells in order to 

achieve sufficient sample size. Thus, the poststratified weights were computed using population counts 

from the list frame for 23 poststrata.
C-3

Adjustments for Unknown Eligibility and Nonresponse

The List Sample cases can be divided into respondents and nonrespondents. Further, the 

respondents can be either eligible or ineligible (out of scope) for the survey. The eligibility of the 

nonrespondent veterans could not always be determined. For example, a sampled veteran who could not 

be located could have been deceased and hence ineligible for the survey. Therefore, the nonrespondents 

were classified into two categories: (1) eligible nonrespondents and (2) nonrespondents with unknown 

eligibility. In order to apply the adjustments for unknown eligibility and nonresponse, the List Sample 

cases were grouped into four response status categories:

n Category 1: Eligible Respondents. This group consists of all eligible sampled

veterans who participated in the survey, namely those who provided usable survey 

data.

n Category 2: Ineligible or Out of Scope. This group consists of all sampled veterans 

who were ineligible or out of scope for the survey, such as veterans who had moved 

abroad and were therefore ineligible for the survey.

n Category 3: Eligible Nonrespondents. This group consists of all eligible sampled 

veterans who did not provide usable survey data, but information provided proved 

they were eligible.

n Category 4: Eligibility Unknown. This group consists of all sampled veterans whose 

eligibility could not be determined.

We used the final List Sample extended interview result codes and other information to 

assign the sampled veterans to one of the four response categories defined above. 

The nonresponse adjustment was applied in two steps. In the first step the poststratified 

weights of the veterans with unknown eligibility (Category 4) were distributed proportionally over those 

with known eligibility (Categories 1, 2, and 3). In the second step, we calculated an adjustment factor to 

account for the eligible nonrespondent veterans. 

The final List Sample weight for each eligible respondent was computed by multiplying the 

base weight by the appropriate nonresponse adjustment factor as defined above. The final List Sample 

weight for the eligible nonrespondent veterans was set to zero. The final List Sample weight of the out-ofscope/ineligible veterans is the weight obtained after applying the adjustment factor for unknown

eligibility. The weights for the out-of-scope/ineligible veterans could be used to estimate the ineligibility 

rate of the list frame that we used to select the List Sample.
C-4

C.2 RDD Sample Weights

The calculation of the RDD Sample weights consisted of five main steps. The steps included 

computing the base weight and various adjustments at the screener interview level and the extended 

interview level. In summary, we:

n Computed base weight as the inverse of the probability of selection of the telephone 

number associated with the household;

n Applied an adjustment to account for household level nonresponse during screening;

n Applied an adjustment for multiple telephone lines as the reciprocal of the number of 

“regular residential” telephone numbers used by the household;

n Applied an adjustment to correct for the nonresponse to the extended interview; and

n Benchmarked to known veteran population counts from the Census 2000

Supplementary Survey (C2SS) that the U.S. Bureau of the Census conducted.

The final RDD Sample weights were obtained as the product of the base weight and the 

various adjustments applied to the base weights. The steps involved in computing these weights are 

summarized below.

RDD Sample Base Weights

The RDD Sample selected included members from the list-assisted RDD sampling

methodology and the Puerto Rico RDD Sample. The base weights for the two RDD Samples were 

defined accordingly.

List-assisted RDD Sample Base Weights

The base weight is defined as the reciprocal of the probability of selection. With the listassisted RDD methodology, the telephone numbers were selected with equal probabilities of selection. 

We used a systematic sampling scheme to select telephone numbers, and the probability of selecting a 

telephone number when n telephone numbers from a pool of N numbers is selected is given by f = n/N. 
C-5

Because the national RDD Sample was selected from two RDD frames constructed at two different times 

we also had to take this into consideration during the process.

Puerto Rico Sample Base Weights

The Puerto Rico RDD Sample was a pure RDD sample due to the fact that information was 

not available on the telephones to construct the sampling frame for list-assisted RDD methodology. The 

base weight was defined to be the inverse of the selection probability.

RDD Sample Weight Adjustments

RDD Sample weight adjustments include weight adjustments for the national (list-assisted) 

RDD Sample and the Puerto Rico RDD Sample.

List-assisted RDD Sample Weight Adjustments

List-assisted RDD Sample weight adjustments were applied as screener interview

nonresponse adjustment, adjustment for multiple telephone lines, and an adjustment for nonresponse at 

the extended interview.

Screener Nonresponse Adjustment. The base weights were adjusted to account for the 

households (telephones) with unknown eligibility during the screening interview. The adjustment for 

unknown eligibility was applied in two separate steps. In the first step, we adjusted for those telephones 

whose type – residential, business, or nonworking – could not be determined. In the second step, 

nonworking and business telephone numbers were removed and the weights were adjusted to account for 

the residential telephone numbers for which the eligibility for the NSV 2000 could not be determined. 

Adjustment for Multiple Residential Lines. If every household had exactly one residential 

telephone number, then the weight for a household would be the same as the base weight of the 

corresponding telephone number. The adjustment for multiple residential telephone households prevents 

households with two or more residential telephone numbers from receiving a weight that is too large by 
C-6

reflecting their increased probability of selection. A weighting factor of unity was assigned to households 

reporting only one telephone number in the household, and an adjustment factor of 1⁄2 was assigned to 

households with more than one residential telephone number.

RDD Extended Interview Nonresponse Adjustment. The RDD Sample required

administration of both a household screening questionnaire and the extended NSV 2000 questionnaire, 

and included the possibility of identifying multiple veterans in a single household. Because the screener 

survey interview screened for the households with potential veterans, a small fraction of persons who 

were screened in were not actually eligible for the NSV 2000. Once the extended interview began, it was 

still necessary to establish with certainty that the selected person was indeed a veteran. If the responses to 

the set of eligibility questions during the extended interview indicated that the person was not an eligible 

veteran, the interview was terminated. Moreover, for some cases that were screened in, no information 

could be collected from the extended interview to ascertain their eligibility (e.g., the potential veteran 

could not be contacted for the extended interview). Thus, the screened-in sample contained cases with 

unknown eligibility as well as eligible and ineligible cases. Further, the eligible cases contained

respondents and nonrespondents. Therefore, the screened-in RDD Sample cases were grouped into the 

same four categories as the List Sample cases.

Category 1: Eligible Respondents

Category 2: Ineligible or out of scope

Category 3: Eligible Nonrespondents

Category 4: Eligibility Unknown.

The screened-in sample cases were assigned to the four response categories on the basis of 

final extended interview result codes and other information. The weights of the cases with unknown 

eligibility (Category 4) were proportionally distributed over the other 3 categories (Categories 1, 2, and 3) 

and then adjustment factors were calculated.

The next step in the RDD Sample weighting was the extended interview nonresponse 

adjustment. The RDD extended interview nonresponse adjustment factor was calculated as the ratio of the 

sum of weights for eligible RDD extended interview respondents and eligible RDD extended interview 

nonrespondents to the sum of the weights for only the eligible RDD extended interview respondents.
C-7

Puerto Rico Sample Weight Adjustments

We screened 96 households with potentially 102 veterans for which extended interviews 

were attempted. We completed only 51 extended interviews from the Puerto Rico RDD Sample. The 

nonresponse adjustment factors for the screener interview and extended interview were computed

similarly to those for the national RDD Sample except that the screener nonresponse adjustment was 

computed separately for two age groups (under 60, over 59) and a single nonresponse adjustment was 

computed for the extended interviews. This was due to the small sample size for the Puerto Rico RDD 

Sample.

After applying the screener interview and extended interview nonresponse adjustments, the 

national (list-assisted) RDD and the Puerto Rico RDD Samples were combined into one RDD Sample. 

The base weights adjusted for nonresponse were further adjusted in a raking procedure, discussed in a 

later section. The raked weights were the final RDD Sample weights that were used to compute the 

composite weights for the combined List and RDD Samples.

Comparison of RDD Estimates with VA Population Model Estimates

As a check, we compared the RDD Sample estimate of number of veterans based on the 

weights before raking with the estimate from the VetPop 2000 model1, VA population projection model. 

The NSV 2000 target population includes only noninstitutionalized veterans living in the U.S. The 

reference period for the NSV 2000 is the year 2000. The VA population model estimates are also for the 

year 2000 and these are based on the 1990 Census. These estimates are derived by incorporating survival 

rates and information on veterans leaving military service. The VA population model estimate for the 

entire veteran population is 25,372,000 veterans, whereas the estimate from the RDD Sample is

23,924,947 veterans, which is 5.7 percent lower than the VA population model estimate. The difference 

of 5.7 percent can be attributed to the combination of the differences from exclusion of the

institutionalized veterans and RDD undercoverage of nontelephone households and households with 

unlisted telephone numbers belonging to “zero-listed telephone banks.” 

 

1

 The VetPop 2000 is a veteran population projection model developed by the office of the Actuary, Department of Veterans Affairs. It is the 

official VA estimate and projection of the number and characteristics of veterans as of September 30, 2000. Details of all aspects of the 

development and content of the model are available from the office of the Actuary, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, 

Washington DC 20420.
C-8

The portion of undercoverage due to nontelephone households and households with unlisted 

numbers belonging to “zero-listed telephone banks” was addressed with the raking procedure, described 

in the next section. The control total of veteran population for the raking procedure was 25,196,036 

veterans. Thus, the estimated undercoverage due to nontelephone households and households with

unlisted telephone numbers belonging to “zero-listed telephone banks” would be only about 5.0 percent. 

After correcting for the undercoverage from these two sources, the difference between the NSV 2000 and 

the Vetpop 2000 estimates is less than one percent, which is from institutionalized veterans and veterans 

living abroad.

Raking Ratio Estimation/Undercoverage Adjustment

The raking ratio estimation procedure is based on an iterative proportional fitting procedure 

and involves simultaneous ratio adjustments to two or more marginal distributions of the population 

counts. The purpose of the raking procedure in this survey is to improve the reliability of the survey 

estimates, and to correct for the bias due to missed households, namely, households without telephones 

and households with unlisted telephone numbers belonging to “zero-listed telephone banks.”

The raking procedure is carried out in a sequence of adjustments. First, the base weights are 

adjusted to one marginal distribution and then to the second marginal distribution, and so on. One 

sequence of adjustments to the marginal distributions is known as a cycle or iteration. The procedure is 

repeated until convergence is achieved.

We used a two-dimensional raking procedure for the RDD Sample. The first dimension was 

formed from the cross classification of three age categories (under 50, 50-64, over 64) with four education 

levels (no high school diploma, high school diploma, some college, bachelor’s degree or higher) and four 

race categories (Hispanic, Black, Other, and White), resulting in 48 cells. The second dimension was 

formed from the cross classification of gender (male, female) and the four census regions (Northeast, 

Midwest, South, and West), resulting in 8 cells. (The above variables were chosen as the raking variable s 

due to significant differences in the telephone coverage by categories of these variables, and hence 

maximum bias reduction would be achieved.)
C-9

We used the Census 2000 Supplementary Sample (C2SS) data from the U.S. Bureau of the 

Census to define the control totals for the raking procedure. We also included the Puerto Rico RDD 

Sample in the raking procedure. Because the C2SS did not include Puerto Rico in the survey target 

population, we estimated the Puerto Rico veteran population counts for the year 2000 from the Census 

1990 population counts based on a model.

We applied the convergence criteria in terms of percent absolute relative difference, which 

was specified to be no more than 0.01 percent for all marginal population counts. The raking procedure 

converged in 8 iterations.

C.3 Composite Weights

Integration of samples from multiple frames into a single micro-data file with a single 

weight requires, at a minimum, the ability to tell which of the veterans had more than one chance of 

selection. This is enough to create unbiased weights. The Social Security numbers (SSNs) of all the 

veterans on the list frame were known. To identify the RDD Sample veterans on the list frame, we needed 

to obtain their SSNs during data collection so that the overlap RDD Sample would be identified by 

matching the SSNs of the veterans in the RDD Sample with the list frame. However, out of 12,956 

completed extended RDD interviews (including Puerto Rico), we were able to obtain an SSN from only 

6,237 veterans, which is 48.1 percent of the RDD completed extended interviews. The veterans sampled 

as part of the RDD Sample could thus only be categorized as belonging to the overlap RDD Sample or 

nonoverlap RDD Sample if the SSN was reported. For others (those who did not report their Social 

Security numbers), we used a prediction model to impute the overlap status. (See Chapter 6 of the 

Methodology Report for details on how this imputation was carried out.)

The veterans in the overlap RDD Sample (including the imputed cases) also had a chance of 

being selected in the List Sample, and hence, had an increased chance of selection. These RDD cases are 

referred to as the overlap sample because they represent the portion of the RDD frame that overlaps with 

the list frame. A composite weight was created for the identified overlap RDD Sample (both observed and 

imputed) and List Sample cases using the principles of composite estimation so that the combined RDD 

and List Sample file could be used for analysis.
C-10

Calculation of Composite Weights

Composite weights were calculated using an approach that would take into account the 

design effects of the RDD and List Sample designs when combining the two samples. The List (7,092 

completed interviews) and RDD (12,956 completed interviews) Samples were combined into one file 

resulting in a combined sample of 20,048 completed extended interviews.

In composite estimation, the estimates being combined are assumed to be independent, and 

are unbiased estimates of the same population parameter. In other words, the List Sample and the overlap 

RDD Sample cases theoretically represent the same population (i.e., veterans on the list frame).

Therefore, a linear combination of the two independent estimates would also produce an unbiased

estimate. 

The composite weights were calculated by computing the estimates of proportions and their 

variances for 16 statistics identified as key variables by the VA for the List Sample and the overlap 

portion of the RDD Sample. These variables are listed in Table 1.

Table 1. VA key variables

MB24: Combat or War Zone Exposure (Yes/No)

DIS1: Ever Applied for VA Disability Benefits (Yes/No)

HB21: Currently Covered by Medicare (Yes/No)

HC1: Emergency Room Care During Last 12 Months (Yes/No)

HC4a: VA Paid for Emergency Room Care (Yes/No)

HC5: Outpatient Care During Last 12 Months (Yes/No)

HC6: VA Facility for Outpatient Care (Yes/No)

HC9: Hospitalized Overnight in a VA Hospital (Yes/No)

SD14d: VA Service Connected Disability Compensation in 2000 (Yes/No)

SD14e: VA Non-Service Connected Pension in 2000 (Yes/No)

SD14j: Income Source: Public Assistance in 2000 (Yes/No)

ET1: Ever Received Any VA Education or Training Benefits (Yes/No)

ML3a: Ever Used VA Loan Program to Purchase Home (Yes/No)

ML3b: Ever Used VA Loan Program for Home Improvement (Yes/No)

ML3c: Ever Used VA Loan to Refinance Home (Yes/No)

PRIORITY: Priority Group (Mandatory/Discretionary) 
C-11

Raked Composite Weights

The composite weights obtained by combining the List and RDD Samples were also raked 

using the same two dimensional raking procedure that was used for the RDD sample raking. The RDD 

Sample was raked mainly to correct for undercoverage because of nontelephone households and

households with unlisted numbers in the “zero-listed telephone banks” that were missed in the listassisted RDD sampling methodology. The composite weights were raked to achieve consistency with the 

C2SS estimates, and to improve the precision of the survey estimates. 

C.4 Replicate Weights

A separate set of replicate weights was created for the RDD Sample and the List Sample. 

These were then combined to construct the preliminary composite replicate weights. The final composite 

replicate weights were obtained by using the same two dimensional raking procedure with the preliminary 

composite replicate weights as the input weights that were used for the composite full sample weights.

List Sample Replicate Weights

A set of 51 Jackknife 1 (JK1) replicate weights was created for the List Sample for use in 

variance estimation. The replicate weights were designed for the JK1 replication method. To create the 

replicate weights, the entire List Sample, including ineligible and nonresponding veterans, was sorted by 

the twelve sampling strata, and by the order of selection within strata. 

The same adjustments applied to the full List Sample base weights to obtain the full List 

Sample final weights were applied to the replicate base weights to obtain the List Sample replicate final 

weights. This included poststratification and the extended interview nonresponse adjustments that were 

recalculated for each replicate, so that the sampling variability in the response rates would be captured in 

the replicate weights.
C-12

RDD Sample Replicate Weights

A set of 51 JK1 replicate weights was also created for the veterans identified from the RDD 

Sample. Once the he replicate base weights were calculated, they were adjusted following the same steps 

as those applied to the full sample base weights. These included the screener level nonresponse

adjustment, adjustment for multiple residential telephone lines, extended interview level nonresponse 

adjustment, and raking to the external veteran population counts obtained from the Census 2000

Supplementary Survey. By raking the replicate weights in the same manner as the full sample weights, the 

sampling variability in the raking adjustment factors would be reflected in the replicate weights, and 

hence included in the overall variance estimate. The raking procedure was carried out on the combined 

national and Puerto Rico RDD Samples.

If there were two or more veterans in a household, each respondent in the household 

received the same set of replicate base weights but the adjusted weights could differ because they could 

belong to different adjustment cells.

Composite Replicate Weights

Composite replicate weights were created for each replicate weight from the List Sample and 

overlap RDD Sample cases. The remaining RDD Sample cases were assigned composite replicate

weights equal to their original RDD Sample replicate weights. Finally, the composite replicate weights 

were raked to the veteran population counts estimated from the C2SS in a two dimensional raking 

procedure as was done for the composite full sample weights. The convergence criteria for the composite 

replicate weights was modified so that the percent absolute relative difference was no more than 0.1 

percent for all marginal population counts.

C.5 Reliability of the Survey Estimates

Estimates obtained from the sample data are different from figures that would have been

obtained from complete enumeration of the entire veteran population. Results are subject to both

sampling and nonsampling errors. Nonsampling errors include biases from inaccurate reporting,

processing, and measurement, as well as errors from nonresponse and incomplete reporting. These types 
C-13

of errors cannot be measured readily. However, to the extent possible, each error has been minimized 

through the procedures used for data collection, editing, quality control, and nonresponse adjustment. The

variances of the survey estimates are used to measure sampling errors. The variance estimation

methodology used for NSV 2000 is discussed below.

Estimation of Variances of the Survey Estimates

The variance of an estimate is inversely proportional to the number of observations in the 

sample. In other words, as the sample size increases, the variance decreases. For the NSV 2000 the 

variance estimation methodology for estimates of totals, ratios (or means) and difference of ratios is based 

on the JK1 replication method. Additionally, we have constructed the composite full sample and 

composite replicate weights for the combined List and RDD Samples corresponding to the JK1

replication methodology. The WesVar2 variance estimation system can be used to produce the survey 

estimates based on the composite full sample weights and the corresponding variances of these estimates.

Construction of Confidence Intervals

Each of the survey estimates has an associated standard error, which is defined as the square 

root of the variance of the estimate. Consider the example of estimating the proportion of veterans with a 

certain characteristic, such as a service-connected disability. We denote by pˆ the estimated proportion of 

veterans with the particular characteristic of interest and let v p( )ˆ be the corresponding variance estimate. 

Then the standard error of the estimated proportion pˆ is given by

se( pˆ ˆ ) = v p( ).

The 95 percent confidence interval is the interval such that the unknown proportion p would 

have a 95 percent probability of being within the interval. The 95 percent confidence interval is given by

(0.025,50)

pˆ ˆ ± × t se p( ) .

 

2

 WesVar is software for analyzing data from complex surveys. The software was developed by Westat and can be downloaded from Westat’s 

website (www.westat.com/wesvar) for a 30-day free trial.
C-14

The factor (0.025,50)t is the t-value at a = 0.025 with 50 degrees of freedom, which is 

approximately equal to 2.0. The smaller the half-width of the confidence interval, the more precise is the 

survey estimate.

Alternatively, the precision of the survey estimate can also be expressed in terms of the 

coefficient of variation (cv) of the estimate. The cv of an estimate is defined as the ratio of the standard 

error of the estimate and the magnitude of the estimate expressed in percent. Thus, the cv of the estimated 

proportion pˆ is given by

( )

( ˆ )

ˆ 100.0

ˆ

se p

cv p

p

= × ,

where se p( )ˆ is the standard error of the estimated proportion pˆ . The smaller the cv of the estimate, the 

more precise is the estimate. The percent margin of error at the 95 percent confidence level can also be 

obtained by multiplying the cv of the estimate by the factor (0.025,50)t .

C.6 Bias and Precision in the Combined Sample

We investigated two main issues associated with the use of the combined sample versus the 

separate RDD and List Samples. These were: (1) potential biases incurred in the estimates as a result of 

the matching involved in creating the composite weights, and (2) the gains in precision from the increased 

sample sizes of the combined sample. The reason that both of these issues are important is that the total 

mean square error (MSE) of a survey estimate is equal to the sum of its variance and the square of the 

bias, ( 2 MSE = + Variance ( ) Bias ). In surveys with large sample sizes, the MSE may be dominated by the 

bias term. When sample sizes are small, the variance may be a greater cause for concern.

To address the first issue of bias, the potential risk of bias would be due mainly to imputing 

the overlap status of those RDD sample respondents who did not provide their Social Security numbers. 

The question arises as to whether the cases that reported an SSN are different from those that did not. To 

answer this question, statistical comparisons were made for the two groups to see whether their 

distributions differed with respect to age and to other key statistics. It was determined that the risk of 

potential bias was minimized due to imputing the overlap status within homogenous imputation cells.
C-15

The precision of the estimates can be evaluated by comparing the standard errors (SEs) of 

the estimates from the combined sample with those from the RDD Sample alone. In this situation, the 

population of analytical interest is the population of all noninstitutionalized veterans living in the U.S. 

The statistics of interest for the purpose of this analysis are proportions for various key statistics identified 

by the VA. This analysis showed the increased sample sizes of the combined sample always result in a 

significant reduction in sampling variability. The standard errors of the combined estimates are always 

lower than the standard errors of the corresponding estimates from the RDD Sample alone. 

The efficiency of the combined sample can also be defined as the ratio of the corresponding 

variances expressed as percentage. We denote by Eff Combined vs. RDD

   

 

 the efficiency of the

combined sample as compared with the RDD Sample alone, then

( )

( )

var

. 100

var

RDD

Eff Combined vs RDD

Combined

    = ×

 

,

where var(RDD) and var(Combined) are, respectively, the variances of the RDD Sample alone and the 

combined sample. Efficiency values of more than 100 percent imply that the combined sample estimates 

are more efficient than the estimates based on the RDD Sample alone. After calculations, efficiencies are 

greater than 100 percent for all variables of interest in this analysis and the efficiency values range from 

104 percent to 316 percent. Thus, the combined sample with the corresponding composite weights should 

be used for all VA analyses.