Most Veterans Have Benefits

With a couple of exceptions almost all veterans have some benefits, and many don’t know they exist. Many of us who work with veterans are concerned about how little veteran’s and their families know about their Veterans Administration’s (VA) or local benefits available for veterans. A friend who runs a local resource center for veterans and I were discussing Catherine, the granddaughter of John, a Korean War veteran. Catherine brought John into the resource center last year asking for help understanding the VA healthcare system. Catherine didn’t know if John was covered by the VA for any of his medical needs and didn’t know who to ask. A friend of Catherine told her about the resource center, that is how she ended up in the center’s office. The resource center looked at John’s case and found he qualified for services, not just a few, almost all services the VA provides.

The resource center also helped file a disability claim for multiple issues John has.  Like many before him, John’s disability claim was denied. The center turned the claim over to the local Disabled American Veterans (DAV) chapter who is presently helping John in the appeals process. Like many of our older veterans John’s health continues to decline as he waits for the appeals process to work through the VA bureaucracy. For most people who work with veterans we struggle understanding why the VA can’t process appeals in an appropriate time. It is frustrating dealing with the VA system. Most of us who work with veterans don’t understand why the VA isn’t getting the benefits information out to veterans and their families and why they make it so difficult to get the benefits veterans have earned. All we can come up with is money! The more who know about the benefits, the more it costs the VA.

According to Catherine, John didn’t suffer any physical disabilities from the war that he would discuss. Like many veterans, he would never tell anyone if he had any mental health issues because of the stigma. John never boasted about his service in Korea or talked much about it. John is presently on oxygen, walks with a walker, struggles with his hearing, and has poor eye sight. He’s been having physical problems for over 30 years which caused him to lose his job as a heavy equipment operator years ago. He never considered going to the VA for any benefits after he lost his job. Like so many veterans he didn’t believe he had any benefits to receive or did not want to feel like a mooch by getting help from the government.  

John and his family have been paying for his eye glasses, hearing aids, and walker for years. Many of these items can be received from the VA at no cost if he qualified. As a combat veteran with low income he should qualify for most services offered at the VA. Many family members know very little about their veteran’s service, let alone the VA benefits process. John is now getting some VA services while waiting for his disability claim to be approved. There are services in the community that are designed to help with the process. Some are financed by the Federal, State, and County Governments. Many are local non-profits, Veterans service organizations such as the VFW, AMVETS, American Legion, DAV, and many others provide needed services. Most of these local non-profits are primarily funded by other veterans, veteran’s groups, grants, and community donations.  

The First Step in getting help

From experience, the first item that a veteran must obtain, establishing eligibility for benefits is an official copy of their DD-214. This form tells the veteran’s military history in one page and is imperative for the veteran to receive any services from the VA. If the veteran doesn’t have a copy of his DD-214 one can be attained through the national archives. You can order the record online, but a signed copy of the form must be sent via mail or fax because of security, forgery, and compliance issues. A copy of a veteran’s DD-214 can also be attained by signing the veteran up for an e-Benefits account on the internet. If your request is urgent due to surgery or funeral arrangements you can request emergency actions, you must file an SF-180 and fax it to the National Archives.

Known Disqualifiers

There are some that do not qualify for benefits, they include Reserve and National Guard members who have never deployed on active duty, Active Duty for training purposes only also do not qualify. Those who have dishonorable discharges also do not qualify. There is a present movement to provide mental health benefits for those who have a dishonorable discharge. Often a veteran will self-medicate by using illicit drugs or alcohol causing them to make bad choices like Driving under the influence (DUI) or failing a drug test. Currently, the VA is looking into the part the military could have played as a possible cause of the veteran’s dishonorable discharge. This is a positive move for the VA.    

Death Benefits

Death Benefits are something we never like to discuss, unfortunately it is a part of life as well as an offered benefit to veterans and their families. It depends on several issues, whether your veteran qualifies, but most of them do. Many family members know very little about these death benefits. The funeral home should know the process. You must let them know that your family member is a veteran and they should be able to help with the details. If they do not know or refuse to help, seek other arrangements.  For your knowledge the requirements can be found on the VA web site.

Information about VA Benefits

All the benefits can be found on the VA’s web site. The web site states the qualifying criteria for VA services.  Some may have trouble navigating all the information. The website is a monster and hard to navigate.  If you struggle with the navigation or language on the website there are several locations you can get information. I suggest you visit the local VSO’s (VFW, DAV, AMVETSs) if you are struggling with understanding the requirements of getting services for veterans.

Local Resources:

There are other agencies besides the VA that can help with veteran’s issues. The local DAV, VFW, American Legion, AMVETS, and Vet centers can help find resources. If they can’t help you more than likely they know who can. Check with your local veteran’s groups for help finding appropriate resources. Often, state, county, or cities have programs for veterans and their families. Once you have established the resources available to you for your veteran family it will be easier on your family dealing with the situation you are in.  

For questions or comments, you can contact me at afterdutyvets@gmail.com or visit my website at www.afterdutyvets.com, and subscribe to my YouTube channel After Duty Vets or like us on Facebook at After Duty Vets.