Veteran’s Benefits

[pedro47]

The burial benefits in a Veterans cemetery is a huge benefit and saving to the family. IMHO.

 

[Beach57]

Starting a claim is easy. The VA has everything in your C file, including your DD214. You may have to go for a few appointments for different medical issues, and perhaps travel far for the Compensation & Pension appointments, however, the VA pays you round trip mileage.

If you are awarded disability, you can begin going to the VA for all healthcare. You will know the outcome of your disability exam in under a month’s time.

 

[Sandi Bo]

The burial benefits in a Veterans cemetery is a huge benefit and saving to the family. IMHO.

A what a respectful place. My brother-in-law is in Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery. We've gone several times and crazy as it sounds, it's just a nice place to hang out. Hung out there with my sister-in-law a few times when visiting (she really enjoyed it) and now she is there!

I visit the Omaha National Cemetery often (I drive by it most every day taking my grandson to preschool - he loves looking for American flags and his favorite is the half mast one at the Omaha National Cemetery. Although my father won't be there, it still feels I can pay my respects overall there (to him, my BIL, and our many many veterans - such a serene place).

So yes, a huge benefit and savings to the family, but also so incredibly respectful and honorable!!

 

[pedro47]

A what a respectful place. My brother-in-law is in Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery. We've gone several times and crazy as it sounds, it's just a nice place to hang out. Hung out there with my sister-in-law a few times when visiting (she really enjoyed it) and now she is there!

I visit the Omaha National Cemetery often (I drive by it most every day taking my grandson to preschool - he loves looking for American flags and his favorite is the half mast one at the Omaha National Cemetery. Although my father won't be there, it still feels I can pay my respects overall there (to him, my BIL, and our many many veterans - such a serene place).

So yes, a huge benefit and savings to the family, but also so incredibly respectful and honorable!!

Outstanding.

 

[Bucky]

Starting a claim is easy. The VA has everything in your C file, including your DD214. You may have to go for a few appointments for different medical issues, and perhaps travel far for the Compensation & Pension appointments, however, the VA pays you round trip mileage.

If you are awarded disability, you can begin going to the VA for all healthcare. You will know the outcome of your disability exam in under a month’s time.

While starting a claim is indeed easy, winning one is not. Most people should find a good VSO, which isn’t always easy. They can file the claim for you. But, one should always get their records from the NPRC before having the VSO file it. The VA may or may not have all your records but sometimes they will overlook small details which are the actual nexus needed to be successful. They also don’t always interpret that nexus the same as the filer. Above all else, everyone considering filing a claim should file an Intent to File as soon as the thought crosses your mind. https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21-0966/. Consider it a placeholder on the start of benefits if approved. The VA does not pay retroactive claims unless this form has been filed. If finally approved without filing this form your compensation will start from the date one applied for disability. Here is another page concerning this https://www.va.gov/resources/your-intent-to-file-a-va-claim/

While one can read all about the benefit of the doubt going to the veteran, that is nothing but hogwash. Those of us that went through years of dealing with the VA claims process had a saying. Deny until you die! I had 3 claims that ended up taking over 7 years to process and eventually win so be prepared ahead of time by having anything that will help establish your claim. Don’t trust anyone to do it for you, especially the VA.

There are different levels of benefits the VA adhears to https://benefits.va.gov/benefits/derivative_sc.asp

 

[Sandi Bo]

While starting a claim is indeed easy, winning one is not. Most people should find a good VSO, which isn’t always easy. They can file the claim for you. But, one should always get their records from the NPRC before having the VSO file it. The VA may or may not have all your records but sometimes they will overlook small details which are the actual nexus needed to be successful. They also don’t always interpret that nexus the same as the filer. Above all else, everyone considering filing a claim should file an Intent to File as soon as the thought crosses your mind. https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21-0966/. Consider it a placeholder on the start of benefits if approved. The VA does not pay retroactive claims unless this form has been filed. If finally approved without filing this form your compensation will start from the date one applied for disability. Here is another page concerning this https://www.va.gov/resources/your-intent-to-file-a-va-claim/

While one can read all about the benefit of the doubt going to the veteran, that is nothing but hogwash. Those of us that went through years of dealing writhing the VA claims process had a saying. Deny until you die! I had 3 claims that ended up taking over 7 years to process and eventually win so be prepared ahead of time by having anything that will help establish your claim. Don’t trust anyone to do it for you, especially the VA.

There are different levels of benefits the VA adhears to https://benefits.va.gov/benefits/derivative_sc.asp

And I can second, third, whatever that... I have/had 3 brother-in-laws that are Vietnam Vets. I don't know details, don't know the exact disabilities, but when one passed, my SIL was told no benefits, she had to fight a bit, but got them. BIL #2 was just awarded full disability - it took some time and persistance (he had a partial disability for some time), pretty sure BIL #3 same story. Again, don't know the details, but I got the gist the answer is no the 1st time, maybe 2nd time, etc... stick with it!

 

[Brett]

The burial benefits in a Veterans cemetery is a huge benefit and saving to the family. IMHO.

yes, it's completely free - - my parents are buried in the Columbarium at the Arlington National Cemetery

 

[DaveNV]

Faith, I can attest to the VA benefits helping vets who were affected by their service, and also the after-death benefits they provide for those who honorably served. Ask the hard questions, and make the effort - you may find Cliff is deserving of care (or compensation) for some of the things he's dealing with now, that may be directly related to his military service. You won't know unless you ask.

Good luck!

Dave

 

[emeryjre]

I am going to say it again just to reiterate
If your negative VA event occurred prior to mid 2022
Try again
The PACT Act enhanced VA benefits in many ways
The attitude of VA employees changed as well (IMHO)
The employees know they have more benefits to give
Reapply if your denial was before the PACT Act passed

 

[Tia]

My very elderly MIL gets a $ VA benefit for her deceased spouses time in service for when he broke a leg on a ship. No clue what the program is. She is in assisted living , they had to list all the things she needs help with when filling out the paperwork. It cost ~$1600 or so to apply for this program. A relative in another state did the paperwork, $1300/month. He did not get anything and been gone 5 years now.

 

[pedro47]

Again, do not give up, VA want you to give up. Just keeping on reapplying.

 

[CRAIGS]

Those of you who were granted an additional percent due to the pact act please share as
I have not heard of any increases.

 

[DaveNV]

Those of you who were granted an additional percent due to the pact act please share as
I have not heard of any increases.

I know you asked for those who did apply, but in my case, it wouldn't have made any difference. What I saw in the Pact Act coverages were for service after I retired. The things wrong with me are pretty specific, and I didn't apply for additional percentages.

Dave

 

[clifffaith]

Just an added thought. The resident who set up the VSO visit had applied for disability at some point and was granted 100% disability. Some time/years later (I don’t know how long), he had a required follow up zoom call with a doctor. During the 30 minute conversation the doctor was distracted and constantly looking at his watch. His disability payments went down to 40% after the doctor’s review. He appealed, and with the help of the VSO was upped to 60%. He speaks highly of the help they gave him.

 

[emeryjre]

Those of you who were granted an additional percent due to the pact act please share as
I have not heard of any increases.

A good friend of mine went from 30% to 100%

 

[Bucky]

Those of you who were granted an additional percent due to the pact act please share as
I have not heard of any increases.

That’s because there are no increases per se. What the pact act does is open up many more conditions that will be awarded compensation to those that apply and are approved. More presumptive exposures will be covered, burn pit, etc. This link spells it out pretty well https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/ All my claims were completed well before the pact act took effect and since I already had 2 separate 100% ratings it would not have done anything to improve my position by applying.