VA’s “A-Z Benefit Information Index”

From the VA:

I am sure many have surfed VA’s Web-Site to see what information is available.  But for those who may not have had the chance, this link http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefits/  will take you to VA’s “A-Z Benefit Information Index”.  I copied and pasted A – H just as an example of what information is available for you:

 

A-Z Benefit Information Index

Know what you are looking for? Then jump to it by clicking on its first letter in the alphabet shown here:	A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X Y Z
Apply On-Line | C&P Home Page References | Fact Sheets | Forms | Military Services | Rate Tables | Site Map of Compensation & Pension Benefits Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents Pamphlet | VBA Home Page | Most of our linked documents are in Microsoft Word 6.0. If you need a free viewer to read those documents, it is available here.

 A

Agent Orange

Agent Orange was a defoliant used during the Vietnam War. Some known effects are listed in 38 CFR §3.309(e).
For more detailed information and new changes see: Agent Orange Home Page
See also Spina Bifida below.

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)

AIDS can qualify as a service connected disability. Improved Pension may also be paid if AIDS is the disability preventing the veteran from working.
For more information see the Veterans Health Administration web site on Public Health Strategic Healthcare Group

Aid & Attendance Allowance

An additional benefit paid to veterans, their spouses, surviving spouses and parents. This allowance is paid in all Compensation, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Pension Programs. It is paid based on the need of aid and attendance by another person or by specific disability. Special Monthly Compensation (L) can at times be designated an aid & attendance benefit.
Eligibility criteria, see 38 CFR §§3.350 (Special Monthly Compensation), 3.351 (Special monthly Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), death compensation, pension and spouse’s compensation ratings), 3.552 (Determining need for aid & attendance, housebound).
See also Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) below.
Rates, see Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) – Surviving Spouse or Parents, Improved Pension – Disability or Death.

Appeals

If you do not like a VA decision, most can be appealed. Start by contacting your nearest office.
Appeals are first made to the office that made the decision. A hearing officer or decision review officer usually handles these cases. If the case is still in dispute it is then sent to the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA). If it is not resolved there, it can be appealed outside the Department of Veterans Affairs to the Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims (CAVC).
VA does not handle CAVC appeals. You must contact CAVC within 120 days from your BVA decision.

Application

OnLine Application’s are available for Compensation, Pension and Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment benefits. Your application may need supporting evidence and/or documents. (If any of the evidence is not immediately available, send in the application anyway. The date VA receives your application is important to you, if VA grants your claim. VA benefits payments usually will begin from that date regardless of when the claim is approved.)
See also Forms or contact your nearest office.

Automobile Allowance & Adaptive Equipment

One automobile allowance is payable to certain very disabled veterans. Some reimbursement is possible for adaptive equipment. Check with your nearest office before making any purchases.
Eligibility criteria, see 38 CFR §3.808

Rates, see Special Benefit Allowances Rate Table

B

Birth Defects

There is a monetary allowance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 18 for an individual with disability from covered birth defects whose biological mother is or was a Vietnam veteran.
Eligibility criteria, see 38 CFR §3.815 and TITLE 38, PART II, CHAPTER 18, SUBCHAPTER II, §1812

Burial

Burial benefits include a gravesite in any of our national cemeteries with available space, the opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a Government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost to the family.
See the National Cemetery Administration’s site.
See also our Fact Sheets for more information.
Eligibility criteria, see 38 CFR §§3.1600 (Table of Contents & Burial), 3.1601 (Claims & Evidence), 3.1602 – 3.1603 (Special conditions governing payments /Authority for burial of certain unclaimed bodies), 3.1604 (Non VA), 3.1605 (VHA), 3.1606 (Transportation), 3.1607 – 3.1609 (Cost of flags /Nonallowable expenses /Forfeiture), 3.1610 – 3.1611 (Burial in National cemeteries /Official Department of Veterans Affairs representation at funeral), 3.1612 (Marker).

Rates, see Burial, Headstone & Plot Rate Table

C

Cemetery

See the National Cemetery Administration’s site or Burial above.

CHAMPVA

A health insurance is available from the Veterans Health Administration. See their CHAMPVA website for more information.

Children

Children of veterans receive benefits based on two eligibility factors: (1) whether the benefit program allows for payment for or to children and (2) whether the veteran’s relationship to the child can be proven.
Eligibility criteria, see 38 CFR §§3.57 (Child), 3.58 (Child Adopted out of Family), 3.204 (Evidence Requirements), 3.210 (Relationship).
See the specific Benefit Programs for more information: Compensation, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Pension, and Spina Bifida and Children of Vietnam Veterans.
Rates, see the Compensation, Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Improved Disability or Death Pension, and Spina Bifida Rate Tables.

Clothing Allowance

Prosthetic appliances and medications have an effect on clothing. If qualified, a veteran can receive a one time or yearly allowance for reimbursement.
Eligibility criteria, see 38 CFR §3.810.
Rates see Special Benefit Allowances Rate Table.

Compensation

This benefit program evaluates disability resulting from all types of diseases and injuries encountered as a result of military service. The degrees of disability that are determined by VA represent, as far as can practicably be determined, the average loss in wages resulting from such diseases and injuries and their complications in civil occupations. Generally, the degrees of disability specified are also designed to compensate for considerable loss of working time from exacerbations or illnesses.
See the Fact Sheets for more information.
Eligibility criteria, see 38 CFR §3.4.

Congressional Medal of Honor

See: Medal of Honor

D

DD Form 214

See Military Discharge below.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

This benefit program pays a monthly payment to a surviving spouse, child, or parent of a veteran because of a service-connected death of a veteran.
See the Fact Sheets for more information.
Eligibility criteria, see 38 CFR §§3.5, 3.22 (Benefits at Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) rates in certain cases when death is not service connected).
Restoration of Entitlement

Diabetes Mellitus (Type II)

As a presumptive condition for in-country Vietnam veterans see: Agent Orange Home Pagefor more detailed information.

Disability Compensation

See Compensation above.

Disability Examinations Worksheets

See Examinations below.

Disability Severance Pay

By law, payment of VA compensation and military disability severance pay for the same medical condition or disability is prohibited. VA compensation will be withheld on a monthly basis until the total amount of military severance pay has been recovered.
See Concurrent Benefit and Elections, 38 CFR §3.700.

Drill Pay

See Selected Reserve and National Guard.

E

Education

VA has many educational assistance programs.
See the Fact Sheets for more information.
Or visit the GI Bill web site.

Examinations

Physical examinations, when made by the VA, are done under criteria worked out by both the Veterans Health Administration and Veterans Benefits Administration.
See Disability Examination Worksheets (55 disability examination worksheets).

F

Filipino Veterans

New Philippine Scouts or Commonwealth Army (USAFFE) and Recognized Guerillas
See the Fact Sheets for more information.

Flag

A United States Flag is available at the death of a veteran.
See the Fact Sheets for more information.

Foreign Services Program

See the Foreign Services Homepage

Former Prisoner of War (POW)

Former POWs often underwent experiences that severely affected their lives. VA works with this group of veterans to ensure that their needs are met.
Former POW & their Survivors Home Page
See the Fact Sheets for more information.
Also see 38 CFR §§3.307 (Presumptive service connection for prisoner-of-war related diseases) and 3.309(c) (Disease subject to presumptive service connection)

Forms

VA forms have been organized for your use. Some are available via the web.
An application for benefits is now on-line.
See also Forms or contact your nearest office.

G

Gulf War

The “Gulf War” began on August 2, 1990. Since an end of the conflict has not been declared by Congress, everyone who has been on active duty since it began may qualify as wartime veterans, regardless of duty assignment, when seeking VA benefits.
See Gulf War Veterans’ Health.
Also see GulfLink, Defense Technology Information Center.
For undiagnosed illness, see 38 CFR §3.317.

H

Headstone

See the National Cemetery Administration’s site or Burial above.

Health Care

For health care and health care issues see the Veterans Health Administration’s website.
Also see our Fact Sheets for more information.

Health Care Programs for Elderly Veterans

The Veterans Health Administration offers many health care programs for elderly veterans. See the VHA web site on this issue.

Health Insurance

See CHAMPVA above.

Home Loan

For home loan information see the Loan Guaranty Service’s website.
Also see our Fact Sheets for more information.

Homeless

Veterans can be homeless too. We have special programs to help.
See the Fact Sheets for more information.
Also see VA Homeless Program

Housebound

An additional benefit paid to veterans, their surviving spouses and parents. This allowance is paid in all Compensation, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Pension Programs. It is paid based on specific disabilities and conditions. It is a lesser additional benefit than Aid & Attendance. Special Monthly Compensation (S) can at times be designated a housebound benefit.
Eligibility criteria, see 38 CFR §§3.351 (Special monthly Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), death compensation, pension and spouse’s compensation ratings), 3.352 (Determining need for aid & attendance, housebound).
Rates, see Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) – Surviving Spouse or Parents, Improved Pension – Disability or Death.

I | J | K | L