2023 VA Health Care Copay Rates Review 2023 copay rates for VA and VA-approved health care. Effective January 1, 2023 Note: Some Veterans don’t have to pay copays (they’re “exempt”) due to their disability rating, income level, or special eligibility factors. Learn how we determine whether you’ll pay copays Urgent care copay rates (Care for […]
VA Wants Vets to Use Their Benefits When Choosing a Final Resting Place 25 Jan 2023 Military.com | By Patricia Kime The Department of Veterans Affairs is raising awareness of little-used benefits for veterans: burial at a VA, state or tribal veteran’s cemetery, and headstones or markers for veterans buried in private cemeteries. According to VA officials, just 20% of […]
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/07/14/military-retirees-and-dependents-id-cards-dont-expire-need-get-replacements-within-4-years.html 100% Disabled Veterans, Military Retirees and Dependents With ID Cards That Don’t Expire Need to Get Replacements Within 4 Years 14 Jul 2022 Military.com | By Travis Tritten Retirees and military family members who have identification cards with no expiration date can choose to upgrade to the new Next Generation Uniform Services Identification, or USID, cards […]
War related Illness and Injury Study Center http://www.wri.med.va.gov/ Depression and Trauma http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/depression-and-trauma.asp Appeals http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch05.doc Board of Veteran’s Appeals http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/ CARES Commission http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/ CARES Draft National Plan http://www1.va.gov/cares/page.cfm?pg=105 Center for Minority Veterans http://www1.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans/ Center for Veterans Enterprise http://www.vetbiz.gov/default2.htm Center for Women Veterans http://www1.va.gov/womenvet/ Clarification on the changes in VA healthcare for Gulf War Veterans http://www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000016.html Classified Records […]
Apply in Advance for Burial Eligibility in a VA National Cemetery VA’s new pre-need eligibility determination program allows you to find out in advance if you are eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery.This allows families to plan ahead, and streamlines access to the burial benefits that Veterans have earned through military service for […]
VA Individual Unemployability Update 04 ► No Cuts in 2018 Months after Veterans Affairs officials dropped plans for a controversial benefits cut, the families of those who would have been affected still fear they could lose thousands in monthly payouts. Confusion over the short-lived plan this week forced department leaders to issue a letter to veterans […]
VA Rating Criteria ► Review & Update | Dental and Oral Conditions If you’ve ever wondered how VA rates disabilities for compensation, you’ll be interested to know that after more than 70 years they are doing a review and update of the rating criteria for all 15 body systems. Previous updates have been done as needed, but […]
VA Burial Benefits: The VA offers two different types of Burial Benefits when a Veteran passes away- Service Connected Burial Benefit– If a Veteran passes away from a service connected condition or a presumptive condition that was not previously claimed, the VA will pay a one-time payment of $2,000. Non-Service Connected Burial Benefit– If a […]
VA Health Care Access Update 57► Tips to Reduce Wait Time Wait times at Veterans Affairs medical centers continue to be an issue. Here are a few tips to help save you time and energy as you manage your way through the VA: Schedule your appointment first thing in the morning or right after lunch. Many […]
VA Rating Criteria ► Review & Update | Dental and Oral Conditions If you’ve ever wondered how VA rates disabilities for compensation, you’ll be interested to know that after more than 70 years they are doing a review and update of the rating criteria for all 15 body systems. Previous updates have been done as needed, but […]
VA Burial Benefits: The VA offers two different types of Burial Benefits when a Veteran passes away- Service Connected Burial Benefit– If a Veteran passes away from a service connected condition or a presumptive condition that was not previously claimed, the VA will pay a one-time payment of $2,000. Non-Service Connected Burial Benefit– If a […]
Top 5 My HealtheVet Articles of 2017 VA Health Care Access Update 57► Tips to Reduce Wait Time Wait times at Veterans Affairs medical centers continue to be an issue. Here are a few tips to help save you time and energy as you manage your way through the VA: Schedule your appointment first thing […]
Sleep Update 05 ► Older Adults Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as all adults—7 to 9 hours each night. But, older people tend to go to sleep earlier and get up earlier than they did when they were younger. There are many reasons why older people may not get enough sleep at night. […]
VA Dental Benefits ► Who’s Eligible The eligibility for dental care through the VA is not the same as it is for most other medical benefits. Following is a list of the only veterans and situations where VA dental is allowable. Veterans who: Are rated 100 percent service-disabled either all their disability ratings add up to 100 percent or 100 […]
VA Benefits Eligibility Update 06 ► A Few You May Have Overlooked Any veteran who is service-connected for a disability for which he or she uses prosthetic or orthopedic appliances may receive an annual clothing allowance. VA provides pensions to low-income surviving spouses and unmarried children of deceased veterans with wartime service. A surviving spouse […]
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Veterans can now go online and order their new identification cards. WWW.VA.GOV By NIKKI WENTLING | STARS AND STRIPES Published: January 29, 2018 WASHINGTON – Veterans can again submit online applications for new identification cards through the Department of Veterans Affairs website after the system was taken down in December following rollout problems. The purpose of […]
Contact a Veterans Service Officer VSO from one of the Veteran Service Organizations recognized by the VA “CLICK HERE” http://www.benefits.va.gov/vso/varo.asp
PTSD Update 243 ► Sample Disability Claim “Pointman” Stressor Letter Most VSOs will tell that a well-crafted Stressor Letter will help immensely in providing empirical evidence needed to bolster your disability claim. So, what exactly is a Stressor Letter. A Stressor Letter is used by Veterans Affairs (VA) raters to identify potential traumatic events that […]
VA Benefits Eligibility Update 08 ► Based on Disability Rating Take a look at the eligibility matrix below to see what benefits you are eligible for based on your disability rating: Rating of 0% – 20% Certification of Eligibility for home loan guaranty. Home loan guaranty fee exemption. VA Priority medical treatment card. Vocational Rehabilitation […]
VA Accredited Representatives ► Disability Claim Assistance An accredited representative is an individual who has undergone a formal application and training process and is recognized by VA as being capable of assisting claimants with their affairs before VA. Most accredited representatives work for veteran service organizations (VSOs) many of which are private non-profit groups that […]
VA Memorial Benefits: click here
VETERANS BENEFITS Disabled Veterans Picked Up A Major Travel Benefit In The Latest Defense Bill By JARED KELLER on August 15, 2018 Buried in the $717 billion National Defense Authorization Act is a fantastic measure for disabled veterans: easier access to military flights as an escape from the horror of commercial air travel. Under the Disabled Veterans Access to […]
Many Vietnam Vets Don’t Know They Now Qualify for Agent Orange Benefits Expanded list of diseases linked to the herbicide means more veterans and their survivors qualify By David Frank – November 2, 2018 Many Vietnam veterans and their survivors may be missing out on substantial payments they are entitled to receive as a result […]
LINKS TO POSSIBLE VA CUTS IN 2019 AND MORE
VA Veteran Community Care Program ► Proposed Rules Published On 22 FEB the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the publication of a proposed regulation in the Federal Register for the new Veterans community care program, including access standards. The proposed regulation would establish new rules for the Veterans community care program required by section […]
VA Disability Claims Update 02 ► Priority Processing for Purple Heart Awardees On 26 FEB at a congressional hearing before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, VA Secretary Robert Wilkie announced that effective in April, VA will provide priority disability benefits claims processing for the initial claims from discharged […]
VA Privatization Update 16 ► We Are Not Privatizing Says VHA’s Executive In Charge Talk of the possible privatization of the Department of Veterans Affairs is a hot topic in the veterans community. But as far as Dr. Richard Stone – VA’s Executive in Charge of the Veterans Health Administration – is concerned, the department’s […]
VA Individual Unemployability Update 07 ► What It Is in plain, understandable English. Unfortunately, many veterans are too often confused about Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 100 percent disability ratings and whether or not they are allowed to secure gainful employment if rated at 100 percent. While complex, and sometimes confusing to the most experienced […]
VA Vet Choice Update 84 ► Program Eligibility Mileage Change Many veterans are unaware of recent VA changes to policies, programs and procedures that have a major effect on their benefits. For instance, to expand eligibility for the Veterans Choice Program, VA will determine eligibility for the Veterans Choice Program based on the distance between […]
VA Disability Review ► Frequently Requested to Check Severity of Disabilities A thorough review of disability examinations is often requested by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to check on the severity of a previously rated service-connected disability. VA staff use review exams, and any other relevant evidence, to assess the current severity of a […]
VA Appeals Status Tracker ► How to check the Status of Your Claim Knowing what stage of the appeals process your claim is in can help you avoid missing deadlines and better understand how the VA claims and appeals process works. Generally, there are eight steps that disability claims follow: 1) Claim Received. Your claim […]
VA Mission Act Update 11 ► Top Questions Answered On 6 JUN VA implemented changes to community care under the VA MISSION Act. The changes included expanded eligibility for community care and a new urgent care benefit. As part of our outreach and engagement efforts, the VA collected the top questions received from Veterans and […]
YOUR 2020 STATE VETERANS BENEFITS
VA Appeals Update 38: Choice, Control, Clarity: Appeals Modernization The Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) of 2017 gave Veterans a greater choice in how to disagree with a VA claim decision. Giving Veterans more choice has been a top priority for VA. Cheryl Mason, the Chairman of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, joined Ashleigh Barry on […]
VA Appeals Update 37: Progress on Resolution of Legacy Appeals The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Appeals Management Office (AMO) significantly reduced disability compensation legacy appeals inventory during the last nine months as part of the department’s long-term legacy resolution plan. This inventory includes Notices of Disagreement (NOD) and substantive appeals […]
The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has implemented a pre-need eligibility program so that veterans, spouses and unmarried dependent adult children may better prepare for burial in a VA National Cemetery prior to the time of need. Interested individuals may submit VA Form 40-10007, Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA national cemetery. The program details and the VA Form […]
VA Loan Refinancing Update 04: CARES Act Forbearance Effect on Eligibility In Loan Guaranty Circular 26-20-25, dated June 30, 2020, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) addresses the effect of a CARES Act forbearance, or some other COVID-19 credit relief, on the eligibility of a veteran for a VA purchase money or refinance loan. […]
Exercise Five Stretches to Do Everyday Every morning as you get out of bed or get off your desk in the evening, you know when you need a stretch. Now think of what this simple stretch does to your body. How it can loosen up your muscles, and you end up relieving the muscle stiffness […]
Prostate Cancer Update 18: Know Your Risk Prostate cancer is the most common type of non-skin cancer in the United States. One out of every nine men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime. Unfortunately, there usually aren’t any early warning signs for prostate cancer. The growing tumor does not push against anything to cause […]
VA Obesity Initiative Update 03: Just Released | New Overweight/Obesity Guidelines Forty-one percent of Veterans receiving care from VA have obesity. There’s a brand new eight-page booklet right here that can help bring that number down. The Management of Adult Overweight and Obesity booklet at https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Guidelines-Cover_r1.jpg provides clear and comprehensive evidence-based recommendations. The updated guidelines booklet […]
VA Appeals Update 39: What to Expect During a Board of Veterans’ Appeals Hearing If you disagree with the initial decision VA made on your claim and decide to appeal the decision to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board), you have a few different options to choose how your appeal proceeds. But many people don’t […]
