Frequently Asked Questions

Reserve Components

A member of a Reserve component who serves on active duty on or after September 11, 2001 under title 10 United States Code for contingency operation and who serves at least 90 consecutive days or more is eligible for Chapter 1607.

National Guard Members

National Guard members also are eligible if their active duty is under section 502 (f), title 32 USC. and they serve for 90 consecutive days when authorized by the President or Secretary of Defense for a national emergency and is supported by federal funds. Individuals are eligible as soon as they reach the 90 day point whether or not they are currently on active duty. DoD will fully identify contingency operations that qualify for benefits under chapter 1607.

Disabled Members

Disabled members who are injured or have an illness or disease incurred or aggravated in the line of duty and are released from active duty before completing 90 consecutive days are also eligible.

For additional information, please call 1-888-442-4551.

This program provides financial aid for the education of a dependent or surviving son, daughter, or spouse of a veteran with a 100% permanent and total service connected disability who dies from any cause, a service person missing in action, or a veteran who is permanently and totally disabled as a result of a service connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.

New Category

A new category effective December 23, 2006 includes a veteran who has a service connected permanent and total disability; and at the time of Veteran's Affair's determination is a member of the Armed Forces who is hospitalized or is receiving outpatient medical care, services, or treatment; and is likely to be discharged or released from service fro this service connected disability. 

For additional information, please call 1-888-442-4551.

The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment programs has two key goals.

• First, to assist the service-disabled veteran to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment.
• Second, for those persons who are severely disabled and that gainful employment is not an option, assistance may be provided to allow that person to live more independently in his or her community.

For additional information, please call 1-888-442-4551.

Any veteran with a compensable disability rating of 10% or more is invited to file application for Vocational rehabilitation by completing Veteran's Affairs form 28-1900 and submitting it to your local Veteran's Affairs Office. Once the application is filed, an appointment will be scheduled for you to discuss your educational plans, test your aptitude, interests and abilities as well as review the nature of your disability and how it affects your ability to gain employment.

A decision of your entitlement to the benefit will be rendered after the counseling appointment. For additional information, please call 1-888-442-4551.

Veteran's Affairs guaranteed loans are made by private lenders, such as banks, savings and loans, or mortgage companies to eligible veterans for the purchase of a home which must be for their own personal occupancy. The guaranty means the lender is protected against loss if you or a later owner fail to repay the loan. The guaranty replaces the protection the lender normally received by requiring a down payment allowing you to obtain favorable financing terms.

While most veterans must be enrolled to receive Veteran's Affairs (VA) health care, some veterans are exempt from enrollment requirements due to meeting special eligibility criteria. If you fall into one of the following categories, you are not required to enroll:

• Less than one year has passed since you were discharged for a disability that the military determined Was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, but that VA has not yet rated
  
• VA has rated you with a service-connected disability of 50% or more
• You are seeking care for a VA-rated service connected condition only

If the services are provided for the treatment of a condition that may be related to your military service, you will not be charged any co-payments. This benefit is limited to a two year period following military discharge.

You will, however, be subject to means testing (and co-payments, if applicable) for care of any condition clearly not related to your military service such as a broken limb or a problem that existed prior to entering service.

To qualify for hearing aids and eyeglasses, you must have a service connected disability rating of 10% or more. You may also qualify if you are a former prisoner of war or are receiving increased pension based on your need for regular aid and attendance or being permanently housebound.

To qualify for routine non-Veteran's Affairs (VA) care at VA expense (otherwise know as fee-basis care), you must first be given specific authorization. Included among the factors in determining whether such care will be authorized is your medical condition and availability of VA services within your geographic area.

You are eligible if the non-Veteran's Affairs (VA) emergency care is for a service connected condition, or if enrolled, you have been provided care by a VA clinician or provider within the past 24 months and have no other coverage or ability to pay for the services. Also, it must be determined that VA health facilities were not feasibly available, that a delay in medical attention would have endangered your life or health, and that you are personally liable for the cost of the services. You then have 48 hours to notify hours to notify the VA. As soon as your condition is stable, transfer to a VA facility should be arranged.

You may qualify for beneficiary travel payments if you fall into one of the following categories:

• You are traveling for a scheduled compensation or pension exam
• You are traveling for treatment of a service connected condition
• You have a service-connected rating of 30% or more
• You receive a Veteran's Affairs (VA) pension
• Your household income does not exceed the maximum annual VA pension rate
• Your medical condition requires an ambulance or a specially equipped van, you are unable to defray the cost, and the travel is pre-authorized (authorization is not required for emergencies if a delay would endanger your life or health