For Service to Your Country: The Insider's Guide to Veteran's Benefits Book

Foreword   Senator Bob Dole     xiii
Introduction     xv
Acknowledgments     xvi
The VA and the Veteran     1
The Foundation of American Veterans Benefits Is Set     2
World War I Marks a New Era for Vets     2
The Bonus Army Marches on Washington     3
The G.I. Bill Transforms America     5
Health Care for Veterans Is Guaranteed     6
Korean War Veterans Win Benefits     8
Vietnam War Veterans Push for Change     8
The New VA Emerges     11
The VA and Veterans Work with Congress     12
In Conclusion     13
In Times of War and Peace: Who Is Eligible for VA Benefits     14
Your Military Discharge Papers Are The Key     14
The Reason for Discharge Makes a Difference     19
If You Want to Appeal a Discharge     20
Prisoner of War Status Confers Additional Benefits     22
In Conclusion     25
In Triplicate, Please     26
Tackling a VA Form     27
Important Documents/Forms You Will Need     28
Let's Get Organized     30
Create a Home Filing System     31
Devise a Process That Works     33
If You Need to Replace Lost Documents     33
1973 Fire Destroys Military Personnel Records     41
Patience Required for Documentation Request     43
In Conclusion     43
Advocates for Vets     44
Consider Different Types of Organizations     44
VSOs Serve as Legislative Advocates     50
Step up as a Citizen Lobbyist     53
Veteran Service Officers Can Help You     53
"We've Been There-We're Here for You Now"     54
VSOs Offer Other Benefits     55
In Conclusion     55
Health Care for Veterans     56
Why the System is Struggling More Than Ever     57
DOD Issues Disability Rating     58
DOD Disability Rating Affects Payout     61
Veterans Affairs Processing Is Separate     61
Who Is Eligible for Medical Benefits?     62
Your Priority Group Affects Your Access to Care     63
Who Gets Preference?     66
Your Income May Affect Priority Group Assignment     66
You May be Reimbursed for Travel     68
VA Health Registries Monitor Toxic Exposure     69
VA Provides Dental Care     70
VA Offers Outpatient Pharmacy Services     71
VA Mental Health Care Services Are Overextended     72
VA Dispenses Special Services for the Disabled Veteran     75
VA Provides Vocational Rehabilitation Programs     76
Health Care Information Just for Women Veterans     77
VA Delivers Long-Term/Rehabilitative Care     82
VA Provides Nursing Home Care     82
In Conclusion     84
Disability and Rehabilitation     85
The VA Rating System     85
Additional Compensation Awards     88
Rehabilitation for Veterans     89
For Veterans Who Require an Independent Living Program     92
Two Job Websites of Special Interest for Disabled Veterans     93
In Conclusion     94
The Appeals Process     95
Who Handles the Appeal?     96
Three Critical Points to Remember     98
Let's Go Step-by-Step Through the Appeals Process     99
Shorter Deadlines Set for Certain Appeals     103
New Evidence to Support Your Claim and a New Clock     105
The Paperwork's Complete: When Will Your Case Be Heard?     105
Request a Personal Hearing of Your Case     107
New Clock Ticking: The 90-Day Rule      109
A Decision Is Made     110
If You Lose Your Appeal     111
You Have Two Final Appeals Options     115
In Conclusion     116
With Honor and Respect: Death Benefits Including Burial, Cemetery Plot, Honors     117
Advance Planning = Peace of Mind     117
Federal and State Agencies That Administer Cemetery Systems     118
Who Is Eligible to be Buried in a National Cemetery?     118
Burial Benefits Payout Varies     122
If You Choose to Be Buried in a National Cemetery     124
If You Choose to Be Buried in a Private Cemetery     125
If You Choose Burial at Sea     126
The Burial Flag on the Casket     126
Gravestones: VA-Approved Headstones and Markers     126
Presidential Memorial Certificate     129
Military Honors at Funerals     129
In Conclusion     130
Education Is the Key to the Future: Montgomery GI Bill     131
The History and Purpose of the Bill     131
Overview of the Program     132
What Kinds of Education Programs Can You Take?     132
Payment Schedule for Montgomery GI Bill     136
You May Be Eligible for Accelerated Payment     139
Choosing the Right Program/College     141
Are All Courses Eligible?     142
Who Is Eligible?     142
Your Contribution to MGIB-And Return on Your Investment     144
Use It or Lose It     145
Term of Service and Eligibility for MGIB     146
Kickers Add Value     147
Active-Duty Education Program Affects VA Benefit     148
How to Handle (Over-) Payments     149
Make the Grade: Punitive and Nonpunitive Grades     150
Do Grades Matter?     152
Starting Over When You're Not Making Progress     153
State Education Benefits Available to Veterans     154
In Conclusion     155
Home Ownership: Home Sweet Home with a VA Loan     156
How the Loan Program Works     156
VA Loans: Not Just for Houses     159
Who Qualifies for a VA Loan?     160
Who Else Is Eligible for a VA Loan?     163
Step-by-Step to a Home with a VA Loan     163
What Kinds of Loans Are Available?     167
The Downlow on Down Payments     169
How Vets and Non-Vets Can Buy Property Together     170
VA Offers Refinancing Options     170
Moving? Restore Your Entitlement for a New VA Loan      172
Time to Sell?     173
In Conclusion     175
Job Preference Eligibility and Entrepreneur Opportunities     176
Veterans Preference for Federal Civil Service Jobs     176
Service Determines Types of Preference     177
How Does It Work?     180
Additional Benefits for Job-Hunting Veterans     184
How to Appeal an Agency Decision     184
Veterans Preference During Reduction in Force     185
Private Sector Jobs for Veterans     187
Private Sector Programs for Veterans     189
Other Opportunities for Veterans     190
Starting Your Own Business     191
Loans for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses     193
If You Already Own a Business     194
In Conclusion     195
Those Who Also Serve: Dependents of Veterans     196
VA Provides Health Care for Your Dependents     196
How to Use CHAMPVA     198
Your Local VA Medical Center and CHAMPVA     199
If You Can't Use the CITI Program     199
Who Pays the Bill?     200
Catastrophic Cap Offers Protection     200
Where Does Medicare Fit In?     201
Other Health Insurance (OHI) Impacts CHAMPVA     202
Dependents Gain Pharmacy Coverage     203
Divorce, Property Division, and Veterans     204
Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Provides Learning Opportunities     205
Life Insurance to Protect Your Dependents     210
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Offers More Assistance     212
In Conclusion     213
VA Forms     214
Veterans Affairs Medical Centers     228
Veteran Centers by State     323
Women's Veterans Organizations and Services     346
Nursing Homes for Veterans     354
Cemeteries for Veterans (National and State)     370
Veterans Service Organizations     392
Department of Veterans Affairs by State/Territory     405
VA State Approving Agencies     412
SBA Veteran Business Development Offices     418
State Benefits and Discounts Offered to Veterans     431
Index     466