The various benefits and provided services to veterans
A history of creating methods to care for disabled veterans can date back to 1636
during the original colonies. Throughout the years and its establishment, the Department of
Veterans Affairs has developed into an organization that provides necessary benefits to
military men and women currently serving, who have previously served and those who paid
the ultimate sacrifice to their country with their life. There are basic eligibility requirements
for service members to receive benefits. The service member must have completed military
service with a minimum of 24 months and was “released under conditions other than
honorable” (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2018) qualifies for VA benefits. However,
there are other stipulations a service member may encounter that will not meet the required
qualification and are still eligible, such as an early release due to getting hurt in the line of
duty as well as being released due to hardship (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2018).
The various benefits provided to qualifying service members depends on the kind and
services as it relates to each. Nevertheless, listed are a few services that are available.
Medical and Dental, Disability Compensation, Home Loans, Life Insurance, Burial and
memorials, Education and Training as well as “Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment”
(U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2018). A significant factor to consider is when and how
to apply. The VA established a user-friendly website called eBenefits which a full-service
database which provides resources to a service member or veteran to gain access to their
service history. The database allows for online registration as well as the ability to apply for
claims and upload supporting documents. If help is needed, they have three options for
assistance such as online, by phone or if you are located near a facility you can go in person
and a certified representative will guide you through processing your claims in each of the
described categories (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2018).
To illustrate the benefits afforded to our armed forces, I will first examine Medical
benefits. Each year the VA provides health care for 9 million veterans in 1240 facilities. To
determine which level of service veterans will receive a financial assessment is required
which they call a means test. This test will assess the financial requirement a veteran is
obligated to pay if any based on their household income. The means test is a bylaw provision
and needed by all veterans seeking health care (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2018).
However, this does not eliminate the free services the VA provides to the veterans who
are unable to afford care or are in a category of a disability rating of 50 percent or more that is
service connected. That is why it is imperative for a service member to document all line of
duty issues which could make them eligible for free or lower care cost from the VA (U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs, 2018). Depending on injuries obtained or worsened during
active duty will determine a service members eligibility for disability compensation which is a
"tax free monetary benefit" (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2018). Other tax-free
disability compensation entitlements are "Dependency and Indemnity Compensation" and
"Special Monthly Compensation” (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2018). DIC is payable
to the surviving active duty families, and the SMC includes the disabled veteran with specific
provocations based on the need for additional services for care.
Additionally, "Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment" (U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs, 2018) benefits the disabled service member as well. This program allows for
training, coaching, and accommodations that are specific to the service members, not letting
their disability control where they can work yet providing an opportunity to continue to serve
as a civilian.
Moreover, home loans are another benefit afforded to veterans which comes with
affordable plans as well as grants such as "Adapted Housing Grants" and "Specially Adapted
Housing grant" (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2018) to assist disabled veterans to adapt
their home to their disabilities that are service connected. To qualify one must obtain their
eligibility certificate, which they can obtain from the eBenefits website. Since eligible service
members may receive, a guaranteed VA loan, private lenders are more prone to provide better
terms. (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2018).
Additionally, the VA provides education benefits that are beneficial for current
members of the armed forces, those who have served and are eligible and family members.
The G.I. bill has four chapters 30,32,35 and 1606 and depending on your service
commitments will determine your qualifying chapter. Due to Tuition Assistance, available for
active service members those who are currently serving can wait to use their G.I. bill after
they leave service or use a portion to assist with additional school cost. The other programs
that are somewhat new are the yellow ribbon program and post-9/11. No matter which
educational benefits a service member is qualified for they may transfer their benefits to their
children (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2018).
Finally, the closing chapter in any service members life would be death, and each
service member who has served their country and discharged under honorable conditions are
eligible for “military funeral honors” (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2018) by law
excluding the cost. This mandated service is to pay respect to their faithful and honorable
service they rendered to their duty. Determining their preference service members are eligible
for either a headstone or foot marker and maybe place in any of the available national
cemeteries to include their spouses and dependents having the availability to be interned with
their service member. A burial flag is also provided to the service member and presented to
the next-of-kin (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2018) in memory of the service of their
loved ones. Beside what will be granted for free to the family if the family uses private
funeral services some fees will apply. Besides what will be provided for free to the family, if
the family uses private funeral services some fees will apply.
References
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2018, March 15). Retrieved from www.va.gov:
https://www.va.gov
