Even though mesothelioma-afflicted veterans are just as entitled to VA disability benefits as those who were wounded in battle, many struggle to get the compensation they deserve. The difficulty in obtaining VA benefits stems from the “burden of proof.” In order to qualify for benefits, a veteran must prove that their illness is related to asbestos exposure during their time of service. Because asbestos was so widely used up until the late 1970s—and because illnesses like mesothelioma may take 20 to 40 years to emerge—it can be a grueling process to pinpoint which product or application was responsible for…
NBC explains Agent Orange and the process to file a claim – Vietnam Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange Are you a Vietnam Veteran who suffers with (or the loved one of a veteran who died of) Parkinson's disease, ischemic heart condition, or a B-cell leukemia or another condition that can be linked to one of these? Did you (the veteran) or the deceased veteran serve in the Republic of Vietnam, the waterways of Vietnam, or on the Korean DMZ any time from January 9, 1962 thru May 7, 1975? Did you (the veteran), the deceased veteran, or the deceased surviving…
Senior veteran households represent 55% of the 22.7 million veterans in the United States. However, most veterans are unaware of aid and attendance benefits. We provided a free seminar on service and non-service connected pensions, recently, with over 120 people attending. Only, one veteran had heard of aid and attendance benefits, and only about 5% of qualified U.S. senior veterans are actually receiving this benefit. Veterans you need to be aware of this benefit to offset the costs of assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and home care. For more information see our previous blogs, including Most Veterans are unaware that…
Accreditation refers to the authority granted by the VA to those who meet the standards established by the VA. VA's stated purpose in requiring accreditation is to ensure that claimants for VA benefits receive "qualified assistance in preparing and presenting their claims." Firms or Individuals who are not accredited cannot offer advice to anyone on filing a claim for pension. In order to provide a consultation on a client's individual claim you must be accredited. You cannot help someone or advise someone on an application and then have the family file a claim unless you are accredited.
Qualifying veterans can receive care at VA facilities. Additionally, those 65 years old and older – and those with certain disabilities – may qualify for Medicare. The VA and Medicare offer different, yet valuable, benefits to veterans." Through the VA, eligible veterans have access to a full range of preventive outpatient and inpatient services, within the VA health care system, which includes hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, pharmacies and doctors nationwide. VA co-payments and deductibles, including the costs of prescription drugs, are generally less than Medicare. Eligibility for benefits is based on a priority system. According to the United States Department…
The VA has an array of benefits for veterans, including health, education, disability, service and non service connected benefits. If you have a pending claim or you need to verify the benefits that may be available to you, you can contact the VA directly and speak to a representative about your benefits by: Education benefits 888-442-4551 All other VA benefits 800-827-1000 Or by visiting a Veterans Affairs office and speaking to a VA representative about you VA benefits. VA facilities are in every. Call 800-827-1000 to speak with a VA representative if you need help in locating your local…
Tricare is for active duty military and their dependents. It is a Department of Defense (DOD) benefit. Tricare for Life is for retired military veterans (20 years of service or more), their dependents and for surviving spouses of soldiers killed in action. It is also a DOD benefit, but administered through a private company. CHAMPVA is a VA benefit for dependents of living veterans rated 100%, for dependents of veterans who died service connected, and for dependents of veterans who were 100% rated when they died. If you are eligible for both, Tricare for Life, is the benefit of choice, as…
Provide the VA with a statement in support of claim form (21-4138) and a copy of the death certificate when available. To stop direct deposit of benefits, the next of kin or Personal Representative of the Estate should call 1-877-838-2778 and request payments be stopped. The VA pays one month in arrears; the check for March is for the month of February. Therefore, the deceased, a single veteran with no dependents, the check for February can be kept. However, the March check needs to be returned. If the veteran was married or a dependent child, the check for the entire month…
This veteran should have filed a long time ago; therefore, the veteran needs to file IMMEDIATELY. (1) If veteran dies before the claim is awarded, is married or has a dependent child, that person must be substituted for the veteran. Therefore, the original claim can be processed. Consequently, the payment is the same as if the veteran had lived. (2) If the veteran dies without dependents, a family member may file for accrued benefits. Providing that the family member personally paid for any expenses related to the last illness and/or funeral/burial. Therefore, the VA will reimburse up to, what was paid by…
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