Veterans programs

[Patti]

Below are web-sites that provide information on Veterans benefits and how to file/ask for them. Accordingly, there are many sites that explain how to obtain books, military/medical records, information and how to appeal a denied claim with the VA.

If the links don't work, just copy and paste into your browser.


Please pass this information on to every Veteran you know. Nearly 100% of this information is free and available for all veterans, the only catch is: you have to ask for it, because they won't tell you about a specific benefit unless you ask for it. You need to know what questions to ask so the right doors open for you - and then be ready to have an advocate who is willing to work with and for you, stay in the process, and press for your rights and your best interests.
Links for Veterans

Appeals: http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/...part1/ch05.doc
Board of Veteran's Appeals: Board of Veterans' Appeals Home
CARES Commission: Board of Veterans' Appeals Home
CARES Draft National Plan: http://www1.va.gov/cares/page.cfm?pg=105
Center for Minority Veterans: Center for Minority Veterans Home
Center for Veterans Enterprise: http://www.vetbiz.gov/default2.htm
Center for Women Veterans: Center for Women Veterans Home
Clarification on the changes in VA healthcare for Gulf War Veterans: http://www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000016.html
Classified Records - American Gulf War Veterans Assoc.: http://www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum18/HTML/000011.html
Compensation for Disabilities Associated with the Gulf War Service: http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part6
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/...part6/ch07.doc
Compensation Rate Tables, 12-1-03: Compensation Rate Table - Effective 12/1/08 (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
Department of Veterans Affairs Home Page: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Directory of Veterans Service Organizations: Directory of Veterans Service Organizations - View by Chartered Organizations
Disability Examination Worksheets Index, Comp: Index of Disability Examination Worksheets (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
Due Process: http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/...part1/ch02.doc
Duty to Assist: http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/...part1/ch01.doc
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: GPO Home Page
Emergency, Non-emergency, and Fee Basis Care: http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf
Environmental Agents: Hazardous Exposures - Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards
Environmental Agents M10: http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/V...sp?pub_ID=1002
Establishing Combat Veteran Eligibility: http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/V...asp?pub_ID=315
EVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR GULF WAR AND IRAQI FREEDOM VETERANS WITH POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM (DU): Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses - Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards and http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/V...sp?pub_ID=1158
See also, Depleted Uranium Fact Sheet: Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses - Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards
EVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR NON-GULF WAR VETERANS WITH POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM (DU): Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses - Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards
Fee Basis, PRIORITY FOR OUTPATIENT MEDICAL SERVICES AND INPATIENT HOSPITAL CARE: http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/V...asp?pub_ID=206
Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependants 2005: http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf OR, Redirect
Forms and Records Request: VA Forms
General Compensation Provisions: http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/tit...haptervi_.html
Geriatrics and Extended Care: Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care Home
Guideline for Chronic Pain and Fatigue MUS-CPG: http://www.oqp.med..va.gov/cpg/cpgn/mus/mus_base.htm
Guide to Gulf War Veteran's Health: Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses - Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards
Gulf War Subject Index: Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses - Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards and Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses - Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards
Gulf War Veteran's Illnesses Q&As: Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses - Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards
Hearings: http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admi - http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/...part1/ch04.doc
Homeless Veterans: Homeless Veterans Home
HSR&D Home: VA Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D)
Index to Disability Examination Worksheets C&P exams: Index of Disability Examination Worksheets (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
Ionizing Radiation: http://www1.va.gov/irad/
Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom Veterans VBA: http://www.vba.va..gov/EFIF/
M10 for spouses and children: http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/V...sp?pub_ID=1007 - http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/V...sp?pub_ID=1007
M10 Part III Change 1: http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/V...sp?pub_ID=1008
M21-1 Table of Contents: VBA M21-1 (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
Mental Disorders, Schedule of Ratings: http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38C...RT4/S4_130.DOC
Mental Health Program Guidelines: http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/V...sp?pub_ID=1094
Ment al Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers: http://www.mirecc.med.va.gov/
MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Centers of Excellence: http://www.va.gov/ms/about.asp
My Health e Vet: My HealtheVet - The Gateway to Veteran Health and Wellness
NASDVA.COM National Association of State Directors: National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA)
National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: http://www.nchpdp.med.va.gov/postdeploymentlinks.asp
Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders, Schedule of Ratings: http://www.warms.vba..va.gov/regs/38.../s4%5F124a.doc - http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38c...t4/s4_124a.doc
OMI (Office of Medical Inspector): http://www.omi.cio.med.va.gov/
Online VA Form 10-10EZ: https://www..1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/
Parkinson's Disease and Related Neurodegenerative Disorders: http://www1.va.gov/resdev/funding/so...parkinsons.pdf and, http://www1.va.gov/padrecc/
Peacetime Disability Compensation: http://frwebgate..access.gpo.gov/cgi...ame=browse_usc - http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-...ite:+38USC1131
Pension for Non-Service-Connected Disability or Death: http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/tit...chapteri_.html and, http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/tit...hapterii_.html and, http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/tit...apteriii_.html
Persian Gulf Registry: http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/V...sp?pub_ID=1003
This program is now referred to as Gulf War Registry Program (to include Operation Iraqi Freedom) as of March 7, 2005: http://www1..va.gov/vhapublications/...sp?pub_ID=1232
Persian Gulf Registry Referral Centers: http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/V...sp?pub_ID=1006
Persian Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Research 1999, Annual Report To Congress
http://www1.va.gov/resdev/1999_Gulf_...Appendices.doc
Persian Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Research 2002, Annual Report To Congress: http://www1.va.gov/resdev/prt/gulf_w...lfWarRpt02.pdf
Phase I PGR: http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/V...sp?pub_ID=1004
Phase II PGR: http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/V...sp?pub_ID=1005
Policy Manual Index: Directive Management Services Webpage
Power of Attorney: http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/...part1/ch03.doc
Project 112 (Including Project SHAD): http://www1.va.gov/shad/
Prosthetics Eligibility: http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/V...asp?pub_ID=337
Public Health and Environmental Hazards Home Page: http://www.vethealth.cio.med.va.gov/
Public Health/SARS: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/SARS/
Publications Manuals: http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/p...ons..cfm?Pub=4
Publications and Reports: http://www1.va.gov/resdev/prt/pubs_i...e=gulf_war.htm
Records Center and Vault Homepage: http://www.aac.va.gov/vault/default.html
Records Center and Vault Site Map: http://www.aac.va.gov/vault/sitemap.html
REQUEST FOR AND CONSENT TO RELEASE OF INFORMATION FROM CLAIMANT'S RECORDS: VA Forms
Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses April 11, 2002: http://www1.va.gov/rac-gwvi/docs/Min...pril112002.doc
Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses: http://www1.va.gov/rac-gwvi/docs/Rep...tions_2004.pdf
Research and Development: Page Not Found
Survivor's and Dependents' Educational Assistance: http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/tit...apter35_..html

Title 38
Index
Parts 0-17
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations:

Part 18
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&c=ecfr&tp l=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv2_02.tpl>
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations:

Title 38
Part 3 Adjudication
Subpart A, Pension, Compensation, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation:

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations:
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations:

Title 38
Pensions, Bonuses & Veterans Relief
(also 3.317 Compensation for certain disabilities due to undiagnosed illnesses found here):

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-

Title 38
PART 4 - SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES
Subpart B - DISABILITY RATINGS
target=_blank>
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations:
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations:

Title 38
4.16 Total disability ratings for compensation based on unemployability of the individual.
PART 4, SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES
Subpart A, General Policy in Rating
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textidx?c=ecfr
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations:
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations:

U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims: This site has moved...
VA Best Practice Manual for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): http://www.avapl.org/pub/PTSD%20Manual%20final%206.pdf
VA Fact Sheet: http://www1.va.gov/opa/fact/gwfs.html
VA Health Care Eligibility: http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/home/hecmain.asp
VA INSTITUTING GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTION (GAF): http://www.avapl.org/gaf/gaf.html
VA Life Insurance Handbook, Chapter 3: http://www.insurance.va.gov/inForceG...letch3.htm#310
VA Loan Lending Limits and Jumbo Loans: VA Loan Lending Limits and VA Jumbo Loans
VA MS Research: http://www.va.gov/ms/about.asp
VA National Hepatitis C Program: Clinical Public Health Programs: Hepatitis C (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
VA Office of Research and Development: Our Domain Name Has Changed
VA Trainee Pocket Card on Gulf War: Gulf War Health Issues Readings - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA WMD EMSHG: Emergency Management Strategic Health Care Group Home
VA WRIISC-DC: http://www.va.gov/WRIISC-DC/
VAOIG Hotline Telephone Number and Address: http://www.va.gov/oig/hotline/hotline3.htm
Vet Center Eligibility - Readjustment Counseling Service: Vet Center Home
Veterans Benefits Administration Main Web Page: Redirect to Benefits Home Page
Veterans Legal and Benefits Information: http://valaw.org/
VHA Forms, Publications, Manuals: http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/
VHA Programs - Clinical Programs & Initiatives: http://www1.va.gov/health_benefits/page.cfm?pg=13
VHA Public Health Strategic Health Care Group Home Page: Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards Home
VHI Guide to Gulf War Veterans**(tm) Health: http://www1.va.gov/vhi_ind_study/gul...tudy/index.asp
Vocational Rehabilitation: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service Home Page
Vocational Rehabilitation Subsistence: http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/InterSubsistencefy04.doc
VONAPP online: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Veterans Online Application System (VONAPP)
WARMS - 38 CFR Book C: VBA 38 CFR Book C (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
Wartime Di sability Compensation: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-...ame=browse_usc - http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite:+38USC1110 > &docid=Cite:+38USC1110
War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center - New Jersey: VA New Jersey War Related Illness and Injury Study Center - War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC)
Welcome to the GI Bill Web Site: Welcome to the GI Bill Website - U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs
What VA Social Workers Do: http://www1.va.gov/socialwork/page.cfm?pg=3
WRIISC Patient Eligibility: http://www.illegion.org/va1.html

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Ram Rod]

Great info! I have yet to ask or require services from my government post commitment. But I may in the future. Thank you.

[MR D]

good info

thanks...

I am 0% rated for two service connected = free care for those

[wpage]

Worth bumping up. Great info.

[C9H13NO3]

Great info! Worth a sticky?

[Alf87]

I agree on making it a sticky. I'm rated at 70% and have used a lot of those resources already and will most likely need to use them again in the future.

Thanks for posting them.

[Old Sarge]

I too, like Mr. D, am rated "less than 10%", which means ZERO compensation. Have never bothered to pursue it, and just let it lie. Can see now, it'd almost be a worthless battle. At my age, I'll be long gone, before the VA would compensate me.

[ScubaDuba]

I'm rated 20% with re-eval in 5 years. My buddy has the same injuries as me, and he got 70%.

[Alf87]

I attached the link below to CFR 38 part 4. When I took my TAPS class before I retired the VA rep who taught us for 1 day worked in Oklahoma as one of the approvers for VA disabilities. He told all of us that this was the bible for all VA disabilities and what the ratings are for diagnosed conditions. If it's not a listed condition within this CFR 38 Part 4 then the VA does not recognize it. He also said to be sure that any medical problems we may have to be diagnosed with an exact name.

I used this info by matching my medical records diagnoses with conditions listed in this CFR. Long story short, I submitted 13 diagnoses (all were documented in med records) listed within the CFR and all were approved as service related. 7 were assigned with a rating of 10% and higher and the other 6 were approved service related but rated at 0%. The real kicker about this is, it only took 2 months and 3 days from submitting my request to the VA before I got my disability rating. I attribute this by making sure I used the exact language (exact diagnosis) from CFR 38 part 4 and ensured I tagged the pages of my medical records supporting my submittal.

I really appreciate what that VA rep taught us because it sure made my VA disability approval process go smooth. Anyways, hope this link can help someone out there.


Electronic Code of Federal Regulations:

[ArmyCop]

Whoa, that's a wealth of information there. Thanks for posting.

[Blue Jacket]

I was looking for info on Agent Orange disabilities during the Vietnam war. Couldn't find anything from the list. Did I miss it? Nonetheless, thanks for sharing. Great sources.

[Alf87]

Blue Jacket, Have you seen the agent orange site at the link below? Not sure if that's what you're looking for.

Agent Orange - Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards

[mangy]

Check out VA Watchdog.org , read that site every night. Jim Strickland has a lot of good info. I was in the USAF 1960-1967, in 1961 I had a head injury and was in a coma for three days. In 1971 I had a series of seizures. I filed my first claim in 1971 and was given 0 %. 6 years ago I had some skin problems and thought it might be agent orange. I put in a claim and now am at 80%. The VA has treated me very well in every respect. The VFW helped me with my claims and would recommend them.

[Blue Jacket]

Thanks Alf87 for the site. I'll pass it to my friend who was in TET and has kidney cancer and other medical conditions due to agent orange exposure.

[Charlie8D]

Thanks for posting the above links for others.
Disabled Nam Vet.

Here is a link to the informative site;

VA Watchdog dot Org -- Home Page - Keeping an eye on the VA because somebody has to!