NOTE: DEVELOPERS, UNLESS YOU WANT TO
PAY FOR THIS PAGE/SITE, DO NOT CONTACT ME TO OFFER YOUR SERVICES. I DO NOT WANT
THEM!!!!!! PLEASE DO NOT SPAM MY INBOX OR MY PHONE NUMBER. I WOULD NOT DO IT TO
YOU, PLEASE DO NOT DO IT TO ME.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Last Updated: 25 Jun 2025
---------------------------------------------------------------
This page/site describes the VA
disability process for veterans as well as providing additional veteran
information:
Hello, my name is Ted Hannock and I’m a United States Air Force (USAF) Desert
Storm Gulf War 100% Permanent & Total (P&T) NON-Retired Disabled
Veteran (DV) that spent 4.6 years on active duty and 3.6 years in the New York
Air National Guard (NYANG) between 4 Sep 1987 and 10 Nov 1995. I started this
page/site as a text file on my laptop while I went through the VA disability
process and thought other veterans could learn from my experience. As such, I
maintain this page/site as a basic flat asci text file broken into sections by
dashed lines. Nothing fancy. In fact, I’ve had folks refer to this format as a
Drudge Report style. I added embedded URLs for easy browsing. As I learn more
info, I will add the info to this page/site. If you have something you think I
need to add, please e-mail me at thannock@yahoo.com
and I will listen and get it added to the page/site. I really hope this
information helps you.
NOTE: This page/site is updated
regularly as I learn/add information.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Quick Links Inside This Page/Site:
VA – Two Headed Monster:
Veteran Service Officer (VSO):
VA Diagnosis Code/Issue Lookup:
What is a VA NEXUS Letter?
Two Types of VA Claims:
VA Standard Claim Process:
VA Presumptive Conditions Information:
VA Primary and Secondary Disability Ratings:
VA Claim Escalation -
Supplemental Claim/Higher-Level Review/Board Appeal:
Filing a Supplemental Claim
Requesting the Impairment/Illness/Issue to be Considered a Secondary Disability
Rating after Initially Filing the Impairment/Illness/Issue as a Primary
Disability Rating and Being Denied:
VA Disability Rates:
VA Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
Rates:
VA Priority Groups:
Obtaining your Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) and va.gov
account/profile:
The VA Disability PROCESS is Just That, a PROCESS. Follow
the PROCESS and Be PATIENT:
What to do if you are still on Active Duty or Active
Guard and Reserve (AGR):
Congress Veteran's Act of 2020:
100% Permanent & Total (P&T) Disabled Veteran (DV):
Shop My Exchange:
GA Veteran Driver’s License:
GA Military License Plates:
GA Disabled Veteran (DV) Military License Plates:
GA Property Taxes - Homestead Exemption W5:
VA Rating Math:
VA Static Rating:
Terminally Ill Veteran Information:
Deceased Veteran Information:
VA Survivor Benefits/Pension/Dependency and
Indemnity Compensation (DIC):
VA Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of
Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA):
VA Aid and Attendance (A&A):
VA Home Loan and Funding Fee:
Hearing Aid Information:
VA Service Connected Cancer Diagnosis:
---------------------------------------------------------------
VA - Two Headed
Monster:
First before we start, one of the most important things to always remember
about the VA is that the VA is a Two Headed Monster!!!!
What I mean by this is the VA is split into two sides:
1) Claims (ie
Officially Named Veterans Benefits
Administration (VBA)):
a) Determines a veteran's eligibility
b) Determines the veteran's disability rating
c) Responsible for the entire veteran's disability process
d) Most importantly, this can/is usually the most frustrating side of the VA
that the veteran deals with
e) Claims is allowed to take whatever it wants from anywhere to make a decision
on a claim (ie including taking from VA Healthcare)
f) Think of Claims as Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory -
Daddy, I want it now and you can't say NO!!!!
2) Healthcare (ie
Officially Named VA Healthcare):
a) Once the veteran is rated and deemed eligible for VA Healthcare services by
the Claims side, then the veteran is entered into the VA Healthcare System
b) Healthcare is just that, Healthcare - ZERO claims, ratings, etc. Just
Healthcare
c) Unlike the Claims side, Healthcare can NOT take from the Claims side
---------------------------------------------------------------
Veteran Service Officer
(VSO):
You will need to find a Veteran
Service Officer to represent you. I
used the local VFW Officer (ie Michael Churchill) on
Ft. Stewart.
Michael Churchill
National Pre-Discharge Claims Representative, NVS
1145 Niles Avenue, Building 4973, Room 120
Fort Stewart, GA 31324
United States of America
mchurchill@vfw.org
Office: +1 (571) 801-6950
Mobile: +1 (912) 492-8050
VA Accreditation Number: 21288
FYI, Michael is AWESOME!!!! Just a heads up.
For
the VSO to represent the veteran, the veteran along with the VSO must fill out VA Form 21-22a
(Appointment of Individual As Claimant’s Representative).
---------------------------------------------------------------
VA Diagnosis
Code/Issue Lookup:
All
VA Diagnosis Codes/Issues can be researched online via the Electronic Code of
Federal Regulations (e-CFR) under Title 38 – Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans’
Relief (ie 38 CFR). The Cornell Law School publicly shares
the entire 38 CFR for
everyone to view/read.
To
search all VA Diagnosis Codes/Issues either by Name or Diagnosis Code/Issue, go
to either 38
CFR Appendix B to Subpart B of Part 4 – Numerical Index of Disabilities or 38 CFR
Appendix C to Subpart B of Part 4 – Alphabetical Index of Disabilities. Once
you figure out the VA Diagnosis Code/Issue of Interest, you can then follow the
instructions below to see the VA Diagnosis Code/Issue breakdown.
Example 1: Hypertension – VA
Diagnosis Code 7101
Example 2: Hemorrhoids – VA
Diagnosis Code 7336
Example 3: Planter Fasciitis
– VA Diagnosis Code 5269
When
looking for VA Diagnosis Codes/Issues of Interest, go to the following URL:
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/part-4/subpart-B
Next, scroll down and select the respective Schedule of Ratings – XXXXXX (ie XXXXXX = eye, ear, cardiovascular system, digestive
system, etc.) URL that relates to the VA Diagnosis Code/Issue of Interest.
Example 1: Hypertension –
Diagnosis Code 7101
Select
4.104 Schedule of
Ratings – cardiovascular system, once the page opens, all of the VA
Diagnosis Codes/Issues are displayed. It's super easy to read.
Simply
scroll down to the VA Diagnosis Code/Issue of Interest (ie
7101 Hypertensive vascular disease
(hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension:) and you will next see the
individual ratings per severity (ie percent value on the right-hand side of
each definition) and then notes below the definitions):
*******************************************
7101 Hypertensive vascular disease
(hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension):
Diastolic pressure
predominantly 130 or more 60
Diastolic pressure
predominantly 120 or more 40
Diastolic pressure
predominantly 110 or more, or; systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more 20
Diastolic pressure
predominantly 100 or more, or; systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, or;
minimum evaluation for an individual with a history of diastolic pressure
predominantly 100 or more who requires continuous medication for control 10
Note (1): Hypertension or isolated
systolic hypertension must be confirmed by readings taken two or more times on
at least three different days. For purposes of this section, the term
hypertension means that the diastolic blood pressure is predominantly 90mm. or
greater, and isolated systolic hypertension means that the systolic blood
pressure is predominantly 160mm. or greater with a diastolic blood pressure of less
than 90mm.
Note (2): Evaluate hypertension due to
aortic insufficiency or hyperthyroidism, which is usually the isolated systolic
type, as part of the condition causing it rather than by a separate evaluation.
Note (3): Evaluate hypertension
separately from hypertensive heart disease and other types of heart disease.
*******************************************
Example 2: Hemorrhoids – VA
Diagnosis Code 7336
Select
4.114 Schedule of
Ratings – digestive system, once the page opens, all of the VA Diagnosis
Codes/Issues are displayed. It's super easy to read.
Simply
scroll down to the VA Diagnosis Code/Issue of Interest (ie
7336 Hemorrhoids, external or internal:) and you will next see the
individual ratings per severity (ie percent value on the right-hand side of
each definition) and then notes below the definitions):
*******************************************
7336 Hemorrhoids, external or
internal:
Internal or external
hemorrhoids with persistent bleeding and anemia; or continuously prolapsed
internal hemorrhoids with three or more episodes per year of thrombosis 20
Prolapsed internal hemorrhoids
with two or less episodes per year of thrombosis; or external hemorrhoids with
three or more episodes per year of thrombosis 10
*******************************************
Example 3: Planter Fasciitis
– VA Diagnosis Code 5269
Select
4.71a Schedule of
Ratings – musculoskeletal system, once the page opens, all of the VA
Diagnosis Codes/Issues are displayed. It's super easy to read.
Simply
scroll down to the VA Diagnosis Code/Issue of Interest (ie
5269 Plantar fasciitis:) and you will next see the individual ratings per
severity (ie percent
value on the right-hand side of each definition)
and then notes below the definitions):
*******************************************
5269 Plantar fasciitis:
No relief from both
non-surgical and surgical treatment, bilateral 30
No relief from both
non-surgical and surgical treatment, unilateral 20
Otherwise, unilateral
or bilateral 10
Note (1): With actual loss of use of the
foot, rate 40 percent
Note (2): If a veteran has been
recommended for surgical intervention, but is not a surgical candidate,
evaluate under the 20 percent or 30 percent criteria, whichever is applicable
*******************************************
All
VA Diagnosis Codes/Issues are displayed for the reader to view/read and fully
understand. This is EXTREMELY helpful for veterans looking to build their case
for their individual VA Diagnosis Code/Issue rating.
---------------------------------------------------------------
What is a VA NEXUS
Letter?
In the VA's mind, a NEXUS Letter is your corroborating evidence that the VA
Diagnosis Code/Issue is Service-Connected.
This evidence can be documented within your service medical records, it
can be a battle buddy's statement of when the VA Diagnosis Code/Issue happened
or any other form of evidence that connects the VA Diagnosis Code/Issue to your
time in service.
Great
theSITREP NEXUS Letter YouTube video:
What is a NEXUS Letter for
VA Disability? | VA Claim for Service-Connection | theSITREP
---------------------------------------------------------------
Two Types of VA
Claims:
Standard Claim: This is the standard
claim process that I will explain next.
Fully Developed Claim (FDC): This is where you have all the evidence (ie medical records/etc) to fully
support your claim and the FDC is an expedited process that bypasses the
Standard Claim process.
This short YouTube video explains the
difference of a FDC vs. Standard Claim:
VA's Fully Developed Claims Program: The Fastest Way to Get Your
Compensation Claim Processed
Great theSITREP Fully Developed Claim
YouTube Video:
Filing a Claim for VA Service-Connection? | Fully Developed Claim | VA
Disability | theSITREP
---------------------------------------------------------------
VA Standard
Claim Process:
Remember, for every Standard Claim you submit, the process is:
1) Figure out your issue you are claiming for (ie you
can even look up the VA Diagnosis Code/Issue prior using the tools above)
2) Submit the claim with your Veteran Service Officer (VSO) or online yourself.
The veteran will fill out VA Form 21-526EZ (Application for Disability Compensation and Related
Compensation Benefits)
3) VA will schedule a Compensation & Pension (C&P) Exam for your claim
4) You attend the C&P exam and present all of your corroborating evidence
that the issue is Service-Connected (ie NEXUS Letter)
and the C&P Examiner will exam your issue and document it
- When you have your C&P exam, DO
NOT do the exam on your best day as it does NOT define your normal daily issue
- Do not exaggerate your issue, but
be honest with yourself and the examiner about your issue on a daily basis
5) Your claim will then go back to your VA Regional Office (ie
Atlanta for me) to get a decision made
This is a PROCESS that takes time. Just be patient and follow the process.
Great VA Claims Insider YouTube Video on
how to file a claim:
How to File a VA Claim on
the NEW VA.gov Website (Step-By-Step Tutorial!)
The following
URL is the official How to File a VA Disability Claim (ie
what I just described about for you):
https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/
---------------------------------------------------------------
VA Presumptive Conditions Information:
The VA Presumptive Conditions (ie based on Campaign Area of Responsibility (AOR)) common
issues (ie If the VA Diagnosis Code/Issue is
considered presumptive, the NEXUS Letter requirement is not required)):
https://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/serviceconnected/presumption.pdf
The VA PACT Act of 2022:
https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/
What I would do first, read the VA Presumptive Conditions and PACT Act of 2022
and any issues you agree you have, start a list of all of the VA Diagnosis
Codes/Issues
Next look up each VA Diagnosis Code/Issue so you can see each Definition/Rating
per VA Diagnosis Code/Issue
Add that to your list
Next, think about other issues that you have since leaving active duty, add
them to the list as well as the VA Diagnosis Code/Issue for each
Once you have all of this data compiled, then schedule an appointment with your
VSO so that he/she can take all of your VA Diagnosis Codes/Issues and process a
claim for you. This will get the process started.
Great
theSITREP Presumptive Condition YouTube Videos:
---------------------------------------------------------------
VA Primary
and Secondary Disability Ratings:
VA Primary Disability Rating:
A VA Primary Disability Rating is a rating that is a direct result of your
Service Connected Impairment/Illness/Issue during your time in service.
An example for me:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - 30% Rating – VA Diagnosis Code 7319 (ie Presumptive Condition due to the Gulf War)
VA Secondary Disability Rating:
A VA Secondary Disability Rating is a rating that is a subsequent
Impairment/Illness/Issue as a result/cause and effect of a VA Primary
Disability even if the VA Secondary Disability occurred after you separated
from service.
An example for me:
Considering I have a VA Primary Disability Rating
for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), I submitted and was approved for the
following two VA Secondary Disability Ratings caused/linked to my VA Primary
Disability Rating for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS):
Hemorrhoids - 20% Rating – VA Diagnosis Code 7336
Rectum and anus, impairment of sphincter control - 60% Rating – VA Diagnosis
Code 7332
---------------------------------------------------------------
VA Claim Escalation - Supplemental
Claim/Higher-Level Review/Board Appeal:
Once the VA adjudicates (ie
makes a decision) on a claim, if the veteran does not
agree with the decision, the VA has a claim escalation process to appeal the
decision.
Supplemental
Claim:
This is the first step in the escalation
process. The veteran will fill out VA Form 20-0995
(Decision Review Request: Supplemental Claim). If the veteran does not
agree with the decision (ie not service-connected,
not rated high enough (ie VA rated at 10% vs. 30%),
the VA Adjudicator did not consider the correct veteran evidence), the veteran
can file a Supplemental Claim to appeal the decision. If the veteran files the Supplemental Claim
within 1 year of the decision letter date, as an outcome of the Supplemental
Claim, the VA “rules” in favor of the veteran and say increases the rating from
10% to 30%, the VA will backpay the difference to the Initial Claim date.
However, if the veteran files the Supplemental Claim post the 1 year of the
decision letter and the VA “rules” in favor of the veteran and say increases
the rating from 10% to 30%, the VA will backpay the difference to the
Supplemental Claim date vs. the Initial Claim date. If the veteran believes the
VA Adjudicator did not consider the correct veteran evidence or if the veteran
has additional evidence to add to the claim, the veteran needs to fill out VA Form 21-4138 (Statement
In Support of Claim) and upload it to your va.gov profile.
Higher-Level
Review:
This is the second step in the escalation process. The veteran
will fill out VA
Form 20-0996 (Decision Review Request: Higher-Level Review). If the veteran
does not agree with the decision after the Supplemental Claim decision is
rendered or say the veteran believes the VA Adjudicator or C&P Examiner did
NOT refer to VA
Form 21-4138 (Statement In Support of Claim) to make their decision or the
veteran believes an error was made in the processing of the claim, the Veteran
can ask for a Higher-Level Review. However, the veteran can NOT add additional
evidence to support their claim at this level. The Higher-Level Review
generally is escalated to the VA’s senior adjudicators for a rather quick
decision.
Board
Appeal:
This is the last step in the escalation
process. The veteran will fill out VA Form 10182 (Decision
Review Request: Board Appeal (Notice of Disagreement)). If the veteran does
not agree with the decision even after the Higher-Level Review, they can ask
for a VA Board Appeal to directly argue their case.
VA Official
URL for Claim Escalations:
VA
decision reviews and appeals
Great
theSITREP VA Higher-Level Review & Supplemental Claim YouTube Video:
Receive an Unfair
Rating for VA Disability? VA Higher Level Review & Supplemental Claim |
theSITREP
Great VA
Higher-Level Review YouTube Video:
---------------------------------------------------------------
Filing a Supplemental Claim Requesting the
Impairment/Illness/Issue to be Considered a Secondary Disability Rating after
Initially Filing the Impairment/Illness/Issue as a Primary Disability Rating
and Being Denied:
First, remember that it’s usually easier to get a
Secondary vs. Primary Disability Rating approved. In this case, say you filed
for GERD as a Primary Disability Rating and were denied for whatever
reason. You do a lot of research and
figure out that GERD is a known side effect of XXX drug that you are
taking/prescribed for your primary disability rated issue XXXXX. Through your research, you capture various
URLs as evidence to support your Secondary Disability Rating. When you file the Supplemental Claim for the
Secondary Disability Rating, you will need to fill out VA Form 21-4138
(Statement In Support of Claim) and upload it to your va.gov profile.
Otherwise, the C&P examiner and the VA Adjudicator will immediately think
you are asking to still consider the GERD as a Primary vs. Secondary Disability
Rating. On that form, you will clearly state that you are now asking the VA to
rate the GERD as a Secondary Disability Rating to your primary disability rated
issue XXXXX and then you will add all of your medical evidence to the form (ie URLs from the various medical sites you found that
states that your primary disability rated issue XXXXX causes GERD in XX% of the
population/etc...) Once you upload the out VA Form 21-4138
(Statement In Support of Claim), then it will take about 24 hours for the
out VA Form 21-4138
(Statement In Support of Claim) to be moved from the upload site into your
va.gov profile. After which, you need to
call the VA Claims number at 800-827-1000 and inform the claims representative
that the out VA
Form 21-4138 (Statement In Support of Claim) has been uploaded and to have
the claims representative validate it's in your va.gov profile. Once validated,
ask the claims representative to document that the out VA Form 21-4138
(Statement In Support of Claim) is evidence to the Supplemental Claim for
GERD and to ensure the C&P examiner and the VA Adjudicator references it
during the decision making process.
---------------------------------------------------------------
VA Disability Rates:
https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/
Another thing to remember, whatever VA Disability
Pay you will get will be 100% TAX FREE!!!! The payment you get per month is
exactly what is on the URL above.
The following
theSITREP YouTube videos are AWESOME references per VA Disability Rating:
VA Benefits with
90% Service-Connected Disability | VA Disability | theSITREP
NOTE: My sister asked me if the VA refers to
military rank and/or does higher military rank receive preference? I told her
no. The Department of Defense (DoD) refers to military rank for military
compensation and structure (ie E-1 to E-9, W-1 to
W-5, O-1 to 0-10). However, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) only refers
to the veteran as a veteran. Period, the end. Example: If two veterans (ie one was an E-5 and the other was an O-8 in their
respective branch of service) are both rated at 50% as a veteran alone (no
dependents) with zero Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), they will each
receive $1,102.04 (ie 2025 rates) per month.
---------------------------------------------------------------
VA Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) Rates:
The VA allows for additional Special
Monthly Compensation (SMC) Rates for the loss of a veteran's body
part/organ/limb/etc. In my case, I had a prostatectomy due to my Primary
Disability Rated Prostate Cancer. As such, the VA authorized me to receive
SMC-K per month in addition to my monthly rated (ie
90%, now 100%) disability compensation.
---------------------------------------------------------------
VA Priority Groups:
The VA defines a veteran’s preference to VA Healthcare based on their VA
Priority Group. A veteran that has a Priority Group 1 assigned will ALWAYS have
VA Healthcare. A veteran that has a Priority Group 6 assigned, “should” always
have VA Healthcare, but if the Congress decides to cut the VA Healthcare
budget, the lowest Priority Groups are dropped first (ie
Priority Group 8, then Priority Group 7, etc.) For me, prior to being rated at
all, being a Desert Storm Gulf War Veteran, the VA grandfathered me into the VA
Healthcare due to the Burn Pit toxins I was exposed to. As such, I was
automatically granted VA Healthcare as a Priority Group 6. As I became rated,
first at 10%, my Priority Group increased from Priority Group 6 to Priority
Group 3. Next when my rating increased to 30%, my Priority Group again
increased from Priority Group 3 to Priority Group 2. Lastly, when my rating
increased to 90%, my Priority Group again increased from Priority Group 2 to
Priority Group 1. Another thing to consider, if you have been financially
successful and exceed the VA’s yearly total compensation limits (ie changes yearly) and the VA assigns you as a Priority
Group 6, if you are willing to pay VA co-pays, the VA can decrease your
Priority Group from Priority Group 6 to Priority Group 8D so that you can begin
using the VA Healthcare System.
https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/priority-groups/
---------------------------------------------------------------
Obtaining your Veteran
Health Identification Card (VHIC) and va.gov account/profile:
First, go to the Local VA Medical System/Hospital (ie
Hinesville
COBC for me) Eligibility/Benefits Office and get your Veteran Health
Identification Card (VHIC) (ie make sure you
bring your passport and/or driver’s license and DD214 Member 4 REAL copy).
Also, while you are there getting your VHIC, inquire about getting your http://va.gov and My Healthy Vet account setup. As
you will need to show your passport and/or driver’s license so they can set it
up for you as well. If you need technical support for http://va.gov,
call the http://va.gov Technical Support number at
800-698-2411, then Option 9, then Option 3.
Oh yeah, the VA requires a bank account for Direct Deposit, so you can set that
up at the same time you setup your http://va.gov
account/profile.
---------------------------------------------------------------
The VA Disability
PROCESS is Just That, a PROCESS. Follow the PROCESS and Be PATIENT:
I know that's a whole lot of data, but I wanted to ensure I got it all out of
my mind for you to have as a reference.
Also, thinking, this is a PROCESS as I stated. Yes, the Department of XXXX (ie Army/Navy/Air Force/Space Force/Coast Guard) (DoXXXX) has all your records. However, the VA is a
different Federal Agency and you are asking the VA for assistance. As such, the
VA claim process is the PROCESS for the veteran to ask the VA for compensation
and engagement. Remember, the VA does NOT have your DoXXXX
records until you the veteran files a claim per VA Diagnosis Code/Issue and the
Claim PROCESS begins. Yes, the VA WILL request the respective records from the DoXXXX on your behalf as part of their research to evaluate
your claim that it IS service-connected, but the VA does NOT currently have
that data until you the veteran initiates the VA claim process. So remember this throughout the process. It's getting better
for the VA, but it's still slow and methodical.
Think of it like this as I did 5+ years ago when I started the process, I had
ZERO from the VA (ie except exactly where you may be
right now as a VA PG-6 due to the Gulf War). No VHIC Card, No http://va.gov or My Healthy Vet login.
So basically, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose. So WHO CARES how
long the VA process takes. As soon as you file your claim, all of the pay is
retro-active for your eventual rating to your initial claim date. So DON'T
SWEAT IT!!!
Just be patient, follow the process and it will take its path.
---------------------------------------------------------------
What to do if you
are still on Active Duty or Active Guard and Reserve (AGR):
If you are still on Active Duty or Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) and wondering
what you need to consider prior to separation in preparation for submitting VA
claims for issues/illnesses/etc. caused during your military service, the most
important thing to do is ensure every issue/illness/etc. is fully documented in
your military medical records prior to your Date of Separation (DOS). Remember,
when a VA claim is submitted for issue XXXX, the VA will first require that
issue XXXX is documented in your military medical records in order to service
connect issue XXXX. If issue XXXX is NOT documented in your military medical records
or issue XXXX is NOT on the presumptive conditions list, the VA will most
likely NOT service connect issue XXXX. So it’s absolutely critical that you
have every issue/illness/etc. that you are going to claim as service connected
fully documented in you military medical records prior to your Date of
Separation (DOS). I cannot emphasize how important this is to you and your
family post your military service!!!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------
Congress
Veteran's Act of 2020:
Any veteran that is considered Service-Connected (ie
0 - 90%), is fully eligible for full installation privileges again (ie Commissary,
PX/BX/NEX/MCX/CGX (Exchange),
Shoppette/Express, Class VI (Six), MWR etc..).
This is a HUGE benefit!!!!!
Once
you receive your VHIC in the mail and the words “SERVICE CONNECTED” are under
your picture on the right side of your VHIC, go to your local DoD
Visitor Control Center (VCC) (ie Fort Stewart for
me) to have your VHIC registered as your DoD access card so that you can access
all DoD installations. However, each installation commander has full
responsibility for their installation.
As such, the installation commander will most likely ONLY allow you
installation access per Congress with NO DoD Trusted Traveler Program (ie allowed to escort NON-DoD personnel onto the
installation). To escort NON-DoD
personnel, each time you will have to go to the Visitor Control Center (VCC)
and get a Day Pass for the NON-DoD person.
NOTE: If for example you are Priority Group 6 Desert Storm Gulf War Veteran
with ZERO Service Connections and you enroll in VA Healthcare, you will still
receive a VHIC. However, the words “SERVICE CONNECTED” will NOT be under your
picture on the right side of your VHIC. As such, you do NOT have installation
privileges even though you are enrolled in VA Healthcare.
---------------------------------------------------------------
100% Permanent &
Total (P&T) Disabled Veteran (DV):
Once you hit 100% Permanent & Total (P&T) Disabled Veteran (DV), then
you will be issued from the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS)
office a Uniformed
Services ID (USID) in addition to your VHIC. Your USID allows for the DoD Trusted Traveler
Program as well as obtaining USIDs for your spouse and minor dependents. The 100% P&T DV also provides Commissary, Exchange, Shoppette/Express, Class
VI (Six), MWR and Space A for you, your spouse and your minor dependents as
well as full Dental for yourself and the option of using CHAMPVA for healthcare
for your spouse and minor dependents. CHAMPVA is similar to TRICARE for DoD,
but is through the VA and is only available to 100% P&T NON-Retired DVs.
Another big benefit for 100% P&T is the Dependent Educational Assistance
(DEA) program that provides tax free money to your dependents for going to
school/college.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Shop My
Exchange:
https://www.shopmyexchange.com
Shop My Exchange is open to all Honorable Discharged Veterans now.
Other variants:
Navy Exchange (NEX):
https://www.mynavyexchange.com
Marine Corp Exchange (MCX):
Coast Guard Exchange (CGX):
---------------------------------------------------------------
GA Veteran Driver’s
License:
When you go to the Local VA Medical System/Hospital (ie
Hinesville
COBC for me) Eligibility/Benefits Office to obtain your VHIC and you have
your passport and/or driver’s license and DD214 Member 4 REAL Copy with you,
after getting your VHIC picture taken, go into the GA Department of
Veterans Services office (ie also inside the
Hinesville COBC for me) and have the person fill out the GA Veteran's Driver’s
License form for you so you can then take it to the GA Department of Driver
Services Office and get your FREE GA Veteran's Driver’s License for life.
---------------------------------------------------------------
GA Military License
Plates:
https://mvd.dor.ga.gov/motor/plates/PlateSelection.aspx
https://dor.georgia.gov/military-veteran-license-plates
First off, for every Primary GA Military License Plate you are issued per
military scenario, they are FREE!!! For
me I have 4 registered vehicles and 3 registered trailers. Here is the break
down for me so you can understand what I'm referring to:
2015 Hyundai Equus - Primary Disabled Veteran (DV) License Plates (ie maximum allowed DV License Plates are 2 pairs as it's
for the DV) - FREE
1993 Jeep YJ - Primary USAF Veteran License Plate - FREE
2006 Jeep TJ Rubicon - Primary USAF Desert Storm Veteran License Plate - FREE
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee - Secondary Disabled Veteran (DV) License Plates (ie maximum allowed DV License Plates are 2 pairs as it's
for the DV) - $20.00 Per Year
3 - Various Trailers - NO Military License Plates for trailers - $12.00 + $1.65
Tax = $13.65 Each Per Year
As an example, if I were to get a secondary and/or multiple USAF Desert Storm
Veteran License Plates (ie as many as I want), each
extra would be $20.00 Per Year.
Now if I had motorcycles, I would be allowed my same 3 Primary GA Military
License Plates (ie DV, USAF Veteran, USAF Desert
Storm Veteran) per motorcycle for FREE per year as well.
With this said, to obtain any GA Military License Plate, you have to bring your
DD214 Member 4 REAL Copy to the Tag Office and obtain each of your GA Military
License Plates awarded to you (ie 2 for me).
---------------------------------------------------------------
GA Disabled Veteran
(DV) Military License Plates:
For GA Disabled Veteran (DV) Military License Plates, even if you are only
rated at 10% rating, bring your printed-out rating to the Tag Office along with
your DD214 Member 4 REAL Copy and request GA Disabled Veteran (DV) Military
License Plates (ie Pair for Front and Back). In GA,
these plates are "supposed" to be only for 100%, but in Liberty and
Bryan counties, they “may” give you them for any rating (ie
both counties are extremely military friendly). Even if you don't use the
handicap space now, in 20 years, you will be thankful you have it.
In
GA, as a Disabled Veteran (DV), you are authorized Handicap Placards. To obtain
these Handicap Placards, bring your printed-out rating to the Tag Office along
with your GA Driver’s License. The Tag Office will provide you with the
Handicap Placards. The Handicap Placards are good for 5 years and free of
charge to Disabled Veterans.
The State of Florida passed a law a few years back that a Florida 100% Disabled
Veteran with Florida Disabled Veteran (DV) Military License Plates is allowed
to park for FREE in any State of Florida owned parking lot (ie
ALL Florida Airports). And the State of Florida recognizes any out of state
Disabled Veteran (DV) Military License Plate for this reprieve. So if you have
to fly for a long trip for say 7 days or more, maybe you fly out of a Florida
Airport vs. Savannah (ie Jacksonville or Orlando,
just saying.....). If you park in a Florida Airport,
you can park in the front row handicap spaces and then when you get home and
leave the parking garage and talk to the parking attendant to pay your bill,
you simply inform the parking attendant you're a Disabled Veteran, show them
your VHIC or USID, they will do the paperwork and open the gate for FREE and
away you go.
The following URL is from
the State of Florida defining Veteran Benefits. Refer to pages 14 and 15 for the
Disabled Veteran Military License Plates and Parking Information:
Florida
Veterans’ Benefits Guide 2025
The following URL is from
the State of Georgia defining Veteran Benefits. Refer to page 14 for the
Disabled Veteran Military License Plates:
Georgia
Department of Veterans Services Resource Guide
---------------------------------------------------------------
GA Property
Taxes - Homestead Exemption W5:
The following is the Liberty County GIS Map (ie Open
in Firefox as the application is browser specific):
https://libertycountyga.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=b648293e3b724201bbcc4f09254aea40
Here's my property card showing I have a Homestead Exemption of W5: (ie Homestead Exemption W5 due to being 100% P&T under
age 65)
https://gis.libertycountyga.com/flex2/printpdf/?pin=280D032
In
Liberty County, GA, the Tax Accessor taxes Homeowner’s property at 40% of the
Fair Market Value (ie Kemp-Deloach-Williams
(KDW) Tax Relief Act). With a Homestead Exemption of W5, if the property’s
KDW tax value is $304,000 or lower, the Homeowner/100% P&T Veteran’s taxes
are ZERO. If the property’s KDW tax value is above $304,000, the Homeowner/100%
P&T Veteran will ONLY pay taxes on the tax value above $304,000.
To
calculate the Adjusted Property KDW Tax Value, the formula is “Property KDW Tax
Value” – “Homestead Exemption W5 KDW Deduction (ie
$304,000)” = “Adjusted Property KDW Tax Value”.
Example
using my Home for 2024:
Property
KDW Tax Value: $306,381
Homestead
Exemption W5 KDW Deduction: $304,000
Adjusted
Property KDW Tax Value: $306,381 - $304,000 = $2,381
Property
KDW Taxes at $306,381: ~$5,611.00
Adjusted
Property KDW Taxes at $2,381: $410.57
Homestead Exemption W5 KDW Deduction Savings: ~$5,611.00 - $410.57 = ~$5,200.00
https://www.libertycountyga.com/302/Homestead-Requirements
https://dor.georgia.gov/property-tax-homestead-exemptions
Once you receive your 100% P&T rating, print out the new rating and take it
to your county tax assessor's office and file the paperwork for the Homestead
Exemption W5 status.
NOTE:
Once your Homestead Exception W5 is approved by the Tax Accessor’s office, the
Tax Accessor’s office will immediately update your current property record to
reflect the Homestead Exemption W5 status and your property tax records with
the Adjusted Property KDW Taxes. Also, if the VA backdated your 100% P&T
status say to November 2023 after you received the final VA 100% P&T
decision letter in March 2025, the Tax Accessor’s office will also backdate
your Homestead Exemption W5 status for both 2023 and 2024. The Tax Accessor’s
office will in turn refund your Homestead Exemption W5 KDW Deduction Savings
for both 2023 and 2024. Can you say CHA-CHING!!!!!!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------
VA Rating Math:
The VA Rating Math is not straight forward and can be confusing. The VA only rates per 10% (ie 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100). The VA rounds up/down to the nearest 10% (ie if your VA Combined Rating is 33.67%, you will be rated
at 30% or if your VA Combined Rating is 45.89%, you will be rated at 50%).
The following URL is has an online VA Math Calculator and explains in detail
how the ratings are calculated: https://www.va.gov/disability/about-disability-ratings/
Here is how the VA Rating Math works (ie I will use
my previous VA Combined Rating as an example):
60% rating for impairment of rectum sphincter control – VA Diagnosis Code 7332
50% rating for anxiety disorder, unspecified – VA Diagnosis Code 9513
40% rating for prostate cancer status post prostatectomy with residual urinary
incontinence (previously rated as neoplasms of the male reproductive system,
including prostate cancer) – VA Diagnosis Code 7529
30% rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – VA Diagnosis Code 7319
20% rating for hemorrhoids – VA Diagnosis Code 7336
0% rating for abdominal scars status post robotic prostatectomy – VA Diagnosis
Code 7805
First and foremost, you must understand that the rating percentage is not
straight forward additive as it is based on the maximum rating not yet
rated. Let me show you how it works:
1) You always start with your highest VA Individual Rating (ie
in my case, previously it was 60%) and then work down to the lowest VA
Individual Rating:
a) 60% = 60
b) 50% = 100 - 60 = 40 * 50% = 20
c) 40% = 100 - 60 - 20 = 20 * 40% = 8
d) 30% = 100 - 60 - 20 - 8 = 12 * 30% = 3.6
e) 20% = 100 - 60 - 20 - 8 - 3.6 = 8.4 * 20% = 1.68
f) 0% = 0
VA Individual Combined Rating = 60 + 20 + 8 + 3.6 + 1.68 + 0 = 93.28% (ie Rounded Down to 93% rating)
2) Once you have your VA Individual Combined Rating (ie
93% for me), then you have to look at the table on the "VA About
Disability Ratings" URL above at the "Combined Ratings Table (Not
Rounded)" to determine your actual VA Combined Rating:
Tip: Look for your highest Disability Rating (or highest VA Individual Combined
Rating) in the left column, and your next lowest Disability Rating in the top
row. Your VA Combined Rating is the number where the two intersect on the
chart, rounded to the nearest 10%.
a) 93% Highest VA Individual Combined Rating on Left Column
b) 20% Next Lowest VA Individual Rating on the Top Row
Intersection of the two is 94% VA Combined Rating (ie
Rounded Down to 90%)
3) Once again, using my current numbers, I am at 95% VA Individual Combined
Rating (ie Rounded Up to 100%). Let me show you this number:
60%
rating for impairment of rectum sphincter control – VA Diagnosis Code 7332
50% rating for anxiety disorder, unspecified – VA Diagnosis Code 9513
40% rating for prostate cancer status post prostatectomy with residual urinary
incontinence (previously rated as neoplasms of the male reproductive system,
including prostate cancer) – VA Diagnosis Code 7529
30% rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – VA Diagnosis Code 7319
30% rating for chronic sinusitis – VA Diagnosis Code 6510
20%
rating for hemorrhoids – VA Diagnosis Code 7336
0% rating for abdominal scars status post robotic prostatectomy – VA Diagnosis
Code 7805
a) 60% = 60
b) 50% = 100 - 60 = 40 * 50% = 20
c) 40% = 100 - 60 - 20 = 20 * 40% = 8
d) 30% = 100 - 60 - 20 - 8 = 12 * 30% = 3.6
e)
30$ = 100 – 60 – 20 – 8 – 3.6 = 8.4 * 30% = 2.52
f) 20% = 100 - 60 - 20 - 8 - 3.6 – 2.52 = 5.88 * 20% = 1.176
g) 0% = 0
VA Individual Combined Rating = 60 + 20 + 8 + 3.6 + 2.52 + 1.176 + 0 = 95.296%
(ie Rounded Up to 100% rating)
Great theSITREP VA MATH YouTube Video:
VA Math | How is VA Disability Calculated | Service-Connected
Compensation | VA Benefits | theSITREP
---------------------------------------------------------------
VA Static
Rating:
To obtain a 100% Permanent & Total (P&T) Rating, you need to have your
VA Individual Ratings considered "Static". The only way to determine
if your VA Individual Ratings are "Static" is to call the VA Claims
number at 800-827-1000 and ask the person which/if any of your VA Individual
Ratings are considered "Static". You will not find this information
anywhere online. You must call the VA and then the person will tell you. For
the VA Individual Rating to be considered "Static", means the VA
considers the condition to never become better than it currently is and that
the condition will only become worse due to age or whatever. This means the VA
will NOT try to send you for a re-rate C&P exam for the VA Individual
Rating. Remember, once you hit age 55, most VA re-rating is gone as the VA will
most likely consider all of your VA Individual Ratings as "Static".
---------------------------------------------------------------
Terminally Ill
Veteran Information:
VA Expedited Claim Process:
If a veteran is diagnosed terminally ill for a VA Diagnosis Code/Issue (ie Pancreatic Cancer) and the veteran files a claim for the
VA Diagnosis Code/Issue prior to passing, time is of the essence to say the
least. Given the current time frame for
a standard claim to be processed is 5-8 months, if the veteran is given say a
2-4 month life expectancy due to the terminal illness, this is obviously
shorter than the 5-8 month standard claim processing time. To expedite this process, the VA allows for
the veteran to fill out VA Form 20-10207
(Priority Processing Request) to expedite the claim.
The following depicts the expedited process:
1) Again, file the initial claim for the VA Diagnosis Code/Issue (ie Pancreatic Cancer in this case)
2) Veteran fills out VA Form 20-10207
(Priority Processing Request) and uploads it to the veteran's va.gov
profile
a) If the form is digitally uploaded to va.gov (ie
fastest processing time), post uploading the file, it takes ~24 hours for the
file to be moved from the file holding site into the veteran's va.gov profile
b) Call the VA Claims number at 800-827-1000 and inform the claims
representative you uploaded the form
c) After 24 hours, again call the VA Claims number at 800-827-1000 and ask the
claims representative to validate the form has been moved into the veteran's
va.gov profile
d) Once the claims representative validates the form has been successfully
moved into the veteran's va.gov profile, ask the claims representative to open
an internal ticket to expedite the form's approval process
e) Without the internal ticket being opened by the claims representative, the
form's normal approval processing time is 7 calendar days - the internal ticket
should force the approval process to start immediately vs. waiting 7 calendar
days
f) If the VA Form
20-10207 (Priority Processing Request) is denied, the claim will remain in
the standard 5-8 month claim process
g) If the VA Form
20-10207 (Priority Processing Request) is approved, the claim will be moved
to the expedited claim process which means there must be updates to the
expedited claim at a maximum of every 10 calendar days until the claim is completed/decision
made
Veteran's VA Power of Attorney (VA POA):
The VA allows for a single veteran's representative to obtain all information
for the terminally ill veteran. The
veteran must fill out VA Form 21-0845
(Authorization To Disclose Personal Information To A Third Party) and
upload it to veteran's va.gov profile as discussed above in the expedited
process. After the initial 24 hours and the VA Form 21-0845
(Authorization To Disclose Personal Information To A Third Party) is moved
into the veteran's va.gov profile, the veteran's representative can then call
into the VA Claims number at 800-827-1000 and obtain information regarding the
veteran. There is zero approval process
here. The process is the veteran's representative calls in, validates the
veteran's info and waits for a claims representative to be on the line. Once the claims representative is on the
line, the veteran's representative informs the claims representative of who
they are, that there is a VA Form 21-0845
(Authorization To Disclose Personal Information To A Third Party) in the
veteran's va.gov profile, the claims representative will validate the info and
the VA Form 21-0845
(Authorization To Disclose Personal Information To A Third Party) and then
the veteran's representative is authorized to obtain status on claims or
whatever on behalf of the veteran.
NOTE:
The Veteran’s VA POA is NOT allowed to sign for the veteran. The VA requires
the veteran’s signature when submitting all forms. If a Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent
fills out a VA Form
21-0845 (Authorization To Disclose Personal Information To A Third Party)
due to claiming Survivor Benefits, again the VA requires the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent’s
signature when submitting all forms.
Survivor Benefits:
If
the veteran’s Survivor’s Spouse/Dependents qualify for Survivor Benefits, I
would strongly suggest filling out ALL Survivor Benefits forms prior to the
veteran’s passing away. By doing so, all the completed forms can be uploaded to
the veteran’s va.gov profile and be housed there until the processing time is
required. These forms include VA Form 10-10d (Application
for CHAMPVA Benefits), VA Form 21P-534EZ
(Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Survivors
Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits), VA Form 21-2680
(Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and
Attendance) and
VA Form 21P-530EZ (Application
for Burial Benefits (Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 32) (Fillable)). Trust me,
this will SERIOUSLY help the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependents post the veteran’s
death as described below.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Deceased
Veteran Information:
What Happens after the
Veteran Passes Away from the VA’s Perspective:
First and MOST importantly, upon the death of the veteran, ALL VA information
for the deceased veteran is CLOSED and LOCKED.
This includes any outstanding Active Claim/s, the veteran’s va.gov
profile, VA Form
21-0845 (Authorization To Disclose Personal Information To A Third Party)
and VA Form 21-22a
(Appointment of Individual As Claimant’s Representative) are terminated,
etc. With this said, all of the
information and documents housed within the deceased veteran’s va.gov profile
is still there, just NOT accessible to anyone else electronically. The only way for access to the veteran’s VA
information is by the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent calling the VA Claims number
at 800-827-1000. Also, note, if there
are ANY Survivor Benefits forms to be filed, the veteran’s death certificate, Aid
& Attendance forms, etc., all will have to be either sent via snail mail,
fax or delivered in person at a VA Regional Office. To avoid this, I would
strongly encourage the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent to reach out to a VSO and
ask them to represent them. By doing so,
the VSO can assist with filing all of the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent Benefits
just as a VSO files forms for the veteran. Considering the Survivor’s
Spouse/Dependent will apply for Survivor Benefits, the VA allows the Survivor’s
Spouse/Dependent to obtain their own va.gov profile. Once created, the Survivor’s
Spouse/Dependent will see a link to the deceased veteran’s va.gov profile.
However, if the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent clicks on the link, they will NOT
see any of the veteran’s information – by VA design (ie
Not going to happen, ever, don’t fight it, accept it). However, the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent will
be able to see their own benefits within their own va.gov profile. An example
of this is if the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent is awarded any compensation due
to Survivor or Accrued Benefits, these will be displayed in the Survivor’s
Spouse/Dependent’s va.gov profile. If the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent files a VA Form 21P-0847 (Request
for Substitution of Claimant Upon Death of Claimant) to re-open/unfreeze
the veteran’s Closed/Frozen Active Claim and the VA approves the form and
re-opens/unfreezes the veteran’s Closed/Frozen Active Claim, this
re-opened/unfrozen Active Claim now becomes the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent’s
Active Claim, as such, the Active Claim status will be displayed within the
Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent’s va.gov profile as well.
From
the VA’s perspective, the VA ONLY considers benefits as individual benefits. By
this I mean, up to the veteran’s death, all benefits (ie
monthly compensation, healthcare, etc.) were the veteran’s benefits. Upon the
veteran’s death, all veteran’s benefits immediately are terminated as stated
above. Post the veteran’s death, any benefits awarded are NOW considered the
Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent’s benefits. As previously stated, prior to the
veteran’s death, the veteran could access their va.gov profile ether in a
browser or via the va.gov app and see all of their benefits/claims/history/etc.
Post the veteran’s death, the same is true for the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent
once they obtain their own Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent va.gov profile (ie the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent can access their va.gov
profile ether in a browser or via the va.gov app and see ONLY their
benefits/claims/history/etc).
NOTE:
To summarize a VA Claims Representative, the VA’s Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent
engagement process is one of the worst VA process issues still to date. This is
due to the fact that everything the VA does is for the veteran, period, the
end. The VA is NOT designed for the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependents. Again, the VA
is designed for the veteran. As such, the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependents still
have extreme difficulty working/dealing with the VA to claim their Survivor
Benefits. To this day, the VA still has NOT fixed this process. As a result,
the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent should seriously consider obtaining a VSO of
their own to submit all of the required Survivor Benefits/Substitute
Claimant/etc. forms on their behalf.
What Happens to an Active Claim (ie the VA has NOT Adjudicated the Claim) if/after the
Veteran Passes Away:
First and MOST importantly, upon the death of the veteran, any Active Claim is
immediately closed/frozen on the veteran’s date of death. The VA’s rational
here is due to the fact that the veteran was the claimant for the NOW
Closed/Frozen Active Claim due to the claimant being deceased. However, the NOW
Closed/Frozen Active Claim can be re-opened/unfrozen by a Substitute Claimant
so that the VA will fully adjudicate the NOW Closed/Frozen Active Claim. To
make this happen, the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent
needs to fill out VA Form 21P-0847
(Request for Substitution of Claimant Upon Death of Claimant) to substitute
the claimant from the deceased veteran to the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent and either send it via snail mail, fax, delivered
in person at a VA Regional Office or preferably through a Survivor’s
Spouse/Dependent’s VSO. Once the VA Form 21P-0847
(Request for Substitution of Claimant Upon Death of Claimant) is submitted,
the VA must first process the form for approval. There is a no specific timeline for the
approval process unlike the VA Form 20-10207
(Priority Processing Request) that has a 7 day approval process. Once the VA Form 21P-0847
(Request for Substitution of Claimant Upon Death of Claimant) is approved,
the veteran’s NOW Closed/Frozen Active Claim is now re-opened/unfrozen as the
Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent’s Active Claim. NOTE: Due to the claimant
changing from the veteran to the substitute claimant, if the veteran was
approved for priority claim processing via VA Form 20-10207
(Priority Processing Request), this priority processing was terminated on
the veteran’s death date. As such, the re-opened/unfrozen Survivor’s
Spouse/Dependent’s Active Claim will be put back into the standard claims
process. However, considering the veteran opened the claim prior to death, the
VA MUST 100% finish the Claim's process and adjudicate the Claim back to the
Initial Claim date of the Active Claim. Also, if the decision is NOT acceptable
to say the substitute claimant (ie Survivor's
Spouse/Dependent), the substitute claimant (ie Survivor's
Spouse/Dependent) CAN still contest the decision (ie
Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review or even request a Board Appeal).
NOTE:
Once the VA
Form 21P-0847 (Request for Substitution of Claimant Upon Death of Claimant)
is submitted to the VA, the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent needs to call
the VA Claims number at 800-827-1000 to validate the VA Form 21P-0847
(Request for Substitution of Claimant Upon Death of Claimant) was
approved/fully processed and that the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent’s
re-opened/unfrozen Active Claim is moved back to an Active Claim status. A VA
Claims Representative informed me that sometimes this form does not get
processed due to whatever reason and the only way to ensure processing is for
the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent to continually call in and check on the status
until the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent’s re-opened/unfrozen Active Claim is
moved back to an Active Claim status.
Further thoughts here, let's say the NON-Retired Veteran was rated at 40% and
opened an Active Claim for Pancreatic Cancer prior to death. Then the veteran
dies of Pancreatic Cancer prior to the Active Claim being adjudicated by the
VA. Post death, the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent files as the substitute
claimant and is approved to re-open/unfreeze the veteran’s Active Claim for
Pancreatic Cancer as the now Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent’s Active Claim for
Pancreatic Cancer. After the Veteran's death, the VA adjudicates the claim and
determines the claim for pancreatic cancer is service-connected, this will
cause an increase of the Veteran’s rating to 100% Permanent and Total
(P&T). This is a critical decision as NOW, the Survivor’s
Spouse will be eligible for CHAMPVA as well as Survivor's Benefits (ie either Survivor's Pension or VA Dependency and Indemnity
Compensation (DIC)) based on the new 100% P&T rating (ie
even though the rating was post the Veteran's death). Remember, that the 100%
P&T rating will be back dated to the Initial Claim date of the Active Claim
(ie now closed/decided claim). At which time, the Survivor’s
Spouse/Dependent will have to fill out VA Form 10-10d
(Application for CHAMPVA Benefits) and VA Form 21P-534EZ
(Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Survivors
Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits) to claim their Survivor Benefits. NOTE:
Given the Veteran is deceased due to Pancreatic Cancer, I would strongly
suggest providing the VA the deceased veteran’s Death Certificate either
sending it via snail mail, fax, delivered in person at a VA Regional Office or
via the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent’s VSO as Permanent and Total evidence to
the Active Claim as the Death Certificate should/better clearly
articulate/state the primary reason for death is Natural Causes due to
Pancreatic Cancer. Along with all of the previous medical records uploaded to
the veteran’s va.gov profile, the Death Certificate is the final evidence for
the VA Adjudicator to close the claim.
Backpay Post Veteran's Death Regarding
Active Claim and/or Survivor's Benefits:
Active Claim: Once the NOW Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent’s Active Claim is closed
let's say with a 100% P&T decision, the VA will backpay the Deceased
Veteran for the rating increase until the Veteran's date of death (ie If the Veteran was 40% and filed the Intent to Claim on
4/14 and died on 5/3, the VA should backpay for the increase from 40% to 100%
for the 4/14 to 5/3 dates/timeframe in a 100% tax free lump sum). However, for
the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent to receive this Accrued Veteran’s Backpay from
say 40 to 100% as their own Survivor Benefit, the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent
will have to submit VA Form 21P-534EZ
(Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Survivors Pension,
and/or Accrued Benefits) on behalf of the Veteran.
Survivor's Benefits: Now since the Survivor's Benefits cannot be
applied/determined until the Veteran's date of death along with in this case
the 100% P&T rating, the VA approval process for the Survivor's Benefits
could take say 2-3 months to be approved.
Let's use the current Veteran's date of death of 5/3, it may not be
until 9/1 before the VA approves the Survivor's Benefits. However, the VA "should" backpay
the Survivor's Benefits back to the Veteran's date of death of 5/3 with a 100%
tax free lump sum for the 5/3 to 9/1 dates/timeframe. However, this backpay is
at the VA Adjudicator's discretion. To
be safe given the backpay, post the Veteran's death, the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent
needs to call the VA Claims number at 800-827-1000 and ask the claims
representative to start an Intent to File for VA Dependency and Indemnity
Compensation (DIC) and Aid & Attendance.
In this case, since the VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
cannot be approved/determined until after the 100% P&T rating, the Intent
to File for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Aid &
Attendance date ensures backpay at least to the Intent to File date (ie let's say 5/6 vs. the Veteran's date of death of 5/3). This simply avoids backpay concerns given the
VA Adjudicator's discretion.
Survivor’s
Spouse/Dependent http://va.gov profile:
Once the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent Survivor Benefits have been approved by
the VA, the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent will be eligible for their own
individual http://va.gov profile (ie separate from the deceased veteran’s http://va.gov profile). The rational here is that even
though the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent’s Survivor Benefits are based on the deceased
veteran, the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent Survivor Benefits (ie
Compensation) are approved to the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent’s social security
number just as the deceased veteran’s benefits were approved to the deceased
veteran’s social security number.
To set
up the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent http://va.gov
profile, do the following:
a) Create
a new unique e-mail address for the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent (ie newsurvivorspouse@example.com)
b)
Create a new login.gov account using the new Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent new
unique e-mail address (ie newsurvivorspouse@example.com)
and setup two factor authentication preferably using a unique mobile number that
has a text plan
c) Login
to http://va.gov with the new login.gov account (ie newsurvivorspouse@example.com)
using two factor authentication
d) Upon
the first-time logging into to http://va.gov,
complete the validation process for the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent
e)
Once completed, the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent will be able to view all claims/decision
letters/payments/etc. ONLY for the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent. The Survivor’s
Spouse/Dependent can also install the http://va.gov
mobile phone application on their mobile device for easier access to their http://va.gov profile. NOTE: Remember the deceased
veteran’s http://va.gov profile is closed upon the
veteran’s date of death, hence, the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent will NOT be
able to view any of the deceased veteran’s http://va.gov
profile information
f)
If you need technical support for http://va.gov,
call the http://va.gov Technical Support number at
800-698-2411, then Option 9, then Option 3
g) NOTE:
The Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent can create their login.gov account at any time
they wish. However, the http://va.gov validation
process will ONLY succeed post the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent Survivor
Benefits approval
What To Do
Post the Veteran’s Death:
Post the Veteran’s death, the Survivor’s
Spouse/Dependent needs to call the VA Claims number at 800-827-1000 and provide
the claims representative with the following:
a) Inform of the Veteran's date of death
b) Ask to document the Intent to File for DIC and Aid
and Attendance to Preserve the Intent to File Date for any Retro Active Back
Pay
c) Ask to put in the order for flag at funeral and
letter to be signed by president
d) If there is an Active Claim that has NOT been
adjudicated, the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent needs to fill out VA Form 21P-0847
(Request for Substitution of Claimant Upon Death of Claimant) to substitute
the claimant from the deceased veteran to the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent and either send it via snail mail, fax, delivered
in person at a VA Regional Office or via the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent’s VSO
e) If the Substitute Claimant (ie
Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent) doesn’t feel comfortable dealing with the VA to
finish the claims process to file for CHAMPVA, DIC, Aid and Attendance, etc, the substitute claimant needs to fill out VA Form 21-0845
(Authorization To Disclose Personal Information To A Third Party) for one
of their surviving children and obtain a VSO of their own who will fill out VA Form 21-22a
(Appointment of Individual As Claimant’s Representative) and either send it
via snail mail, fax or delivered in person at a VA Regional Office.
f) The Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent needs to fill out VA Form 21P-530EZ
(Application for Burial Benefits (Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 32) (Fillable))
so that Survivor’s Spouse/Dependents can receive Burial Benefits/Compensation
for the veteran’s funeral arrangements and either send it via snail mail, fax, delivered in
person at a VA Regional Office or via the Survivor’s Spouse/Dependent’s VSO
g) For a deceased Veteran buried in a VA National,
State, or Tribal Cemetery with no next-of-kin and insufficient resources for burial, fill out VA Form 40-10088
(Request for Casket/Urn Allowance) and either send it via snail mail, fax, delivered in
person at a VA Regional Office
NOTE:
a) If any payment from the VA comes in after the date
of death, leave it in the checking account as the VA will retrieve it (else you
will be paying it back)
b) Survivor’s Spouse is entitled to a one time month
of death payment that will arrive via check to the house
Great
theSITREP Intent to File YouTube video:
What is INTENT TO FILE for
VA Disability | Applying for VA Disability | theSITREP
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VA Survivor
Benefits/Pension/Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC):
If the veteran passes prior to their spouse/minor dependents/dependent parents,
the VA provides Survivor Benefits/Pension/Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
(DIC) to the Survivor depending on the veteran's service commitment and/or
service-connected illness:
https://www.va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/survivor-compensation/
With this, depending on the veteran, this can be crucial for helping the Survivor
pay for rest of their life.
Two different Survivor compensations are 1) Survivors Pension and 2) VA
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
If the veteran and Survivor meet the approval for BOTH Survivors Pension
and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), the VA will ONLY pay for the
highest amount of money of one or the other (ie if
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
combined is higher than Survivors Pension).
Here is an example of the two for Survivor Spouse ONLY (ie
Zero Dependents):
1) Survivors Pension (ie Calculated with Maximum
Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) or Yearly):
a) You don't qualify for Housebound or Aid and Attendance benefits (ie Base Pay) - MAPR $11,380 or $11,380 / 12 = $948.33 Per
Month
b) You qualify for Housebound benefits - MAPR $13,908 or $13,908 / 12 = $1,159
Per Month
c) You qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits - MAPR $18,187 or $18,187 / 12 =
$1,515.58 Per Month
2) VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) (ie
Calculated Per Month):
a) DIC Base Pay - $1,653.07 Per Month
b) DIC Aid and Attendance - $409.53 Per Month
c) DIC (transitional benefit for the first 2 years after the Veteran's death) -
$350.00 Per Month
Total: $1,653.07 + $409.53 + $350.00 = $2,412.60 Per Month
After the first 2 years after the Veteran's death, the transitional benefit is
removed from the monthly payment:
Total: $1,653.07 + $409.53 = $2,062.60 Per Month
3) As you can see above, the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Per
Month is the highest compensation and will be awarded to the Survivor Spouse in
this scenario.
4) Remember, again either Survivors Pension or Dependency and Indemnity
Compensation (DIC) is 100% tax FREE!!!!
5) My suggestion is to do your own calculation for the higher of the two so you
have an idea ahead of time and then fill out VA Form 21P-534EZ
(Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Survivors
Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits)
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VA Civilian Health
and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA):
This program allows a 100% P&T DV that is NOT DoD Retired (ie a DoD Retired Veteran has DoD TRICARE Coverage for
Dependents) to enroll dependents into the program for Healthcare coverage. The
program requires the dependent to maintain both Medicare Part A (ie FREE for Inpatient Care) and Medicare Part B (ie ~$185 Per Month for Outpatient/Doctor's Visits/etc.
Care). CHAMPVA is designed to cover the
remainder of Healthcare coverage for the dependent that would normally be
covered by Medicare Parts C & D. To
enroll in CHAMPVA, the veteran needs to fill out VA Form 10-10d
(Application for CHAMPVA Benefits).
Great theSITREP CHAMPVA YouTube video:
Civilian Health and Medical
Program of VA | CHAMPVA | theSITREP
Great theSITREP CHAMPVA vs. TRICARE YouTube video:
CHAMPVA vs. TRICARE |
theSITREP
Great LMS Insurance Group CHAMPVA and Medicare YouTube video:
CHAMPVA and Medicare:
Simplified
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VA Aid and
Attendance (A&A):
VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) is an additional benefit/compensation for
veterans and/or dependents and/or Survivor’s Spouse. VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) is authorized
for any veteran and/or dependent and/or Survivor that requires assistance with
daily living such as bathing, going to the restroom, blindness or “hazards of
daily living” such as prone to falling, etc.
To apply for VA Aid and Attendance (A&A), the veteran and/or
dependent and/or Survivor’s Spouse needs to fill out VA Form 21-2680
(Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and
Attendance).
VA Official Aid & Attendance YouTube
video:
What is Aid &
Attendance?
Great theSITREP Aid & Attendance
YouTube video:
What is Aid &
Attendance? | theSITREP
Great Hill and Ponder, P.A. Aid &
Attendance YouTube video:
How to Qualify For Aid and
Attendance
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VA Home Loan and
Funding Fee:
An honorably discharged veteran is eligible for a VA Home Loan. The VA Home
Loan provides the veteran with a fixed rate, no down payment home loan that is
backed by the VA. The veteran needs to fill out VA
Form 26-1880 (Request for a VA Home Loan Certificate of Eligibility (COE)).
If the veteran is NOT service connected, the veteran must pay the VA Funding
Fee in addition to their typical closing costs. The VA allows the VA Funding
Fee to be rolled into the home loan to avoid high closing costs. If the veteran
IS service connected, the VA Funding Fee is eliminated leaving the veteran to
only pay their typical closing costs. See the VA Housing Allowance page for
more information.
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Hearing Aid Information:
Considering I have major hearing loss and the VA issued hearing aids to me, I
want to provide some hearing aid information for other veterans. First and
foremost, a couple of years back, the VA changed their stance on hearing aids
and now only issue top of the line digital/programable hearing aids. This is a
HUGE benefit for veterans as these hearing aids are like $4,000 to $5,000 a
pair!!! No joke!!! Once a veteran is issued their pair of hearing aids, the VA
will automagically upgrade them every four years. If the hearing aids have
issues within the four-year timeframe, the VA will send them off for repair
once per hearing aid (ie right or left) at the VA’s
cost. Any additional repair/s, will be the veteran’s responsibility.
Now let’s talk about what hearing aids are designed for, human
voice/speech, period, the end. Hearing aids are primarily designed to amplify
frequencies within the normal human voice/speech audio range of 300 to 3,300 hz regardless of hearing aid vendor. If/when the veteran
receives their hearing aids and say they are trying to listen to an audio track
that has really high frequencies (ie above 3,300 hz like 5,000 to 6,000 hz) and
the veteran cannot hear the frequencies with their hearing aids, that’s to be
expected and considered normal. If this happens and the veteran decides to call
the VA Audiologist and complain the hearing aids are not working, the veteran
can fully expect the VA Audiologist to validate the hearing aids are correctly
amplifying the normal human voice/speech audio range of 300 to 3,300 hz and send the veteran on their way. Remember, the purpose
of the hearing aids are to represent the normal human voice/speech audio range
of 300 to 3,300 hz naturally within the human ear
canal. If I use myself as an example, the majority of my hearing loss is 2,000 hz and above. Below 2,000 hz, my
hearing is almost perfect. So my hearing aids ONLY amplify 2,000 to 3,300 hz. As such, the VA Audiologist programed my hearing aids
to ONLY amplify frequencies between 2,000 and 3,300 hz
and NOT amplify any frequencies below 2,000 hz. In
fact, the VA Audiologist issued open domes around my hearing aid receivers to
allow below 2,000 hz to come into my ear canal
naturally with the hearing aid amplifying the 2,000 to 3,300 hz into my ear canal. The purpose here is to ensure the
normal human voice/speech audio range of 300 to 3,300 hz
is correctly represented in my ear canal naturally. As such, my hearing aids
allow me to Bluetooth connect to my iPhone to make calls or listen to audio
tracks. Considering my hearing aids are ONLY amplifying 2,000 to 3,300 hz, during a phone call, the caller sounds “tinny” as I’m
only getting 2,000 to 3,300 hz and missing the mid
and low frequencies. Now my brain has adapted to it, but that’s the way it is.
The VA Audiologist’s job is to program the hearing aids so that the ear canal
has the correct normal human voice/speech audio range of 300 to 3,300 hz naturally through the ear canal. I hope that makes
sense. Now with this said, if the hearing aids do amplify outside the normal
human voice/speech audio range of 300 to 3,300 hz,
that’s considered a bonus. Another example, I like to mess with my son with an
annoying whistle sound app. I play the annoying whistle sound on my iPhone in
the app and my son goes nuts as he can hear the annoying whistle sound and I
can’t - with or without my hearing aids!!! Once again, the annoying whistle
sound is like 8,000 to 9,000 hz or something high
like that. Lastly, remember hearing aids are NOT high-fidelity headphones. In
fact, when I’m on the airplane, I have my Bose QC700 over the ear/cuff
high-fidelity headphones. I wear them over my hearing aids so that I can hear hi-infidelity
audio tracks in flight.
Great theSITREP VA Hearing Aid YouTube
video:
Hearing Aids at Veterans
Affairs | How to Start the Process | Hearing Loss | theSITREP
Great theSITREP VA Hearing Aid YouTube
video:
How is Hearing Loss Treated
at the Department of Veterans Affairs? | VA Health Care | theSITREP
Great theSITREP VA Hearing Aids YouTube
video:
What Types of Hearing Aids
Does Veterans Affairs Provide for Veterans? | Audiology | theSITREP
Great theSITREP VA Hearing Aids YouTube
video:
VA Hearing Aids | How to get
VA Hearing Aids? | How much do VA Hearing Aids Cost? | theSITREP
Great Everything Hearing - Hearing Aids
YouTube video:
Hearing
Aid Processing Speeds and Frequency Range – What You Need to Know
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VA Service Connected
Cancer Diagnosis:
If a veteran has been diagnosed with some form of cancer and the VA has service
connected it to the veteran, the veteran needs to understand HOW the VA will
rate the cancer. If the cancer is in an active state, the VA will immediately
temporarily rate the cancer at 100% for six months. After six months, the VA
will ask for a re-rate of the cancer. If the cancer is still active after six
months, the VA will maintain the temporary 100% rating. However, after the six
months, if the cancer is in remission or has been removed from the veteran’s
body, the VA will decrease the rating to 0%!!!!! The VA’s perspective is that
if the cancer is in remission or has been removed, the cancer does not pose a
risk to the veteran, hence, why the VA decreases the rating to 0%. Now do I
agree with this thought process, NO, it’s TERRIBLE, but I can’t fight city hall
(ie the VA)!!! For me, I have service connected
prostate cancer due to the Gulf War. In May 2019, I had a robotic prostatectomy
to remove my prostate as well as the cancer cells within my prostate. Prior to
my robotic prostatectomy, my Prostate Statin Antigen (PSA) level rose to 6.XX (ie normal is below 2.0). So now thankfully, I have my PSA
level tested every six months to ensure the level is ~0.00. However, it’s a
well-known fact that the cancer can metastasize somewhere else in my body and
once again my PSA level will begin to rise again. However, since my PSA level
is ~0.00, the VA considers the prostate cancer as removed and they rated my
prostate cancer as 0%. Now with this said, since my prostate was removed and is
service connected, the VA authorized SMC-K for the loss of an organ due to
service connection. Also, post cancer removal surgery, the VA will authorize
“residuals” to be rated. Residuals are side effects/outcomes/issues post cancer
removal surgery. Again, I’ll use myself as an example here. Post a robotic
prostatectomy, there are three common side effects/outcomes/issues for males,
1) Erectile Disfunction, 2) Urinary Incontinence and/or 3) Urinary Frequency.
Each of these residuals are individually rated and can re-coup “some” of the
100% active cancer rating for the veteran. In my case, I was able to re-coup a
40% residuals rating. Trust me, it’s not 100%, but much, much better than 0%.
Lastly, if the veteran has been diagnosed with cancer and has gone around and
around with the VA about their condition every six months (ie
100%, then 0%, then 100%, then 0%, etc.) for 5+ years, the VA will finally
concede the cancer is NOT going away and will most likely rate the veteran at
100% P&T. Yes, I have a good friend of mine that this happened to. I can’t
make this up. Unfortunate as it is. All I can say is, thanks VA and maybe
Secretary Collins can help here. Just saying……
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