Veterans

The US Department of Veterans Affairs is made up of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and the National Cemetery Administration (NCA).

Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The VHA provides health care benefits and services to veterans. 

You must complete VA Form 10-10EZ - Application for Medical Benefits in order to start the enrollment application process.  You will also need to provide financial information, which is used to determine your enrollment priority group.  Your eligibility for particular health care benefits is based upon whether you have service-connected or non-service-connected health care needs.

If you were previously enrolled in the VA health care system and you want to re-enroll, update or change your information, use VA Form 10-10EZR- Health Benefits Renewal Form.

Enrollment for health care benefits via the VA 10-10EZ is not the same as going through the Compensation & Pension Service.  The VA 10-10EZ is for health care only, which includes services to people who are blind.  Click here for details on the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). 

After you have filed the paperwork with the VA (at a VA medical center or via mail), you will be notified if you will be enrolled, and may be assigned a priority group.

Standard Benefits

• Immunizations
• Physical examinations (including eye & hearing exams)
• Health care assessments
• Screening tests
• Health education programs

Inpatient & Outpatient Diagnostic & Treatment Services

• Medical
• Surgical (including reconstructive/plastic surgery as a result of disease or trauma)
• Mental Health
• Substance Abuse

Additional Medical Benefits   

• Prescription drugs, when prescribed by a VA physician
• Dental care
• Durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs & scooters
• Eyeglasses
• Hearing aids
• Orthopedic, prosthetic & rehabilitative devices
• Clothing allowance
  
• Home improvement & structural alterations benefit

Benefits for Blind Veterans

Blind and visually impaired veterans may be eligible for services at a VA medical center or for admission to a VA blind rehabilitation center.  In addition, blind veterans enrolled in the VA health care system may receive:

1. Total health & benefits review
2. Adjustment to blindness training & counseling
3. Home improvements & structural alterations
4. Specially adapted housing & adaptations
5. Automobile grant
6. Low-vision devices & training in their use
7. Electronic & mechanical aids for the blind, including adaptive computers and computer-assisted devices such as reading machines and electronic travel aids
8. Guide dogs, including cost of training for the veteran to learn to work with the dog
9. Talking books, tapes & Braille literature

Benefits for Low-Vision Veterans

Eligible visually impaired veterans (who are not blind) enrolled in the VA health care system may receive:

1. Total health & benefits review
2. Adjustment to vision loss counseling & training
3. Low-vision devices & training in their use
4. Electronic & mechanical aids for the visually impaired, including adaptive computers and computer-assisted devices such as reading machines and electronic travel aids, and training in their use

Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)

The VBA provides financial and other forms of assistance to veterans and their dependents.  The Compensation & Pension Service administers a variety of benefits and services for your service-connected disability.

In June 2010, the VA reduced the paperwork and expedited the process for veterans seeking compensation for disabilities related to their military service.  Click here to read the June 15, 2010 press release. 

You may apply by filling out VA Form 21-526 - Veterans Application for Compensation and/or Pension.  You can also apply on-line.

VA Form 21-256b - Veteran's Supplemental Claim for Compensation is for veterans seeking increased benefits for conditions already determined by the VA to be service-connected.  The new form more clearly describes the information needed to support claims for increased benefits.

To make the claims process faster, the VA now has two new forms for veterans participating in the new fully developed claim (FDC) program, which is on of the fastest ways to receive a claims decision.  Submit VA Form 21-526EZ - Fully Developed Claim (Compensation) for a compensation claim.  Submit VA Form 21-527EZ - Fully Developed Claim (Pension) for a pension claim.

Types of Compensation

• Education
• Life insurance
• Vocational rehabilitation such as vehicles, adaptations & other AT devices
• Burials & memorials
• Specially adapted housing
• Veterans mortgage life insurance
• Tax-free monthly disability compensation

Disability Compensation Rates

See the Compensation Rate Tables for specific percentages of disability and the rates paid.  Veterans with disability ratings of at least 30% are eligible for additional allowances for dependents, including spouses, minor children, children between the ages of 18 and 23 who are attending school, children who are permanently incapable of self-support because of a disability arising before age 18, and dependent parents.  The additional amount depends on the disability rating and the number of dependents.

National Cemetery Administration (NCA)

The NCA honors veterans with final resting places in national shrines and with lasting tributes that commemorate their service to our nation.

To confirm your eligibility for burial benefits, call a Veteran’s Benefits Counselor at 1-800-827-1000.