Seeking Federal Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs publishes a booklet called “Federal Benefits for Veterans and Their Dependents” that describes the types of benefits available and lists addresses and phone numbers for VA facilities nationwide. Write to your VA Regional Office (VARO) for a copy. Call 1-800-827-1000 or visit http://www1.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp for information about benefits and addresses for regional offices.

Eligibility for VA Benefits

Your ability to get most VA benefits depends on your type of military discharge. In general, you are eligible for services if you were discharged under honorable conditions (this includes general discharges). Disability Compensation is money paid to veterans who were injured or who have a disease that started or became worse during active duty. VA Disability Pension is money that may be available to low-income veterans who are permanently and totally disabled – not as a result of military service – and have 90 or more days of active military service, at least one day of which was during a period of war.

Homeless veterans' benefit claims should be directed to the Homeless Coordinator at the nearest Regional VA Benefits Office for expedited processing. Be sure to clearly mark "homeless veteran" on all applications and required forms.

Help Seeking Benefits

If you would like to get benefits or think you have a pending claim before the VA, it is best to get professional help.

• Check the phone book blue pages for a County Veteran Service Officer's number, or call your county government information line to see if there is one in your area.
  
• Many Veterans Service Organizations have trained staff who can help you with your VA claim, and can legally represent you before the VA. Some also help homeless and at-risk veterans find the support services they need. You can contact any VSO listed below to see if there is a service representative near you, or find a list of VA-recognized VSOs online at http://www1.va.gov/vso/index.cfm?template=view.

The American Legion
National Headquarters, PO Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206
1-317-630-1323 • http://www.legion.org/

AMVETS
National Service Officers, 4677 Forbes Blvd., Lanham, MD 20706
1-877-726-8387 • http://www.amvets.org/

Blinded Veterans Association
Field Service Officers, 477 H. St., NW, Washington, DC 20001
1-800-669-7079 • http://www.bva.org/

Disabled American Veterans
National Headquarters, 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076
1-859-441-7300 • http://www.dav.org/

Jewish War Veterans
1811 R St., NW, Washington, DC 20009
1-202-265-6280 • http://www.jwv.org/

Military Order of the Purple Heart
5413-B Backlick Rd., Springfield, VA 22151
1-703-642-5360 • http://www.purpleheart.org/

Non Commissioned Officers Association
Veterans Service Officers, NCOA National Capital Office,
P.O. Box 427 Alexandria, VA 22313
1-703-549-0311 • http://www.ncoausa.org/

Paralyzed Veterans of America
801 18th St., NW, Washington, DC 20006
1-800-424-8200 • http://www.pva.org/

Veterans of Foreign Wars
National Headquarters, 406 W. 34th St., Kansas City, MO 64111
1-816-756-3390 • http://www.vfw.org/

Vietnam Veterans of America
Veterans Benefits Program, 8605 Cameron St., Suite 400,
Silver Spring, MD 20910
1-301-585-4000 • http://www.vva.org/

Seeking Benefits on Your Own

Although we encourage you to seek the aid of a service representative, you may choose to apply for VA benefits on your own. Write the VARO in your state or find VA forms at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/. You can also apply for certain benefits at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp. 

Below are brief descriptions of the forms needed to file for certain VA benefits. Be sure you use a return address where mail will get to you as quickly as possible. Make photocopies of all forms for your records before sending your packet to the VARO nearest you.

Military and Medical Records

You will need your military discharge document (DD 214) when applying for any benefits. VA Form SF-180 is used to get copies of your military and medical records. Veterans may also complete a request at http://vetrecs.archives.gov/.

Application for Compensation or Pension

VA Form 21-526 must be filed to apply for compensation or pension. This form, along with your DD 214 and the following forms, should be mailed directly to the VARO nearest you.

Statement in Support of Claim

VA Form 21-4138 lets you explain why you deserve the benefits you are requesting. It is best to have an experienced service representative help you complete the form.

Authorization for Release of Information

If you have received medical or mental health care from anyone other than a VA Medical Center and feel it may be relevant to your claim, you need to fill out VA Form 21-4142, which gives permission for release of medical records to the VA.

Enrollment for Medical Benefits

VA Form 10-10EZ is used by the VA to determine if you can receive medical benefits. Complete the form and bring it with you to the VA medical facility where you will seek evaluation for treatment.

Vocational Rehabilitation for Disabled Veterans

VA Form 28-1900 is needed to apply for the vocational rehabilitation program, which helps veterans who were disabled during service reach maximum independence in daily living, learn the skills needed to get a job, and find and keep a job. Send Form 28-1900 to the VARO nearest you.
 
Request for and Consent to Release Information from Claimant’s Records

VA Form VA-3288 is used to get records relevant to your claim from VA facilities (regional offices, medical centers, outpatient clinics, and vet centers). Request a fee waiver under section 38 CFR 1.526 (h), which requires the VARO to provide a veteran with one set of his or her records free of charge.