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 the addresses and phone numbers for VA facilities nationwide. Write to your VA Regional Office (VARO) for a copy. Call 1-800-827-1000 or find information about benefits and addresses for regional offices at http://www1.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp.

Eligibility for VA Benefits

Your ability to get most VA benefits depends on your discharge from the military. 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 have a disease that started or got worse during active duty. VA Disability Pension is money that may be available to low-income veterans who are permanently and totally disabled, but not as a result of military service, and have 90 days or more of active military service, at least one day of which was during a period of war.

Benefit claims for homeless veterans 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 to assist you.

• Check the blue pages of the phone book for the number of a County Veteran Service Officer in your area, 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 www.appc1.va.gov/vso/index.cfm.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vietnam Veterans of America
Veterans Benefits Program,
8605 Cameron St Suite 400 Silver Spring, MD 20910
1-301-585-4000 • web: 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 the forms online at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/. You can also apply for certain benefits online at  http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp. 

Below are brief descriptions of 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 online 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 asking for because of your disability or disorder. 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 giving 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 to help veterans who were disabled during their service reach maximum independence in daily living, to learn the skills needed to get a job, and to find and keep a job. Send Form 28-1900 to the VARO in your area.
 
Request for and Consent to Release of Information from Claimant’s Records

VA Form 70-3288 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 C.F.R. Sec. 1.526 (h), which requires the VARO to provide a veteran with one set of his or her records free of charge.