Veterans Benefits for You: Get What You Deserve

By Paul R. Lawrence

KEY SELLING POINTS for > VETERANS BENEFITS FOR YOU: Get What You Deserve  by Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D.25,000 Announced 1st Print > 10,000 COPY 1ST 90 DAYS LAYDOWN Goal w/ USA & International Military Bases placements CATEGORY: MILITARY (Veterans & Policy) / PERSONAL FINANCE / HEALTH & FITNESS / Health Care / Insurance   AUDIENCE: ALL 20 MILLION ACTIVE-DUTY AND RETIRED USA MILITARY VETERANS, DEPENDENTS AND SURVIVORSWHY-TO-BUY:

• THE USA NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF ITS SOLDIERS & VETERANS NEED THIS BOOK: NEWSMAX VETERAN BENEFITS SURVIVAL GUIDE is a comprehensive, accessible, and reader-friendly handbook to help veterans and their family get all the benefits they are entitled to for serving a grateful nation.
• AUTHORITATIVE: Former Under Secretary for Benefits in the Department of Veterans Affairs during the Trump Administration Paul R. Lawrence is one of the nation’s leading experts on veterans benefits.
• TIMELY: The USA has been "at war" since 2001 and has veterans (and soon-to-be veterans) stretching back to WWII with new recruits every day.

FUN(?) FACT(S):

• CURRENTLY 17 MILLION VETERANS need help getting their benefits!
• Department of Veterans Affairs Senior Executive Biography Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D. Under Secretary for Benefits Veterans Benefits Administration Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D. was nominated by President Donald J. Trump to serve as the 7th Under Secretary for Benefits and was UNANIMOUSLY confirmed by the United States Senate on April 26, 2018.
• Dr. Lawrence graduated from the Army's Airborne School and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and served in the U.S. Army attaining the rank of Captain.
• Dr Lawrence is an economist who has written over five books.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Humanix Books
• Release date: Jul 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9781630062163

Paul R. Lawrence

Dr. Paul R. Lawrence has 35 years of experience solving management problems in large, complex organizations. Paul is a successful private sector executive, having been a consulting partner in two Big Four accounting firms and a vice-president in two Fortune 50 companies. He is deeply knowledgeable of government issues, having worked with leaders in many departments, including Treasury, Commerce, USPS, GSA and DOD. For almost three years, Paul served as the Under Secretary for Benefits in the Department of Veterans Affairs, unanimously confirmed by the Senate on April 27, 2018. As Under Secretary, Paul led a team of 25,000 people with an operating budget of $4 billion, administering $120 billion in benefits annually. He serves on the Board of Directors of Vets2Industry, a non-profit organization helping Veterans pursue a career in the private sector. http://www.paulrlawrence.com/index.html

Book preview

Cover Page for Veterans Benefits for You

Veterans Benefits for You

Get What You Deserve

Paul R. Lawrence

Former Under Secretary of Benefits at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

www.humanixbooks.com

Humanix Books

VETERANS BENEFITS FOR YOU by Paul R. Lawrence

Copyright © 2023 by Humanix Books

All rights reserved

Humanix Books, P.O. Box 20989, West Palm Beach, FL 33416, USA

www.humanixbooks.com | [e-mail]

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any other information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher.

Humanix Books is a division of Humanix Publishing, LLC. Its trademark, consisting of the words Humanix Books, is registered in the Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this book is meant to be used for general resource purposes only; it is not intended as specific financial advice for any individual and should not substitute financial advice from a finance professional.

ISBN: 9-781-63006-215-6 (Hardcover)

ISBN: 9-781-63006-216-3 (E-book)

To my wife, Ann, for her enduring support

Contents

Abbreviations

Introduction

Chapter 1: Are You Eligible for Benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?

Did You Serve in the Active Military, Naval, or Air Service?

Were You Discharged or Released under Conditions Other Than Dishonorable?

How Do You Demonstrate That You Served?

Important Resources

Chapter 2: Disability Compensation

Connecting Your Injury, Disability, or Condition to Your Military Service

Should You Apply for Disability Compensation?

How to Receive Disability Compensation

Top Reasons an Application for Disability Compensation Is Denied

Chapter 3: Important Topics Related to Disability Compensation

Special Complexities in Benefits

Presumptive Conditions

Chapter 4: The GI Bill—Using Your Education Benefit

What Is the Post-9/11 GI Bill?

What Is the Monthly Housing Allowance?

How Do You Use the Post-9/11 GI Bill?

Flight Training

On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeships

Other Features of the Post-9/11 GI Bill

How to Apply

Important Resources

Chapter 5: Home Loan Guaranty Benefit

Case Study

Are You Eligible to Use This Benefit?

What Is the Process?

What Does It Cost to Use the Home Loan Guaranty?

Farms and Mobile Homes

Trouble Paying Your Mortgage?

Other Loans

Adapting Your Home

Important Resources

Chapter 6: Veteran Readiness and Employment

Eligibility

Entitlement

The Five Veteran Readiness and Employment Programs

Subsistence Allowance

Additional Programs to Employ Veterans

Important Resources

Chapter 7: Pension

Veterans Pension

Survivors Pension

Important Resources

Chapter 8: Fiduciary

What Is a Fiduciary?

How Is a Fiduciary Assigned?

Important Points about This Process

What Does a Fiduciary Do?

What Assurances Does the Beneficiary Have That Their Funds Are Correctly Cared For?

An Important Consequence of Being Assigned a Fiduciary

How Do You Appeal the Ruling of Incompetency?

Important Resources

Chapter 9: Dependency Indemnity Compensation

Eligibility

What Is the Dependency Indemnity Compensation Payment?

Other Important Benefits Related to the Death of the Veteran

Important Resources

Chapter 10: Survivors Benefits

Dependents’ Education Assistance Program

Home Loan Guaranty

Chapter 11: Insurance

Veterans Group Life Insurance

Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance

Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance

Chapter 12: Appeals

Overview of Options

Higher-Level Review

Supplemental Claim

Appealing to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals

Chapter 13: Other Veteran Programs

Financial Support

Homelessness

Incarcerated or Justice-Involved Veterans

Connecting with the VA

Appendix A: Key Veterans Service Organizations

American Legion

AMVETS

Disabled American Veterans

Paralyzed Veterans of America

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Vietnam Veterans of America

Wounded Warrior Project

Appendix B: State Departments of Veterans Affairs

Veteran Service Officers

Additional State Benefits for Veterans

Contact Information for Each State Department of Veterans Affairs (or Equivalent)

Territories and Other Areas Relevant to Veterans

Appendix C: List of VA Regional Benefits Offices

Acknowledgments

About the Author

List of Abbreviations/Acronyms

A&A   Aid and Attendance

ALS   Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

BCD   Bad Conduct Discharge

BVA   Board of Veterans Appeals

C&P   Compensation and Pension

COE   Certificate of Eligibility

DAV   Disabled American Veterans

DBQ   Disability Benefits Questionnaire

DD   Dishonorable Discharge

DEA   Dependents’ Education Assistance

DIC   Dependency Indemnity Compensation

DTA   Duty to Assist

GPD   Grant Per Diem

HCRV   Healthcare for Reentry Veterans

HISA   Home Improvement and Structural Alterations

HUD   U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

IRRL   Interest Rate Reduction Refinance

MHA   Monthly Housing Allowance

OMPF   Official Military Personnel File

OTH   Other Than Honorable

P&T   Permanent and Total

PCPG   Personalized Career Planning and Guidance

POA   Power of Attorney

PTSD   Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PVA   Paralyzed Veterans of America

SAH   Specially Adaptive Housing

S-DVI   Service-Disabled Life Insurance

SHA   Special Housing Adaptation

SSVF   Supportive Services for Veteran Families

TBI   Traumatic Brain Injury

TDIU   Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability

TRA   Temporary Residence Adaption

VBA   Veterans Benefits Administration

VBBP   Veterans Benefits Banking Program

VET TEC   Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses

VFW   Veterans of Foreign Wars

VGLI   Veterans Group Life Insurance

VJO   Veteran Justice Outreach

VLJ   Veteran’s Law Judge

VMLI   Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance

VR&E   Veterans Readiness and Employment

VRC   Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

VSO   Veteran Service Organization

VVA   Vietnam Veterans of America

WWP   Wounded Warrior Project

Introduction

Volunteering to serve in the military, to protect our way of life, is a noble undertaking. Even in the best of times, service members make significant sacrifices. Since 9/11, however, we have asked our military to engage regularly across the globe to protect our interests.

It’s estimated that more than three million Americans have served since 9/11. While in uniform, service members are competitively paid. When they leave service and become veterans, they can receive benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These benefits can offset the effects of injury and enhance their economic opportunities.

While in college, I saw one of the effects of these benefits firsthand. Many of my friends who otherwise wouldn’t have gone to college were able to afford their education thanks to the GI Bill’s education benefit. In addition, in contrast to nonveterans who took out loans to finance their education, veterans using their education benefit graduated debt-free.

I am an army veteran. I served for three years as a finance officer, fulfilling my Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) requirement. After completing my service, I became a management consultant. In each company, I worked with other veteran employees and leaders to champion veteran causes. In spring 2018, I had the opportunity to become a senior leader at the VA and make a real difference for veterans.

I was nominated by President Trump and unanimously confirmed by the Senate to serve as the VA’s under secretary for benefits in April 2018. I served as under secretary for almost three years, until January 20, 2021. As under secretary, I was the leader of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), overseeing 25,000 employees administering over $100 billion in benefits annually to six million veterans.

To do my job effectively, I learned about the wide range of benefits available to veterans and their families. Each had its own set of rules and special features. It was easy to see how veterans could be overwhelmed and might not receive a benefit they had earned because they were unaware of it.

Simultaneously, I learned how veterans applied for and the VA processed the applications (or claims) for benefits. Between completing VA forms and providing needed information, such as official military and medical records, it was clear veterans had to devote time and energy to the process. Similarly, VA employees needed to review each claim and then grant or deny benefits. I found the overall process to be complicated, time consuming, and often frustrating for veterans.

Part of the reason for this is the way government works. Congress passes laws and allocates money to provide benefits to veterans. Laws are broad, and to implement them effectively, regulations are written and operational procedures are developed, increasing complexity. Lawsuits are filed by veterans and their advocates, which result in court rulings further clarifying what benefits are available while making the benefits administration process even more complex. All these contribute to making it difficult for veterans to obtain their benefits.

This touched me personally in 2020 while I was serving as under secretary. In March 2020, when the pandemic stopped in-person events, I held telephone town halls with veterans to present updated information and answer questions about their benefits. From March through December 2020, I held 110 telephone town halls, connecting with 5.7 million veterans. In each town hall, I fielded and answered questions from veterans. In all, I estimated I took 1,500 questions, hearing directly about their concerns.

Their questions further informed me about the lack of available, understandable information regarding their benefits. Regular statements and questions like these demonstrated the need for more and better information:

I’m confused about all the benefits that are available.

What forms do I fill out?

Am I eligible for this benefit?

I think a mistake was made—can I appeal?

While working at the VA, I provided information to veterans about the available benefits and reported regularly and publicly about how effectively these benefits were processed. Out of office, I thought more about the veterans’ benefit experience and hoped a book existed that provided needed information. Examining books about veterans’ benefits, I saw many were out of date, often incomplete because they addressed just a few of the many benefits, or hard to decipher, providing limited practical help to veterans trying to obtain their earned benefits.

I decided to write this book to provide needed information for veterans, answering many of the frequently asked questions that I heard as under secretary of benefits. I wanted to present this information in a straightforward manner so it could be used as a how-to manual for a veteran or family member trying to obtain benefits. Finally, I wanted to cover all the benefits administered by the VBA.

The first chapter addresses the key requirements of what it means to be a veteran. This is critical. By law, these benefits are only available to someone who is considered a veteran, which has a specific definition. Each chapter then covers a different benefit, describing who is eligible to receive or use it, what the benefit compasses, and important details affecting its use. The appendixes provide detailed information about the following:

• Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs). These can provide no-cost help to veterans to apply for benefits and access other resources to support veterans.

• State departments of Veterans Affairs/Services. These also can provide no-cost help to veterans with their benefits. States also provide benefits to their veterans that should be investigated.

• VBA offices. These are listed so veterans can get in-person service, if appropriate.

Chapter 1

Are You Eligible for Benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?

To receive benefits from the VA, you must both be a veteran and meet the requirements of the specific benefit. Let’s start by describing the definition of and requirements to be a veteran.

A veteran is defined by law as a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable (38 USC 101(2)).

To prove you are a veteran, you must meet both parts of the definition:

1. You served in the active military, naval, or air service.

2. You were discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.

Did You Serve in the Active Military, Naval, or Air Service?

The answer is yes if you did any of the following:

• full-time duty, other than active duty for training, in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard (While not yet specifically stated in the law, we assume this also includes the newly created Space Force.)

• full-time duty, other than for training purposes as a commissioned officer of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps

• full-time duty as a commissioned officer of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

If you enlisted before September 8, 1980, there is no minimum length of service to be considered a veteran. If you enlisted after that date, the requirement is the lesser of either

• 24 months or

• the full period for which the service member was called.

Veteran Status for Members of the National Guard

For the purpose of benefits, service in the National Guard can qualify you as a veteran if you served 180 days or more in a federal status outside of training. It is very important to pay attention