U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Specialty Court Conference VA Regional Office Muskogee, OK

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 2 Content Compensation Pension Education Oklahoma State Benefits Death Benefits

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 3 Compensation A service-connected disability is a disease or injury incurred or aggravated while on active duty. The disability does not have to be combat or wartime related.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 4 Compensation Tax free benefit Disabilities are rated from 0% to 100% VA rating is independent of any military rating Priority medical care at VA Medical Centers for service connected disabilities Additional allowances for dependants when rating is 30% or higher

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 5 Compensation How to Apply Complete VA Form –Part I through VI, & Part XII Send certified copy of all DD-214s Send supporting medical evidence or submit VA Form , Authorization to Release Information to the VA VA will obtain a copy of your service treatment records

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 6 Compensation How to Apply eBenefits – Use the VONAPP feature VA Regional Office – Muskogee, OK VA Outbase Office – Oklahoma City Veterans Service Officer – DAV, VFW, NABVETS, American Legion, etc.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 7 Reopening Your Claim Request an increase on a service- connected disability Add new disability Add a disability secondary to an existing service connected disability Reopen of previously denied disability

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 8 Reopening Your Claim VA Form b –Veteran’s Supplemental Claim Send supporting medical evidence or submit VA Form , Authorization to Release Information to the VA

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 9 Pension Non-Service Connected Disability At least 90 days of active military service (generally, 24 months for enlistments after September 7, 1980) At least one day of wartime service Totally & permanently disabled, or attained age 65

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 10 Pension Eligibility subject to combine family income and net worth limitations If there is countable family income, the monthly rate is reduced, dollar-for- dollar, by the amount of the countable family income

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 11 Pension How to Apply Complete VA Form –Part I, III, V through XII Send certified copy of all DD-214s

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 12 Compensation & Pension Time Limit No time limit to apply for Compensation or Pension For Compensation, benefits will be paid retroactive to the date of separation if VA receives the application within one year of separation. Otherwise, benefits are effective no earlier than the date VA receives the application

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 13 Education Montgomery GI Bill – Ch. 30 Post 9/11 GI Bill – Ch. 33

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 14 MGIB – Chapter 30 Up to 36 months of benefits Benefit must be used within 10 years of release from active duty Fulltime Benefit $1, a month School & training course must be VA approved programs

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 15 Post 9/11 – Chapter 33 Individuals who served on active duty after 09/10/01 will be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill if the individual—  Served at least 30 continuous days and as discharged due to a service-connected disability, or  Served for an aggregate period ranging from 90 days to 36 months.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 16 Post 9/11 – Chapter 33 Individuals will generally receive 36 months of benefits. However, individuals are limited to 48 months of combine benefits under education assistance programs provided by VA. Note: Individuals transferring to the Post 9/11 GI Bill from the Montgomery GI Bill (Ch. 30) will be limited to the amount of remaining Ch. 30 entitlement. In general, individuals have 15 years from the date of last discharge from active duty.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 17 Post 9/11 – Chapter 33 Individuals are entitle to a percentage of the following: –Cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher learning –Monthly Housing Allowance equal to the basic allowance for housing for an E-5 with dependents –Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1000 per year paid directly to veteran –One-time payment of $500 paid to certain individuals relocating from highly rural areas.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 18 Post 9/11 – Chapter 33 Monthly Housing Allowance prorated based on the percentage of the maximum benefit payable Must be attending school ¾ time or full time to receive Monthly Housing Allowance

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 19 Veterans Retraining Assistance Program – VRAP

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 20 Oklahoma State Benefit Reduced Auto Tags for legal residents with service connected disabilities rated 50% or more –No Future Exam – 2 cars tags per year –Future Exam – 1 car tag per year Free Hunting & Fishing Licenses for legal residents with 60% or more service connected disability

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 21 Oklahoma State Benefit 100% Permanent & Total Sales Tax exemption Ad Valorem Tax exemption (Property tax) Excise Tax exemption (one vehicle in a consecutive 3 year period) Surviving Spouse receiving DIC is eligible for Ad Valorem Tax exemption

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 22 Death Benefit Burial Flag & Headstone/Flat Marker Burial in National Cemetery Burial/Plot Allowance –Service connected death $2,000 –Not a service connected death and veteran was entitled to receive pension or compensation or the death occurs in a VA facility - $300 Burial Allowance and $300 Plot Allowance

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 23 Questions?