What This Book’s About 8
Benefits Eligibility 10
Veterans Status 11
National Guard and Reserve Members 12
Importance of Character of Military Discharge 12
Periods of War 14
Getting Service Records 16
The VA Organization 17
Obtaining Service Documents and Records 18
Online Databases 20
Veterans Health Care Benefits 21
Online Portals for Veterans Benefits 23
Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability
Act of 2014 23
Eligibility 24
Enrollment for Health Care Benefits 25
Means Test and Copayment Requirements 27
VA Coverage as Supplemental Insurance 28
Travel Benefits 29
Priority Groups for Health Care 29
Priority 1 30
Priority 2 30
Priority 3 30
Priority 4 31
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Priority 5 31
Priority 6 31
Priority 7 32
Priority 8 32
Enhanced Health Care Benefits for Combat Veterans
serving after November 11, 1998 33
Veterans with Spinal Cord Injuries 34
Caregiver Support 34
What’s Covered? 35
Standard Medical Benefits 35
Limited Medical Benefits 35
What’s Not Covered? 36
Long-Term Care Benefits 36
Standard Benefits 36
Limited Benefits 38
Special Categories for Medical Care 40
Health Registries 40
Non-Veteran Eligibility 41
Foreign Medical Program 42
Dental Care Benefits 43
Spouse and Dependent Health Coverage 45
TRICARE 46
CHAMPVA 46
Vet Centers 48
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Contents
Disability Income Programs 50
Disability Rating System 51
Pension Options 53
Basic Pension 54
Aid & Attendance (A & A) 55
Housebound 56
Dependents and Survivors Benefits 58
Employment and Education Benefits 61
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services 62
Education Benefits 63
Education Benefit Fraud 64
Burial Benefits 65
Burial Flags 66
Burial in National Cemeteries 66
Headstones and Markers 67
Burial Allowances 68
Military Honors 69
Other Benefits 70
Home Loan Guarantees 71
Life Insurance 71
Other Financial Counseling and Assistance 72
Benefits for Special Groups of Veterans 73
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VA Claims and Appeal Process 75
Concluding Thoughts 77
Glossary 79
List of Abbreviations 83
About the Authors 85
About Real Life LegalTM 86
Available Titles 86
