Veterans Benefits

Below are web-sites that provide information on Veterans benefits and how to file/ask for them. Accordingly, there are many sites that explain how to obtain books, military/medical records, information and how to appeal a denied claim with the VA. Please pass this information on to every Veteran you know. Nearly 100% of this information is free and available for all veterans, the only catch is: you have to ask for it, because they won’t tell you about a specific benefit unless you ask for it. You need to know what questions to ask so the right doors open for you — and then be ready to have an advocate who is willing to work with and for you, stay in the process, and press for your rights and your best interests.

 

 

Appeals http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch05.doc

Board of Veteran’s Appeals http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/ CARES Commission http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/ CARES Draft National Plan http://www1.va.gov/cares/page.cfm?pg=105

Center for Minority Veterans http://www1.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans/

Center for Veterans Enterprise http://www.vetbiz.gov/default2.htm

Center for Women Veterans http://www1.va.gov/womenvet/ Clarification on the changes in VA healthcare for Gulf War Veterans http://www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000016.html

Classified Records – American Gulf War Veterans Assoc http://www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum18/HTML/000011.html

Compensation for Disabilities Associated with the Gulf War Service

http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part6

<http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part6%20/ch07.doc>  /ch07.doc Compensation Rate Tables, 12-1-03 http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/comp01.htm

Department of Veterans Affairs Home Page http://www.va.gov/ Directory of Veterans Service Organizations http://www1.va.gov/vso/index.cfm?template=view

Disability Examination Worksheets Index, Comp http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/exams/index.htm

Due Process http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch02.doc

Dut y to Assist http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch01.doc

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/ Emergency, Non-emergency, and Fee Basis Care http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf

Environmental Agents http://www1.va.gov/environagents/ Environmental Agents M10

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1002

Establishing Combat Veteran Eligibi lity

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=315

EVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR GULF WAR AND IRAQI FREEDOM VETERANS WITH POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM (DU) http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DUHandbook1303122304.DOC and

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1158

See also,

Depleted Uranium Fact Sheet

http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DepletedUraniumFAQSheet.doc

EVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR NON-GULF WAR VETERANS WITH POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM (DU) http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DUHANDBOOKNONGW130340304.DOC

Fee Basis, PRIORITY FOR OUTPATIENT MEDICAL SERVICES AND INPATIENT HOSPITAL CARE http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=206

Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependants 2005 http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf OR, http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/current_benefits.htm

Forms and Records Request http://www.va.gov/vaforms/ General Compensation Provisions http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter11_subchaptervi_.html

 

Geriatrics and Extended Care http://www1.va.gov/geriatricsshg/ Guideline for Chronic Pain and Fatigue MUS-CPG http://www.oqp.med.va.gov/cpg/cpgn/mus/mus_base.htm

 

Guide to Gulf War Veteran’s Health

http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/VHIgulfwar.pdf

Gulf War Subject Index http://www1.va.gov/GulfWar/page.cfm?pg=7

<http://www1.va.gov/GulfWar/page.cfm?pg=7&template=main&letter=A>

&template=main&letter=A

Gulf War Veteran’s Illnesses Q&As

http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/GWIllnessesQandAsIB1041.pdf

Hearings http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admi <http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch04.doc>

n21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch04.doc

Homeless Veterans http://www1.va.gov/homeless/ HSR&D Home http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/ Index to Disability Examination Worksheets C&P exams http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefits/exams/index.htm

Ionizing Radiation http://www1.va.gov/irad/ Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom Veterans VBA http://www.vba.va.gov/EFIF/ M10 for spouses and children h <http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1007>

ttp://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1007

M10 Part III Change 1

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1008

M21-1 Table of Contents http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/M21_1.html

Mental Disorders, Schedule of Ratings

http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKC/PART4/S4_130.DOC

Mental Health Program Guidelines

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1094

Ment al Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers http://www.mirecc.med.va.gov/ MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Centers of Excellence http://www.va.gov/ms/about.asp

 

My Health e Vet http://www.myhealth.va.gov/ NASDVA.COM National Association of State Directors http://www.nasdva.com/ National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention http://www.nchpdp.med.va.gov/postdeploymentlinks.asp

Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders, Schedule of Ratings http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38cfr/bookc/part4/s4%5F124a.doc

<http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38cfr/bookc/part4/s4_124a.doc>

OMI (Office of Medical Inspector) http://www.omi.cio.med.va.gov/ Online VA Form 10-10EZ https://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/

Parkinson’s Disease and Related Neurodegenerative Disorders http://www1.va.gov/resdev/funding/solicitations/docs/parkinsons.pdf and, http://www1.va.gov/padrecc/ Peacetime Disability Compensation http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc

<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=

Cite:+38USC1131> &docid=Cite:+38USC1131 Pension for Non-Service-Connected Disability or Death http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapteri_.html

and,

http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapterii_.html

 

and, http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/tit

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapteriii_.ht

ml>  le38/partii_chapter15_subchapteriii_.html

 

Persian Gulf Registry

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1003

This program is now referred to as Gulf War Registry Program (to include Operation Iraqi Freedom) as of March 7, 2005:

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1232

Persian Gulf Registry Referral Centers

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1006

Persian Gulf Veterans’ Illnesses Research 1999, Annual Report To Congress http://www1.va.gov/resdev/1999_Gulf_War_Veterans’_Illnesses_Appendices.doc

Persian Gulf Veterans’ Illnesses Research 2002, Annual Report To Congress http://www1.va.gov/resdev/prt/gulf_war_2002/GulfWarRpt02.pdf

Phase I PGR

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1004

Phase II PGR

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1005

Policy Manual Index http://www.va.gov/publ/direc/eds/edsmps.htm

Power of Attorney

http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch03.doc

Project 112 (Including Project SHAD) http://www1.va.gov/shad/ Prosthetics Eligibility

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=337

 

Public Health and Environmental Hazards Home Page http://www.vethealth.cio.med.va.gov/

 

Public Health/SARS http://www.publichealth.va.gov/SARS/

Publications Manuals

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/publications.cfm?Pub=4

Publications and Reports

http://www1.va.gov/resdev/prt/pubs_individual.cfm?webpage=gulf_war.htm

Records Center and Vault Homepage http://www.aac.va.gov/vault/default.html

Records Center and Vault Site Map http://www.aac.va.gov/vault/sitemap.html

REQUEST FOR AND CONSENT TO RELEASE OF INFORMATION FROM CLAIMANT’S RECORDS http://www.forms.va.gov/va/Internet/VARF/getformharness.asp?formName=3288-fo

rm.xft

Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses April 11, 2002 http://www1.va.gov/rac-gwvi/docs/Minutes_April112002.doc

Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses http://www1.va.gov/rac-gwvi/docs/ReportandRecommendations_2004.pdf

Research and Development

http://www.appc1.va.gov/resdev/programs/all_programs.cfm

Survivor’s and Dependents’ Educational Assistance http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partiii_chapter35_.html

 

 

Title 38

Index

Parts 0-17

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textidx?sid=

<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801

bc9b3dc&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv1_02.tpl>

1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc

<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801

bc9b3dc&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv1_02.tpl>

&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv1_02.tpl

 

Part 18

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/

<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801

bc9b3dc&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv2_02.tpl>  textidx?sid= 1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc

<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801

bc9b3dc&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv2_02.tpl>

&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv2_02.tpl

 

 

Title 38

Part 3 Adjudication

Subpart Aââ,¬”Pension, Compensation, and Dependency and Indemnity

Compensation http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textidx?c=ecfr

<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d3157fb

f8f8801bc9b3dc&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfr3_main_02.tpl> &sid=

1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc

<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d3157fb

f8f8801bc9b3dc&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfr3_main_02.tpl>

&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfr3_main_02.tpl

 

 

Title 38

Pensions, Bonuses & Veterans Relief

(also Ã,§ 3.317 Compensation for certain disabilities due to undiagnosed

illnesses found here)

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textidx?c=ecfr

<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d3157fb

f8f8801bc9b3dc&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfr3_main_02.tpl> &si d=

1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc

<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d3157fb

f8f8801bc9b3dc&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfr3_main_02.tpl>

&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfr3_main_02.tpl

 

 

Title 38

PART 4–SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES

Subpart B–DISABILITY RATINGS

target=_blank>

<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=ab7641afd195c84a49

a2067dbbcf95c0&rgn=div6&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.2&idno=38>

ab7641afd195c84a49a2067dbbcf95c0

<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=ab7641afd195c84a49

a2067dbbcf95c0&rgn=div6&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.2&idno=38>

&rgn=div6&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.2&idno=38

 

 

Title 38

Ã,§ 4.16 Total disability ratings for compensation based on unemployability

of the

individual. PART 4ââ,¬”SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES

Subpart Aââ,¬”General Policy in Rating

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textidx?c=ecfr

<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d3157fb

f8f8801bc9b3dc&rgn=div8&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.1.96.11&idno=38> &sid=

1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc

<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d3157fb

f8f8801bc9b3dc&rgn=div8&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.1.96.11&idno=38>

&rgn=div8&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.1.96.11&idno=38

 

U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims http://www.vetapp.gov/

VA Best Practice Manual for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

http://www.avapl.org/pub/PTSD%20Manual%20final%206.pdf

VA Fact Sheet http://www1.va.gov/opa/fact/gwfs.html

VA Health Care Eligibility

http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/home/hecmain.asp

VA INSTITUTING GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTION (GAF)

http://www.avapl.org/gaf/gaf.html

VA Life Insurance Handbook ââ,¬” Chapter 3

http://www.insurance.va.gov/inForceGliSite/GLIhandbook/glibookletch3.htm#310

 

VA Loan Lending Limits and Jumbo Loans

http://valoans.com/va_facts_limits.cfm

VA MS Research http://www.va.gov/ms/about.asp

VA National Hepatitis C Program http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/

VA Office of Research and Development http://www1.va.gov/resdev/

VA Trainee Pocket Card on Gulf War

http://www.va.gov/OAA/pocketcard/gulfwar.asp

VA WMD EMSHG http://www1.va.gov/emshg/

VA WRIISC-DC http://www.va.gov/WRIISC-DC/

VAOIG Hotline Telephone Number and Address

http://www.va.gov/oig/hotline/hotline3.

<http://www.va.gov/oig/hotline/hotline3.htm>  htm

Vet Center Eligibility – Readjustment Counseling Service

http://www.va.gov/rcs/Eligibility.htm

Veterans Benefits Administration Main Web Page http://www.vba.va.gov/

Veterans Legal and Benefits Information http://valaw.org/

VHA Forms, Publications, Manuals http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/

VHA Programs – Clinical Programs & Initiatives

http://www1.va.gov/health_benefits/page.cfm?pg=13

VHA Public Health Strategic Health Care Group Home Page http:

//www.publichealth.va.gov/ <http://www.publichealth.va.gov/> 

VHI Guide to Gulf War Veteransââ,¬(tm) Health

http://www1.va.gov/vhi_ind_study/gulfwar/istudy/index.asp

Vocational Rehabilitation http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/

Vocational Rehabilitation Subsistence

http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/InterSubsistencefy04.doc

VONAPP online http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp

WARMS – 38 CFR Book C http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/bookc.html

Wartime Di sability Compensation

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc

<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=

Cite:+38USC1110> &docid=Cite:+38USC1110

War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center – New Jersey

http://www.wri.med.va.gov/

Welcome to the GI Bill Web Site http://www.gibill.va.gov/

What VA Social Workers Do http://www1.va.gov/socialwork/page.cfm?pg=3

WRIISC Patient Eligibility http://www.illegion.org/va1.html

More Divorce Mistakes and Tips

51.  Continuing to have sex with your ex

 

52.  Running up additional debt (you may be liable for it and have to pay for it yourself)

 

53.  Changing attorneys midstream

 

54.  Becoming emotionally attached or overly reliant on your attorney

 

55.  Blaming your kids

 

56.  Making your kids suffer

 

57.  Trying to compete with your ex

 

58.  Flaunting a new lover (see #2 above!)

 

59.  Signing something or agreement to something without your attorney present

 

60.  Using the kids as messengers

 

61.  Making your children your parent

 

62.  Taking the children out of the Court’s jurisdiction, whether relocating or not, without a Court order (in Florida, this is a violation of statute 61.13001(3)

 

63.  Relying on alcohol, medication, etc. to “get you through” (see # 44 above)

How to approximate marriage rights

Although this article, “How to Approximate Marriage Rights,” from the Orlando Sentinel was specifically written for same-sex couples in response to the Amendment 2 ban on same-sex marriage, this article is equally important to unmarried heterosexual couples.

By implementing a number of legal documents, a couple can come close to the same legal rights as marriage without being married.

Documents to achieve this goal are:  a will, a living will, durable power of attorney, real property deed, healthcare surrogate/healthcare power of attorney, domestic partnership agreement, co-parenting agreement, and a designation of funeral arrangements. 

Of course, each of the above-listed documents carries pros and cons.  Before you decide to sign any of these documents, please consult contact my office to schedule an appointment so we can achieve your goals while minimizing your risk. 

Read the full article.

Divorce and Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy During Divorce
by Sherrie Bennett
(from lawyers.com)

If you think you’re headed for divorce and have a lot of debt between the two of you, it might make sense to file for bankruptcy before starting a legal divorce proceeding. Filing bankruptcy first can simplify the divorce by clearing out some of your debt. This can make it easier to negotiate how the remaining debts should be divided, and protect you from your soon-to-be-ex’s bankruptcy filing down the road.

Also, you and your spouse might want to consider filing a joint bankruptcy before the divorce. Not only will this make the final division of any remaining debts even easier, but filing a joint bankruptcy is cheaper than filing two separate ones.

In either event, bankruptcies and divorces have serious impacts on each other, especially with respect to your property and personal finances.
Effect of Bankruptcy on Divorce

When one or both spouses file bankruptcy, all the community property, that is, property that was bought or acquired during the course of the marriage, becomes a part of the bankruptcy estate and is available to pay debts. The bankruptcy estate is simply all of your property that you own at the time the bankruptcy is filed.

When you or your spouse file a bankruptcy, an automatic stay immediately prevents creditors from collecting on most debts. But the automatic stay doesn’t prevent you from asking a divorce court to order your spouse to pay child support or alimony.

Once a bankruptcy court decides property is “exempt,” that is, it is not part of the bankruptcy estate and so it is not available to be sold to pay debts, a divorce court can then divide that property. Property exemptions are defined not only by federal law (the “Bankruptcy Code”), but also by the laws of the state in which the bankruptcy is filed.

Some examples of federal exemptions include:

* A specified dollar amount for real property that is for his or her residence, and
* A specified dollar amount for one motor vehicle, such as your primary car

Property Settlements and Bankruptcy

Negotiating a property settlement in the midst of bankruptcy is complicated. Debts related to a property settlement are presumed to be “nondischargeable” in bankruptcy, meaning that the person who files bankruptcy can’t have those debts wiped out and must still be responsible for them. But the bankruptcy court will wipe out those debts if the person filing for bankruptcy can show:

* That he or she can’t pay the debt and still take care of him or herself and any dependents, or
* That wiping out the debt would result in a benefit to the person filing the bankruptcy that outweighs any harm done to his or her former spouse or child by nonpayment

So if you think your spouse is contemplating bankruptcy after your divorce is final, you’ll want to word your property settlement in such a way that your soon-to-be-ex’s obligation looks and acts as much as possible like a support obligation instead of a property settlement. That is so simply because support obligations are more difficult to have discharged.

How do bankruptcy courts decide what’s support and what’s property settlement? It varies greatly by state, but courts have based their decisions on such questions as:

* Does the obligation terminate or reduce with the occurrence of certain events, like remarriage or a child turning 18?
* Is the obligation in installments or a lump sum?
* Are there minor children?
* What is the relative health and education of the parties?
* Was there a need for support at the time of the divorce?

If your bankruptcy hasn’t been filed yet, these distinctions and problems probably won’t effect you. For many bankruptcies filed on or after October 17, 2005, any obligation between former spouses can’t be dischargedin bankruptcy. So, a spouse with an alimony and/or child support obligation can’t have that obligation discharged in bankruptcy if the bankruptcy petition was filed on or after October 17, 2005.
Property Liens

One way to protect yourself in a divorce negotiation if you think your spouse may be contemplating bankruptcy in the future is to take a security lien as a backup to debts your spouse is to pay you after the divorce. The lien should be on property your spouse is to be awarded in the divorce, preferably property that means a lot to your spouse. That way, if your spouse later asks the bankruptcy court to discharge the debt he or she is supposed to pay, you can seize the property to pay the debt.
Indemnity Clauses

Another precaution in the face of a soon-to-be-ex-spouse talking about bankruptcy is to have a “hold harmless” or “indemnity” clause written into the divorce decree, requiring your spouse to pay certain debts or repay you if a creditor makes you pay the debt. If your ex-spouse later files bankruptcy, you can go to bankruptcy court and ask the judge to enforce the indemnity agreement. While an indemnity agreement won’t guarantee you’ll get paid, it’s one more factor for the bankruptcy judge to consider.

As you can see, the issues of going through divorce and bankruptcy at the same time are confusing at best, and highly damaging at worst. If you find yourself in this position, it makes sense to find a bankruptcy lawyer who can help you with all the issues.

Tips to Avoid Mistakes Women Make When they Marry

Here are the highlights of Lenore Skomal’s article, “Finances:  Tips to Avoid the Top Seven Mistakes Women Make When They Marry.”  Some of these may be more “doable” than others, but these tips offer your best protection.

1. Take charge of the finances and have a workable budget.
2. No joint anything–especially accounts.
3. Don’t give up your potential to earn money.
4. Know your property rights.
5. Save for retirement.
6. Have a will.
7. Understand the tax forms you sign.

Go here for the full article.