VA benefits may include:

Transcription

1 Need Help Filing a VA Claim? Claims can be filed as early as days prior to separation under the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) Program. Claims filed 59-0 days from date of separation can be filed und the VA Quick Start Program. If you are moving out of state and have not yet filed a claim you may want to determine your residence prior to filing your claim to avoid delays in processing, especially if you are below the 60 day window. Your claims advisor can assist you in determining if this is recommended. The benefits of filing a claim early will normally result in increased medical benefits from your local VA hospital and may also include quicker access to VA compensation and disability payments. VA benefits may include: o Burial o Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) o Death Pension o Dependency Indemnity Compensation o Direct Deposit o Directions to VA Benefits Regional Offices o Disability Compensation o Disability Pension o Education o Home Loan Guaranty o Life Insurance o Medical Care o Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment o Please call the VA toll free number for more You may file a claim on your own at your local VA Regional Office (VARO) and no appointment is necessary if you walk in during normal business hours. Salt Lake City has a local VARO next to the University of the address listed below: VA Regional Office Foothill Drive Salt Lake City, UT Phone:

2 VA Military Service Coordinator - The VA now employs a Military Service Coordinator (MSC) full time here at HILL AFB Utah. If you desire to file a claim on the base you may call and schedule an appointment. Members will be seen by appointment only and no walk-ins are currently authorized. If you have questions or concerns regarding your claim status, please call and schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are not encouraged due to client time restraints and to avoid excessive foot traffic in the building. They are located on the 2 nd floor of the medical clinic Bldg 570. The MSC will normally schedule your appointment in Bldg 150 (Airman and Family Readiness Center) on every other Thursday during TAP week.. POC: William Degolyer Phone: (801) Additional information - You may choose to file a claim direct with the VA (Veterans Administration) and they will assist the service member in completing and filing any claim for compensation and disability. Normally the claims process can be lengthy and difficult but has gotten much easier. It is advantageous to file early so as to ensure proper paperwork flow and correct documentation. In the event your case was not resolved to the desired level that you are comfortable with, a service member always has the right to appeal a VA decision. The VA does not appeal its own agency. As the service member, you have the right to appeal by yourself, or any of the service organizations can provide this service on your behalf and this service is free of charge. If you have a difficult case or multiple issues it is often recommended that you seek advice from one of the below service organizations. Each of these service organizations has an advisor that you may consult with. You may desire to utilize the free representation and casework preparation service offered by one of these agencies. There is no obligation to join and these agencies and they offer casework review for compensation/disability claims as well. You may want to consider office location related to home of residence as related to claim appointments. It is also advisable to consider regional VA hospital locations if you intend to utilize their services frequently.

3 **Service member should initiate claim and seek follow-up advice from same agency representative but they may seek general information from the VA at any time throughout the claim process. Other Service Organizations and VA activities for Utah American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Utah State Division of Veterans Affairs, To schedule or book an appointment with the above organizations please call their number directly. SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS - The VA Military Service Coordinator (MSC) can schedule appointments during TAP week at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. These appointments are normally scheduled on Thursday. The DAV does have limited weekly representation, normally on Wednesdays, on board HILL AFB for scheduled appointments only. Every attempt should be made to meet all scheduled appointments to avoid delay in claims processing. Documents that may help support a VA disability claim If possible, have the following ready when you make your call: DD Form 214 (Issued at the time of separation) *** Service Medical Records (Outpatient), dental records, entrance and separation examination reports Inpatient Hospitalization Records (private or military) Private Outpatient Medical Records (if applicable) Personnel File Line of Duty (LOD) investigation reports Overseas or Temporary Duty (Travel) Orders Separating personnel should ensure that all of the information (including awards, overseas time, campaigns, RE code, etc.) on the DD 214 is correct before signing. Uncorrected errors may cause problems in the future when applying for VA and other benefits.

4 Disabled American Veterans (DAV) You can count on DAV service from DAV National Service Officers (NSOs) in offices nationwide when you need help. DAV NSOs are highly trained, professional experts who have undergone comprehensive training program in veterans' affairs. NSOs function as attorneys-infact, assisting veterans and their families in filing claims for VA disability compensation and pension; vocational rehabilitation and employment; education; home loan guaranty; life insurance; death benefits; health care and much more. DAV NSOs represent more clients than all other veterans' groups at the highest level of appeal within the Department of Veterans Affairs. What's more, all services provided by DAV NSOs are free of charge. SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH VA Regional Office 550 Foothill Drive, Rm G-3 Salt Lake City, UT Phone: POC: Daniel Rioux

5 Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) In 2001, VFW launched its Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program at military installations across the country. A cooperative initiative with VA and the Pentagon, BDD was established to assist service members departing from the military. Pre-discharge claims representatives at each BDD site help wade through all the paperwork for veterans seeking VA entitlements. These representatives also discuss education and medical benefits and VA home loans. In many cases, the pre-discharge claims VFW reps are the service members first exposure to VFW. That s why each maintains a certain level of professionalism at all times. The VFW has nine BDD sites and is planning on expanding. SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH Mark D. Lamb, VFW Department Service Officer 550 Foothill Drive, Suite 203 PO Box Salt Lake City, UT Phone: Fax:

6 American Legion - Department Service Officers: Veterans need not be alone in their battles for benefits and medical care. Veterans are often forced to wage war against the paperwork and bureaucracy of government in order to get medical care or benefits. Here's some good news: American Legion department service officers (DSO) offer free advice and guidance for veterans who need to deal with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This directory provides contact telephone numbers and addresses for the service officers in your area. Direct all correspondence to Department Service Officer. SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH FOR CLAIMS KENNETH G PARKER AMERICAN LEGION SVC OFCR 550 FOOTHILL BLVD STE 203 SALT LAKE CITY, UT PHONE: FAX: <>[email protected] FOR POLICY GREG ROWLEY 550 FOOTHILL DR STE 203 SALT LAKE CITY, UT PHONE: FAX: <>[email protected]