A Guide to How Pennsylvania's Disabled Veterans Can Secure Benefits

To understand how well the "disabled veteran" is cared for, we must first understand the definition of a disabled veteran. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, a special disabled veteran is a person entitled to disability compensation under laws administered by the US Veteran's Administration for a disability rate of 30 percent or more, or a person whose discharge or release from active duty was for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty. A disabled veteran may fall under the zero to twenty nine percent. A special disabled veteran and a disabled veteran may qualify for benefits through the Department of Veteran Affairs.

In order to establish the benefits that a veteran is eligible for a claim must be filed through the Department of Veteran Affairs. This can start at a variety of levels. The veteran themselves can initiate the claim process by accessing the website www.va.gov. If the veteran feels overwhelmed by the process or requires assistance, organizations such as the American Legion, VFW and the DAV provide advocacy and representation for the veteran and will follow through with the entire process, free of charge. Each county also has a Director of Veteran Affairs located in each county court house, these individuals provide a variety of referrals, information and guidance for veterans. This office works closely with the above mentioned organizations to provide a wide realm of service for the veteran. There are benefits at federal, state and county level.

VA Disability Benefits (Federal Level)

Medical Care. The VA provides medical care for disabled veterans with service-connected disabilities. The VA makes an important distinction among veterans based on the nature of their disability. This distinction, service-connected or non-service connected, determines the cost and availability of VA medical services. Any veteran who was disabled by injury or disease incurred or aggravated in the line of duty during active military service will receive VA medical care on a mandatory basis. In general, this means that service will be provided, as needed, at no cost to the veteran.

Any veteran whose disability originated outside of active service will receive VA medical care on a discretionary basis. The VA generally provides medical care to those in the discretionary category on a space-available basis, as long as the veteran agrees to make a co-payment. Contact the VA for more information or visit their web site at http://www.va.gov/vbs/health/index.htm.

CHAMPVA. The VA's Civilian Health and Medical Program helps pay for medical services and supplies a veteran's family members and survivors obtain from civilian sources. To qualify, family members and survivors must not be eligible for Medicare or TRICARE. Contact the VA for more information or read the on-line CHAMPVA Handbook at http://www.va.gov/hac/forbeneficiaries/champva/handbook.asp.

Disability Compensation. The VA pays monetary benefits to veterans who were disabled by injury or disease incurred or aggravated in the line of duty during active military service. To obtain a VA disability rating, you must file a claim with the VA using VA Form 21-526, Veterans Application for Compensation or Pension. This serves to notify the VA about your health problems so that service-connected disabilities can be evaluated. There is no time limit to apply for VA disability compensation. However, you are encouraged to apply within one year of your release from active duty because entitlement is established retroactively to the date of separation if your claim is filed within this period. The effective date of eligibility for benefits will be based on the date of your claim if you apply after the one-year period. Contact the VA for more information or visit their web site at http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/.

Vocational Rehabilitation. The VA's Vocational Rehabilitation program provides necessary services and assistance to veterans with service connected disabilities so they may achieve independence and obtain and maintain suitable employment. Vocational Rehabilitation can include college, technical school or on-the-job training or special training at rehabilitation facilities or at home when it is necessary because of a serious disability. Vocational Rehabilitation services include, in part, assessment, counseling, training, subsistence allowances and employment assistance. VA also will assist you with job placement. While you are enrolled in a Vocational Rehabilitation program, VA pays the cost of tuition, fees, required books, supplies and equipment. VA also may pay for special supportive services such as medical and dental care, prosthetic devices, lip-reading training and signing for the deaf. For more information contact the Department of Veterans Affairs or visit their web site at http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm.

Disabled Veterans Insurance. If you are in good health, except for a service-connected disability, you may apply for up to $10,000 in life insurance coverage at standard insurance rates. You must apply within two years from the date you are notified that your disability has been rated as service connected. If you are totally disabled, you may apply for up to $20,000 in life insurance coverage. Your premiums on the first $10,000 in coverage will be waived. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs or visit their web site at http://www.insurance.va.gov/inForceGliSite
/buying/DisabledVets.htm

State Level Benefits

Pennsylvania has many of its own benefits in place for disabled veterans who reside in the state.

STATE VETERANS HOMES
The veterans must have served in the Armed Forces of the United States or Pennsylvania military forces, released from service under honorable conditions. The veteran must be a bona fide resident of the Commonwealth when applying. Spouses and surviving spouses of eligible veterans may also apply. Applications are processed on a "first come, first served" basis.

VETERANS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
Provides financial aid in an emergency and temporary basis (not to exceed three months in a 12-month period) to veterans, their widows, infant children or dependents who reside in Pennsylvania for the necessities of life (food, dairy, shelter, fuel and clothing). An honorably discharged veteran must have served in the Armed Forces of the United States during established war service dates or during peacetime hostile fire or terrorist attack as determined by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Upon the recent death of a veteran, his widow or orphan children are eligible provided the veteran would have qualified prior to his/her death.

EDUCATIONAL GRATUITY
Payment of educational gratuities are for children of honorably discharged veterans who have been certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as having wartime service-connected disabilities rated as totally and permanently disabled or children of veterans who die or have died of war service-connected disabilities or died in service during a period of war or armed conflict. Children must be between the ages of 16 and 23, living within the Commonwealth five years prior to application and must attend a school within the Commonwealth to be entitled to this educational gratuity.

REAL ESTATE TAX EXEMPTION
Any honorably discharged veteran who is a resident of the Commonwealth shall be exempt from the payment of all real estate taxes levied upon any building, including the land upon which it stands, occupied by him as his principal dwelling, provided that as a result of wartime military service the veteran has a 100% service-connected disability rating by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; that such dwelling is owned by him solely or jointly with his spouse (an estate by the entirety); and that the financial need for the exemption from the payment of real estate taxes has been determined by the State Veterans' Commission. Upon the death of the qualified veteran, the exemption passes on to the unmarried surviving spouse if the financial need can be shown.

CIVIL SERVICE PREFERENCE
Honorably discharged veterans receiving a PASSING score on a state Civil Service examination are given an additional 10 points on initial appointment only. Widows of veterans and wives of disabled service-connected veterans are also extended the same preference rating.

VEHICLE REGISTRATION FOR SEVERELY DISABLED VETERANS
Requires 100% service-connected disability certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

PARKING PLACARD-DISABLED VETERANS
No fee is charged a disabled veteran, having a disability certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs as service-connected, who desires a parking placard designating the vehicle in which it is displayed as being used for transportation of a disabled veteran. Any vehicle displaying a disabled veteran parking placard will qualify for parking in areas designated for use by handicapped persons.

County Level Benefits

BURIAL ALLOWANCE

County burial allowances are provided to veterans and spouses of deceased veterans as indicated in the County Code.

GRAVE MARKERS

A county grave marker is provided to deceased veterans as indicated in the County Code.

GOVERNMENT/PRIVATE HEADSTONES
County headstone allowances are provided for qualified veterans as indicated in the County Code.

MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE RECORDS
Certified copies of marriage and divorce records are issued without cost to disabled wartime veterans.

DISCHARGE CERTIFICATES
Honorable discharges are recorded free at the court house of the county seat.

In conclusion, "disabled veterans" are taken care of at many different levels and in many different ways. Not knowing that these services exist may be the biggest barrier to a disabled veteran receiving service. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the veteran to seek the service needed.