Many veterans I talk with do not realize that the Department of Veteran Affairs is made up of three administrations, the VHA, VBA, and NCA – the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), and the National Cemetery Administration (NCA).
This article is Part 1 of of a two-article series that provides a summary of how to apply for VA benefits and services managed by the VBA.
The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) provides a variety of benefits and services to servicemembers, veterans, and their families. Below are some of our major program offices within VBA.
The VBA manages the VA’s Compensation Service, Pension and Fiduciary Service, Insurance Service, Education Service, Loan Guaranty Service, Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) Service, the Office of Transition and Economic Development, Office of Field Operations, and the Office of Administrative Review.
Read about the VBA at https://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/about.asp.
Applying for VBA benefits
There are numerous ways to apply for VA benefits depending on the type of benefit you are seeking. The VA encourages veterans and their families to work with an accredited representative. Accredited representatives are VA-certified Veterans Service Officers (VSO), VA-certified Lawyers, and VA-certified Claims Agents.
Veterans can find and appoint or manage an accredited representative at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/vso-search in eBenefits, which is the My Gateway to Benefit Information service found at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/homepage.
Veterans can find their S.C. County Veterans Service Office at https://bit.ly/3qbLVSL and they can find Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) through Veterans Service Organizations like the VFW, American Legion, DAV, PAV, AMVETs, VVA, and many others.
Pre-Discharge Claims (Before leaving military service)
If you are a member of the armed forces serving on either active duty or full-time National Guard duty, you should apply through the VA pre-Discharge Claim Program before leaving service. Read about the pre-Discharge Claim Program at https://bit.ly/3vmbvaa.
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VRE) Claims
How can veterans and service members apply for Veteran Readiness and Employment (VRE) Claims The best way to file for Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) services is to apply online at https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/. To submit a paper application, download and complete a VA Form 28-1900, “Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation found at https://bit.ly/3VseDMi and mail it to your local regional office. Find your local regional VBA Office at https://bit.ly/3WQp0e3. You may also go to your local regional office and turn in your application.
Visit the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/.
Disability Compensation Claims
How to apply for VA Disability Compensation Benefits for Veterans?
The best way to file for disability compensation is to apply online at the VA Disability Compensation website at https://www.va.gov/disability/. To submit a paper application, download and complete VA Form 21-526EZ, “Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits” found at https://bit.ly/3VpiwBz and mail the application to: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Claims Intake Center, P.O. Box 4444, Janesville, Wis. 53547-4444
Or, you can fax it to 844-531-7818 (inside the U.S.) or 248- 524-4260 (outside the U.S.). Veterans can also go to their local VBA Regional Office and turn in their application for processing.
Find your local regional VBA Office at https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/offices.asp. Visit the VA Compensation website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/ for more information about compensation benefits.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Claims
How to apply for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Benefits for spouses, dependents, and parents.
If you’re the surviving spouse or child of a service member who died while on active duty, your military casualty assistance officer will help you to complete an Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits by a Surviving Spouse or Child (VA Form 21P-534a). Download the form at https://bit.ly/3hX6ly8. The officer will help you mail the form to the correct VA regional office.
If you are the surviving spouse or child of a Veteran, fill out an Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits (VA Form 21P-534EZ). Download the form at https://bit.ly/3vhaLDj.
If you are a surviving parent, fill out an Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by Parent(s) (VA Form 21P-535). Download the form at https://bit.ly/3C94woL.
You can apply for the DIC benefit in any of these four ways:
- Online: The best way to file for disability compensation is to apply online at the VA Disability Compensation website at https://www.va.gov/disability/.
- By mail: Mail the form to the Pension Management Center (PMC) for your state.
Find your PMC at https://www.va.gov/pension/pension-management-centers/.
- With the help of a trained professional: Work with an accredited representative (VSO, Lawyer, or Claims Agent). Get help filing your claim by reading the information at https://www.va.gov/disability/get-help-filing-claim/.
- Go to a VBA Regional Office: Go to a VA regional office and get help from a VA employee. Find a VA regional office near you at https://www.va.gov/find-locations/?facilityType=benefits.
Visit the VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC) page at https://www.va.gov/disability/dependency-indemnity-compensation/ for more information on compensation benefits for survivors and dependents.
Veterans Pension Claims
How can veterans apply for Veterans Pension Benefits online, by mail, in person, and with help of a trained and certified by the VA professional?
- Online: Veterans can apply for pension benefits online a www.va.gov/pension. To submit a paper application for Pension benefits, download and complete VA Form 21P-527EZ, “Application for Pension” and mail it to the Pension Management Center that serves your state. Find your pension Management Center at https://www.va.gov/pension/pension-management-centers/. Visit the www.va.gov/pension/eligibility webpage for more information about Pension benefits.
- By mail: Veterans can fill out an Application for Pension (VA Form 21P-527EZ).
Download VA Form 21P-527EZ at https://bit.ly/3YQdXTP. Then mail the completed form to the Department of Veterans Affairs Pension Intake Center, P.O. Box 5365, Janesville, Wis. 53547-5365
- In-person: Veterans can also bring their applications to a VA regional office near them. Find your regional VBA Office at https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/offices.asp.
- With the help of a trained professional: Veterans can work with a trained professional called an accredited representative (VSO, Lawyer, or Claims Agent) to get help applying for VA pension benefits. Get help filing your claim by reading the information at https://www.va.gov/disability/get-help-filing-claim/.
Continued next week.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing free-lance writer with the Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.
