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Federal Benefits for Veterans
and Dependents
2004 Edition
Department of
Veterans Affairs 1
1 Page 2 3
Winter
Sports Clinic
Sandy Trombetta
970 244 1314
Wheelchair
Games
Tom Brown
210 617 5125
Golden Age
Games
Dewayne Vaughn
202 745 8615
Creative Arts
Festival
Elizabeth Mackey
320 255 6351
VA Special Events for 2004
The Department of Veterans Affairs sponsors a number
of special events each year as part of the recreation
therapy provided to veterans under VA care For
details on eligibility and participation or to be a
volunteer contact the VA National Advisor at the phone
number listed below The schedule for 2004
April 4 9
Snowmass Colo
June 15 19
St Louis Mo
July 18 23
Fresno Calif
October 10 16
Salt Lake City Utah
On the Cover Artist rendition of the National World War II
Memorial in Washington D C dedicated May 29 2004 Rendition by
Michael McCann For more information visit www wwiimemorial com 2
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Federal Benefits for
Veterans and Dependents
2004 Edition
Department of
Veterans Affairs
Office of Public Affairs 80D
810 Vermont Ave N W
Washington DC 20420 3
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ii
S N 051 000 00227 0
For sale by the U S Government Printing Office
Superintendent of Documents
Washington DC 20402 4
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Contents
Introduction 1
Wartime Service 2
Special Groups 2
Selected Reserve and National Guard 4
Filipino Veterans 4
Important Documents 5
Privacy Act 5
Introduction in Spanish 5
Health Care Benefits 6
Health Care Enrollment 6
Priority Groups 6
Special Access to Care 8
Financial Information 8
Financial Assessment 8
Services Requiring Copayments 9
Outpatient Visits Not Requiring Copayments 9
Billing Insurance Companies 1Health
Care Programs 1Registry
Programs 1Gulf
War and Depleted Uranium Registries 1Agent
Orange Registry 1Ionizing
Radiation Registry 1Readjustment
Counseling Service 11
Prosthetic and Sensory Aid Services 11
Services and Aids for Blind Veterans 12
Home Improvements and Structural Alterations 12
Alcohol and Drug Dependence Treatment 13
Compensated Work Therapy 13
Outpatient Dental Treatment 13
Outpatient Pharmacy Services 14
Nursing Home Care 15
Domiciliary Care 16
Medical Care for Dependents and Survivors 16
Beneficiary Travel 17
Emergency Medical Care in Non VA Facilities 17
Veterans Living or Traveling Overseas 18
Merchant Marine Seamen 18
Allied Veterans 18 5
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Benefit Programs 19
Disability Compensation 19
Receiving Benefit Payments 19
Prisoners of War 19
Agent Orange and Other Herbicides 2Veterans
Exposed to Radiation 2Gulf
War Veterans 2Specially
Adapted Homes 21
Automobile Assistance 22
Clothing Allowance 22
Allowances for Dependents 22
Aid and Attendance or Housebound 23
Incarcerated Veterans 23
Fugitive Felons 23
Pension 23
Improved Pension 24
Protected Pension Programs 24
Medal of Honor Pension 24
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment 24
Program for Unemployable Veterans 25
Children of Vietnam Veterans Born with Certain Birth Defects 26
Spina Bifida Program 26
Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Program 26
Education and Training 27
Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty 27
Montgomery Gl Bill Selected Reserve 32
Veterans Educational Assistance Program VEAP 34
Home Loan Guaranties 35
Eligibility 36
Guaranty Amount 38
Required Occupancy 39
Closing Costs 39
Financing Interest Rates and Terms 4Release
of Liability Loan Assumption 4Loans
for Native American Veterans 41
Repossessed Homes 41
Safeguards for Veterans 41
Life Insurance 42
Servicemembers Group Life Insurance 42
Family Servicemembers Group Life Insurance 43
Veterans Group Life Insurance 43
Accelerated Death Benefits for SGLI FSGLI and VGLI 44
Service Disabled Veterans Insurance 44 6
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Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance 44
Insurance Dividends 44
Miscellaneous Insurance Information 45
Burial Benefits 4
Eligibility 47
Burial in VA National Cemeteries 47
Headstones and Markers 48
Presidential Memorial Certificates 49
Burial Flags 49
Reimbursement of Burial Expenses 5Military
Funeral Honors 51
Veterans Cemeteries Administered by Other Agencies 51
Arlington National Cemetery 51
Department of the Interior 51
State Veterans Cemeteries 51
Survivor Benefits 52
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation DIC 52
DIC Payments to Surviving Spouse 52
DIC Payments to Parents and Children 52
Special Allowances 53
Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors 53
Death Pension 53
Home Loan Guaranties 54
Dependents Education 54
Monthly Payments 55
Special Benefits 55
Educational Loans 55
Montgomery GI Bill Death Benefit 56
Women Veterans 56
Homeless Veterans 56
Overseas Benefits 5
Medical Benefits 57
Other Overseas Benefits 58
Small and Disadvantaged Businesses 58 7
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Appeals 59
Board of Veterans Appeals 59
U S Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 6
Workplace Benefits 61
Unemployment Compensation 61
Transition Assistance Program 61
Pre separation Counseling 61
Verification of Military Experience and Training 61
Transition Bulletin Board 62
DoD Transportal 62
Veterans Workforce Investment Program 62
