Veterans' benefits issues can even arise in family law or estate-planning matters. If you are a veteran, family member of a veteran or survivor of a veteran be sure you speak with a veterans' benefit attorney for guidance in these matters.
Helping You Obtain the Veterans' Benefits You Deserve
Even though the VA has a legal duty to assist veterans, the VA is a huge government bureaucracy that can't always get out of its own way to do that.
At Bosley McKown & Bratch, we have made helping veterans to obtain disability and other benefits from the VA a priority for nearly 15 years. Today, the experience and knowledge we've gained, the resources we've developed and the attorneys and dedicated staff who work here are ready to start working for you. For a free consultation — call or contact us online.
The following articles are intended to provide general information and a broader overview on the topic of veterans benefits.
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From their offices in Marion, Indiana, attorneys at Bosley McKown & Bratch provide experienced legal help to veterans and dependents nationwide who are seeking benefits from the VA. For a free consultation, call 1-866-974-0705 or contact us online.
Filing a claim with the VA can be a frustrating, confusing and time-consuming ordeal. Let our lawyers help. Whether you have yet to file a claim or would like to appeal a VA decision that you've already received — call or contact Bosley McKown & Bratch.
What Benefits Can the Modern US Veteran Expect?
Several different types of benefits are currently available to United States military veterans. The federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers a wide range of benefits and services for veterans and their families and survivors. If you are having trouble securing veterans' benefits, a veterans' benefits attorney such as one at Bosley McKown & Bratch in Marion, Indiana, can help to answer your questions.
The benefits for which a particular veteran, family member or survivor may be eligible vary depending on individual circumstances and on the benefit's requirements. Examples of factors that may influence eligibility for a particular benefit:
- Discharge status other than honorable
- Current incarceration or parole status
- Veteran wanted for felony
- Whether service was during wartime or in a particular conflict
- Income or asset level
- Disability status - extent, type and whether service-connected
- Age
- Homelessness
Questions about eligibility can be answered by a lawyer or by the VA. Helpful information is available at the VA Web site.
Types of VA Benefits
Broadly, types of VA benefits available include:
- Medical and dental care, including mental-health and substance-abuse treatment - the VA operates a large system of hospitals, clinics and counseling centers.
- Pharmaceutical services, medical equipment and home alteration
- Medical rehabilitation services
- Nursing-home care - the VA manages its own nursing homes, contributes funding to state nursing homes and contracts with private nursing homes.
- In-home care, respite care and home hospice care
- Vocational services, including rehabilitation, retraining, small business support and employment support
- Home-loan guaranties and other housing benefits
- Disability compensation and pension programs
- Automobile adaptation
- Retirement benefits
- Education benefits
- Life insurance
- Cemetery and burial benefits - national and other veterans' cemeteries, grave markers, flags, burial expenses, military honors and presidential memorial certificates
- Survivors' benefits - bereavement counseling, death pensions, dependency and indemnity compensation, education benefits, medical care, home-loan guaranties, no-fee passports to visit overseas graves and memorials
- Special benefits and services for veterans of certain conflicts and their families and survivors - for health conditions or birth defects from exposure to dangerous substances, such as Agent Orange and radiation
Other Benefits
In addition to the VA, other federal agencies provide some special benefits and services to veterans and their families and survivors. For example:
- Citizenship and naturalization preferences from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- Business development support from the Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Social security and SSI benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA)
- Commissary and exchange privileges through the Department of Defense (DOD)
- Housing from the Armed Forces Retirement home in Washington, DC
Added or supplementary benefits or services may be provided by individual state governments. Contact your state's veterans' affairs agency for more information.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, securing the government benefits to which you are entitled as a veteran or the family member or survivor of a veteran can be difficult. Currently many applicants experience long delays in the processing of their applications, are wrongly denied benefits or receive inadequate services. You may have appeal rights or other legal recourse. If you are experiencing any of these problems with your veterans' benefit application, a veterans' benefits lawyer from Bosley McKown & Bratch in Marion, Indiana, can assist you.
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