Calling VA’s Health Benefits Service Center, toll free at 877-222-VETS (8387), Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. eastern
If you are applying in person at any VA medical center, you can request an appointment for medical care at the same time you apply for enrollment; there is no need to wait to request an appointment before your enrollment is confirmed. Additionally, you can indicate on the VA Form 10-10EZ if you desire an appointment and when your application is processed at the medical center, an appointment will be scheduled for you. You will be notified in writing of your appointment and your eligibility for medical care. For veterans requesting care for a service-connected disability, those appointments have a higher priority (see below) and will be scheduled within 30 days of the desired date.
Priority Scheduling for Service-Connected Veterans
VA will provide you priority access to care if you are a veteran who:
Needs care of a service-connected disability or
Are 50 percent service-connected or higher and need care for any condition.
In this case, VA will schedule you for a primary care evaluation within 30 days of the desired date. If your outpatient appointment cannot be scheduled within this timeframe, VA will arrange to have you seen within 30 days at another VA health care facility or obtain the services on a fee basis, under a sharing agreement or contract at the VA's expense.
All other veterans will be scheduled for a Primary Care appointment as soon as one becomes available.
Applying For Long Term Care
Long Term Care benefits provide long-term care services, including community nursing home care, domiciliary care, adult day health care, geriatric evaluation and respite care.
Nonservice-connected and zero percent service-connected enrolled veterans with income over the single pension rate will need to complete VA Form 10-10EC, Application for Extended Care Services in addition to a VA Form 10-10EZ.
Form 10-10EC is used to measure your family's current income and assets to determine if you will be charged copays for long term care.
Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability are exempt from long-term care copays.
What Evidence Is Needed to Apply?
To reduce processing time, you may submit any of the following:
A copy of your discharge papers (DD-214 or “WD” form) if you are not currently receiving benefits from VA,
Military service records indicating that you received a Purple Heart Medal
Evidence that you received hostile fire or imminent danger pay or a a combat medal after this date if you indicated that you were in combat after November 11, 1998
Duty to Assist
Veterans Claims Act of 2000 and Duty to Assist
The new law requires that the VA obtain any records in the VA's possession, or within any other Federal agency. The law also mandates the VA tell the claimant what evidence is needed to support their claim. The VA now must make several efforts to obtain any evidence identified by the claimant.
Evidence to support a claim
By law, the burden of proof falls on the veteran or dependent. Even though the VA is now required to look for evidence, this may take many months. You can help your claim and speed up the process if you can obtain supporting evidence.
Evidence can be any number of items:
The veteran's statements, especially those of combat veterans claiming a "combat related" injury or illness
Statements from friends, relatives or anyone that has knowledge of your disability and its relationship to service
Medical evidence
Any lay statements must fit certain criteria and are not always helpful. Some can be harmful to your claim. You should discuss any statements with your veterans representative before submitting it to the VA.
What if I Need Assistance?
If you need assistance completing the form, contact:
You or the person acting as your Power of Attorney must sign and date the form.
If your Power of Attorney signs and dates the form you must submit a copy of the Power of Attorney with the form.
If you sign with an “X,” then two people that you know must witness you as you sign the form. They must also sign and print their names on the form.
Where Do I Send My Completed Application?
Mail the original application with a copy of your supporting materials to your local VA health care facility.
When Will I Receive A Decision On My Application?
Once your application for enrollment in VA health care system is processed, VA will send you a letter informing you of your enrollment priority group assignment and whether you were enrolled.
The letter will also give you instructions on how to appeal the decision if you do not agree with it.
Do I Need to Reapply Annually?
Veterans who are enrolled will remain enrolled without having to reapply for benefit annually. However, some veterans will need to update their financial information yearly to keep their enrollment priority current. VA will contact these veterans when it is time to update their financial information.
