Editor's Note: Following are typical questions answered daily by VA counselors. Full information is available at any VA office.
Q. Is it true that veterans from the fighting in Afghanistan and the recent Gulf War can only receive VA health care for two years?
A. No, that is not true. Since Nov. 11, 1998, VA has offered a special benefit to newly discharged combat veterans. Under the new program, these veterans can receive free VA health care for conditions that may be related to their military service for two years after discharge from the military. They may be charged copayments for non-service-related care. This benefit waives VA's customary requirement that veterans prove a connection between a current medical problem and their military service, or show that they fall below an income threshold.
At the end of that two-year period, these veterans will be treated like combat veterans from earlier conflicts. They can apply for enrollment in VA's health care system. There is no copayment for veterans with medical care related to service-connected problems or for veterans with limited resources.
Q. Besides health care, what other benefits do combat veterans receive?
A. The newest generation of combat veterans receives the same benefits traditionally associated with military service. That includes disability compensation for those with service-connected health problems, VA pensions for veterans with limited incomes, VA home loan guarantees and educational assistance for those who contributed to the Montgomery GI Bill while in the military.
Other governmental agencies have their own benefits for veterans. The federal government and many state, territory and local governments have a hiring preference for veterans. Additional state benefits are available for veterans. For more information, see http://www.va.gov/partners/stateoffice.
Q. Do military service members who die during Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom receive special treatment for burial?
A. Service members who die on active duty are eligible for burial at ArlingtonNationalCemetery. They are also eligible for burial in any of the national cemeteries operated by VA. Regardless of burial location, VA will provide a headstone or marker for the deceased’s grave. If the remains of the deceased are cremated and placed in a niche in a stone wall called a columbarium, VA will furnish a niche marker. Veterans who die of any cause may receive military honors on request, with funeral directors generally contacting the Department of Defense on behalf of the family.
For further information about VA financial payments, call 1-800-827-1000. For information about VA health care, call 1-877-222-8387. Or visit VA’s Web page at <www.va.gov>.
