Editor's Note: Following are typical questions answered daily by VA counselors. Full information is available at any VA office.
Q. I've heard there's a deadline for veterans who want to be seen in a Vet Center. What is it? Whom does it affect?
A. There is no application deadline for veterans who served in a combat zone and who want to take advantage of the many readjustment programs offered by VA's 206 Vet Centers.
However, veterans who served in the military during the Vietnam War but who weren't assigned to the Republic of Vietnam have until Jan. 1, 2004 to be seen at a Vet Center. Those who are seen by that date can take advantage of the centers' group, individual and family counseling at a later date.
Note that the deadline affects veterans who served in the combat zone during the Vietnam War in such places as Thailand and aboard ship but who didn't serve in the Republic of Vietnam.
Q. Does the government pay anything to people who help veterans unable to manage their own finances?
A.People known officially as fiduciaries manage the finances of veterans who are incapable of handling their own financial affairs. Frequently, they serve without compensation. Those who are paid withdraw their payments from the compensation or pensions given by VA to the veteran.
Court-appointed fiduciaries receive fees set by state law, commonly about 5 percent of the VA income. Attorneys acting as fiduciaries may be entitled to reimbursements – again, drawn from VA's total payment to the veteran – for certain activities such as filing motions or accounting.
Q. None of VA’s 120 national cemeteries are located near my home, but I’d like to be buried in a military cemetery with other veterans. Is there a way?
A. Fifty-two state veterans cemeteries are available to veterans. Eligibility rules are generally the same as for burial in a national cemetery: anyone who dies on active duty, a veteran of active service discharged under conditions other than dishonorable and the spouse and dependent children of such veterans. Some states also impose residency requirements, which are defined differently among states.
Not every state has a state veterans cemetery. To find out if one is available, call the VA toll-free information line at 1-800-827-1000.
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.
