Benefits for VeteransMike FranksAccredited Veterans Service Officer

Key Facts

• There are 660,000 Vets in Michigan and 1/3 of these Vets served during the Vietnam Era.

• Michigan Vets leave over $1.5 Billion on the table by not connecting to benefits.

• That’s Federal VA money intended for the veteran or their family members.

• MVAA is a resource for you to directly service your Veterans.

Mission

To serve as the central coordinating point, connecting those who have served in the United States Armed Forces and their families, to services and benefits throughout the State of Michigan.

Vision

For Michigan to be the most veteran-friendly state, by:– Providing the advice and assistance veterans

need as they transition through the chapters of their lives;

– Creating a “no wrong door” customer service culture; and

– Advocating for and on behalf of veterans and their families.

Benefits Counseling

• 5 State Veteran Service Officers• 56 Veteran Services Officers sub-contracted

through the veteran service organizations• County Veteran Services Offices and

Counselors• http://www.michiganveterans.com/Home/Benefit-Counselors

Federal VA Benefits

• Disability Compensation• Pension• Aid & Attendance• Housebound

• Education & Training• Home Loans• Health Care• Burial• Dependents and Survivors

Disability Compensation

• Tax-free benefit for a service connected disability

• Service Connected:• Any injury or disease that is caused by or aggravated by

active military service• Injury or disease that is presumed by VA to be related to

Military service

• VA will rate the severity of the injury/illness 0-100%.• Rating determines amount of monthly payment• Rating can be increased, as severity of injury/illness increases

Presumptive Conditions

VA “presumes” that specific disabilities were caused byMilitary service

• Vets with 90 days or more of service:• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)/Lou Gehrig’s disease

• Former POW’s, Vets exposed to Agent Orange (Vietnam Vets),Vets exposed to Ionizing Radiation, Gulf War Veterans

Presumptive Conditions

Vietnam Vets (Exposed to Agent Orange)• Served in-country in Vietnam between 1/9/1962-5/7/1975

• AL Amyloidosis• Chronic B-cell Leukemias• Chloracne (or similar acneform disease)• Diabetes Mellitus Type 2• Hodgkin’s Disease• Ischemic Heart Disease• Multiple Myeloma• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Presumptive Conditions

Vietnam Vets (Exposed to Agent Orange)• Served in-country in Vietnam between 1/9/1962-5/7/1975

• Parkinson’s Disease• Peripheral Neuropathy• Porphyria Cutanea Tarda• Prostate Cancer• Respiratory Cancers (includes lung cancer)• Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Presumptive Conditions

Gulf War Veterans (Undiagnosed Illness)• Served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War

• Medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses• Chronic fatigue syndrome• Fibromyalgia• Irritable bowel syndrome• Symptoms of an undiagnosed illness such as:

• Fatigue, skin symptoms, headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, neurological symptoms, respiratory symptoms, sleep disturbance, GI symptoms, cardiovascular symptoms, weightloss, menstrual disorders

Pension

• Tax-free benefit for war-time Vets with limited or no income

• Age 65, or• Permanently and totally disabled due to non-service

connected cause

• May qualify for additional Aid & Attendance or Houseboundbenefits

Housebound

An increased monthly pension amount paid to a claimant who is substantially confined to his or her home because of a permanent disability.

Aid and Attendance

An increased monthly pension amount paid to a claimantthat:

• Requires the aid of another person in order to perform activities of daily living, OR

• Is bedridden, OR• Patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical

incapacity, OR• Has corrected visual acuity of 5/200 or less, in both eyes, or

concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.

Death Pension

Monthly benefit payable to low-income surviving spouse andchildren of a deceased Veteran with wartime service.

• No disability requirement, but spouse can not be remarried.• No time limit after death to apply

• Spouse may also be eligible for additional Housebound orAid and Attendance payments.

Dependency & Indemnity Compensation

Monthly benefit payable to surviving spouse and children of a Veteran that died during active service, or from a service-disability, or had a 100% service-connected rating.

• Surviving Spouse and children may also be eligible forCHAMPVA healthcare and dependents education assistance

Burial

• Reimbursement for funeral, burial, and transportation costs• Headstone or marker at any cemetery, or medallion for family

stone• American flag to drape the casket• Presidential Memorial Certificate for next of kin• Burial in a VA national cemetery

• Honor Guard services at funerals, provided by local organizations

• Some Counties also provide additional burial funds for Vets

How do I apply?

How do I apply for benefits?• Meet with an accredited Service Officer– www.michiganveterans.com/home/benefit-coun

selors• Apply online at eBenefits.va.gov– Need Level 2 premium account

• Print application forms and mail/fax to VA– www.va.gov/vaforms

Healthcare

Any Veteran with active military service and separated under any condition other than dishonorable may qualify for VAhealthcare benefits.

• If enlisted prior to 9/7/1980, only need to have served on activeduty for at least 1 day.

• If enlisted after 9/7/1980, must have served 24 continuousmonths or the full period for which they were called to activeduty.

Vets must apply for enrollment. May have a co-pay, depending on income level.

Healthcare

Benefits of enrolling in VA healthcare:• Hearing aids, Eyeglasses, mobility devices for NO cost • (Co-pay for specialist exam may apply)

• Maintenance and batteries for non-VA hearing aids• Travel Pay• Low cost Dental Insurance• Nationwide coverage – Vet can go to ANY VA medical

center or clinic for care

State Veterans Homes

• Grand Rapids Home for Veterans• DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans, Marquette– Vets and Spouses are eligible– Cost is based on income and assets

• Volunteer Opportunities

Michigan Veterans Trust Fund (MVTF)

• Provides emergency grants to eligible Michigan veterans and dependent family members to temporarily meet essential expenses

• Applications available through your MVTF agent or county committee

• Eligibility• Details: www.MichiganVeterans.com

www.MichiganVeterans.com

1-800-MICH-VETMike Franks

(616) 364-5399