If my spouse dies while hospitalized in a Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) hospital or nursing home, or in a nursing home under VA contract, will the VA help defray the burial and transportation expenses?

Response: Yes. Any veteran who served in the United States Armed Forces and who dies after being properly admitted to a VA medical facility, a VA nursing home, or a private nursing home under VA contract is entitled to burial benefits. Transportation allowance is also available. 38 CFR 3.1605 (1)

Can a widow of a veteran who was drawing Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and was terminated due to remarriage be reinstated for the benefit if their current spouse dies, or they get divorced?

Response: A widow becomes eligible to receive DIC benefits based on a previous marriage to a veteran if the remarriage of a surviving spouse is terminated by death, divorce, or annulment. Certain evidence is required to establish the status of the surviving spouse as of the date of death of the veteran. Resumption of benefits can only be made from October 1, 1998 even if the cessation of the relationship occurred prior to this date. 38 CFR 3.55 (a)(i)(ii)

What is an "Appointment of Service Representative" and why do I need one?

Response: The VA uses a VA Form 21-22 (Appointment of Service Representative) authorizing the claimant to have professional representation in pursuing their claim with the VA. 38 CFR 1.525 (a)

If I select a Service Organization as my representative, are there any charges or meetings I must attend?

Response: Organizations selected to represent claimants before the VA must provide a statement that no charges, fees or gratuities will be charged or accepted. Membership in the organization or attendance at meetings is not required, but is permitted.38 CFR 14.628 (e)(7)

How do I enroll in the VA Medical System?

Response: Visit any VA health care facility. Before you go to the facility insure you have and bring with you your DD-214 (Military Discharge) showing the character of discharge. You may visit any FDVA office located in the VA medical Centers or go to the VA "Enrollment Section" of the facility.

Will the VA provide my prescriptions from my private doctor?

Response: You may bring the prescriptions to the VA if you are enrolled and if your Primary Health Care Provider agrees with the medications. He or she may provide you with a VA prescription for the medications

NOTE: The VA physician may or may not agree with the need for these medications.

I wish to file for Agent Orange Disease. What do I do?

Response: You should be receiving treatment or have a diagnosis of a specific disease or disability as a result of exposure. You can take this information to your local representative and they will help you complete the forms to apply to the VA. You may want to contact the nearest VA medical center for information on the Agent Orange Registry (this link requires Adobe Acrobat Reader). 38 C.F.R. 3.309 (e)

How Do I Initiate a Request for Military Personnel Records?

You may do it online at this address:
http://vetrecs.archives.gov

Are there special points of contact at the VA Medical Centers for female veterans?

Response: In Florida, VAMC's have "Female Veteran Coordinators." Facilities for Females.

Where are the State Veterans' Nursing Homes in Florida?

Response: FDVA operates six long term care facilities in the following locations: Daytona Beach (Volusia County), Lake City, Land O' Lakes (Pasco County), Pembroke Pines (Broward County), Port Charlotte (Charlotte County) and Springfield (Bay County).

View Nursing Homes

Where can I get an application for a State Nursing Home in Florida?

Response: Any Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs Office or County Service Office or call the admissions office at the home. Phone #: (904) 274-3460. County Veterans' Service Officers

How much will my spouse receive under the Survivors Benefit Plan (SBP)?

Response: The maximum your spouse can receive is 55% of your gross retired pay. You should contact the Military Retiree Annuitants finance agency for further information.

Where do I go for a military ID card?

Response: Contact the military installation nearest you. You need the "Pass & I.D." section. You may need to acquire a letter of disability from the VA to establish eligibility.

Do state employees get administrative leave for appointments for their service-connected disabilities?

Response: An employee who has been rated by the VA for a service-connected disability and who has been scheduled by the VA to be re-examined or treated for such disability shall, upon presentation of written confirmation of having been so scheduled, be granted administrative leave for such re-examination or treatment without loss of pay, benefits or efficiency rating not to exceed six calendar days in any calendar year. 60K-5.032(3)(I) F.A.C. FAC Reference Data

Where are the VA hospitals located in Florida?

Response: There are six VA hospitals located throughout Florida. They are: Gainesville, Lake City, Tampa, Bay Pines (St. Petersburg), West Palm Beach, and Miami. Facilities Page.

Where are the VA Outpatient Clinics located in Florida?

Response: There are eight VA Outpatient Clinics located throughout Florida. They are: Jacksonville, Pensacola, Tallahassee, Orlando, Ft. Myers, Daytona Beach, Oakland Park, and Port Richey.FDVA Facilities.

Who is eligible for nonservice-connected (NSC) pension?

Response: Pension is a benefit payable by the VA to veterans discharged under honorable conditions who have at least 90 days of service with at least one day during a period of war and are disabled because of nonservice-connected disabilities and whose income is below the allowable limit. 38 C.F.R 3.3 (3)

If I get married will my pension stop?

Response: Not necessarily. If the pension being received is the "New Law" pension, the income of the new spouse will affect the amount of pension payable unless the income is a welfare-related benefit. 38 C.F.R 3.3 (3)

Is there a listing of all the things I need to file a claim with the VA?

Response: Due to the complexity of the VA system, the forms needed to file a claim vary. You should contact your local representative or call 1-800-827-1000, select Option 0 and Option 0 again and dial extension 7400 for assistance. Florida Counties listing.

Can I change my address by calling the 1-800 number?

Response: Yes. The call should be followed up by submitting a VA form 572 (change of address). VA Home Page or call Toll Free # 1-800-827-1000, select Option 1 to speak to a counselor.

What percentage of disability compensation rating, must I have in order to draw additional allowance for dependents?

Response: An additional allowance for dependents is payable with a 30% or greater disability rating for compensation benefits. 38 C.F.R. 3.4 (b)(2)

My husband's health is very bad and he can't leave home without assistance. Does the VA allow any extra money for pension for veterans who need help?

Response: An additional allowance for Special Monthly Pension (SMP) may be available at a housebound or Aid & Attendance rate. The specific amount will depend on the level of disability and the total countable family income 38 C.F.R. 3.351

How can I get a Florida Disabled Veteran's ID card?

Response: Obtain an application from the (FDVA). The ID cards are issued to veterans who have been rated 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) service-connected disabled either by the VA or Department of Defense. (Permanency is determined by not having a routine future examination scheduled by the VA.) FS 295.17

I have an honorable discharge, but have never filed a claim with the VA. I recently had an emergency room visit at my local hospital. Will the VA pay this bill?

Response: For the VA to be financially responsible for Emergency Room care, the veteran must be service connected at 50% or more or the Emergency Room treatment must have been for a service connected condition. The VA must be notified within 15 days of the Emergency Room treatment. The veteran may call and inform the VA. 38 C.F.R. 17.50b (a) (1) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v).

What does the VA mean when they say I must have new and material evidence? I provided a doctor's statement. Isn't that new and material?

Response: New and material evidence means evidence not previously submitted to VA decision makers which bears directly and substantially on the specific matter under consideration, which is neither cumulative nor redundant, and which by itself or in connection with evidence previously assembled is so significant that it must be considered in order to fairly decide the merits of the claim. 38 C.F.R. 3.156 (a)

What are the eligibility requirements for a veteran's cremated remains to be placed in Arlington National Cemetery?

Response: The following guidelines explain eligibility for placement in Arlington National Cemetery.
Eligibility for in the Columbarium: The following persons are eligible for inurnment in the Columbarium. The last period of active duty (other than for training) of former members of the Armed Forces must have ended honorably.

• Any member of the Armed Forces who dies on active duty.



• Any former member of the Armed Forces who is retired from active duty.



• Any former member of the Armed Forces who served on active duty (other than for training).



• Any member of a Reserve Component of the Armed Forces who dies while he/she is..
• On active duty for training or performing full-time service under Title 32, United States Code.



• Performing authorized travel to or from that duty or service.


On authorized inactive duty training including training performed as a member of the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard (23 USC 502).


• Hospitalized or being treated at the expense of the United States for injury or disease incurred or contracted while he/she is on that duty or service, performing that travel or inactive duty training, or undergoing that hospitalization or treatment at the expense of the United States.



• Any member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps of the Army, Navy, or Air Force whose death occurs while he/she is...
• Attending an authorized training camp.



• On an authorized practice cruise.



• Performing authorized travel to or from that camp or cruise./li>
  
  
• Hospitalized or receiving treatment at the expense of the United States for injury or disease incurred while attending camp or cruise, performing that travel, or receiving that hospitalization or treatment at the expense of the United States.



• Any citizen of the United States who, during any war in which the United States has been engaged, served in the Armed Forces of any government allied with the United States during that war; whose last service ended honorably by death or otherwise; and who was a citizen of the United States at the time of entry into that service and at the time of death.



• Certain commissioned officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (formerly United States Coast and Geodetic Survey).



• Certain commissioned officers of the US Public Health Service.



• Spouses and minor and certain adult children of those eligible above.



• Any person eligible for ground burial.


A former member of a group that has been certified as active military service for the purpose of receiving VA benefits under the provisions of Section 401, Public Law 95-202. More information can be found at: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/index.htm

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