Live/Survivor Pension & Service Connection
Is a veteran with a General Discharge entitled to VA Benefits ?
Yes
Who is entitled to the Service Connected or Non-Service Connected VA Burial Benefit ?
The individual who bore the cost.
What are the Three (3) basic Administrations of the Department of Veteran Affairs ?
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Veterans Health Administration (VHA) * Also called HealthCare
Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA)
Which Program manages Gold Star License Plates at WDVA ?
The Enhancement Program located at Central Office in Olympia, WA.
The Definitions of a Spouse or Surviving Spouse can be found in ?
38 CFR 3.50
38 USCS 101
What elements are required to establish Service Connection ?
In Service Activity or Event
Diagnosis that is Chronic in Nature
Link of Diagnosis connected to the In Service Activity or Event
Do Surviving Children receive the same amount for DIC ?
No
The BDD Initiative is a Joint Project between which agencies ?
The Department of Veterans Affairs and The Department of Defense.
How many Veteran State Homes are there, and where are they located ?
There are Four (4)
They are located in Spokane, Walla Walla, Orting, and Port Orchard/Retsil.
DIC eligibility requirements can be found in ?
38 CFR 3.5
38 USCS 1318
Can a veteran receiving Pension continue to work ?
If the employment is already included in their current MAPR.
Generally "Yes" as long as the income does not change their current MAPR.
Earned Income does not Exceed their MAPR Limit.
Who is authorized to receive the Month of Death Payment when the Veteran Dies ?
The Surviving Spouse Only.
The BDD Initiative is an Outgrowth of these two programs ?
TAP and DTAP - The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and the Disability Transition Assistance Program (DTAP) was created in the 1980’s to better inform service members about benefits and opportunities following service. Those programs have expanded significantly so that today, classes and briefings start months before release from active duty. The TAP and DTAP don't just cover VA benefits. Information on resume writing, employment counseling, small business information, personal finance, and much more is provided to soon to be released service men and women.
What is the Washington State Definition of a Veteran ?
* State definition of “veteran,” expanding state veterans’ benefits to any veteran who is already eligible for federal Department of Veterans Affairs monetary benefits.
* Creates eligibility for state benefits for veterans who were separated with less than honorable characterizations of service due solely to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression or actions or statements related to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, regardless of characterization of service.
The VA Duty to Assist to ask the veteran if they have additional information to be considered prior to the adjudication of their pending claim is covered in ?
38 USCS 5103
What is the Minimum Deduction Amount for Pension Claims ?
5% of their MAPR
A veteran dies of a NSC Disability. He has been rated totally disabled for 381 days by the VA and is a Former POW. Is the surviving spouse entitled to DIC ?
Provide the basis for your "Yes" or "no" Response.
Yes
When Did the BDD Initiative Begin ?
It began in 1995 as a joint project by VA and DoD at only three Army bases. Today it has expanded to over 150 installations covering all branches of service.
In 2008, DoD launched this pilot program with VA conducting medical exams to be used by both DoD and VA ?
Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES), and it was formally adopted military-wide in 2011.
The goal was to streamline the disability evaluation process.
Assignment of Effective Dates for Claims can be found in ?
38 CFR 3.400
What is the MAPR Amount with Housebound for a Surviving Spouse with 1 Dependent for 2024 ?
$16,989.00
What is the DIC Transitional Benefit, and What is the Current Amount ?
VA adds a transitional benefit of $342.00 for the first two years to the surviving spouse’s monthly DIC if there are children under age 18. The amount is based on a family unit, not individual children.
The Transitional Benefit will end automatically after two years.
What Issues and Conditions are Excluded from BDD Claims ?
The following issues and conditions are excluded from BDD claims:
•Service Members who do not meet the eligibility requirements noted previously
•Are seriously ill or injured
•Lost a body part
•Are terminally ill
•Claims for Service Members awaiting discharge while hospitalized in a VA or military treatment facility or
•Claims that require a character of discharge determination
Can a Veteran Receiving Individual Unemployability continue to work ?
Yes! As long a the employment is not considered Substantially Gainful Employment, and does not exceed the poverty level established by the Census Bureau.
It is generally not recommended that a veteran continue to work.
Protection for some Combat Veterans whose health records were non-existent or lost during war can be found in ?
38 USCS 1154(b)