This Veteran's Benefits Manual is designed to introduce you to the wide range of benefits available from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The information is not regulatory and should not be interpreted as such. The benefits are available without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap or religion. We urge you to take full advantage of the benefits to which you are entitled. For information or assistance in applying for benefits, contact your local County Veterans Service Office.

All D.V.A. medical centers will grant a complete physical upon your request for agent orange exposure, if you served in Vietnam from August 5, 1964 through May 7, 1975. If you have a problem call your nearest D.V.A. medical center. If you served in Vietnam during the above stated dates, you may be entitled to compensation from the DVA for disabilities caused by agent orange exposure.

For a list of associated diseases please visit:
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/diseases.asp.

D.V.A has a program for the treatment of alcohol and other drug dependence. If you have such a problem, we encourage you to contact the nearest D.V.A. clinic at (440) 526-3030

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is also treated at this clinic.

Burial benefits are available for eligible veterans.

D.V.A. will issue an American Flag to drape the casket of eligible veterans who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. The funeral director usually takes care of this.

Compensation is payable to veterans for disabilities resulting from injury or disease incurred or aggravated in line of duty, not the result of misconduct, in active military service.

You can receive counseling from professionally qualified counselors. Counseling can assist you in a number of ways including (1) choosing a suitable educational or vocational objective (2) seeing how you can make the best use of the training or experience you now have to get a good job or (3) dealing with personal problems which keep you from doing your best in school or at work.

Counseling is available upon request. Once your request is received, a convenient time and place will be arranged.

The main purpose of the D.V.A. home loan program is to help veterans finance the purchase of homes with favorable loan terms and at a rate of interest which is usually lower than the rate charged on other types of mortgage loans.

Please follow this link to go to the Department of Veterans Affairs VA Loan Page:

http://www.homeloans.va.gov/

The D.V.A. provides hospital or outpatient care when needed for all service connected medical care. The D.V.A. will give treatment at one of the medical centers.

Medical is provided for qualified veterans for their non-service connected conditions. Your insurance may be billed for this care, and depending on your income and net worth, you may be charged a minimal fee for services and medication.

Eligibility-for veterans of Mexican Border Period, World War I, World War II, Korean Conflict period, Vietnam Era and Persian Gulf with non-service connected disabilities: For wartime veterans with limited income discharged under other than dishonorable conditions after 90 or more days service, who are permanently and totally disabled for reasons not traceable to service, nor due to willful misconduct or vicious habits. Pension is not payable to those who have estates that can provide adequate maintenance.

Widows and other dependents may also be eligible for monthly benefits.

Note: Veterans should acquaint their families with the location of their military records, their file number and the insurance numbers to prevent delay.

Eligibility - you may be eligible for education benefits.

You may apply for hunting and fishing license through the D.V.A. That is the D.V.A. provides free licenses to eligible veterans who are 100% service connected or receiving D.V.A disability pensions. If you are granted this benefit, you can only use this license in the State of Ohio. This is a state benefit.

Life insurance is administered at the D.V.A. Regional Office and Insurance Center in St. Paul or Philadelphia. For any information concerning you policy, you must have your poidlicy number. Veterans may contact the Insurance Center in Philadelphia, PA. at 1-800-669-8477.

Families who select a burial site in a private cemetery may receive a government marker to mark a veterans grave. They may choose marble, bronze or granite.

False information of unknown origin is again surfacing. The hoax reads, "special life insurance dividends are payable by an act by Congress".

The D.V.A. makes dividend payments only to those veterans whose G.I. insurance is in force. The dividends are paid on an annual basis without application from the veteran.

The dividend hoax has resurfaced almost every year since 1950, unless you have a "paid up policy' or are still paying premiums, no dividend is payable.

The D.V.A. operates the National Cemetery System. The interment of a veteran of wartime or peacetime service whose service terminated other than dishonorably, or the spouse, surviving spouse or minor children of an eligible veterans will be authorized in any cemetery in which space is available. One grave site is authorized for interment of eligible members of a family unit. There is no charged for a grave in a National Cemetery. The closest National Cemetary is in Rittman, Ohio (Medina County).

Aid and attendance may be paid to veterans who are patients in a nursing home, assisted living, or otherwise determined to be in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person. They may be entitled to higher income limitations or additional benefits. This benefit is also payable to eligible widows.

When filing a claim, supporting documents are needed. Place all the documents in a safe place.

If you are a child of a disabled or deceased veteran, who entered service from the State of Ohio during a wartime period, or the child of a veteran who has permanent and total non-service connected disability as determined by the D.V.A., file an application when you complete high school. Requests for War Orphans Scholarships must be filed in Columbus before July 1, each year.

All D.V.A medical centers will grant a complete physical upon your request for any Persian Gulf illness. They will also add your name to the Persian Gulf Registry. If you have a problem call your nearest D.V.A. medical center.

In 1982, the laws changed, opening up benefits for the P.O.W. Please contact your local Veterans Service Office to apply for benefits.