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Benefits for Veterans
Mike Franks
Accredited 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 by
Military 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
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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
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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, weight
loss, 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 Housebound
benefits
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 claimant
that:
• 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 and
children 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 or
Aid 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 servicedisability, or had a 100% service-connected rating.
• Surviving Spouse and children may also be eligible for
CHAMPVA 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/benefitcounselors
• 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 VA
healthcare benefits.
• If enlisted prior to 9/7/1980, only need to have served on active
duty for at least 1 day.
• If enlisted after 9/7/1980, must have served 24 continuous
months or the full period for which they were called to active
duty.
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-VET
Mike Franks
(616) 364-5399