Benefit Info For The Younger Generation Veteran: Pass This On

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While many of us became fully aware of all our benefits upon leaving active duty, many of us did not. Considering the difficulties today in 'earning a living,' there is concern that our veteran of modern warfare brothers and sisters are also missing certain benefit opportunities.

So, print this out and have a friend or family member put this on their company's office bulletin-board, or distribute at a local veteran's meeting, or whatever -- but get it in the hands of our younger brothers and sisters. If just one veteran doesn't miss an opportunity they would otherwise have missed...

1. Your local Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center stands ready to provide health care and other benefits to any veteran returning from the armed services.

2. In order to be eligible for VA health care benefits you must enroll within 5 years from separation from active duty at any VA Medical Center.

3. Service Members with full-time Servicemember's Group Life Insurance (SGLI) are eligible for Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) coverage upon release from service.

4. If you are eligible for Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) and apply within 120 days of your separation date, approval is automatic. If you wait beyond 120 days, you will have to meet good health requirements to get VGLI coverage.

5. To be eligible for one-time dental care you must apply for a dental exam within the first 180 days of your separation date. After 180 days, dental examinations and benefits are only available to veterans with service related dental conditions.

6. Every VA Medical Center has an OEF/OIF Care Management Team ready to welcome OEF/OIF veterans and help coordinate your care. A Transition Patient Advocate (TPA) acts as a personal advocate as you move throughout the VA healthcare system.

7. If you are seriously wounded, ill or injured you can get into the Federal Recovery Coordination Program which develops a personalized Federal Individualized Recovery Plan. This plan assists you and your family and tracks your care, recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration. It includes benefits provided through the various programs in the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, other federal agencies, states, as well as the private sector.

8. The Veterans Healthcare Administration provides general and specialized health care services to meet the unique needs of veterans returning from combat deployments. Services may include: specialty medical or surgical care, rehabilitative services including vocational rehabilitation, prosthetics, social work and family services, benefits counseling, community resource information and referral assistance.

9. When you establish care at your local VA medical center you will be teamed up with a primary care provider. Your primary care provider is part of a team that can assist you in meeting your post-combat health care needs including specialized services for: acute illness and chronic disease management; preventive medicine and health maintenance; women's health concerns; traumatic injury including brain & spinal cord injuries; post-combat mood changes, anxiety concerns, sleep problems and stress related difficulties (including post traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD); acute and chronic pain management; visual and hearing impairment, and; alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse.

10. In addition to health care, the VA makes available non-health benefits which may include: financial benefits, home loans, vocational rehabilitation, education, and more.

--- Regards, Walt Schmidt