Our VA experts can handle just about any Question you have about your VA benefits. Here is a sampling of 53 -- one for every week of the year plus one for the leap year -- frequently asked questions.

Question 1: I just got out of the military, what benefits am I entitled to?

Answer 1: There is a number of benefits offered by the VA: compensation, educational, medical- Is there one in particular that you would like to know about?

Question 2: I was told that I am entitled to free medical care, is that true?

Answer 2: Yes and No. The VA has a category system to determine eligibility and you need to enroll in the VA’s Healthcare System to be afforded medical care. Veterans not entitled to cost-free care may be able to receive care, for a cost, if resources and space are available. You should contact your nearest VAMC for further information on how to enroll.

Question 3: How do I get medical care at the VA?

Answer 3: You need to visit the VAMC nearest to you and enroll in the Healthcare System. You may also contact them by telephone and they will mail you an application for enrollment, or apply online.

Question 4: Am I entitled to dental care at the VA?

Answer 4: If you recently separated from the military you must file your request for dental care within 90 days of your release from active duty. Veterans that are rated service connected at the 100% rate and remain 100% are entitled to free dental care at the VA. There are different rules if the veteran has a service connected dental condition.

Question 5: Am I entitled to VA educational benefits?

Answer 5: Yes. As long as you paid into the educational program and received an Honorable Discharge after having served your 24 months (there are some exceptions). Contact the nearest VA regional office for more information.

Question 6: Where do I get an application for educational benefits?

Answer 6: You can obtain one from your school or from any VA regional office, by calling their toll-free number 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (-888-442-4551) or you can download it from the VA’s website’s forms area.

Question 7: How do I find out if a school is VA approved?

Answer 7: You can call the school and ask to speak with the person that does the veterans’ certification. You can also call 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (-888-442-4551).

Question 8: I am told I can get my prescriptions from the VA, is that true?

Answer 8: Again, you must first enroll in the VA Healthcare System. The VAMC will notify you as to the category you are in and whether you are exempt from paying the $2.00 copay (It has been proposed to raise this to $7.00). For example, if the VA rates you as service connected for a particular injury and/or disease, there is no copay. You should contact the nearest VAMC for further details, as veterans do not all fall into the same category. If you have a prescription from a non-VA doctor, you must enroll by the VA health system and be seen by a VA doctor who may or may not prescribe the same medication.

Question 9: Where do I apply for VA benefits?

Answer 9: You can go to any VA facility- Regional Office, Medical Center or outpatient clinic to file for benefits. You can also apply at any county or state veteran’s office in your area or online. Would you like me to find you a representative in your area?

Question 10: The VA told me that I owe them money, what do I do?

Answer 10: Do not admit to the debt. Go to your representative for assistance in disputing this debt and/or the fairness of having to pay it.

Question 11: I was hurt in the service; can I get money from the VA?

Answer 11: You can file a claim with the VA for service-connected compensation for any disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by your military service, unless it was due to your own willful misconduct. We suggest you speak with a veteran’s representative regarding this.

Question 12: Where do I record my DD 214?

Answer 12: You can record it at your County Records office.

Question 13: Can my family be treated at the VA?

Answer 13: No. The only exception is if you are 100% service-connected with a "permanent and total" rating and only your spouse may be treated or if you are retired and enrolled in TriCare system. Check w/your VAMC as not all facilities treat spouses of veterans rated 100% permanent and total.

Question 14: I served in the Gulf War. Is there a number I can call to register?

Answer 14: You should contact the Gulf War Helpline at 1-800-749-8387 and request a Persian Gulf Registry examination.

Question 15: I served in the Gulf and I have been sick lately, what do I do?

Answer 15: You can receive comprehensive medical care at no cost to you through the VA for medical problems that are possibly related to hazardous exposure during your service in the Gulf War. Medical problems determined to be not related to your Gulf War service may require co-payments. You should also file a claim for compensation benefits. I recommend that you contact a veteran’s service representative in your area to assist you with your claim.

Question 16: VA just denied my claim, what do I do?

Answer 16: You can contact your representative if you have one or we can assist you with finding one in your area. It is important for you to keep in mind that you have 1 year from the date of the VA’s letter denying your claim to file a Notice of Disagreement with their decision.

Question 17: How do I reopen my VA claim?

Answer 17: You can contact your representative if you have one or we can assist you with finding one in your area.

Question 18: What do I need to reopen my VA claim?

Answer 18: We suggest that you speak with your representative or if you do not have one we will help you find one in your area. Generally, you need "new and material evidence".

Question 19: How do I continue my servicemen’s group life insurance?

Answer 19: You have 120 days to convert your life insurance to the Veterans Group Life Insurance. You can contact the VA at 1-800-827-1000 and they will send you the appropriate application.

Question 20: I was discharged with severance pay; will the VA take all this money back when I get compensation?

Answer 20: Yes. The VA will recoup dollar for dollar on that portion of the severance pay that was taxable.

Question 21: Will the VA provide me birth control pills?

Answer 21: Yes, but you must be enrolled in the VA Healthcare System.

Question 22: I just got discharged after serving my full enlistment, am I entitled to unemployment compensation?

Answer 22: Yes. Usually for 13 weeks but you should check with your State’s Unemployment Office.

Question 23: I used my VA Home Loan certificate in another state when I was on active duty, can I reuse it now that I am discharged?

Answer 23: No. Not unless the loan has been satisfied by you or a person to whom you sold the house. If another veteran "assumed" your loan, there are other criteria for reusing your certificate. On the other hand, if the previous loan was satisfied, you must complete a new application to be issued a new Home Loan Guaranty certificate.

Question 24: I just got out of the service and I had been issued a VA Home Loan certificate but I never used it. Can I use it now?

Answer 24: No. You must complete a new application to be issued a new Home Loan Guaranty certificate.

Question 25: I am told that if I am service-connected at least 10%, that I don’t have to pay a funding fee when I close on my home, is that true?

Answer 25: Yes.

Question 26: I filed a claim with the VA and the VA letter advised me that my claim was not well-grounded. What does that mean?

Answer 26: It means that you did not submit the necessary evidence to allow the VA to decide that your current medical condition or injury was or was not related to your military service.

Question 27: I went to the VAMC as I was having chest pains. The VA doctor said it was bronchitis. I just got out of a non-VA hospital after having a massive heart attack and was told I have heart damage. Can I sue the VA?

Answer 27: Yes. You can file a claim under the Federal Tort Claim Act. There is a 2-year statutory limit from the date that you should have been made aware of the injury/damage to file the claim with the office of the District Counsel at the VA Regional Office. You can also file a claim for service connection with the VA. If you are interested in filing a suit, you should first speak with an attorney for guidance.

Question 28: How do I get a copy of my VA medical records?

Answer 28: The VA Medical Center has a form 10-5345 that you can complete to request these records.

Question 29: I had to go to the emergency room of a non-VA hospital. Will VA reimburse me?

Answer 29: Under the new Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act, the VA will provide reimbursement for non-VA emergency treatment if the veteran is enrolled in the VA health-care system and has undergone VA treatment during the preceding two years.

Question 30: How do I get a copy of my DD 214?

Answer 30: If you recorded you DD214 with you County Records office, you can request one from them. If you did not record it, you can complete SF 180 and send it to the National Personnel Records Center.

Question 31: I have heard that a less than honorable discharge is automatically upgraded or reviewed after six months. Is this true?

Answer 31: Absolutely not. This has never been the case, but it’s an old military "brig" rumor. There are always avenues to seek a discharge upgrade; however, all must be initiated by the veteran or his or her survivor.

Question 32: How do I go about upgrading a "dishonorable discharge" from the military?

Answer 32: You may be confused between "honorable" and "dishonorable". There are very few dishonorable discharges; however, about 15 percent of all military members receive other than fully honorable discharges. They may be called a general discharge, an undesirable discharge, an other than honorable discharge, a bad conduct discharge, and yes, a dishonorable discharge. It depends on the type of discharge you got and how you got it as to where you apply to get it upgraded. However, one rule is there is always a place where one can go to seek a discharge upgrade. The general rule is almost all discharges, except those issued by a court-martial, can be appealed within 15 years of discharge to a Discharge Review Board. Each military service has a Discharge Review Board. To apply you file DD Form 293. If a person has been discharged more than 15 years ago, or they have already been turned down at the Discharge Review Board and cannot get a re-hearing before the Discharge Review Board, they may apply to a Board for Correction for Military Records. Each service has one of these boards. In theory, a service member can only apply to these boards within three years after "discovering the error or injustice"; however the board must waive this three-year limit "in the interest of justice". Therefore, as a practical matter, the board will have to look to the merits of the case, and, if an upgrade is appropriate, they would logically waive this limitation period. To apply to a Board for Correction of Military Records, file DD Form 149.

Question 33: What kind of things do discharge review agencies look for when upgrading a discharge, and what are my chances?

Answer 33: The review boards are not overwhelmingly generous in upgrading discharges, however they have varying rates of upgrades and their overall upgrade rate is around 15 to 20 percent. If a case is properly prepared and someone makes a good representation at a personal appearance hearing, if one is possible, his or her chances are greatly increased. The boards usually look to see whether the person’s good service outweighs the bad service. That’s a very simplistic way to look at it, but veterans with lengthy good service, combat service, or other outstanding attributes would stand a better chance of an upgrade than others. The boards also are sympathetic when the person is mistreated by his or her command and/or has legitimate "mitigating circumstances" to explain the conduct that led to the discharge.

Question 34: Can I get VA benefits with a less than honorable discharge?

Answer 34: In general, you can get VA benefits with an honorable and a general discharge. That’s not absolute, but that’s the general rule. If you have an undesirable or a "discharge under other than honorable conditions", the VA can usually determine whether you are entitled to benefits; they grant eligibility in roughly 25 percent of these cases. (There are different rules that apply for bad conduct and dishonorable discharges received by a court-martial.) All these rules can be quite complex.

Question 35: I know I usually can’t hire a lawyer to represent me in a VA claim at the beginning level, but what about for discharge review?

Answer 35: Yes. There is no limit on hiring a lawyer for discharge review. We can provide you a list of some lawyers who will handle these cases for a fee. Of course, if you can find a lawyer to do it for free, go for it. The veterans’ service organizations also provide free non-lawyer counsel for veterans applying for a discharge upgrade. Their names are listed on the back of the appropriate forms that are used to apply for discharge review.

Question 36: How do I find somebody to represent me in a VA claim?

Answer 36: VRNA has a list of accredited service representatives around the country and we usually can refer you to people in your local area. Since the offices change frequently, you should be aware that the scheme of veterans’ representation works as follows. Most states have a State Department of Veterans Affairs which has representatives stationed throughout the state. Many states also have County Veterans Service Officers in each county. You need to look in your phone book under state or county government to locate the nearest representative, if one on our list does not work. In addition, most of the veterans’ service organizations, such as The American Legion, the VFW, the DAV, VVA, etc. have service representatives that operate out of the VA Regional Office in your state. If you can’t locate these service representatives through your phone book or any of the local posts of these veterans organizations, you can call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 and you will be connected to the nearest regional office. When you are connected, ask them to connect you to a veteran’s service officer for one of the service organizations. You can select any of those representatives you wish and, of course, you may interview several to see which one you feel most comfortable with.

Question 37: I’ve got a court-martial from my military service. Is there anything I can do about it now?

Answer 37: In theory, yes; however, it is extremely difficult to have a court-martial overturned after it has already been through the military appeals system. There are some ways to appeal a lesser court-martial years later through an administrative appeals system called Article 69 (UCMJ). You normally would have to prove a serious legal error with the court-martial, not the fact that you were innocent or that the conviction was unfair. To do this and be successful, you likely would need a lawyer who has experience in military law. VRNA has a list of some lawyers willing to take these cases for a fee.

Question 38: I was discharged from the military, but I had some medical problems at the time and I really think that I should have been discharged or retired for disability because these medical problems occurred while I was on active duty. I understand I can go to the VA, but I also understand in some cases there would be more benefits available for me through the military disability retirement system. What can I do?

Answer 38: It’s true sometimes service members are separated when they were medically unfit for further military service and that they should have gone through the formal military disability separation procedures. To do so as a veteran, you would have to apply to the Board for Correction of Military Records for your service. You apply to that Board by using DD Form 149. We would recommend that you find counsel that is experienced in this area to assist you; and that if you wish to do this, you should do this as soon as possible after discharge from the military. The longer you wait, the more difficult it is.

Question 39: I’ve got a code on my discharge document that I don’t understand, and I am concerned that it may say something negative about me. How can I find out what it means?

Answer 39: Call one of our Customer Service Representatives and they have a list of most SPN codes which were formerly used and SPD codes which have been used in recent years. They also have a list of reenlistment codes and can tell you what those mean.

Question 40: I have been barred from reenlistment. I have a code on my separation document that I believe bars me from reenlisting and I would like to reenlist. What can I do about this?

Answer 40: In theory, you can apply to have the code removed and seek to reenlist, but this is extremely rare, especially if you were discharged several years ago. We do have a list of addresses where can write to seek to change your reenlistment code and/or reenlistment eligibility.

Question 41: Can I hire a lawyer to represent me with a VA claim? I’ve been told that it’s illegal for a lawyer to charge me a fee to represent me before the VA.

Answer 41: This is not a simple question, but the Answer is "sometimes". It’s clear that you can hire a lawyer within one year of having an appeal denied by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals and that a lawyer can then represent you before the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals or back at the VA Regional Office under some circumstances. Also a "disinterested third party" can hire a lawyer to represent you at any time. These attorneys fees provisions are somewhat complicated and we recommend that you talk to a lawyer experienced in veterans’ law for further details. We have lists or referral services for such lawyers.

Question 42: When I was in the military I had some medical care that seems clearly to me to have been medical malpractice. I just got out of the military. Can I sue them?

Answer 42: As a practical matter, no. Military personnel, except in the rarest of circumstances, will not be successful in a lawsuit under the Federal Tort Claims Act for any injury that occurred while he or she was in the military. Your best resort is to seek benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for any lingering injury you may have as a result of military medical malpractice.

Question 43: I have been talking to a bunch of my friends who think they were discriminated against while we were in the military. Some of us think that we were victims of sexual discrimination, racial discrimination or just not treated equally with other people. Is there anything we can do about it?

Answer 43: As a practical matter, no. If you received a bad discharge or some form of punishment as a result of this "discrimination" and you can prove it, you may be able to get the discharge or disciplinary action overturned, but you really don’t have the same rights and remedies as a civilian who is subject to an illegal discrimination.

Question 44: I’ve got a disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs, but I think I’ve gotten worse. I have heard that if I reopen my claim, they can reduce my rating or even take it away from me. Is this true?

Answer 44: Yes, in some cases. And in some cases, you are "protected". This is a very tricky issue and you should never reopen a claim without first checking with an experienced veteran’s advocate.

Question 45: Can my VA monthly benefits be garnished?

Answer 45: With certain exceptions, VA benefits are exempt from taxation, claims of creditors, attachment, garnishment, and other forms of legal process.

Question 46: I am told that my estranged wife/husband can apply to get some of my VA monthly benefits. Is this true?

Answer 46: Yes. Your estranged spouse can request an apportionment of your benefits for herself/himself and, if any, children in their custody. The VA will notify you when a request is made and the VA will provide you with notice and a chance to respond to the request.

Question 47: Is there a time limit in filing a claim with the VA?

Answer 47: No, but we advise to you consult with a veterans representative as soon possible.

Question 48: Is my child entitled to educational benefits from the VA?

Answer 48: The child of a veteran who is rated by the VA as 100% with a "permanent and total" rating is entitled to 36 months of educational benefits. The VA does not pay tuition but will pay a monthly subsistence allowance based on whether attendance is full-time, three-quarter time, half time and one-quarter time. The child of a veterans that died of service connected death may also be eligible for educational benefits. Contact the VA regional office for more information.

Question 49: How can I get a copy of my VA Claims File (C-file)?

Answer 49: You can request a copy of your C-file under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by putting it in writing to the VA regional office nearest you. The VA will give you the first copy free of charge. Should you lose your free copy and request another copy, the VA will then charge you a per page fee.

Question 50: How do I find out the status of my claim?

Answer 50: You can contact your representative if you have one appointed, or you can contact the VA regional office at 1-800-827-1000.

Question 51: How do I appoint a service organization as my representative?

Answer 51: The appointment of a service organization is done by your completing VA Form 21-22 and submitting it to the nearest VA regional office. You can obtain that form by calling 1-800-827-1000. You can also go to your local veterans office.

Question 52:

The VA says I owe it money. Can they take this money from any other federal money due me?

Answer 52:

Yes, even Social Secuirty benefits and IRS refunds.

Question 53:

My child was born while I was in the Army in Germany. How do I get a copy of the birth certificate?

Answer 53:

A veteran can request a certified copy of the birth certificate for any child born overseas from the State Department at the following address:

Passport Correspondence
Department of State
Room 386
1425 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20524

There is a charge of $3.00 per certificate. When requesting the certificate, make sure the requestor states the name, date of birth, Country or Embassy where it would have been recorded.

Have a question you need answered? Here’s how it works:
Call VRNA Member Services, toll-free: 1-877-848-VRNA (8762). Your question/issue will be handled in the most expedient, efficient, thorough manner. Visit theVRNA experts Web site at this link.