I am in the process of filing my initial pension application and I am somewhat confused. In Part X - Medical, Legal, or Other Expenses it states to list the expenses that I actually paid in order to deduct this from my income. I understand that after a pension starts, the VA sends some type of form to get an estimate of your upcoming yearly expenses. Since this is my initial application, am I to list my expenses actually paid (for 2010) like the form says or do I estimate what this years expenses will be?
Also, my travel expenses are quite high. I travel round trip from Eagle, CO to Aurora, CO for doctor and cancer center appointments. This is 280 miles round trip. Travel is not to any VAMC, etc., but to University of Colorado Medical Center. I found in some VA manual online that travel reimbursement for 2010 is $0.415/mile. Is this correct? Also, if I am to list my actual expenses paid, do I list my travel expenses, overnight costs, meals, etc. (this would result in a very large deduction from my income)?
Thank you.