tdiu Commissary And Exchange Privileges Letters

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This chapter was previously M27-1, Part I, Chapter 3. It was redesignated as M21-1, Part VII, Chapter 5 in April 2000 due to a reorganization. The content of this chapter was not changed.

5.08 LETTERS

a. Veteran's Letter VLET. The BDN system is able to produce frequently used form letters that are batched and mailed each night from the data processing centers. Use this system to the fullest extent. The letters are produced from the following seven different categories that are displayed on the VO1 (Letters Selection) screen:

(1) Commissary and Exchange Privileges (veteran);

(2) Civil Service Preference;

(3) Education Entitlement;

(4) Education Award Data;

(5) Compensation and Pension Award (veteran);

(6) DIC/Pension (widow/er-child-parent); [and]

(7) Service.

b. Commissary and Exchange Privileges Letters

(1) Requests for Commissary and Exchange Privileges letters will receive prompt attention. Upon receipt of the request, verify eligibility information from the BDN or the claims file. If indicated, issue the appropriate letter. All VSDs and appropriate subordinate locations will stock DD Form 1172, Application for Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card, a copy of which will be provided with each commissary privilege letter issued.

(2) Issue a Commissary and Exchange Privileges letter for the eligible veteran, his or her spouse, or dependent child. To be eligible for this certification, a veteran must have been honorably discharged from the Armed Forces and have a service-connected disability (or disabilities) rated at 100 percent disabling including individual unemployability. Temporary 100 percent evaluations under paragraph 28, 29 or 30 of the Schedule for Rating Disabilities or ratings of 100 percent based on the following diagnostic codes do not qualify a veteran for this certification:

5001 6300 6724 7110 7619 8008

5012 6301 6731 7331 7627 8009

5051 6302 6732 7343 7709 8012

5052 6306 6814 7505 7710 8021

5053 6311 6819 7514 7711

5054 6317 7000 7525 7712

5055 6515 7005 7528 7811

5056 6721 7015 7531 7914

5327 6722 7016 7617 8002

6010 6723 7017 7618 8007

However, there may be exceptions.

(3) VLET will not issue a commissary privileges letter when the above diagnostic codes with a 100 percent evaluation are encountered. The possibility exists, in certain situations, that entitlement does exist even though the codes are present.

(4) These codes are used when the rating board wishes to assign a 100 percent evaluation for a limited time, usually for 1 year or less. Based on an examination at the end of the period, the rating board may decide to assign a 100 percent rating but not for the limited period of 1 year or less. In some cases, the rating board may continue to use one or more of the above diagnostic codes and add another code or codes to show the basis for the current evaluation. Because the diagnostic codes in the above list are an absolute bar, VLET would not issue the commissary privileges letter. When these situations occur, VSD personnel must check the claims folder to determine the eligibility before issuing the letter locally. Resolve questions of doubt with the rating board.

(a) Issue FL 27-656 to honorably discharged veterans who are 100 percent disabled and for whom future examinations are scheduled (per VA Form 21-6796, Rating Decision, and/or VA Form 21-6789, Deferred or Confirmed Rating Decision).

(b) Issue FL 27-656a to honorably discharged veterans who are rated 100 percent disabled and for whom no future examinations are scheduled (per VA Form 21-6796 and/or VA Form 21-6789).

© Issue FL 27-656b to the unremarried surviving spouse of a veteran who had a service-connected disability rated at 100 percent disabling (not including temporary ratings under paragraph 28, 29 or 30). The effect of the letter is to transfer the veteran's eligibility to his or her surviving spouse (i.e., if the veteran were eligible prior to his or her death, the surviving spouse would be subsequently eligible).

(d) Issue FL 27-656c if the surviving spouse applying for the benefit had previously been entitled, had lost the privileges due to marriage, and had the subsequent remarriage end in divorce or death of the spouse.

(5) Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, military retirees and their dependents, surviving spouses of persons who died on active duty and their dependents (regardless of their relationship to the deceased member), and other dependents of persons killed on active duty are also entitled to commissary and exchange privileges. In order to be issued identification cards, Congressional Medal of Honor recipients must identify themselves and present proof of the award to the local card-issuing official. Military retirees must present their retirement orders. Dependents must show proof of relationship in addition to the member's retirement orders or report of casualty.