tdiu ADDITIONAL BENEFITS WHEN RATED 100%

[US NAVY DAV]

Note I have complied this list and was using it for myself as I went through the items.  Its best to copy and paste it maybe print it out and check list it as you go through it.  If I missed something please feel free to add it.  There are programs out there that help pay for special adaptive items for vehicles and items within your house and more.  I didnt add those here sorry.

 

 

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS WHEN RATED 100% DIS-LABLED BY THE VA
There are two catagories boxes that they can check TOTAL AND PEMENENT or NON-TOTAL AND PEMENENT  
 If the total and permenant box is not checked, you can be re-evaluated and pecentage cut.

Note: Some may apply for lesser ratings of 30% or more.  This volunteer listing is not fully comprehensive so be sure to check things out with the VA. 

A veteran can be rated 100% “Total” without being “Total and Permanent” (T&P). This usually happens when VA considers a disability may improve. You can tell if a 100% grant is Total and Permanent as the decision will approve “Dependents Educational Assistance” and “Chapter 35 Benefits”.

 

      ----0.0 Found a program that pays for my upkeep for my spouse.  -----

      http://www.caregiver.va.gov/index.asp

      The site has everything there it takes a little navigating to figure out the eligibility area, or click my link.

      http://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/support_benefits.asp

 

 

          0.1) ADD Aid and Attendance condition)

 

   0.2 Veteran T&P Student Loan fee waiver

     https://disabilitydischarge.com/

          If you are totally and permanently disabled, you may qualify for a total and permanent disability (TPD) discharge of your federal student loans or TEACH Grant service obligation. If you receive a TPD discharge, you will no longer be required to repay your loans or complete your TEACH Grant service obligation. This section explains more about TPD discharge.

 

       1) VA Co-Pay Reimbursement:

 
If you have been paying Co-Pays and your new Rating Decision is retroactive then you can ask VA to reimburse you for those payments back to the date of the rating.

 

-         2.1 College Fee Waiver

The College Tuition Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents benefit waives mandatory system-wide tuition and fees at any State of California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus. This program does not cover the expense of books, parking or room and board. There are four plans under which dependents of veterans may be eligible.

 

 
O       2) Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA):

http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/survivor_dependent_assistance.asp

http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/resources/benefits_resources/rates/ch35/ch35rates100113.asp

This first proves that VA has deemed your disabilities to be "Total and Permanent" (T&P). It allows your spouse and children to be eligible for certain educational benefits.

 

A child is authorized 45 months of accredited schooling. VA presently pays a monthly stipend of around $XXX link above XXX for a fulltime student. They can receive guidance counseling, tutors, etc.

 
If VA deems it needful, a student may receive an extension on the initial 45 months.

 

A qualified student is usually 18-26 years of age, but I've seen some using the benefit up to 32. Usually the latter is based on a large retroactive benefit granted to the veteran.

 

If a child has been in school and then the veteran receives a retroactive benefit that includes that school dates, then the student can file for reimbursement for the months that he/she qualified on the retroactive date.


A spouse can also qualify for schooling.

 
Keep in mind that this is the student's or spouse's benefit drawn on the veteran's grant. The student/spouse must handle all of the paperwork.

 

0       3) ChampVA Health Insurance for the Spouse and Dependent Children: 

This is an excellent benefit for the spouse/children. Veterans must receive our care at the VA, but our dependents can receive their care in the private sector. Please DO NOT delay on applying.

 

ChampVA is located in Denver, CO and they are very easy to work with. ChampVA is the spouse's benefit so she will have to coordinate with them.

 

Of course any parent can coordinate for dependent children. The spouse will use the veteran's Claims File number (in upper right hand corner of the VA Rating Decision letter) in order to make the initial ChampVA application request.

 

VERY IMPORTANT: If a spouse/children have had any out-of-pocket medical expenses during the time of the veteran's retroactive grant period they can submit them to ChampVA after being approved and ChampVA will reimburse the expenses. This can be a substantial amount if there have been health issues with the spouse and/or children.

 
NOTE: ChampVA does not cover Dental, Eyeglasses and Electives.

 
VA Health Administration Center

CHAMPVA
P.O. Box 65023

Denver, CO 80206-9023

 

(800) 733-8387 Fax: (303) 331-7804


Email: hac.inq@med.va.gov


Here is their website where can look over the benefits:

 
www.va.gov/hac

ChampVA has a "Meds by Mail" program that is very good.

 
A new law was passed awhile back that gives the spouse "ChampVA for Life". There are stipulations if a divorce is involved.

 

0       4) Dental Coverage:

 

All 100% service-connected veterans are allowed dental care.

 

Note: Veterans going through Vocational Rehabilitation are also eligible for some dental care.

 

-0      5) VA Insurance:

 
When a veteran is deemed 100% Schedular or TDIU then VA will grant a $10,000.00 insurance policy and "waive" the premiums. VA criteria states that you must have been granted a "NEW" service-connected condition in the past 2 years to qualify. It cannot be an increase of an existing condition. You have only two years from the time of the decision to apply.  Note:  VA is now offering this to 70% veterans.  The VA insurance division will determine if you qualify.

 
The key on the application is to write "WAIVED" in the monthly premium amount box when applying for the 10K amount.

 
VA also offers other small policies, but I hear they are not very competitive.


Call this number and tell them your new rating and that you would like to file for the insurance. It is in Philadelphia:

 
(800) 669-8477


You can file online:

 
www.insurance.va.gov

         

  7) Free or discounted Hunting and Fishing License/Tags:  -NOTE- *THIS IS A California benefit*

 

Check your State using the link below:

 

http://www.va.gov/statedva.htm

O       8) Property Tax Break:                         -NOTE- *THIS IS A California benefit*


Check your State using the link below:

 

http://www.va.gov/statedva.htm

x        9) Golden Access Passport:          National PASS ( ALL STATES)


The name of this pass has been changed, but the benefits are very similar. If you have the old pass then you can use it as the Federal government will not give you a new one. 


The new pass is called "America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass".


The pass allows for 50% off Camping/recreation in Federal Parks. Some State and County Parks will honor it. Here is a link. Be sure to take your Rating Decision letter: 


www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm

 

Oregon allows disabled veterans (10) free days per month at our State Parks.  Some counties have chosen to do the same.  Check with your State to see if this is offered.


O       10) To check for additional State benefits where you live click on this

 

link:

www.va.gov/statedva.htm

O       11) Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC):


The DIC "Clock starts Ticking" once a veteran is rated 100% "Total" or "Total and Permanent". This allows his spouse and dependent children under 18 years of age to receive a monthly benefit if:


a) The veteran passes of a "service-connected" disability within the first 10 years of being rated 100%. 


b) If the veteran lives the full 10 years then he can pass of any disability.

Currently the monthly payment for DIC is approximately $1,400.00, so this gives the spouse about 1/2 of the veteran paycheck when he was alive.


-         12)  Travel Pay:  (41.5 cents per mile)

 

All veterans are allowed travel reimbursement for scheduled VA appointments if they are rated 30% service-connected or higher.

 

VA will also pay travel pay on a “needs basis”.  This means if a veteran is under a certain income level then he/she will be paid for scheduled visits.

 

VA will pay for travel to “Claims and Pension” (C&P) examinations.

 

As I said, this is not exhaustive.  We do our best to not only acquire the benefits that are due you, but also to pass along the benefits to other fellow veterans who may not be in the know because VA is not forthright.

 

13)There is a little known benefit called the “Independent Living Services Program” (ILSP).  It is design to assist any disabled veteran to live a better quality of life despite their service-connected disabilities.  

 

The program shows up briefly on the Vocational Rehabilitation Form 28-1900.  I believe that VA has changed the wording on the form to further disguise the program. In fact, they changed the name to “Independent Living Program”.  Here is a link to the VA Form 28-1900:

 

http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-28-1900-ARE.pdf

 

You’ll note on the instructions under “Rehabilitation Services” is states the following:

 

“If training is appropriate, VA will provide medical and dental care treatment, employment assistance to get and keep a suitable job, and other services you may need. If a vocational goal is not currently feasible for you, VA may provide services and assistance to improve your capacity for living independently.”

 

The key sentence is in red.  There used to be more references, but VA has removed them from the form.

 

Here is a link to the Independent Living Program on the VA website:

 

http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/ilp.htm

“The Independent Living program is to make sure that each eligible veteran is able, to the maximum extent possible, to live independently and participate in family and community life increasing their potential to return to work. Services may include the following: 

• Assistive technology

• Specialized medical, health, and / or rehabilitation services

• Services to address any personal and / or family adjustment issues

• Independent living skills training

• Connection with community-based support services”