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VA Health Care Services & Benefits Programs How can you apply for VA benefits? What other documents may you need to apply for VA benefits? Who is eligible for VA benefits and services? What is a Military Discharge and how does it affect your entitlement? If you served in the military, you may be entitled to one or more of the following benefits. Contact your local VA regional office, medical center or vet center for more information. Benefits: visit or call any VA Regional Office. A VA representative will answer your questions, help you complete applications & provide you with additional information you may need to submit your claim. For your convenience, Veterans Benefits Administration provides online application for certain benefits. Medical Care: apply directly to the VA hospital or health care facility you want to use. A hospital representative will help you apply for treatment & let you know if you qualify for VA medical care & services. For your convenience, Veterans Health Administration provides online VA Form 10-10EZ : Application for Health Benefits. Submission of this application will provide VA with the information that we need to begin the enrollment application process for you. By completing this application online, you can submit the form electronically and we can expedite your enrollment. IMPORTANT -- When you file a VA claim or request VA medical care for the first time, you should always take a copy of your military service discharge form or separation document (this may be a DD Form 214) with you. Your military separation document provides VA with your service dates, type of discharge, your full name, military service number, branch & dates of service. If you do not have your military separation paper, or you have lost it, you may still apply for VA benefits & services. VA will try to help you obtain service verification. VA may request additional information depending on the type of benefit or service you request. Top of the Document What other documents may be needed to apply for VA benefits? Each VA benefit or service has different eligibility requirements. The most common information requested includes: military service verification, your marriage certificate, your children's birth certificates, & verification of the income you receive such as wages, social security, or other retirement benefits. If you apply for benefits as the widow(er) of a deceased veteran, you will need to show VA a copy of his or her death certificate. A VA representative will let you know exactly what additional information is needed. Top of the Document Who is eligible for VA benefits & services? Generally, you must have served full-time in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, the Environmental Services Administration or the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. In some cases, if your only service was as a reservist or a member of the National Guard, you may be entitled to certain VA benefits. Eligibility for most VA benefits & services is based on discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. Women & men with similar service are entitled to the same VA benefits. The Department of Defense has certified service in 29 organizations during special periods including World War I & II as active military service. For service to qualify, the Defense Secretary must certify that the group has provided active military service. Individual members must be issued a discharge by the Defense Secretary to qualify for VA benefits. Service in the following specific groups has been certified as active military service for benefits purposes: What is a Military Discharge & how does it affect your entitlement to VA benefits? The Defense Department issues a military discharge when you are released from active duty. This form, usually a DD Form 214, provides information about your service such as the character of your discharge, (honorable, general, other than honorable, bad conduct & dishonorable) the dates of your service, personal data, & other information. Honorable & general discharges qualify you for most VA benefits. Dishonorable & Bad-Conduct discharges issued by general courts-martial are a bar to receipt of VA benefits.Index
General
How can you apply for VA Benefits & Services ?
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[ IMAGE : /womenvet/images/vapeople.gif ] | Call Toll Free at 1-800-827-1000 |
Addresses and phone numbers for VA benefits offices and health care facilities in your local community can be found at: The VA Facility and Leadership Directory
Do you have a specific concern or comment about VA programs and services for women veterans? Contact VA Women Veteran Program Officials.
Remember, most VA facilities have a Women Veterans Coordinator to assist you in applying for VA benefit programs and health care services. Contact your local Coordinator today.
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Page Last Reviewed or Updated: October 9, 2002