Texas Veterans! Do You Have Benefits Questions? Need Peer Support? Ask Questions Now!

Thank you for your service and question. See eligibility information here https://www.va.gov/education/eligibility/

Typically within 6 months.

Encourage you to use https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/va-appointments for details on your appointments and how to upgrade your health calendar.

Andi Martinez - That works - thanks!

It is possible that a 100% rating being assigned if the cancer is service-connected. The Veteran can apply for a rating increase here: https://www.va.gov/disability/file-disability-claim-form-21-526ez/introduction

You can also speak with a representative from the Texas Veterans Commission and they can assist with questions and filing. https://www.tvc.texas.gov/claims/

My daughter or her husband need to do that. I don’t know much about his service. He served many years, and do not know if he was in chemically effected areas. I will pass on your link! Thank you! Jeanette Gilles

A1C Constance Lynne Clark Thank you for this question and I am sorry your family is facing this diagnosis. If we can offer any support to you or your daughter as you care for your son in law, please email us at [login to see] We have caregiver peer support groups, chats, workshops and self care opportunities to support you on your caregiving journey.

If you need help filing a disability claim, you can contact a VA regional office and ask to speak to a counselor. To find the nearest regional office, please call [login to see] .

An accredited representative, like a Veterans Service Officer (VSO), can help you fill out your claim. https://www.va.gov/disability/get-help-filing-claim/

Andi Martinez - You can find an accredited representative or a VSO in 1 of 2 ways:

Go to eBenefits to find a local representative (including a recognized VSO, an attorney, or a claims agent) by state/territory, zip code, or the organization’s name.
https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/vso-search

Or search the VA Office of the General Counsel’s list to find VA-recognized organizations and VA-accredited individuals by name, city, state, or zip code.
https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp

The Texas Veterans Commission can also help with claims- https://www.tvc.texas.gov/claims/

Good luck. I’ve been fighting with the military even in active duty when got screwed over on rank and pay. They were at fault and back dated my rank over a yr but was told no back pay. And now fighting for disability, every dr treats you like your full of it but yet a vet was able to fake being paralyzed. How does that happen

Thanks for checking, Kathryn. As the spouse of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for certain benefits, like health care, life insurance, or money to help pay for school or training. As the survivor of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for added benefits, including help with burial costs and survivor compensation.

If you’re caring for a Veteran, you may also be eligible for support to help you better care for the Veteran—and for yourself.

Find out which benefits you may qualify for and how to access them here: https://www.va.gov/family-member-benefits/

The Cohen Veteran Network provides in person counseling for veterans and family members. They have 4 clinics in TX and if a clinic is not in your area, you can still receive Telehealth services. For more information: https://www.cohenveteransnetwork.org/

Kathryn Bassett Thank you so much for being with us today. You have been through a lot in those 42 years and you deserve support too. The Red Cross MVCN has caregiver peer support groups and chats, self care opportunities and Resiliency Workshops led by mental health professionals. If you would like to be added to our network please visit https://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/services-for-veterans/military-veteran-caregiver-network.html or email us at [login to see]

Hello MSgt Taylor, I can provide you with a detailed answer in regards to your question as I would have to gather more information such as your SSN in order to conduct further research. However, this is not the appropriate place to provide that information. If you were granted 0% that means that the VA did grant service connection for your knee. The reason that the VA has some backlog is due to COVID there was a period of time that exams were not being completed at all by VA or any of our contractors. We have now been diligently working with the VAMC and our VA contractors in an effort to get these exams completed. We even have VA employees calling veterans in order to get some exams established. The VA now works out of what we call a National Work Que. What this means is that any regional office can work a claim. Federal benefits are the same no matter what state that you live in. The development of your claim and the decision would be the same, it is not based on where you reside. Another thing in reference to our exams is that if specific questions are not answered or a part of it was not completed we may have to send it back in order to get it completed. There are a variety of reasons why things may be done more than once. However, if you would like someone to research your claim you can call our toll free number of [login to see] . You can also call our appointment line if you would like and request a telephonic or personal interview at [login to see] . You can also go to http://www.VA.gov/vso/ to find an accredited representative in your are if you do not already have one.

Perhaps someone at the Texas Veterans Commission can help. https://www.tvc.texas.gov/claims/

I've been waiting for some kind of decision for a supplemental claim I submitted January 15, 2021. It still shows "Status Unknown."

I understand man! The VA sucks!