Can anyone name every single mandatory benefit you get as a Veteran?

SSG Adam Reed — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 13:13:42 -0400

If you had to come up with a list of Government mandated Veteran benefits that 'ALL' Veterans are entitled too, Could you? I could only come up with the following. VA Health, VA Loan, on post privileges and the GI Bill, even though it can be used before you get your Veteran Status.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 1:28 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 13:28:56 -0400

On post? I think that's limited to retirees only. Correct me if I'm wrong, I'd love to go on base.
You are also entitled to a military funeral, at a national cemetery, or a one time death benefit (about six thousand dollars last I looked) for internment at a cemetery if your choice.

Response by COL Randall C. made Mar 15 at 2015 3:04 PM

COL Randall C. — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 15:04:52 -0400

SSG Adam Reed, you're going to have to define what you mean by 'all veterans'. The reason is that when you are talking about federal benefits, many times there are additionally criteria that may be applicable. Also, what is your definition of a veteran? Assuming you're using the VA's definition, the the majority of federal benefits apply to anyone that has served on active military service and didn't receive a dishonorable discharge.

For instance, for VA health care, you have to have served on active duty for two consecutive years (some executions apply) or have a service connected/aggravated injury and for the VA Loan, there are differing periods of eligibility based on when you served (i.e., Vietnam era is active duty for 90 days, but Gulf War era is 24 months unless discharged under certain conditions .. then at least 90 days).

Since there are more benefits out there than can easily be named (because they almost always depend on differing criteria), I direct people to http://www.benefits.gov and http://www.ebenefits.gov. Using these sites will give you a complete list of federal benefits based on information you provide (although things like "you can use the PX and commissary if you are retired" won't be noted ;)

Benefits.gov - Your Path to Government Benefits

Benefits.gov is a partnership of many Federal agencies and organizations with a shared vision - to provide improved, personalized access to government benefit programs.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Mar 15 at 2015 3:09 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 15:09:56 -0400

SSG Adam Reed I don't know that anything is "mandated".

And, as COL Randall C. notes, there are classes of vets. If you are not service connected, for instance, you will have to pay for VA health care, and be the lowest priority. If you are service connected, but not 50% and above, you only get coverage for your service connected conditions. A Purple Heart, CMOH or 50% and above get you all health care.

When you served determines what education benefits you get. Wartime vs. peace time, era of educational bill such as MGIB, Post 9/11, etc.

The characterization of your discharge affects things as well.

In addition, every state offers benefits to vets, but they are dramatically different from state to state.

If you have specific benefit questions, please post them on this thread or contact me off line...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 3:19 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 15:19:32 -0400

Service connected disabled veterans get free access (along with their families) to National Parks.

In Florida, service-connected veterans get 5% off property tax (homestead) and when they are 65 years old, they get their percentage disability off (60% disabled save 60%).

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 15 at 2015 3:38 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 15:38:51 -0400

I treat Veterans benefits like a disease. I only know of those I have or have used: VA home loan guarantee, VA education benefits (paid OJT).

The benefits I appreciate most isn't government mandated or connected to the government connected: Association with other veterans (formally and informally) as well as membership in USAA (insurance, banking, brokerage services, etc.) Thank God I don't have to deal with commercial banks...

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Mar 15 at 2015 4:26 PM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 16:26:06 -0400

There are many different benefits depending on the level of government you are dealing with. There are the federal benefits, which has several government sites to search, as well as http://www.VAWatchdog.org, American Legion, DAV, Marine Corps League, etc. There are state benefits and some counties and local governments have instituted some benefits. The best bet is to check the federal and state web sites for the area you plan to live or visit. Or VA's web site, http://www.va.gov/statedva.htm which has links to each state. I read herein where one indicated commissary and PX/BX privileges for retires and MoH recipients, well, 100% service connected veterans also have access. These aren't necessarily retirees or MoH recipients.

Vawatchdog, Progressive Advocacy, inc. - Helping Veterans, Consultation And Representative...

We are helping veterans obtain VA disability benefits by providing legal and medical consultants to speed up claims.

Response by SSG Adam Reed made Mar 15 at 2015 6:03 PM

SSG Adam Reed — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 18:03:49 -0400

So please let me expand on this some more. I classify ALL Veterans as anyone who has received a Veteran status, no matter what the status is. My original question was to find benefits that ALL, again I say 'ALL', Veterans are allowed to have. Not all Veterans are allowed free VA care. But ALL are allowed some type of VA care. All Veterans are allowed to use the VA Loan. Not ALL Veterans are allowed every on-post service. Not ALL Veterans receive a medical payment or even a retirement check. And now I find out through this posting that not ALL Veterans are allowed to have PX/BX benefits. This I will have to verify because I was told differently by AAFES.
My original reason for asking the 'ALL' question was to show that, if done right or wrong depending on which way you look at it, a Veteran could honestly end up with not many benefits. Take a soldier with three years of active duty service with no deployments, no service related injury, doesn't earn the MOH and etc etc but receives their DD214, what actual benefits will he or she have when they receive their Veteran Status?
Hopefully this clears up my original question a little. Thanks for posting your answers and have a great day.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 8:59 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 20:59:28 -0400

Sorry I had missed the word "All" but I did stumble upon this cool NY Veterans' Affairs site. Thought it was well-organized.

http://www.veterans.ny.gov/content/free-skilled-nursing-home-care

Free Skilled Nursing Home Care | New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs

For those Veterans with a 70% or greater service connected disability rating, the Department of Veterans Affairs will pay 100% of the cost of care at a State Veterans Home. (38 U.S.C. § 1745).

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 1:35 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 13:35:16 -0400

I find this site is a good reference I linked the Texas benefits because that is my home state.

http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-state-benefits/texas-state-veterans-benefits.html

Texas State Veteran's Benefits

The state of Texas provides several veteran benefits. This section offers a brief description of each of the following benefits.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 1:36 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 13:36:52 -0400

no but I know there's a lot I bought my first house without a downpayment otherwise I'd had to pay 20 percent down I think that was a real good benefit

Response by PV2 Violet Case made Mar 24 at 2015 2:41 PM

PV2 Violet Case — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 14:41:18 -0400

I am 100% disabled service connected and have been trying to understand what and how this works for mine. I need assistance to travel and the VA said a few months back they can't believe I have lived this long. So I would like to be taken to see some things before it is to late. Some cruises offer discounts to 100% disabled veterans but only if during certain yrs in service. So yes it would be nice to have a list of what, who where and how. Thanks for asking the question.