New information put out by veteran programs.com

SGT Mark Stevens — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 16:29:30 -0400

DD Form 214 Online

Gaining access to your DD Form 214 has never been easier. This may be particularly helpful when a veteran needs a copy of the DD-214 for employment purposes. NPRC is working to make it easier for veterans with computers and Internet access to obtain copies of documents from their military files. Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members may now use a new online military personnel records system to request documents.

The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has provided the following website for veterans to sign access to their dd-214 online: http://vetrecs.archives.gov

How to Secure Compensation for Dependents

All veterans having a 30% or more service-connected evaluation may be entitled to additional compensation for a spouse, dependent parents, or unmarried children under 18 (or under 23 if attending an approved school) or a child who became permanently incapable of self-support because of mental or physical defect prior to age 18. The additional benefit for a spouse is payable in a higher amount upon receipt of evidence establishing that the spouse is a patient in a nursing home or disabled as to require the aid and attendance of another person.

How to Increase Benefits for Unemployability

If your service-connected disabilities are seriously disabling to the extent that you are unable to secure and hold steady work or employment, you may apply to receive total disability. To apply for this benefit, you should contact the nearest VA Regional Office and complete VA Form 21-8940, “Veteran’s Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability.” Forms are available on the VA forms.

Compassionate Allowances Conditions Expanded

The Social Security Administration has announced 25 new Compassionate Allowances (CA) conditions. The CA program reduces the time it takes to make decisions on disability applications filed by Americans with the most serious disabilities, so they receive decisions on their claims within days, instead of months or years. The new conditions include a dozen cancers and disorders that affect the digestive, neurological, immune and multiple body systems.

Expedited Social Security Process for Vets

The Social Security Administration has unveiled a new initiative to expedite disability claims by veterans with a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation rating of 100% Permanent & Total (P&T). Under the new process, Social Security will treat these veterans' applications as high priority and issue expedited decisions, similar to the way the agency currently handles disability claims from Wounded Warriors. In order to receive the expedited service, veterans must tell Social Security they have a VA disability compensation rating of 100% P&T and show proof of their disability rating with their VA Notification Letter. Social Security plans to launch the expedited process in mid-March.

IU Facts

Individual unemployability is a part of VA’s disability compensation program that allows VA to pay certain veterans compensation at the 100 percent rate, even though VA has not rated their service-connected disabilities at the total level. To be eligible, a veteran must be unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his/her service-connected disabilities. Additionally, a veteran must have one service-connected disability ratable at 60 percent or more, or two or more service-connected disabilities, at least one disability ratable at 40 percent or more with a combined rating of 70 percent or more.
Veterans who are in receipt of Individual Unemployability benefits may work as long as it is not considered substantially gainful employment. The employment must be considered marginal employment. Substantially gainful employment is defined as employment at which non-disabled individuals earn their livelihood with earnings comparable to the particular occupation in the community where the veteran resides. Marginal employment is generally deemed to exist when a veteran's earned income does not exceed the amount established by the U.S. Census Bureau as the poverty level for the veteran only.

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 11 at 2015 4:31 PM

SGT Scott Bell — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 16:31:53 -0400

cool

Response by SFC Wade W. made Sep 11 at 2015 4:35 PM

SFC Wade W. — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 16:35:28 -0400

Thank you.

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Sep 11 at 2015 5:15 PM

SGT Frank Leonardo — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 17:15:02 -0400

Good read and information