Veteran’s Benefits

Those who have served our country in the military are entitled to certain benefits, particularly when they are unable to work due to age or disability. Unfortunately, the Department of Veterans Affairs—the VA—often denies applications even for those who qualify to receive benefits. Denials are so common, in fact, that the VA has a program for accrediting lawyers to represent veterans and their families in their benefit claims.

Our Managing Partner, Jane Bassett, is a VA accredited attorney with extensive experience fighting for the rights and benefits owed to veterans. She leads a team that is thoroughly versed in the rules regarding benefit eligibility and familiar with the most efficient processes for obtaining benefits that have been wrongfully withheld or denied.

At Bassett Murray Law Group, PLLC, we focus our practice on helping those who have been overlooked, ignored, or disadvantaged. We may not be able to help every veteran in the United States, but we want to help you.

Different Types of VA Benefits

When many people are familiar with disability income benefits provided to veterans who became sick or disabled due to conditions experienced while serving in the military, the VA administers a variety of other benefit programs as well. In addition to disability compensation, VA benefits include:

• Pensions
• Health care
• Home loans
• Insurance
• Education and training benefits
• Veteran Readiness and Employment benefits
• Burial benefits
• Long term care benefits

Aging veterans who qualify to receive a pension may receive additional amounts through the Aid and Attendance or Housebound programs if they require particular assistance or are limited substantially due to disability.

As elder law attorneys, our team members are familiar with the process of demonstrating eligibility for different types of benefits available to older veterans, including long-term care benefits. However, we have helped veterans in a wide range of circumstances demonstrate that they qualify for benefits of all types.

VA Disability Benefits

Disability benefits through the VA provide monthly income for veterans suffering from a “service-connected condition.” To be eligible for these payments, a veteran must currently have an illness or injury that affects the mind or body and they must have served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training. There are three types of claims:

• In-service disability claims for veterans injured while serving
• Pre-service disability claims for veterans whose term of service made a pre-existing condition worse, and
• Post-service disability claims for veterans suffering from a disability that is related to their service but that did not appear until after the term of service ended

For some conditions, the VA presumes the condition was caused by service. In many situations, however, veterans must prove that something that happened during their service caused the condition that they are currently experiencing. This often proves to be challenging and it’s an area where the assistance of an attorney can prove very useful.

VA Long Term Care Services

Veterans may be eligible for a variety of long term care benefits if they can demonstrate the appropriate level of need and the fulfillment of other requirements. Before they can apply for long term care services, veterans must be enrolled in VA health care and receiving care at a VA facility on a regular basis.

Among the options available for assistance with care in the home are assistance from a Homemaker and Home Health Aide, Skilled Home Health Care, Home Based Primary Care, and Veteran Directed Care. For service in a facility, a veteran may be able to receive paid care in a community nursing home, residency in a VA Community Living Center, or a State Veterans Home. The VA will not pay for residency in an assisted living or similar facility but may pay for some care while a veteran is in the facility.

Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits

If a veteran qualifies to receive a VA pension, they may receive additional benefits to meet care needs. Housebound benefits are available to veterans who suffer a permanent disability that keeps them at home most of the time. VA Aid and Attendance provides funds to veterans who need help performing daily care activities, are legally blind, or who are confined to a bed or a nursing home due to illness or disability.

Get Help with VA Benefits from Bassett Murray Law Group, PLLC

The Department of Veterans Affairs is a huge and complex governmental agency that also works in partnership with many other governmental and private organizations. It can be difficult to determine which programs you may qualify for and know the most efficient way to demonstrate your eligibility.

The experienced team at Bassett Murray Law Group, PLLC can review your options, help you make the best choices for your needs, and work to gain you the benefits you deserve. To learn more about the ways we can help, schedule a consultation today.