2023 VA Disability & COLA Increase
In this episode of theSITREP, Paul discusses the new, 2023 VA Disability Compensation rates and based on Social Security's Cost of Living Adjustment. Official compensation tables will be provided by VA in December 2022. Please refer here https://www.ssa.gov/cola/ for the Social Security Administration's official notice regarding COLA or the links below for additional assistance and information. Have an idea or question you would like to see addressed in a future episode of theSITREP? Email us at theSITREP@va.gov.
Parks & Recreation
Free National Parks and Recreations for Veterans in the Bay Area
Veteran discounts available year round
The following list of Veteran and military discounts are good all year round and will be updated as we learn of more. These discounts are being shared so that Veterans, military members, their families, caregivers and survivors are aware of all resources available to them. Discounts were last verified in October 2021.
Commissary shopping privileges for Veterans
The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) has been hard at work spreading the news to Veterans about their ability to shop at commissaries. Working with Veteran Service Organizations to promote, inform and gather feedback amongst the Veteran community about this privilege has proven effective. Engaging with Veterans, DeCA has learned that while many are now utilizing this benefit, others still are unaware. Verify your eligibility for this exclusive benefit.
Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31)
If you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, Veteran Readiness and Employment (formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) can help. This program—also known as Chapter 31 or VR&E—helps you explore employment options and address education or training needs. In some cases, your family members may also qualify for certain benefits.
Important changes are coming to VA Life Insurance programs. Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife) is launching on Jan. 1, 2023, as a new guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance program for service-connected Veterans. VA’s current offering for service-connected Veterans—Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (S-DVI)—closes to new enrollment after Dec. 31, 2022. Veterans currently enrolled in S-DVI may keep their coverage or switch to VALife.
Request your military service records (including DD214)
Submit a military records request to get your DD214 or other military service records (DD215, Report of Separation, Performance Reports, Awards and Decorations, Qualifications, Licenses, Security clearance) through the milConnect website.
In this episode of theSITREP, Paul chats with Scott Levins, Director of NPRC, about the fastest way to obtain a Veteran's DD-214 for replacement, burial or other purposes.
VA education and training benefits
VA education benefits help Veterans, service members, and their qualified family members with needs like paying college tuition, finding the right school or training program, and getting career counseling. Learn how to apply for and manage the education and training benefits you’ve earned.
VA home loan types
We offer VA home loan programs to help you buy, build, or improve a home or refinance your current home loan—including a VA direct loan and 3 VA-backed loans. Learn more about the different programs, and find out if you can get a Certificate of Eligibility for a loan that meets your needs.
Get support for your Veteran-Owned Small Business
If you have a Veteran-Owned Small Business, you may qualify for advantages when bidding on government contracts—along with access to other resources and support—through the Vets First Verification Program. This program is run by the Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU). Registering through OSDBU will allow you to work with us (all businesses who work with VA must be registered). Find out if you’re eligible and how to register your business.
Benefits You've Earned! Service You Deserve!
Welcome to your VCS online shopping site! VCS is proud to offer Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare, their families and VA employees exclusive online shopping benefits.
Print out your VA Welcome Kit
Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, the VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned.
Types of Military & Veteran Benefits
There are a number of types of military & veteran benefits available to current and former members of our military who wish to attend the Academy of Art University.
Who Qualifies for VA Dental?
In this episode, Mike and Paul discuss who qualifies for VA's Dental Program. Have an idea or question you would like to see in a future episode of theSITREP? Email us at theSITREP@va.gov.
VET TIX
Vet Tix provides tickets to events which reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-long memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and American life.
VA Math | How is VA Disability Calculated
How does VA calculate a Veteran's percentage of disability? In this episode of theSITREP, Paul explains "VA Math" with a simple, step-by-step example.
Other Free Parks in California
Free National Parks for Veterans in California
High Value Secondary VA Claims are the SECRET to Increasing your VA Disability Rating
A High-Value VA Claim is a disability or condition that has an almost guaranteed chance of being assigned a VA disability rating of 30% or higher. These secondary VA claims are often overlooked, and it's easy to see why-- many veterans don't know that they can file a secondary claim for their disability, let alone make sure it meets the criteria of a High-Value Claim. But understanding these claims and how to file them effectively can mean the difference between getting a 10% rating and getting a 30% rating.
House Republican Threatens to Cut VA Budget over Agency's Warnings About Budget Cuts
House Republicans are floating investigating the Department of Veterans Affairs or cutting its communications budget as they fume about the Biden administration's messaging on the House GOP's debt limit proposal.
PTSD VA Ratings: What You Need to Know
Veterans who experienced certain traumatic events during their service may be able to receive disability compensation in the form of non-taxed monthly payments, as well as free health care, including specific PTSD treatment.
For a veteran to receive these disability benefits, he or she must demonstrate that the PTSD was caused, or made worse, by events that occurred during active military service. The adverse events could also have happened during military training, whether active or inactive duty. Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs also reviews post-service disability claims, meaning that if the PTSD didn't appear until after active-duty service, it may still be covered as long as veterans can show the service caused the condition.
The Veterans Transportation Program
The San Francisco County Veterans Service Office (SFCVSO) is pleased to announce a NEW program to offer free rides to veterans in need. The Veterans Transportation Program allows the SFCVSO to order a Yellow Cab ride for CVSO clients who do not have transportation and demonstrate a need to access critical and confirmed appointments to designated locations on a one-time basis.
Veteran Bill
2 BILLS ADVANCE: STRONG VETERANS ACT, VA NURSE AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT RAISE ACT
by Christian Southards | Feb 4, 2022
Veteran Enrollment
VETERANS COULD BE AUTO ENROLLED IN VA HEALTH CARE IF BILL IS SIGNED
by Jared Morgan | Jan 22, 2022