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You've served your country, now let the country serve you
Veterans Benefits Guide For Dummies is your clear and concise guide to the benefits available to you from the VA and other government organizations. You have access to physical and mental healthcare, financial services, long-term planning, education, and much more. This book explains how to make sense of and take advantage of the extensive benefits program offered to veterans in the United States. You'll learn what you're eligible for, how to file applications and claims, and how to appeal decisions. This book covers the most recent benefits available, including vocational rehabilitation, life insurance, home loans, pensions, burial benefits, and survivors' benefits. With Dummies, you can navigate the paperwork to make sure you're getting everything that's available to you.
* Figure out the VA benefits system and learn what paperwork you need
* Discover the pros and cons of veterans' services versus civilian services
* Develop a smart financial plan with a good understanding of military pensions
* Find and secure benefits you may not have known about - for yourself and your family
Newly separated and seasoned veterans alike will love Veterans Benefits Guide For Dummies. We make it easy to get what's coming to you.
List of contents
Introduction 1
Part 1: Writing Your Next Chapter 5
Chapter 1: Gearing Up for That DD-214 Life 7
Chapter 2: Tying Your Discharge Status into Benefits 21
Chapter 3: Navigating VA Claims and Appeals 39
Part 2: Medical Care, Life Insurance, and Compensation Programs 57
Chapter 4: Helping Yourself to Health Benefits 59
Chapter 5: Exploring VA Healthcare 69
Chapter 6: Probing into TRICARE 95
Chapter 7: Securing Your Family's Future with VA Life Insurance 111
Chapter 8: Cashing In on Military Pensions, Severance Pay, and the TSP 119
Chapter 9: Taking a Close Look at Disability Pay 137
Part 3: Employment, Education, and Housing Programs 159
Chapter 10: Applying to Employment Programs 161
Chapter 11: Transitioning from the Military to More Government Employment 177
Chapter 12: Building Your Own Business with Veterans Benefits 187
Chapter 13: Bringing Receipts: Using Your GI Bill 199
Chapter 14: Staking Your Claim on Other Education Programs 217
Chapter 15: Buying into Post-Military Life with Your VA Loan Benefit 229
Chapter 16: Enjoying Your Golden Years in a Military Retirement Home 239
Part 4: Burial and Memorial Benefits, Survivor Benefits, and More 245
Chapter 17: Accessing Benefits for Homeless Vets 247
Chapter 18: Using Benefits While Incarcerated 257
Chapter 19: Applying for Benefits for Women, Minority, and LGBTQ+ Vets 265
Chapter 20: Zeroing In on Claims for Vets of Specific Wars, Former POWs, and Disabled Vets 269
Chapter 21: Diving into Benefits for Spouses, Dependents, and Caregivers 295
Chapter 22: Examining Burial and Memorial Benefits 305
Chapter 23: Surveying Survivor Benefits 315
Chapter 24: Shopping 'til You Drop: Benefits for Retirees and Other ID Cardholders 323
Chapter 25: Seeing the World with Travel Benefits 329
Chapter 26: Sidling up to State Veterans Benefits 337
Part 5: The Part of Tens 347
Chapter 27: Ten Ways to Get Your Disability Claim Denied 349
Chapter 28: Ten Tips to Maximize Your Benefits 353
Index 357
About the author
Angie Papple Johnston joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist, ready to tackle chemical weapons in a Level-A HAZMAT suit. During her second deployment as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Angie became her battalion's public affairs representative. She also served as the Lead Cadre for the Texas Army National Guard's Recruit Sustainment program.
Summary
You've served your country, now let the country serve you
Veterans Benefits Guide For Dummies is your clear and concise guide to the benefits available to you from the VA and other government organizations. You have access to physical and mental healthcare, financial services, long-term planning, education, and much more. This book explains how to make sense of and take advantage of the extensive benefits program offered to veterans in the United States. You'll learn what you're eligible for, how to file applications and claims, and how to appeal decisions. This book covers the most recent benefits available, including vocational rehabilitation, life insurance, home loans, pensions, burial benefits, and survivors' benefits. With Dummies, you can navigate the paperwork to make sure you're getting everything that's available to you.
* Figure out the VA benefits system and learn what paperwork you need
* Discover the pros and cons of veterans' services versus civilian services
* Develop a smart financial plan with a good understanding of military pensions
* Find and secure benefits you may not have known about - for yourself and your family
Newly separated and seasoned veterans alike will love Veterans Benefits Guide For Dummies. We make it easy to get what's coming to you.
