Most of the men I served with were in one of the special-operations units in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. Yes, Coasties have operators, too. 

 Of those, the majority told me they would never apply for VA disability benefits. That tough-guy mentality, you know. I was able to convince some to at least apply for VA healthcare benefits, because you never know when you’ll need it. Those men thank me to this very day, having realized the importance of VA healthcare as they grow older. 

 That’s the problem with so many veterans: they act and think like a tough guy who’s still serving on the front lines. They eat nails for breakfast, drink gasoline for an evening cocktail.  

 That attitude and way of life served them well on the front lines. 

 And these are the very people who, when they’re in their 50s and 60s, will wish they had applied for healthcare and disability benefits decades ago. They will see their fellow veterans set up nicely in the VA healthcare system, getting all the assistance and support they need to maintain a good and balanced lifestyle. 

 Dear veteran, please do not be a tough guy. Get in the system immediately to preserve your earliest possible filing date! 

 If you choose not to accept support after you’re in, then fine. At least you are enrolled in the largest and most comprehensive healthcare system in the world, and you will have access to benefits when you need them. 

 Years ago, applying for VA healthcare was a challenge that kept many veterans at bay. Many gave up trying to negotiate the hundreds of walls and barriers that were seemingly designed to keep veterans out of the system. 

 Today, though, the VA has streamlined the application process to the point all a veteran has to do is log in to a VA portal, press the START button, and begin the application process. When done, hit the END button and the application speeds off to a VA representative who will evaluate the application. 

 Unfortunately, not all veterans are eligible for VA healthcare. To enroll in VA healthcare, you must meet the following service criteria:  

  • Veterans who enlisted after September 7, 1980 or who entered active duty after October 16,1981 must have served 24 continuous months of service or completed the full period for which they were called to active duty. 
  • Veterans must have a discharge that is better than dishonorable.

 There are certain factors that qualify a veteran for enhanced eligibility. Veterans may qualify for 

enhanced eligibility if they meet any of the following requirements: 

  • Veterans who are former Prisoners of War (POW).
  • Veterans who received a Purple Heart Medal.
  • Veterans who received the Medal of Honor.
  • Veterans who have received a VA awarded service-connected disability rating of 10% or more

that qualifies for compensation. 

  • Veterans who receive a VA pension.
  • Veterans who were discharged because of a disability that was not preexisting.
  • Veterans who were discharged for an “early out” or hardship.
  • Veterans who served in a Theater of Operations for 5 years after their discharge.
  • Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam from January 9, 1962 to May 7, 1975.
  • Veterans who served in the Persian Gulf from August 2, 1990 to November 11, 1998.
  • Veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between August 1, 1953

and December 31, 1987. 

  • Veterans who have been found by the VA to be Catastrophically Disabled.
  • Veterans whose previous year’s income is below the VA National Income or Geographical-

Adjusted thresholds. 

 Once you are eligible, apply for an eBenefits account at Vets.gov.  

 To complete the application for VA health care benefits, you will need: 

  • Social security number.
  • DD-214 or other military separation documents.
  • Financial information for the applying veteran and the veteran’s dependents
  • Most recent taxreturn.
  • Account numbers for any healthcare the veteran currently has (including Medicare, private

insurance, and insurance provided by an employer). 

 Ensure the information logged into the application matches that in your DD-214, or your application may get kicked back or rejected altogether. 

 It’s best if the veteran apply online, rather than filling out 10-10EZ Application for Healthcare, because an online application will be processed much faster and the veteran’s data will be logged into the system sooner. Alternatively, veterans can walk into any VA facility and sit down with a counselor who will assist in filling out an application. 

 When the filing process is complete, the VA will evaluate the application and make a decision. If a veteran is denied, they can appeal. Most applications submitted by eligible veterans are accepted. Those denied are usually because of an error in the data submitted to the VA, so it’s best for all applicants to double-check all paperwork, digital or actual, before sending to the VA. 

 Once enrolled in the healthcare system, a veteran has access to many different support programs, including filing for disability, vocational rehabilitation, family healthcare and support, etc. 

Look, I know you guys don’t like reading books, so you’re gonna need to compromise here. There’re several excellent books out there that will greatly assist you in preparing your paperwork so you can file a disability claim.  

We’ve curated the best ones and suggest you invest the time, $$$ and effort to purchase, read, study and learn from each one. All are available on Amazon.com. If you ever have any questions, comments or concerns about the process, please write us at the email address below. 

info@thevaba.com 

 I personally used these very books, and some parts from many others, to understand and learn the ins and outs of the entire process, and was able to earn a 100% VA disability and other important benefits.  

 Here’s my secret: I’m no genius, so if I succeeded, you can too. It takes curiosity, passion, dedication, knowledge, grit and perseverance to get it done.  

 The first book I suggest is an excellent primer on the entire application process, both for filing a disability claim and for general healthcare. The others provide excellent guidance in other areas. Not everyone will require the same information from these books. Your case will be different from the next person’s. That’s why it’s important for you to take great interest in your own healthcare, do some research to get informed, and ask for assistance when needed.  

 The VABA is standing by to assist you. 

 Again, in the very least, please get into the VA system so you can get annual physicals, eye exams, dental work, etc. Most VA healthcare is free to veterans, but many do not take advantage of what is rightfully theirs.  

 VA Disability Claim: How to Prepare, File and Maintain a VA Disability Claim and Appeal Author: Jon Macintosh 

The current edition shows you how to:  

-Appreciate and understand the VA disability claims and appeals process  

-Prepare all your necessary materials and paperwork before you file your claim or appeal 

-File your VA disability claim and appeal 

-Maintain your claim or appeal from beginning to end 

-Understand how veterans service organizations really work 

-Stay sane throughout the entire claims and appeals process 

 The Veteran's Survival Guide: How to File and Collect on VA Claims 

Author: John D. Roche 

“Claim denied!” All too often millions of veterans have received this response to their legitimate claims for federal benefits. In most cases, writes veterans' advocate John D. Roche, the claimant didn't understand the procedures needed to meet the myriad requirements of the Department of Veterans Affairs.  

With the appeals process requiring years to resolve disputes, deserving veterans and their dependents are left confused and frustrated by the agency and a system that was created to serve them. The answer is to submit a well-grounded claim initially, which The Veteran's Survival Guide, now in a revised, second edition, analyzes in detail.  

This unique book, written in an accessible self-help style, will be required reading for any veteran or veteran's dependent who wishes to obtain his or her well-earned benefits and for those officials of veterans' service organizations who assist veterans with their claims. 

Claim Denied! How to Appeal a VA Denial of Benefits 

Author: John D. Roche 

“The VA is not your loving Uncle Sam who opens his wallet and says, ‘Here you are, nephew—a $1,000 check per month for the rest of your life. That should take the pain out of your service injuries,’ ” writes John D. Roche. Far from it, he reveals.  

Though the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 requires Veterans Affairs to assist veterans in developing the foundation to support their claims, in reality if you rely on the VA to find and develop the evidence necessary to grant benefits then your claim is likely to be denied.  

Claim Denied! will help those veterans whose benefits have been denied correct the mistakes they made when they submitted their original claims. Appealing a VA decision is not an impossible feat, Roche says, but a veteran’s story must be presented in a well-organized and logical format, so any reviewing authority is able to understand the issues as they relate to the laws. This book explains in detail how to develop and present a successful appeal. 

 Medical Evidence in Veterans’ Disability Rating 

Authors: David Anaise MD JD & Sharon Anaise 

This book was intended to assist Veterans Service Organizations’ representatives pursue successful VA disability claims. However, it is very useful for veterans themselves in preparing their own cases.  

Given the VA is such a vast and sometimes daunting system to research, study and learn, it’s best to team up with an expert to guide the way. Being a member of The VABA offers valuable insights into the complex VA healthcare system and process.  

 As one unit, veterans and The VABA work to ensure our beloved veterans are successfully educated, enrolled, and supported throughout the entire process.