Recently Discharged Veterans
Eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. Active service means full-time service as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, the Environmental Services Administration or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Completion of at least six years of honorable service in the Selected Reserves also provides for home-loan benefits for those not otherwise eligible. Persons serving in the reserves also can receive education benefits. Men and women veterans with similar service are entitled to the same VA benefits. Service in 28 organizations during special periods that include World Wars I and II has been certified as active military service by the Defense Department. Members of these groups, found in the VA Handbook at VA's Internet site www.va.gov (click here) , may be eligible for VA benefits if Defense certifies their service and issues a discharge under honorable conditions. Call Veteran Services at (252) 728-8440 for further information.
Honorable and general discharges qualify a veteran for most VA benefits. Dishonorable and bad-conduct discharges issued by general courts-martial bar VA benefits. Veterans in prison and parolees may be eligible for certain VA benefits. VA regional offices can clarify eligibility of prisoners and parolees.
Wartime Service. Certain VA benefits and medical care require wartime service. Under the law, VA recognizes these war periods for recently discharged veterans:
Korean Conflict — June 27, 1950, through Jan. 31, 1955.
Vietnam Era — Aug. 5, 1964 (Feb. 28, 1961, for veterans who served "in country" before Aug. 5, 1964) through May 7, 1975.
Gulf War — Aug. 2, 1990, through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation.
If you are not sure whether your service is considered wartime service, call Veterans Services @ (252) 728-8440
Filing Claims. Those seeking a VA benefit for the first time must submit a copy of their service discharge form DD 214, which documents service dates and type of discharge, or give their full name, military service number, branch of service and dates of service. The claim number assigned by VA to the initial claim should be referred to in subsequent correspondence. Call Veterans Services @ (252) 728-8440 for assistance in claim development and filing.
Important Documents. The veteran's DD 214 form should be kept in a safe, convenient location accessible to the veteran and next of kin or designated representative. Other important documents include marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and birth certificates, adoption certificates, or guardianship papers.
The veteran's preference regarding burial in a national cemetery and use of a headstone provided by VA should be documented and kept with this information. The following documents will be needed for claims processing related to a veteran's death: (1) veteran's marriage certificate for claims of a surviving spouse or children; (2) veteran's death certificate if the veteran did not die in a VA medical facility; (3) children's birth certificates for children's benefits; (4) veteran's birth certificate for parents' benefits.
Veterans Benefits Timetable * |
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Timetable |
Benefits |
Where to apply |
| 90 days | Dental Treatment | Any VA Office or Medical Center |
| 90 days | Re-employment | Employer |
| Limited Time | Unemployment Compensation Service | Employer |
| 120 days or up to 1 yr. if totally disabled | Conversion of Servicemen's Group Life Insurance to Veterans Group Life Insurance | Office of Serviceman's Group Life Insurance, 211 Washington St., Newark, NC 07102 |
| no deadline, but within one year from date of separation to receive compensation benefit from date of separation | disability benefit | Any VA Office |
| 2 years from date of notice of VA disability rating | GI Insurance | Any VA Office |
| 10 years | Post-Vietnam Era Veterans Educational Assistance Program | Any VA Office |
| 10 years | Montgomery GI Bill | Any VA Office |
| 12 years (generally from date of notice of VA disability rating) | Vocational Rehabilitation | Any VA Office |
| No time limit | Disability Compensation | Any VA Office |
| No time limit | Medical Care | Any VA or Medical Center |
| No time limit | GI Loan | Any VA Office |
| No time limit | Employment Assistance | State Employment Service, US Office of Personnel Management, Any VA Office |
| * Call your Veterans Services Office @ (252) 728-8440 for eligibility and assistance with filing VA forms and for VA appointments. Not all programs are applicable to all veterans. | ||
For more information, contact:
Carteret County Veterans Services Officer
613 Cedar Street
Beaufort, NC 28516
Tel: 1-252-728-8440
FAX: 1-252-728-8582
Internet: ccvso@coastalnet.com
