Can I lose my VA health benefits?

Can I use my VA health care anywhere?

You may select any VA facility that is convenient for you. If the facility you choose cannot provide the health care that you need, VA will make other arrangements for your care based on administrative eligibility and medical necessity.

Who gets VA benefits after death?

Eligible persons include the veteran's spouse or surviving spouse, minor children under age 18. children between the ages of 18 and 23 who are attending an approved school, and children over age 18 who have been determined to be permanently incapable of self-support ('helpless').

How often does the VA reevaluate?

Your re-examination will typically be scheduled for some time between two to five years from the date that you are initially awarded disability benefits. The VA can also call for a re-examination anytime evidence surfaces that a veteran's disability may have improved.

What is the VA 5 year rule?

The VA disability rating 5-year rule states that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cannot reduce a veteran's disability rating if it has been in place for five years or more unless the condition shows sustained improvement over time. In this situation, the veteran's rating is considered a stabilized rating.

What is the VA 10 year rule?

The VA disability 10-year rule states that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cannot eliminate a disability rating that has been in place for at least 10 years unless there is evidence of fraud. This 10-year period is calculated from the effective date of VA's original grant for service connection.

Does government shutdown affect VA disability?

VA Compensation and Pensions Continue to Be Paid During a Government Shutdown. Disabled veterans, dependents and survivors would continue to receive their payments from VA.

Do you lose VA benefits if you get a felony?

VA disability compensation payments are reduced if a Veteran is convicted of a felony and imprisoned for more than 60 days. ... Payments are not reduced for recipients participating in work release programs, residing in halfway houses (also known as "residential re-entry centers"), or under community control.

Will the VA ever run out of money?

The Department of Veterans Affairs will start to run out of money at the end of the year without a 2020 appropriations, which may affect new benefits for veterans or the establishment of new facilities providing care.

Is VA health care free for veterans?

Can I get free VA health care as a Veteran? You can get free VA health care for any illness or injury that we determine is related to your military service (called “service connected”). We also provide certain other services for free.

Are veterans automatically enrolled in VA health care?

Eligible veterans would be automatically enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system under a bill passed by the House on Thursday. Right now, veterans must proactively apply for health care benefits at the VA. ...

Will VA disability benefits go up in 2021?

2021 VA disability pay rates, which are effective beginning December 1, 2020, have increased by 1.3% based on the latest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

What is the 55 year rule for VA disability?

What is the VA 55 year old rule? Veterans are protected from rating reductions if they are over the age of 55. Here's an example of how a veteran is “protected” from a VA reevaluation for PTSD: Scenario: A Veteran born on March 7, 1963, claims a VA PTSD increase from 50 to 70, which is currently rated at 50%.

At what age does VA disability become permanent?

The “disability from disease is permanent in character and of such nature that there is no likelihood of improvement;” You are over 55 years of age, although some exceptions may apply; The rating you received is the prescribed minimum rating; or.

What is the VA 55 rule?

When the VA Can't Send You to a Re-Examination

the veteran is over the age of 55. the rating for the disability falls under a regulated scheduled minimum rating, or. if a combined disability evaluation (involving more than one condition) would not be affected even if one of the conditions have improved.

How do I get a VA reevaluation?

You will need medical proof that your condition has gotten worse. This can be from either the VA doctor or a private doctor. You can file your increase request using eBenefits or by filling out a VA Form 21-526b.

Why does the VA reevaluate disability?

The purpose of reevaluation is to verify either the continued existence and/or the current severity of a service-connected condition. ... VA may also determine that a disease or disability no longer exists, and discontinue benefits.

What is the VA presumptive list?

The VA Presumptive List basically states that if veterans who served in X location/circumstances during certain years developed Y or Z conditions, then those conditions will be automatically considered service-connected.

Does a widow of a veteran get death benefits?

Veterans Survivors' Pension and “Death Pension”

Survivor's Pension is a tax-free monetary benefit that is payable to a low-income, unmarried surviving spouse of a deceased veteran with wartime service. The pay rate for this benefit has been set by Congress. This pension benefit comes as a monthly payment.

When my husband dies will I get his VA disability?

No, a veteran's disability compensation payments are not continued for a surviving spouse after death. However, survivors may be entitled to a different type of benefit called Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.

What do I do when my veteran dies?