The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) oversees several crucial benefits programs. Service members and some of their dependents may be eligible for valuable benefits, including medical and disability benefits.
Unfortunately, many people find it difficult to navigate the VA benefits process. They are unsure of their eligibility. Sometimes, veterans and their family members fail to seek benefits that they theoretically qualify for due to myths that people share about VA benefits. The three common myths below often keep people from pursuing the VA benefits that they deserve.
Myth one: Only deployment during service leads to benefits
A surprising number of people assume that a veteran had to undergo deployment to be eligible for benefits. Others assume benefits are only available for injuries incurred during service. Medical conditions impacting veterans can be eligible for medical benefits regardless of their origins.
People do not need to be in war zones for military service to affect their health. They also do not need to serve during conflict to be eligible for health benefits. Those who provided support services while remaining at a domestic facility, those who served during peacetime and those who never saw deployment can still theoretically be eligible for VA health benefits.
Myth two: Only 100% disability ratings qualify
The VA expresses an individual’s medical condition as a percentage. Obviously, a 100% disability rating means that an individual cannot currently work a job. That rating does not necessarily imply that an individual may never be able to maintain gainful employment, only that they currently cannot due to their medical challenges.
People do not need to have a 100% disability rating to qualify for benefits. Instead, the VA scales the benefits provided based on an individual’s rating.
Myth three: Private insurance negates VA benefits
A surprising number of people believe that their private health insurance from employment or a spouse’s career prevents them from qualifying for VA health benefits. However, that simply is not the case.
The VA can work with private-sector doctors to coordinate care. Co-managed Care or Dual Care is an option for those who want to continue seeing private doctors while simultaneously seeing VA physicians for certain medical issues.
Those seeking VA benefits as a military service member or a surviving spouse may need help understanding the benefits available and who may be eligible for them, and that’s okay. Consulting with an attorney can often help veterans and their spouses optimize the benefits that they receive.