Kansas Commission onVeterans’ Affairs

Tim Lang

Mobile Veteran Services Representative

• Mission of KCVA• Methods of implementation• S/C disability Comp• Pension• Active service requirements• Wartime vs. Peace Time• CRDP• Death benefits• Health Care

Overview

The mission of the Kansas Commission on Veterans’ Affairs (KCVA) is to provide Kansas veterans, their relatives, and other eligible dependents with information, advice, direction, and assistance through the coordination of programs and services in the fields of education, health, vocational guidance and placement, and economic security.  These programs include nursing and domiciliary care and veterans’ cemeteries.  This mission is accomplished within program areas of Agency Administration, Veteran Services, the State Veterans' Cemetery Program, the Kansas Soldiers' Home, the Kansas Veterans' Home, and the State Approving Agency. 

Mission of the KCVA

How do we Implement the Mission

Enhanced Mobile Offices

• Assist with filing claims/appeals• VA service connected disability compensation• VA non service connected pension• VA health care• VA survivor death benefits• VA education benefits• Many more, Website WWW.KCVA.ORG or call

1 (800) 513-7731• Remember as we cover specific topics,

there are many exceptions

Providing Information, Advice, Direction and Assistance

• Due to illness or injury occurring or aggravated during service• Other than dishonorable discharge• Not Willful misconduct (determined by VA)• If there is a question, always file and let the VA adjudicate

Service Connected Disability Compensation

Basic Entitlement

• Difference between Compensation and Pension• Pension is needs based• Compensation is not tied to income

• Criteria• 65 or older or P/T• Wartime Service• Must be low or limited income and net worth

• Household family income – UME must beLess than MAPR

Non Service Connected Pension Death Pension

• Again, if there is a question just submit the application

Just A Few of the VA Requirements for various Benefits

• “Active military, naval, or air service” is required to qualify as a veteran for purposes of VA benefits

• Active duty for training/Inactive duty for training performed by members of guard and reserves are considered active service only in limited circumstances such as:• Active military duty• Any period of active duty for training which the individual

was disabled or died from a disease or injury occurred or aggravated in the line of duty

Active Service Requirements:What the Department ofVeterans Affairs Says

• Any period of inactive duty for training during which the individual was disabled or died from an injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty or from an acute myocardial infarction, a cardiac arrest, or a cerebrovascular accident occurring during such training

• Service department may differ from VA rules

• Federal service requirement for Guard• 10 USCS and 32 USCS vs state activation

Active Service Requirements:What the Department ofVeterans Affairs Says

• Vet doesn’t need combat zone duty• Indian Wars, 1/1/1817 – 12/31/1898• Spanish-American, 4/21/1898 – 7/4/1902• Mexican Border War, 5/9/1916 – 4/5/1917• World War I, 4/6/1917 – 11/11/1918• World War II, 12/7/1941 – 12/31/1946*• Korean Conflict, 6/27/1950 – 1/31/1955• Vietnam Era, 8/5/1964 – 5/7/1975*• Persian Gulf War, 8/2/1990 - ???

Wartime Vs. Peacetime

• Pre September 1980• Post September 1980, minimum 24 months

Length of Service Requirement

• Historically Vet could not receive both at the same time• Dollar for dollar offset*, vet elects• Tax advantage• 2003 NDAA along came “CRDP”

Military retired pay or VA Compensation Benefits

• NDAA 2004• Guard and reserve with 20 qualifying years, (lncluding less

than 7,200 points) are eligible• Under 50% = offset continues• 50% - 90% = offset phaseout (100% = no phaseout)

• 2011 = 70%• 2012 = 80%• 2013 = 90%• 2014 = 100%

• Taxable at the same rate as retired pay• CRDP is automatic

Concurrent Receipt Disability PayCRDP

• Service Connected VS. Non Service Connected• Burial Flag• Burial/Funeral Expenses, Plot Allowance• Grave Marker

• Reservists or Guard who were entitled to retired pay• Reservists or Guard not eligible if active or inactive for training

• Burial in VA National or State Cemetery, Same as above, Spouses and dependents are authorized

Death/Survivor Benefits

• Largest system in the US, 8 million vets• Over 1300 care facilities• Directed at S/C veterans, combat veterans, Low income• Eligibility, pre/post 1980• ACTIVE SERVICE• Apply on a VA Form 10-10 EZ• If approved, placed in priority groups 1-8• Exceptions to rules

VA Health Care Benefits

Questions