IG10009 — The Road to Veterans Benefits

/ THE ROAD TO VETERANS BENEFITS Those who serve on active duty in the armed forces of the United States experience different career pathways. From the point of commissioning or enlistment, generally between the ages of 18 and 26, the service member becomes eligible for certain benefits from Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Throughout a career, the member may deploy multiple times or may never deploy at all. While some members may leave active service after their initial commitment (typically 4-6 years) others will remain until 20 years or longer and become eligible for a lifetime retirement annuity from DOD based on longevity of service. Some may sustain injuries that make them eligible for disability benefits from VA or disability retirement from DOD. For the purpose of veterans’ benefits, generally all who serve on active duty are "veterans". However, only those who are eligible for retiree benefits from DOD are considered military retirees--generally, all military retirees are veterans, but all veterans are not military retirees. Prepared Kristy N. Kamarck (Analyst in Military Manpower, 7-7783), Sidath Viranga Panangala (Specialist in Veterans Policy, 7-0623) and Jamie Hutchinson (Visual Information Specialist) For more information see, CRS Report R44837, R42747 and RL34751. INJURED IN LINE OF DUTY SERVICE COMMITMENT COMPLETE/ ELIGIBLE FOR SEPARATION ENLISTMENT/COMMISSIONING , but all veterans are not military retirees. TREATMENT, REHAB & MEDICAL EVALUATION SEPARATE FROM MILITARY TAP FIT FOR DUTY PERMANENT DISABILITY <30% Those who are injured in the line of duty may take a detour from their career pathway for rehabilitation and recovery. Some of these members will again become _t for duty and will continue in service. Others may have a permanent disability that disqualifies them from further service, and depending on the evaluation of the disability, he or she may qualify for disability retirement from DOD. Each military service has its own procedures administering the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES). More than 80% of those who enter on active duty will separate prior to retirement eligibility. A majority of separations are voluntary, however, some separations are involuntary. In certain cases a member may be eligible for separation or severance pay from DOD. This pay may be recouped if the veteran later becomes eligible for retired pay or VA disability compensation (11 U.S.C. 1174). Title 38, U.S.C. §101(2) de_nes a ”veteran” as “a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.” Generally, individuals not meeting that definition are not eligible for all veterans' benefits and services --exceptions apply. PERMANENT, STABLE DISABILITY >30% DISABILITY RETIREMENT ELIGIBLE Return to duty. Assigned by a physical evaluation board. Member may be required to separate from the military. RETIRE FROM MILITARY AVERAGE 4_6 YEARS AVERAGE 22_24 YEARS SELECT DOD BENEFITS Pension (Retired Pay) DOD Healthcare Survivor Bene_t Plan Commissary and Exchange Space-A Travel DOD’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is required when separating from the military (10 U.S.C. 1142). It is run by DOD but involves a number of government agencies (including Dept. of Labor, Small Business Administration, VA, O_ce of Personnel Management, and Dept. of Education) and provides an introduction to bene_ts and services that the member may be eligible to receive. When an individual begins active duty service he or she becomes eligible for pay and bene_ts from DOD. These include basic pay, housing allowance, subsistence allowance, health care, commissary and exchange privileges, and other individual and family support services. Some may also qualify for special or incentive pays based on occupational specialties or particular hardships (e.g., combat-zone deployments, family separation). SELECT VA BENEFITS Home VA Loans Disability Compensation Health Care Services Life Insurance Programs Educational Assistance Vocational Rehab & Employment (VR&E) Bene_ts for Children of Vietnam Veterans and Other Veterans Vehicle Purchase and Adaptation Grants Specialty Adapted Housing Clothing Allowance Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers Burial Bene_ts RETIREMENT ELIGIBLE Active duty members become eligible for longevity retirement after completing 20 years of service (YOS) or more. Disability retirees are not required to complete 20 years of service. The average enlisted retiree is age 42 with 22 YOS and the average o_cer is age 45 with 24 YOS at the time of retirement. DD 214 DD 214

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