The United States is home to a veteran population of approximately 20 million, many of whom face distinct health challenges compared to non-Veterans. Military service instills a well-defined culture rooted in values, codes of conduct, and customs. While this culture fosters resilience and discipline, it also means Veterans often encounter unique physical and mental health issues.

Advances in medicine have enabled many Veterans to survive once-fatal injuries, but this progress can come with a significant impact on mental health. Veterans Aid programs and long-term care planning play a vital role in bridging the gap between military and civilian life by addressing health concerns and providing essential support resources.

What Unique Health Challenges Do United States Veterans Face?

1. Mental Health Disorders

33% of Veterans are diagnosed with at least one mental health disorder. From 2006 to 2010, 2.1 million Veterans received mental health treatment from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Only about one-third of those diagnosed with a mental health issue actually seek treatment. Often, Veterans feel embarrassed or shame about needing mental help. It is important for family and friends to help change this stigma, and ensure Veterans get the help they need.

2. Substance Use Disorders

The extreme stress of military service causes Veterans to often seek out a vice. Such vice may take many forms, such as alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. A 2013 study titled, “Enhancing veteran-centered care: a guide for nurses in a non-VA setting” found that both cigarette and alcohol consumption is higher among Veterans than the general population. Medical research finds that treatment of an underlying condition, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), reduces tobacco and alcohol consumption in some Veterans. Sometimes, long-term care is required.

3. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD results from directly or indirectly experiencing a traumatic event. Military personnel are nearly four times as likely to be diagnosed with PTSD. The American Psychiatric Association diagnoses PTSD with the presence of four symptoms: intrusive symptoms (flashbacks), avoidance of reminders (isolation), negative thoughts and feelings, and exaggerated reactivity symptoms. Social support is a large facet of the treatment plan for Veterans with PTSD.

4. Depression

Depression is among the most treatable mental health disorders that Veterans face. Although likely underdiagnosed, the National Alliance on Mental Illness states that the depression rate for Veterans is 14%, but the treatment success rate is between 80-90%. If you know a Veteran who you believe is suffering from depression, it is vital that you encourage them to get help. There is nothing “weak” or embarrassing about seeking help, and depression is often treatable.

Transition to Civilian Life

Veterans often have a challenging time acclimating to civilian life after being at war for any length of time. However, providing them with a strong support system, along with all of the help available to them through private care and the Department of Veterans Affairs, they can experience a smooth transition to civilian life.

We help Veterans and their families plan for long-term care. If you would like to learn more or would like help, please contact us today.

What do Activities of Daily Living mean?

US Veterans Affairs defines Activities of Daily Living or ADLs, as tasks of everyday life that are essential to perform one’s ability to live independently. The following tasks are referred to as ADLs:

1. Eating,
2. Bathing/showering,
3. Dressing,
4. Using the toilet (continence), and
5. Transferring (mobility as in transferring from a chair to standing)

What is the purpose of assessing ADLs?

The purpose of assessing ADLs is to determine a veteran’s eligibility for Housebound Pension or Aid and Attendance benefits. It provides important information on the veteran’s functional abilities, progress in rehabilitation and identifying necessary assistance to support daily living. VA nurses, case managers, physical therapists and occupational therapists will work with the veteran to complete the assessment of ADLs.

What are Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)?

IADLs are tasks that are essential to leading a fully independent, functional and responsible life. The following are referred to as IADLs:

• Shopping for food
• Cooking
• Doing laundry
• Housecleaning
• Managing money
• Managing medications
• Driving/using public transportation
• Using the phone

What are Compensatory Skills?(IADLs)?

Compensatory Skills are new ways for a veteran to accomplish Activities of Daily Living with the help of another person or a caregiver. Physical and occupational therapists will help identify which compensatory skills would be the best fit for the Veteran’s specific needs. They will teach you and the Veteran to develop these skills. Some examples of compensatory skills are:

• Training and adaptation to handle activities such as dressing, bathing, toileting, grooming and feeding.
• Creating or identifying new methods to complete tasks in a way that accommodates changes in the Veteran’s abilities.
• Helping the Veteran to re-learn basic skills like cooking and grooming that may have been lost due to injuries such as TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), for example.
• Training and adaptation for activities such as shopping, running errands or handling finances.
• Working with employers and/or schools to adapt the work or home environment so the Veteran is able to do his or her best.
• Helping to identify and develop healthy, fulfilling hobbies or other activities if he or she can’t return to work.

Does assessing ADL help with claiming VA benefits?

Yes. The VA extends assistance to veterans unable to perform ADLs, such as when a disabled veteran (or the surviving spouse of a veteran) seeks financial aid for in-home care. A veteran with two or more ADLs as a result of physical or mental disability  qualifies for Long-Term Care benefits under the VA.

What is the VA Criteria for Aid and Attendance Besides ADLs?

Besides needing assistance with ADLs, the VA’s other criteria for Aid and Attendance eligibility is when a person:

• Has corrected vision of 5/200 or less in both eyes; or
• Has concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees; or
• Is a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity; or
• Is bedridden apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or treatment

ADLs in VA vs Medicare – Is there a difference?

Yes. Medicare.gov stipulates that help with basic personal tasks such as ADLs do not qualify as medical care. It defines support with ADLs as: custodial care,unskilled care or long-term care. This is an important distinction to understand when checking into long-term care options for seniors.

On the other hand, qualified Veterans or their surviving spouse requiring assistance for ADLs are entitled to financial aid for long term care, home care or custodial care under the VA pension program.

What’s next?

If you need more information about Activities for Daily Living in order to qualify for VA Pension and Aid & Attendance benefits, book your free consultation meeting with us and we’ll help you apply for the financial assistance you so rightfully deserve for your service.

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Veterans Affairs will base the pension amount of a qualified veteran, surviving spouse or dependent child on the difference between their Countable Income and MAPR or Maximum Annual Pension Rate.

 Assets and Income are combined to determine the total net worth of the veteran and their spouse. These include salaries, investments and retirement payments and other income received from benefactors.

 From December 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021 – the annual net worth limit to qualify for VA pensions is $130,773. Below is a list of items to help you determine which income and assets are “counted” to check if you’re within the set limit.

Counted as Income

• Gambling Winnings
• Gifts of Stock or Property
• Inheritance
• IRA & 401K Withdrawals
• Social Security
• Social Security Disability
• VA Compensation
• VA DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation)
• Wages
• Alimony
• Revocable Trust
• Bonuses
• Commissions
• Overtime
• Tips

Counted as Assets

• Investments, Stocks and Bonds

• Boats

• Furniture

NOT Counted as Income

• Assistance Contributions from Non-Profits

• Family Assistance to Maintain the Vet’s Home

• In-Kind Services

• Installment Sales of Property (in certain situations)

• Life Insurance Payments or Cash Surrender Value

• Medicaid Payments

• Respite Care

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

• VA Pensions (Housebound and A&A)

• Loans from Reverse Mortgages

• Long Term Care Reimbursements

• Medical Expenses Not Covered by Insurance

• Education Expenses

NOT Counted as Assets

• Primary Residence

• Car

• Personal Effects

What is MAPR And How Is It Determined?

MAPR is the maximum amount of pension that a veteran, surviving spouse or dependent child could receive. The MAPR is determined according to the number of dependents and whether they have disabilities and receive Housebound or Aid and Attendance benefits.

Congress adjusts the MAPR each year according to the rising cost-of-living. Below you will find your MAPR amount based on VA’s latest figures:

NOTE: If you have medical expenses, you may deduct only the amount that’s above 5% of your MAPR amount ($696 for a Veteran with no spouse or child).

NOTES:

• If you have more than one dependent, add $2,382 to your MAPR amount for each additional dependent.
• If you have a child who works, you may exclude their wages up to $12,550.
• If you have medical expenses, you may deduct only the amount that’s above 5% of your MAPR amount ($912 for a Veteran with 1 dependent).

How To Compute Your Annual VA Pension Amount

What’s next?

Once you’ve determined that your income is within the prescribed limit and you might qualify for VA Pension, Aid and Attendance, and Housebound Benefits book your free consultation meeting with our team at Crider Law and we’ll help you complete the process of claiming the benefits that you so rightfully deserve for your service.

Whether it’s your first time to file a claim, pursuing an appeal or just want to learn more about your rights and entitlements under the VA pension program, we will support you every step of the way.

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Veterans (and consequently, their surviving spouses) are eligible for VA Pension, Aid & Attendance and Housebound benefits if the veteran is aged 65 years and older and served during wartime.

The Veterans Pension program provides monthly payments to wartime Veterans who meet certain age or disability requirements, and who have income and net worth within certain limits. Here are the military service requirements to be eligible for VA benefits.

Anyone who served on active duty in the Wartime Events listed below, may qualify for VA Basic Pension, Aid & Attendance or Housebound benefits. Veterans who served from August 2, 1990, to present, are considered Gulf War veterans and may be eligible for the same pension benefits.

Source: www.va.gov/pension/eligibility/

VA Survivor Requirements

You may be eligible for VA Pension Benefits as a surviving spouse if you haven’t remarried after the Veteran’s death, and if the deceased Veteran didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge and their service meets at least one of the requirements listed below.

A VA Survivors Pension offers monthly payments to qualified surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of wartime Veterans who meet the income and military service qualifications. Read our Guide To Veterans Long Term Care Benefits to learn more about the entitlements available to qualified veterans or their dependents.

What’s next?

Once you’ve determined that you might qualify for VA Pension, Aid and Attendance, and Housebound Benefits book your free consultation meeting with our team at Crider Law and we’ll help you complete the process of claiming the benefits that you so rightfully deserve for your service.

 Whether it’s your first time to file a claim, pursuing an appeal or just want to learn more about your rights and entitlements under the VA pension program, we will support you every step of the way.

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When you apply for VA health care, you need to figure out which one out of the eight priority groups you belong to. This system helps the VA determine who needs health care benefits urgently so they can get signed up quickly. It also makes sure that the veterans who need it the most are given the best care under the VA program.

So what determines your eligibility under the priority system? You will be assigned a group according to your military service and history, disability rating, income level, whether you qualify for Medicaid and other benefits that you may already be receiving under the VA pension program.

Here’s a Checklist that you can use to know your Priority Group and help facilitate your application for VA health care benefits. Check which statements apply. If you qualify for more than one priority group, the highest one will be assigned to you.

Priority Group 1

⬜ Have a service connected disability that is rated as 50% or more disabling

⬜ Have a service connected disability that renders me unemployable

⬜ Have received the Medal of Honor

Priority Group 2

⬜ Have a service connected disability that is rated as 30% to 40% disabling

⬜ Have a service connected disability that renders me unemployable

⬜ Have received the Medal of Honor

Priority Group 3

⬜ Was a prisoner or war (POW)

⬜ Was discharged for a disability that was caused by—or got worse because of—your active-duty service

⬜ Received a Purple Heart Medal

⬜ Have a service connected disability that is rated as 10% to 20% disabling

⬜ Was awarded special eligibility classification under Title 38 – “benefits for individuals disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation”

Priority Group 4

⬜ Receiving VA aid and attendance or housebound benefits

⬜ Have received VA determination of being catastrophically disabled

Priority Group 5

⬜ Don’t have a service-connected disability, nor a non-compensable service-connected disability 

⬜ Receiving VA pension benefits

⬜ Eligible for Medicaid programs

⬜ Have an annual income level that’s below the adjusted income limits (based on my resident zip code)

⬜ Don’t have a service-connected disability, nor a non-compensable service-connected disability

Priority Group 6

⬜ Don’t have a service connected disability, nor a non-compensable service connected disability 

⬜ Exposed to ionizing radiation during atmospheric testing or during the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

⬜ Participated in Project 112/SHAD

⬜ Served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975

⬜ Served in the Persian Gulf War between August 2, 1990, and November 11, 1998

⬜ Served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987

⬜ Currently or newly enrolled in VA health care, and

⬜ Served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998, or were discharged from active duty on or after January 28, 2003

⬜ I was discharged less than 5 years ago

Priority Group 7

⬜ Gross household income is below certain Geographically Adjusted Income (GMT) limits. View GMT Limits

⬜ Agree to pay certain copays. View current copay rates

Priority Group 8

⬜ Gross household income is above certain Geographically Adjusted Income (GMT) limits. View GMT Limits

⬜ Agree to pay certain copays. View current copay rates

What’s Next?

Whether it’s your first time to file a claim, pursuing an appeal or just want to learn more about your rights and entitlements under the VA pension program, we will support you every step of the way.

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Who are Qualified?

• Veterans over the age of 65 who meet the income requirements for financial assistance.
• Veterans who are suffering from both physical and mental incapacity.
• Veterans who require the aid of another person to perform personal functions essential for daily living such as bathing, feeding, dressing, attending to the wants of nature, adjusting prosthetic devices, and ensuring their safety and security.
  Veterans who are bedridden, defined by the VA as having a disability (or multiple disabilities) that keeps the patient in bed “apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or treatment.”
• Veterans who are confined in a nursing home due to physical or mental impairment.
• Veterans who have limited eyesight to “a corrected 5/200 visual acuity or less in both eyes; or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less” according to the VA.
• Surviving spouses and dependent children of veterans who have died may also be eligible for similar benefits through the VA Survivors Pension program.

How to Apply: 3-Step Process

1. Identify which documents you’ll need to send to the VA

Personal circumstances vary so identify only the relevant documents to support your claim. Include a marriage certificate, death certificate or statement of occupancy from a nursing home, as necessary. Take advantage of the assistance offered by some nursing care facilities who will work with you to certify a resident’s qualification for A&A.

• Copy of current year Social Security award letter
• DD-214 Military Discharge papers (originals, no photocopies). Note: You can request official replacements for lost originals from the National Archives
• Proof of all assets (bank and investment statements) and income
• Proof of insurance premiums and unreimbursed medical expenses

2. Fill out the correct VA Application Forms

Depending on your circumstances, select and completely fill out the application forms linked below that are relevant to your claim.

• Basic Pension Form for Veterans including Section X Medical Expense Report, or the form for Surviving Spouses
• Examination for Housebound Status of Permanent Need for A&A
• Request for Nursing Home Information in Connection with Claim for A&A
• Authorization to Disclose Information to a 3rd Party, which will allow you to talk with the VA about your parent’s application if they need help.
• Statement in Support of a Claim if you have power of attorney for your parent and need to request a VA fiduciary assignment

3. Mail the Application

But before you do, make sure to save personal, back-up copies of every item in the application packet as well as any other correspondence with the VA. It’s highly recommended that you send your completed application via USPS Certified Mail Return Receipt to confirm that the VA receives your application. Veterans in California can mail their applications to the following designated pension center –

Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
Attention: St. Paul Pension Center
PO Box 5365
Janesville, WI 53547-5365

What to Expect 

The workload at your region’s VA pension center will determine how fast your application will be processed. Sending an accurate and complete application with no missing forms, information and documents can speed up the process.

While every case varies, the application process typically takes around nine months from the date you submit it until approval. Once the VA approves the application, benefits will be paid retroactively from the original filing date.

Top Aid and Attendance Forms:

• Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular A&A
• Periods of War Eligible for A&A
• Request for Nursing Home Information in Connection With Claim for A&A
• Standard Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records
• VA Form 21-0845 Authorization to Disclose Personal Information to a Third Party
• VA Form 21-4138 Statement in Support of Claim
• VA Form 21-527EZ and VA Form 21-534EZ
• VA Form 21-601 Application for Accrued Amounts Due to a Deceased Beneficiary
• VA Form 21P-8614 Medical Expense Report

What’s Next?

Once you’ve determined that you might qualify for Aid and Attendance Benefits, book your free consultation meeting with our team at Crider Law and we’ll help you effectively file your application and fast-track your claim.

Whether it’s your first time to file, pursuing an appeal or just want to learn more about your rights and entitlements under the VA pension program, we will support you every step of the way.

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