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Doug Bourquin, Service Officer
Office open during regular business hours: Monday thru Wednesday
201 N. Main, Harrison, Arkansas 72601
870.741.3640 phone 870.741.5614 Fax
boonecvso@alltel.net
Eligibility for most Veterans Affairs (VA)
benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. However, some military personnel may be eligible for certain VA benefits while on active duty when they have completed:
90 days of service during wartime and/or conflict periods OR
Two (2) years of military service since 1980 OR
181 days of service during peacetime
If you are seeking VA benefits for the
first time after release from active duty, you must send a copy of you military discharge (DD form 214, or other discharge document) with your application for benefits. You may file your application and discharge document with any VA regional office. When leaving the military, Transition Assistance Programs can help with your transition into civilian life.
Education The VA pays monthly benefits to eligible veterans, dependents, reservists and service members. These monthly education benefits can help you finance
your education. Education benefits may be used for:
Undergraduate or Graduate training at a College or University
Technical or Vocational training
On-the-job or Apprenticeship training
Correspondence and Flight Training
Veterans might also qualify for a work-study allowance.
Life Insurance If you are in the military or recently separated from the military, you may be eligible for life
insurance. Service members' Group Life Insurance (SAGELY) is open to active-duty and reservists for the uniformed services. Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VIGIL) is available to those released from active duty and to separated reservists. VIGIL is renewable 5-year term coverage. SAGELY can be converted to VIGIL or a commercial policy. You must complete conversions for "no health questions asked" within 120 of separation from either active duty or the reserves. However, you have 16 months from the date of separation to make "good health" conversions.
Homes With a VA guaranty, a lender
is protected against loss up to the amount of the guaranty if the borrower fails to repay the loan. VA loan guaranties are made to service members, veterans, reservists, and unmarried surviving spouses to buy a home, town house, manufactured home, lot or certain types of condominiums. VA also guarantees loans for building, repairing and improving homes. If you already have a mortgage, VA may be able to help you refinance your loan at a lower interest rate. Specially adapted housing grants are available for severely disabled veterans and not down payment is required for most home loans.
Disability Compensation and Pension You may be eligible for compensation for injuries or illnesses you suffer as a result of active duty or for any disabilities you had
before service that
were made worse because of your active duty. If you qualify for compensation, you may be entitled to an additional allowance for your family members. you may also be eligible for a pension if you are a wartime veteran with limited income and are no longer able to work.
Disability compensation special programs include:
Prisoners of War
Agent Orange and other herbicides
Veterans exposed to radiation
Gulf War related conditions
Allowances for family members
Disability pension
Other disability benefits
Aid and attendance
Clothing allowance
Automobile assistance
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits
The VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program assists veterans with service-connected disabilities by offering them services and assistance to help them prepare for, find and keep employment
Employment assistance
Transition assistance program
Vocational-education/career counseling
Vocational rehabilitation
Small business administration
Small and disadvantaged business utilization
Health Care
Most veterans must apply for enrollment in order to receive health care benefits. Service-connected veterans are eligible for treatment of their service-connected disability, even if they have not enrolled. Veterans may apply at any time; once enrolled, veterans are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package of inpatient and outpatient services that include:
Primary and specialty care
Preventative medicine services
Surgery
Emergency care
Mental health and substance abuse treatment
Drugs and pharmaceuticals
Nursing homes and long-term care
Home health care
Respite and hospice care
Homeless veterans program
Vet Centers
Call 1.877.222.VETS (1.877.222.8387)
Burial Burial benefits in a VA National Cemetery include the gravesite, the headstone or marker, opening and closing of
the grave and maintenance of the grounds.
National Cemeteries are maintained as National Shrines
Symbolic expressions of remembrance include headstones and markers
Presidential memorial certificates
Burial flags
Burial of veterans and eligible family members in a VA National Cemetery
Family and Survivor Benefits Some family members of disabled or deceased veterans are eligible for certain benefits, such as:
Educational benefits
Home loan guaranty for surviving, unmarried spouse
Dependency and Indemnity compensation (DIC)
DIC payments to surviving spouses
DIC payments to parents and children
Spina Bighead benefits
Medical Care for family and survivors (CHAMPVA)
Death pension
Burial of spouse and eligible family members
Contact Information
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General Benefits
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VA Hotline
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1.800.827.1000
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Education and Training
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1.888.442.4551
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Headstones and Markers
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1.800.697.6947
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Life Insurance
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1.800.669.8477
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Healthcare Benefits
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Veterans Healthcare
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1.800.222.8387
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Mammography Helpline
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1.888.492.7844
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CHAMPVA
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1.800.733.8387
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Spina Bifida
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1.800.733.8387
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Health Eligibility Center
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1.800.929.8387
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Miscellaneous
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Debt Management Center
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1.800.827.0648
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Gulf War Veterans Hotline
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1.800.749.8387
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Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD)
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1.800.829.4833
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Access the VA online at www.va.gov
Specific benefit and contact information published on this page is taken from the "Federal Benefits for
Veterans and Dependants" VA Pamphlet 80-00-1. For a copy, please phone, fax or write to:
Superintendent of Documents
PO Box 371954
Pittsburgh, PAÂ 15250-7954
Phone: 1.202.512.1800
Fax: 1.202.512.2250
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