Veterans Benefits

The benefit programs referenced below are very complex and the applications can be overwhelming. You are welcome to utilize the technical expertise and skills of our Veterans Service Office Staff to complete the forms, provide technical advice, package and submit your claims and be your advocate on your claims.

• Veterans disability claims. There are two categories:

  1. Compensation is a claim for official recognition of a medical condition that was treated while on active duty or within a presumptive period after leaving active duty. Compensation provides monetary monthly disability payments and free medical treatment for service connection conditions.

  2. Pension is a program for war time veterans only, who are totally disabled, not related to military service, or are age 65 or older and have a below the poverty level annual family income. The Pension Program provides a monetary benefit that is the difference between the federally defined poverty limit and the eligible veterans annual family income. The application for either disability program is a 21-526.

• College Tuition/Fees Waiver (DVS-40) – This benefit is a waiver of all mandatory systemwide tuition and fees at any State of California Community College, Campus of the University of California, or Campus of the California State University system. The waiver of fees is applicable only at these Colleges. Nothing shall prevent the above institutions from charging nonresident fees.

• Spouses and Dependents – This benefit provides compensation for service connected conditions including Diabetes II, any one of several cancers from Vietnam service or radiation exposure, Hepatitis C from Vietnam service, or any medically diagnosed condition that was diagnosed during the period of active duty. Certain medical or psychiatric conditions that were diagnosed years after leaving active duty may also lead to viable claims. Totally disabled veterans with low income and wartime period of service may be eligible for veterans pension compensation under this claim. benefits in certain cases.

• Burial/Death Benefits (21-530) – All veterans with an honorable discharge are entitled to receive no cost internment in a National Veterans Cemetery. Mortuary charges will be paid by the veterans family or friends.

• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (21-534) – surviving spouse or children of a deceased veteran may be entitled to receive benefits if the veteran’s death occurred in service, when a veteran dies of a service-connected disability, or in certain circumstances if a veteran rated totally disabled from service-connected disability dies from non-service-connected conditions.

• Education Application (22-1990) - You may be entitled to receive VA Education Benefits under Chapter 30, Chapter 32 or Chapter 1606.

• Military Records (SF –180) – To request military medical records medals, or discharge documents complete Form SF-180. Request hard copy files, microfiche records will be mailed.