Veterans Benefits Guide for Dummies (Paperback)

Introduction 1

Part 1: Writing Your Next Chapter 5

Chapter 1: Gearing Up for That DD-214 Life 7

Chapter 2: Tying Your Discharge Status into Benefits 21

Chapter 3: Navigating VA Claims and Appeals 39

Part 2: Medical Care, Life Insurance, and Compensation Programs 57

Chapter 4: Helping Yourself to Health Benefits 59

Chapter 5: Exploring VA Healthcare 69

Chapter 6: Probing into TRICARE 95

Chapter 7: Securing Your Family’s Future with VA Life Insurance 111

Chapter 8: Cashing In on Military Pensions, Severance Pay, and the TSP 119

Chapter 9: Taking a Close Look at Disability Pay 137

Part 3: Employment, Education, and Housing Programs 159

Chapter 10: Applying to Employment Programs 161

Chapter 11: Transitioning from the Military to More Government Employment 177

Chapter 12: Building Your Own Business with Veterans Benefits 187

Chapter 13: Bringing Receipts: Using Your GI Bill 199

Chapter 14: Staking Your Claim on Other Education Programs 217

Chapter 15: Buying into Post-Military Life with Your VA Loan Benefit 229

Chapter 16: Enjoying Your Golden Years in a Military Retirement Home 239

Part 4: Burial and Memorial Benefits, Survivor Benefits, and More 245

Chapter 17: Accessing Benefits for Homeless Vets 247

Chapter 18: Using Benefits While Incarcerated 257

Chapter 19: Applying for Benefits for Women, Minority, and LGBTQ+ Vets 265

Chapter 20: Zeroing In on Claims for Vets of Specific Wars, Former POWs, and Disabled Vets 269

Chapter 21: Diving into Benefits for Spouses, Dependents, and Caregivers 295

Chapter 22: Examining Burial and Memorial Benefits 305

Chapter 23: Surveying Survivor Benefits 315

Chapter 24: Shopping ‘til You Drop: Benefits for Retirees and Other ID Cardholders 323

Chapter 25: Seeing the World with Travel Benefits 329

Chapter 26: Sidling up to State Veterans Benefits 337

Part 5: The Part of Tens 347

Chapter 27: Ten Ways to Get Your Disability Claim Denied 349

Chapter 28: Ten Tips to Maximize Your Benefits 353

Index 357