THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 10, 1994 TAG: 9408090438
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DONALD DUNCAN
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first column for Veterans' Corner, a monthly feature in Military News.Veteran, you or your dependents may qualify for the following benefits:
Veterans suffering from a chronic condition incurred during military service or a pre-existing condition aggravated by active-duty service may qualify for service-connected compensation benefits.
Veterans who served during a wartime period and are now permanently and totally disabled may qualify for pension benefits.
Widows of veterans who served during a wartime period may qualify for pension benefits.
Children of veterans who either died in service or as a result of their service-connected disability or who are permanently and totally disabled as the result of service-connected disabilities may qualify for federal educational benefits. You may also qualify for waiver of tuition in state-supported colleges or universities under the Virginia War Orphans Education Program.
Widows or children of veterans who died as the result of injuries or illnesses incurred in service may qualify for dependent indemnity compensation.
Two civilian groups that provided support to U.S. military efforts during World War II have been granted veteran status and are now potentially eligible for VA benefits:
(1) U.S. civilian flight crew and aviation ground support employees of Northwest Airlines who served overseas from Dec. 14, 1941, through Aug. 14, 1945.
(2) U.S. Army Nurse Corps who served in defense of Bataan and Corregidor from Jan. 2, 1942, to Feb. 3, 1945, can apply for the same benefits currently available to other World War II veterans.
Persian Gulf war veterans may now be eligible for benefits under legislation approved by a House Veterans' Affairs subcommittee. This legislation would provide compensation to veterans suffering undiagnosed illnesses that become apparent within two years from the date of their departure from the Persian Gulf or October 1996, whichever comes later.
The Virginia Department of Veterans' Affairs (VDVA) is an agency of the commonwealth of Virginia whose sole purpose is to ensure that veterans and their dependents receive full benefits and entitlements under laws and regulations governing federal and state benefits.
VDVA is headquartered in Roanoke, and has 19 offices located throughout the state, which serve approximately 85 itinerant locations. To obtain information regarding office locations and itinerary schedules or for assistance in applying for benefits, please call (804) 683-8571, or write to VDVA, Suite 211, 1216 Granby St., Norfolk, VA 23510.
Donald Duncan is director of the Virginia Department for Veterans' Affairs.
Next month: A new cemetery for veterans in Virginia by CNB