When Esquire Magazine recently broke the story that the Navy SEAL who had killed Osama bin Laden was being denied benefits, a nationwide outrage occurred. According to Esquire, the SEAL (who’s name is not disclosed) was forced to leave the military due to health issues and has lost all of his benefits. While the story holds some truth, the real problem is lack of understanding of how the law works.
While the answers are available, many of our older veterans, which make up about 9.1 million people, are unable to cut through the red tape or find the necessary files online to apply for their benefits.
The Veterans Administration offers Aid and Attendance as part of a Pension Benefit that is largely unknown. According to VeteranAid.org:
“Any War-Time Veteran with 90 days of active duty, 1 day beginning or ending during a period of War, is eligible to apply for the Aid & Attendance Improved Pension. A surviving spouse (marriage must have ended due to death of veteran) of a War-Time Veteran may also apply. The individual applying must qualify both medically and financially.”
There are proper forms to fill out, DD-214, but that will allow for the benefit process to begin, which may take up to a year, at this time, to begin. Part of the problem with this slow response time is cutbacks in the Veterans Administration by Congress. You can find the form at www.vetrec.archives.gov.
If you are a war-time veteran and have any questions about receiving your benefits, we are able to help you at the Kabb Law firm and help you to receive the help that is owed to you for your service. Give us a call at 216.991.KABB (5222) today for more information.
