Some facts and benefits that every veteran and military member should know about.

I'm going to start with the simple benefits, the foundation if you will. Once you get out of the Military you have one year to submit a claim for VA benefits and receive back pay all the way back to they day you got out of the Military. You can submit a claim after a year however you will not receive back pay. If you get a rating you will just be paid monthly, tax free for life. I advise you to submit a claim within a year and if you get a rating you will receive back pay and monthly tax free payments for life. You may receive free health care for life for your rmedical claim if it's service connected and rated. If you have knee problems due to your time in service, and get a VA rating then you can be seen for your knee at any VA hospital for life. If you need knee surgery 5 years down the road you are covered 100%. Don’t be discouraged if you receive a low or no rating at all. You can appeal the VA's decision until the day you die. If you win a appeal 5 years later you can still recieve back pay so long as your original claim was submitted within a year of getting out of the service. So keep in mind that the VA process is a marathon and not a sprint.

Another great benefit is vocational rehabilitation. This benefit will pay 100% of school and all necessary equipment. Things like back packs, notebooks and even a computer. Each state has different criteria for different benefits, so that being said here's a great link with all the state's information. http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/state-veterans-benefits-directory Some states will pay for your child to go to college, housing for the Veteran, discounts for registering your vehicle, state tax deductions, special or handicapped license plates, financial assistance, business assistance, employment assistance, memorial and burial, education assistance, and of course tax free money paid monthly for life. It's important if you haven’t already registered to register with the VA. Combat veterans who were discharged or released from active service on or after January 28, 2003, are now eligible to enroll in the VA health care system for five years from the date of discharge or release. This means that combat veterans who were originally enrolled based on their combat service but later moved to a lower Priority Group (due to the law’s former 2-year limitation) are to be placed back in the priority for combat veterans for 5 years beginning on the date of their discharge or release from active service. So that's five years of free health care for qualifying veterans. Otherwise you only get free health care for specific service connected injuries.

These benefits were designed to help and honor veterans, so take advantage of them. This is my second article devoted to veterans and as I stated in my previous article, if you have any questions leave them in my comments and I'll do my best to answer them. I’ve been battling the VA since 2004 and hope to share my knowledge with my fellow Veterans.

Below the comments is a must read article for anyone starting or trying to increase a Va claim,

http://www.bukisa.com/articles/356805_how-to-increase-your-va-disability-rating-with-5-easy-steps