Veterans Age 55+

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Federal Benefits

My Health eVetMy HealtheVet is a free, online Personal Health Record that empowers Veterans to become informed partners in their health care. With My HealtheVet, America’s Veterans can access trusted, secure, and current health and benefits information as well as record, track and store important health and military history information at their convenience. Veterans who are enrolled in a VA facility can refill their VA prescriptions and more, so register today! Using My HealtheVet is easy and it's for YOU! |
Enroll/Update Medical BenefitsspanYou can fill out and submit an application for VA health benefits using an online form. You may also use a paper form that you download, save for later submission, print and fax or mail back to VA. If you do not want to use the online form or cannot print at home, VA will mail you an application form. You can request an application or get help with it by calling VA at 1-877-222-VETS (8387) Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). |
Life InsuranceThe VA's insurance programs were developed to provide insurance benefits for veterans and service members who may not be able to get insurance from private companies because of the extra risks involved in military service, or a service connected disability. |
VA Forms |Here is where you can find and print all of the VA's forms
General Benefits |This is where you can see a general overview of all the benefits offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability Compensation |Disability compensation is a benefit paid to a veteran because of injuries or diseases that happened while on active duty, or were made worse by active military service. It is also paid to certain veterans disabled from VA health care. The benefits are tax-free
Pension |This web site is intended to be an information resource for veterans, surviving spouses and children who might be eligible for VA's Pension Benefits. Pension benefits are meant as an assistance for eligible veterans, surviving spouses and children who demonstrate financial need
Social Security |The SSA delivers services through a nationwide network of over 1,400 offices that include regional offices, field offices, card centers, teleservice centers, processing centers, hearing offices, the Appeals Council, and our State and territorial partners, the Disability Determination Services. We also have a presence in U.S. embassies around the globe. For the public, we are the “face of the government.” The rich diversity of our employees mirrors the public we serve
National Cemetery AdministrationThe National Cemetery Administration honors Veterans with final resting places in national shrines and with lasting tributes that commemorate their service to our nation

State Benefits

Agent Orange

Announcements
Agent Orange Disability Claims: VA is asking the private sector for input on a proposed "fast track" Veterans' claims process for diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War. Read more about this initiative.

New Diseases Associated with Agent Orange: Secretary Shinseki decided to establish service-connection for Vietnam Veterans with B cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia; Parkinson’s disease; and ischemic heart disease. This is based on an independent study by the Institute of Medicine showing an association with exposure to Agent Orange. Vietnam veterans with these diseases may be eligible for disability compensation and health care benefits.

For Veterans and the Public
VA provides information about Agent Orange exposure and what U.S. veterans who may have been exposed to Agent Orange during military service can do:

→Agent Orange Basics
What Agent Orange is and how and when veterans may have been exposed in Vietnam and outside of Vietnam

→Diseases Associated with Agent Orange Exposure
Cancers and other health problems in veterans and veterans' children that VA has recognized as associated with exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides

→Agent Orange Registry Health Examination for Veterans
Cost-free examination by VA for possible long-term health problems associated with exposure to Agent Orange

→Health Care Benefits for Diseases Associated with Agent Orange Exposure
Eligibility for VA health benefits for veterans and certain Vietnam veterans' children, how to apply and more

→Compensation for Diseases Associated with Agent Orange Exposure
Eligiblity for VA compensation for veterans and certain Vietnam veterans' children, how to apply and more

→Research on Health Effects of Agent Orange Exposure
Research by VA and others evaluating the health effects of Agent Orange exposure

→Updates on Agent Orange Research and What VA Is Doing
Sign up to receive VA's Agent Orange newsletter by email

For more information

Regarding Agent Orange please contact your local NYS Veteran Benefits Counselor at 1-888-838-7697 or visit http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/

Top Stories

Breaking news as it happens around the Web.

VA Extends “Agent Orange” Benefits to More Veterans →: Relying on an independent study by the Institute...
White House Seeks $125 Billion for Veterans in 2011 →: To expand health care to a record-number of Veterans, reduce the number of homeless Veterans and process a dramatically increased number of...
Secretary Shinseki Announces Study of Vietnam-Era Women Veterans →: Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is launching a comprehensive study...

Aging Veterans Seminars Through these free informational seminars, the NYS Division of Veterans' Affairs will provide a benefit overview of resources and services available, as well as an information booth staffed with an experiences Veteran Benefits Counselor. Our goal is to encourage these Veterans and their families to get a 'benefit checkup' to ensure that they are aware of all the resources available to them.
September 14, 2010	Clinton Community College Come join us for a two hour panel discussion, by moderator, on a variety of topics pertinent to aging Veterans and their families. This will be followed by a one hour benefit fair.
October 21, 2010	Adirondack Community College Come join us for a two hour panel discussion, by moderator, on a variety of topics pertinent to aging Veterans and their families. This will be followed by a one hour benefit fair.
TBD	Jefferson Community College Come join us for a two hour panel discussion, by moderator, on a variety of topics pertinent to aging Veterans and their families. This will be followed by a one hour benefit fair.
TBD	Onondaga Community College Come join us for a two hour panel discussion, by moderator, on a variety of topics pertinent to aging Veterans and their families. This will be followed by a one hour benefit fair.