You may be eligible for VA disability benefits or compensation if you meet both of these requirements:

• You have a current illness or injury, known as a condition, that affects your mind or body.
• You served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training.

At least one of these must also be true:

• You got sick or injured while serving in the military and can link the condition to your illness or injury.
• You had an illness or injury before joining the military, and serving made it worse.
• You have a disability related to active-duty service that appeared after your service ended.

Presumed disabilities may include:

• A chronic illness that appears within one year after discharge.
• An illness caused by contact with contaminants or hazardous materials.
• An illness caused by time spent as a prisoner of war.

Note: Veterans must not have a bad conduct or dishonorable discharge. Contact the Clay County Veterans Services Office by phone or email for assistance.

As the spouse or dependent child of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for certain benefits, such as health care, life insurance, or money to help pay for school or training.

Survivors of a Veteran or service member may qualify for added benefits, including help with burial costs and survivor compensation.

If you are caring for a Veteran, you may also be eligible for support to help you better care for the Veteran and yourself.

Yes. A service-connected disability rating may be increased or decreased based on medical findings showing changes in the affected condition.

Yes. You may call 1-800-827-1000, option 3. The call should be followed up by submitting VA Form 572, Change of Address, or by updating your information through the VA website.

Benefit amounts are set by Congress, which often approves annual cost-of-living increases for VA compensation payments.

To enroll for VA health care benefits, visit a VA health care facility or the Clay County Veterans Services Office with your DD-214.

If you do not have your DD-214, the Veterans Services Office can help you request a certified copy.

Florida Disabled Veteran ID cards are issued only to veterans rated 100% Permanent and Total service-connected disabled by the VA or Department of Defense.

For more information, call the Clay County Veterans Services Office at 904-529-4256.

You may request a reevaluation anytime you believe your condition has changed or worsened.

Contact the Clay County Veterans Services Office at 904-529-4256.

The quickest way to order your DD-214 is online through the service records request webpage.

After submitting your request, you will receive a tracking number so you can check the status of your DD-214 request.

On July 12, 1973, a fire at the National Personnel Records Center destroyed approximately 16 to 18 million Official Military Personnel Files.

• Army: Personnel discharged November 1, 1912, to January 1, 1960. Approximately 80% destroyed.
• Air Force: Personnel discharged September 25, 1947, to January 1, 1964, with names alphabetically after Hubbard, James E. Approximately 75% destroyed.

Call the Clay County Veterans Services Office and request a consultation. You should be receiving treatment or have a diagnosis of a specific disease or disability related to exposure.

Yes. You can file a claim regardless of how long you have been out of the military.

No. The surviving spouse or other co-borrower must continue making payments, or the loan becomes the obligation of the veteran’s estate.

The veteran should talk with the lender as soon as possible. Depending on the circumstances, it may be best to sell the property.

VA may be able to assist with a repayment plan or an alternative to foreclosure. VA also offers home loan counseling through regional offices.

Yes. A veteran who served in the United States Armed Forces and dies after being properly admitted to a VA medical facility, VA nursing home, or private nursing home under VA contract may be entitled to burial benefits.

A transportation allowance may also be available.

Because the VA system is complex, the forms needed to file a claim may vary.

Contact the Clay County Veterans Services Office at 904-529-4256. If you are outside Clay County, call 1-800-827-1000, option 3.

Pension is a needs-based benefit paid to wartime Veterans with financial need and their survivors.

A Veteran may be eligible for pension if all of the following are true:

• The Veteran was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
• The Veteran served 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during wartime.
• The Veteran’s countable income is below the maximum annual pension rate.
• The Veteran meets net worth limitations.
• The Veteran meets age, disability, nursing home, or Social Security disability requirements.

Note: Veterans who entered active duty after September 7, 1980, generally must have served at least 24 months of active-duty service or completed their full tour of active duty.

The Veterans Pension program provides monthly payments to wartime Veterans who meet certain age or disability requirements and who have income and net worth within certain limits.

Disability compensation is paid to a Veteran with a disability related to military service.

Pension is based on wartime service, income level, number of dependents, and whether the Veteran is permanently and totally disabled or age 65 or older.