Who can file for Disabled Veterans Benefits?
Actually there’s nothing stopping anyone from filing a claim, but let’s face it, if you’ve never been in the military, it’s not going to get past the receptionists desk at the Veterans Administration Regional Office most likely. To qualify for a Service Connected Disability, the veteran must have been discharged under “other than dishonorable conditions.” Certain minimum days on active duty apply to various groups and time periods served. If you do not meet the minimum required amount of time served, it will need to be shown that the incident resulting in your disability took place during the time you were in service. If filing by mail, you can locate the nearest Veterans Affairs Regional Office using this directory: http://www.va.gov/directory or by Telephone: 1-800-827-1000 1-800-829-4833 (Hearing Impaired TDD line) 1-412-395-6272 (If living outside the U.S.) You can file your application either by mail or online at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp.
