Information and resources about Health Care and Disability Issues for Veterans and Military personnel in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
VA Health Care Eligibility & Enrollment
Description of health care benefits for veterans, and information on how to apply
Veterans Disability Compensation Benefits
Information of Veterans Disability Compensation Benefits including who is eligible and how to apply.
VA Disability Benefits Overview (Video)
This educational video from the Legal Aid Society of Louisville, Kentucky provides an overview of the VA Disability Benefits application process. It explains many of the pitfalls one may experience while applying for VA benefits.
Educational and Career Counseling (VA Chapter 36)
Information from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs about Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (PCPG), or VA Chapter 36, which offers free educational and career guidance, planning, and resources to Veterans and their dependents who are eligible for a VA education benefit. Find out how to apply for this program if you’re leaving active service soon or have been discharged within the past year.
Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors - Social Security Administration
Military service members can receive expedited processing of disability claims from Social Security. Benefits available through us are different from those available through the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application. The expedited process is used for military service members whose disability occurred while on active military duty on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs.
Social Security for Wounded Warriors (Webinar/Video)
This SSA webinar explains the Social Security disability claims process and expedited processing available to wounded warriors. This outreach program will provide general information about Social Security disability benefits as well as topics unique to wounded warriors. (Recorded 11/4/2009)
I am a Dependent or Survivor: Survivor Benefits
Information from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs about Survivor Benefits available to surviving spouses and dependents of military personnel who died while in active military service and to the survivors of veterans who died after active service.
Survivors Benefits Plan (Department of Defense)
Information from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, which provides payment services of the U.S. Department of Defense, about the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) available to a beneficiary of a deceased military retiree.
Burial Benefits
Information from the Department of Veterans' Affairs National Cemetary Administration's web site about who is eligible for burial in a VA National Cemetery.
Disability Compensation
Information from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs on Disability Compensation, which is a tax free monetary benefit paid to Veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service. Compensation may also be paid for post-service disabilities that are considered related or secondary to disabilities occurring in service and for disabilities presumed to be related to circumstances of military service, even though they may arise after service.
Pension
Information from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs about Pension Benefits, including who is eligible and how to apply.
Benefits.gov
Benefits.gov is the official benefits website of the U.S. government whose mission is to increase citizen access to benefit information, while reducing the expense and difficulty of interacting with the government. It is a free, online confidential tool that helps you find government benefits you may be eligible to receive.
My Health eVet
My Health eVet is VA’s online personal health record. It was designed for Veterans, active duty Servicemembers, their dependents and caregivers. My Health eVet helps you partner with your health care team. It provides you opportunities and tools to make informed decisions and manage your health care
PTSD: National Center for PTSD
The National Center for PTSD is dedicated to research and education on trauma and PTSD. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder resulting from exposure to an extreme traumatic stress involving direct or indirect threat of death, serious injury or a physical threat. The trauma may be experienced alone (rape or assault) or in the company of others (military combat).
Mercy Medical Angels
Mercy Medical Angels provides wounded, ill and injured veterans and active duty service members along with their families with free travel to clinical care on the ground and in the air with gas cards, bus and train tickets, general aviation flights, and commercial airline tickets. Their mission is to ensure that no veteran in need is denied clinical care because of a lack of transportation.
How to Access VA Health Care If You Have a Less-than-Honorable Discharge - A Guide for Veterans and their Dependents
All veterans, regardless of discharge status, should know that they have the right to apply for VA healthcare, to receive a written decision, and to appeal any denial. This guide discusses how to apply for VA healthcare, how to maximize the chances of being approved, and what options are available if you run into difficulty.
Stateside Legal
Stateside Legal is a national resource for members of the military, veterans, their families and advocates. It goal is to help you access benefits, find free legal help, and better understand your legal issues. This site indexes the best legal information available in one easy-to-use website that includes interactive forms, videos, and legal analysis.
Veterans Legal Help Navigator
This online tool from Stateside Legal helps veterans' caseworkers and advocates across the country find the right fit legal help for veterans. The Navigator will ask a series of questions about the veteran's income, household size, location and legal issue. Using this information, it will provide the right fit legal help for the veteran. The Navigator will also suggest resources to learn about the veteran’s legal issue and self-help materials for the veteran.
Are You a Veteran Needing Help With a Legal Question? - ABA Free Legal Answers
Information from the American Bar Association Military and Veterans Legal Center about Federal ABA Free Legal Answers, a website where you can submit your questions about civil legal issues pertaining to veterans, including VA benefits, discharge upgrades, and similar veterans’ legal issues, and receive answers from pro bono lawyers.
Benefits.gov
Benefits.gov is the official benefits website of the U.S. government whose mission is to increase citizen access to benefit information, while reducing the expense and difficulty of interacting with the government. It is a free, online confidential tool that helps you find government benefits you may be eligible to receive.
How to apply for VA health care
Information on how to apply for VA health care benefits as a Veteran or service member.
Veterans Benefits Applications
Online applications for various veterans benefits were previously available through the VONAPP (Veterans On Line Applications) website. That website has been retired and is no longer available, but links to online applications are still available here.
Federal Court Finder
Find a federal court location by location or court name, including appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial office, or federal defender organization. Each District Court has its own local forms which are generally available on the Court website.
VA Health Care Eligibility & Enrollment
Description of health care benefits for veterans, and information on how to apply
The Affordable Care Act, VA, and You
This fact sheet from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs provides information on what you should know about VA Health Care & the Affordable Care Act.
Veterans Health Administration
Website of the Veterans Health Administration, America’s largest integrated health care system providing care at 1,293 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,112 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
My Health eVet
My Health eVet is VA’s online personal health record. It was designed for Veterans, active duty Servicemembers, their dependents and caregivers. My Health eVet helps you partner with your health care team. It provides you opportunities and tools to make informed decisions and manage your health care
Veterans Disability Compensation Benefits
Information of Veterans Disability Compensation Benefits including who is eligible and how to apply.
PTSD: National Center for PTSD
The National Center for PTSD is dedicated to research and education on trauma and PTSD. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder resulting from exposure to an extreme traumatic stress involving direct or indirect threat of death, serious injury or a physical threat. The trauma may be experienced alone (rape or assault) or in the company of others (military combat).
Educational and Career Counseling (VA Chapter 36)
Information from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs about Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (PCPG), or VA Chapter 36, which offers free educational and career guidance, planning, and resources to Veterans and their dependents who are eligible for a VA education benefit. Find out how to apply for this program if you’re leaving active service soon or have been discharged within the past year.
Transition Assistance Program
Information on the Transition Assistance Program from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) provides information, resources, and tools to service members and their loved ones to help prepare for the move from military to civilian life. Service members begin TAP one year prior to separation, or two years prior to retiring.
Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors - Social Security Administration
Military service members can receive expedited processing of disability claims from Social Security. Benefits available through us are different from those available through the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application. The expedited process is used for military service members whose disability occurred while on active military duty on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs.
Social Security for Wounded Warriors (Webinar/Video)
This SSA webinar explains the Social Security disability claims process and expedited processing available to wounded warriors. This outreach program will provide general information about Social Security disability benefits as well as topics unique to wounded warriors. (Recorded 11/4/2009)
I am a Dependent or Survivor: Survivor Benefits
Information from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs about Survivor Benefits available to surviving spouses and dependents of military personnel who died while in active military service and to the survivors of veterans who died after active service.
Survivors Benefits Plan (Department of Defense)
Information from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, which provides payment services of the U.S. Department of Defense, about the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) available to a beneficiary of a deceased military retiree.
Burial Benefits
Information from the Department of Veterans' Affairs National Cemetary Administration's web site about who is eligible for burial in a VA National Cemetery.
Disability Compensation
Information from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs on Disability Compensation, which is a tax free monetary benefit paid to Veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service. Compensation may also be paid for post-service disabilities that are considered related or secondary to disabilities occurring in service and for disabilities presumed to be related to circumstances of military service, even though they may arise after service.
Pension
Information from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs about Pension Benefits, including who is eligible and how to apply.
PA ABLE Savings Program for Disability-Related Expenses
A PA ABLE account gives individuals with qualified disabilities (Eligible Individuals), and their families and friends, a tax-free way to save for disability-related expenses, while maintaining government benefits. Federal and state law authorized the creation of PA ABLE accounts.
The Board of Veterans Appeals
The Board of Veterans' Appeals (also known as "BVA" or "the Board") is a part of the VA, located in Washington, D.C. Members of the Board review benefit claims determinations made by local VA offices and issue decision on appeals. This is a gateway to information about the Board of Veterans' Appeals and the appeals process.
VA decision reviews and appeals
Information on the Veterans Affairs appeals process and the three decision review options (Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or Board Appeal) that are available.
Filing Your Appeal at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
Information from the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program about filing an appeal from the denial of a VA claim from the Board of Veterans Appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. You can get the Notice of Appeal on the Court's web site at http://www.uscourts.cavc.gov.
Your Appeal for Veterans Benefits to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
Information on filing an appeal of a decision of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program provides free attorneys to veterans and their qualifying family members who have an appeal pending at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court). If an appellant has filed an appeal with the Court and has been unable to obtain his or her own attorney he or she can request assistance from the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program.
The Affordable Care Act, VA, and You
This fact sheet from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs provides information on what you should know about VA Health Care & the Affordable Care Act.
Veterans Health Administration
Website of the Veterans Health Administration, America’s largest integrated health care system providing care at 1,293 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,112 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
My Health eVet
My Health eVet is VA’s online personal health record. It was designed for Veterans, active duty Servicemembers, their dependents and caregivers. My Health eVet helps you partner with your health care team. It provides you opportunities and tools to make informed decisions and manage your health care
PTSD: National Center for PTSD
The National Center for PTSD is dedicated to research and education on trauma and PTSD. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder resulting from exposure to an extreme traumatic stress involving direct or indirect threat of death, serious injury or a physical threat. The trauma may be experienced alone (rape or assault) or in the company of others (military combat).
VA Welcome Kit
Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, this VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned.
Transition Assistance Program
Information on the Transition Assistance Program from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) provides information, resources, and tools to service members and their loved ones to help prepare for the move from military to civilian life. Service members begin TAP one year prior to separation, or two years prior to retiring.
Transition Assistance Programs and Resources
Information from Military OneSource for military personnel who will be leaving the military and will be transitioning to a return to civilian life.
How to Access VA Health Care If You Have a Less-than-Honorable Discharge - A Guide for Veterans and their Dependents
All veterans, regardless of discharge status, should know that they have the right to apply for VA healthcare, to receive a written decision, and to appeal any denial. This guide discusses how to apply for VA healthcare, how to maximize the chances of being approved, and what options are available if you run into difficulty.