Veterans Benefits

Injuries that occur during military service are common. Often time those injuries linger or worsen after you leave military service. Regardless whether the injury occurred in training, off-duty, peacetime, or combat they are considered service-connected injuries.

The VA offers disability compensation that pays a monthly tax-free payment to veterans with service connected injuries with a disability rating of 10% or greater. In addition to the monthly payment the VA will also provide medical treatment for the service-connected injury at no cost to the veteran.

Filing a Claim

Filing a claim can be a lengthy and complicated process; especially when filing for multiple injuries including primary and secondary conditions. Fortunately, San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs have VA-accredited veteran service officers to assist veterans in filing their disability compensation claims. View Contact Us for location times and availability.

California has many generous veteran benefits exclusive to this state. The California Department of Veterans Affairs is a source where you can get information to apply for veteran benefits you and your dependents are entitled
to receive.

They provide information for services such as:

• California College Fee Waivers – The College Tuition Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents benefit waives mandatory system-wide tuition and fees at any State of California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus.
• CalVet Home Loan – State sponsored home loans for veterans that is separate from the VA Home loan Guaranty.
• California Veteran Homes – The Veterans Homes of California range in size from 60 residents on 20+ acre campuses to over 1,000 residents on a 500 acre campus. Each home offers a unique environment, levels of care, and a range of social activities.
• State Park & Recreation Passes – Honorably discharged war veterans who are residents of California with an overall / combined rating at 50% or greater service-connected disability, or were held as prisoners of war by forces hostile to the United States, or recipients of the Medal of Honor are eligible to receive the Distinguished Veteran Pass.
• Job Training / Workforce Development Programs – California offers a variety of employment services and benefits to veterans who are unemployed or seeking employment including employment services to help you find a job, unemployment benefits for while you are seeking employment, and apprenticeship and on-the-job training programs that pay you while you prepare for a sustainable career
• State Veteran Cemeteries – Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces residing in California are eligible to receive certain end of life benefits. California manages three veteran cemeteries to serve areas not adequately served by a national cemetery. The state cemeteries are Northern California Veterans Cemetery, California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery, and Yountville Veterans Home Cemetery. CalVet determines eligibility for burial in a state veteran cemetery in accordance with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) requirements for national veteran cemeteries.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs has numerous benefits for service members. This list is just a few of those benefits and services:

• Service member benefits – Find out what benefits you may be eligible for during service and which time-sensitive benefits to consider when separating or retiring.
• Family member benefits – Learn about the benefits you may qualify for as a spouse, dependent, or survivor. And find out what you’re eligible for as a family member caring for a Veteran with disabilities.
• Burials and memorials – Get help planning a burial in a VA national cemetery, order a headstone or other memorial item to honor a Veteran’s service, and apply for survivor and dependent benefits.
• Careers and employment – Apply for vocational rehabilitation services, get support for your Veteran-owned small business, and access other career resources.
• Housing assistance – Find out if you’re eligible for a VA-backed home loan. If you have a service-connected disability, see if you qualify for a housing grant to help you live more independently.
• Pension – Apply for monthly payments for wartime Veterans and survivors with limited or no income who meet certain age and disability requirements.
• Life insurance – Explore VA life insurance options for Veterans, service members, and families. Manage your policy online, file claims for benefits, and access helpful resources.
• Education and training – Apply for and manage your GI Bill and other education benefits to help pay for college and training programs.
• Records – Apply for a printed Veteran ID card, get your VA benefit letters and medical records, and learn how to apply for a discharge upgrade.
• Health care – Apply for VA health care, find out how to access services, and manage your health and benefits online.
• Disability – File a claim for disability compensation for conditions related to your military service, and manage your benefits over time.