NO. The Veterans Service Office is a county office and has no federal funding from the VA. The Veterans Service Officer (VSO) is an advocate for veterans. Most counties in Idaho have a County Veterans Services Officer. The only VA Office in Idaho is the VA Regional Office in Boise

A spouse who has been married to the veteran for over one year or if married less than  a year and has given birth to a child, that spouse is a dependent. Children are dependents to age 18 or to age 23 if enrolled in school.

The Veterans Services Officer can advise you. Required information varies for different benefits. One document that the veteran will need is the DD Form 214, active military discharge document. If this document cannot be found, the Veterans Services Officer can assist the veteran in obtaining a certified copy to replace the original. Before 1951, this discharge document was the AGO Form 53-55.

These terms define disability types in the VA system. Service connected means that the veteran is disabled due to injury or illness that was incurred in or aggravated by military service. Non-service connected means that the veteran is disabled due to injury or illness not related to military service.

Compensation is paid to a veteran with service-connected disabilities. Pension is paid to a war-time veteran who is permanently and totally disabled from non-service connected disabilities and who has very low income.

First, you need to establish with the VA that you are disabled because of your active military service. Service connection for a disability may be established in the following ways:

•    Direct – Service medical records show that the disabling condition was diagnosed during military service and the condition has continued to affect the veteran.
•    Aggravation – Evidence demonstrates that the disabling condition which existed prior to service was aggravated beyond normal progression during military service.
•    Presumptive – Evidence demonstrates that the disability is one predetermined by the VA to be presumed for service connection by time, place and type of service.
•    Secondary – Evidence demonstrates that the disability developed as a result of, or residual of, another service connected disability.
•    Injury as a result of VA medical treatment – This is a disability that the veteran incurred, had aggravated or died from because of medical treatment at a VA Facility.

The eligibility criteria for VA Pension are:

•    The veteran had at least 90 days of active service with at least one day during a recognized war-time period.
•    The veteran is shown by medical evidence to be permanently and totally disabled.
•    The veteran has very low annual income for his/her household.

Burial benefits for a veteran discharged under other than dishonorable conditions include a Headstone/Marker, an American Flag and a Certificate of Condolence from the U.S. President.
Any veteran who receives VA monies (i.e. compensation or pension), or who dies in a VA facility or who dies of a service connected disability is eligible for burial expenses. The amount varies for the veteran who is in receipt of VA monies or dies in a VA Facility and the veteran who dies of a service connected disability.

•    The widow/widower of a recognized war-time veteran may be eligible for a pension. This pension is based solely on financial need.
•    The widow/widower of a veteran who died of a service-connected disability is eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, also known as DIC. This compensation is not based on financial need.
•    The widow/widower of a veteran who was rated at 100 percent, permanent and total, service connected disabled for ten years or more is also eligible for DIC even if the veterans death was not due to service connected conditions. In this circumstance, there may be an additional apportionment for the widow/widower if he/she was married to the veteran for eight years or more and lived continuously with the veteran prior to death.
•    The widow/widower of a veteran who died as a result of an injury or treatment as a result of hospitalization, medical or surgical treatment received in a VA Facility is also eligible for DIC.

•    When a veteran is rated 30 percent service connected or more, the veteran is given an additional allowance for dependents
•    Veterans who are in receipt of pension are also given an apportionment for dependents. However, with pension, all dependents’ incomes are included in the financial means test for household income.
•    When a veteran is rated as permanently and totally 100 percent service connected disabled or a veteran dies due to a service connected disability, dependents are eligible for education benefits.

Generally, this benefit has expired if it has been over ten years since discharge. There are, however, exceptions. A veteran may also be eligible for vocational rehabilitation if service connected disabilities reduce employability.

A veteran must have:
Served at least 90 days of honorable or under honorable conditions active military service if before September 8, 1980.
(or)
Served at least 2 years of honorable or under honorable conditions active military service if after September 8, 1980.
(or)
Been discharged for medical disability during active military service if minimum active service not completed.

Get in contact with our Veteran Service Officer Thomas Lindley today, 1500 Hwy 2, suite 122 in Sandpoint or call between 8:00 am and noon to schedule an appointment; 208-255-5291 ext 1