Vietnam Veterans of America 
Utah Chapters
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FACTS FOR VETERANS UPON RELEASE FROM
ACTIVE DUTY
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Tricare Benefits
VA Medical & Dental
Veteran’s Group Life
Insurance
Other VA Entitlements For Vets
Utah VVA Contact Information
TRICARE BENEFITS
~ Source: Tricare Fact Sheet March 12, 2004
a. Members who have served less than six years
and their families are eligible for TRICARE for 60 days after separation
date.
b. Members who served six or more years and their
families are eligible for TRICARE for 120 days after separation date.
c. There has been a temporary extension for these
members and their families for TRICARE eligibility for 180 days after
separation date.
d. Reserve Component members separated from active
duty after being called up or ordered in support of a contingency
operation for more than 30 days and their family members are eligible
for TRICARE for 180 days after separation date.
e. The surviving spouse or child of a veteran
who died in the line of duty is eligible for TRICARE. (Source: American
Legion Service Officer's Guide)
VA MEDICAL & DENTAL
~ Source: American Legion Dispatch November 19, 2004,
page 5
a. Veterans who serve on active duty in a theater
of combat operations during a period of war after Nov 11, 1998 are
eligible for hospital care, medical services and nursing home care
for a period of two years from separation date.
b. Veterans who did not receive a dental check-up
within 90 days prior to discharge may be eligible for this service
from the VA. You must apply within 90 days of separation and bring
your 214 with you.
VETERAN’S GROUP LIFE INSURANCE
~ Source: Military.com Fact Sheet August 31, 2004
a. To be eligible for Veteran’s Group Life
Insurance (VGLI) members must have had SGLI in effect while on active
duty.
b. VGLI applications are mailed to eligible members
to the address shown on the 214, generally within 60 days of separation,
just prior to 120 days when free SGLI coverage ends and again shortly
before the end of the 16 month application period.
c. SGLI continues free for $250,000.00 for 120
days after separation and it is during this time that members should
apply for VGLI to determine the amount of coverage they want and the
premium. (No physical exam required).
d. If an application or the initial premium has
not been submitted within the 120 days above, VGLI may still be granted
if an application, the initial premium and evidence of insurability
(good health) are submitted with 16 months of separation.
e. Applications will not be accepted after one
year and 120 days (16 months).
f. More info about government life insurance
can be obtained by calling the VA Insurance Center in Philadelphia
at 1-800-669-8477. Hours are 8:30 AM - 6 PM eastern time.
OTHER VA ENTITLEMENTS FOR VETS
~ Sources: Agent Orange Review, February, 2004 and
The American Legion Service Officer’s Guide, Legion Dispatch November
19, 2004
a. VA provides treatment to any Gulf War veteran
who has a medical condition that may be the result of Gulf War service.
b. Any Vietnam Era veteran who served in Vietnam
should take an Agent Orange physical available at the VA Hospital.
There are 11 different illnesses that have been presumed to be caused
by Agent Orange which if found to be service-connected will result
in disability compensation.
c. Women veterans are eligible for the same benefits
as men.
d. Readjustment counseling is available for vets
who served in a combat theater and is designed to include help with
post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), military sexual trauma and
bereavement counseling for family members of those who were killed
in action.
e. VA Home Loan Guarantees are made to veterans
and reservists, as well as unremarried surviving spouses for the purchase
of homes, condominiums and manufactured homes. There is no time limit
to apply for this.
VVA — Utah Chapters Contact Information
Davis & Weber Counties
~Bill Gurnee:
801-476-1789 (Ogden)
~Ralph Grider:
801-547-1005 (Layton)
~Thom Rodgers:
801-825-5443 (West Point)
Salt Lake County
~Mike Overmeyer:
801-595-8109
~Doc Russo:
801-268-1152
St. George
~John
Clark: 435-644-5018
~Mike Gale:
435-635-2166
Utah County
~Jose Garcia:
801-465-9928
Prepared by Utah Chapter #924, Vietnam
Veterans of America - 12-23-04 jrf
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