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Managing Your VA Benefits throughout Deployment


By: the Department of Veterans Affairs

Prior to Deployment

  1. If you are currently receiving VA benefits, submit a request to VA in writing to stop benefits for the period you will be on military orders. You are not eligible to receive compensation benefits and military pay simultaneously. An overpayment could result if benefits are not stopped in a timely manner. For your use, attached is a sample VA form 21-4138, Statement in Support of Claim, that can be completed and submitted to VA. An electronic, fillable version of the form can be found at www.va.gov/vaforms.

It is recommended you provide a copy of your military orders to ensure VA has a correct date of your return to active duty. If you do not have your orders readily available, please provide us with the date you will return to active duty and submit a copy of your military orders at a later date. 

Notification of your deployment should be mailed to:

VA Regional Office

1220 SW Third Avenue

Portland, Oregon 97204 

You can also submit the Statement in Support of Claim (21-4138) on-line through the Veterans’ On-Line Application web site. From VA’s home page www.va.gov, select “Apply Online” from the menu bar across the top of the page and choose a benefit program.

  1. You may want to designate a veteran service organization (county, state, or national) to serve as your Power of Attorney (POA) and assist you with your VA benefits. There are many organizations that provide POA services for veterans. A directory of accredited veteran service organizations is available at www.va.gov/partners. 
  1. If you currently have a benefit claim or appeal pending, please notify VA and your POA, if applicable, of your deployment date and provide a copy of your military orders. If there is a claim pending at the time of deployment and benefits or an increase in benefits are granted while you are on active duty, you will receive any benefits payable for the period prior to the date you re-entered active duty service. Monthly benefits awarded will resume upon notification that your period of active duty has ended and you have been discharged. 
  1. Please be sure to keep us updated if your address changes. Address changes can be reported through VA’s toll-free benefits line at 1-800-827-1000.

During Deployment

  1. Always remember – documentation is critical to establishing service-connection for conditions incurred or aggravated during active duty service. 
  1. If you get ill, injured, suffer pain, etc. while on active duty, report it to your medical support personnel. Even if your condition only requires minor treatment, e.g., pain reliever, hot/cold compress, or the equivalent, your complaint should be recorded in your treatment records. This record will serve as medical evidence should the complaint eventually become a chronic condition subject to compensation.
  1. If you experience a traumatic event in service, have the event documented. Ways in which you can document such events are:
    1. Have your superiors create a Memorandum for the Record on unit letterhead stating the basic facts of the event and your involvement in the event.
    2. Have a Certificate of Achievement signed by your Commander stating the basic facts of the event and your involvement in the event.
    3. Have the event listed as a bullet on any award recommendation (e.g., Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal) prepared for you.
    4. Have the event listed as a bullet on a fitness report.
    5. Make an After Action Report about the event and retain a courtesy copy for your own records.
    6. Have the event reported in a camp newsletter describing the event and retain a copy for your records.
    7. If you are recommended for a Combat Action Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, or Combat Medical Badge, keep a copy of the award package for your own records in case the actual award gets delayed, misdirected, or denied.
  1. Review your Service Treatment Record (STRs) if possible at some point near the end of the deployment to ensure all your treatment has been documented. If possible, get a courtesy copy of your STRs as well.
  1. Service members may file claims for benefits prior to being discharged from active duty. For more information on the “Benefits Delivery at Discharge” and “Quick Start” claim processing programs contact VA at (800) 827-1000 or visit us at www.va.gov.

Following Deployment

  1. To restart your previous compensation benefits, submit a request in writing to VA stating your release date from active duty. VA Form 21-4138, Statement in Support of Claim, can be used for this purpose.

VA will need a certified copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty – DD 214 for your latest period of active duty. To obtain a certified copy, you may take your original DD 214 to an accredited veteran service officer. Include the certified copy of the DD 214 with your request to restart benefits. A plain photocopy of a DD 214 will not be sufficient to verify service. A Member 1 copy will also not be sufficient, even if it is certified.

Mail your request to resume benefits to the VA Regional Office at the address below:

VA Regional Office

1220 SW Third Avenue

Portland, Oregon 97204 

You can also submit your request on-line through the Veterans’ On-Line Application web site. From VA’s home page www.va.gov, select “Apply Online” from the menu bar across the top of the page and choose a benefit program.

  1. When you return from deployment, you may file a claim for an INCREASED evaluation of an existing service-connected condition or a claim for a NEW CONDITION(s) that you feel was incurred or aggravated during your latest period of active duty service. Claims for increase or new conditions will be worked on a priority basis when received within 6 months of your release from active duty.

    VA will need a certified copy of your Report of Separation – DD 214 for your latest period of active duty. Include the certified copy of the DD 214 with your claim for increase or new conditions. 

    Claims for increases or new conditions can be mailed to the VA Regional Office or submitted on-line through the Veterans’ On-Line Application web site.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

  1. VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program provides early intervention services to eligible service members pending medical separation and veterans receiving treatment at Community Based Health Care Organizations. VR&E eligible service members with a memorandum rating of a least 20% are entitled to an evaluation of VR&E benefits regardless of their expected discharge date. 
  1. A service member who is found entitled to and in need of VR&E services may enter a program of vocational rehabilitation. VR&E benefits and services for eligible service members may include tuition, fees, books, supplies, adaptive equipment, and employment placement assistance. A service member may not receive a monthly subsistence allowance or a revolving fund loan from VR&E while on active duty, nor may they participate in a program of solely independent living (IL) services. However, independent living services may be provided to a service member with a serious employment handicap under an extended evaluation or as part of a program of services leading to an employment goal. 
  1. VR&E can provide a wide range of vocational and educational counseling services to service members still on active duty, as well as veterans and dependents who are eligible for one of VA's educational benefit programs. These services are designed to help an individual choose a vocational direction and determine the course needed to achieve the chosen goal. Assistance may include interest and aptitude testing; occupational exploration; setting occupational goals; locating the right type of training program; and exploring educational or training facilities which might be utilized to achieve an occupational goal.
  1. You can apply for VR&E benefits using VA Form 28-1900, Application for VA Education Benefits, or for vocational education counseling services using VA Form 28-8832, Application for Counseling. An electronic, fillable versions of these forms can be found at www.va.gov/vaforms. 

Completed applications should be mailed to the VA Regional Office at the following address:

VA Regional Office

1220 SW Third Avenue

Portland, Oregon 97204 

You can also submit your application on-line through the Veterans’ On-Line Application web site. From VA’s home page www.va.gov, select “Apply Online” from the menu bar across the top of the page and choose a benefit program.