For Your Benefit
For and about Hawaii's military
See also: In The Military
Dental care given
under certain criteriaQuestion: I recently enrolled for VA benefits. Am I eligible for dental care?
Answer: Outpatient dental treatment provided by VA includes examinations and diagnostic, surgical, restorative and preventive procedures.
You are eligible for dental services if your care is for a service-connected condition or if you have a service-connected rating of 100 percent. You may also qualify if you are a former prisoner of war, a participant in a VA vocational rehabilitation program, or if your dental condition is aggravating a medical problem under VA treatment. Certain homeless veterans are also eligible.
In addition, you may qualify for one-time dental treatment if you have been recently discharged from military service, having served on active duty for at least 180 days (90 days during Gulf War), had a documented dental condition while in service, and your discharge certificate does not include certification that all appropriate treatment had been rendered prior to being released.
You must apply to VA within 90 days of discharge or release from active duty. For more information, call the VA at 433-0600.
Q: I am a widow receiving veterans' compensation because my husband had a service-connected disability. When I apply for widow's benefits at age 60, will the veterans' compensation be affected in any way?
A: Your Social Security benefit will not be affected because you receive veterans' compensation. However, your veterans' compensation might be lowered because you receive Social Security benefits.
Generally, your veterans' compensation is affected only if the benefit you receive from the VA is based on need or if the amount is based upon your monthly income. Otherwise, you should be able to receive both Social Security and veterans compensation without one affecting the other. Check with the VA at 433-1000.
If you begin receiving widow's benefits at age 60, remember that you can switch to your own retirement benefit as early as 62. This assumes you're eligible and your retirement rate is higher than your widow's rate.
In many cases, a widow can begin receiving one benefit at a reduced rate and then switch to the other benefit at an unreduced rate at age 55.
If you have questions about your benefits as a veteran,
call Fred Ballard at the Veterans Affairs at 433-0049
or visit the VA Web site at www.va.gov/hawaii
or the Star-Bulletin at 529-4747.Gregg K. Kakesako, who covers military affairs for the Star-Bulletin,
can be reached by phone at 294-4075
or by e-mail at gkakesako@starbulletin.com.