Articles and News

U.S. Military Veterans: Getting the Benefits They Deserve

By: Laura C. Manfreda

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, eight-and-a-half percent of North Carolina’s 8.9 million residents are U.S. military veterans. Of those veterans, the largest percentage is individuals from the Vietnam era but the percentage of Gulf War veterans is growing, making up almost a quarter of the State’s veteran population in 2006. As the population of U.S. military veterans increases in North Carolina, there will be more claims filed on behalf of veterans for the benefits they are entitled to receive under federal, state and local law. In recent years, service members are returning from the war in Iraq with severe brain and eye injuries, and as a result a number of claims will be filed on behalf of those veterans for disability benefits. Disability benefits are tax free and paid to military veterans who have injuries or diseases that occurred while on active duty, or were made worse by active military service. Disability benefits are also paid to certain veterans disabled from VA health care. In order to be eligible for disability benefits, a veteran must have a service-related disability and discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.

North Carolina provides several benefits for U.S. Military Veterans, including housing benefits, financial assistance benefits, employment benefits, education benefits, and other state veteran benefits. Specifically, some of the benefits available to veterans are discount hunting and fishing licenses, income tax relief pursuant to North Carolina General Statute Section 105-244.1, specialized auto license plates, employment rights, handicapped parking for disabled veterans, copies of records at no charge to veterans, educational scholarships, drivers’ license renewals, voter registration, and property tax relief pursuant to North Carolina General Statute Section 105-275. The North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs assists veterans and their families in obtaining the benefits they may be entitled to under Federal, State or local laws. In this capacity, Veterans Service Officers are available to counsel and assist veterans and their dependents in preparing forms, obtaining information and documents, reviewing VA decisions, and responding to claimants’ inquiries regarding claims for benefits. The State service office is located in Winston-Salem and there are also a number of district and county service offices. Veterans Service Officers are available in almost all of the 100 counties in North Carolina and contact information is available via the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs Website (www.ncveterans.com). This website as well as the website for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (www.va.gov) contains valuable information regarding benefits available to military veterans. Additionally, a veteran may apply online for benefits via VONAPP (Veterans On Line Applications) at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp.

If you are a U.S. military veteran, there are many resources available to you to pursue obtaining the benefits you have earned and may be entitled to. Not only is the Internet a valuable tool, but you may also contact the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs at (919) 733-3851 or e-mail them at ncdva.aso@ncmail.net.

Laura Manfreda practices with the law firm Knox, Brotherton, Knox & Godfrey primarily in the areas of estates and family law. This is an informational tool provided to you by Knox, Brotherton, Knox & Godfrey. Our firm is not an expert in Veterans’ benefits but we are happy to provide this information to you so that you may pursue what you are entitled to under our laws. We specialize in automobile accidents, worker’s compensation injuries and tractor-trailer injuries. We thank all Veterans for their dedication and for protecting our rights. Please visit our website at www.KnoxBrothertonKnoxGodfrey.com for more informational articles to benefit you and your family.