Whether you served in the armed forces for two years or twenty, you are likely eligible for different benefits under one or more of the various US uniformed services (VA Benefits) programs. While these VA Benefits can be generous and life-changing, they can also be difficult to get. This challenge is why you may need a Nashville veterans benefits lawyer.
Let’s look at some of the VA Benefits you may be entitled to and how a lawyer might help you with them.
Suppose you are or were an active-duty service member or veteran, a member of the Reserve or National Guard, or a qualified dependent or survivor of one. In that case, you may be eligible for up to 48 months of educational VA Benefits. Many applicants are eligible only for 36 months. Your VA Benefits lawyer can help you understand where you fall.
You may be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill if you:
Those who qualify under this program may receive funding for:
Note that the Post-9/11 GI Bill is an alternative to the Montgomery GI bill (below). You may not use both or switch once you have made your choice. If you ended your service before January 1, 2013, your benefits will expire after 15 years. If your service ended after that date, your benefits do not expire.
The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) provides educational benefits for veterans who served at least two years of active duty and meet all of the following:
The “other” requirements relate to whether you contributed to the MGIB during your first year in service and your length of service.
You may also be in Category II, which relates to much earlier periods of service beginning during the 1970s and 1980s. Categories III and IV cover those who don’t otherwise meet MGIB rules but did contribute $1,200 to the program before separation and met certain other conditions.
If you are in a dispute with the VA about your educational benefits or need the assistance of someone on your side in understanding those benefits, you should contact a Nashville VA Benefits lawyer today. Call us at 423-269-2222 and let us help you get the educational benefits you earned before they expire.