You don’t have to have incurred injuries in military combat to qualify for veteran’s disability compensation. Any condition documented in your military medical record can be considered for this benefit. As long as the injury or medical condition was not pre-existing to your active duty military service, it can be submitted for consideration.

Contact the local Veteran’s Administration (VA) or Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to evaluate your military medical record for possible disabilities incurred during your active duty service. You will need to provide them with a complete copy of your medical record and DD form 214′s. Have them help you complete VA Form 21-526.

It makes no sense to “leave money on the table.” Take advantage of every veteran benefit your military service entitles you to…you’ve earned it!

You think you’re eligible for a VA loan to buy a house…you find a house you love, submit all the paperwork needed to complete the loan, schedule movers…..

Then <BAM!> the Veterans Administration tells you that their records show you’re still tied to a loan on a condo you bought 14 years ago – and sold 11 years ago!  You can’t close on your dream house tomorrow, because all of sudden, you no longer qualify for the loan.  And so begins the emotionally draining phone journey with County Records Offices (in states other than the one you now live in), the VA, the mortgage company, your realtor, the seller’s agent and seller.

Yes, this is happening to me right now, today.  Please learn from my story and take time today to request your VA Certificate of Eligibility.  Even if you have one in hand, request an updated copy.  (I have one in hand from 2000, which is why I thought everything was all right.)  The VA loses records, deletes files, and otherwise acts “human” just like the rest of us.

Take action to protect yourself from surprises like mine.  Your records are your responsibility – not the VA’s or any other agency.

You can download the form at HomeLoans.va.gov