Many of the recently covered benefits have requirements in which the Veteran must show proof of a service-connected disability rating. For those of us living in northern Minnesota, we receive our yearly Benefits Summary Letter in late April or early May. The summary may include military service, service-connected disability (yes or no), combined service-connected rating (percentage), totally and permanently disabled status (if applicable), current monthly award (dollars), and date of last award change (likely COLA from previous December).
What happens if you lose your letter or your rating changes? You have a couple of options.
Open your favorite web browser and navigate to VA.gov. You will need an account to manage your VA benefits which is another article or two but well worth your time. Select the “Sign in” (blue) button in the upper right corner. Once you have signed in, your name should appear in the upper right corner. Select your name to open a menu and select “Letters”. Review your address and select “View Letters” (blue) button.
Scroll down and select “Benefit Summary and Service Verification Letter” to expand the section, so you can see your options. Deselect (uncheck) the information you would like to exclude from your letter. Most benefits do not require the inclusion of your currently monthly award amount. Select the “Download letter” (blue) button. You will need Adobe Reader and a printer (if you want a paper copy).
If you do not have an Internet-connected device or this sounds too complicated, then you have another option. You may call VA benefits hotline at 800-827-1000 and request your Benefit Summary Letter. You may ask for the letter via email or regular (snail) mail.
Please note that your County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) is not able to generate a benefit summary letter. We may be able to access your VA file to retrieve a previously generated letter, but we will not be able to provide you with a current letter showing any recent changes to your service-connected rating/award.
I would suggest keeping a copy of your benefit summary letter with a copy of your DD-214.
Brad Anderson and Melissa Crandall are the Lake County Veterans Service Officers and can be reached at 218.834.8326 or cvso@co.lake.mn.us
Karen Christianson is the Cook County Veterans Service Officer and can be reached at 218.387.3639, or karen.christianson@co.cook.mn.us
