VA Travel Benefits

By: Dan Meyer

The office hours for the Big Stone County Veterans Service Office are 7:30 am – 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. My office phone number is (320) 839-6398.

A memorable quote from “Heroes Lane.”

“I steel myself to play. But it’s hard not to get emotional … You’re saying goodbye to heroes.” Buddy Madden, a 92-year-old veteran who has played “Taps” on every Veterans Day since he was 6 years old.

Veterans Affairs (VA) Beneficiary Travel Frequently Asked Question.

Who is eligible for VA travel benefits?

- Veterans rated 30% or more for service-connection for travel relating to any condition

- Veterans rated less than 30% for travel relating to their service-connected condition

- Veterans receiving VA pension benefits for all conditions

- Veterans with an annual income below the maximum applicable annual rate of pension for all conditions

- Veterans who can present clear evidence that they are unable to defray the cost of travel

- Veterans traveling in relation to a Compensation and Pension (C&P) Examination

- Certain veterans in certain emergency situations

- Certain non-veterans when related to care of a veteran (attendants & donors)

- Beneficiaries of other Federal agencies (when authorized by that agency)

- Allied Beneficiaries (when authorized by appropriate foreign government agency)

Trivia question of the week. What was the B-17 long-range bomber nicknamed in World War II? The answer in next week’s article.

Until next week, take care and “Fair Winds and Following Seas!”