Does Merchant Marine Qualify For Va Benefits
does qualifyEligible veterans include any person who has served for a minimum of two years in the Army Navy Air Force Marine Corps or Coast Guard and died on duty or died after any discharge other than dishonorable. 16 American merchant marine in oceangoing service during the period of armed conflict December 7 1941 to August 15.
U S Facing Looming Shortage Of Merchant Mariners Usni News
The Merchant Marine is just a collective name for all US-flagged cargo or passenger ships.
Does merchant marine qualify for va benefits. All information about health care and health eligibility can be found at httpwwwvagovhealthbenefits. Cases presenting multiple discharges of varying character are also referred for adjudication to a VA Regional Office. MM crews havent faced enemy danger since WWII.
Merchant Marine officers on the other hand will become members of the military by attending one of the military service academies or by attending the United States Merchant Marine Academy US MMA. To receive Veterans benefits two qualifying service periods are established covering the period between December 7 1941 and August 14 1945 and the period between August 15 1945 and December 31 1946. The time spent in the Merchant Marines while not actually at sea is not considered to be military service.
With the exception of these select World War II Merchant Marine sailors no other Merchant Marine service has been recognized as qualifying for VA benefits as of this time. The Houses Honoring Our WWII Merchant Mariners Act of 2019 would establish a Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund to provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the US. Certain Merchant Marine seamen who served in World War II may qualify for Veterans benefits.
In World War II the men of the Merchant Marine suffered the highest casualty rate of any service and were denied veterans benefits until 1988. Allied Veterans Who Served During WWI or WWII. Call 1-800-827-1000 for help obtaining a certificate.
Merchant mariners serving in actions after 1946 have not had the benefit of veterans status eligibility and even if killed in combat as in Vietnam these mariners do not qualify for veterans. Troops and war materiel. Was employed by the War.
The MMA is one of seven US. Undesirable bad conduct and any other type of discharge other than honorable may or may not qualify the individual for veterans benefits depending upon a determination made by a VA Regional Office. Maritime academies and is responsible for training Merchant Marine officers for work with the government and the transportation industry.
Individuals who served in the Coast Guard are veterans and are eligible for VA health care benefits in the same manner as any other veteran who served in the Army Navy Marine Corps or Air Force. Marine veterans are eligible for many different types of VA benefits including disability compensation health care pensions and burial. It is necessary for the national defense.
You should be aware that there is no guarantee records in the MIB folders will be acceptable to the Department of Veterans Affairs VA as proof of eligibility for VA benefits. The crews of a passenger jets used to transport troops into a war zone dont qualify for veteran benefits. According to the Merchant Marine Act of 1936.
Merchant Marines are eligible for certain benefits if they were injured during active service. Merchant Mariners Who Are Eligible for All VA Benefits under Public Law 95-202 On January 19 1988 in response to Section 401 of Public Law PL 95-202 the Secretary of the Air Force approved service aboard certain merchant or public vessels in oceangoing or foreign waters as active duty in World War II WWII. Although the Merchant Marine suffered a per capita casualty rate greater than those of the US.
Individuals who received a dishonorable discharge and their widowswidowers are not entitled to burial in a veterans cemetery. That the United States shall have a merchant marine of the best equipped and most suitable types of vessels sufficient to carry the greater portion of its commerce and. If you have any questions about this topic or any other topic regarding veterans benefits please feel free to contact us at Ask VetsFirst.
Certain veterans and their families may also be eligible for a disability pension but applicants must usually show extreme financial need to qualify for the pension. Disability benefits are paid to Marines who were injured or became ill during active military service. When applying for medical care Merchant Marine seamen must present their discharge certificate from the Department of Defense.
The VAs health care system provides veterans with free or low-cost medical care. If he served in the Merchant Marines in the Oceangoing Service from December 7 1941 to August 15 1945 he might be eligible for VA healthcare and other benefits if he meets all other eligibility requirements. Members must show proof that they received some form of medical treatment in connection with this injury and personnel should provide the medical records pertaining to this treatment with the application.
Merchant Marine during World War II. A private agency MIB Marine Index Bureau Inc may have records on file pertaining to the veterans sea service as a US. Considered Active Duty and Eligible for All Veterans Benefits United States merchant seamen who served on blockships in support of Operation Mulberry.
Armed Forces merchant mariners who served in World War II were denied such veterans recognition until 1988 when a federal court ordered it. Either civilian- or government owned.