"Serving those who have served the Commonwealth and our great Nation"
(Motto of Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs)

INTRODUCTION

The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (KDVA) was created as a separate Department in the Governor's Office by the General Assembly to assist veterans and their families in applying for federal, state and local veteran's benefits. The commissioner's office is located in the National Guard Association of Kentucky building in Frankfort, Kentucky.

The Division of Field Operations, co-located with the US Department of Veterans Affairs in Louisville, provides assistance, information and support to Kentucky's veterans of the armed forces in obtaining their state and federal benefits. There is no fee or charge of any kind for this service. The state is divided into seven regions with each region having an assigned Regional field Representative. These representatives recruit and train County Volunteer Veterans Assistance Officers (CVAOs) who are assigned to counties for which they are responsible.

The Office of Kentucky Veterans Centers will oversee and coordinate the programs of three long-term care facilities currently in operation or under construction. The centers are located in eastern, central and western Kentucky. Additional responsibilities include working with the USDVA in their development of Community Based Outreach Clinics providing primary care treatment to the state's veterans

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact:

Commissioner's Office
Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
1111 Louisville Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
1-800-572-6245 (502)564-9203 FAX: (502)564-9240

Office of Kentucky Veterans Centers
Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
1111 Louisville Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
1-888-724-7683 (502)564-9281 FAX: (502)564-9240

Division of Field Operations
Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
545 South Third Street
Louisville, KY 40202
1-800-928-4012 (502) 595-4447 FAX: (502) 595-4448

REGIONS

Regional Headquarters' locations and counties served:

REGION 1
205 South Eighth Street
Mayfield, KY 42066
(270) 247-1131 (877)812-0840 FAX: (270)247-7248
Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken, Trigg, Union

REGION 2
2616 Fort Campbell Blvd.
Hopkinsville, KY 42240
(270) 885-9622 (800)928-9622 FAX: (270)889-0210
Butler, Christian, Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, Hopkins, Logan, McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Simpson, Todd, Webster

REGION 3
126 East Public Square, Lower Level
Glasgow, KY 42141
(270)651-9578 (800)850-1392 FAX: (270)651-7839
Allen, Barren, Breckenridge, Clinton, Cumberland, Edmonson, Grayson, Hardin, Hart, LaRue, Meade, Metcalfe, Monroe, Russell, Warren, Wayne

REGION 4
545 South Third Street
Louisville, KY 40202
(502)595-4447 (800)928-4012 FAX: (502)595-4448
Jefferson

REGION 5
17 West Main Street
Springfield, KY 40069
(859)336-0567 (800)928-0951 FAX: (859)336-0300
Adair, Anderson, Boyle, Bullitt, Casey, Green, Jessamine, Marion, Mercer, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, Taylor, Washington, Woodford

REGION 6
101 North Main Street
Williamstown, KY 41097
(859)824-0940 (800)747-9963 FAX: (859)824-0782
Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Grant, Harrison, Henry, Kenton, Owen, Pendleton, Robertson, Scott, Trimble

REGION 7
17 West Main Street 2nd Floor
Owingsville, KY 40360
(606)674-9963 (866)376-0308 FAX: (606)674-9964
Bath, Bourbon, Boyd, Carter, Clark, Fleming, Greenup, Lewis, Mason, Menifee, Montgomery, Nicholas, Powell, Rowan

REGION 8
149 South Central Ave Room 3
Prestonsburg, Ky 41653
(606) 886-7920 (800)928-1621 FAX: (606)886-7920
Breathitt, Elliott, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Morgan, Perry, Pike, Wolfe

REGION 9
85 State Police Road Room 102
London, KY 40741
(606)878-5514 (877)773-7747 FAX: (606)877-1384
Bell, Casey, Estill, Garrard, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Lee, Lincoln, Madison, McCreary, Owsley, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Whitley

SUMMARY OF KENTUCKY REVISED STATUTES PERTAINING TO VETERANS

This is a guideline to benefits for Kentucky veterans who served in the active or reserve component of the armed forces.

Credit For Service in the U.S. Armed Forces
Provides service credit for eligible State Police Officers who left the State Police to enter the armed services and were immediately re- employed by the State Police. Up to 6 years of service in the armed forces may be recognized. KRS 61.555

State Employment Preference Points for Veterans, Their Spouses, Widows, Widowers, And Parents
Provides 5 hiring preference points for honorably discharged veterans and for former members of the Kentucky National Guard; 10 points for veterans with service-connected disabilities and certain spouses of veterans with service-connected disabilities; surviving spouses of certain war veterans and parents who were dependent on a veteran who lost his life under honorable conditions while on active duty are entitled to 10 preference points. (Preference points are credited towards state employment when testing at the Personnel Cabinet in Frankfort.) KRS 18A150

State Veterans Nursing Homes
Authorizes the establishment and operation of state nursing homes for veterans of the Commonwealth. Such veterans nursing homes are to be under the administrative authority of the Department of Veterans Affairs. KRS 36.355

Restoration of Public Employees to Position after Military Duty
Provides mandatory restoration of public employees to identical or similar positions held prior to leaving to perform military duty. The law is applicable regardless of whether the employee left voluntarily or involuntarily. KRS 61.373

Restored Employee Discharged for Cause
Requires employee who has been reinstated following military service, should not be discharged from his position without cause within one year after restoration. KRS 61.375

Leave of Absence to Permit Induction in Military Service
Provides mandatory leave of absence for public employees for the purpose of being inducted in the armed forces. KRS 61.377

Service Credit for Military Service
Provides for State employees to obtain service credit, seniority and benefits for time spent in the armed forces of the United States under certain conditions. KRS 61.555

Examinations - Ratings - Eligibility Lists (For employment by cities, counties, and local units)
Authorizes an increase of 5 percentage points on any local or County Civil Service Examination for employment for veterans who have served during a wartime period. KRS 67A240

Service Credit - Computation
Defines the types of service, including military service, which are creditable for retirement under the police and fire fighters retirement fund and the method of computation of the amount of service credit to be awarded. KRS 67A400

Examinations, Certifications Preference Points Eligibility Lists
Authorizes an increase of 5 percentage points on any City Civil Service Examination for employment for veterans who have served in the armed forces during a wartime period. KRS 90.320

Credit Under Pension System for Time Spent in Armed Forces
Authorizes time spent in the armed forces to be credited to police or fire department personnel for retirement purposes under certain conditions. KRS 95.565 and 95.625

Credit For Service--How Computed
Provides the method for computation of credit for service in the armed forces as it applies to State and local pension and employment benefits. KRS 95.855

Federal Annuities Excluded From Gross Income
Provides for computation of federal annuities excludable from state income tax. By amendment in 1997, excludes all federal refund tax retirement annuities from Kentucky State Income Tax. KRS 141.021

Hunting, Trapping or Fishing License Required - Exceptions
Authorizes Kentucky veterans with 50% or more service-connected disability to hunt or fish within the state with a special combination license. A small fee may apply. KRS 150.175

War Veterans May Complete High School Without Tuition
Provides for veterans to complete high school without payment of tuition fees when service in the armed forces interrupts normal completion. KRS 158.105

Prior Service Credit for Veterans
Establishes terms and conditions under which armed forces service may be credited toward Kentucky teacher's retirement. KRS 161.507

Exemption from Tuition Fees for Survivors of Deceased Service Member or Guardsman
Provides for exemption from tuition fees for surviving family members of an active duty service member or member of the Kentucky National Guard who dies while in service or as a result of service connected wounds or conditions. Applies only to Kentucky's state-operated colleges, universities and vocational schools. State residency requirements apply. KRS 164.505

Exemption from Tuition Fees for Family Members of Permanently and Totally Disabled Service Members or Guardsmen
Provides for exemption from tuition fees for family members of permanently and totally disabled veterans, National Guardsmen, prisoners of war and service members listed as missing in action. Applies only to Kentucky's state-operated colleges, universities and vocational schools; state residency requirements. KRS 164.515

License Plates for Disabled Veterans - Extension of Parking Period for Disabled Veterans Car
Sets forth conditions under which disabled veterans (70% disabled) may apply for and receive special license plates and conditions under which disabled veterans may legally exceed certain parking restrictions. KRS 186.041

Special Registration Plates, Parking Privileges for Handicapped
Provides conditions under which veterans and other handicapped persons are eligible for special vehicle registration and parking fees. KRS 186.042

License Plates for Recipients of A Purple Heart Medal
Provides for qualified veterans to apply for and be issued a special license plate for Purple Heart recipients. KRS 186.044

Special License Plates for Former Prisoner Of War
Provides for any former prisoner of war that is a Kentucky resident to apply for and receive a special vehicle license plate. Amended in 1992 to allow spouses of deceased former prisoners of war to obtain or retain the special vehicle license plate. KRS 186.1701

Special License Plates for Survivors of Attack on Pearl Harbor
Provides procedures for application and issue of a special Kentucky vehicle license plate for bona fide survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. KRS 186.1702

Special License Plates for Active, Retired National Guardsmen Provides
procedures for application and issue of special Kentucky vehicle license plate for active and retired members of the Kentucky National Guard. KRS 186.173

Special License Plates for Recipients of Congressional Medal of Honor
Provides for recipients of Congressional Medal of Honor to apply for and receive special, identifying vehicle license plates. KRS 186.182

Special Veterans License Plate
Provides for a special service-specific license plate with war period specific decal. (if applicable) For active, reserve, retired, and former veteran members of all US Armed Forces. KRS 186.1732

Certified Copies of Records - Fees
Prevents State, County or City officials from charging any kind of fee for furnishing documents required to substantiate a claim for veteran's benefits. KRS 213.141

Uniform Veterans Guardianship Act
Provides for appointment and accountability requirements of persons who act as guardians for veterans. KRS Chapter 388 part 200 through Chapter 388 part 390

State Veterans Cemeteries
Expected to be available in either calendar year 2000 or 2001, this cemetery system is in addition to the National Cemeteries, and will serve eligible Kentucky veterans and their families.

FEDERAL VETERANS BENEFITS SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

The surest way to obtain current information on US Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) benefits and claims procedures is to call the nearest VA regional office within the state. A call to 1-800-827- 1000 from any location in the United States will connect you to a VA regional office. Counselors can answer questions about benefits eligibility and application procedures. They make referrals, when necessary, to other VA facilities, such as medical centers and national cemeteries.

VA regional offices process claims for VA benefits and administer those benefits, which include: disability compensation, pension, home loan guaranty, life insurance, education, vocational training, burial allowance, and survivor's compensation, pension and education.

VA medical center eligibility departments are the immediate source for information regarding medical care eligibility, admissions procedure and scheduling. They can provide information on all types of medical care, including dental, drug and alcohol dependency, prosthetics, and readjustment counseling.

The Directors of the three active cemeteries in Kentucky can address VA national cemetery eligibility.

Refer to the phone number lists in this brochure for contact with these agencies.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE

Eligibility for most VA benefits is based on discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions for a minimum period specified by law. Active service generally means full-time service as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, the Environmental Services Administration or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Completion of at least six years of honorable service in the Selected Reserves (including National Guard) also provides for home-loan benefits for those not otherwise eligible.

Reservists' with 20 years of credible service for retired pay are now eligible for benefits, and are eligible for burial in national and state cemeteries.

The Department of Defense issues each veteran a military discharge form, DD 214, identifying the veteran's condition of discharge- honorable, general, other than honorable, dishonorable or bad conduct. Honorable and general discharges qualify a veteran for most VA benefits.

Dishonorable and some bad-conduct discharges issued by general courts-martial bar VA benefits. VA determines benefit eligibility for veterans with other bad conduct discharges and discharges described by military branches as "other than honorable." After reviewing the facts of each specific case, VA decides whether separation from service was under dishonorable, or other than dishonorable conditions. Veterans in prison and parolees may be eligible for certain VA benefits. VA regional offices can clarify eligibility of prisoners and parolees.

The Department of Defense has certified Service in 26 organizations during the periods that include World Wars I and II as active military service. Members of these groups may be eligible for VA benefits if the Department of Defense certifies their service and issues a discharge under honorable conditions.

WARTIME SERVICE

Certain VA benefits and medical care require wartime service. As specified by law, VA recognizes these war periods:
Mexican Border Period May 9, 1916 - April 5, 1917 for veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders or in adjacent waters.
World War 1 April 6, 1917 - November 11, 1918; for veterans who served in Russia April 6, 1917 - April 1, 1920, extended through July 1, 1921, for veterans who had at least one day of service between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918.
World War II December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946.
Korean War June 27, 1950 - January 31, 1955.
Vietnam Era August 5, 1964 - May 7, 1975. (Beginning date is February 28, 1961 for those in country prior to August 5, 1964)
Persian Gulf War August 2, 1990 - date to be set by law.

KEEP IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

Important papers and copies of public documents that you should save and protect for your future use are:

DD Form 214--Report of Transfer or Discharge
Certificate of Discharge
Certificate of Service--Papers associated with active duty, such as orders to and from active duty, vouchers, warrants, commissions, diplomas, citations, etc.
Social Security Information
Family Records, such as marriage license, birth certificates, death certificates, divorce decree, guardianship or custody evidence, adoption papers, and any other permanent records.

FILING A CLAIM

Those filing a claim with VA for benefits the first time must submit a copy of their service discharge form (DD214), which documents service dates and type of discharge, or give their full name, military service number, branch of service, dates of service, and current diagnosis of disabilities, if applicable. Once a claim is filed, the veteran will be issued a VA claim number.

VETERANS BENEFITS TIMETABLE

Dental Treatment: VA provides necessary dental care for veterans who were not provided dental examination and treatment within 90 days of discharge or separation from service. The time limit does not apply to veterans with dental disabilities resulting from combat wounds or service injuries. Apply at any VA office or medical center.

Unemployment Compensation: The amount of benefit and payment period varies among states. Apply soon after separation to state employment services.

SGLI: Servicemen's Group Life Insurance may be converted to VGLI (Veterans Group Life Insurance), a five year nonrenewable term policy. At the end of the five-year term, VGLI may be converted to an individual policy with any participating insurance company. Applications must be received within 120 days after discharge or up to one year after discharge, if totally disabled.

GI Insurance: Life insurance is available for veterans with service- connected disabilities. Veterans who are totally disabled may apply for a waiver of premiums on these policies. Apply within two years (from date of notice of VA disability rating) to any VA office.

Education: You may be eligible for educational assistance while you pursue approved training if you participated in either the Post- Vietnam Era Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) (Chapter 32) or the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) while on active duty; or, if you had entitlement under the Vietnam Era GI Bill. (Chapter 34) Further information on eligibility may be had by calling your local VA office.

For Members of the Montgomery GI Bill: Selected Reserve (Chapter 106), benefits will end on the date of separation from the Selected Reserve or 10 years from the date eligibility began, whichever happens first.

Vocational Rehabilitation: For disabled vets, VA will pay tuition and fees, and the cost of books, tools and other program expenses as well as provide a monthly living allowance. Upon completion of the vocational rehabilitation program, VA will assist in finding employment. Apply within 12 years (generally from date of notice of VA disability rating of 20 % or greater) at any VA Office. Veterans with 10% disability may be found eligible if they have a serious employment handicap.

Disability Compensation: VA pays compensation for disabilities incurred in or aggravated by military service. There is no time limit for applying at any VA office.

Disability Pension: Wartime veterans with low income, with 90 days or more active military service, at least one day of which was during a wartime period, who are permanently and totally disabled, may be eligible for monthly payments at a level set by Congress.

Death Pension: A survivor's benefit payable to spouses and unmarried children when the veteran's death is not due to service. Income and net worth are factors in determining entitlement. Eligibility is based on the veteran's wartime service. In certain cases, an additional monthly payment is made to spouses in need of aid and attendance of another person.

Burial Allowance: Payment of a $300 burial and funeral expense allowance for deceased veterans who were, at time of death, entitled to receive pension or compensation, or would have been entitled to receive compensation but for the receipt of military retired pay. Eligibility is also established if death occurs in a VA facility. A $150 plot allowance is also payable, but not applicable if buried in a national cemetery. For veterans who die of a service-connected disability, a burial allowance up to $1,500 in lieu of other burial benefits is payable.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): Payment may be available for surviving spouse who is not remarried. Unmarried children under 18, helpless children, and those between 18 and 23 if attending a VA approved school are also eligible. For eligibility, the deceased veteran must have died from: (1) a disease or injury incurred or aggravated while on active duty, or (2) in the line of duty, or (3) a disability compensated by VA. A veteran who was continuously rated permanently and totally disabled for a period of ten years or more, or so rated five years from date of military discharge, may be eligible.

Medical Facility Telephone Numbers

VA Medical Center - Louisville, KY (502) 895-3401
VA Medical Center - Lexington, KY (859) 233-4511
VA Medical Center - Huntington, WV 1-800-827-8244
VA Medical Center - Johnson City, TN (423) 926-1171
VA Medical Center - Nashville, TN (615) 327-4751
VA Medical Center - Memphis, TN (901) 523-8990
VA Medical Center - Evansville, IN (812) 465-6206
VA Medical Center - Cincinnati, OH (513) 861-3100
VA Medical Center - Marion, IL (618) 997-5311
KY Vets Outpatient Clinic--Prestonsburg, KY (606) 886-1970
KY Vets Outpatient Clinic--Bowling Green, KY Urgent Care Inc. (270) 781-3910
KY Vets Outpatient Clinic--Hopkinsville, KY Trover Clinic (270) 887-5400
KY Vets Outpatient Clinic--Paducah, KY (270)444-8465
KY Vets Outpatient Clinic--Bellevue, KY (606)392-3840

Vets Center - Counseling

Lexington, KY - (859) 253-0717
Louisville, KY - (502) 634-1916
Cincinnati, OH - (513) 763-3500

OTHER SERVICES

VA Regional Office - Louisville, KY 1-800-827-1000
Educational Assistance 1-888-442-4551
VA Insurance Program 1-800-669-8477
Small Business Administration 1-800-368-5855
Social Security Administration 1-800-772-1213
HEAR NOW - Hearing Aid Bank 1-800-648-4327
Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS): DFAS Indianapolis (Army) 1-800-420-2290
DFAS Denver (Air Force) 1-800-433-0461
DFAS Cleveland (Retired Pay) 1-800-321-1080
Office of Servicemen's Group Life Insurance 1-800-419-1473
Camp Nelson National Cemetery, Nicholasville, KY, and Mill Springs National Cemetery, Nancy, KY (606)885-5727
Lebanon National Cemetery, Lebanon, KY (502)893-3852

IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS KY

Ky Department Of Veterans Affairs Louisville--
(502) 595-4447 (502) 595-4448 -FAX

Military Records Branch Frankfort--
(502) 564-4883 (502) 564-4437 - FAX

Thomson-Hood Veterans Center (Nursing Home) Wilmore, KY
1-800-928-4838 (859) 858-2814 (859) 858-4039 - FAX

Kentucky Personnel Cabinet (for employment services testing) (502)564-7409

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact: Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
545 South Third Street
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 595-4447 FAX (502) 595-4448

The Definition Of A VETERAN

A VETERAN is not an outsider to our business.. they are our reason for existence.
A VETERAN is not an interruption of our work. they are the purpose of it. We are not doing them a favor- - they are doing us a favor by letting us serve them.
A VETERAN is not a cold statistic.. they are flesh and blood human beings with feelings and emotions like our own
A VETERAN is not someone to argue or match wits with.. they deserve courteous, attentive and sympathetic treatment.
A VETERAN is not dependent on us.. we are dependent on them.
A VETERAN is there to be served, not just tolerated.. it is our job to handle them properly .. both for their sake and for our own.
A Veteran Is The Most Important Person In Our Business!