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Veterans Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

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  1. Normal business hours are:

    • 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Thursday, closed for lunch from 12:30pm-1:00pm
    • Friday hours 8:00am-12:30pm
    • **Excluding Holidays**

  2. 200 West Oak Street, Fort Collins, CO, 5th floor of the Larimer County Administrative Services Offices

  3. You can contact the Larimer County Veterans Service Office by calling (970) 498-7390 or emailing LARIMERVETERANS@LARIMER.ORG


  4. SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY-This is for any injury that occurred while on active duty that still bothers you today. The VA will need the following criteria to be met to grant service connection:

    • Was there an injury while on active duty?
    • Was the current injury aggravated by the military?
    • Is this a chronic condition?
    • Is there a current diagnosis?
    • Is there a link between military service and current diagnosed condition?

    IF FILING A CLAIM FOR SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY-ITEMS NEEDED FOR CLAIM:

    • DD214, Report of Separation, Notice of Separation-Our office can request this if not available
    • Social security numbers for all dependents (spouse and children under the age of 23 and in school)
    • Dates of birth for all dependents under the age of 23 and in school
    • Civilian medical records that will support your claim (The VA will have access to your military and VA records 
    • Date of marriage and place of marriage
    • Previous marriage information (if applicable) dates and place of marriage/divorce and to whom you were married


    PENSION for Veterans or Widows-This is a needs based program and is based on income, net worth, and ongoing/out of pocket medical expenses.

    IF FILING FOR PENSION BRING THE FOLLOWING INTO YOUR APPOINTMENT:

    • DD214 (showing character of discharge), Report of Separation, Notice of Separation
    • Income from all sources such as social security, pensions, mandatory IRA distributions, oil royalties, and mineral rights
    • Assets for both veteran and spouse (or whomever is living at the time of application) such as checking, savings, CDs, IRAs, money market accounts, stocks, bonds, etc
    • All ongoing, out of pocket medical expenses-medicare, supplemental ins, assisted living, nursing home, in home care
    • Marriage license (widows only)
    • Death certificate (widows only)

     

  5. A claim for service connected disability or non service connected pension will take between 3-6 months, in most cases.

    Supplemental claims and Higher level review (appeals) may take three to six months. If you file a notice of disagreement to the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) it is a lengthier process and it could take two to three years before you have a hearing with a judge with BVA.

  6. Yes, you can submit information electronically to Larimer County Veteran Service Office Email

  7. There are several ways to request your DD214 or discharge papers from your active duty military service.

    1. Submit a request online through VA.GOV 
      Request military records and DD214 through the Veterans Administration
    2. Submit an electronic request to NPRC (National Personnel Records Center)
      Request military records and DD214 through NPRC
    3. Larimer County VSO can assist you in faxing your request to NPRC if are not able to do so through electronic methods

  8. All veterans should apply to use the VAMC. This benefit is sometimes based upon income and some times not, several different categories for eligibility and if interested in seeing if veteran is eligible then he/she should apply.

    You can apply for VA healthcare through the Veterans Administration website or you can call 877-222-8387.
    Apply for VA healthcare through VA.GOV

  9. If the veteran is found eligible then yes. Veterans eligibility can be based upon when they served, where they served, how much money they have, whether or not they have a service connected disability (even 0% in some cases). You must apply and find out if you are eligible.

  10. If found eligible to use the VAMC, then yes, and in most cases but not all the VAMC doctor MUST be the doctor prescribing the medications in order to have them provided by the VAMC. There could be a copay- $7 to $10.

  11. Scheduling an appointment at either the Northern Colorado VA Clinic (Loveland) or Cheyenne VAMC:

    • Create an account and log into MyHealthEVet to schedule appointments, message your doctor, and view medical records
      My Health E Vet Portal
    • Schedule appointments through VA.GOV
      Make appointments for VA healthcare
    • Call 888-48-9127, press "0" and ask for scheduling
    • Call 970-962-4900, press "2" and follow prompts

  12. A service-connected rating is an official ruling by a VA Regional Office that your illness or condition is directly related to your active military service. VA Regional Offices are also responsible for administering educational benefits, vocational rehabilitation and other benefit programs, including home loans. To obtain more information, or to apply for any of these, contact your nearest VA Regional Office at 1-800-827-1000 or visit them online at www.va.gov.

courthouse-offices

Contact Veterans Service Office

200 W. Oak Street, Fifth Floor, PO Box 1190, Fort Collins, CO 80522-1190

Phone: (970) 498-7390 |  Fax: (970) 498-7395

Email: LARIMERVETERANS@LARIMER.ORG

Office Hours (Excluding Holidays)

  • Monday - Thursday: 8 am to 4 pm, closed for lunch 12:30 pm - 1 pm
  • Friday: 8 am - 12:30 pm