Veterans Service

New: PACT Act

The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. 

Veterans can file a claim for PACT Act-related disability compensation or apply for VA health care now, by following this link.

Camp Lejeune water contamination health issues

If you served at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in North Carolina, you may have had contact with contaminants in the drinking water there. Scientific and medical evidence has shown an association between exposure to these contaminants during military service and development of certain diseases later on. Follow this link to learn if you qualify for disability benefits.

Service-Connected Disability Compensation

VA pays monthly compensation to Veterans for disabilities incurred or aggravated during active military service. This benefit is not subject to federal or state income tax. In some cases, military retirement pay is reduced by any VA compensation received.

  • 3 Requirements needed to establish Service Connection
  • 1-Inservice documentation of injury, disability or disease
  • 2-A current disability with a medical diagnosis
  • 3-A medical nexus connecting #1 and #2

Improved Pension Program

This income-based benefit is paid to Veterans with honorable war-time services, who are permanently and totally disabled due to nonservice-connected disabilities or who are 65 or older.  Surviving Spouses of Veterans who had war time service may also be eligible. For more information see the VA website at www.benefits.va.gov/pension/

War Time Periods:

  • World War II – December 7, 1941 through December 31, 1946
  • Korean War – June 27, 1950 through January 31, 1955
  • Vietnam War – August 5, 1964 (February 28, 1961 for Veterans who served “in country” before August 5, 1964) through May 7, 1975
  • Gulf War – August 2, 1990 through a date to be prescribed by Presidential proclamation or law

Medical Benefits

If you served in the active military, naval or air service and are separated under any condition other than dishonorable, you may qualify for health care benefits. Also, current and former members of the Reserves or National Guard who were called to active duty (other than for training only) by a federal order and completed the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty may be eligible for VA health care.

The VA provides a full range of medically necessary services. Some of these services include:

The VA determines eligibility for the comprehensive medical benefits package through a patient enrollment system, which is based on Priority Groups 1 through 8. Eligibility for VA health benefits is based on each Veteran’s unique eligibility factors.

Educational Benefits

Vocational Rehabilitation helps veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find and keep suitable employment. For Veterans with serious service-connected disabilities, VA also offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible. Some of the services offered are: job search, vocational evaluation, career exploration, vocational training, education training and rehabilitation service.

Home Loan

Veterans with qualifying service are eligible for VA home loan services including guaranteed loans for the purchase of a home, manufactured home, manufactured home and lot, certain types of condominiums, or to build, repair, and improve homes. Certain disabled Veterans can receive grants to have their homes specially adapted to their needs.

Life Insurance

VA insurance programs were developed to provide insurance benefits for veterans and service members who may not be able to get insurance from private companies because of the extra risks involved in military service, or a service connected disability.

Veterans Group Life Insurance

Allows Service members to convert their SGLI coverage to renewable term insurance.  Members with full-time SGLI coverage are eligible for VGLI upon release from service.

Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI)

Designed to meet the insurance needs of Veterans with service-connected disabilities. S-DVI is available in a variety of permanent plans as well as term insurance. Policies are issued for a maximum face amount of $10,000.

You can apply for S-DVI if you meet the following 4 criteria:

  • You were released from active duty under other than dishonorable conditions on or after April 25, 1951.
  • You were rated for a service-connected disability.
  • You are in good health except for any service-connected conditions.
  • You apply within 2 years from the date VA grants your new service-connected disability.

Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI)

This program provides mortgage life insurance to severely disabled veterans. To be eligible, a veteran must have received a Specially Adapted Housing Grant from VA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answer: We are here Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. We close for lunch from 12-1.

Answer: There are many VA benefits. The most common ones we deal with are VA Health Care, VA Pension and VA Compensation. Both Health Care and Pension are income based benefits. We will ask you about your net worth and your annual income. VA Compensation is for an injury that happened in service that you are still suffering from.
Answer: If you entered or left service in Tennessee, your discharge document may be in Nashville. We can order it for you. If not, you can send to St. Louis either at our office or using the internet.
Answer: If the veteran served during a period of war, has net worth less than $80,000 (do not count primary residence) and is below the income limit, there are benefits for the veteran or the surviving spouse. Aid and Attendance attaches to the pension benefit if there is need for daily care.
Yes, this is a county run program for Lawrence County veterans. Volunteer drivers drive veterans to their appointments to Nashville on M-W-F and to Murfreesboro on T-T. There is no charge to ride; however, riders are not entitled to VA travel pay because they do not incur any costs. The van runs from the Veterans Service Office and returns there. The van leaves two hours before the earliest appointment. Veterans must have appointments before 2 PM. Please call 766-1583 or 766-4123 a week ahead of your appointment time.
Yes, we have four service organizations that offer veterans assistance in the community. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1618, The American Legion Post 146, the DAV Chapter 20 and the Vietnam Veterans of America are all very active. They would love to have more members to get involved helping veterans. The money they raise mostly stays local.

Each year, the Veterans Service Office gets involved or attends the following regularly scheduled events:

  • May: Memorial Day parade and ceremonies Placing flags on Veterans graves in Lawrence County
  • May: Memorial Day parade and ceremonies Placing flags on Veterans graves in Lawrence County
  • September 11th: 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
  • October: Operation Stand Down for Homeless Veterans
  • November: Lawrence County Veterans Day Parade
Donald Morris, Veterans Services Officer

Contact Information

Donald Morris, Veterans Services Officer
2375 Buffalo Road
Lawrenceburg, TN 38464

Phone:
(931) 766-4123
(931) 766-1583

Fax: (931) 766-6412
Email: dmorris@lawcotn.org

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday:
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Closed from 12 – 1

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