A veteran considering moving to another country may hesitate and wonder, “Do I lose my VA benefits if I move overseas? How will I access VA care without having VA facilities nearby?” You’re still eligible for VA benefits if you live outside the U.S., but accessing those benefits may be a bit more challenging. This post explains.
Talk to Us About Your Claim:
(812) 426-7200
In this article about disabled veterans living overseas:
Veterans living overseas
The State Department estimates about 9 million American citizens live overseas. Exactly how many veterans are living abroad is unclear, but a GAO report found the number of disability claims from veterans living outside the U.S. increased by 14% in recent years.
The VA states approximately 80% of overseas benefit claims come from Panama, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, the Philippines, and Germany. This is why the Philippines has its own VA Regional Office. There are also bases in Germany and South Korea where veterans can receive care.
Veterans overseas applying for VA disability
Applying for VA disability benefits is the same if you live overseas as it is if you live in the U.S. You still start by filling out a standard application, which can be done online from anywhere in the world with internet access. You can even set up an eBenefits account to track your claim throughout the process remotely.
You can also upload all the evidence you need to support your claim to the VA online. This evidence can include your DD214 and other military records, service treatment records, and any medical evidence or treatment records.
The primary difference is that it may take longer to process an overseas claim. The average wait time in the U.S. is about 140.8 days days, but officials say how long you’ll wait for an overseas claim to process depends on the country of origin and the medical processes in that country.
If you begin receiving VA disability payments, the amount of time it will take for the funds to become available in your account each month depends on your bank. You will need to set up direct deposits with them.
Getting a C&P exam overseas
A more challenging part of getting VA benefits overseas may be completing a C&P exam. After you apply for benefits, the VA may ask you to complete a compensation and pension exam. The VA uses the C&P exam to establish your VA disability rating, which affects how much monthly compensation you’ll receive. The exam is also often used to determine whether there’s evidence your condition is service connected.
The VA will schedule your C&P exam as close to your home as possible, regardless of where you live. This may be further away overseas than for veterans living in the U.S. You can provide the VA with your physical address and current contact information by completing VA Form 21-4138. These pieces of info will help ensure the VA schedules your C&P exam at the most convenient location based on where you currently live, and can get a hold of you.
If the VA doesn’t have your accurate information or you don’t attend a scheduled C&P exam, your claim can be delayed or denied.
If you need help with the scheduling of a C&P exam or another aspect of your claim, an overseas military services coordinator can assist you.
VA healthcare overseas
Veterans living overseas also still qualify for VA medical care, as long as that care is medically necessary. The healthcare must also be related to a condition caused or worsened by your service, or as part of the VR&E program. Veterans living abroad receive this care from the VA Foreign Medical Program (FMP).
You’ll need to register for the program, which you can do by completing VA Form 10-7959f-1 online or sending it in via mail or fax.
You’ll also want to understand what care is covered under this program. Essentially, FMP covers much of the same care it would for vets in the U.S. for service-connected disabilities. However, it doesn’t pay for treatments or medications not approved by the FDA or that aren’t accepted by the U.S. medical community. It also won’t pay for treatments or services received in the U.S. or travel expenses for medical treatments, long-term care at a facility like a nursing home, or deluxe medical equipment, among other things.
What is covered includes:
- Visits to a doctor’s office
- Hospital stays
- Emergency and urgent care
- Prescribed medical equipment and supplies
- Medical care from a licensed provider
- Physical therapy
- FDA-approved prescriptions
“When Woods & Woods took over my VA claim everything changed from that moment on. They got the process moving in the right direction with their knowledge and experience in dealing with the VA. They kept me informed every step of the way and were very courteous and professional.”
F.P., Army veteran from Alabama
From a Google review for Woods & Woods
Other VA benefits for veterans overseas
Most federal VA benefits available to you if you’re a veteran living in the U.S. are also available to veterans living overseas. These benefits include:
- Education benefits at overseas schools
- VA pension benefits
- Adaptive housing grants
- Compensation for burial
However, you aren’t eligible for home loan benefits for homes outside of U.S. territories.
Talk to Us About Your Claim:
(812) 426-7200
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
No, 100% disabled veterans living overseas don’t qualify for any additional benefits. They are eligible for almost the same federal benefits that they’re eligible to receive in the U.S.
No, you do not lose your VA disability if you move overseas. However, it may take a little bit longer for a foreign bank to process your payment.
Neil Woods
VA disability attorney
Woods & Woods
Neil Woods is the firm’s owner and president. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
