An important change to VA memorial benefits allows Veterans and their family members to find out in advance if they are eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery. To address this change and any questions Veterans may have, VA teamed up with The American Legion to host a Facebook chat.

In case you missed it, we highlighted some of the questions and answers below.

The American Legion kicked off the chat by posting 10 frequently asked questions while VA directed participants to online resources. Here are a few FAQs:

#ExploreVA Facebook Chat on Pre-need Eligibility Determination

#ExploreVA Facebook Chat on Pre-need Eligibility Determination

#ExploreVA Facebook Chat on Pre-need Eligibility Determination

Questions flooded in about eligibility. Burial in a VA national cemetery is open to all Veterans who have met minimum service requirements and were separated with any discharge other than dishonorable. Find out if you are eligible.

#ExploreVA Facebook Chat on Pre-need Eligibility Determination

#ExploreVA Facebook Chat on Pre-need Eligibility Determination

Veterans inquired about the time it takes to hear back from the National Cemetery Scheduling Office once the application has been submitted. The average time is about 90 days and Veterans can follow up by emailing Eligibility.PreNeed@va.gov.

#ExploreVA Facebook Chat on Pre-need Eligibility Determination

Spouses of Veterans may also be eligible for burial. Separate pre-need applications must be submitted when applying – one for the Veteran and one for the spouse. Learn more about memorial benefits for spouses. 

#ExploreVA Facebook Chat on Pre-need Eligibility Determination

#ExploreVA Facebook Chat on Pre-need Eligibility Determination

Thank you to all Veterans and their supporters who participated in the event and to The American Legion for hosting! Stay tuned to the ExploreVA events page for more information about upcoming events.

For more details about VA benefits and how to apply, visit Explore.VA.gov. To view the full chat, visit The American Legion’s Facebook page.

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2 Comments

  1. Kathymarie Davis April 28, 2017 at 13:37

    Question: My son USAF was married for 15 years, then divorced, and remarried some years later. He has 19 years service. Are both wives entitled to be buried in a Military National Cemetery?

  2. Donald Clayton April 24, 2017 at 16:21

    I was station at NAS Ellyson Field, Pensacola, FL from 7/1970 to 11/1973 I have been trying to find out what they spread on the flight line and Helicopter padsto kill the grass and weeds>>>>It is located between NAS Whiting Field, Milton, FL and NAS Pensacola , both are EPA super fund sites>>>>> NAS Ellyson is now Ellyson Industrial park,,, and from photos nothing is growing still were the fields were spread!!!! Seems no one in the VA, DOD or Navy know hat was used or it is one of their cover ups!!!!

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