VA OCONUS Connection
Status of Operations:
Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) Offices
Both the Germany and Korea BDD offices are open for in-person assistance, by appointment only. Contact information is provided below.
- The Landstuhl, Germany office can be reached at:
- The Camp Humphreys, South Korea office can be reached at:
As always, Veterans can continue to get information about benefits or file a claim for benefits by visiting our website at www.va.gov. Veterans with claims specific or other questions may request information via Inquiry Routing & Information System (IRIS) or by telephone at 1-800-827-1000, or 412-395-6272 for Veterans outside the US.
Update: Overseas Military Service Coordinators
Due to COVID-19, Overseas Military Service Coordinators (OMSCs) will be extending virtual support operations to overseas Veterans, Service members, and their dependents until March 31, 2021. OMSCs will be responding to e-mails and arranging phone interviews for those seeking assistance with all VA benefits.
We invite all Veterans, Service members, and dependents who would like to speak to a VA representative about VA benefits to send your contact information to the email address listed for your location to set up a virtual appointment with an OMSC.
Veterans residing in European countries: OMSCGER1.VBAVACO@VA.GOV
Veterans residing in Asian countries: OMSCJAPANOK.VBAVACO@VA.GOV
Veteran Service Officers
What is an accredited representative?
An accredited representative is an individual who has undergone a formal application and training process and is recognized by VA as being capable of assisting claimants with their affairs before VA. Most accredited representatives work for Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), many of which are private non-profit groups that advocate on behalf of Veterans, Service members, dependents and survivors.
The accreditation process includes an examination, a background investigation, and continuing education requirements to ensure VSOs are providing the most up-to-date information. Recognized organizations and individuals, whether congressionally chartered VSOs or VA accredited claims agents or attorneys, can legally represent a Veteran, Service member, dependent, or survivor before VA. Non-recognized organizations and individuals can provide information, but cannot be a representative.
What is the role of an accredited representative?
A VSO, along with state, county, and other local Veteran service representatives are trained to help you understand and apply for any VA benefits you may be entitled to including: compensation, education, vocational rehabilitation and employment, home loans, life insurance, pension, health care, and burial benefits. Additionally, your VSO can help you gather any evidence needed and submit a fully developed claim on your behalf. Many VSOs provide their services free-of-charge, but they may request reimbursement for unusual expenses.
For more information on the role of an accredited representative and how to appoint a VSO or Representative, please visit:
Overseas Accredited VSOs
 Link To Update SGLI Now More Visible In milConnect
Service members now have easier, more visible access to the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) Online Enrollment System (SOES) to manage their SGLI coverage. Currently, all uniformed services except for Public Health Service are utilizing SOES to make changes to their SGLI and Family SGLI coverage amounts and to update their SGLI beneficiaries. Upon learning that Service members were having difficulty finding the link to SOES, which is available in the milConnect portal, VA took prompt action to address the issue.
The milConnect portal gives Service members 24/7 access to view and manage their personnel and benefits information using a DS Logon or Common Access Card (CAC). Upon logging into milConnect, Service members previously needed to know to click on Benefits and then scroll down to Life Insurance to find the link to SOES. When VA learned that Service members were having trouble locating the link, VA worked with the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) to have it moved to a more visible, readily accessible location on the milConnect home page, as shown in the screenshot above. This change became effective September 29, 2020. VA has received positive feedback from the branches of service on the new, more visible location of the SOES link.
Change to Dependency Verification Forms
Major changes were recently made to VA Form 21-0538, Mandatory Verification of Dependents. Significant changes include:
- Veterans are no longer required to list dependents whose status has NOT changed
- The names of dependents for whom VA is currently paying additional compensation are now pre-printed on an enclosure to the cover letter that accompanies the form
- The form now contains the question, "Has the status of the dependent(s) for whom you are receiving additional compensation changed?" If the Veteran answers "No," the only other requirement for completion of the form is to sign it.
What do these changes mean for the Veteran?
Since the form no longer requires nor contains space for Veterans to identify current dependent(s), the form no longer serves as a means for Veterans to initiate a claim for additional compensation for a dependent(s) that is not currently on his/her award.
Veterans must complete and submit VA Form 686c to add new dependent(s).
VA.gov, eBenefits, and Stakeholder Enterprise Portal (SEP) File Size Upload Increase
The file size upload limit of 25 MB on VA.gov, eBenefits, and SEP has been increased to 50 MB effective September 30, 2020. Service members and Veterans may now upload files on VA.gov and eBenefits up to 50 MB for each file. Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) may also upload files up to 50 MB for each file on SEP.
2021 Cost-of-Living Adjustment Update
Public Law 116-178, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2020, was signed into law on October 20, 2020. Benefit rates will increase by 1.3% effective December 1, 2020, consistent with the increase in Social Security benefits. Updated rates will be published on VA’s internet site here.
Upcoming Live Virtual Events
The Veterans Breakfast Club's live virtual Veterans storytelling programs bring together Veterans from across the nation and beyond. This is a great opportunity to virtually connect with your fellow Veterans! Visit the link below for additional information and a schedule of their live virtual events!
Additionally, a variety of virtual outreach events are being held in December. To view the full list of virtual offerings, click the below link!
Telecounseling
Tele-counseling is another option for you to receive services. You may request tele-counseling for your initial appointment as well as follow up appointments throughout your participation in the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VRE) program.
This allows you to effectively communicate with your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) without meeting in person. You will only need a webcam in your computer or mobile device to use this option. If you are interested in tele-counseling, please contact your VRC. Your VRC will work with you to schedule an appointment and will send a link for you to access the meeting.
VA Welcome Kit
Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, the VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned.
Based on where you are in life, your VA benefits and services can support you in different ways. Keep your welcome kit handy so you can turn to it throughout your life—like when it’s time to go to school, get a job, buy a house, get health care, retire, or make plans for your care as you age.
Feel free to share this guide with friends or family members who need help with their benefits too. Download your VA Welcome Kit and print out copies for yourself and others!
Planning Your Legacy: VA Survivors & Burial Benefits Kit
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers a survivors and burial benefits kit as a source of pre-need planning information and record storage for Veterans and their families. The kit is intended to be used as a supplement to the Summary of VA Dependents and Survivors' Benefits.
Check Your Claim Status at VA.Gov
In November 2018, VA began migrating VA websites into a single, unified, Veteran-centric platform under a name Veterans recognize: VA.gov. Many Veterans are likely familiar with eBenefits, which is still available during the migration to VA.gov. During this time, Veterans may utilize eBenefits or VA.gov.
VA is continuously updating and adding more functionality to the VA.gov website. With just one click, you can access the most important information Veterans need and will have one location to securely log in to access personalized information.
CAN I LOG IN TO MYHEALTHeVET OR eBENEFITS FROM VA.GOV?
- The top navigation on every VA.gov page will allow you to log into your existing accounts using your MyHealtheVet, DS Logon, or an ID.me credential. If you do not have an existing account, you can create one using ID.me, a secure VA approved identity credential.
WHY DOES CLAIM STATUS ON VA.GOV LOOK DIFFERENT THAN CLAIM STATUS ON EBENEFITS? IS THE INFORMATION ON ONE OF THE SYSTEMS WRONG?
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VA.gov redesigned the view of claim status to make the process simpler to follow, to easily identify information requested, and to allow users to quickly review the status of their claim. While it looks different than claim status in eBenefits, the information about your claim is accurate.
- Although VA.gov claim status functionality displays the information differently than eBenefits, both sites contain correct information. eBenefits displays an eight-step claim process, whereas VA.gov displays the process in just five steps.
IS THERE A HELPDESK FOR TECHNICAL ISSUES ON VA.GOV?
- To contact the helpdesk, call 1-800-698-2411.
Foreign Medical Program (FMP)
The Foreign Medical Program (FMP) is a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care benefits program for U.S. Veterans who are residing or traveling abroad and have VA-rated, service-connected disabilities. Under FMP, VA assumes payment responsibility for certain necessary health care services received in foreign countries and associated with the treatment of service-connected disabilities, or any disability associated with and held to be aggravating a service-connected condition. Additionally, VA may authorize necessary foreign medical services for any condition for a Veteran participating in the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program (38 U.S.C. 31). For more information, to include submitting claims for reimbursement, please visit here.
Help Us Spread the Word
Please encourage Veterans residing abroad with whom you come in contact to subscribe to “Veterans Abroad” to receive bulletins and information specific to Veterans residing abroad.
Feedback Requested
We’d love to hear your feedback regarding the VA OCONUS Connection! We want to provide the information you need - please tell us what topics you would like addressed in the future.
*The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Veterans Affairs of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized VA activities, the Department does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. All links are provided with the intent of meeting the mission of the Department. Please let us know about existing external links which you believe are inappropriate and about specific additional external links which you believe ought to be included.
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