WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs is offering new VA services for certain World War II Filipino veterans under two bills signed into law by President Bush.
“We are pleased that Congress moved favorably on our legislative proposal to help meet the medical and financial benefit needs of deserving Filipino veterans residing in the United States — veterans who fought beside our troops in World War II as members of the Commonwealth Army and New Philippine Scouts,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi said.
VA estimates that as many as 9,000 Filipino veterans living in the United States who are citizens or lawfully admitted for permanent residence may be eligible for some of the expanded benefits.
Previously, both Commonwealth Army veterans and New Philippine Scouts were eligible for treatment of service-connected disabilities in VA medical facilities. The Veterans Health Care, Capital Asset, and Business Improvement Act of 2003 removes the requirement that these veterans must qualify for VA service-connected compensation as a condition of health care.
In addition to removing the compensation requirement, the law treats both groups equally, expanding eligibility for certain health care benefits to New Philippine Scouts. Under earlier regulations, Commonwealth Army veterans but not New Philippine Scouts were eligible for treatment of non-service-connected disabilities in the same manner as U.S. World War II veterans if they receive certain VA compensation and reside legally in the United States.
The health benefit changes are effective immediately. Affected Filipino veterans not currently using VA health care may apply for enrollment in the VA medical plan immediately by completing Form 10-10EZ online at www.va.gov/1010ez.htm or by requesting a mailed form by calling VA at 1-877-222-8387.
Filipino veterans seeking care must include proof of legal residency with their applications when submitted to the VA treating facility of their choice. Examples of acceptable proof are available online at www.va.gov/elig or from 1-877-222-8387.
The Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 will provide some Filipino World War II veterans additional financial benefits that were requested by the administration. It will double the VA disability compensation currently paid to New Philippine Scouts if they live in the United States and are either a citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Previously these veterans were paid at half the disability rates normally paid to U.S. veterans.
That law will improve benefits for the eligible survivors of both New Philippine Scouts and veterans of the Commonwealth Army or organized guerrilla units if the survivors are currently paid at the half rate and meet the U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent alien criteria.
Those changes are effective immediately, but no action is required by the affected Filipino veterans or dependents who are currently on the rolls at the lower rates. VA will automatically adjust their payments.
New Philippine Scouts who lawfully reside in the United States are now eligible for burial in a national cemetery and are eligible for the monetary and headstone or marker burial benefits available to U.S. veterans if they meet the residency requirements.
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