Service Applications and Required Documentation | Riverside County Veterans' Services

Required Appointment Documentation

Select Your Service Appointment:

All Appointments Require the Following Documents

Service Discharge Papers (DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, DD Form 256)
Driver's License
Social Security Card
Medical Evidence
Service Records (Personnel and Medical)
Dependency Documentation (If applicable)
Direct Deposit Information

Disability Compensation Claims

Veteran's discharge papers (DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, DD Form 256)
Medical evidence:
- Service treatment records
- Private medical records (or knowledge of dates/location of treatment)
Buddy statements (if applicable)

BDD Claims

You must be on active duty and between 180 and 90 days from your separation date.
A copy of your Service Treatment Records (STR), including your MEPS Entry Physical, must be in a separate, PDF, and unencrypted file.
Separation Health Assessment (Part A)

Pension Claims

Veteran's discharge papers (DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, DD Form 256)
Proof of all income/assets:
- Tax returns
- Pay stubs
Unreimbursed medical expenses (e.g., receipts for caregiver)
Dependent documentation (if applicable)

Death & Indemnity Claims

Veteran's discharge papers (DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, DD Form 256)
Death certificate
Marriage certificate

VA Dependency Claims

Marriage certificate
Birth certificate
Adoption paperwork

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)

Veteran's discharge papers (DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, DD Form 256)
Medical evidence related to service-connected disabilities
Education records (if applicable)

Cal-Vet College Fee Waiver (DVS-40)

General Requirements	Completed DVS-40 Fee waiver application (must be current year 24/25) Student's Birth Certificate (No Abstract Copies) Student's Signed IRS-40 tax return or Non-Filing status from Franchise Tax Board dated after April 18th Veteran's Complete copy of disability award letter displaying rating percentage
Is the veteran unable or unwilling to sign?	Completed VSD-021
Is the student a step-child?	Veteran's Marriage Certificate to child's parent (No abstract copies)
Is the student adopted?	Adoption documents (signed by a judge)
Is the student married?	Student's marriage certificate (No abstract copies) Student's signed IRS 1040 Tax Return Most current W-2 for both student and spouse
Is the spouse of the veteran applying for Plan A?	Marriage Certificate (No Abstract Copies) Current award letter verifying veteran's service-connected disability with rating percentage Waiver of Chapter 35 benefits (Can be obtained from VSO)

Claims Appeals

Supporting documents (new/relevant evidence, medical records)

VA Forms

Disability Compensation Forms:

Disability compensation is a monthly benefit paid by USDVA to veterans for any injury, condition, or illness that started during or was aggravated (beyond natural progression) by active service in the military. This benefit is tax-free and can be paid to veterans disabled from treatment in a USDVA health care facility.

Who is eligible?

How to apply?

You may be eligible for disability compensation if you have a service-related disability and you were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.

How Much Does VA Pay? The amount of basic benefit paid ranges from \$175.51 up to \$3,831.30 per month, for a single veteran, not dependents.

You may be paid additional amounts, in certain instances, if:

You have very severe disabilities or loss of limb(s)
You have a spouse, child(ren), or dependent parent(s)
You have a seriously disabled spouse

You can apply at any Riverside County Veterans Service office

To locate an office near you please call us at 951-955-3060).

VA Form 21-526 EZ

Use this form if you have never applied for VA compensation due to a disease or injury incurred or aggravated by your military service or are requesting an increase in your current compensation.

VA Form 21-0966

Use this form if you intend to file your claim for compensation and need time to gather relevant evidence to support your application for benefits. You will have one year from the date of your submission of the VA form 21-0966 to submit your application for benefits or risk the loss of your effective date of the claim.

VA Form 20-0995

VA form 20-0995-Use this form to request a SUPPLEMENTAL CLAIM of the decision you received that you disagree with. A SUPPLEMENTAL CLAIM is a new review of an issue(s) previously decided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) based on submission of new and relevant evidence. For additional information on the SUPPLEMENTAL CLAIM process or other decision review options such as a higher-level review and appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, visit https://www.va.gov/decision-reviews.

VA form 20-0996

USE THIS FORM TO REQUEST A HIGHER-LEVEL REVIEW OF A DECISION YOU RECEIVED. A Higher-Level Review is a new review of an issue(s) previously decided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) based on the evidence of record at the time VA issued notice of the prior decision. The Higher-Level Reviewer will not consider any evidence received after the notification date of the prior decision. A Higher-Level Review may not be requested for the review of a Higher Level Review decision or a Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. This form must be submitted to VA WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE DATE VA PROVIDED NOTICE OF OUR DECISION. For additional information on the Higher-Level Review process or a list of review options that allow VA to consider new evidence and how to file, visit www.va.gov/decision-reviews/.

VA Form 10182

If you have received a decision from a local VA office or a higher-level adjudicator with which you disagree, and you would like one or more issues to be decided by a Veterans Law Judge, you must fill out and submit a Notice of Disagreement. You can choose to appeal all or only some of the issues previously decided, however, ONLY those issues that you list on your Notice of Disagreement will be considered on appeal. How long do I have to submit my Notice of Disagreement? Your completed Notice of Disagreement must be post-marked or received by the Board within one year (365 days) from the day that your local VA office mailed the notice of the decision. If you do not provide all the information requested in the Notice of Disagreement, VA will consider your form incomplete and will contact you to request clarification and explain your options. Contested Claim: If you are one of multiple people claiming the right to the same benefit, your completed Notice of Disagreement must be post-marked or received by the Board within 60 days from the day that your local VA office mailed the notice of the decision. VA will notify you and provide additional information if you are a party to a contested claim.

VA form 21-686c

Use VA Form 21-686c to submit a claim for additional benefits for a dependent, or to request to remove a dependent from your benefits.

VA Form 21-674

VA form 21-674

Use this VA form when claiming benefits for a Veteran’s child who is at least 18 years old, but under 23, and attending school.

VA Standard form 180-1

The Standard Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records (SF180) is used to request information from military records. Certain identifying information is necessary to determine the location of an individual’s record of military service. Please try to answer each item on the SF 180. If you do not have and cannot obtain the information for an item, show “NA,” meaning the information is “not available.” Include as much of the requested information as you can. To determine where to mail this request see Page 2 of the SF180 for record locations and facility addresses. Online requests may be submitted to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) by a veteran or deceased veteran’s next of kin using eVetRecs at: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/.

Pension Claims Forms:

USDVA helps veterans and their families cope with financial challenges by providing supplemental income through the Veterans Pension benefit. Veterans Pension is a tax-free monetary benefit payable to low-income wartime veterans.

Qualifying wartime service

The veteran must also meet one of the following criteria

Generally, a veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty service, with at least one day of service during a wartime period, to qualify for a USDVA pension. If you entered active duty after September 7, 1980, generally you must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions), with at least one day of service during a wartime period.

World War I (April 6, 1917 – November 11, 1918).
World War II (December 7, 1941 – December 31, 1946).
Korean conflict (June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955).
Vietnam era (February 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975 for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period; otherwise August 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975).
Gulf War (August 2, 1990 – through a future date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation 48).

VA Form 21-22

VA form 21-22-Use this form to you to appoint representation.

VA Form 21P-527EZ

VA form 21P 527EZ- Use this form to apply for Veterans Pension Benefits or Special Monthly pension due to the need of an aid or attendant.

VA Form 21-2680

Use this form to support your claim for Special Monthly Pension due to the need of an aid or attendant. (for veterans who are housebound or in need of an attendant) this form must be completed by a licensed physician.

VA form 21P-8416

Use this form in support of your claim for VA Pension of Special monthly pension. VA may be able to pay you a higher benefit rate if you identify expenses VA can deduct from your income. Your benefit rate is based on your income. Your out-of-pocket payments for medical and dental expenses may be deductible. Report any medical or dental expenses that you paid for yourself or for a relative who is a member of your household (spouse, grandchild, parent, etc.) for which you were not reimbursed and do not expect to be reimbursed.

Here are examples of expenses you should include, if applicable:

Hospital expenses
Doctor’s office fees
Dental fees
Prescription/non-prescription drug costs
Vision care costs
Medical insurance premiums
Nursing home costs
Hearing aid costs
Home health service expenses
Expenses related to transportation to a hospital, doctor, or other medical facility
Monthly Medicare deduction.

Education Benefit Forms:

There are several education programs veterans can use for a wide variety of approved education and training programs administered by the USDVA. Programs include: apprenticeship and on-the-job training, college degree and certificate programs, flight training, and correspondence courses.

Each program provides different benefits to different groups of individuals and usually offers a specific number of benefit “months.” Typically, most education benefits can be collected for 36 months; however, the maximum that can be collected under any combination of USDVA education programs is 48 months.

VA Form 22-1990

Use this form to apply for educational assistance under the following benefit programs:

Post- 9/11 GI Bill chapter 33 of title 38, U.S. Code
Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) chapter 30 of title 38, U.S. Code
Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) chapter 1606 of title 10, U.S. Code
Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) chapter 32 of title 38, U.S. Code, or section 901 or section 903 of Public Law 96-342.

VA Form 22-1990e

VA form 22-1990e

VA form 22-1990e- Use VA Form 22-1990e if your spouse or parent has transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to you, and you need to apply for a Transfer of Entitlement (TOE).

VA Form 22-1990n

VA form 22-1990n

Use this form to apply for education benefits under the National Call to Service (NCS) program (section 510 of title 10, U.S. Code). You should apply for this benefit if you first entered the military on or after October 1, 2003, signed an enlistment contract with DoD (Department of Defense) under the NCS program, and you elected one of the two education incentives provided by that program.

CFW Application DVS 40

Use this form to apply for your dependents’ College tuition fee waiver offered by the state of California.

The College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents waives mandatory systemwide tuition and fees at a State of California Community College (CCC), California State University (CSU), or University of California (UC) campus. If eligibility criteria are met, use of the California College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents may be applied to state-supported programs in the CCC, CSU, and UC systems. Some programs at a CCC, CSU, and UC campus are considered self-supported, commonly referred to as extension courses or extended education, and they are not covered under the college fee waiver. The College Fee Waiver program does not cover the expense of books, parking, room and board, or any other school-specific fees. All applicants must meet California residency requirements.

Death Benefit Forms:

Burial benefits may include the following: gravesites for casket or cremation remains, headstones or markers, opening and closing of the graves, and continued perpetual care. Burial of eligible veterans and dependents is at no cost when interred at a national cemetery (Associated funeral expenses are the responsibility of the veteran and/or family).

Military Funeral Honors Program:
Military funeral honors are available within the State of California for honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.

What types of military funeral honors are available?
At a minimum, two service representatives will render honors, sound Taps, fold the flag and present it to the next of kin. Additionally, a detail to fire volleys, a chaplain, and/or a detail to serve as pall-bearers may be provided depending on the desires of the surviving family and resources available. Frequently, funeral honors are rendered in concert with a local VSO.

Who is eligible?

Discharged from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable.
Completed at least one term of obligated service in the Selected Reserve under conditions other than dishonorable.
Enlisted on active duty at the time of death or in the Selected Reserve (drilling with a unit).
Discharged from the Selected Reserve due to disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
The funeral director should contact the Casualty Area Command for deceased veteran’s branch of service.

VA form 27-2008

Use this form to apply for a burial flag.

VA form 40-0247

Presidential Memorial Certificate- To apply for a presidential Memorial Certificate use this form.

VA Form 21P 530EZ

Use this form to apply for bBurial and plot-interment allowances.
USDVA burial allowances are partial reimbursements of an eligible veteran’s burial and funeral costs.

Dependent Benefit Forms:

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax-free monthly monetary benefit payable to the surviving dependents of a deceased veteran. There is no minimum active duty service requirement for DIC claims; however, there may be a 90-day length-of-service requirement if the cause of death was a chronic disease.

Benefits for Surviving Spouse and Children:

As with disability compensation for a veteran, DIC benefits for a surviving spouse and/or surviving children is not income-based. It is the benefit payable if the veteran died while on active duty, in line of duty, and not due to willful misconduct; or, when death was after service, if a service-connected disability either directly caused, or contributed substantially to and materially hastened, the veteran’s death.
It is not required that a service connection was established prior to the veteran’s death for the condition which caused or contributed to death.
The rules and procedures for establishing service connection for a veteran’s death are essentially similar to the rules for establishing a service-connected disability for a living veteran, with due consideration of the finality of the evidence in a death claim.

Who is eligible?

Had been rated totally disabled from service-connected causes (whether 100 percent or by reason of individual un-employability) for 10 continuous years or longer at the time of death dies from any cause other than willful misconduct.
If the veteran was out of service less than 10 years, DIC is payable if a total disability rating was in effect for a period of at least five continuous years, from the date the veteran left service to the date of death.
Since November 30, 1999, DIC is payable to the surviving spouse and/or children of a former prisoner of war who was rated totally disabled from service-connected causes for at least one year at the time of death, and who died from any cause (other than willful misconduct) after September 30, 1999.
DIC is also payable as if the death was service-connected if the veteran dies as a result of USDVA examination, hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, or vocational rehabilitation; or if a disability arising from such circumstances either directly causes, or contributes substantially to and materially hastens, the veteran’s death.
DIC rates payable for a surviving spouse and/or child are dependent on a number of factors, including when the veteran died and the number and status of any dependent children.

VA form 21P 534EZ

Use this notice and the attached application to submit a claim for DIC, Survivors Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits.

VA Form 22-5490

Dependents Application for VA education Benefits review pamphlet and complete VA for 22-5490. You may be also eligible for the California Department of Veterans Affairs College tuition fee waiver program, complete the DVS 40 for review and eligibility determination.

VA form 10-10d

Use this form if you’re the spouse or child of a Veteran with disabilities or the surviving spouse or child of a Veteran who has died.

VA Form 10-7959C

Use VA Form 10-7959C If you’re applying for CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs) and have other health insurance to declare as part of your VA Form 10-10d application. Or you need to report changes in your other non-VA health insurance, such as new beneficiaries or coverage changes.