Dear Friends and Veterans,
Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting with a member of the Army National Guard who came to me seeking guidance regarding potential eligibility for Veterans Affairs benefits. During our discussion, I informed him that because his service had been under Title 32 rather than Title 10, he would not qualify for VA disability benefits.
After our meeting, something about that conversation continued to bother me. Because the trust that Veterans place in me is something I take extremely seriously, I went home and researched the issue further. Upon deeper review of the law and regulations governing National Guard service and VA benefits, I discovered that my answer was incomplete and, in certain circumstances, incorrect.
Members of the National Guard can qualify for VA disability benefits if a disease or injury occurred during qualifying duty periods such as Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) or certain Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA) events, even if they were not activated under Title 10 orders. This means that some National Guard members who served under Title 32 may still be eligible for VA disability compensation depending on the circumstances surrounding their injury or illness.
I want to sincerely apologize for the error in my guidance. Anyone who knows me understands that I take the responsibility of advising Veterans very seriously. When I discovered the mistake, I immediately took steps to correct it and will be contacting the individual directly to ensure he receives the proper guidance moving forward.
One of the most important lessons in this work is that the laws governing Veterans’ benefits are complex and constantly evolving. My commitment has always been to continue learning, researching, and improving so that I can serve Veterans and their families to the absolute best of my ability.
I appreciate the trust that so many Veterans place in me. When I make a mistake, I believe the right thing to do is acknowledge it openly, correct it, and continue working to ensure that every Veteran receives the benefits they have earned through their service.
Thank you for your continued trust.
Respectfully,
Daniel K. Kamanao Jr.
Accredited VA Agent
President, Voice of the Veteran
United States Marine Corps (Retired)
Semper Fidelis
Accredited VA Agent
President, Voice of the Veteran
United States Marine Corps (Retired)
Semper Fidelis
