M21-1, Part VI, Chapter 1 – General Chapter 18 Benefits Information

In This Section

Change Date

VI.1.1.a. Information on Controlling Chapter 18 Benefit Claims

Use the table below to determine the action ROs must take upon receipt of a VA Form 21-0304, Application for Certain Children with Disabilities Born of Vietnam and Certain Korean Service Veterans, or other supporting documents or evidence related to Chapter 18 benefits.

• ROs other than the Denver RO should not establish EPs for Chapter 18 benefit claims.  All Chapter 18 claims will be tracked under the jurisdiction of RO 339.
• Concurrent EPs should not be sent to the Denver RO.  The Denver RO only works the Chapter 18 issue.
• Do not transfer the Veteran’s claims folder in Control of Veterans Records System (COVERS) or broker in VBMS.
• Claims for Chapter 18 benefits are worked under the child’s SSN and there is no claims folder or COVERS location for these claims.

Introduction

• impact of Chapter 18 benefits on entitlement to other VA benefits,and
• prohibition on multiple Chapter 18 allowances.

Change Date

VI.1.2.a.  Impact of Chapter 18 Benefits on Entitlement to Other VA Benefits

• Chapter 18 beneficiary to receive any other VA benefit to which he/she may be entitled under VA law, with one exception, or
• Veteran on whose service the Chapter 18 benefits are based to receive additional compensation benefits for the Chapter 18 beneficiary.

• An individual who is entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) may also be eligible for Chapter 18 benefits.
• A child in receipt of Chapter 18 benefits is also a dependent on the Veteran’s compensation award.

VI.1.2.b.  Prohibition on Multiple Chapter 18 Allowances

Introduction

• levels of monthly allowance payable for spina bifida and other covered birth defects
• Chapter 18 beneficiaries under age 18, and
• Chapter 18 incompetent beneficiaries.

Change Date

VI.1.3.a.  Levels of Monthly Allowance Payable for Spina Bifida and Other Covered Birth Defects

• three levels to, or on behalf of, an individual with spina bifida, and
• four levels to, or on behalf of, an individual with other covered birth defects, which may or may not include spina bifida.

• disability levels for individuals with spina bifida,  see M21-1, Part VI, 2.C.2.a.
• disability levels for individuals with other covered birth defects, see M21-1, Part VI,2.C.3.a, and
• rate of the monthly allowance designated for each disability level, see the Veterans Benefits Administration web site Birth Defect Rates page.

VI.1.3.b.  Chapter 18 Beneficiaries Under Age 18

VI.1.3.c.  Chapter 18 Incompetent Beneficiaries

Introduction

• extent of health care coverage provided by VA
• where to find more information on health care coverage
• availability of vocational training, and
• where to find more information on vocational training.

Change Date

VI.1.4.a.  Extent of Health Care Coverage Provided by VA

• coverage does not extend to unrelated conditions or disabilities
• health care is provided directly by VA or by an arrangement with an approved health care provider, and
• pre-authorization for service is required in many cases.

VI.1.4.b.  Where to Find More Information on Health Care Coverage

• VA spina bifida hotline at 1-888-820-1756, or
• Spina Bifida Health Care Benefits Program

VI.1.4.c. Availability of Vocational Training

• the individual files an application for vocational training, and
• VA verifies the individual’s monthly monetary allowance.

• 38 U.S.C., Chapter 35, and
• 38 U.S.C., Chapter 18, for vocational training.

VI.1.4.d.  Where to Find More Information on Vocational Training