Warren Advises Veterans Navigating VA Benefits

Navigating the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can be difficult for veterans who don’t know where to start. Lejay T. Warren, a Veterans Services Representative for the State of Kansas, helps veterans in the area file claims and connect with benefits available through both the state and federal governments.

Warren became a Veterans Services Representative after serving in the U.S. Army.

“In order to have this job in the state of Kansas, you have to be a veteran,” Warren said. “I was in the Army Reserve and Iraq. I was looking for a job. This was open, and I like helping veterans.”

Warren originally enlisted in the Army’s Signal Corps before commissioning through ROTC as a second lieutenant in the infantry. Warren completed Cavalry Scout training and later served in a water purification unit.

During a deployment to Iraq from October 2004 through September 2005, Warren served as an S1, or personnel officer, for a corps support group. The position involved handling personnel matters for approximately 3,500 people.

“Basically an HR manager for 3,500 people,” Warren said. “It was an interesting time. I actually enjoyed it.”

Being deployed in the years following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks “was kind of tense,” Warren said, “but we were up north, and it was a lot calmer just because of the population.”

Today, Warren works to help veterans understand benefits they may not realize they are eligible to receive.

Warren said there are two primary types of benefits veterans commonly seek assistance with.

The first is a service-connected disability benefit. To qualify, a veteran generally needs an event or injury that occurred during service, a current diagnosis and a connection, or “nexus,” between the two.

Certain conditions can also qualify under VA presumptive rules. For example, Warren pointed to Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange who later develop certain illnesses, including ischemic heart disease or diabetes.

Veterans who qualify for service-connected disability benefits may also be eligible for VA health care and disability compensation.

The second primary benefit Warren described is a non-service-connected pension, which is income-based.

“They take the veteran’s income, subtract all of the out-of-pocket medical expenses for that veteran, and then the VA determines whether or not they can send them any money for that,” Warren said.

Unlike a pension, service-connected disability compensation is not based on income.

“It’s just based on an event of service,” Warren said. “Burn pit examples, things like that, also count as a presumptive.”

One of the biggest obstacles Warren encounters is not necessarily a lack of available benefits, but veterans’ assumptions that they do not qualify.

“The big thing I run up against is people thinking that they don’t qualify, or that if they file a claim that they will take away benefits from someone else,” Warren said. “And that’s not the case. It’s not a question of there being less pie because there are more people at the table. It’s a question of how big the pie is at the table.”

Warren’s services are provided at no cost to veterans.

“I believe there is some federal funding, and then we’re funded out of the general fund tax fund,” Warren said. “But we’re a total nonprofit. It costs absolutely nothing for a veteran to file a claim, whether upfront or when they get an award. We get paid by the state of Kansas, and that’s how we make our money.”

Warren has seen positive changes in the accessibility of veterans’ health care.

“I’ve actually seen a lot of increase,” Warren said.

One example is the VA’s “care in the community” program. Under the program, veterans may be able to receive care from a local doctor if that provider accepts VA payment, rather than having to travel to a VA facility. For veterans living in rural communities who otherwise may have to travel to facilities in Dodge City or Hays, this can make accessing care easier.

Warren also encouraged non-veterans to help veterans become aware of the benefits available to them.

“Be there for your family and friends,” Warren said. “Help them to know that there are benefits out there. Help them see about getting connected either with the state or with the federal government, because there are state benefits as well as federal benefits that are offered.”

A lack of awareness, Warren said, can keep veterans from receiving benefits they may have earned.

“If they hear about them, or if they know a veteran that might qualify, I tell people, come in,” Warren said. “If you never ask, the answer’s always no. And if you ask, the answer might be no, but it also might be yes.”

After years of working with veterans, Warren said one lesson has stood out.

“It doesn’t matter what branch somebody was in or what they did, or whether they were Guard, Reserve, active duty,” Warren said. “We all tend to have a similar experience and outlook with things.”

Warren said veterans sometimes ask about his own military service as a way to gauge whether they are understood.

“I get asked where did I serve or what was I with?” Warren said. “And really what the veteran’s asking me is, ‘Do you understand? Can you relate to me?’”

While the specific experiences of each veteran may be different, Warren said military service provides a point of connection.

“I won’t know necessarily specifics, but I can understand when they start telling me about their experience or about something that happened in service,” Warren said.

The work has also given Warren the opportunity to hear stories from veterans across generations.

“Personally, I get to meet and talk to a whole lot of veterans that did a whole lot of great and interesting stuff,” Warren said. “I’m a history geek. I love sitting there talking to them.”

After I mentioned that my own uncle was killed in action in Vietnam, Warren explained that benefits may also be available to surviving family members when a veteran’s death is connected to their military service. He gave the example of a Vietnam veteran who later died of a heart attack. Even if the veteran had not previously been service-connected for a heart condition, Warren explained that certain VA rules may allow a surviving spouse to apply for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, or DIC, if the veteran’s death is determined to be related to their military service.

For Warren, helping veterans ultimately comes down to making sure they know what is available and where to turn for help.

“Some veterans don’t know about [the services and benefits we offer],” Warren said. “So if they hear about them, or if they know a veteran that might qualify, I tell people, come in.” 

Warren emphasizes that veterans don’t have to navigate the process alone, and that they don’t have to shy from questions.

“If you never ask, the answer’s always no,” Warren said. “And if you ask, the answer might be no, but it also might be yes.” 

Whether veterans or non-veterans have questions about disability compensation, pensions, health care, or benefits for surviving family members, Warren encourages anyone to reach out and ask.