Some veterans are not aware that Vetarans Affairs has the 2005 Edition of the Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents. Some of the benefits and services that are included in this edition are the Presidential Memorial Certificates, Gulf War veterans undiagnosed illnesses, and specially adapted homes.

The Presidential Memorial Certificates are certificates signed by the president and issued upon request to recognize the military service of honorably discharged deceased veterans. Next of kin, other relatives and friends may request them in person at any VA regional office or by mail: Presidential Memorial Certificates, Department of Veterans Affairs, 5109 Russell Rd., Quantico, A 22143-3909. Requests must contain a copy of the deceased veteran’s discharged document.

Gulf Ware veterans who suffer from chronic disability resulting from undiagnosed illnesses, medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (such as chronic fatigue syndrome or irritable bowel syndrome) that are defined by a cluster of signs or symptoms, and any diagnosed illness that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines warrants a presumption of service-connection may receive disability compensation. The undiagnosed illnesses must have appeared either during active duty in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations during the Gulf War or to a degree of at least 10 percent at any time since then through December 31, 2006.

Certain veterans with service-connected disabilities may be entitled to a grant from VA to assist in either building a new specially adapted home or in purchasing an existing home to modify and remodel to meet their disability-related requirements.