Veterans Disabled License Plates Available
Beginning Monday October 16th, 2023, eligible disabled Veterans will be able to receive disabled Veterans license plates from the Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs.
For purpose of Veterans license plates bearing the disabled emblem, “disabled veteran” means a person who has been designated as such by federal law, as evidenced by the presentation of a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Benefit Summary Letter issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs – Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). The Benefit Summary Letter must identify the Veteran as “permanently disabled” or “totally and permanently disabled”. Injuries must be related to when the Veteran was serving in the United States Armed Forces or any of its reserve components.
Eligible Veterans can obtain their Benefit Summary Letter by logging on to their www.va.gov/my-va/ account or by calling 1-800-827-1000 and requesting that their benefit letter be emailed or mailed to them. Any Veteran needing additional assistance obtaining their Benefit Summary Letter can visit the Office of Veterans Affairs in their district between the hours of 9am and 4pm.
“The terms “permanently disabled” or “totally and permanently disabled” are medical designations used by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; however, they may not be as bad as they sound. Hearing these terminologies, you may think that one is totally incapacitated, but that’s not the case. There are many Veterans amongst us with this designation, but it’s not evident with the naked eye; however, their condition warrants the assistance provided via a disabled license plate”, said Director Farrell.
See Original Press Release – VA Disabled License Plates Available
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT PERSON: Director Patrick Farrell
340-774-VETS (8387) February 14, 2023
V.I. Driver’s License Will Now Identify Veterans
Beginning Feb 27, 2023, eligible Veterans will be able to obtain a driver’s license with the word “Veteran” now being a part of their identifying information. Eligible Veterans can visit the Office of Veterans Affairs in their island district based on the schedule below to request eligibility documentation. Once receiving proper documentation from the Office of Veterans Affairs, Veterans are to call the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in their island district to schedule an appointment before appearing in person. There will be no charge to change your license.
Office of VA Schedule for February 27th – March 24th 2023
9am – 11am and 1pm – 3pm
Monday – Last names beginning with letters A – E
Tuesday – Last names beginning with letters F – J
Wednesday – Last names beginning with letters K – O
Thursday – Last names beginning with letters P – T
Friday – Last names beginning with letters U – Z
Beginning March 27th, 2023, Veterans will be able to get eligibility documentation on a first come, first served, walk-in basis.
Like many other states, our Veterans will now be able to enter stores offering discounts for Veterans and take advantage of that opportunity. This also applies to stores on the mainland offering this benefit. “With this going into effect on February 13th, the Office of Veterans Affairs will soon after initiate a campaign across the territory encouraging more businesses to start a Veterans Discount Program. There are very limited businesses that offer such programs in the Virgin Islands”, said Director Farrell.
The Office of Veterans Affairs extends appreciation to the management and staff of the VI Bureau of Motor Vehicles for making accommodations for this change.
See original Press Release – Driver’s License
25 October 2022
Office of Veterans Affairs to Subsidize Travel for VA Medical Appointments
Eligible Veterans can access medical care at ANY VA medical facility in the United States or its territories. What makes the difference is who pays for the Veterans’ travel arrangements to that facility. Through the Code of Federal Regulations, Veterans are mandated to seek medical care at the VA medical facility closest to their residence IF the VA is expected to pay for travel to that facility. In the case of the Virgin Islands, there is an outpatient clinic on St. Thomas and one on St. Croix; however, the closest VA Medical Center is on the island of Puerto Rico.
“For a very long time, Veterans in the Virgin Islands have expressed an interest in being able to travel to the mainland to attend VA medical appointments. To address these concerns, the Office of Veterans Affairs will be subsidizing the plane ticket of any Veteran seeking to attend VA Medical appointments on the mainland. Veterans will be allowed subsidy for no more than 3 trips per fiscal year (October 1 – 30 September) at a rate of up to $250 per trip. We asked that Veterans wishing to take advantage of this benefit first contact the V.I. Office of Veterans Affairs for pre-approval. Any request made after travel is not guaranteed to be approved”, said Director Farrell.
For further clarification, non service-connected Veterans traveling within our immediate region (St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and Puerto Rico) for VA medical appointments are reimbursed up to 100% of their plane ticket.
If there are any questions, please feel free to call our office at (340) 774-8387 or (340) 773-8387.
Please be advised that veterans can continue to get up-to-date information by visiting the Office of Veterans Affairs website at www.veterans.vi.gov, calling the office @ (340) 774/ 773 – 8387, or by texting the word VIVets (no spaces) to 888-652-8387.
April 15, 2020
Revised August 1, 2022
VI Office of Veterans Affairs Policy Letter #3 (v2)
Subject: Medical Travel Reimbursements
Travel within VA Caribbean Healthcare Network
Virgin Islands Veterans traveling to the closest VA medical facility for medical appointments are eligible for 100% reimbursement of flight arrangements. These Veterans must meet the following criteria:
- Appointment/referral must be initiated by the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) or authorized by the Director of the V.I. Office of Veterans Affairs for emergency purposes.
- Veterans’ appointment slip from the local CBOC, boarding passes, and ticket receipt showing amount must be presented to the VI Office of Veterans Affairs upon return as a part of the approval process.
- Appointment must be a non-service-connected appointment (service-connected appointments are funded via the CBOC).
- Flight arrangements for one flight companion can be reimbursed IF the attending physician states (in writing) the need based on medical necessity.
NOTE: All Veterans seventy (70) years of age or older are authorized to be reimbursed for the ticket of a travel companion through the Office of Veterans Affairs whether the CBOC states so in writing or not. The purpose of the companion must be to assist the Veteran as they travel.
Travel outside of the VA Caribbean Healthcare Network
Virgin Islands Veterans traveling outside of the VA Caribbean Healthcare Network are authorized to be reimbursed by the Office of Veterans Affairs at a rate of no more than $250, for no more than three (3) trips per fiscal year (October 1 – September 30) under the following circumstances:
- Veteran must be receiving care at a VA Hospital or VA Medical Center (being seen at a CBOC does not qualify)
- Reimbursement for travel must be pre-approved by the Director of the V.I. Office of Veterans Affairs before travel is initiated. This will also include verification of appointment at a VA Medical Facility. Proof of attendance at appointments is required before final approval.
- Only the Director of Veterans Affairs can approve reimbursement for travel outside of the VA Caribbean Healthcare Network.
- Travel attendants are not authorized for reimbursement
- Authorization will be based on availability of funds.
FOR Official Use
This policy is effective as of the date on this letter and remains in effect unless changed or rescinded by the current Director of the Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT PERSON: Director Patrick Farrell
340-774-VETS (8387) 4 Nov 2022
2022 Veterans Day Ceremonies to honor Noel Boynes Sr., Warren “Cap” Hendrickson, and Charles David
On November 6th and 11th,, the Virgin Islands will be hosting Veterans Day ceremonies following this year’s theme “Honor”. The following Virgin Islanders have been selected as honorees for their selfless service to our Veteran community:
Capt. Noel Boynes Sr. – St. John
Warren “Cap” Hendrickson – St. Thomas
Charles David – St. Croix
Over the years, these Veterans have continued to serve the community in which they live in different capacities. To show our appreciation for their selfless service we will be honoring them in their respective island district.
Ceremonies will take place on the following date, time, and place:
Sunday, 6th Nov 11:30am Cruz Bay, St. John
Friday, 11th Nov 9am Veterans Drive, St Thomas
Friday, 11th Nov 3pm Frederiksted, St. Croix
Important to note: The Office of Veterans Affairs is currently monitoring the possibility of inclement weather in the territory. A final decision on the St. John parade will be made as soon as possible but no later than Saturday afternoon November 5th via our website and Facebook page.
Veterans can continue to get up-to-date information on the Office of Veterans Affairs website at www.veterans.vi.gov, calling the office @ (340) 774-8387, or by texting the word VIVets (no spaces) to 888-652-8387
See original Press Release – Veterans Day 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT PERSON: Director Patrick Farrell
340-774-VETS (8387)
26 October 2022
REVISED
Office of Veterans Affairs Hosts Veterans Appreciation Day Events
The Office of Veterans Affairs will be hosting Veterans Appreciation Day events in honor of Veterans across the territory.
St. Croix
- Veterans Bowling Social
- Free Games and shoes at the Ten Pins Bowling Alley
- Free Entertainment by: Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Nights and DJ Silver
- Free Lunch and a Free T-Shirt will be provided
- Thursday Nov 3, 2022
- 10am – 2pm
St. Thomas / St. John
- Veterans Day Sail
- Free Entrance aboard the Kontiki
- Free Entertainment by Spectrum Band
- Free Lunch and a Free T-Shirt will be provided
- Saturday Nov 5, 2022
- 1pm – 4 pm
Please RSVP no later than Wednesday Nov 2, 2022 by visiting the office in your island district or by calling (340)773-8387xt202 on St. Croix or (340)774-8387xt204 on St. Thomas.
Please be advised that veterans can continue to get up-to-date information by visiting the Office of Veterans Affairs website at www.veterans.vi.gov, calling the office @ (340) 774/ 773 – 8387, or by texting the word VIVets (no spaces) to 888-652-8387.
See original Press Release – Veterans Appreciation 2022 Revised
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT PERSON: Director Patrick Farrell
340-774-VETS (8387)
25 October 2022
Office of Veterans Affairs to Subsidize Travel for VA Medical Appointments
Eligible Veterans can access medical care at ANY VA medical facility in the United States or its territories. What makes the difference is who pays for the Veterans’ travel arrangements to that facility. Through the Code of Federal Regulations, Veterans are mandated to seek medical care at the VA medical facility closest to their residence IF the VA is expected to pay for travel to that facility. In the case of the Virgin Islands, there is an outpatient clinic on St. Thomas and one on St. Croix; however, the closest VA Medical Center is on the island of Puerto Rico.
“For a very long time, Veterans in the Virgin Islands have expressed an interest in being able to travel to the mainland to attend VA medical appointments. To address these concerns, the Office of Veterans Affairs will be subsidizing the plane ticket of any Veteran seeking to attend VA Medical appointments on the mainland. Veterans will be allowed subsidy for no more than 3 trips per fiscal year (October 1 – 30 September) at a rate of up to $250 per trip. We asked that Veterans wishing to take advantage of this benefit first contact the V.I. Office of Veterans Affairs for pre-approval. Any request made after travel is not guaranteed to be approved”, said Director Farrell.
For further clarification, non service-connected Veterans traveling within our immediate region (St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and Puerto Rico) for VA medical appointments are reimbursed up to 100% of their plane ticket.
If there are any questions, please feel free to call our office at (340) 774-8387 or (340) 773-8387.
Please be advised that veterans can continue to get up-to-date information by visiting the Office of Veterans Affairs website at www.veterans.vi.gov, calling the office @ (340) 774/ 773 – 8387, or by texting the word VIVets (no spaces) to 888-652-8387.
See original Press Release – Veterans Travel Subsidy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT PERSON: Director Patrick Farrell
340-774-VETS (8387)
26 October 2022
Office of Veterans Affairs Hosts Veterans Appreciation Day Events
The Office of Veterans Affairs will be hosting Veterans Appreciation Day events in honor of Veterans across the territory.
St. Croix
- Veterans Bowling Social
- Free Games and shoes at the Ten Pins Bowling Alley
- Free Entertainment by: Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Nights and DJ Silver
- Free Lunch and a Free T-Shirt will be provided
- Thursday Nov 3, 2022
- 10am – 2pm
St. Thomas / St. John
- Veterans Day Sail
- Free Entrance aboard the Kontiki
- Free Entertainment by Spectrum Band
- Free Lunch and a Free T-Shirt will be provided
- Saturday Nov 5, 2022
- 1pm – 4 pm
Please RSVP no later than Wednesday Nov 2, 2022 by visiting the office in your island district or by calling (340) 727-8390 on St. Croix or (340) 727-8387 on St. Thomas.
Please be advised that veterans can continue to get up-to-date information by visiting the Office of Veterans Affairs website at www.veterans.vi.gov, calling the office @ (340) 774/ 773 – 8387, or by texting the word VIVets (no spaces) to 888-652-8387.
See Original Press Release – Veterans Appreciation 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT PERSON: Director Patrick Farrell
340-774-VETS (8387)
31 August 2022
VI Veterans Advisory Council (VIVAC) Seeking Members
The V.I. Office of Veteran Affairs is in search of Veterans interested in serving on our “NEW” V.I. Veterans Advisory Council (VIVAC). Volunteers must be Veterans who joined the military while residing in the Virgin Islands. Members of VIVAC will assist the Office of Veterans Affairs in enhancing the quality of life for Veterans and their families by recommending new legislation, additions and or deletions to current policies, and bringing attention to deficiencies within the Veteran community to name a few.
To bring this council to life, we are seeking Veterans residing on each island within the U.S. Virgin Islands. To show your interest please use on of the following means of communications:
- Send an email to info_va@va.vi.gov with the subject line being “Veteran Advisory Council”
- Call (340) 773-8387 ext202 on St. Croix or (340) 774-8387 ext204 on St. Thomas.
- Walk in to one of our offices and make it known that you are interested in serving on the council
Please be advised that veterans can continue to get up-to-date information by visiting the Office of Veterans Affairs website at www.veterans.vi.gov, calling the office @ (340) 774/ 773 – 8387, or by texting the word VIVets (no spaces) to 888-652-8387.