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Veterans Affairs

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1. What are the Veterans Affairs office hours and contact numbers?

The Veterans Affairs office is open from Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 5:00pm. We are closed from 12:00pm to 1:00pm for lunch. You can reach Betty W. Hodges, Veterans Affairs Officer, at (803)943-7533 or (803)943-7542.

2. Who is eligible for VA Benefits?

You may be eligible for VA Benefits if you are :

• A veteran


• A veteran’s dependent


• A surviving spouse or child of a deceased veteran


• A member of the Reserves or National Guard


• An active duty service member

3. Who is eligible for VA Compensation?

Compensation is a benefit paid to a veteran because of injuries or diseases that happened while on active duty, or aggravated by active military service.

4. How long will it take to process my claim?

The VA Regional Office in Columbia processes claims in an average of 60 to 120 days.

5. How do I apply for VA health care?

You can apply for VA health care enrollment by completing VA Form 10-10EZ. The form may be obtained by visiting, calling or writing any VA Health Care Facility or Veterans' Benefits Office. You can also call toll-free 1-877-222-VETS or access the form by clicking on the link provided. Please be sure to sign your application to prevent a delay in the enrollment process. VA Form 10-10EZ

6. What health benefits and services are not covered by VA?

Abortions and abortion counseling; In vitro fertilization; Drugs, biological and medical devices not approved by the Food and Drug Administration unless the treating medical facility is conducting formal clinical trials under an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) or an Investigational New Drug (IND) application, or the drugs, biologicals or medical devices are prescribed under a compassionate use exemption; Gender Alterations; Hospital and outpatient care for a veteran who is either a patient or inmate in an institution of another government agency if that agency has a duty to give the care or services; Membership in spas and health clubs.

7. Am I eligible for free prescriptions?

Medication co-payments are charged for each 30 day or less supply of medication provided on an outpatient basis for nonservice-connected conditions. Exemptions from this co-payment requirement are provided for veterans service-connected 50% or more, former POWs, and for veterans whose income is less than the established dollar threshold. Also exempt from the medication co-payment are veterans receiving medication for the treatment of conditions related to agent orange, ionizing rediation, Persian Gulf, military sexual trauma, certain cancer of the head and neck and combat veterans.

8. Will VA provide hearing aids and eyeglasses?

Generally, hearing aids are not provided when the hearing loss is the result of aging. However, tha VA may provide you a hearing aid if you: received increased pension based on the need for regular aid & attendance or being permanently housebound, receive compensation for a service connected disability of 10% or greater, require this item for treatment of a service-connected condition, or are a former Prisoner of War.

9. Can I get a prescription by a non-VA physician filled at a VA health care facility?

Please be aware that the VA does not offer a low-cost prescription drug program. The VA offers healthcare benefits to honorably discharged veterans. This would include prescriptions that have been written by a VA doctor. Prescriptions written by non-VA doctors will not normally be filled or re-written by the VA. Only veterans with special eligiblity such as: Veterans who receive increased compensation from VA because they are housebound or need regular aid and attendance as a result of service-connected disabilities. Veterans who receive increased compensation from VA as veterans of periods of war because they are housebound or need regular aid and attendance. Veterans who previously received increased pension from Va, but VA discontinued their pensions because of their income, and their current annual income soes not exceed the maximum annual income by more than $1000 (must be housebound or need regular aid and served during periods of war, meet applicable income limitation and need aid and attendance or are housebound), but they receive compensation as the greater benefit. Under certain conditions if the veteran resides in a state home.