The GDVS Appeals Division assists veterans and their families who choose to dispute the disposition of their claims for veterans benefits. Additionally, the division provides support service for claims filed at GDVS Veterans Field Service Offices. 

GDVS Appeals Officers assist veterans at personal or decision review officer (DRO) hearings before the local VA Hearing Officer or before the Board of Veterans Appeals from Washington, D.C.

The Appeals Division is located in the same building as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Atlanta VA Regional Office at 1700 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA 30033.

For additional information or assistance call the Appeals Division staff at 404-929-5345.

Hours: This office is open by appointment only, 8:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m., Monday-Friday, except on state and federal holidays. To make an appointment, please contact the Appeals Division.

 

By law, the GDVS is designated as the State Approving Agency (SAA), responsible for approving and supervising all institutions and establishments in Georgia that offer education and training under the provisions of the Veterans Educational Assistance Program.

Within the GDVS, the SAA function is performed by the Veterans Education & Training Division.

This division is responsible for ensuring that approved institutions and establishments meet and maintain acceptable standards so that eligible persons who attend may receive educational assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

These programs must have SAA approval before veterans and other eligible persons may receive educational benefits (GI Bill®) from VA under the authority of Title 38, U.S. Code and Chapter 1606 Title 10.

Federal and state laws require stringent regulatory compliance of all institutions and establishments approved for veterans attendance. The responsibilities of approval, annual inspections, and ensuring corrective action when necessary, constitute a vital function of the Georgia SAA.

The SAA has the function of ensuring educational institutions and establishments meet and maintain acceptable standards so eligible persons who attend may receive educational assistance from VA. This includes all public and private schools and all establishments offering apprenticeship and other on-the-job training.

The satisfactory performance of these duties requires SAA personnel to have extensive knowledge in education administration and a full understanding of the laws and regulations that govern and control the Veterans Educational Assistance Program.

For further information concerning approved universities, colleges, technical and trade schools; flight schools; correspondence schools; apprenticeship and on-the-job training programs, contact the SAA staff.

Contact: 404-656-2306 or [email protected].

The GDVS Public Information Division supports the department's communications and outreach missions. The division's goal is to keep Georgia's veterans and their families informed of important news and events.

The division maintains the department's website, veterans.georgia.gov, home to an official news feed and calendar of events. The website is also home to the most up-to-date information about veteran benefits in Georgia and other divisions of the GDVS.

The division updates Georgians about important veteran news via social media. Stay informed by joining the GDVS communities on Facebook and Twitter.

The division produces outreach materials such as brochures, cards, booklets, and other items.

Contact: 404-656-5933 or [email protected].

 

There are two skilled nursing care homes for eligible war veterans located in Georgia. One is in Augusta and the other is in Milledgeville.

The primary mission of these homes is to provide high-quality skilled nursing care to veterans while seeking to improve their quality of life and overall health.

Eligibility criteria:

The veteran must be a current Georgia resident and meet one of the following conditions:

• Resided in Georgia two years immediately preceding the date of application
• Resided in Georgia five or more of the past 15 years

The veteran must have served on active duty in the U.S. armed forces during one of the following wartime periods:

• World War II: December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946
• Post-World War II: January 1, 1947 - June 26, 1950
• Korea: June 27, 1950 - January 31, 1955
• Cold War: January 31, 1955 - August 1, 1990
• Vietnam: July 1, 1964 - May 7, 1975
• Persian Gulf: August 2, 1990 - present

• The veteran must have a discharge under other than dishonorable conditions.
• The veteran must be approved as eligible for skilled nursing care by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
• The veteran must be free of contagious infectious disease and behavioral and psychiatric problems.
• The veteran must not need to be sustained by line-operated mechanical means.

To apply for admission, contact the Admissions Office of one of the homes or any GDVS Veterans Field Service Office.

A nominal daily fee is charged. Eligible veterans may apply for the federal Aid & Attendance benefit to help offset this fee. For veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 70 percent or higher or whose admission is due to a service-connected condition, the daily fee is paid in full by VA.

 

The Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemeteries, established for the interment of faithful and honorable military veterans, are shrines recognizing all Georgia veterans.

There are two Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemeteries, located in Glennville and Milledgeville, open for interment of qualified veterans and dependents.

Each cemetery includes a welcome center, a chapel, in-ground interment areas, and columbaria connected by paved roadways and walkways in beautifully landscaped settings. Gravesite locators are available for the convenience of visitors.

Eligible for interment:

• Veterans with a discharge other than dishonorable
• Members of the Reserves or National Guard who were eligible for retirement pay at the time of death (or who would have been entitled to retirement pay at age 60)
• Members of the U.S. armed forces killed in the line of duty while on active duty or active duty for training
• Members of the U.S. armed forces who otherwise died on active duty
• Certain other veterans as defined in federal law
• Spouses, unmarried dependents under the age of 21, and eligible life-long dependents of any of the above

Proper paperwork is required to determine eligibility. The veteran's name; rank; serial, social security and VA claim numbers; date of birth and date of death must be provided to cemetery personnel. A copy of the veteran's DD Form 214 or other proof of service is required. A copy of the marriage certificate is required for the spouse to be buried with the veteran.

Standard upright, granite headstones are used to mark the burial sites of casketed and cremated remains. Small granite covers are used to mark the niches of cremated remains placed in columbaria.

Plots, vaults, niches, and markers are provided at no charge. The use of the committal chapel for interment services is also free. The family is responsible for all other expenses.

The vaults provided are concrete-lined and double-depth for the veteran and spouse or dependent. (If the veteran selects interment for cremated remains, the spouse or dependent must also select interment for cremated remains.)

The GDVS pledges to honor the dignity and memory of each person. Cemetery staff will make the interment as compassionate and comfortable as possible, ensuring the committal service and any other requests are handled respectfully. They will assist family and friends in every way possible during their time of sorrow.

 

Business hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Interment hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Visiting hours are from 8 a.m. to dusk daily, including weekends.

Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery - Glennville

8819 U.S. Highway 301, Glennville, GA 30427

912-654-5398

Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery - Milledgeville

2617 Vinson Highway, Milledgeville, GA 31061

478-445-3363