Q. My late husband was a veteran and the VA denied me a death pension and although my income is below the limit the denial letter stated that my husband's service did not qualify. My husband received an honorable discharge. Was that not good enough?

A. Your husband's service was certainly honorable, but he did not serve during a time of conflict. Your husband served in the military for three years, but he served after the Vietnam War (May 7, 1975) and the beginning of the Gulf War (Aug. 2, 1990).

For a veteran or the surviving spouse of a veteran to receive non-service-connected benefits the veteran must have served during a time of conflict but not necessarily serve in the combat area.

Q. I was denied disability compensation in 1994. I tried to reopen my claim this year, and my letter from the VA stated that my claim was still denied and my claim was not reopened. Can you explain why my claim was not reopened?

A. To reopen a previously denied claim you must have new and material evidence to support your claim. Without that evidence, your claim will not be reopened.

You provided evidence that your medical condition has become more severe. Your original claim was denied because your disability was considered not service-connected.

You need new evidence to establish service connection to get your claim reopened.

Q. I am a member of the California National Guard and was recently released from one year of active duty in Afghanistan; do I qualify for a VA Home Loan Guarantee?

A. You certainly qualify. We are sending you a package about the guarantee and a copy of the form you need to apply for your certificate of eligibility.

You will need to send that form and a copy of your discharge (do not send the original discharge) to the regional office in Winston-Salem, N.C. The address is on the top of the form.

If you are buying a home in California, you might want to contact the Cal-Vet Loan Office at 866-653-2507.

— George Compton, retired Army colonel, is the veterans service officer for the County of Ventura, Human Services Agency. Send your questions to Veterans Service Office, 1701 Pacific Ave., Suite 110, Oxnard, CA 93033; phone number: 385-6366; fax: 385-6371; or e-mail: George.Compton@ventura.org.