Q. I served in the military many years ago and while in the service I spent a few weeks in the hospital with a major illness, which included surgery. Is it possible to file a claim for compensation for this problem?

A. To receive compensation from your hospitalization, you must have a diagnosis of disabling residuals that can be connected to your illness. Your medical problem needs to be discussed in your service medical records or in hospital records.

The VA will assist you in locating those records. The location of the military hospital and the dates you were there will help save time. Also, if you have a history of treatment for residuals since you left service you have a strong case.

Q. I am attending college using the Montgomery GI Bill. I am getting paid at the half-time rate and I am taking 15 semester hours. I believe I should be getting paid at the full-time rate, how could I get that changed? I tried the automated system with no luck.

A. The requirement for full-time status is 12 hours or above, so you should be getting paid at the full-time rate. Your school needs to notify the VA of your status and make sure the VA is informed when you started the full-time load for any back pay.

Continue to verify your attendance at the lower rate until the change can be made so you do not take the chance of having your current benefits stop during the process.

Q. I am a service-connected disabled veteran. How can I get a card that will allow me to use the commissary at Naval Base Ventura County?

A. Veterans who have a permanent 100 percent service-connected disability rating are eligible to shop at the commissary. Those veterans need a letter from the VA establishing eligibility; the disability award letter is not enough. The eligibility includes the spouse.

When you get the eligibility letter, take it to the security office at Naval Base Ventura County.

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.