Overview:
U.S. military veterans living in Palau have a chance to file VA benefit claims without leaving the country. A three-day outreach clinic by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will be held Aug. 5-7, with veterans encouraged to come forward—including those who may not yet be on official records.
By: L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau (July 30, 2026)— Palauans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces are being encouraged to take advantage of an opportunity to file claims for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits without leaving Palau.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Manila will send personnel to Palau from Aug. 5-7, 2026, to conduct a veterans outreach event and claims clinic at the Ministry of Health and Human Services Community Guidance Center.
The three-day clinic will allow eligible U.S. veterans living in Palau, as well as qualified beneficiaries, to file new claims, update existing benefit information and receive assistance with questions related to their VA benefits.
“This is an opportunity for veterans to file for benefits or for their eligible beneficiaries to also file claims, especially if they have young children,” said Greg Ngirmang, a veteran and officer of the United States Armed Forces Veterans Association-Palau (USAFVA).
Ngirmang said the clinic will be held at the Community Guidance Center because internet access will allow VA personnel to retrieve veterans’ records, answer questions and process claims more efficiently.
He said veterans whose personal circumstances have changed, such as changes affecting their benefits or dependents, will also be able to submit updated claims during the outreach.
Ngirmang believes the event is particularly important because many eligible veterans in Palau remain unaccounted for.
The USAFVA currently has a list of about 225 U.S. veterans living in Palau, but Ngirmang estimates the actual number exceeds 400 veterans.
He recalled learning only recently that a Palauan who had lived in Palau for more than a decade was a U.S. veteran.
“A good example is the recent passing of a Palauan whom we found out late to be a U.S. veteran. He has been in Palau for over 10 years and we did not know,” Ngirmang said. “At his funeral, while meeting with his family, we found out that his sister who was at the funeral was also a U.S. veteran.”
Ngirmang said the discovery highlights the need to reach veterans who may not realize they are eligible to receive U.S. veterans benefits while residing in Palau.
“This will be an opportunity for many U.S. veterans in Palau who may not know that they can receive their benefits here to come and file claims,” he said.
The outreach is open to eligible U.S. veterans residing in Palau and provides a convenient opportunity to file claims for VA benefits rather than traveling overseas.
