VA Benefits

TheRoadDog

As I get closer to retirement, medical coverage takes on a little more importance. I thought I would go online and apply for VA Medical Benefits. Don't need them now. I have coverage through my Employer as well as being on my wife's policy.

However, thought I would take care of it now, so it would be in place at retirement.

Went online and filled out the incredibly long, cumbersome form. Posted it. 3 weeks later, I get a letter from the VA saying that they have no electronic record of my service. Please send a copy of my dd-214. Pulled it out of the safe, copied it, forward it on.

Yesterday, got a letter from the VA. Denied VA Medical benefits because I make too much money.

I was not aware that poverty was a prerequisite. I assumed all these years that it was my service to my country that made me eligible.

My wife says don't worry about it. Re-Apply after retirement. I'm sure that is fine, but I'm nonetheless p*ssed that I'm currently denied.

I'm pretty sure I've been paying taxes so that others could avail themselves of the services I've earned.

What?

treetop57

Thanks for your service, Road Dog. Benefits for veterans is one place that the federal government should not skimp in my opinion.

k8blujay2

Huh?! I would have assumed the same thing as you did, but then nothing surprises me with the Military (born a marine brat, retired an Air Force brat). I too thank you for your service.

Grimmerick

That Sucks! I have a feeling I will be writing this about social security 40 years from now or I won't be writing anything at all.

I am glad you have other options

LastSixtySix

Hey, RoadDog. As the wife of a disabled veteran, I might have some helpful information for you.

First, I've learned never to deal directly with the VA - they are too big and will swat you away with ease. You need an advocate behind you. Which leads to the second point.

Are you disabled from the service?

If not, did you serve anytime during Vietnam?

Thank you for your service and, not to worry, you will get through this. But, as you realize, they don't make it easy. This is where your advanced years and experience result in the extraordinary patience and resolve you will need to get in their system and obtain the benefits you earned and deserve.

If you don't feel comfortable answering these questions here, just private message me. We know a lot. My husband is a cold war vet and is now 100% disabled as a result of his service. You don't have to be that ill to claim benefits. Anything that you might have the resulted from your service will be enough. My dad's hearing problems in his 70's got him VA medical benefits through my husband's efforts. So. . .let's just attack this strategically - we'll worry about using nuclear weapons later.

-Debra

TheRoadDog

Hey, RoadDog. As the wife of a disabled veteran, I might have some helpful information for you.

First, I've learned never to deal directly with the VA - they are too big and will swat you away with ease. You need an advocate behind you. Which leads to the second point.

Are you disabled from the service?

If not, did you serve anytime during Vietnam?

Thank you for your service and, not to worry, you will get through this. But, as you realize, they don't make it easy. This is where your advanced years and experience result in the extraordinary patience and resolve you will need to get in their system and obtain the benefits you earned and deserve.

If you don't feel comfortable answering these questions here, just private message me. We know a lot. My husband is a cold war vet and is now 100% disabled as a result of his service. You don't have to be that ill to claim benefits. Anything that you might have the resulted from your service will be enough. My dad's hearing problems in his 70's got him VA medical benefits through my husband's efforts. So. . .let's just attack this strategically - we'll worry about using nuclear weapons later.

-Debra

Nope. Never disabled. Served from 1972 to 1976, but never went to Viet Nam. Honorable Discharge.

I suffered no mental or physical impairment as a result of my service. I'm just looking for less expensive medical coverage when I retire in 4 years or so. I thought I was entitled to it due to my military service.

There is an appeal process. I may or may not use it. Right now, I'm just a little angry about the denial, but I'll get over it, re-evaluate, and come at this from a different angle.

They're right, I do make good money, but that also means I pay a fair share of taxes. Just a little tired that there are so many other groups of people that benefit from what I contribute, but I cannot.

By the way, I'm proud of my service and continue to support those who serve and the families of those who serve. That's not what this is about. I will be attending the funeral of my own son-in-law on 8/3. He served for 8 years in the Marine Corps. Served 3 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Died at 28. Leaving my daughter and two grandaughters without a husband or father.

My father was a Marine and so was his father. I have nothing but respect for our Serviceman and am particularly fond of Marines. It's the Federal Government that can kiss my a ss.

Semper Fi.

fbmandy55

I have no faith in our government when it comes to the treatment of servicemen and women. It's disturbing. Your income should have nothing to do with your benefits. You put in the time and service!!!


This isn't related to healthcare but a local lady is taking this to the Supreme Court as a promise to her husband. He died a couple months ago, he was shot in Afghanistan but died as a result of his treatment (or lack of) after a year of trying to recover.

http://cjonline.com/news/2012-07-03/wife-fallen-soldier-working-keep-his-memory-alive

LastSixtySix

Hey, RoadDog. As the wife of a disabled veteran, I might have some helpful information for you.

First, I've learned never to deal directly with the VA - they are too big and will swat you away with ease. You need an advocate behind you. Which leads to the second point.

Are you disabled from the service?

If not, did you serve anytime during Vietnam?

Thank you for your service and, not to worry, you will get through this. But, as you realize, they don't make it easy. This is where your advanced years and experience result in the extraordinary patience and resolve you will need to get in their system and obtain the benefits you earned and deserve.

If you don't feel comfortable answering these questions here, just private message me. We know a lot. My husband is a cold war vet and is now 100% disabled as a result of his service. You don't have to be that ill to claim benefits. Anything that you might have the resulted from your service will be enough. My dad's hearing problems in his 70's got him VA medical benefits through my husband's efforts. So. . .let's just attack this strategically - we'll worry about using nuclear weapons later.

-Debra

Nope. Never disabled. Served from 1972 to 1976, but never went to Viet Nam. Honorable Discharge.

I suffered no mental or physical impairment as a result of my service. I'm just looking for less expensive medical coverage when I retire in 4 years or so. I thought I was entitled to it due to my military service.

There is an appeal process. I may or may not use it. Right now, I'm just a little angry about the denial, but I'll get over it, re-evaluate, and come at this from a different angle.

They're right, I do make good money, but that also means I pay a fair share of taxes. Just a little tired that there are so many other groups of people that benefit from what I contribute, but I cannot.

By the way, I'm proud of my service and continue to support those who serve and the families of those who serve. That's not what this is about. I will be attending the funeral of my own son-in-law on 8/3. He served for 8 years in the Marine Corps. Served 3 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Died at 28. Leaving my daughter and two grandaughters without a husband or father.

My father was a Marine and so was his father. I have nothing but respect for our Serviceman and am particularly fond of Marines. It's the Federal Government that can kiss my a ss.

Semper Fi.

'Afternoon Jarhead. I'm the hubby. I understand your frustration more than most anyone else could. There is a great quote from Roger Kipling (I think): God and soldier we adore/ In time of danger, not before/ The danger gone, and all things righted/ God's forgotten, and the soldier slighted.

You know how guys who served with came home from Vietnam to be spit on and called "baby killer"? At least it's better than it was. The VA can be a pain in the *kitten*, especially the bean counters but the docs are really great. The VA has a responsibility to participate in your medical care, because you served honorably and well. They WILL honor that obligation, but only when you ask, even if you have to ask more than once and more than one way. SO KEEP ASKING and get yourself an advocate (see the wife's message below). What is that Marine thing? Persevere , adapt and overcome, right? Apply that type of thinking and you will succeed. But remember to use Artillery in the assault. It reduces friendly casualties - as long as Army redlegs are manning the guns. Forget those navy pukes."

Okay, here's from the wife and here is your action plan. It doesn't matter that you never went to Vietnam - your years of service qualify you as a Vietnam Era Vet. (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2009/07/28/the-definition-of-a-vietnam-era-veteran/)

It doesn't matter that you are not disabled - currently.

What does matter is that you make too much money right now. You really can't qualify for VA benefits until your incomes is reduced after you officially retire. Then, you will probably pay a small co-pay for VA services because your other, private insurance will pay first. The VA Med benefits, as you know, will help a lot. But that is then. . .

. . .now, what you can and NEED TO DO RIGHT NOW (the Hubs emphasis not mine) is physically go to your nearest VA Hospital with your DD214 in hand. Go to the information service desk and tell them that you want to get into the system. They will take your picture and issue you a V.A. Card. This next part is key - if you have any trouble with that at the physical VA hospital, go to your nearest American Legion officer and get an advocate (you could also go to your American Legion advocate first. . .get the ball rolling that way). They do that for free but you will be encouraged to join. And, it's a great organization. We are involved in DAV because the hubs is disabled, service connected. If he wasn't, we'd be in the AL.

You got the runaround from the online V.A. because that's all that the application weanies know how to do. It IS the military after all and some things never change. Be nice. Be Persistent. Be a Marine. :happy:

-Debra

LastSixtySix

I have no faith in our government when it comes to the treatment of servicemen and women. It's disturbing. Your income should have nothing to do with your benefits. You put in the time and service!!!


This isn't related to healthcare but a local lady is taking this to the Supreme Court as a promise to her husband. He died a couple months ago, he was shot in Afghanistan but died as a result of his treatment (or lack of) after a year of trying to recover.

http://cjonline.com/news/2012-07-03/wife-fallen-soldier-working-keep-his-memory-alive

Have you ever been to a V.A. hospital? If not, go to your nearest and visit the vets and professional staff there. It may, just may, restore your faith. I go at minimum every other week and many times more than that. There are volunteers at the hospital and they would love to hear from you and any help you might want to give.

-Debra

alpha2omega

Hey, RoadDog. As the wife of a disabled veteran, I might have some helpful information for you.

First, I've learned never to deal directly with the VA - they are too big and will swat you away with ease. You need an advocate behind you. Which leads to the second point.

Are you disabled from the service?

If not, did you serve anytime during Vietnam?

Thank you for your service and, not to worry, you will get through this. But, as you realize, they don't make it easy. This is where your advanced years and experience result in the extraordinary patience and resolve you will need to get in their system and obtain the benefits you earned and deserve.

If you don't feel comfortable answering these questions here, just private message me. We know a lot. My husband is a cold war vet and is now 100% disabled as a result of his service. You don't have to be that ill to claim benefits. Anything that you might have the resulted from your service will be enough. My dad's hearing problems in his 70's got him VA medical benefits through my husband's efforts. So. . .let's just attack this strategically - we'll worry about using nuclear weapons later.

-Debra

Nope. Never disabled. Served from 1972 to 1976, but never went to Viet Nam. Honorable Discharge.

I suffered no mental or physical impairment as a result of my service. I'm just looking for less expensive medical coverage when I retire in 4 years or so. I thought I was entitled to it due to my military service.

There is an appeal process. I may or may not use it. Right now, I'm just a little angry about the denial, but I'll get over it, re-evaluate, and come at this from a different angle.

They're right, I do make good money, but that also means I pay a fair share of taxes. Just a little tired that there are so many other groups of people that benefit from what I contribute, but I cannot.

By the way, I'm proud of my service and continue to support those who serve and the families of those who serve. That's not what this is about. I will be attending the funeral of my own son-in-law on 8/3. He served for 8 years in the Marine Corps. Served 3 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Died at 28. Leaving my daughter and two grandaughters without a husband or father.

My father was a Marine and so was his father. I have nothing but respect for our Serviceman and am particularly fond of Marines. It's the Federal Government that can kiss my a ss.

Semper Fi.

I'm sorry to hear you are having this issue. I agree with everyone else. Soldiers should be taken care of, regardless of how much they make. It is the very least the government can do for the sacrifice, those who have served well, were willing to make in serving our country. Thank you for your service and my condolences to you and yours for your loss.

MaraDiaz

America has a long and reprehensible history of screwing over its veterans. It's disgusting.

macpatti

I feel we owe more to our veterans than the benefits they currently get.

Thanks for your service, Mike. I'm so sorry to hear about your son-in-law. I'll pray for comfort for your daughter and her children.

KimmyEB

Debra's right--there are many hoops to jump through, and even though it's definitely more than a little disheartening to hear, you gotta keep at it. My dad tried from 1995-2008 to get benefits (Vietnam veteran), and finally in early 2010, he was told "okay, you can get benefits now." Also, like Debra mentioned, an advocate is usually essential, now. The advocate, I believe, helped him fill out the paperwork (I'm only his "dependent" and jeez, that paperwork is confusing...I can only imagine how confusing it is to the actual service member), helped him submit it, let him know beforehand everything he'd need to bring to doctors, all that jazz.

In my area, we actually have a little downtown office where people can go to get help with their VA stuff, too. The first time I applied, I was pretty clueless, so my dad told me to go there. I had no idea it existed! I ended up filling it out on my own, since I was on a tight deadline and the office was already closed and it needed to be faxed that night, but still, the fact that it exists is helpful. Maybe try checking to see if a place like that is near you?

It took over 13 years of hearing "no, you do not qualify" for my dad to be finally told "okay, yeah, you qualify"...in the end he got it. He also got back money from 1995-2008, too. His situation may is different--he's listed as more than 100% disabled. I know my boyfriend, who was medically and honorably discharged from the Navy, was told he can't get benefits because he didn't serve enough time. Apparently you must serve 2 years before you can get benefits, and he was just under that mark. Yet one of my uncles, who only finished bootcamp + a couple of months, gets benefits. WTF. It's so, so, so very confusing to me, but it's one of those things you just keep going at.

KimmyEB

Oh, and to address the "you make too much money" issue--WHAAAT? That's honestly something I'd never heard of. As far as I know, my parents income level had nothing to do with my father getting benefits. He actually retired in his late 50's at the urging of his doctor, as well as VA doctors, because of his declining health. At that point, the VA (the bigwigs, I mean) considered him 80% disabled, even though his VA doctors were fighting for him to get 100% disability. My parents certainly weren't rich, but they weren't hurting for money, either. I'm curious as to what the income cap is to get benefits...that's just insane. I don't care if you're unemployed or if you make 100k+ a year--you still served, and no matter how much money you accumulate, it doesn't change that fact. :frown:

TheRoadDog

Thanks for all the input and good advice. Putting it on the back burner for the immediate future. Got my son-in-laws' funeral this Friday. On top of that, my nephew commited suicide Saturday. Haven't seen him in 15 years, but, apparently my wife was listed as his Emergency contact. Probably going to be dealing with that right on the heels of the funeral.

fbmandy55

Thanks for all the input and good advice. Putting it on the back burner for the immediate future. Got my son-in-laws' funeral this Friday. On top of that, my nephew commited suicide Saturday. Haven't seen him in 15 years, but, apparently my wife was listed as his Emergency contact. Probably going to be dealing with that right on the heels of the funeral.

How awful. So sorry for everything you are dealing with Mike! Hugs!

fbmandy55

I have no faith in our government when it comes to the treatment of servicemen and women. It's disturbing. Your income should have nothing to do with your benefits. You put in the time and service!!!


This isn't related to healthcare but a local lady is taking this to the Supreme Court as a promise to her husband. He died a couple months ago, he was shot in Afghanistan but died as a result of his treatment (or lack of) after a year of trying to recover.

http://cjonline.com/news/2012-07-03/wife-fallen-soldier-working-keep-his-memory-alive

Have you ever been to a V.A. hospital? If not, go to your nearest and visit the vets and professional staff there. It may, just may, restore your faith. I go at minimum every other week and many times more than that. There are volunteers at the hospital and they would love to hear from you and any help you might want to give.

-Debra

Yes, I live about 3 miles from the Indiana Veterans Home, which is run by the VA and doubles as a medical facility. Have been there to visit Vets many, many times.

It's absolutely beautiful on the outside but quite a depressing place on the inside. I haven't been there for a couple years, maybe it's changed.

Gilbrod

Wow! Sounds like a familiar story. My father in law is a Vietnam vet. He was working as a chemical inspection engineer for ESOP and was doing alright. He applied for his VA benefits and was told the same thing. After he retired, he reapplied, and has been recieving some benefits since. Thanks for all you've done.

PS-Stay strong for those that will rely on your strength to carry on.

LastSixtySix

I have no faith in our government when it comes to the treatment of servicemen and women. It's disturbing. Your income should have nothing to do with your benefits. You put in the time and service!!!


This isn't related to healthcare but a local lady is taking this to the Supreme Court as a promise to her husband. He died a couple months ago, he was shot in Afghanistan but died as a result of his treatment (or lack of) after a year of trying to recover.

http://cjonline.com/news/2012-07-03/wife-fallen-soldier-working-keep-his-memory-alive

Have you ever been to a V.A. hospital? If not, go to your nearest and visit the vets and professional staff there. It may, just may, restore your faith. I go at minimum every other week and many times more than that. There are volunteers at the hospital and they would love to hear from you and any help you might want to give.

-Debra

Yes, I live about 3 miles from the Indiana Veterans Home, which is run by the VA and doubles as a medical facility. Have been there to visit Vets many, many times.

It's absolutely beautiful on the outside but quite a depressing place on the inside. I haven't been there for a couple years, maybe it's changed.

As many nursing homes are, even in the private sector. As for the VA home, if you are displeased with the condition, it behooves you to ask if it is staffed adequately. How many elderly vets to RN, CNA, etc. You can probably see its "report card" on line too. If those numbers don't please you, contact your US Congressperson and both of your US Senators and give them sepcifically all of your concerns. Then, follow through with the federal elected official's appointed staff members.

-Debra

k8blujay2

Thanks for all the input and good advice. Putting it on the back burner for the immediate future. Got my son-in-laws' funeral this Friday. On top of that, my nephew commited suicide Saturday. Haven't seen him in 15 years, but, apparently my wife was listed as his Emergency contact. Probably going to be dealing with that right on the heels of the funeral.

Was just catching up and wanted to offer my condolences.