Veteran’s Benefits

[clifffaith]

We went to a presentation this week which was basically “what the VA can do for you”. We would not have sought the information out, but the speaker was part of the Veteran’s Day programs this week at the Old Folks Home (learned we have a WWII vet just a few doors down who will be 98 tomorrow!). About 15 years ago my now deceased father had found out from a neighbor that the VA covered hearing aids which was news to him, so I wondered if there was anything else we needed to know (Cliff can’t remember sh*t, but hears me fine, so no hearing aids for him yet). Cliff wondered about burial, which was mentioned on a flyer that had been passed out.

When Cliff asked for clarification on burial benefits the speaker from the Veterans Services Office asked where he’d served. Italy with a Corporal Missile Battalion (you were exposed to toxic fuel chemicals, right?) and Germany doing something with ammunition (you would have been exposed to lubricants, right?). Cliff expressed confusion as I whispered in his ear “the guy is telling you how to start a relationship with the VA” and the man says to our group “That’s why I always get the spouse involved!” Long story short it seems to be too much effort just to get Cliff buried since he has no known after effects from service, and who knows why he has repeated skin cancers and bladder cancer (in remission). On the other hand one of our Saturday dinner partners is the widow of a Korean War veteran who was receiving disability benefits at the time of his death. She is meeting with the VSO regarding having her remains shipped back to Long Island to be buried next to her husband. The big take away for me was that the easiest path to after death benefits was to have had a relationship with the VA while alive.

 

[emeryjre]

The PACT Act opened up many benefits to Veterans of all ages
Cliff is a Veteran, definitely speak to the VSO
The list is too long to go into here as to the changes made by the PACT Act
But Cliff is likely to find some benefits will be available now that were not available pre PACT Act

 

[Passepartout]

Definitely check in with a Veteran's Service Officer. I have some of my most expensive meds provided at no cost through VA as well as hearing aids. They'd cover more if I'd ask, but they come at little cost through Medicare.

 

[pedro47]

Suggestions only made an appointment immediately with a DAV local organization and your state Veteran Service Representative. ASAP
Bring his DD214 Forms and all his medical records.

 

[Sandi Bo]

My Dad's VA benefits provided hearing aids. There were also a lot of other services available to him, I assumed to every vet (my Dad was a WWII vet, but I didn't think that was what made the difference (there is a particular discharge paper needed (which I assume every vet (with an honorable discharge had). I thought, if my Dad wanted, he could have been buried in any veterans cemetery (only vets and spouses allowed thus they opted not to do that as stepmother's son will be buried with them).

Other benefits we ended up not using was some services to him at home when he was on hospice (visits, companion, allowing spouse some time away) and he could have stayed, no charge in a 'veteran's approved' hospice facility.

I'm sure others here know much better details, mine are sketchy, but yes, I'll second recommendation to the the make contact with the VA.

Oops, just saw @pedro47 has the form number needed -- DD214!!

 

[4TimeAway]

Suggestions only made an appointment immediately with a DAV local organization and your state Veteran Service Representative. ASAP
Bring his DD214 Forms and all his medical records.

I second getting service connected ASAP and make sure all the files are in order. The DD214 is 100% a MUST as far I could tell, but also meeting and talking to multiple people which can take months, not days. Many Veterans put it off and it falls to the caregiving spouse and/or children to try and untangle at the worst time.

Please be proactive or ask for help getting it all setup so people can plan well in advance for it.

Tried VSO, VA, etc. when Dad was suffering. It was a bit too late.

 

[gpj555]

Just found out yesterday that Caesar's Reward give all veterans free Platinum status that includes free parking at all properties. It is now 40 $ a day.

 

[SmithOp]

Just found out yesterday that Caesar's Reward give all veterans free Platinum status that includes free parking at all properties. It is now 40 $ a day.

I have Caesar's Rewards Diamond Plus from paying my native American taxes (gambling). It also allows status match to Wyndham Rewards and National Car rental.

My VA benefits were a complete failure since I did not serve in a combat zone (even though it was Vietnam Era), they made me fill out a financial asset form then said I'm worth too much, go buy your own hearing aids. I paid for my own burial plan with Neptune Society, very affordable.

I use the 10% Lowe's veteran discount often, it's been the most rewarding.

 

[emeryjre]

Veterans going to Vegas
Sign up for Vettix
They have tickets for many shows and events
Free for Veterans of any era
Active duty as well

Veteran Tickets Foundation

Veteran Tickets Foundation gives event tickets to Currently Serving Military, Veterans and their Families as well as immediate family of troops KIA

www.vettix.org

 

[emeryjre]

I have Caesar's Rewards Diamond Plus from paying my native American taxes (gambling). It also allows status match to Wyndham Rewards and National Car rental.

My veterans benefits were a complete failure since I did not serve in a combat zone (even though it was Vietnam Era), they made me fill out a financial asset form then said I'm worth too much, go buy your own hearing aids. I paid for my own burial plan with Neptune Society, very affordable.

Have you checked on available benefits since the PACT Act was implemented
My opinion of the VA 5 years ago was very similar to yours
There were many changes implemented by the PACT Act
And a new attitude on the part of the VA employees signing you up for benefits
You have nothing to lose and much to gain by checking them out
I am a Navy Vet
Served on a Destroyer off of the coast of North Viet Nam for Operation Linebacker
Along with several thousand shipmates

 

[pedro47]

The first time you are applying for disability benefits you may be turn down. This is when I would contact the state VA person or a DAV person for assistance. Now I’m speaking for the best process/method for the Commonwealth of Virginia. They are excellent.They will not drop the ball on disabled veterans.

To the OP, are you near a VA Hospital? There are Veteran Representatives onsite to help you with the process.

Good luck and please do not give up on your first attempt.
Please make plenty of copies of all Cliff medical records for documentation. You must keep a record of every VA forms and every medical record from you give VA. Against good luck .

 

[pedro47]

Have you checked on available benefits since the PACT Act was implemented
My opinion of the VA 5 years ago was very similar to yours
There were many changes implemented by the PACT Act
And a new attitude on the part of the VA employees signing you up for benefits
You have nothing to lose and much to gain by checking them out
I am a Navy Vet
Served on a Destroyer off of the coast of North Viet Nam for Operation Linebacker
Along with several thousand shipmates

To the Op..Did you apply for disability . My deceased brother was in the Navy on The New 818 in Vietnam.

 

[emeryjre]

I have not applied for any disability from time in the Navy
I did get hearing aids about 3 months ago because of my exposure to loud noises aboard ship
The NEW was not a part of our DESRON, but was the same class as the Hollister 788
The VA has now accepted a deployment off of the coast of Viet Nam as a qualifier for Agent Orange exposure
Fortunately, I have not had any symptoms
My brother died of multiple cancers several years after his return from his ground combat tour in 69-70
VA did nothing for him

 

[stmartinfan]

If you are able to get the right things in place, the VA can be immensely helpful. My brother in law served in the Army on the ground in Vietnam and ended up in his 50s with terrible health problems. Odd things like tuberculosis they could never get rid of completely, and other side effects of agent orange. He finally was awarded VA disability and got much of his medical care from doctors at the VA in North Dakota and Arizona. After his death, my sister began receiving VA disability as well, so they have at least received some help for all those years he struggled.

 

[pedro47]

I have not applied for any disability from time in the Navy
I did get hearing aids about 3 months ago because of my exposure to loud noises aboard ship
The NEW was not a part of our DESRON, but was the same class as the Hollister 788
The VA has now accepted a deployment off of the coast of Viet Nam as a qualifier for Agent Orange exposure
Fortunately, I have not had any symptoms
My brother died of multiple cancers several years after his return from his ground combat tour in 69-70
VA did nothing for him

I’m sorry for the loss of your brother in The Nam. Again, sound liked my Brother-in-Law who did two tours in The Nam. The Mick was in the Army fighting in the jungle and sprayed with agent orange. It took him three or Four applications process to receive his disability. He died of cancer and other medical problems. Please to all veterans who serve in Vietnam please apply for your disability.

Veterans please do not give up, keep on applying. Document all your medical records and medical appointments…Contact your Congressional Senators and House of Representative until you receive your earn VA Disability.

This is fact and not a myth.

 

[Bucky]

My VA benefits were a complete failure since I did not serve in a combat zone (even though it was Vietnam Era), they made me fill out a financial asset form then said I'm worth too much, go buy your own hearing aids. I paid for my own burial plan with Neptune Society, very affordable.

I basically had the same results the first time I applied for benefits from the VA. Told me I made too much money to be considered. Luckily an employee at the VA hospital told me to see the Patient Advocate. That person told me to not apply for VA healthcare but to apply for disability rating based on hearing loss. Well, to make a long story shorter, I now have two 100% disability ratings through the VA. It wasn’t easy or quick, but I persevered.

For those of you that think it’s too late to apply, think again. I was retired for over 30 years when I applied. I did everything on my own but I recommend others that are not looking for another full time job, interview VSO’s in the hope of finding a good one. They definitely are not all created equal.

Just because your problems began long after serving, doesn’t mean that your military service didn’t kick start it. If you are interested in pursuing a claim the first thing you should do is interview VSO’s in the hopes of finding a good one. Good luck. If unable to find one start the process yourself by fillin out and submitting your own claim https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-21-526ez-are.pdf This may or may not be approved but as a minimum it serves as a date place holder for any appeals. Definitely request your records from https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center When I first received copies of my records I found forms and comments that ended up supporting my claim.

Here is a breakout of benefits based on level of VA disability https://benefits.va.gov/benefits/derivative_sc.asp

 

[Glynda]

One thing that I was not aware of until a couple of years ago is that there are caregiver benefits available for family caregivers of veterans and for caregivers for the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran. These include a monthly stipend. When I checked into it for my mother, whose husband was a WWII veteran and retired from the Army, she was not eligible. I have forgotten the reason. Probably income.

 

[Bucky]

One thing that I was not aware of until a couple of years ago is that there are caregiver benefits available for family caregivers of veterans and for caregivers for the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran. These include a monthly stipend. When I checked into it for my mother, whose husband was a WWII veteran and retired from the Army, she was not eligible. I have forgotten the reason. Probably income.

The VA sends my wife a caregiver stipend every month. You may want to check into it again. When it first started my wife didn’t qualify either. Then the program changed allowing many others to apply and be approved. https://www.va.gov/family-and-careg...mprehensive-assistance-for-family-caregivers/

 

[emeryjre]

The VA sends my wife a caregiver stipend every month. You may want to check into it again. When it first started my wife didn’t qualify either. Then the program changed allowing many others to apply and be approved. https://www.va.gov/family-and-careg...mprehensive-assistance-for-family-caregivers/

I cannot emphasize enough the changes to VA Benefits from the PACT Act
The changes effecting exposure to toxics was headline news
Other changes were not promoted as heavily
If you are a Veteran or the spouse of a Veteran check with a knowledgeable individual within the VA infrastructure or State Veterans Infrastructure to see if the changes will help you

 

[Bucky]

I use the 10% Lowe's veteran discount often, it's been the most rewarding

Home Depot also has a 10% discount for veterans. Their program is slightly different than Lowes because of a yearly cap on amount.

For retired Military the www.shopmyexchange.com website has appliances shipped directly from Home Depot with no sales tax which can easily save a few hundred dollars out of pocket. I recently bought 4 tvs from the exchange with no taxes. Apple also offers a military rebate (10%) on all their products for id.me qualified personnel. Adidas gets a 30% discount to veterans. There are obviously way more discounts out there for veterans. These are just some of the ones I have personally used.

 

[sponger76]

I need to start looking at this stuff. I'm at the tail end of my career and I've got so many physical issues it's ridiculous.

 

[Glynda]

The VA sends my wife a caregiver stipend every month. You may want to check into it again. When it first started my wife didn’t qualify either. Then the program changed allowing many others to apply and be approved. https://www.va.gov/family-and-careg...mprehensive-assistance-for-family-caregivers/

After twelve years living with us, and at 102 years old, we finally had to put her in a nursing home a few months ago.

 

[pedro47]

I need to start looking at this stuff. I'm at the tail end of my career and I've got so many physical issues it's ridiculous.

Please have all your medical records in order when you leave the military. Keep all your medical records you will need them to prove your disability claim.

 

[Bucky]

Please have all your medical records in order when you leave the military. Keep all your medical records you will need them to prove your disability claim.

Exactly. There has to be a nexus between one’s military service and the disability unless it is a presumptive issue. Although, the disability didn’t necessarily need to be caused by military serve, it did need to present during it. My disabilities weren’t necessarily caused by the military but they first presented while I was on active duty and my military records showed I was treated for them. For those looking to see exactly how others can help I suggest two Facebook groups I belong to. The first is VETERANS CLAIMS ASSISTANCE GROUP and the second is VETERANS VA DISABILTY CLAIMS, C&P EXAMS & NEXUS LETTER ASSISTANCE. These two groups pointed me in the right direction to wade my way through all the government pitfalls.

 

[clifffaith]

The VA sends my wife a caregiver stipend every month. You may want to check into it again. When it first started my wife didn’t qualify either. Then the program changed allowing many others to apply and be approved. https://www.va.gov/family-and-careg...mprehensive-assistance-for-family-caregivers/

My mom could have benefited from a stipend for the 2 1/2 years my father was in hospice and bedridden the first and last six months. In spite of using the hearing aid benefit, they knew nothing of burial or caregiver benefits. He died in 2021.