Posted on Aug 18, 2021
How can I determine if I qualify for VA medical?
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I was in a USNR in the 70's. My unit was called to active duty for about a a year. We were later returned to reserve duty to finish out our enlistment. When we were released we were told we did qualify for VA benefits but that was a long time ago and I dont remember how much and what. I did use some educational benefit but nothing more. I do have hearing problems but dont know of VA well help me.
Posted >1 y ago
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Wow so much hard feelings and disinformation in this thread.
1. Go to your local VA and take a copy of your DD214 and any records you have that show when you were on active duty. Take a copy of your complete last tax filings. Go to eligibility at the VA there. They will review everything and advise if you meet the guidelines of a veteran for healthcare services. They will also determine your income eligibility (certain levels of income mean zero or little copays).
2. If you want to file a claim for any service connected conditions then you will need to speak to the VBA not the VHA. Two separate arms of the VA. I think unfortunately another of the hate that gets thrown at the VA is on the benefits or VBA side. You have a local VBA office you can speak with about filing a claim or as others have said you can speak with the American legion or the VFW as they have service reps who can assist you with filing claims for service related conditions.
You mentioned hearing. I am a VA audiologist and anyone can get hearing aids through the VA if you meet the requirements for hearing loss regardless of if you are service connected to hearing loss or not. This changed several years ago.
Also you mentioned getting the run around before. I am wondering if that was back in 2013-2014 time frame when we still had a category system where combat and service connected veterans got priority for services and then income related folks and then anyone else. We had two wars going on and only so much staffing. That is not how it is now. Anyone on here telling you that being service connected means you will get in faster than another veteran isn’t telling the truth. When a veteran calls to schedule an appointment they get offered the next available appointment. We don’t even look at the service connection. Maybe the people claiming that are the ones who call for an appointment, then threaten to call the director or their congressman etc. and say “but I’m service connected X amount!” And then people overbook providers to keep them from complaining. That doesn’t work in a lot of clinics. I also think it’s horrible people would jump in front of another veteran and they’d be livid if the other guy did the same to them, but hey that’s just how I feel about it.
1. Go to your local VA and take a copy of your DD214 and any records you have that show when you were on active duty. Take a copy of your complete last tax filings. Go to eligibility at the VA there. They will review everything and advise if you meet the guidelines of a veteran for healthcare services. They will also determine your income eligibility (certain levels of income mean zero or little copays).
2. If you want to file a claim for any service connected conditions then you will need to speak to the VBA not the VHA. Two separate arms of the VA. I think unfortunately another of the hate that gets thrown at the VA is on the benefits or VBA side. You have a local VBA office you can speak with about filing a claim or as others have said you can speak with the American legion or the VFW as they have service reps who can assist you with filing claims for service related conditions.
You mentioned hearing. I am a VA audiologist and anyone can get hearing aids through the VA if you meet the requirements for hearing loss regardless of if you are service connected to hearing loss or not. This changed several years ago.
Also you mentioned getting the run around before. I am wondering if that was back in 2013-2014 time frame when we still had a category system where combat and service connected veterans got priority for services and then income related folks and then anyone else. We had two wars going on and only so much staffing. That is not how it is now. Anyone on here telling you that being service connected means you will get in faster than another veteran isn’t telling the truth. When a veteran calls to schedule an appointment they get offered the next available appointment. We don’t even look at the service connection. Maybe the people claiming that are the ones who call for an appointment, then threaten to call the director or their congressman etc. and say “but I’m service connected X amount!” And then people overbook providers to keep them from complaining. That doesn’t work in a lot of clinics. I also think it’s horrible people would jump in front of another veteran and they’d be livid if the other guy did the same to them, but hey that’s just how I feel about it.
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MAJ (Join to see)
No problem. Yeah I hated the category system, but I understand why it was done. SGT Wes King
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MAJ (Join to see)
Some VA facilities have Saturday appointments for certain departments. I wish more facilities had Saturday and later evening appointments but the higher ups don’t want to pay for more providers or clerks for the longer hours or pay the weekend premium.
LCpl Benji Smith
LCpl Benji Smith
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PO2 Robert Landrum
Thank you very much for the clarity and the info. I am easy for them to run off as I have always felt a little guilty for being a reserve but , hay, when they called I hurried to the base, checked in and everything I was ordered or asked to do cheerfully. I took what I was doing serious as pilots lives depended on me doing my job RIGHT.
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https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/
Five second Google search pulls up this.
So wait...you got "blown off" by them a few years ago and that was it? You didn't keep pressing the issue?
Five second Google search pulls up this.
So wait...you got "blown off" by them a few years ago and that was it? You didn't keep pressing the issue?
Eligibility for VA health care | Veterans Affairs
Review VA health care eligibility criteria. Find out if you qualify for VA health care, how VA priority groups may affect you, and how to apply.
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To apply for VA benefits, you will need to fill out a 1010 EZ form, your DD214 showing an honorable discharge (if less than honorable did you go through the process of getting it upgraded?), and last years tax records. Supporting documentation form your local provider may be needed once you get an appointment. You will have to show that you have a service connected hearing loss.
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