Posted on May 31, 2016
Is it appropriate for a non-combat veteran to use the Vet Center and/or VA?
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Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Disabled Veterans
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Disabled Veterans
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 224
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It's not named the Combat Veterans Administration, it's called the Veteran's Administration because it exists to support all veterans. I am one of the few who served over 28 years, beginning just as the Vietnam Conflict was ending in 1975 and retired two years into the Global War on Terror in 2003, who never served in a declared combat zone. However, I underwent the rigors of basic training, infantry AIT, PLDC, OCS, Infantry basic course, Infantry advanced course, airborne school, ranger school, Special Forces Qualification Course, Air Assault school, participated in nearly 100 static line jumps, deployments throughout the Pacific, Central America, Europe, CONUS, and while never in a declared combat zone, spent time in areas infested by terrorists and hardened criminals. As a result of those 28 years of experiences, the VA declared me 90% disabled, but I was never in a declared combat zone. Would it be fair to exclude me from Veteran's benefits and use of the Veteran's hospital? I say NO. If I felt otherwise I would be embarrassed to walk into the VA hospital. While anyone is free to express themselves as they want on RP, to include asking this question, I am disappointed that the thought of excluding some Veterans was considered.
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SGT Anna Kleinschmidt
SGT Tim Soyars - we are past the transplant. That was 11 years ago. She has repeated infections. She becomes septic at the drop of the hat. She has been in the ICU 4 times now since thanksgiving and once on lifesupport thanks to my father who is now suffering from dementia and waited 3 hours to call me after she told him to call me. His 8 heart attacks have also racked up a pretty penny. I am going to try the means test on them again. Last time he tried he was in priority group 7 but that was several years ago. I tried to get him to sign up before they cut him off but he was too stubborn. Now he can't get in. I am pretty sure adjusted income after deductions he will meet the means test.
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SGT Tim Soyars
SGT Anna Kleinschmidt - if you are referring to the VA system admission mark, that should not be a problem. I get into the system prior to my diagnosis and I am a RN. With my salary, I was able to get in the system.
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SGT Anna Kleinschmidt
SGT Tim Soyars - I don't think it will be a problem either. When he applied before I didn't do it and I think they still had money. They were pretty well off a few years back. Now they are living month to month.
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It's the VETERANS administration, not the COMBAT VETERANS. I am curious about why you are asking this?
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PO3 Michael Huyck
SGT (Join to see) - i worked on M88's, M578's M113's M35's M151a2's M577's M2a1, M3a1, M978's but badically Bradley and M88 TRTC
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I'm a disabled veteran. I did not serve a day in a combat area. But the heart condition I developed while I was in ended my career just the same. Should I not be allowed to collect disability? Should I not be allowed to see the doctors? Just because I happened to luck out and miss being deployed?
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PO3 Glenn Compton
MSG Paul DePrimo - and so because I wasn't deployed to Vietnam I am a noncombat vet but the agent orange that I washed off the airplanes coming home is a real problem and my med insurance is frustrated because I don't qualify for VA help.
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MSG Paul DePrimo
PO3 Glenn Compton - You were not deployed but dealt with the aftermath, of course you should be taken care of! Was this in the states? My reference is a little different than that situation. You deserve the best care and compensation available! Have you put a claim in? and now days you were still denied?
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SGT (Join to see)
MSG Paul DePrimo - Every Veteran's injuries are individually evaluated. There is already a proper differentiation of benefits. You seem to be advocating for a discrimination in benefits.
Let's look at your basketball v IED example to clarify this. IF the basketball injury is the worst possible to the middle finger that has caused a loss of use due to ankyloses then the maximum benefit your non-combat SM will receive is 10%, which is $144.14 per month for a single veteran with no dependents. IF the IED injury is fully considered it will likely include more than just the loss of limb(s), there is a high likelihood of TBI as well as PTSD involved. IF the IED damage is on the light end of the scale, assuming loss of leg below the knee (40% instead of 60% for above the knee), loss of non-dominant hand (60% instead of 70% for hands v 80% for ND Arm and 90% for Dominant Arm), with moderate TBI (40%), and mild, intermittent PTSD symptoms (30%), hearing loss in one ear (0%) with Tinnitus (10%) then the Combat SM will receive a total rating of 91% which rounds down to 90% for the purposes of Disability pay, which results in a check of $1,887.18 for a single veteran with no dependents. Because of the extent of the Combat SMs injuries, should also be rated as UI which will mean he will draw 100% Disability of $3,146.42 until he has been rehabilitated to the point where he can work and make more than $15000 per year from a new job. The 90% Disabled Combat vet will also be getting any of his medical or dental care at no cost (I did not say free, we all know it wasn't free) while he is UI. The Combat Veteran, if they are so inclined, can also avail themselves of VR&E which will provide them with school/re-training where the VA pays for everything while giving them either BAH (if they also qualify for P911GIBill) or $653.96 for subsistence as a Single (if they don't qualify or it has been used up).
Let's look at your basketball v IED example to clarify this. IF the basketball injury is the worst possible to the middle finger that has caused a loss of use due to ankyloses then the maximum benefit your non-combat SM will receive is 10%, which is $144.14 per month for a single veteran with no dependents. IF the IED injury is fully considered it will likely include more than just the loss of limb(s), there is a high likelihood of TBI as well as PTSD involved. IF the IED damage is on the light end of the scale, assuming loss of leg below the knee (40% instead of 60% for above the knee), loss of non-dominant hand (60% instead of 70% for hands v 80% for ND Arm and 90% for Dominant Arm), with moderate TBI (40%), and mild, intermittent PTSD symptoms (30%), hearing loss in one ear (0%) with Tinnitus (10%) then the Combat SM will receive a total rating of 91% which rounds down to 90% for the purposes of Disability pay, which results in a check of $1,887.18 for a single veteran with no dependents. Because of the extent of the Combat SMs injuries, should also be rated as UI which will mean he will draw 100% Disability of $3,146.42 until he has been rehabilitated to the point where he can work and make more than $15000 per year from a new job. The 90% Disabled Combat vet will also be getting any of his medical or dental care at no cost (I did not say free, we all know it wasn't free) while he is UI. The Combat Veteran, if they are so inclined, can also avail themselves of VR&E which will provide them with school/re-training where the VA pays for everything while giving them either BAH (if they also qualify for P911GIBill) or $653.96 for subsistence as a Single (if they don't qualify or it has been used up).
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Why wouldn't it be appropriate for a Veteran to use a Department of Veterans Affairs Health Facility?
That's what they are there for. They are not limited to a special flavor of Veteran, however, there are "priority groups"
http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/resources/priority_groups.asp
But the VA generally uses the term "Service Connected Disability" as opposed to "non-combat veteran" or "combat veteran" when it comes to Health Care.
The VA definition of "Combat Veteran" is probably not what you think it is (because it is not the same as Service Definitions), while Service Connected Disabilities is a VA defined.
That's what they are there for. They are not limited to a special flavor of Veteran, however, there are "priority groups"
http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/resources/priority_groups.asp
But the VA generally uses the term "Service Connected Disability" as opposed to "non-combat veteran" or "combat veteran" when it comes to Health Care.
The VA definition of "Combat Veteran" is probably not what you think it is (because it is not the same as Service Definitions), while Service Connected Disabilities is a VA defined.
Priority Groups - Health Benefits
Today’s Veterans have a comprehensive medical benefits package, which VA administers through an annual patient enrollment system. The enrollment system is based on priority groups to ensure health care benefits are readily available to all enrolled Veterans. Complementing the expansion of benefits and improved access is our ongoing commitment to providing the very best in quality health care service to our patients when they are needed during...
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SP5 Roberta Sanchez
The VA is for all veterans. We earned the benefit of having access to medical care. I think this has a legitimate argument where pensions are concerned, but all veterans are entitled to regular health care.
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PO1 Cliff Heath
MSgt Terry Swift - Once again I am very lucky in that I go to the Salt Lake City VA & they have a small tele-health clinic here in Elko, NV. They take very good care of us I wish that all Vets got the treatment & respect that we receive here, I have specific stories like my Brother-in-Law went to SLC got diagnosed and had his back surgery in 3 weeks. Granted his timing just happen to be perfect but still.
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LCpl Steve Smith
There are many different V.A. categorizes care for it's Veterans and every vet fits in there somewhere. I started out under the Co-pay because I was Unemployed and had no health insurance. The next year I had no Earned Income and filled out the Means Paperwork and the V.A. moved me from Co-pay to full coverage because I had no means to pay. Every Year I have to File Means paperwork so it can be determined if I can start co-pay again or continue on the same care plan. The Program I am on Has no affect on any other medical program for vets under different categories. It took a Vet Rep. at the Unemployment Workshop to tell me I could get Medical Coverage and that I was not taking away from other vets that needed it more. I got out in 95' and didn't start going to the V.A. till 2012.
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SPC (Join to see) Yes. All veterans that qualify can use the VA. It does not matter if you are a non-combat veteran. Why would it not be appropriate?
http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply/veterans.asp
http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply/veterans.asp
Veterans Eligibility - Health Benefits
For the purposes of VA health benefits and services, a person who served in the active military service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable is a Veteran.
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SGT Tim Soyars
Thank you for address the Cold War. Many service men and women faced across the boarder into the Communist states of East Germany, Czechoslovakia, and North Korea. The European walls are down, but the DMZ remains. The Cold War could have been hot in a heartbeat!
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Can we please stop this whole "Well I deployed more than that guy" thing that's running in the Military. Most people have no say on OPTEMPO when they enlisted, whether the units they were attached to deployed during their time, or anything else. Everyone raised their hand and made the same promise to the country. Everyone who honorably serves and is honorably discharged deserves the same benefits.
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PO3 Jody Wangen
I went to boot shortly after Grenada. got out the tail end of 1989. so before Desert Storm. I am one of the few who actually spent my whole enlistment is a peacetime navy. do not qualify for VFW.
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SSgt Christopher Mortell
Great comments. Something else to consider. I once had orders to a place where the shooting was real but it was not designated a combat zone. At the last minute, the military decided not to send me. Never found out why. But had I gone I would not have received combat pay or been given any kind of combat credit. Why? Politics. It was in a country we were not at war with nor did we even acknowledge operations at the time. GIs don't get to know the reasons. So does that mean those who aren't officially shot at aren't real veterans? I think raising your hand and doing your time counts enough.
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SPC William Wilson
You signed on the dotted line and you raised your hand and honorably discharged, you are a veteran, war or no war.
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SPC Alex Martin "Is it appropriate for a non-combat veteran to use the Vet Center and/or VA?"
Only if they are a Vet, as in US Military Veterans, Animal Vets need not apply unless also Military Vets....
Ok assumably you had a thought behind this question, Im afraid your going to have to give us some backgound on why you thought this was a question for us to provide real responses.
Only if they are a Vet, as in US Military Veterans, Animal Vets need not apply unless also Military Vets....
Ok assumably you had a thought behind this question, Im afraid your going to have to give us some backgound on why you thought this was a question for us to provide real responses.
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CPT John Sheridan
SPC (Join to see) - Glad I had my little romp in the desert '90-'91. I would hate to have only wasted my time in The Old Guard and on the DMZ in Korea. Just kidding... A veteran is a veteran. When you signed the papers, raised your hand, and took the oath, you agreed to give of yourself in defense of the nation. You didn't know if you would go to combat, but you knew that you might. Given that you have that SM in the green box by your name, you live with that possibility still. You made a choice that you didn't have to make and others chose not to. Hold your head high and if, for some reason, you find yourself in need of the VA's services, your nation thanks you.
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PO3 Jody Wangen
1SG Charles Hunter - we may not exactly care for what they did in going to Canada and Sweden or wherever but as Archie Bunker said, at least they came home alive. so many did not. that is a rather controversial, perhaps confusing and hurtful subject. and I was not old enough for 'nam.
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Only a SPC could come up with a question like this.
Are you saying a Paratrooper that got permanently disabled in a training jump isn't a Vet?
Are you saying a Paratrooper that got permanently disabled in a training jump isn't a Vet?
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CPL Robert Ray
Yep, MSG, the ShamShield strikes again. Whether service is in peace time or war time, the VA is for all who served, of course certain conditions, which are well documented, apply.
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