Michigan Veterans! Do you have Health and Benefits Questions? Ask Questions Now!

I was active duty Regular Army from 1983 to 1986. I have DD214 with a honorable discharge. Then spent 3 years as inactive reserve. My question is, as a veteran is there any type of financial help available for me. Next week I am having my 6th back surgery in less then 5 years, it will also be my second in less then a year. On top of those surgeries in the last year I also fractured my elbow and ruptured my tricep tendon which I had to have surgery to repair. In August I was also diagnosed with prostate cancer and at the end of November I had to have my prostate removed. As I said next week is another back surgery. I have applied for SSDI but have not gotten a determination as of yet. I have been off work since April 5, 2022. I did receive short term disability for 6 months after that I went on long term disability, but they would only cover me for the cancer and not the back because they determined it was a preexisting issue. So as of February I am not getting any more disability payments. My surgeon does not want me to return to work, but at the same time I have no income. I did try to apply for benefits from the State of Michigan, but they said in the 4 months I worked in 2022 I made too much money to qualify for help. I do not know where to turn. I do not want to lose my house and end up as another homeless vet standing on a street corner begging for help.

In 2015, I was denied a part of my disability claim for a back injury I sustained during active duty. It was denied due to lack of medical documentation. I was granted 10% for a different part of that claim. Since then, my back injury has been documented by VA doctors to the severity of it. Can I re-file a claim or am I ineligible to do so?

As a honorably discharged Army Reservist without the 180 days of active duty. Are there any benefits available for me. Service Date 02/11/1977- 02/10/1989