Veterans, do you and your family qualify for new VA benefits?

2023-05-01T13:31:27-04:00

Benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can make a big difference for you and your family. Recent changes have expanded eligibility to millions of Veterans, including Vietnam War, Gulf War, and Post-9/11 era Veterans. Get the benefits you earned and deserve. Apply today!

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made May 1 at 2023 1:55 PM

2023-05-01T13:55:39-04:00

Good afternoon. Excellent post. Thank You for sharing this.

Response by SP5 Gary Bray made May 6 at 2023 2:33 PM

2023-05-06T14:33:22-04:00

In Vietnam 1968-1969. Doc diagnosed diabetes in 2008 and having interned at VA Hospital told me I had better get signed up. Took in to the VA, the card given with your name and a specific number when separated from service. Told that card was no good. No record of the numbers or who was assigned the number. VA refused me. No proof I was in Army. I had DD 214 and my promotion, assignment orders, travel orders I had saved and was told anyone could make them up with a computer. They had to have more. What the hell could be more? Showed them a medal I earned and wow, excepted. Anyone could buy a medal in a pawn shop or elsewhere. PissAnts. Now I am 0 %. Even though diabetes presumptive by law, they said I had no diabetes even though my Doc sent them a letter and past year's medical records. I had full insurance (did not need VA help previously) which I was going to lose because of plant closure. Doc was pissed and contacted I don't know who and I get a letter giving me 10%. 2014 I applied for 20% as taking insulin and other drugs for diabetes since 2012. Guess what, denied as I was not taking insulin. I appealed and won as they were liars. I am in Montana. I know one who is in Wyoming 100%, one in North Dakota 60% that are in better shape than I am. I am going to try for higher rate but have not much hope. Other Vets around here feel the Montana VA is trying to drive them away to lower their budget. First thing to get a business promotion is to reduce the highest cost--employees. Keep fighting. Thing is time is running out for us old bastards. The longer they stall, the more of us die. If we die, we are no longer a problem.

Response by Sgt William Von Ohlen made May 8 at 2023 6:57 AM

2023-05-08T06:57:33-04:00

Presumptive illness due to exposure to agent orange is hypertension, so I filed a claim in August 2022. Went through the process, saw the VA contractor, had my present doctor’s medical records sent, which documented I have been taking daily medication for hypertension since 2012. In April the VA sent a decision letter that my compensation would be 0%. They said my systolic pressure must be over 100 and/or diastolic pressure(s) must be over 160 for 10% compensation.
“Yup, you got hypertension probably caused by exposure to agent orange, we acknowledge that…but you are not sick enough for us (the VA) to give you anything or even supply you medication free of charge for your illness…..form letter….VA Bureaucrat”

Response by Cpl George Matousek made May 21 at 2023 11:58 AM

2023-05-21T11:58:35-04:00

I applied for benefits for cancer in 2015 from agent orange, denied reason doesn't cause cancer, appealed denied doesn't cause my type of cancer, appealed denied cancer didn't occur within a year of Vietnam, appealed to board of appeals, finally had a hearing this past March, went well , but may tack another year to heard back. They want us to die off so they don't have to pay. Semper Fi, vietnam 1/69-12/69

Response by SGT Craig Hoffman made Jun 6 at 2023 10:39 AM

2023-06-06T10:39:14-04:00

I was notified that Hypertension (high blood pressure) was presumptive with agent orange. I have been treated by the VA for years so I applied. Results, Yes, I have service connected hypertension. But.... Compensation is 0%. Why apply?

Response by SGT Dwayne McTaw Sr made Jun 19 at 2023 1:13 PM

2023-06-19T13:13:59-04:00

While serving as a crew member/ on UH-1 helicopter at the 200th Aviation Company in Ft Sill, OK. I had an accident while on duty, which caused serious swelling on my left knee. After I went to the hospital, and they used this huge needle to drain fluid. I was wearing a knee strap cast for awhile. Since I've been out in 1984, I've had problems with my left knee, restricting me from driving standard clutch vehicles and from time to time serious aches and pains. Often when i go to my VA clinic check-ups, and asked if everything was okay. I would not be experiencing any problems with my knee. 2-3 weeks later, something would flare up. This has been going on for years. I'm not sure, how to bring this up as a possibility, but I've never had any other injury to my knees, just those aches and pains

Response by SPC William Brewer made Jul 24 at 2023 8:04 AM

2023-07-24T08:04:38-04:00

Don't print this stuff where Viet Nam vet can read it. It just gets it all passed off again.
I can't complain I guess, I get 29% for hearing loss frin howertser muzzle blast.
But hypothyroid, purple heart, bronze star, and two medals for Valor mean nothing. Never met a VSO that did not lie to me.

Response by FN Steve Heglmeier made Jul 26 at 2023 10:25 PM

2023-07-26T22:25:25-04:00

I cracked a disc in my back in 1979 on a fall in the barracks. They told me they could give me a medical discharge and the disability rating would be automatic. Or I could stay in and wait for my full disability to be discharged. My Dr in FL said time was of the essence and I needed to get back there for treatment, so I took the first option. Then when I applied for disability I was denied. I was told to wait for a democrat in office and apply again and it would be accepted. Nope, then I was told to apply again which I did and still denied. They did automatically accept me in the VA and I've been getting all my HC there since like 2003 when my health insurance went up to $600 a month. The VA does keep me supplied for my needed pain control and I had a heart attack followed by CABG surgery. 14 days in CICU with a nurse assigned to me only. I didn't think I was in that bad of shape until after the surgery, but I had excellent care. When I got out there were no bills for me to pay! Even when I had insurance I had a $5,000 deductible and a $10,000 total yearly out of pocket, and that's the policy that was $600 a month. There was no limit on how much they would pay, but every year I had it the premium went up and in the 10+ years I had the policy I didn't have a single claim. So it probably saved me at least that $10,000 and I had friends who had the same operation and they were in and out of the hospital without having a nurse assigned to them. They had to push a button and wait for 20 minutes or so until one showed up. If they showed up! So I am very pleased with the health care I've received.

I'm told to get the disability I would need to get a lawyer and they will take about 40% of whatever they get. But with my need for the health care I don't know if that's an option I should pursue

Response by TSgt James Sutton made Jul 27 at 2023 12:00 PM

2023-07-27T12:00:19-04:00

Yeah what about dental benefits? Was hoping this whole PACT Act debacle would include stuff for veterans who didn't get all the dental care they needed on active duty and were discharged and our DD214s and final dental paperwork states as such....then the Transition Assistance officers say the VA will cover it since the Air Force didn't finish...was not worldwide deployable because of my dental conditions before I retired. Now the VA says they won't cover dental because it needs to be claimed within 90 days of discharge...but I was recovering from a heart attack and unable to file a claim....the VA doesn't care...so yeah not holding my breath that the Air Force and VA will actually live up to their promises of fixing my teeth...especially with all the chemical exposure I had on active duty....was hoping PACT Act would address this but it doesn't...just more lies.

Response by SrA Charles Martin made Jul 27 at 2023 2:32 PM

2023-07-27T14:32:16-04:00

It'd be nice if the VA spent some of that advertising money on more claims raters and better training for the ones they already have so the backlog of claims could actually get processed.

Response by SPC Matt Ovaska made Jul 29 at 2023 7:00 AM

2023-07-29T07:00:01-04:00

Vietnam vet's records were burned when the discovered the Agent orange health hazards. I signed up for the agent orange registry and had my application filed in file 13 at Maguire hosp. I reapplied and and still got no exam. I can see the effects on my legs that have itched like poison ivy for 50 years. The VA is corrupt as is the swamp. I was denied access to patient advocates and got a letter the I was no longer registered at the VA hospital. They said I missed my appointment. They made the appointment and never told me. No post card, no email, and no call as is customary.
I know why vets are suicidal. I meet vets that have the same lack of treatment at Maguire (butcher shop)
Didn't the VA hospital administrator somewhere in Arizona say, "They should take all the vets behind the hospital and shoot them. I think the VA reacted by retiring him 2 weeks early with a pension. I could write a book. Just want to put in a plug for the Bay Pines, FL and Johnson City, TN VA. I was treated well at both hospitals. Of course I never mentioned agent orange there.

Response by SMSgt Willie Edney made Jul 30 at 2023 6:22 AM

2023-07-30T06:22:59-04:00

YES HOW

Response by SrA Ronald Moore made Sep 9 at 2023 2:22 PM

2023-09-09T14:22:42-04:00

How do I find out if I qualify for the new Benefits

Response by Maj David BenJames made Sep 24 at 2023 6:32 PM

2023-09-24T18:32:47-04:00

The USAF Doctors at Big Willy say I have a 100% Service Connected Combat
Disability... The VA has denied my claims.

Response by CPO Melvin Miller made Oct 9 at 2023 10:03 PM

2023-10-09T22:03:16-04:00

I served from active duty 69-78. Then reserves 80-86 and then again 89-95. Never have gone through VA. I think it depends on what clinic or hospital you go to. Also what doctors you are lucky enough to see. I know of three people getting some VA perentage. Plus two people getting care at the VA hospiatals. I have seen what they have gone through and I am lucky that i really do not need the VA care. I live comfortably with my income. Yes it might be better but I am comfortable. Agent Orange, Desert Storm Syndrome, AFFF. Who knows what else that will come up. My choice that I do not plan on suing the system. Some people seem to be getting it quickly and others fighting like hell for it. I have seen way too many abuses. The VA wants to help. Make it mandatory to get a complete physical , bloodwork, xrays etc upon discharge. Then they are automatically registered with the VA.

Response by SGT Kerry Sommers made Oct 28 at 2023 4:38 PM

2023-10-28T16:38:27-04:00

Good luck getting any benefits from the military. They make impossible. DOD and the VA are in cahoots to block you on every claim you make. Their word means nothing. Ask Rumsfeld what happened to the $230 billion that was lost under his stupid leadership. Just in example !

Response by SP5 Donna Barr made Dec 25 at 2023 12:06 PM

2023-12-25T12:06:41-05:00

When trying to get PACT for my husband, we were sent power of attorney paperwork from the VA. Jeebus T. Crust - did I leave a flea in their ear. I of course do not qualify for PACT because I'm Fort McClellan - and if the VA pays us, they'll have to pay all the people who ate contaminated pork from Alabama pork producers - because the pigs were fed edible garbage from the Fort's mess halls. Ask me how I know.

Response by PVT Mark Campbell made Apr 26 at 2024 5:37 AM

2024-04-26T05:37:34-04:00

I don't get it. I enlisted in the Marines in August 1975. 3 months & 4 days later I was sent home on a medical discharge. At the time I was told that I had to have at leastv6 month's service to get any benefits. Had orders for Radio School at Twentynine Palms & the whole bit. Fast forward to 3 years ago, I found out I'm eligible for VA Healthcare. Since then I've received eyeglasses, hearing aids, and last December I had a laminectomy, all paid for by the VA. I am on 20% disability. I have ceased bitching about taxes. My local VA clinic and Community Care provider are both excellent in every way. I am incredibly blessed to have them.
The friend who got me hooked up with VA was in Viet Nam. He's on 100% disability. I have yet to find a veteran who served in any capacity tell me anything other than that I earned my coverage because I signed my name to the same document we all did. I will always see a difference, but I am thankful for what I have. Why me and not many others? Semper Fi.