Was the VA doing any educational outreach support programs to explain Benefits and Entitlements for Vietnam Vets and their dependents?

PO3 Aaron Hassay — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 16:01:28 -0500

I found out a few years ago, my missing dad was a Drafted Vietnam Combat Vet 66-68. I remember being homeless a lot, starting approximately at 8 yrs old.

So now, I am trying to recreate the past.

I am realizing, for the first time in my life, what life I lived, and there is possibly a whole forgotten generation of Vietnam Children Dependents who would now be in their 30's and 40's, like me, that suffered in homelessness, never recieved a VA support, that never knew their dad was actually a drafted Combat Vet, although the VA had been there since WW1 and WW2.

Where was and what was the VA(our govt back then), for Vietnam Children Dependents? I am wondering was the VA doing any educational outreach support programs to explain Benefits and Entitlements for Vietnam Vets and there dependents children theys started to have, to protect the Veteran Family from illness and or homelessness, especially if the Vietnam Veteran became ill?

How does this Vietnam reality compare to WW2 Children Depenedents and Current Dependents since the GULF War?

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2015 4:54 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 16:54:02 -0500

Not sure what you are asking?

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Nov 20 at 2015 7:38 PM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 19:38:29 -0500

Unclear on what you are asking or pursuing. Let me see if I can say this without confusing the issue. VA has no indirect responsibility to the children of veterans. In other words, if you found your Dad and saw that he was receiving a VA pension for example, you can't present yourself to VA and say you want your support from that check he is getting. You would have to present that issue in a court and get a ruling on your behalf and it still wouldn't go against VA. Don't quote me, I'm not an attorney nor a benefits counselor.

Now, if you have a medical condition related to his Vietnam service, you might be able to pursue some justice. For example, children with Spina Bifida: http://www.va.gov/purchasedcare/programs/dependents/spinabifida/

I don't see where you address his branch of service. If he was Marine or Sailor and served at Camp Lejeune, there are some benefits associated with the contaminated water issue there.