Where can a veteran find help for spine issues that are not directly connected to their service?

2019-10-24T12:37:36-04:00

I was injured back in 2004 in Iraq and have been a wheelchair ever since. I have alot of different injuries from a IED. As I have gotten older now 50 I have alot of spine issue but because my spine is not one of my injuries from Iraq I can not get help with things I need. I find my self home bound because I can not afford the new hand controls. The Va, Tricare or social security will not cover them because it was after my discharge. I am looking for any ideas to get to living angain. If you have any ideas please help?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2019 1:05 PM

2019-10-24T13:05:15-04:00

First off, SSG Leo Curtis there are latent transparent injuries that from one part of the body can an do affect another part of the Body! You are a war Veteran and as such you need to file a claim with the VA, but not through them...Instead, Contact either your local DAV office or the DAV Department of (your state) and tell them that you need to meet with a National Service Officer (NSO) as you need help with a claim on your spine... You will have to do the detail analysis of your injuries, where, when, how, and what other parts of the body they affected... Their are forms, and the NSO can help you with them... But your job will be to do the history from Day one of your service... WHen DOne, the NSO will monitor and work with the VA... There will be some diagnostic exams and they will help you prepare for them. THere are some darned good NSO's out there who's sole job is to help Veterans with their claims... Good Luck!!!
Kerry F. Harkins, Commander DAV Chapter 90, Norwood, MA

P.S. If you need to speak to me, message me first on RP, and we can work out a time.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2019 4:14 PM

2019-10-25T16:14:00-04:00

Thanks for the heads up 1SG John Furr.
SSG Leo Curtis , you have a few options for VA to aid the situation, depending on your disability percentage. If you tell me yours, I can be more specific, but I will answer generally because you won't be the only Veteran to read this.

If you are not at 100% now - and there's a good chance you are if you are wheelchair-bound - file a VA 21-526EZ and claim the spine degeneration as secondary to your service-connected injuries. It is highly likely that it is.
With the back issue service-connected, you can receive treatment for it. If you are already 100% SC, it won't matter, as all of your issues will be treated by a VAMC.
In conjunction with that, if you are not already at 100%, file for Individual Unemployability with a VA 21-8940.

Second, due to your restrictions, you may well qualify for adaptive equipment for your vehicle and home. That can be very helpful towards making your home livable. Apply for the SAH with a VA 26-4555 and SAE with a VA 21-4502.

Third, if you are homebound, there is an additional allowance for that available. File a VA 21-2680 for that benefit. It is largely for Veterans that require caregivers, but if your are homebound you might qualify if you are at 100% for a single disability or combined 100% with one disability at least 60% disabling.

Hope this helps.

Response by LTC Ken Connolly made Oct 26 at 2019 11:27 AM

2019-10-26T11:27:56-04:00

You didn't say whether you are retired, but if you are, Tricare covers illness and injuries under circumstances other than service connected.

Have your approached your local spinal institute or hospital to see what low cost medical help is available? Many provide some sort of financial support. They may also provide you with information you may need to support a claim for service connected injury. If the advice you are receiving fails, sometimes a letter to your Congressional Representative opens doors for you and perhaps provide some advice on Social Security. Sometimes it helps to belong to an organization such as the American Legion, who assist in these types of matters.

Response by COL Eric Burns made Jul 24 at 2022 10:39 AM

2022-07-24T10:39:10-04:00

The va can assist with non service connected the same as service connected ,you just dont get a rating or a disability income from the va for injuries ,unless their onset from other injuries ,but social security can also help with those none military connected injuries.