Veterans Affairs Thread

[Mr.Hoppes]

thankyou

Thankyou for this Thread and making it a sticky!

I would not have seen it other wise.

I am a 100% service connected Disbled veteran.

The one piece of advice I would give any veteran getting ready to apply for disability is, See a CIVILIAN Doctor before you file!


Applying to be compensated requires having ALL Current Information on your problems as well as the history.

In some instances the VA has with held vital medical information to it's financial advantage.

I will not go into specifics, but, have yourself checked out by an independant certified specialist if you plan on persuing a claim.

DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!

KEEP YOUR OWN COPIES OF EVERYTHING!

IF a Doctor or other care provider tells you something, it may not be documented, MAKE SURE IT's In WRITING!!!

Oganizations can help BUT YOU NEED the information IF you are going to back up Your claims.

The Indy VA is one of th better ones I have been to. Things are better than in the past. Most problems I have had there have been dealt with appropriately.

Thankyou also to the OP for sticking your neck out to make the thread in the first place.

 

[EMC0853]

A veteran, whether discharged, retired, reserve or active duty, is a person who put his or her life on hold and on the line. They essentially wrote a blank check to the government for any amount - up and including their lives.

I am a member of the Blue Water Navy. One of the thousands of sailors who served off the coast of Vietnam, one of thousands who were sprayed and betrayed. Our numbers have disproportionately high percentages of diabetes and other herbicide related health issues but the VA has summarily dismissed our claims because we did not have boots on the ground. We served on Navy ships in the Tonkin Gulf within a few miles off the coast. The herbicides which were airborne did not stop at the beach.

There was a very brief period when some claims were approved but the VA successfully appealed this decision and now, no presumptive approval based on serving in the coastal water is extended to Navy veterans. Each case is evaluated individually - which it should be - but even if a BWN veteran has a herbicide related illness they must prove direct exposure with a date and documentation. This directly conflicts with the approval process for any veteran who had 'boots and the ground'. Presumptive approval is granted to all other service branches.

I made a claim several years ago after finding the tie in to Agent Orange and diabetes. When I developed diabetes, it was somewhat of a shock - No family history, healthy, active, no logical reason. I've managed my diabetes well over the past 15 years always using the medical benefits I paid for through my occupation. The most difficult end result is my vision. I have diabetic related retina problems and am now undergoing treatments that are not guaranteed to prevent additional vision loss.

After several initial denials and appeals, my claim recently received the final decision - denied again. I do have one more year to appeal - again - which I will but I'm disappointed in this totally illogical policy.

I did have the DAV submit my most recent claim, but even the DAV specialist told me it was a lost cause. I just don't understand why we are treated this way.

 

[Mr.Hoppes]

Be not mistaken there were alot of mistakes made in the past. There are stil mistakes being made today, but it is better. Veterans assisting Veterans has helped the recently discharged Veteran to get the benifits deserved. The VA it'self has greatly improved from where it was 20 years ago. Still there is a great deal more to be improved. I have personally seen changes, and I am optimistically encouraged. The real problem in my opinion is the claims process. I think that is where the least improvements have been made.

This is little comfort to the ones who who deserved the benifits and were ultimately denied. Speaking personally there is a bitter resentment for the VA in particular, I choose to channel that to assisting other Veterans whenever I can.

 

[tenring]

Martinsville CBOC

Got a phone call from Buyers' office in Plainfield this morning in response to an inquiry I had made as to why I have not seen any news releases or contracts awarded for the much anticipated [at least to me] opening of the local clinic. I was informed that there would be a delay of at least 2 weeks, and it would be most likely mid-September for an announce, and he could not [?] get any more information. Any way at your place to dig out the real skinny?

 

[Jay]

It'll be tomorrow before I can make a few calls, but I'll see what I can find out.

 

[Jay]

There have been no completion projections issued for the Martinsville clinic as of today. General opinion of folks I talked to this morning, say they're looking for it to be open by the end of this year.

That's all I have at this point, but I stuck a note up here, and if I hear anything, I'll let you know.

Semper Fi

 

[Jay]

VA Benefits book

Veterans' Benefits Booklet Now Available


The latest booklet of information regarding federal payments and programs for veterans, their dependents, and their survivors is available. To view the 2009 edition of Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors, visit http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/current_benefits.asp on the Web. Published by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the booklet provides pay tables for benefits provided by the VA and other federal agencies, relevant toll-free telephone numbers and Web addresses, and a directory of VA facilities nationwide.

 

[Jay]

Property Tax Deductions

Property tax deductions are available to disabled Hoosier Veterans under the following conditions:

1. IC 6-1.1-12-14 a $12,480 dollar dedustion is avaiilable to a Veteran who:
a. Served at least 90 days of honorable service
AND
b. Are totally disabled (not necessarily service-connected, but the disability must be evidenced by a VA pension certificate.)

OR
c. Are at least 62 years old and 10% service-connected disabled.

This deduction is not available if the assessed value of the real property owned by the Veteran is in excess of $143,160.

2. IC 6-1.1-12-13 a $24,960 tax deduction is available for Veterans who:

a. served honorably in the Armed Forced during wartime,
AND
b. are at least 10% service-connected.

3. A $37,440 tax deduction is available for any Veteran who: (This is a combination of tax code 1, and tax code 2, and in the event the property is valued abouve $143,160 the tax code 1 portion is not applicable)

Served during any period of wartime.
AND
Is 100% service-connected disabled
OR
Is at least 62 years of age with at least a 10% service connected disability.

Notes........
1. A statutory disability rating for Pulmonary TB is not eligible.
2. Active duty for training with the National Guard, or Reserves is elebible only if th edisability occurs from an event during th eperiod of active duty, AND that duty was performed during wartime.
3. The surving spouse of the Veteran is elegible for the Veteran's tax deduction. The spouse must apply in his or her own name. IC6-1.1-12-14 IC 6-1.1-12-15

 

[IndyGunworks]

THANKS!!!

 

[tenring]

My 10% reduced our property taxes by what I figured to be around $416.00. The VA never informed me that I could, the Internet told me about it. Next time I'm up at Indy, I'm stopping by the Benefits Office and have a long talk with them, also going to get on the Agent Orange list, just in case. Still no word on the Net about the Martinsville CBOC, just several recruiting sites offering jobs there. I am beginning to believe that the VA is having a hard time finding qualified personnel to staff the place. Last report I saw on the tube was that the US needs 15,000 doctors just to take care of what we have now, if the Kenyan gets his way, well we all might just be in a world of hurt. Only the shadow knows!

 

[CombatVet]

Thanks for all the links. Any one know anything about travel? I know I'm eligible, but have never been to the window. Do they do back pay for travel?

 

[Michiana]

exchange stores & commissaries

I just read that a veteran who has a 100% service connected disability rating can get a ID card to use the exchange stores and commissaries on military bases. How do I go about getting this card? I understand Fort Ben has a nice exchange.

thanks

Dick

 

[MoparMan]

Armed Forces Vacation Club (armed forces vacation club) is a great place to check out if your traveling.

 

[MoparMan]

I just read that a veteran who has a 100% service connected disability rating can get a ID card to use the exchange stores and commissaries on military bases. How do I go about getting this card? I understand Fort Ben has a nice exchange.

thanks

Dick

Should be able to take your disability discharge papers to the ID card section at FT. Ben and get it a ID card there.

 

[Michiana]

Got refused myself

A veteran, whether discharged, retired, reserve or active duty, is a person who put his or her life on hold and on the line. They essentially wrote a blank check to the government for any amount - up and including their lives.

I am a member of the Blue Water Navy. One of the thousands of sailors who served off the coast of Vietnam, one of thousands who were sprayed and betrayed. Our numbers have disproportionately high percentages of diabetes and other herbicide related health issues but the VA has summarily dismissed our claims because we did not have boots on the ground. We served on Navy ships in the Tonkin Gulf within a few miles off the coast. The herbicides which were airborne did not stop at the beach.

There was a very brief period when some claims were approved but the VA successfully appealed this decision and now, no presumptive approval based on serving in the coastal water is extended to Navy veterans. Each case is evaluated individually - which it should be - but even if a BWN veteran has a herbicide related illness they must prove direct exposure with a date and documentation. This directly conflicts with the approval process for any veteran who had 'boots and the ground'. Presumptive approval is granted to all other service branches.

I made a claim several years ago after finding the tie in to Agent Orange and diabetes. When I developed diabetes, it was somewhat of a shock - No family history, healthy, active, no logical reason. I've managed my diabetes well over the past 15 years always using the medical benefits I paid for through my occupation. The most difficult end result is my vision. I have diabetic related retina problems and am now undergoing treatments that are not guaranteed to prevent additional vision loss.

After several initial denials and appeals, my claim recently received the final decision - denied again. I do have one more year to appeal - again - which I will but I'm disappointed in this totally illogical policy.

I did have the DAV submit my most recent claim, but even the DAV specialist told me it was a lost cause. I just don't understand why we are treated this way.

I am a type two diabetic. I have a disability rating for service related serious heart issues and a hearing loss but during the process I also applied for the diabetes because I was on a navy ship in 1965 a couple miles off the Vietnam coast on Junk Patrol. We were close enough at times we could tell if the person on shore was male or female yet was also told no boots on the ground, not eligible. Someone quartered in downtown Saigon is eligible but not someone within a mile of planes droping stuff on the enemy. Crazy.

 

[Jay]

Thanks for all the links. Any one know anything about travel? I know I'm eligible, but have never been to the window. Do they do back pay for travel?

Reimbursement for travel costs.......
"Travel pay is paid at 41.5 cents per mile, and is subject to a deductible of $3 for each one-way trip, and $6 for a round trip, with a maximum of $18 per month. Two exceptions to the deductible are travel in relation to a VA comp and pension exam, and transportation requiring a special mode of transportation. All deductibles may be waived if/when their imposotion sould cause a severe financial hardship"

Eligibility...... (From the 2009 VA Benefits Book)
1. Veterans who are 30% service-connected or more
2. Veterans traveling for treatment of service-connected conditions
3. Veterans who receive a VA pension
4. Veterans traveling for scheduled Compension & Pension exams
5. Veterans whose gross income does not exceed the max annual VA compensation rate (I don't know how much that is)
6. certain emergency situations
7. Veterans who require a special mode of transportation, and are unable to defray the costs. (pre-authorization required unless any delay would be hazardous to life or health)
8. Certain non-Veterans when related to the care of a Veteran. (Attnedants & donors)

 

[CombatVet]

I think the "time window" for recovering travel is 1 week after your appointment. I have a call in to make sure, and will edit this to reflect what I find out. Ask for travel pay every time you have an appointment. If they deny it, ask them for documentation explaining the denial.

My thanks.

 

[MACHINEGUN]

Thanks for all the links. Any one know anything about travel? I know I'm eligible, but have never been to the window. Do they do back pay for travel?

You have to ask them at the hospital if you qualify and they do not pay back pay on travel pay.

 

[Michiana]

Thanks for the info

Should be able to take your disability discharge papers to the ID card section at FT. Ben and get it a ID card there.

You don't happen to know where the ID card issue place in at Ft Ben? I have never been there myself so don't have a clue what it is called. Thanks
Dick

 

[MACHINEGUN]

You are the man Jay! Thanks for posting that information about tax credits!

If anyone wants to do that.. all you have to do is contact your county's auditor's office.