I'm retired, mostly due to some health issues. So I'm drawing my Social Security benefits a bit earlier than I would have wanted to, resulting in a lower amount of money a month.
Just for kicks, I went to my V.A. rep and asked about the possibility of being eligible for a military pension, since I served 8 years, 4 more than the minimum enlistment in the Air Force, during the Vietnam conflict. He explained that if one served for more than 90 days in the military, during a period of conflict, one was eligible, depending on one's monthly income.
The upshot of this is that I am now receiving an additional 350 dollars a month, based on my income and health problems. If one makes less than 985 dollars a month, and meets the other requirements, and is single, the government will usually grant a monthly benefit that brings the monthly income to 985 dollars a month. That might not sound like a lot to some of you, but for me, it makes the difference between existing, and *living* a bit. Of course, if one was a "lifer" and stayed in for 20 years or more, they already are eligible for retirement benefits, but for those of us who didn't "fit the mold" this might be something you might want to check out.
Additionally, if I have any "out of pocket" expenses involving health care during the year, I am to keep track of them, and I will be reimbursed for them.
Apparently not many know about all of this, so I was going to blog about it, but I got sick and that distracted me. I'm better now, so here it is.
Good luck to anyone who might benefit from this.
Hugs and love,
Cathy
Comments
I wish they were better
I wish they were better about approving claims.I'm on my second attempt to get them to recognize damage to my hearing from service.It seems they would rather blame everything about my outside dealings then to admit firing heavy weapons and explosives are the most likely causes.Most of my shooting was done in an urban environment from concrete buildings so the noise was amplified and we didn't have the best hearing protection.
Amy
Amy, if you have not done
Amy, if you have not done so, please take your paperwork and supporting documents to the Disabled Vets Association. You may find an office with them in your local VA hospital or within the town or city you live in or near. If you grant them written permission, they can act in your behalf on this matter AND can walk you thru the "pitfalls" of the VA system.
Just remember, if you are appealing the first decision, the initial date of your FIRST request is what the VA will back pay to once you win. Also be advised, if you receive one, that a 0% rating IS A RATING UNDER VA RULES. This definitely helps "down the road" for increasing ratings.
Good luck to you, Jan
Good luck
I need hearing aids in both ears. I have real problems with hearing conversation. My wife thinks I ignore her because she had some nodes removed from her vacal cords and doesn't have a lot of volume, so unless she gets my attention first I just don't hear her. Then I really get in trouble.
I was a cop for 35 years before retiring due to her health problems, it was retire and care for her or put her in a home after her stroke and other health problems. I was a firearms instructor for 30 of those 35 years. Bewteen that and the sirens and fire alarms and standing out directing traffic all the time. I really could use the hearing aids. They wound up having OSHA in to measure the loudness of the ranges and other things. They wound up requiring plugs and muffs at the range and plugs had to be issued to all for entering a building with the fire alarm going off. But try to prove it was all those sounds that caused the hearing loss. Even with the hearing tests they had to run twice a year and keep track of. Fat chance of getting any disability there.
Not a pension but a VA benefit
The pension comes from serving more than 20 years of continuous active duty. VA compensation is a different entity and they will give you a disability if they determine if it is service connected. One can utilize the VA for medial if one has served greater than 90 qays and has a honorable dishcharge.
It took me 14 years to get Combat Related PTSD. I am at 100 percent disabled with a letter from the VA stating I am unemployable. that letter stops me from getting educational benefits
.
One can use the Veterans Affairs office from their state to apply fror disability. Or one can use several of the other ways available. Viet Nam Veterans, DAV, VFW have people who will help you get started.
Ensure whoever you are working with does not make a grocery list of things you are seeking disability for. If one item on the list is questionable then everything will be disapproved. Go after one item at a time and you will find your entitlements coming to you.
If you receive less than 50% you willkhave to pay for medicines and some of your visit5s if they are not service connected.
Dental is for those with 100% disability
Jill Micayla
Be kinder than necessary,Because everyone you meet
Is fighting some kind of battle.
Jill Micayla
Be kinder than necessary,Because everyone you meet
Is fighting some kind of battle.