Veterans Affairs Thread

[U.S. Patriot]

VA hospital question

As long as you are honorably discharged, you can go to the VA hospital correct? I assume you have to make an appointment? Also what paperwork is required to be seen? I do have copies of my DD214.

 

[Jay]

As long as you are honorably discharged, you can go to the VA hospital correct? I assume you have to make an appointment? Also what paperwork is required to be seen? I do have copies of my DD214.

Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors - Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

 

[HICKMAN]

Okay, I got out in 1996 and have put off filing for long enough. My back issues where documented when I was stationed at Fort Sam Houston but I have no idea how to get started.

My father tells me each county has a VA Rep, does anyone know who it is in Lawrence County. Or might there be someone at NWSC Crane to point me in the right direction?

 

[Jay]

Thanks for your service.

Here's the link to the VA benefits info. Click on "Chapter 1" to get you started.

Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors - Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

This URL contains the exact information contained in the Federal Benefits for Veterans book.

Be aware that there are income thresholds that define the level of care you're entitled to. There is a link to those guidelines within the above URL.

You need to call the Indianapolis VA ( 888-878-6889) and see if they require an appointment to sign up for health benefits. You may be able to just walk in. You MUST have a copy of your DD-214. You'll need to bring any other documentation to prove service-connection. DO NOT LEAVE ANY ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS WITH THE VA. They should be most willing to make any copies they might need.

In Indiana, every county has a Veteran's Service Officer. His/her number will be listed in the phone book under Gov't Offices. They can help, but realize they are NOT VA employees. It would also be a good idea to involve one of the service organizations, VFW, American Legion, with filing for benefits. If a problem should arise, they can be quite helpful.

The VA maintains a call center at 1-800-827-1000. They can usually field questions and get you to the proper source.

Again, Thanks for your service...

 

[Big Naughty]

I am currently at 70% service connected. I have an appeal in process to see if i can get to 100%.
My question is, What benefits would my family be entitled to at that point? I have heard different things from different people.

Everything changes when you hit 100%. One of the major things is that you'll get VA dental coverage on top of the huge increase in financial benefits. Don't take no for an answer and you'll get there. As I'm sure you're aware the appeal process can seem like a never ending affair.

 

[Jay]

Moving Wall in Kokomo.....

A replica of the VietNam Memorial will be on the grounds of the GM plant in Kokomo, IN... adjacent to U.S. Highway 31, from Sept 29th, thru October 2nd. It will arrive today, but there will be set-up time.


The display will be open, and available 24 hours a day, and it will be "escorted" 24 hours a day. If you live within 30 miles of Kokomo, are service-connected, and would like to see the display, but do not have transportation, please PM me. I will do what I can to see that you get there, and get home.
Semper Fidelis



Directions...

The Wall will be set up at the intersection of US Hwy 31, and E. Boulevard, on the east side of US 31. The display will be easily visible from US 31 whether you're traveling north or south on US 31. There is a Bob Evans restaurant on the north side of Boulevard St, and the display is on the south side of Boulevard, right across from the Bob Evans.

Kokomo IN Visitors Bureau

 

[GBuck]

A replica of the VietNam Memorial will be on the grounds of the GM plant in Kokomo, IN... adjacent to U.S. Highway 31, from Sept 29th, thru October 2nd. It will arrive today, but there will be set-up time.

The display will be open, and available 24 hours a day, and it will be "escorted" 24 hours a day. If you live within 30 miles of Kokomo, are service-connected, and would like to see the display, but do not have transportation, please PM me. I will see that you get there, and get home.

Semper Fidelis

bump

 

[Jay]

I'd like to keep this information ^^^^ visible if I can.....

 

[XtremeVel]

bump

Thanks for all the help and advice you give Vet's Jay !

 

[Jay]

Just in case someone might wish to go, and not dig deep enough to find this thread......

 

[IndySSD]

A replica of the VietNam Memorial will be on the grounds of the GM plant in Kokomo, IN... adjacent to U.S. Highway 31, from Sept 29th, thru October 2nd. It will arrive today, but there will be set-up time.


The display will be open, and available 24 hours a day, and it will be "escorted" 24 hours a day. If you live within 30 miles of Kokomo, are service-connected, and would like to see the display, but do not have transportation, please PM me. I will do what I can to see that you get there, and get home.
Semper Fidelis

As I'm not too familiar with Kokomo, could you explain where abouts on US31 the GM plant is?

I tried to google it on google maps but it just showed GM dealerships...

Thanks in advance, My FiL was a multi tour vietnam veteran that we lost last year to lung cancer and I'd really like to take my wife to see this display.

Thanks again!

 

[Jay]

The Wall will be set up at the intersection of US Hwy 31, and E. Boulevard, on the east side of US 31. The display will be easily visible from US 31 whether you're traveling north or south on US 31. There is a Bob Evans restaurant on the north side of Boulevard St, and the display is on the south side of Boulevard, right across from the Bob Evans.

Kokomo IN Visitors Bureau

 

[IndySSD]

The Wall will be set up at the intersection of US Hwy 31, and E. Boulevard, on the east side of US 31. The display will be easily visible from US 31 whether you're traveling north or south on US 31. There is a Bob Evans restaurant on the north side of Boulevard St, and the display is on the south side of Boulevard, right across from the Bob Evans.

Kokomo IN Visitors Bureau

First, thank you for the info.


Secondly, this just hit me funny..... So you mean that Kokomo has a Boulevard street?

Do they also have an Avenue Lane? A Street Road? A Circle Drive?

/boggle...

 

[Jay]

Yep, Kokomo has a "Boulevard".... East Boulevard, and West Boulevard, to be precise, divided by US 31. Most every community has a street that was named by a map-maker, just before he fell off the end of the earth. I have no clue about the other three....

 

[Mosineer]

A replica of the VietNam Memorial will be on the grounds of the GM plant in Kokomo, IN... adjacent to U.S. Highway 31, from Sept 29th, thru October 2nd. It will arrive today, but there will be set-up time.


The display will be open, and available 24 hours a day, and it will be "escorted" 24 hours a day. If you live within 30 miles of Kokomo, are service-connected, and would like to see the display, but do not have transportation, please PM me. I will do what I can to see that you get there, and get home.
Semper Fidelis



Directions...

The Wall will be set up at the intersection of US Hwy 31, and E. Boulevard, on the east side of US 31. The display will be easily visible from US 31 whether you're traveling north or south on US 31. There is a Bob Evans restaurant on the north side of Boulevard St, and the display is on the south side of Boulevard, right across from the Bob Evans.

Kokomo IN Visitors Bureau

I urge everyone, young or old, Vet or not, who has a chance to see the Wall to do so. It is such a heart felt moving experience. For some, it is a chance to see the names of family and friends, or the military brother and sisters we served with. But for all it is a moving dedication to the men and women who served, and those that sacrificed all. Get a chance, walk through it, don't think you will regret it....Mos

 

[OEF5]

Also as a place to post some help for Vets, my american Legion Post has a State VFW rep come in once a month to file VA claims.

The people we have that come in are awesome and they do all the paperwork. If you have ever thought that you could get a raiting all you need to do is bring any med documents that you have, a copy of your 214 and come see them. They can tell you what to expect, see if you do rate a claim or what not.

If you are an OIF or OEF vet your claim will be processed faster, for any Vietnam Vets there are new things that can be claimed, if you don't know please come and at least ask!

It's worth the property tax reduction, it's worth the tax free check once a month, you deserve it!

Shoot me a pm if you would like further information.

 

[EvilBlackGun]

My Honor-poem, dedicated the those Brothers In Arms who have not yet returned ..

~NAMES I RECALL~

Names I Recall; many years ago
I saw them fall, saw young souls go :
the Youth who served their God, to heaven;
or atheists' sons sacrificially given.
Or cross, or magen, or crescent....show
on Liberty 's beaches staked banners glow.
"I'll Give!" each answered, when asked: "Who'll go?"
Now we hallow and remember those monuments, 'graven:
Names I Recall.
We died but one single Death;
our Mourning sobs one tear, one breath.
Never-ending Hope reigns in our one heart:
far from battles, Reunion , ne'er to part.
" For Freedom " the list will longer grow :
Names I Recall.....

 

[MACHINEGUN]

If you are an OIF or OEF vet your claim will be processed faster

Where did you hear this?

This statement is so not true.. anyone who deals with VA claims waits the same amount of time as any other Veteran.

 

[Jay]

Where did you hear this?

This statement is so not true.. anyone who deals with VA claims waits the same amount of time as any other Veteran.

The process for registering for health care benefits has been made easier and faster for OIF/OEF Veterans via the "Seamless Transition" system.... continuation of, and transfer of Veterans' care from military facilities to VA facilities.

U.S. GAO - VA and DOD Health Care: Efforts to Provide Seamless Transition of Care for OEF and OIF Servicemembers and Veterans

"...In September 2005, we testified on VA's collaboration with DOD to provide seamless transition of care for servicemembers between DOD and VA health care systems--that is, no interruption of care as the person moves from being a DOD patient to being a VA patient..."

As Posted... the process for filing service-connection claims is handled on a first-come, first-served basis, unless extraordinary circumstances arise.

 

[MACHINEGUN]

The process for registering for health care benefits has been made easier and faster for OIF/OEF Veterans via the "Seamless Transition" system.... continuation of, and transfer of Veterans' care from military facilities to VA facilities.

U.S. GAO - VA and DOD Health Care: Efforts to Provide Seamless Transition of Care for OEF and OIF Servicemembers and Veterans



As Posted... the process for filing service-connection claims is handled on a first-come, first-served basis, unless extraordinary circumstances arise.

Jay.. you are talking about VA care, he is making it sound like the claims for these Veterans is sped up faster than other Veterans, so untrue.. and the only reason it should be sped up for a Veteran is if he or she has "extraordinary circumstances" for sure. Other than that.. we all should have the same waiting time, if not.. that would be so unfair!