can the V.A. hospital deny a veteran medical treatment ?
My dad served in the US Army and Marines during the Korean conflict and now he needs medical attention on his foot.
They are denying this service to him.
Can they do this ?
2007-03-02 01:39:23 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
he had an honorable discharge in both Army and Marines.
2007-03-02 02:43:55 · update #1
I'm sorry to say that everyone that's saying it has to be medically related to the military is very wrong. My Dad only did 6 years and he receives VA treatment. He has a very bad heart, which has nothing to do with the years he served. However, getting the treatment was difficult. For many older military persons, records weren't kept on a computer....it was all done on paper. Over the years, many service members records have been lost or destroyed. This might be the issue with your father. You need to find out the exact reason why they're refusing treatment. If they can't find record of his service, they'll deny him in a heartbeat. If this is the case, he needs to get everything he has on his service together and take it to the local VA office. You won't know anything for sure until you have the exact reason for his denial. You'll have to help him take it from there. If it's not lost records, you do have the right to appeal the decision. Continue to help him fight for his rights....he deserves all his benefits.
Good luck!!
2007-03-02 02:03:21 · answer #1 · answered by HEartstrinGs 6 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Any veteran who was honorably discharged after serving on active duty for a minimum of 24 months or the full period for which he was called to active duty was, until 1997, eligible for VA medical care.
Care is given on an "as available" basis, with the first priorities being military retirees and others with a service-connected disability. Low income individuals have always been given greater preference, but as of 1997, eligibility criteria based on income was officially established. In short, anyone without a service-connected disability can be denied care based on income.
2007-03-02 01:57:40 · answer #2 · answered by Rob D 5 · 6⤊ 1⤋
He should be able to get treatment. I get my health care at the local VA hospital. I was in the Army for almost 8 years, and served in Desert Storm. They consider me 0% service connected. That basically means I have no medical issues related to my time in the Army. You may want to contact your Congressman. They can get things done much quicker than we can. You can also try contacting some local vets organizations, like the VFW and American Legion. They can give you more ideas, and names of people to contact in your area.
2007-03-02 02:23:47 · answer #3 · answered by bugs280 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
There's a myth that the VA has to treat all former military members who were honorably discharged. It's just not true. They will treat them on a space available basis, but there is no right to treatment UNLESS the problem is connected to the vet's service.
2007-03-02 05:56:57 · answer #4 · answered by Yak Rider 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If it's service-related?....EDIT: Must NOT deny treatment.
He does have rights and can appeal this.
Hope this helps..............http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Issue_Spotlights&...isplay.cfm&ContentID=8427
I don't have the details on this but if he requires an attorney, your dad must tell them to go for a "Federal Tort Claim".......alot of people don't know about this and lose their case.
Call the VA Office of Inspector General and your Congressman...
so your case will be handled "out" of the chain of command for the VA hospital. (hospital and affiliates will cover it all up)
Heartstring:
Amendments made in 2003 made it more difficult for veterans in certain income brackets to receive this care.
Veterans and their families are eligible for medical care. (non-service related)
Whether they get it is another story.
2007-03-02 01:46:53 · answer #5 · answered by Bonnie Lynn 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
They can deny you service if you are not a qualifying veteran or an injury is not service connected.
2007-03-02 05:38:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. He has to have a service related disability to be seen by the VA. If his foot problem is service related and he has it in his medical record he should be seen. Also, if he served 20 years in the military he is entitled to service at the VA. Go to www.va.gov for answers to all your questions.
2007-03-02 01:56:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
if it is not service related, they will only take him on a Space A basis, and as such can deny treatment if they don't have the room.
2007-03-02 03:14:53 · answer #8 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If he did not serve a full 20 year career and retire from the military he isn't entitled to anything.
2007-03-02 01:42:23 · answer #9 · answered by J S 4 · 1⤊ 6⤋
only if he was dishonorbly discharged
2007-03-02 01:48:30 · answer #10 · answered by guytonpo 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋