My Dad is a veteran from the early fifties. He recently went to the VA and they told him they could'nt treat him because of his income. He is not a wealthy man, and I always thought it did not matter anyway. He said the republican congress passed a law a few years ago. Does anyone know who is responsible for this outrage. He like most Vets never asked for favours, just what was due him.
2007-04-14 16:18:52 · 12 answers · asked by Braddock52 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Actually until a few years ago, veterans with non service connected illness's and injuries barely ever were allowed treatment at the VA and then only on a space available case.
Veterans were never promised life time medicial care after serving.
Only those who retire or have service connected illness's and injuries were promised life time access to VA medicial care.
The VA now categorises veterans into 8 levels. Access to care is priortised based on what level you are categorized in.
An example would be level 1 :
Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 50% or more disabling, or
Veterans determined by VA to be unemployable due to service-connected conditions
Level 2:
Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 10% or 20% disabling
Veterans who are former POWs
Veterans awarded the Purple Heart
Veterans whose discharge was for a disability that began in the line of duty
Veterans who are disabled because of VA treatment or participation in VA vocational rehabilitation program
Level 8 :
Veterans who agree to pay specified copay with income and/or net worth above VA Means Test threshold and the Geographic Means Test Threshold.
Subpriority a: Noncompensable 0% service-connected veterans enrolled as of January 16, 2003 and who have remained enrolled since that date
Subpriority c: Nonservice-connected veterans enrolled as of January 16, 2003 and who have remained enrolled since that date
Subpriority e*: Noncompensable 0% service-connected veterans applying for enrollment after January 16, 2003
Subpriority g*: Nonservice-connected veterans applying for enrollment after January 16, 2003
* Enrollment Restriction:
.
The VA applies a income means test to veterans with non service connected illness's and injuries.
Link is below.
2007-04-14 16:40:01 · answer #1 · answered by jeeper_peeper321 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Without being service connected or being POW or having the Purple Heart it will be hard for him to get service at the VA. Witch is sad I think every Vet should have the right to go to the VA. But now there is such a high rate of people returning from OIF and OEF the VA is having a hard time keeping up with the amount of people that need treatment
2007-04-15 00:28:55 · answer #2 · answered by suro25 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is only entitles to care if he did 20 years and retired or he has a rated VA disabiliy which was service related. Just because a person was in the military for a few years does not give them life long use to VA medical service. Sorry to be so blunt, but that is how it works.
2007-04-14 19:46:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The sad truth is, there are several categories of veterans. If there is no service connected disability, and you meet the income level, you pay to use the VA. It has been this way for many years. Here is an explanation:http://www.usd.edu/elderlaw/student_research/va_medical_care.htm
2007-04-14 16:29:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
No the republican congress did NOT. In 2001 congress made a cut off that if you were not in their system at that time they would not provide health care to prior veterans. I am also affected by this cutoff date. According to my congresswoman who I spoke with, she said that due to budget reasons congress had to make a cutoff to meet the budget for the VA and that they commonly make these adjustments as the budget fluctuates.
2007-04-14 16:26:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well welcome to the club. I was told many years ago i was not qualified for any VA benefits and I'm retired from the us navy. and yes the republican congress did pass a law if you make so much money you're not entitled to any VA benefits. its just another of the rich mans things to stick it to the poor with and congress gets free medical care for life and also get their salary for life even it they get put in prison.
2007-04-14 16:30:08 · answer #6 · answered by roy40371 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As mentioned before there are different categories that are given preference for treatment. Some based on income and others based on level of service connection for medical problems.
First, write you congressman and let them know what you think.
Second, gather all military records at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html and file a claim for service connection for medical problems if he had any. You can do it yourself or ask for help through the VFW, DAV, DVA, American legion, etc,etc.
Third read as much about it at the following links.
http://p203.ezboard.com/bvetbenefits
http://www.vawatchdog.org/
http://www.vba.va.gov/
http://www.hadit.com/
2007-04-14 17:10:01 · answer #7 · answered by R T 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Did he retire from the military?
Was a service connected problem being treated?
Does he carry a disabled veteran status?
Need more info to answer this.
2007-04-14 17:16:56 · answer #8 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure about this law, but he is a veteran and they had no right to turn him away, your best bet start beating up your Congressional leaders about this or let the press, it is a big issue now.
2007-04-14 16:23:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about a law, but I know funds have been lacking for some time. I think it is inexcusable. Health care for life for vets, that's how it was supposed to be and should be to this day.
2007-04-14 16:26:23 · answer #10 · answered by genmalia 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋