My husband is a vetran...?

Question

he is getting medically discharged for PTSD and depression....so his health care is free for up to two years correct?

Including his medication, doctor visits and all of that jazz?

Does this include me or just him? We have no children.

Thanks!

Should we just contact our vet affairs office when we get back home?

Hi Hung "Lowe" - I understand that as a child you probably molested and brutally raped by your father but that does not give you a reason to be so negative to people that you do not know. Why would I want to pay extra money for health benefits if I can get them through the VA...it would benefit my husband and I so we could spend it other important things...like his college books.

It is a simple question about health benefits. It's not my problem that you think every military wife is a free loader...you obviously have some issues and are bitter about something in your past. I hope that one day YOU can get the help that YOU need in order to take care of them. Have a nice night and I hope you can get over yourself someday. Toodles.

Please excuse my grammar errors...it's been a long day and I'm tired.

Answer 1

Brittany,
The first thing you will need to do is make sure he gets copies of his military medical records and a copy of his DD214. The next thing to do is go to a VA facility and ask for a Disabled American Veteran Service officer. Please, and I repeat Please, do not and try to file this claim yourself and DO NOT use a VA service officer to file your claim unless there are no other options. You will definitely get extremely frustrated. There are many Veterans Service Organizations (VSO's) that will assist you, but I recommend the DAV because of their success rate. There is no cost to you to use theses services. The VSO's will be more conscientious of the veteran. The DAV and other VSO's will also assist you with any and all appeals of the claim again with no charge as the VA service officer WILL NOT. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A MEMBER TO USE THESE SERVICES EITHER. If your husband has not been discharged from the service yet, I would reccomend him to go and see a DAV Service officer. If there is not a service where you are located, please contact me and I will put you in touch with the closest one.

Depending on his Service Connected rating, you may or may not be covered under Champva. Until he files a claim and the claim awarded, you will not know.

There are so called magic numbers in the system. 1. 0-20%. Veteran can be seen for service connected issues only and a means test may be used to determine co-pay. 2. At 30%, the veteran can use the VA for all services, but will have to pay a co-pay for non-service connected drugs. 3. At 50%, it is the same as 30% but ALL meds are covered with no co-pay.

Please remember, these are just guidelines and everything wil be predicated on his particular situation and his case. You will have to go in and talk to a service officer to file your claim and wait until the VA makes a decision then go from there. I make it sound so easy, sometime it is and sometimes it is not.

Feel free to contact me for more information thru this forum.
Good luck

Roland

Answer 2

First of all, yes he will get 2 years of free medical care. If he is being medically discharged from the army, he should get a military rating, this could be anything from 0 to50% or higher. If he gets 30% disability rating from the army, you will have insurance and commissary privileges. If he gets less than 30%, he will get a severance package from the army and he or you will have no military privileges including insurance. But if this happens and he goes to the VA, and he is deemed high enough on their rating, you could qualify for Champus VA. It is a long and complicated process.
You do need to go the the VA and file a claim for compensation or he will receive no money from the VA. After 2 years he will go through the means testing, and then anything that is not service connected, he will have to pay a co-pay.
Medically discharged is tough and the battle never gets any easier especially when you are fighting for PTSD. If I can be of help, just send me an email. I have been where you are right now, and I had a lot of questions. It is just a year since we got into the VA so it is still fairly new and I am still learning. Hope this helps. I wish you both well.

Answer 3

Frankly, you'll be lucky if you get even that. When I left, I got nothing.

If anything, his coverage is just for him.

Good luck. It won't be easy, I can guarantee you that. I'm going through what he is alone. PTSD is nothing to be taken lightly, as sadly it is all to often. He needs you now more than ever. I wish you and your husband a long and happy life together.

Answer 4

spouses are NOT eligible unless the service member RETIRES. Just being discharged doesn't count.

as for him.. only conditions directly relating to the PTSD will be covered.. At most he will have 6 months of full coverage free of cost. after that he has to pay for it.

Answer 5

Just him, all meds and doc visits will be included. Plus your state may have additional benefits available, contact your local VA when he returns and they should have all the answers for you.

Answer 6

don't forget to get several copies of medical records for his va claim. i don't really know about the medical care but make sure he gets treatment because he's going to need it. keep your head up and good luck to you.

Answer 7

vetran?
Did you deploy too? Do you also have PTSD & depression?
The VA can see him for his combat or military related disabilities.
start looking for a job that has an excellent Health plan, you'll need it!