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I guess they didn't do the mandatory out-processing for some of y'all when y'all got out?
We had to attend a week long class before your final out-processing. One day, a VA service guy spoke to us. He took our info and started our VA medical processing. Copies of medical records included.
I was surprised at how they checked everything. Those veteran service officers know their stuff.
Most county offices have them. You can check with them if you have questions.
Well maybe they don't all know their stuff. Cuz after i got my rating, I was curious and started reading the regs. I was then able to help my BIL get his 100% rating. He was a vietnam vet - gee those guys should be almost automatic. But then he would ask too many questions and I told him to just do what I said - lol. Maybe his VSO told him to hit the road.
1987 - I went through 3 days at Fort Dix for out processing. They noted my knee (surgery) and hearing loss. There was no talk of rating till I was already out and had to go to VFW or some such office to get a job. They advised me to ignore it so it would be easier to get a job with no rating. I also had to go to a VA Hospital after I was out to get my dental covered as it was not covered at out processing.
I see now that was a mistake.
1987 - I went through 3 days at Fort Dix for out processing. They noted my knee (surgery) and hearing loss. There was no talk of rating till I was already out and had to go to VFW or some such office to get a job. They advised me to ignore it so it would be easier to get a job with no rating. I also had to go to a VA Hospital after I was out to get my dental covered as it was not covered at out processing.
I see now that was a mistake.
yes because you can still work if you are rated. They even gives vets points for that
You can be 100% disabled via the VA and still work.
Now there is a rating that starts at 60% and they decide you are unemployable so bump you to 100% - but you are not supposed to work.
I had a vet propose to me and part of his "offer" was Tricare for life.
did it work? I might start using that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nell Plotts
My suggestion is to enroll if qualified and use it enough to maintain your enrollment (they may drop you if you don't use it). You never know when you may need it.
iirc, some VA emergency room and urgent care benefits require the vet to have used the system in the previous two years.
I have heard vets say they go once a year, just to keep their participation current.
Interesting, I always thought I couldn’t get VA health care so never looked into it. When the non affordable healthcare started and the costs skyrocketed I somehow and I can’t remember exactly how, heard I might be eligible having only served 12 years with an honorable discharge. Found out because of my gulf war service, the first one, I was not only eligible but I also was not subject to the means test but could submit income if I wanted to determine copay but that was voluntary.
30 years ago today I was breathing the wonderful oil well fire smoke, dust and who knows what else while we were blowing up the ammunition dumps.
I am a Gulf War vet also (90-91), exposed to the same smoke, depleted uranium, and one near vicinity scud missile strike nearby, (full of who knows what). I finally signed up online to register with the VA near my home about 6 months ago. I had to submit documents regarding income. What I recall reading from the website is that means testing can affect priority of scheduling for treatment for one thing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill790
Hmmm. I applied for VA care (so I could get a COVID vaccine) and was turned down because they said I made too much. And I too am Pri 6 (Gulf War vet). Anybody have any idea why?
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I have my very first consultation with a primary care doctor via video today, as my VA center doesnt allow walk ins for consultations. I am trying to line up an appt in June, but I have no idea what priority rating I have between my Gulf War history, my income, my current 40% rating, and my existing condition. Do you have a current VA rating?
That 'vet' was a retiree. That is how he had access to Tricare and a pension.
Military pensions can be 'decent', they are steady. I served 20 years, my pension is such that I am well within spitting distance from the federal 'Poverty level'.
And if you do get a VA rating under 60%, your pension is offset by the exact amount of the VA rating payment.
And if you do get a VA rating under 60%, your pension is offset by the exact amount of the VA rating payment.
At least the VA rating is tax exempt.
If you are under 50% disability rating, (0-40%, VA ratings are only increments of 10%) your disability check is subtracted from your retirement check and is tax free. You do not receive a full retirement check PLUS a separate disability check until you are rated 50% and above. So an example would be.... Your retirement check before disability rating was 1,800$. But you are rated at 20%. You would receive a direct deposit of 1,516$ for retirement and a 2nd deposit for $284 for Disability and the Disability check would be tax free. (All numbers rounded for ease)
On a side note.... Being diabetic, I have 11 prescriptions and close to half are testing supplies (syringes, pen needles, lancets, blood testing strips ect) Instead of getting the scripts filled at the VA and paying a copay, I have the VA Dr. handwrite these scripts with 3 refills and I take them to a nearby Army base and get them filled there for free. The VA hospital is 3 miles from my house. Would be easy to just fill them there, but I like saving the 264$ copays every 3 months. The reason I don't just use the Army base doctor is that it is a distance away, and a lot of military installations are cutting retirees off of clinical care. But you still can use their pharmacy. So I go up to the base and while they are filling my scripts, I go to the commissary and get a months worth of groceries or go to the BX and look around.
Tricare is hospital insurance for those that retired from the military and can be used at any medical facility
VA health care is for veterans that served in the military and is used at VA medical facility only
VA care is not limited to VA facilities. The Mission Act, enacted under the previous administration, made changes to community care availability.
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I might start using that. 
