Question about VA benefits.

Rosi's Mom

I  remember reading on here about a special classification for vets who are in later stages. A friend's husband is a Vietnam Vet, maybe exposed to agent orange. 

Anyone have info to help her get some help from VA.

PPeggy

star26

"Catastrophically Disabled"??? If he's already receiving some or all of his medical care from the VA, the social worker at his "CBOC" (outpatient clinic) can give your friend information on every single program available to him now or in the future. If he has not been receiving any VA medical care and does not have a VA Medical card, he will need to apply for that first and it can take some time.

Rosi's Mom

star26,  Thanks for the information. That was what I was looking for. Strangely, he is in the VA system. They are only classifying him as 40% disabled when he is immobile, nearly mute, has to be fed by his wife, and having outrageous tremors. Don't understand the system. 

Peggy

ThisLife

VA disability is based on the amount of impairment that was caused by injury/incident while in and related to military service. The percentage is based on the impairment caused by the evaluated event(s). It has nothing to do with his dementia diagnosis. The VA provides care based on these needs. Frequently the injuries/disability is progressive due to the nature of the qualifying injuries or deterioration with age. This does not change the percentage of disability.  This percentage can be appealed at the time of the determination. 

The inclusion of dementia as catastrophically disabled is a more recent inclusion in VA services even though there is no evidence that it is linked to military service.  The extent of impairment does not increase his disability rating

June45

Here is the link to a thread about this subject that was posted a while ago

https://www.alzconnected.org/discussion.aspx?g=posts&t=2147536925 

banpaeng

Hello and I hope this helps.

First you need to put on your big boy pants as this is a Govt agency and the old general word is do as little as possible.

Now that I said that, Contact Disabled Veterans of America.  They will assign a person to not only help you but push the process.

Inside each large VA facility, they have people to help.  Just push their buttons as they are Govt employees also.

You did not say which state you are in but most states have VA services.  In Texas there are several.  

Best Bet is DAV.  If you don't like the counselor you get tell them and change.  They will work to get the vet the care he needs as well as appeal his disability

gdcrabby

The VFW can also be helpful.