Service Connected Disabilities, File Now

The VA is similar to a tree with many branches. They offer health care at clinics and hospitals, educational benefits, a variety of pensions, VA home loans and disability benefits, among other things.

The majority of veterans who come in asking about disability benefits served in Vietnam.  Most want to file an Agent Orange claim. The VA defines the defoliant as " a blend of tactical herbicides the U.S. military sprayed from 1962 to 1971 during Operation Ranch Hand in the Vietnam War to remove trees and dense tropical foliage that provided enemy cover."

The name “Agent Orange” comes from the orange stripe painted on the 55-gallon drums the pesticide was stored in. Vets were sprayed with it while on combat operations,  around perimeter of bases. Overspray drifted onto ships that were supporting troop operations in the Mekong Delta and inland waterways. It was everywhere.

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Thousands of vets eventually came down with medical conditions as a result of contact with AO.  Now they are in need of help and medical care. Type II diabetes, ischemic heart disease, pancreatic cancer, neuropathy are some of the medical conditions that are related to Agent Orange.

Then there are injuries and wounds that are a result of combat operations or accidents that occur will serving.  If a vet was awarded a Purple Heart, they are entitled to full medical benefits from the day of discharge.

If you feel you have a medical condition or service connected injury that occurred while in the military, stop by my office in the Henry County Courthouse and we can talk about it. Please bring a discharge (DD-214) and any relevant evidence.

My office hours are 7 am till noon, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. E mail jguglielmi@henryco.net or 765-529-4305.

VA Health Care: Apply Now

VA Health Care Enrollment Process 

   Veterans are now eligible for a comprehensive health care package that is completely portable across the entire VA health care system. To receive health care, most veterans must be enrolled first.

   In 2009 federal regulations were changed to enable VA to enroll certain Priority Group 8 veterans who applied for enrollment and who may have been previously denied enrollment in the VA health care system because their income exceeded VA's income thresholds. These Veterans may now qualify if their household income does not exceed the current VA income thresholds by more than 10%. To see if you are eligible and to access a calculator to see how you stand against the income thresholds, visit www.va.gov/healtheligibility/Library/AnnualThresholds.asp.      If you have any enrollment or eligibility questions, you may call 1-877-222-VETS (8387).

Application Process

To apply for VA health care benefits, including enrollment you must fill out an application for enrollment, VA Form 10-10EZ. You may obtain this form by one of the following means:

• Online - Complete VA Form 10-10EZ, Application for Health Benefits.
• By Telephone - Call toll-free number at 877-222-VETS (8387)
• In Person - Complete the "Application for Health Benefits" at your local VA. Find a VA medical center.

The VA uses the 10-10EZ application to determine if you have qualifying service as a veteran and your status so you can be placed into one of the Enrollment Priority Groups.

Once enrolled you will remain enrolled without having to reapply for benefit annually. However, some veterans will need to update their financial information yearly to keep their enrollment priority current. VA will contact you when or if it is necessary to update their financial information.

The VA has a quick two-question form to help you determine your if you qualify for VA health care. Visit the VA Health Care Page to get started.

New Law Opens VA Health Care to Some Priority Group 8 Vets

   A recent change in the laws governing VA health care provides VA additional funding to allow expanded enrollment opportunity for certain Priority 8 Veterans who may have been previously denied enrollment in VA's health care system because their income exceeded VA's national and geographically-adjusted means test thresholds.

   The new regulations took effect on June 15, 2009 and enable the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to relax income restrictions on enrollment for health benefits. While this new provision does not remove consideration of income, it does increase income thresholds. You may be eligible for enrollment under this new provision, even if you have been denied coverage in the past.

   A Veteran applying for enrollment on or after June 15, 2009, who does not qualify for a higher priority group and whose income exceeds VA's national and geographically-adjusted means test threshold by 10% of less will be placed in Priority Group 8b (if the Veteran is non-compensable 0% service-connected) or 8d (if the Veteran is nonservice-connected) and enrolled in the VA health care system. This new financial threshold is referred to as the "Enrollment threshold."

Your Next Step:
If you applied after Jan. 1, 2009 simply wait for the VA to contact you after their re-evaluation period.

If you originally applied for VA health care prior to Jan. 1, 2009 you should visit the VA Health Care Calculator to determine if you are eligible under the new Priority Group 8 guidelines.

Complete and submit VA Form 10-10EZR, Health Benefits Renewal form to have your eligibility for health care enrollment reassessed against the new "Enrollment threshold."

If you need assistance contact VA's Health Resource Center at 1-877-222 VETS (8387); or visit the VA health eligibility website at www.va.gov/healtheligibility/.

Short and To The Point: Filling Out Claim Forms

  Many times when a veteran or his spouse comes into my office to file a claim, but they want to take the forms home. They have another appointment, don't have the information with them, etc. I try to help everyone I can plow through the paperwork on site, but that is not  always possible.

   My advice to anyone filling out their own forms goes like this:
   
        Read each question carefully.
                   Don't guess at the answers. If you are not sure, bring the forms to you Service Officer.
     
        Print all your answers plainly. Do not use cursive.
                  You may know what you have written but the VA Grader that processes your claim might not be able to read your scribbles.
     
        Fill in all the blanks.
                  Example: Many VA forms ask for morning & evening phone numbers. Today it is common for people to have cells phones and no home phone. They put their cell phone number in the 'morning' box and same in the 'evening' box. Put the number in both boxes.

        Get all your financial information together before completing claims that require it.

        Gather up the necessary certificates you might need: discharge, death, marriage, etc.

        Know your doctor's full name, address and phone number and what they treated you for.

        Disability comp claims require What, When, Where & Why types of information.
                  Their needs to be a cause and effect. Yesterday a vet came in and wanted to file an "Agent Orange" claim. There is NO such thing. You have to have a disability related to you time in Vietnam, on the ground or serving in the Blue or Brown water Navy.

   When you have completed the forms and gathered all the necessary documents together, bring them to your county Veteran Service Office so they can check them over before they are shipped off to your Regional VA Office.

   The people that rate claims are not sitting waiting for your claim to land on their desk. They already have a stack of folders they are working on. If they have not their morning coffee or were stuck in traffic on the way to work, they not be in the best frame of might when they look at your claim that is full of scribbles and missing forms. They already have a stack of claims on their desk that they can turn to.

    Be concise, neat and have everything you need. If not sure, go to your VSO office and ask.  
 
  Remember www.va.gov  or email me at jguglielmi@henryco.net with you questions or write a comment on this blog.         

       

     

     
     

     

Crisis Line for Veterans Who Need Help Fast

    When as veteran in a crisis situation and needs help, there is a place to turn. The VA has established the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 PRESS 1. You can also send a text message to 838255.  This service is available 24/7 365 days a year.
 
   The Veteran Crisis Line is staffed with well trained  counselors - many are Veterans - who understand what Veterans have been through and the challenges they face coping with day to day survival.
 
   Depressed, homeless, can't find work, suffering from Post Traumatic Stress, this is the number to call for help. All calls are confidential and there is even support for the deaf and hard of hearing. If you have a computer available, log into www.veterancrisisline.net. You can start a chat online.
 
   What help is available through these numbers? The beauty of the service is that whatever the problem is, there are resources available. PTSD, depression, thoughts of suicide, these are problems that people don't understand unless they have been there. That is why the Crisis Line is so valuable. Call and talk to someone who understands.
   
   Can't find a job? The Crisis line will point you in the right direction. Also your state's Dept. Of Veterans Affairs and Employment Offices should have a staff members that specialize in helping vets find employment. A goal of the VA and state DOV's  is to find employment for as many Veterans as possible.
     
   Homeless and can't find a place to live. The counselors can connect you with resources in your area that can help you obtain aid and housing. The Natl. Call Center for Homeless Veterans, 1-877-424-3838 is another resource that can help vets and their families with housing and medical help. Federal, state, community partners, local agencies and county veteran service officers partner to get Veterans the help they need.
   
   Remember:
               Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255 PRESS 1
               Natl. Call Center for Homeless Veterans, 1-877-424-3838

   I highly recommend that if you are not in the VA Health Care system, apply as soon as possible. It is simple. Complete a 10-10EZ (a two page form) and have a copy of your discharge. You can mail them to:                                    
                                     Health Eligibility Center
                                     2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200
                                     Atlanta, GA 30329
   Or take the form and discharge to your closest VA medical facility for processing. You can find the addresses on www.va.gov.                                  
 

If you feel lost and don't know where to turn, call. You have to start some place. Veteran families and friends are encouraged to also call to help their loved ones.

   If you have questions, feel free to email me. jguglielmi@henryco.net






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