Why are there millions of veterans, widows and dependents nationwide who are not getting VA benefits?
The main reason is because most vets don’t know they're qualified! Nobody, least of all the Veterans Administration, has bothered to tell them.
Another reason is because they think their benefits are so meager that its not worth jumping through the many hoops and hurdles to get them. However, the second reason is often related to the first, in that if the VA told qualified vets just how much they were actually entitled to, many WOULD find it worth the trouble jumping through said hoops and hurtles.
Unfortunately, the VA is still not required to tell veterans, widows or dependents that they qualify for benefits. As wrong as this may seem, the VA is under no obligation to inform anyone of any benefits.
This is also true for veterans who are already enrolled in the VA system. Millions of veterans in the VA system are only receiving some of their benefits. Most veterans don't know that if they have at least a 10 per cent service-connected disability they can get free glasses, hearing aids and mobility aids such as scooters, canes and walkers. There are many more little-known benefits such as clothing allowance of over $600 a year if they wear a prosthetic device that damages clothing.
Why doesn’t the VA inform veterans of their benefits? The VA’s answer is simply because it is not a requirement. Veterans’ associations claim it’s all about money. I'm sure there is plenty of evidence to support this if we but looked.
For a while the VA had outreach programs designed to seek out and inform veterans of their benefits. VA Secretary Anthony J. Principi, Republican, cancelled these programs. Why? Because the programs were “too successful” and the VA claimed their budget couldn’t handle any more veterans in the system. Many veterans’ organizations held “veterans’ benefits fairs” at VA facilities. However, the VA no longer allows these events and the veterans groups had to move them to their own properties where the chances of meeting veterans far slimmer.
Another problem with the VA’s “non-information” policy is that poor veterans suffer the most. Poor and particularly homeless vets are far less likely to have the resources, family and friends to help them to find out the information on their own.
There has been talk for years, that laws were in the making to require to VA to inform all veterans of any and all available benefits. Yet the problem remains the same.
Many states, such as California, seeing that they are almost bankrupt, have been informing veterans of their federal benefits. This is not out of the kindness of their hearts, but so that they don't have to spend any money on our vets.
Currently, I recomend veterans who are curious as to their eligibilty contact their local chapter of the DAV, rather than listen to the lies of the VA. Disabled American Veterans National Service Officers (NSOs) can assist veterans in filing claims with the VA, free of charge. To find the NSO closest to you, please use their NSO Locator.
The permanent answer to the problem lies in legislation to require the VA to inform all veterans of all their benefits. It is up to us to force their hand, by raising our voices and letting America know. If not us, who else is going to step up to the plate?
If you’re ready to start helping to bring about some changes, I suggest you download, How to Coordinate a Campaign for Change, one of the many free ebooks available as a PDF download from AssEtEbooks.com. No email required, no sign-up, no opt-in and no obligations!
If you have any ideas, comments or concerns about this issue, please let Veterans Watchdog readers know via a comment, bellow.
Written by: Tom Retterbush
Thank you Tom Retterbush for writing this article. Well put. Recently, I was helping an elder brother get some assistance due to his health and it seemed as though every corner there was a different explanation or excuse and finally after a year he is getting partial help with an appeal in the process. Needless to say, this all could have gone smoother if one hand knew what the other hand was doing. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteExcellent posting from specialist and it will be a great know how to us and say thanks a lot for giving this valuable details with us.
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ReplyDeleteYou post is on point. It turns out that the aid and attendance benefit is another example of a VA benefit kept on the hush hush. On the other hand, when the folks there do know about the benefit, they are quick to dismiss someone looking to claim aid and attendance to help pay for in home care or assisted living care.
ReplyDeleteWithout legislation as you suggest, it will be up to veterans' advocates such as yourself to keep veterans information about the benefits for which they are entitled.
Interesting article. It is sad that they are making it so difficult for our troops to get the health care they need after all that they do for our country.
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ReplyDeleteVets with 30% disability get travel pay but VA doesn't tell them that. Some miss years of this benefit and VA only tells them that they can only go back 30 days on travel claims. If you mail in a travel claim within 30 days it can take up to 90+ days to get a check after they receive your signed voucher.
ReplyDeleteYou can also get travel pay simply by being poor enough to not have deductables at the VA.
ReplyDeleteIt would be impossible fot the VA to let every Vet know what they are entilted to since what a vet is entitled to differs for a number of reasons. I agree the Vet should get every thing they deserve for their service. All people need to do is go to the VA and start asking questions. You will get answers....not always what you want to hear.
ReplyDeleteI just recently had hernia surgery at the Dallas VA. I wasn't out of surgery for 45 minutes before they were kicking me out the door. The next day I fell due to blood pressure bottoming out and cut my arm plus my bowels never woke back up from the surgery and i was had a blocked intestine. Had to go back to hospital sit in ER for 12 hours before they would admit me. The doc there said I did not meet the requirement to be admitted. I told her I want to see they the person who made such a rule and they never showed up. You have to stand up to these people to make things happen if not we will end up dead in the street. I am not done with them yet so it is going to be a storm from hell when I am done down there.
ReplyDeleteNone of this information is "hush hush" just go to the VA website and look it up. OR go to a service officer of the DAV, or any other service org, OR go to a VA hospital, they have BOOKLETS laying everywhere about your benefits.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to see young and old patriot Americans get used like this.
ReplyDeleteThe military services all give a lecture on the VA benefits on the veterans on their way out the active duty door. Be good to take notes. But once a veteran, every VA has a Patient Representative whom the veteran can also ask.
ReplyDelete