Vietnam Vet - Rich

[GiG]

We lost another good one.
Theresa hadn’t heard from her step dad, Rich, in more than 24 hours and got worried.
She went to check on him at his house 12 miles away and found him dead on the floor.
Rich was one of the nicest guys on the planet, heart of gold, never complained, would do anything for anyone. He’d been exposed to Agent Orange in Nam and had lingering health issues. He wouldn’t talk much about his combat experience but enjoyed being around other vets.
He’ll be sorely missed.
Theresa is having a really hard time, finding Rich that way and beating her self up over it, maybe drop her a note to cheer her up, if so inclined. She loves many in this club and it would mean a lot.
This has been an extremely rough year, losing too many friends and family members.
Thanks
~GiG~

[sandy]

So sorry. I've lost 2 friends to AO. It's so sad that we are still losing good men to that war.
USAF '67-'71

[Ice]

Really Sorry to hear that. I hope Theresa will be ok.
Our condolences.
Sending all our love to the both of you.

[Oss]

You hit the lottery the day you met Theresa, no doubt

A beautiful and kind woman.

She has done right by her step dad and nothing to regret
even if she thinks otherwise now

Few can ever choose the moment they will pass on

Please tell her that Bonnie and I are holding her in our heart and in our prayers

Wish we were closer to you

Oss

[rainman]

You hit the lottery the mother load the day you met Theresa, no doubt in my mind she is beautiful woman and has a heart of gold

please tell Theresa that Diana and i sends our love

[Wizzard]

Please tell Theresa that MaryLynn and I will say a prayer for her. Like Oss said,, you won the lottery when you found Theresa. 

[LTD]

10 4 sorry for the loss life can be pretty tough at times.

[MarkT]

Sorry for yours, and Theresa's loss.  And shocking to discover it that way.  Best wishes and comfort for y'all - please pass that on to her.

[f6john]

What’s wrong with the people at the VA? It’s like they are being asked to spend the money out of there own pockets. I don’t even pretend to know how the VA system works but it doesn’t sound like efforts to reform the system haven’t produced much in the way of results. Now that Nancy, Adam and Nader are getting their impeachment maybe they can focus on something much more important to most Americans.

[Motor City Lulu Belle]

I want to thank you everyone for all of the kind words & love that was sent our way. He was truly an angel on earth....I loved him very much & miss him terribly.  It's so nice to have such beautiful friends. You are truly is appreciated. Love you guys

[Jess from VA]

Gig, I don't know all the particulars, but be aware that USDVA has something called service connection for cause of death.

If it can be shown that death resulted from service connected disability (and proof only needs to be in relative equipoise, ie 50/50), then significant survivor benefits are payable to dependent wives and children (and I forget the child rules here, but that may include kids in college up to mid 20s or so).  And he will be entitled to a burial benefit in any event, but I believe the burial benefit is increased if service connection for cause of death is granted.  The burial allowance for a non-service-connected death is $300, and $2,000 for a death connected to military service.

Also, if direct cause of death was not service connencted (say a heart attack for instance), if it can be shown that service connected disability nonetheless materially contributed to or aggravated or hastened actual cause of death, service connection for cause of death may still be granted.

I would assume if Rich was filing claims with VA (over agent orange or anything else), he very likely had a veteran service organization (VSO) helping him out with them (probably one guy).  It might be worthwhile obtaining a death certificate (when available) and getting in touch with that  
guy, and asking for some help looking into a cause of death claim (or burial benefit).  They charge nothing for their help.  If this guy cannot be found, or he was unrepresented, my 18 years with VA taught me the two best VSOs out there were Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) (who don't just represent paralyzed vets).

If Rich had any claims pending at the time of his death, these may also be very relevant to a cause of death claim.

If there are no qualifying dependents for VA purposes, this may be unnecessary, but I point it out in case it might be something that is available no one knows about.

Cause of Death
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/3.312

https://www.veteranslawblog.org/veterans-survivor-benefit/

https://www.veteransdisabilityinfo.com/service-connection-cause-death-widow-deceased-veteran.php

VA Burial Benefits
https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-special-burial.asp

[Bighead]

I want to thank you everyone for all of the kind words & love that was sent our way. He was truly an angel on earth....I loved him very much & miss him terribly.  It's so nice to have such beautiful friends. You are truly is appreciated. Love you guys

LuLu sorry for your loss.

[Bighead]

Now that Nancy, Adam and Nader are getting their impeachment maybe they can focus on something much more important to most Americans.

Even if that were to happen,NO they wouldnt do what  they were elected to do. If they were gonna do that they would have done something  for the last 3 years other than get Trump out of office.

[hal47]

LuLu sorry for your loss,but knowing you I am sure he was proud to call you daughter.

[Motor City Lulu Belle]

Thank you

[DDT (12)]

LuLu sorry for your loss,but knowing you I am sure he was proud to call you daughter.

LuLu-Belle,

Really sorry to read about your loss... our loss. Anytime anybody passes, the loss is for everyone, as all who have lived make a contribution... good or otherwise. They set an example, at a minimum, of what to do or not to do with their lives, and we all gain insight from it. It sounds like this brother veteran was one of those who made a very positive contribution and had a very good impact on others. For that reason, I share your feelings of loss. I hope it is very soon that the pleasant memories replace the thoughts of loss and sorrow you now feel... Miss you, my good friend!

DDT

[Skinhead]

Sorry Sis,

It's all been said in the previous posts.  Hang in there and let me know if I can help.  RIP Rich and thank you for your service from a grateful citizen.