Apparently screwed by the VA.....again!

[John Schmidt]

Did a follow up call on the forms I completed for VA Aid & Attendance, told them of my conversation here with Jess of Virginia. Well, first thing they asked was did I serve 90 days or more and at least one day during a time of war. The 90 days no problem(Jan. '57-Jan.'63) and I thought I had served during what was considered the Viet Nam war but nooooo, those dipsticks in D.C. say it didn't start until August, 1964. Really? So what were our thousands of troops dodging over there for 3-4 yrs. prior.....honey bees? The program would have paid for up to 24 hrs. a week of in-home help, something I need desparately so I can get a break and recoup my sanity. And to think I didn't even have to drop the soap to get this one! 

[3fan4life]

Sorry this is being so crappy for you.

I have had a fairly positive experience with the VA, but I know others have not.

Hang in there and in the meantime,

Do you have a church family of any sort that can be of help, at least one day a week?

[fudgie]

I believe Medicaid will pay for home health care.

[Jess from VA]

Sorry about that John.

Here's wartime service periods for VA benefit purposes.

https://www.nd.gov/veterans/laws/veterans%E2%80%99-preferences/37-01-40-veteran-and-wartime-veteran-defined-uniform-service-dates

4. Current uniform period of service dates for periods of armed conflict include:

a. The period beginning December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946, known as world war II;
b. The period beginning June 27, 1950, through January 31, 1955, known as the Korean war;
c. The period beginning August 5, 1964, through May 7, 1975, known as the Vietnam war;
d. The period beginning August 2, 1990, through January 2, 1992, known as the gulf war; and
e. The period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on a date prescribed by presidential proclamation or by Congress as the last day of operation Iraqi freedom or operation enduring freedom, whichever occurs later. The department of veterans' affairs shall maintain a list of all period of service dates for emergency conditions in which the armed forces expeditionary medal has been awarded.

I'm pretty sure a veteran who served in-country RVN earlier than 8/64 can get wartime service status for VA benefits purposes, but otherwise not.  I'm also pretty sure that's Congress and not VA's decision.

I know veteran's law, but damn little about Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security disability.  VA provides levels of recognized disability from 0 to 100%.  I believe Social Security Disability is 100% or nothing.  I would think Rita qualifies as 100% disabled.  Does she qualify for SS disability? 

I qualify with Gulf War time service, but did not serve in the gulf war theater (my two tours in Turkey were before the recognized time).   But I could not qualify for pension, and therefore no A & A or Housebound either.  It gets confusing.

[9Ball]

Might try getting in touch with your Congressman and see what he can do for you.  They can sometimes push the government rope to get something done for you.

Good luck.

[TJ]

When you reach the age of 65 you are no longer qualified for SS disability benefits... you just get your SS...

John , go in and talk to the patient advocate and see if they can help you...

[Jess from VA]

When you reach the age of 65 you are no longer qualified for SS disability benefits... you just get your SS...

John, go in and talk to the patient advocate and see if they can help you...

TJ, I'm no expert on this, but I thought someone (anyone?) who never actually qualified for Social Security retirement benefits (based on enough employment quarters, paying into the system), could still get Social Security disability benefits, even without ever making the retirement benefit qualifications, assuming they can meet the separate disability benefit requirements (basically, permanent and total disability)(at any age).

I agree with talking to a patient advocate, that was what I was trying to say in my post above about double checking SS, medicare, medicaid, and your own health insurance. 

I see these SS/Medicare supplemental coverage adds all the time.  If Medicare A (and B) don't get home care assistance, maybe one of these Medicare supplement programs might cover it.  That assumes of course that the premiums are less that it would cost to just hire someone to help you out of your own pocket.

Another possible idea here would be to research any local universities or nursing or other medical educational programs who may place students in private homes as part of a student clinical program (for free).

In law school, I paid tuition to take a clinical program representing indigent misdemeanors in Detroit District Courts (under the supervision of our attorney instructor). (Being locked inside the cage with the men was no big deal, but being locked in with the women scared the hell out of me).   

   

[semo97]

You would have had to be in country RVN not just Vietnam era veteran. Yes we were there as support roll. Not really but that is what it was called. We were there when the French were there as adviser rolls. My mother in-law had in home care with medicare  that was only a few yrs. ago. I agree with most there is good people out there that will volunteer and help. At church we had a sign up sheet for things like this and every one that need assistance had it 24/7. It was most of the women they are natural care takers.