Vets, can we talk about your VA benefits?

[Stinky The Clown]

Are you getting any? They were promised to us, right?

Years ago I tried to get a VA card but was not allowed to even apply because I made too much money. I was means tested.

Now, if there are vets who need it more than me, I am 1000% happy they get what they need and I don't. I will gladly, happily forgo me getting even one cent to keep a fellow vet who needs it in the system.

To be very honest, I stopped even thinking about it long ago. Now that I am closer to 80 than 70 and still happily working by choice, having VA medical access is a non issue for me.

But here's the rub. It was PROMISED to us back in the 60s when we joined.

What's up with that?

[IbogaProject]

1. Historically common

Our government has historically shirked on it's promises to veterans after all its a stretch to pay off the loans from the wealthy back for the armaments.

[Wounded Bear]

2. I get my medical from the VA. I qualify as "poor" for their usages...

I live off my SS and can't really afford commercial insurance. I'm in my late 60's with some medical complications.

I'm actually pretty happy with the medical care I get. It's as good as I've ever got from private doctors/clinics/hospitals, though maybe my expectations aren't real high. I have copays, which are reasonable, I guess. They were suspended during covid but are being restarted this month. Prescription copays are very reasonable, though I get mostly generics. Whatever, they work for me, and I don't take anything exotic.

I used my VA home loan benefit many years ago and it worked out well other than problems I created for myself. The program worked well enough. I don't get any other bennies from VA. My brother does, but he's a Purple Heart recipient from Vietnam.

[MineralMan]

3. The only VA benefit I have ever used was the GI Bill.

It allowed me to finish getting my Bachelors and Master's degrees. It also gave me a couple of extra years before I was forced to do something with my life.

I could have gotten a VA loan for a house, but I didn't need it, and it took somewhat longer to process than a conventional loan.

[helpisontheway]

4. I'm sorry that you did not get the VA healthcare that you were promised..I have an uncle

that is dependent on VA for his medical care. He has many health issues and is unable to work. In fact, he is in a VA hospital right now getting the care that he needs.

My husband is retired military and never really used the VA except for appointments related to his disability. That is his choice. He prefers to use Tricare at a military facility for regular care. The VA has helped us in many other ways (VA home loan, GI Bill,etc)..

[70sEraVet]

5. I used VA education benefits to go to college, and bought our first home with VA loan.

I have never been in the VA medical system, but that may soon change: old service- related issues are rearing their ugly heads after all these years. I know I earned those medical benefits, but it doesn't set easy with me.

[UTUSN]

6. "VA card" - an ID?

I'll be corrected if wrong but I think eligibility for (medical?) benefits is either by Service-Connected Disability (in varying amounts) or by career ("Lifer" ) retirement.

I myself am eligible for something but prefer to use my employer's retirement insurance and pay co-pays rather than submit to the VA mammoth militaristic bureaucracy.

As for being promised something, I wasn't. I went in to relieve my minimum wage family of college finances. As a former Dem guiding light, Charlie RANGEL, used to say, many enlist because of economic reasons, lack of availability of education and jobs or job qualifications, which is why minorities were/are? over-represented by percentage in the military.

I had two years of college in 1967 and knew nothing about being able to "negotiate" getting a training school, and the Recruiter took me in as a raw high school graduate, no deals, at the lowest entry pay grade E1. A little pay grade boost would have been a step up for advancement within the four years. And straight to Vietnam out of Boot Camp.

I signed 4 years of life away in the middle of a college campus full of protests, and the Recruiter said, "Sign here." A couple of years ago, I just found out via YouTube that my Democratic government (Robert McNAMARA), under the pressures of the Draft and needing even more bodies, loosened the guidelines for serving to include diminished mental levels.

[Aristus]

7. I used the GI Bill benefit for some of my college courses.

Other than that, I've never used any veterans benefits. I didn't know that application is means-tested, but it makes sense.

I earn a comfortable middle-class income. I would much rather the benefits go to a veteran who needs them more than I do. And any benefits that could go toward making the lives of my homeless veteran patients better would be greatly appreciated.

[dsc]

8. My dad wasn't means tested since he served during the Korean War (not in Korea but it counted)

He only used it very late in life. my brother and sister in law are low income vets so they get theirs for free other than some drug copays.

[Basic LA]

9. It can be confusing

But the realtor walked me through the VA loan. I couldn't have qualified otherwise. That was 1973 and I'm still in that house today. Also I got my two-year college AA degree with pretty ample (back then) VA checks helping out.

Later, after I was able to retire early during the big aerospace layoffs here, I lost my medical insurance, so went to the VA.

The means testing was very confusing. On one hand I was told that as a Vietnam vet, they had to take me. On the other, that I made too much to qualify. Then I found that there's the option to bypass the income report and just agree to make co-payments, which are extremely low, lower than any civilian insurance company.

Plus, the VA waved all copays for the entire time of Covid.

[bluedigger]

10. I get VA medical benefits.

I pay nothing for my three prescriptions and was not means tested, nor do I have any service connected disability. Not a career retiree, either - one tour active duty and a few years in the guard. You should reapply.

[marybourg]

11. My late DH never canceled his WWII life insurance

($2000 at its inception) and when he died a few years ago at 92, I received $11,000.

[kairos12]

12. As a long time infantryman I had

the usual wear and tear. Back, feet, ears, etc. It was suggested I get a VA physical when I departed the service. The VA said you are sure banged up. Now fuck off.

Never went back.