Department of Veterans Affairs- DVA

[Zib]

Originally Posted by rangerjon

Hello, new here.
anyone who qualiies should apply for the vocational rehabilitation program. The VA has been great to me since ive retired.

I tried for Voc Rehab. Went through all their crap, testing, etc...
and then they told me I couldn't do any better than what I already have, which is the Post Office. The post office pays well, has good benefits, but they treat their people and vets like ****. That's why you hear of people going postal. When I got hired, out of the military, I thought it was great, I said, " I can't believe people complain about this job", now it's almost 14 years later, and believe me, I see what they mean. All management people are either related, go to the same church, or some **** like that. It's messed up.

[Zib]

Originally Posted by getusumtx@yahoo.com

Hi, I just got out of the army(honorable) in November. I just last week finaly got my C&P physical at a VA hospital. I think my paperwork is going through the DAV but im not really sure.Anyways, I just wondering if anyone knows do find out how long it takes or what perecentage ill be?I had 2 surgerys and have stapples and screws in my right (dom) hand. thanks

You'd be surprised. It can go either way as far as your rating goes. I know you heard a bunch of stuff when you went to DTAP, or did you?
It could take 6 months. I got out the military with 20% on my left knee, two surgeries. they knocked that down to 10%, but gave me another 10% for my blood pressure and another 10 for the screw in my left wrist.

Hope this helps. Like the other thread say's don't spend the money until you get it, and never use it to buy a car or something like that. Until that ten year marker passes, they could lower it or take it away, usually not, but i've seen it.

[SANDATA]

FYI, you could also get reimburse for going to your Compensation & Pension and other medical appointments. The current mileage rate at this time is 41.5 cents per mile. It really helps out specially if you are driving 30+ miles.

[K2BT]

Here is a list of the benefits you get with different ratings. I finally got 100% p/t IU after 7 years of fighting them. I herniated a couple disks in a training accident in 1976. It's never too late to start a claim and don't ever give up! Take care - John

This table will help you understand what benefits you and your eligible dependents are authorized to receive from the VA. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us. Or you may contact the VA Regional Office at (800) 827-1000 or the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis at (866) 414-5058.
Service Connected means that you are in receipt of a disability compensation because you (the veteran) were disabled by injury or disease that incurred or was aggravated during military service. The service of the veteran must have been terminated through separation or discharge under conditions that were other than dishonorable.
***If you are 0% and greater service connected
• Home Loan Guaranty Certificate of Eligibility
• Service Disabled Veterans Life Insurance. Must apply within 2 years from initial notice of service connection of a disability.
o Call (800) 669-8477 for more information about
o Waiver of National Service Life Insurance premiums
o National Service Life Insurance total disability income provisions
• Outpatient Treatment for: (1) service connected condition, and (2) for all medical conditions if enrolled in VA healthcare program. Co-payment for treatment may apply for non-service connected conditions.
• Travel allowance for scheduled appointments for care of the service connected condition that the VA Medical Centers and VA Out- Patient Clinics. Eligibility based on veteran's family income.
• Medical treatment in non-VA facilities for service connected condition. Certain restrictions apply.
• 10 Point Civil Service Preference. (10 points added to Civil Service test score.)
• Clothing Allowance for veterans who use or wear a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance (artificial limb, braces, wheelchair) or use prescribed medications for skin condition which tend to wear, tear, or soil clothing.
• Temporary increased total evaluation with payment at the 100% rate based on hospitalization for a service connected disability necessitating at least one month of convalescence or immobilization by cast, without surgery of one major joint or more.
• Dental treatment for: (1) service connected dental condition, OR (2) follow-up dental treatment which was begun while hospitalized at a VA Medical Center, OR and former Prisioner of War with 90 consecutive days, or more, of confinement. Some restrictions may apply based on availability of services.
***If you are 10% and greater service connected All of the above and:
• Vocational Rehabilitation which includes full medical and dental. (Chapter 31)
• Funding fees waived for Home Loan Guaranty.
***If you are 30% and greater service connected All of the above and:
• Additional compensation for dependents. (Spouse, children, dependent parents)
• Non-competitive Civil Service appointment.
• Affirmative action in employment.
• Travel allowance for scheduled appointments for care of all medical conditions (except dental) at VA Medical Centers and VA Out-Patient Clinics.
• Additional allowance for a spouse who is a patient in a nursing home. (Either helpless, blind, or so nearly helpless as to require the aid and attendance of another person.)
***If you are 40% and greater service connected All of the above and:
• Automobile Assistance. (One-time payment up to $8,000). Veteran must have service connected loss of one or both hands or feet, or permanent loss of use, or permanent impairment of vision of both eyes. (For information, contact Prosthetics, Minneapolis VAMC)
• Special Adaptive Automobile Equipment. Veteran must have service connected ankylosis (immobility) of one or both knees, or one or both hips.
***If you are 50% and greater service connected All of the above and:
• Medical treatment for any condition (except dental). Enrollment in the VA Health care program is encouraged but not required for treatment of a service connected condition.
• No co-payments for treatment at a VA Medical Center and Out-Patient Clinics.
• No co-payments on Prescription Drugs for service connected disabilities. Includes prescriptions written by a non=VA physician providing care under an authorized fee basis agreement with the VA Medical Center. (NOTE: Prescriptions written by non-VA physicians may be filled through the VA pharmacy for and (1) WW I veteran (2) veteran entitled to Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits regardless of evaluation percentage. A co-payment will be charged if the prescription is not for a service connected disability.
• Medical treatment in non-VA facilities for any medical condition.
***If you are 60% to 90% with Individual Unemployability and greater service connected All of the above and:
• Increased compensation, payable at the 100% rate, based on Individual Unemployability.
• Dental treatment
***If you are Permanent and Total Evaluation Either 100% OR 60% 90% with Individual Unemployability All of the above and:
• Educational Assistance for Dependents. (Chapter 35)
• Civilian Health And Medical Program For Dependents/Survivors. (CHAMPVA)
• Commissary and Exchange privileges
• Specially Adapted Home. Grant up to $43,000. Building, buying or remodeling adaptive homes or paying indebtedness on existing home. Veteran must be entitled to compensation for permanent and total service connected disability due to: (1) loss or loss of use of both lower extremities or disability which includes (a) blindness in both eyes, having only light perception, plus ( loss or loss of use of one lower extremity OR loss or loss of use on one lower extremity together with (a) residuals or organic disease or injury, or ( the loss or loss of use of one upper extremity which so affects the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without using braces, canes, crutches, or wheelchair.
• Special Adapted Homes. Grant up to $6,500. Handicap adaptations to a veteran's residence disability. Veteran must be entitled to compensation for permanent and total service connected disability due to: blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less, OR anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands.
• Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance. Decreasing term mortgage insurance up to $90,000 for veterans who have received a Specially Adapted Housing grant and have an existing mortgage.
***If you are 100% Permanent and Total Evaluation service connected All of the above and:
• Emergency treatment in non-VA facilities if VA facilities are not available. Veteran or "SOMEONE" must contact the VA Fee Basis immediately after the veteran is stabilized

[VinnAY]

The ole home loan guarantee is fantastic, I've used it twice now (you can use it more than once in certain instances), not to mention the GI Bill...I'm pocketing money on that one.

[crafter32034]

Originally Posted by Zib

Any of you guys ever try to stop taking vicodin, you might as well be shooting heroin. No fun, thanks VA.

Zib, I use the Jax clinic too. After 3 years on Vicodin, getting off was easy.

My primary Doc switched me to Methadone !!