Jump to content

Ask Your VA Claims Questions | Read Current Posts 
Read VA Disability Claims Articles
Search | View All Forums | Donate | Blogs | New Users | Rules 

  • tbirds-va-claims-struggle (1).png

  • Donate Now and Keep Us Helping You

     

  • 0

Help For Widow?


Rockytop

Question

Thanks Carlie,

Asking on behalf of a friendly long time neihbor of mine.

Is there anything this widow can do to get VA to help with her meds? medicade dose not cover.

History

Her late hubby was retired at the time of his death,(CANCER) 1989, he was a 30 year man retired us army E -6, cook, served in war war II, He retired back in 1964, sinse then they were living off his retirment pay, he died in 1989, leaving his widow behind, she ask about help from the VA back then (nothing was filed) and was told nothing could be done because he never had a insurance plan from the military/ OR reciving benefits at the time of his death other than retirement pay....which stop at the time of his death.

what this widow wants to know sinse she has been living off his SS,She has been stricken with Ostroprois bad its a decendeing bone diesease thats 10 times worse than ruhtomorid arthritis <ms,... its crippleing to say the least, she was doing ok just on his SS but now her pain meds are taking half of her SS check.

can she file a claim with the VA after all these years?? asking for help for her pain meds?

or is she just left behind and out in the cold ''sorta=speak?

any information on this would be greatly appreciated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Answers 9
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters For This Question

Recommended Posts

I am not Carlie- but need to ask- she doesn't fall under CHAMPUS?

Does she get Medicare or Medicaid?

If Medicare does she have Part D or can she apply in open season I think -not sure-the Medicare web site would have info on that-but it seemed you said she gets Medicaid

("medicade dose not cover.)

She could file a 21-526 and attempt to try to get his death service connected. She would not be able to receive any accrued benefits-too much time has passed-but with a direct SC death she could be eligible for CHAMPVA.

CHAMPVA is wonderful.

If a CHAMPVA person is Medicare eligible they must apply for Medicare Parts A and B to retain CHAMPVA after age 65.

I only have one prescribed med.

I think it costs 25-30 bucks but I only pay 4 bucks under CHAMPVA for refills.

There is a co pay to CHAMPVA too but between that and Medicare-many many things are well covered.

She can apply for direct SC death if there is anything that could possibly warrant this award.

She would also get DIC if the claim succeeds.

BUT that gets back to what you posted-

Medicaid is far different from Medicare-

Does she herself get disability benefits from Medicaid? or SSA? or SSI?

The VA widow's Wartime pension is income limited but perhaps that would provide her with a little more income as I would think she might be eligible-

but that depends too on how much she gets in SS benefits and any other income.

The 21-526 form covers eligibility for death pension too.

(I thought Medicaid covers everything- perhaps their web site would offer some help as I am confused as to what she actually does get)

GRADUATE ! Nov 2nd 2007 American Military University !

When thousands of Americans faced annihilation in the 1800s Chief

Osceola's response to his people, the Seminoles, was

simply "They(the US Army)have guns, but so do we."

Sameo to us -They (VA) have 38 CFR ,38 USC, and M21-1- but so do we.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am not Carlie- but need to ask- she doesn't fall under CHAMPUS?

Does she get Medicare or Medicaid?

If Medicare does she have Part D or can she apply in open season I think -not sure-the Medicare web site would have info on that-but it seemed you said she gets Medicaid

("medicade dose not cover.)

She could file a 21-526 and attempt to try to get his death service connected. She would not be able to receive any accrued benefits-too much time has passed-but with a direct SC death she could be eligible for CHAMPVA.

CHAMPVA is wonderful.

If a CHAMPVA person is Medicare eligible they must apply for Medicare Parts A and B to retain CHAMPVA after age 65.

I only have one prescribed med.

I think it costs 25-30 bucks but I only pay 4 bucks under CHAMPVA for refills.

There is a co pay to CHAMPVA too but between that and Medicare-many many things are well covered.

She can apply for direct SC death if there is anything that could possibly warrant this award.

She would also get DIC if the claim succeeds.

BUT that gets back to what you posted-

Medicaid is far different from Medicare-

Does she herself get disability benefits from Medicaid? or SSA? or SSI?

The VA widow's Wartime pension is income limited but perhaps that would provide her with a little more income as I would think she might be eligible-

but that depends too on how much she gets in SS benefits and any other income.

The 21-526 form covers eligibility for death pension too.

(I thought Medicaid covers everything- perhaps their web site would offer some help as I am confused as to what she actually does get)

Berta,

This will either help answer some of your questions or confuse things ~ lol

Rockytop only has 10 posts and this is a link to them.

http://www.hadit.com/forums/index.php?show...=0&p=162084&#

carlie

Carlie passed away in November 2015 she is missed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you Bertha,

I mention carlie because she ask me to start a new thread on this topic.

I mention this widdow was on medicade... sorryI was miss informe she is on medicare, which explains them not helping out with her meds, beings her income is not provertyl level or is to high for there stantdards. she draws his S.S, about 1230 monthly.

this widow ask me if there was any help she could get from the VA because she needs help with her meds.

not being servie connected or having any kind of payment from the military other than retirement is why she ask SHE just wanted to know if there was anything the VA could help her with?..I didn't know? ..this is why I came to hadit for help.

hadi help me with my claim and I appreciate each and everyone of you guys.

I will tell this widow that unless she can get a claim approved for his service connection death it will be just a waite of everyones time to try to help her with help from the VA.

AFTER HIS DEATH OF A FEW MONTHS, SHE WAS TOLD WAY BACK THEN BY A VSO THERES WAS NOTHING THE VA COULD DO TO HELP HER.

Her hubby had no insurance or benefits being just a retired vet other than retirement pay and to much time has come to pass, its been over20 year.

On behalf of her late vetran husband I thought I'd try to ask on here if there was a remote possibilityfor her some help.

if she could get help for the medications she is taking thats all she wants no back pay or anything like that.

she is a honest person and gettting pretty old she is 88...but still in her right mind its just that she just has a lot of phyiscal pain.

I'll refer her back to SS Dept.

Thank you for your time.

''carlie''

I know I'm not the best speller and have the best grammar in the world, but what does my other post have to do with this about this widow?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After his death she was in fairly good health, her late husband was too, he was stricken with the cancer 18 years after his retirement, so presume service connection will most likely be denied. (obvisouly)

we can't precict the future as to how or what will happen to any of us...as for has our health.

I'm simply trying to help this sweet little old lady out with questions she had ask me.

she knows that in her heart and mind she may never get help from the VA....BUT I GUESS SHE THOUGHT SHE WOULD GIVE IT A TRY.

I will try to help her via S.S. and see if theres a program from the part clause of part D OR ANY OTHER PART if theres any help for her medications?

It takes half of her S.S CHECK TO BUY THE MEDS SHE IS TAKING NOW, MEDICARE ONLY HELPS WITH SOME LOW % , BUT SINSE SHE IS NOT ON HOSPICE THEY JUST HELP HER ABOUT 20% OR SO WITH HER MEDS.. Not much left after that, to say the least she is struggiling to pay rent and untilitys grocery's ect,,ect,,.

THIS NEW PREPOSED HEALTHCARE PLAN FROM THE PRESIDENT IS NOT GOING TO HELP HER MUCH...AND THOUSANDS PEOPLE LIKE HER.

Thank you for your vaulable time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes-Part D Medicare might help her-but I believe she would have to apply for Part D and I hope it isnt too late.

Also I see on TV from time to time certain ads as to medications that the drug company itself will help pay for in some cases.

This is a problem for thousands -maybe even millions-of senior citizens -high rising medication costs-

Also AARP members can get a pharmacy discount if they are in this type of AARP program.

But my Pharmacist told me that the AARP discount isnt much though.

Of course I assume she has considered generic meds instead of the regular high priced ones if they are medically feasible.

I regret that there is nothing else I can suggest.

This is a serious and growing concern for all seniors.

I heard even Medicare Part D (which is deducted from SSA checks just like Medicare is)-could rise in cost- defeating the purpose of this type of insurance.

I am quite surprised she doesn't have TRICARE.

GRADUATE ! Nov 2nd 2007 American Military University !

When thousands of Americans faced annihilation in the 1800s Chief

Osceola's response to his people, the Seminoles, was

simply "They(the US Army)have guns, but so do we."

Sameo to us -They (VA) have 38 CFR ,38 USC, and M21-1- but so do we.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • HadIt.com Elder
Thanks Carlie,

Asking on behalf of a friendly long time neihbor of mine.

Is there anything this widow can do to get VA to help with her meds? medicade dose not cover.

History

Her late hubby was retired at the time of his death,(CANCER) 1989, he was a 30 year man retired us army E -6, cook, served in war war II, He retired back in 1964, sinse then they were living off his retirment pay, he died in 1989, leaving his widow behind, she ask about help from the VA back then (nothing was filed) and was told nothing could be done because he never had a insurance plan from the military/ OR reciving benefits at the time of his death other than retirement pay....which stop at the time of his death.

what this widow wants to know sinse she has been living off his SS,She has been stricken with Ostroprois bad its a decendeing bone diesease thats 10 times worse than ruhtomorid arthritis <ms,... its crippleing to say the least, she was doing ok just on his SS but now her pain meds are taking half of her SS check.

can she file a claim with the VA after all these years?? asking for help for her pain meds?

or is she just left behind and out in the cold ''sorta=speak?

any information on this would be greatly appreciated.

Carlie, Call the retirement office of the branch of service this servicemember retired from with the widow present during the call and see if this servicemember made an election for the survivor benefit plan before he retired. See if that office can give her any more help.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Tell a friend

    Love HadIt.com’s VA Disability Community Vets helping Vets since 1997? Tell a friend!
  • Recent Achievements

    • OddBal79 earned a badge
      Reacting Well
    • OddBal79 earned a badge
      Conversation Starter
    • OddBal79 earned a badge
      First Post
    • AFguy1999 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • kidva went up a rank
      Explorer
  • Our picks

    • These decisions have made a big impact on how VA disability claims are handled, giving veterans more chances to get benefits and clearing up important issues.

      Service Connection

      Frost v. Shulkin (2017)
      This case established that for secondary service connection claims, the primary service-connected disability does not need to be service-connected or diagnosed at the time the secondary condition is incurred 1. This allows veterans to potentially receive secondary service connection for conditions that developed before their primary condition was officially service-connected. 

      Saunders v. Wilkie (2018)
      The Federal Circuit ruled that pain alone, without an accompanying diagnosed condition, can constitute a disability for VA compensation purposes if it results in functional impairment 1. This overturned previous precedent that required an underlying pathology for pain to be considered a disability.

      Effective Dates

      Martinez v. McDonough (2023)
      This case dealt with the denial of an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) 2. It addressed issues around the validity of appeal withdrawals and the consideration of cognitive impairment in such decisions.

      Rating Issues

      Continue Reading on HadIt.com
      • 0 replies
    • I met with a VSO today at my VA Hospital who was very knowledgeable and very helpful.  We decided I should submit a few new claims which we did.  He told me that he didn't need copies of my military records that showed my sick call notations related to any of the claims.  He said that the VA now has entire military medical record on file and would find the record(s) in their own file.  It seemed odd to me as my service dates back to  1981 and spans 34 years through my retirement in 2015.  It sure seemed to make more sense for me to give him copies of my military medical record pages that document the injuries as I'd already had them with me.  He didn't want my copies.  Anyone have any information on this.  Much thanks in advance.  
      • 4 replies
    • Caluza Triangle defines what is necessary for service connection
      Caluza Triangle – Caluza vs Brown defined what is necessary for service connection. See COVA– CALUZA V. BROWN–TOTAL RECALL

      This has to be MEDICALLY Documented in your records:

      Current Diagnosis.   (No diagnosis, no Service Connection.)

      In-Service Event or Aggravation.
      Nexus (link- cause and effect- connection) or Doctor’s Statement close to: “The Veteran’s (current diagnosis) is at least as likely due to x Event in military service”
      • 0 replies
    • Do the sct codes help or hurt my disability rating 
    • VA has gotten away with (mis) interpreting their  ambigious, , vague regulations, then enforcing them willy nilly never in Veterans favor.  

      They justify all this to congress by calling themselves a "pro claimant Veteran friendly organization" who grants the benefit of the doubt to Veterans.  

      This is not true, 

      Proof:  

          About 80-90 percent of Veterans are initially denied by VA, pushing us into a massive backlog of appeals, or worse, sending impoverished Veterans "to the homeless streets" because  when they cant work, they can not keep their home.  I was one of those Veterans who they denied for a bogus reason:  "Its been too long since military service".  This is bogus because its not one of the criteria for service connection, but simply made up by VA.  And, I was a homeless Vet, albeit a short time,  mostly due to the kindness of strangers and friends. 

          Hadit would not be necessary if, indeed, VA gave Veterans the benefit of the doubt, and processed our claims efficiently and paid us promptly.  The VA is broken. 

          A huge percentage (nearly 100 percent) of Veterans who do get 100 percent, do so only after lengthy appeals.  I have answered questions for thousands of Veterans, and can only name ONE person who got their benefits correct on the first Regional Office decision.  All of the rest of us pretty much had lengthy frustrating appeals, mostly having to appeal multiple multiple times like I did. 

          I wish I know how VA gets away with lying to congress about how "VA is a claimant friendly system, where the Veteran is given the benefit of the doubt".   Then how come so many Veterans are homeless, and how come 22 Veterans take their life each day?  Va likes to blame the Veterans, not their system.   
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Guidelines and Terms of Use