Expedited Benefits For A Dying Verteran

[megan]

Hi-

My Father who served in the Air Force as a mechanic at Walker Air Force Base from 1955-1960 was diagnosed with Mesothelioma in September 2010. After the inital shock we filed a disability claim since he would no longer be able to work or farm (as he did since his time in service). He as undergone all the necessary medical exams, etc. He is under the treatment of the VA and receives Hospice care. The hospice nurse believes from her experience his time is limited to a few weeks at this point.

My question is- is there a way we can expidite his disability claim? His VSO is relatively useless and just tells us to wait, be we are afraid of 'red tape' that may occur if he passes with the claim being granted. Plus, it would be useful in assisting with funeral costs, etc.

Thanks,

Megan

[Papa]

Would this be a good time to get her Congress person and/or Senator involved? Or, would this be a hinderance?

Papa

[megan]

Megan,

I'm very sorry your father is so ill.

Is there a doctor of his you can talk to and request they write

a brief letter stating your father is terminal. If yes,

make copies of it and give the VSO a copy.

It wouldn't hurt anything to also see if this doctor would be willing to review some military

information of your father's, such as where and when he was "a mechanic at Walker Air Force Base from 1955-1960 "

and write an opinion as to if they feel this is "as likely as not" where your father's Mesothelioma originated.

Good luck to your family. Keep posting here.

Thanks for all your honest input, I really appreciate the help

He has never smoked a single cigarette (or otherwise) a single day of his life, so that's not his exposure. I know when he sent in the application they had medical records from his surgeons and oncologists at the Mayo Clinic (including biopsy results) included with it, so would they automatically move it to 'the front of the line?' My Dad did hire an attorney that specializes in Mesothelioma (not one of those sharks on TV) and Dad decided just to apply for the compensation granted from bankruptcy trust ...he doesn't wish to file any class action law suits.

Yes, my mother is still alive. Dad wishes to be buried at his church, is there still funeral benefits?

Megan

[deltaj]

Hi-

My Father who served in the Air Force as a mechanic at Walker Air Force Base from 1955-1960 was diagnosed with Mesothelioma in September 2010. After the inital shock we filed a disability claim since he would no longer be able to work or farm (as he did since his time in service). He as undergone all the necessary medical exams, etc. He is under the treatment of the VA and receives Hospice care. The hospice nurse believes from her experience his time is limited to a few weeks at this point.

My question is- is there a way we can expidite his disability claim? His VSO is relatively useless and just tells us to wait, be we are afraid of 'red tape' that may occur if he passes with the claim being granted. Plus, it would be useful in assisting with funeral costs, etc.

Thanks,

Megan

I think it would be a good idea to file a claim seeking service connection for mesothelioma and asbestosis, and support that claim with a signed statement from your father indicating the facts about where he served and when and why this condition is related to his military service. It might also be useful to explain in that statement that he had no other exposure that could have caused this condition. I mention this because after his death your mom will need to file a Death and Indemnity Compensation Claim (DIC) and a copy of this signed statement could be used in support of her claim for DIC.

[carlie]

You need to send in a statement that your father is TERMINAL and that it is a CANCER CASE. They are flagged as expidited cases. Also waive the Duty to Assist.

Megan,

Sharon pointed out something real good here in regards to "waive the Duty to Assist".

This will cut out some time frames and help hurry it along, very important.

[Berta]

"Dad wishes to be buried at his church, is there still funeral benefits? "

The VA in many cases, but not all- pays Burial benefits or burial allowances.

This site has much info on that.

http://www.cem.va.gov/

I believe SSA sends a small amount ( 250? towards expenses)and I believe VA sent me $300 when my husband died.But he had service connected rating and was buried in a National Cemetery at the Bath NY VA and they paid this amount due to that eligibility. A private burial- in would be in the regs on that.

Then 16 years later I was awarded benefits under a service connected death.This was last year so had to send to VA ( they already this it but just in case) his funeral bill.

They paid me I think 1,600 additional at that time because he died of a service connected illness.

It is best to read the link information on these benefits.

If your mother applies for DIC she should make sure all of the 21-534 is filled ot as I believe the application contains one of the burial benefit applications.

My husband was buried in a VA National Cemetery. Private burials are different so the regs will explain.

Even when well over a decade or more passes, the VA will still reimburse on burial/funeral expenses if the survivor proves that the death should be directly service connected.

There is a limit to what they will pay and I think in my case, they deducted the 300 they already paid me and sent me $1600.

The regs above explain how they reimburse and what evidence they need (such as paid funeral bill)

[megan]

Megan,

Sharon pointed out something real good here in regards to "waive the Duty to Assist".

This will cut out some time frames and help hurry it along, very important.

What is 'Waive Dute to Assist"? I'm not familiar