Va Dental

[relpats]

VA rating 70%. USAF Retired in 1996 after 21years w/periodontal and box 17 of DD Form 214 is checked no. That's the box asking if dental care was provided in the last 90 days of service.

Recently found my full mouth x-rays and treament records from 1995 confirming periodontal. I feel I should have been provided continued treatment since this appears to be service connected (in the dental records while on active duty), but was not advised at retirement.

I read the VA thig about no compensation for periodontal and not seeking that. Would like to know if VA should/will provide treatment in light of these facts. I feel that the dental clinic should have instructed me on this at retirement. Any thoughts from folks experienced in this are appreciated?

PS I'm not an E-2 nor a seaman as the icon to the left suggest, but have no idea how to change that stuff. Alos, tried to start a new topic since one for VA Dental does not exist, but all I can do is start a new post.

Edited August 19, 2012 by relpats

[JR Reihs]

That is a long time to now claim that you should have been provided these benefits........IMO, your fight over this will be up-hill at best and the answer will be NO......But hey, it's the VA so ya just never know.

PS......The Icon is based on the number of post, not which branch or rank you had upon service time

[broncovet]

Relpats:

There are two issues:

1. Service connection and compensation for your teeth problem. You can apply for benefits based on this. Assuming an honorable discharge and no "willful misconduct", you need to show these 3 things to get service connection.

a. Current diagnosis. If you have problems with your teeth, then your dentist can make a dx.

b. In service "event or stressor". Sounds like an x ray should suffice.

c. A nexus between the two. A doc or dentist would have to supply this opinion.

2. Medical treatment (dental). You can apply for treatment at your VAMC, if they have dental.

If you are denied, like most are, you can appeal.

[sharon]

Your rank is based on the Hadit system, not prior military rank.

[Stretch]

Sure, go for TDIU (100%) SC. Then you will have all Dental.

Getting Dental Connection was hard for me. I have 5 teeth connected. Seemed like each tooth was a separate case. Even with these teeth connected there is no %, just a notation that Dental will take care of this and that.

PS Forgot to say even before I hit 100 al least 3 of these teeth were already connected. Any time something happened to one of these teeth the VA dental would work on that tooth.

My front bridge, which was DoD paid for to my private dental, became bad years later (15 years). The Bridge was remade by VA Dental no questions asked.

Edited August 20, 2012 by Stretch

[relpats]

Answers:

JR Reihs- VA Briefer at retirement said not to expect anything from VA so no one in the room filled out any paperwork...two years ago found out we could expect something from VA and since rated @ 70%, go figure.

broncovet- Honorable discharge at retirement, no misconduct. VA says no comp for periodonta. I just want treament. Yes have SMR's and x-rays.

[JR Reihs]

Answers:

JR Reihs- VA Briefer at retirement said not to expect anything from VA so no one in the room filled out any paperwork...two years ago found out we could expect something from VA and since rated @ 70%, go figure.

broncovet- Honorable discharge at retirement, no misconduct. VA says no comp for periodonta. I just want treament. Yes have SMR's and x-rays.

We all have some things told to us and alot of things NOT told to us that they should have..........you are at 70%, shoot for the 100 or IU as was said and you will get dental.......it really sucks, but you got to play by their rules.