Community Forums

a1albert · 06-23-2013, 09:56 PM

I will be 60 in October and served in the Navy from 1971-1975, I did two West Pac cruises to Vietnam. I checked a few years ago online about VA Insurance and I got to appoint where it ask about income and it looked like I made to much money. I just checked again tonight online and where it ask if I served in Vietnam between 1962 and 1975 and when I checked yes it said I may qualify for insurance and it did not ask about income. I back up to where it ask about my service in Vietnam and checked no and then it said I may qualify based on my income. Did something change over the past few years? And do I qualify now because I served in Vietnam and my income does not matter?
Thank You
Albert

ajm12 · 06-23-2013, 10:15 PM

From what I know if you were in country during the war then you qualify.

bdpreece · 06-23-2013, 10:17 PM

Something has changed. I filled out an application some time ago and was told I made too much money. About 6 or 8 months ago I got a letter that said I qualified but that there would be charges based on my income. Last week I received a vetrans health benefits handbook that is personalized for me only. it shows the benefits I qualify for and what my charges would be. I served during Vietnam but never in country. I would suggest you go ahead and file the paperwork and see what happens.

VetRVer · 06-23-2013, 11:09 PM

A lot of the information on the VA web site can be confusing. I agree with bdpreece, apply. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

W4RLR · 06-24-2013, 12:29 AM

The VA has been doing a lot of tweaking to its tiered system of eligibility for VA medical care. You may not have been eligible before, or eligible with a substantial co-pay, but with the changes you might get free or reduced cost health care benefits.

As to your service during the Vietnam era, having served during the wartime era makes you a wartime veteran. Not everyone got to the shooting match. There were some like you that supported the war effort while outside of the theater of operations.

For example, I had a mobility bag packed and orders for Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. The orders were rescinded because the war ended so quickly. I get credit for service during wartime, and never left Germany.

a1albert · 06-24-2013, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W4RLR

The VA has been doing a lot of tweaking to its tiered system of eligibility for VA medical care. You may not have been eligible before, or eligible with a substantial co-pay, but with the changes you might get free or reduced cost health care benefits.

As to your service during the Vietnam era, having served during the wartime era makes you a wartime veteran. Not everyone got to the shooting match. There were some like you that supported the war effort while outside of the theater of operations.

For example, I had a mobility bag packed and orders for Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. The orders were rescinded because the war ended so quickly. I get credit for service during wartime, and never left Germany.

I was in Vietnam but off shore, I was there in1972 and 1974 for about 8 month at a time.
Albert

Wayne M · 06-24-2013, 06:48 AM

Albert,

Loo up the ship you were on and see if it is one of those that is qualified under Agent Orange. If it is, then you may be eligible for VA care if you have ANY of the presumptive conditions of Agent Orange.

Search on "Agent Orange," and see if your ship is listed. You may have to look around for the list of ship. Somewhere on this web site is a link to the list.

Jymen · 06-25-2013, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdpreece

Something has changed. I filled out an application some time ago and was told I made too much money. About 6 or 8 months ago I got a letter that said I qualified but that there would be charges based on my income. Last week I received a vetrans health benefits handbook that is personalized for me only. it shows the benefits I qualify for and what my charges would be. I served during Vietnam but never in country. I would suggest you go ahead and file the paperwork and see what happens.

Same thing with me. Three years ago I went for AO screening which was a good physical exam, X-rays, blood work, etc. The Dr. asked if I had different ailments, one was ringing in my ears. Told him it started few years after being discharged for Vietnam and had been to ear Dr. So he set an appointment for further testing. Which was done. Note--I am not a hunter or sport shooting person. The hearing test showed that I had a hearing problem. Most likely from military rifle training and constant bombing in Vietnam with no ear protection. The claim is in processing now for two years. Two weeks ago I also was told that I was category 8 and also received the vet benefits handbook that is personalized for me. It said that when I go to VA Dr to bring my insurance cards so they can bill them. I will not use them, the VA clinic is a 3 hour drive from where I live. Still waiting on claim decision.

h2guy · 07-01-2013, 11:21 AM

Heres the list of ships::::

Agent Orange: Alphabetized Ships List - Public Health

a1albert · 07-01-2013, 10:37 PM

I watched the fire works from out at sea at night, my ship is not on the list. I going into the VA office tomorrow to see what I qualify for and hope I can get in their system.

Albert