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Q451: My wife, also a veteran, has Parkinson's Dementia. We think it was caused by 2 tours at Ft McClellan, AL. She is almost totally disabled now but the VA tells me I make too much money to get her seen by the VA medical system so she cannot claim disability. What should I do?
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A1: I would say they are giving you the runaround to avoid paying for a disability that may be caused by serving your country. They pulled much the same thing on me for over 34 years of fighting them one percentage to another over the years as each or more showed up. First write to your congressman and see a VSO (DAV, American Legion, VFW) see what they have to say. It will be up to you to show that the condition was caused by serving in one or more locations and that exposure to chemicals their caused the health problem. Try to get any information or any other service members serving at the locations and get a statement on VA form to support claim and that they have the conditions or someone in their families have it and get compensation for it. It will be an uphill battle for the VA is trying to save money anyway they can and will try anything to accomplish it. You serve your country then have to fight with them to get what you deserve and using the excuse that you make too much money does not give the right to refuse medical service or assistance for helping the patient that is suffering the condition. Even if you don't win because of the amount of money you make you should still be able to get medical treatment at the very least if you prove it is service connected. I wish you all the luck and support you can get and request all military records and go over them carefully and make note and submit only the pages that contain the information needed to prove your case. Giving them all the pages only confuses them for think of them as a little child that can not function or think clearly if given too much information. Most that make the decisions may or may not have ever served in the military and do not care one way or the other. (JM) 7/6/20
A2: You do NOT have to be seen by the VA medical system to claim a disability. Private medical evidence is just as good, if not better, than VA medical evidence. If you feel her disability is caused by her service there, file the claim with the VA and they will make a determination. If they feel an exam is warranted, they will schedule. Sometimes they ask for a medical opinion, which will not involve her. Sometimes the schedule a C&P exam and then ask for a medical opinion. Bottom line is that you do NOT need VA medical care to file a claim for compensation. (DS) 7/6/20
A3: Please be advised that the only known disability link for Parkinson's disease, unless diagnosed in service, is for exposure to Agent Orange herbicides from service in Vietnam War from August 1961 to May 1975 or on the Korean Demilitarized Zone from 1967 to 1971. There is no proof of herbicides exposure due to service at Fort McClellan AL recognized by the VA. As far as medical treatment for your wife's Parkinson's dementia, if she has a VA ID medical card, which she can get by going to a VA hospital with copy of her DD214 showing an honorable discharge, she should be able to get treatment for her condition. But if she is not service connected for her condition, the VA will charge her a copay for any medical treatment and prescriptions. Any private medical insurance she has may prove to be less expensive. Bring her to VA hospital with DD214 and private medical insurance card information and see what they say. (KK) 7/6/20
A4: You can claim a service related disability no matter your income. Any VA ordered medical exams for a disability claim is 1, covered Fully by the VA, and 2, is completely separate from the regular VA health care system. So file any disability claims, no matter your income. Also, I?d highly recommend contacting a Veterans Service Office through the DAV, VFW, etc. as they are specifically trained for this. (TF) 7/6/20
A5: Please don't confuse VA disability benefits with VA medical benefits. Because your wife was also a veteran she can claim for VA disability she thinks is connected to her service. For VA medical benefits, go to a VA medical facility's central registration with your wife's DD214 and ask what your options are with her being a veteran. It's true that for income it is based on household income which included both of you. Also within the VA medical faculty they should have a patient advocacy office which should be able to assist you in understanding what your options are. Lastly if you are thinking of filing a disability claim for your wife I would highly recommend you find a experienced VSO to help you. You can also talk with your state's veteran service office to see if they may be able to help in any way. (LG) 7/7/20
A6: Get in contact with a VA accredited VSO with DAV, VFW, AmLegion, AmVets or another Veterans Service Organization. Have her take her discharge (DD-214) and she will be advised on what and how to file. Also the VSO can assist her in getting VA Health Care. If she gets rated a 0% she will be able to get VA Health Care. Also a VSO will show her how to properly fill out the VA For 10-10EZ. You can go along for support. But remember it is her claim not yours. You need a medical opinion regarding the Parkinsons Dementia. Your thinking so will not hold much water. Google up Ft McClelland as there is a lot of information regarding contamination. This can assist her in developing a claim. (GH) 7/8/20
A7: It is in your best interest to get a lawyer that deals with federal government claims. Additionally saw on U.S. Veterans Compensation Programs site that the VA is decreasing the number of people who will be processing our claims which makes it hard to get results and compensation. Best of luck. (MT) 7/10/20