VA Health care enrollment question

I'm going to try again to get okayed to receive VA health care.

I tried once about 10 years ago but was denied because I got out of the regular Army about 30 days prior to the 24 month eligibility cutoff. Even though I immediatedly, on returning stateside, joined the National Guard and stayed ANG for 3 more years.

I have been told by others I should try again because they always deny you the first time you apply.

I have been trying to research online to see if I would be okayed or not and it seems some of the requirements have changed. I noticed that the 24 month thing could be waived for persons who got out with a hardship discharge or an "early out".

I don't know what exactly is on my DD214 but I think it says Sole Parent. Which really wasn't the case because I was married, but was trying to keep my children with me while in Germany and my husband was in the US and I became overwhelmed in that attempt financially and stress-wise. I was thinking I had got out on a hardship but it may have been listed as sole parent on my DD214. Would that be considered "Early Out"?

Normally, I wouldn't consider Vet care because I was non-combat and there are so many combat veterans who need more urgently than I. Lately though, my health is getting poorer and I'm financially screwed with no insurance and VA may be the only thing that might save my ass.

Any advice would be most helpful. Thanks.

Do you have your DD214? That's step one. If you don't, fill out an SF180 and send it off to ST LOUIS. Next thing you need to do is figure out what your discharge code is, and what it means.

In BushCo America, they've stripped a lot of that shit OFF the web in recent years; so, depending on your discharge date, you may have to trot off to a personnel office and have someone look it up for you. You might be able to persuade someone to do it over the phone; they can verify who you are with your SSAN.

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/dd-214.html

I filed it once at the courthouse here in Mississippi. Do you think they might still have it there? It's been probably 20 years.

Is the discharge code the one that tells you whether you are eligible for reenlistment? What kind of personnel office?

Thanks.

Page one doesn't have all the detailed info on it--and will NOT contain the discharge code.

You might want to fill out the SF180 and send it off anyway. It's a good idea to have one in your possession (in later years, for funeral honors, not to be morbid--you need one for the taps, honor guard, flag, slot in a military cemetery, and headstone/brass marker), and you aren't gonna get ANYWHERE with the VA without it.

Also, the DD214 will tell you, day for day, precisely how many days you served. That will be computed in the boxes over to the right hand side.

The RE/Discharge code (depending on service) is found, in more recent years, in the bottom right hand corner of the document. It will, in a few letters and numbers, tell the tale. A few links:
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/l/blcode3.htm
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/l/blcode1.htm

Don't take these codes, especially the second link, as gospel--it depends on when you got out. Best to verify with either a personnel office (by that I mean one on an Army base, or maybe at your old ANG unit--they might be able to hook you up too).

You might want to see if you can't get some help with local vets groups in making your application, if there's no military personnel office nearby. I know VFW and American Legion sometimes have folks who offer their services to vets who are trying to find their way through the paperwork mess at VA and other government agencies. If you have one of those outfits nearby, you might want to call them up and see if there's anyone at their branch who might help you. Also, even if you aren't retired, a lot of bases have Retired Activities offices. They might be willing to help you if they aren't too swamped. Keep in mind, these people are volunteers, so treat them nicely if they do offer to help you out.

Good luck!

If my discharge was honorable? I think I remember the code being a 3 or a 4. I tried to get back in, but they wouldn't let me. I THINK it was a 3.

think they might want a certified copy to go along with it. At any rate, it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to have a copy of it yourself, if you don't have one now. When you get it, stick it somewhere safe!

If you make too much, too, they're not taking those folks--because there are so many people who need help, they've stopped taking the Group 8 people (who are lowest priority, have a good income, but like going to the VA because they get good care at their location). Have you checked to see if you're eligible in terms of the "means test?"

Here's the matrix--click on your state to see--if you make too much, they won't take ya, even if you are willing to pay. Unless you are getting VA benefits already, you're at minimum Group Seven...

http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/Library/pubs/GMTIncomeThresholds/

I'm barely surviving. What is the "means test?" Okay, I checked that out. I make about half of the cutoff income that is shown for my county for just me and no dependants.

I'll send off for my DD214. I hope it doesn't cost much. Do you know if I need to send off a separate request for both my regular army and national guard time?

http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/standard-form-180.html

FWIW, the VA WILL access your records, so you won't need to send them a copy, but they may want info on their application that's on your 214. If you fill out the request and don't need the 214, send it on so they can get started.

It will only cost you the price of a stamp to get the 214--they only charge third parties, and that's rarely--as a vet, that's one of your benefits...!

in and out in short order. I am priority 5 now. I served from 1965 to 1969.

The courthouse still had it after 20 years. They are stamped with the courthouse seal and the lady said they are as official as the original. I'm glad I have copies again.

to fill out. If it hasn't been destroyed by fire, they should still have it.

or went missing, or what have you. I recall there was a lame attempt by some wingnuts to suggest that his shit got caught up in that inferno, which would have meant that someone working at NPRC had a real serious filing problem!

Because here are the records that were affected:

Branch Personnel and Period Affected-----------------------------------Estimated Loss

Army Personnel discharged November 1, 1912, to January 1, 1960 --------80%

Air Force Personnel discharged, September 25, 1947, to January 1, 1964
(with names alphabetically after Hubbard, James E.)-------------------- 75%

http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/fire-1973.html

All records of discharges after that date (the sixties) are safe, backed up on fiche/digital media now. Navy and USMC records were completely spared.

You can get the form online (SF 180), also.

If it wasn't for him having copies of stuff he saved, he would've been screwed.

Of course, they might have been filed by some stoner on a deferment--a friend of Dick's or Monkey's perhaps. Could be those records are actually in those archives, shoved in some Sailor's or Marine's service jacket, who had the same name.

I've reviewed fiches of service records and found documents not belonging to the servicemember on the fiche. It happens--can't get good help nowadays! It's why they tell service personnel to check their own records religiously.

in the section that burned.

They just didn't want to give him anything I think.

They will help you get enrolled.

http://www.dav.org/

Monkeyman told me they help a lot of vets get signed up. I was just going through the Veterans forum reading the posts he made before he passed away and ran across your request for help. :cry: