Follow
Share

He served for 4 years. He is the last stages of Parkinsons and 79 yrs old.

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
What type of benefits did you apply for? If you are applying for pension benefits, the VA is limited to what Congress has set by law. Did the VA give you a denial in writing or did you just call? You may have to file an appeal or get one of the advocacy groups involved, but it could be difficult depending on circumstances.
If your dad did NOT retire from the military and did NOT serve any days during wartime, according to VA website this is what is available:
Eligibility for Veterans Pension
Low-income wartime Veterans may qualify for pension if they meet certain service, income and net worth limits set by law, are age 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled, or a patient in a nursing home receiving skilled nursing care, or receiving Social Security Disability Insurance, or receiving Supplemental Security Income. Generally, a Veteran must have at least 90 days of active duty service, with at least one day during a VA recognized wartime period. The 90-day active service requirement does not apply to Veterans discharged from the military due to a service-connected disability.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

They only get help if they retired, or, if they served active duty AND we're honorably discharged AND have below approx $80,000 in assets AND are low-income. If he has other income from other pensions, social security, Medicaid, etc they are not going to send him a check for more than his nursing home bills. I'm not the VA but just know this from relatives & friends experiences.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Check and see if the USA was involved anywhere during the time he was in.
Verna
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Sawyer, specifically what benefits was your father applying for? There are different criteria for different levels of benefits. Did he apply for medical benefits only, for service connected disability with compensation, for Aid and Attendance?
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Any veteran can get medical care at a VA hospital. G.I. benefits for college. I was in the WACs from 1951-54. I went to college on the G.I. bill. You don't have
to be in at war time for the VA medical care. I don't know about the college bill. The best place to get this information is from the Veterans Administration.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Dad passed last August mom is 82 and is not healthy. I was told that she might be eligible for a low cost assisted facility because even though he didnt go to war he still served. Is this true?
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Lisaiuv, check with your local VA offices. You will need to provide your dad's military discharge papers. Also look online on the VA website--it says on their website the wartime dates during which, if your dad was on active duty, his surviving wife may be eligible for assistance. Only the VA can give you the correct answer to your individual situation--so start getting an answer from them, asap.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Forget it.... The VA is the worst to deal with. My father in law and I fought for over 20 years for his benefits... He was wounded in WW2. They finally gave us Aid and attendance for his wife, but only after I notified them that they could close her paper work as she died. There condolence letter from them included the approval for her.His injury as he aged got worse, shot in the knee, ended up in a wheelchair and they refused all that time, over 20 years, to increase his disability. DAV is supposed to help but good luck with them helping... We filled out piles of forms and received denials constantly and requests for more forms for us to fill out. He just passed so know they don't have to worry about any more paperwork from us.. That is what they wait for, DEATH of the veteran. Sorry you are having problems but they don't make it easy.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

I agree with redlady. You could try to get something from them, but I doubt it if there is anything. The thing of it is, these people served their country, it wasn't their fault that there was no war. They put on the uniform and did what they were told to do. My relative is in the same boat. He could have been in college getting a degree which would have helped him so much more. Even my friend who served in Nam in the jungle can't get the benefits he needs. Good luck.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

I will tell you even though my father in law is gone I am still sending letters to my congressman in hopes they someone out there will get what they need. Anyone before 9-11 that served has only the VA and Disabled American Vets to go through. After 9-11 they can also go to Toby Keith's organization. I called them and was told only post 9-11 Vets will they help. I am hoping with my barrage of letters that the WW2, Korean,Vietnam and anyone prior to 9-11 will get the help they deserve. I would suggest to all out there write your congressman and keep writing... Hopefully help will come.....
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Sawyer, Your Dad would be eligible for Medical Care at a VA facility but if he did not serve during war time or have a service related disability I don't believe he is eligible for an Disability Pension, Aid and Attendance or Housebound.
Every Community in the US should be served by a local Veterans Service Office.
It is easier to go there and have someone assist you in applying for programs. Make copies of all applications that you send in, just in case they are lost.
Good Luck.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter