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Randy Altschuler is committed to our veterans.
Bob Smith is the former Director of the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency. Bob will be happy to blog and answer your questions in regard to Long Island and national veteran issues. Randy believes that Veterans Corner will provide the campaign with an opportunity to assist veterans and their family members to ask questions of concern from the comfort of their home or office. Please e‑mail veteranscorner@randyaltschuler.com with any questions or comments you may have!
Veterans Corner: Questions & Answers
(Q) get different answers from my friends at the American Legion Post that I am a member of so I thought I would ask you. I am receiving a service connected disability check from the VA each month. When I die, will my wife receive my disability check? Or will it be reduced?
(A) I am sorry to say, no . Many surviving spouses have been told that they would continue to receive disability payments after the veterans death. This is not true. However, there is a monthly benefit for the surviving spouse of a veteran who dies from the results of their service-connected disability, also if the veteran is receiving 100% at the time of the veterans' death if certain criteria are met. There is also a surviving spouses pension that could be available to you based on your income. The best think to do is contact me with specifics and I will be able to assist you with answers relating to your situation.
(Q) My husband passed away in March, at the time he was living in Florida. I had to have his body flown back to New York. All his burial expenses amounted to over $8,000. I was told that I could apply to the Veterans Administration for some compensation as my husband was a Navy veteran. I did apply sending them all the required documentation which they asked for; death certificate, marriage license, social security number, discharge papers, and a copy of the funeral expenses. After sending all the proper paper work, I was told because I paid the funeral expenses I was not entitled to any benefits. I just want to know is this true? Thank you.
(A) You said that the VA told you that because you had already paid the funeral expense you were not entitled to any benefits. That answer is a little confusing maybe I can explain it better. The fact that you paid the funeral expenses has nothing to do with any burial benefits that you may be entitled to. You said that the funeral expense came to more than $8,000 I would assume (and I hate to assume anything) that your husband was not buried in a National Cemetery. That would probably be the reason for your funeral expenses being so high. The reason I say that is because as an honorably discharged veteran he was entitled to the following VA burial benefits which include the gravesite, a headstone, opening and closing of the grave and perpetual care. Calverton National Cemetery has a Chapel area where a service is held and the flag over the coffin is folded and taps is played. Many National Cemeteries, including Calverton have columbaria or in-ground niche for cremated remains. The VA does not reimburse for transportation of the body to a location of your choice. However you can apply for transportation reimbursement if the veterans' death was service-connected or if death occurred in a VA facility, a nursing home under VA contract or a State nursing home. If your husband was buried in a private cemetery you should fill out an application for a government-furnished headstone or marker. The government will ship the headstone free of charge, but will not pay for placement. If this is the situation write me again for details on application and mailing address.
(Q) - I don't believe i can work any longer because of my service-connected disabilities. My question is this, is there a way that i can apply for an increase in my disability payments because of my worsening condition.
(A) - If you are unable to maintain employment as a result of your service-connected disabilities you should apply for VA Unemployability Benefit, you can do so by completing VA form 21-8940
veterans application for increased compensation. Remember that you must have evidence supporting your claim. You can provide both VA and private doctor medical records that show you have been seen or you are presently being treated for conditions that you are claiming are disabling you. If you don't have any such evidence i suggest you start a paper trail. start seeing doctors and start documenting your visits and any additional medications you have been given. I know both mentally and physically you believe you disabilities have worsened or secondary disabling conditions have developed, however you need to prove your case.
(Q) - I keep reading and hearing about our our veterans of war suffering from PTSD what is PTSD ?
(A)- PTSD stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many of our soldiers returning from combat suffer from PTSD. It is a form of anxiety disorder in which a person has a delayed and prolonged reaction after being in an extremely threatening or catastrophic situation such as war, serious accident, Head injuries, or witnessing violent deaths. Other reasons that can be a cause of PTSD is multiple deployments and extended deployments from 12 to 18 months. Also if soldiers are struggling with serious functional impairment as the results of previous deployment are deployed again, there is also potential that this could impair their performance in battle. About half the soldiers who had PTSD or depression also reported aggressive behavior or misuse of alcohol.
The war still goes on off the battle field.
(Q) - Dear Mr. Smith: I am retired from the Air Force and have Tricare health insurance, which is a health plan for military and retired personnel. It is my understanding that under the Obama Health plan approved by members in Congress Tricare will be eliminated. What can be done to stop this if it's true?
(A) - It won't be eliminated but greatly modified. The president and the Democratic leadership are betraying American Veterans. At issue is H.R. 4872 does not fully protect the healthcare programs provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Tricare system. This bill will not cover children suffering from spina bifida as a result of the parents exposure to Agent Orange , and it does not cover dependents, widows, and orphans who are served by CHAMVA, the civilian health and medical program of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs.
Reps. Steve Buyer (R-IND) and Buck Mckeon (R- Calif.) are trying to introduce an amendment to H.R. 4872 to protect the integrity and independence of the VA and Defense Department healthcare systems. Buyer is the ranking member of the house Veterans Affairs Committee and McKeon is the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee. We salute the Congressmen and their supporters and we hope their message is heard loud and clear throughout Congress and that this flawed legislation is fixed and in so protecting the programs that were promised to our nation's veterans, military and their families.
(Q) I am a disabled veteran and would like to join a local disabled american veterans organization. I live in Port Jefferson can you tell me if such a group is in my area.
(A) Disabled American Veterans Chapter 190 meets each month in Ronkonkoma, you can write to Commander DAV at 115 Church Street, Ronkonkoma NY 11779
(Q) Is the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran eligible for the VA home loan benefit if not me are my children ?
(A) The unmarried surviving spouse of a deceased veteran who died on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability is eligible for the home loan benifit. No, the children of an eligible veteran are not eligible for the home loan.
(Q) I have been receiving VA compensation for the past 22 years. I want to file for an increase in disability due to a worsening of my condition , but ive been afraid that the VA might not increase but lower it or take it way, why open a bag of worms?
(A) If you have been receiving a service-connected disability compensation for at least 20 years, the VA cannot reduce your rating unless you committed fraud in the first place. Your rating is protected by law.
(Q) I was deployed to Operation Desert Shield in June 1990, I put in a claim for illnesses associated with the Gulf War and i am receiving VA compensation for my illness. However i believe i should be receiving a higher rating than i am receiving. What do i do about trying to get it increased?
(A) The VA has put together the Gulf War Task Force to study the illnesses related to that war. The fact that you are receiving VA disability Compensation is a good thing because it shows that they recognize that you have a service connected disability and we don't have to prove it any further. What you must do now is submit a new claim based on your current condition getting worse. Along with the new claim for benifits you must supply medical proof that your condition has worsened, this can be done by including copies of all related medical records both from the VA and private practice that will show what you have been treated for. This condition can be your current disability or disease that has worsened or a secondary condition that has developed as a result of your original condition. However you must provide the proof to support your claim for increase.
If you need any additional information please contact us.
(Q) I heard that the VA has recognised three new presumption of service diseases relating to Agent Orange. Do you know what the are ?
(A) Veterans who served in Vietnam during the war and who have one of the illnesses covered by the presumption of service connection, don't have to prove an association between their medical problems and military service. The three new diseases are Parkinsons disease, ischemic heart disease and B cell Leukemias. If you have any of them put a claim into the VA as soon as possible.
(Q) I never graduated from high school because i joined the army to fight in WWII. I heard that you can get an equivalentcy diploma as a veteran of WWII. How do i go about it?
(A) All you need to do is bring your discharge paper to the high school that you attended, specifically seek out a guidance department or career center. If you can't get to that school try any high school.
(Q) I recently went to Northport Veterans Medical Center for treatment and was surprised to see that the VAMC billed my wife's insurance for my treatment. I thought as a service connected veteran I was covered?
(A) If you are requesting treatment for an illness or disease for which you are not service-connected, they will bill your health plan or your spouse's health plan; it's what is known as third party billing.
(Q) My husband died two months ago he was receiving a 30% disability check. Not long after his death the checks stopped coming. Is it true the checks stop upon the veterans death?
(A) Yes , in most all cases. However i would contact the VA if the veteran was receiving a disability rated 100% or the veteran died from his/her service-connected disability. Spouse may have entitlements. Also surviving spouses of deceased veterans with wartime service may be eligible for a non-service-connected pension based on financial needs. If you think you may qualify contact the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency at 853-vets
Are my veteran education benefits taxable ?
Answer
No, any veterans benefits under the law should not be reported to the Internal Revenue Service.
How do i apply for educational benefits ?
Answer
If you have decided on a program find out if the program is approved by the VA. To do this , you can check with the schools Financial Aid Office or training employment office or call the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1 If the program has been approved by the VA contact the the official who certifies enrollments for VA benefites at the school, college, or training facility. To submit an application for benefits you can obtain the application on line ( VA form 22-1990) or submit a printed copy. to the VA regional Office Phone number for VA regional office is 1-800-827-1000
Dear Sir: I am presently receiving a 30% service-connected disability from the VA. I know my condition has worsened and i would like to apply for an increase. What should i do? Thanks
Answer
I believe you when you say your condition has worsened. However what I believe doesn't matter. We have to prove to the VA that you deserve an increase. First you must reopen your case this is done by putting in a claim for an increase in VA disability compensation. You must have medical evidence to support your claim, included in these records should be a letter from your doctor who has been treating you, stating that it is his/her professional opinion that your condition has worsened and it is directly related to your military service or is a secondary condition. The VA when making its evaluation will take private doctor's medical evidence and opinions. If you have not been seeing a doctor for your condition you better start because your personal opinion about your current condition worsening won't get it done. For assistance in formulizing your claim you can call the Veterans Service Agency at 853- 8387
Mr. Smith: I am writing on behalf of my father-in-law. He is a veteran from WW l l. He is currently living in an assistant living facility in Centereach and has Dementia. I am interested in obtaining any information available about benefits available to him as a veteran pertaining to long term or nursing home care such as the facility at either Northport or Stony Brook. What qualifies a veteran to be eligible to reside in these locations, etc. any guidance is greatly appreciated as this is a very difficult and emotional issue and his condition worsens regularly. Thank you sincerely.
The two Veterans Nursing Homes that you mentioned do have eligibility requirements that must be met. I would rather not go into who qualifies for these facilities. What i suggest is that you contact them and let their admissions Administrator provide you with the appropriate information. Write to the Long Island State Nursing Home at Stony Brook, 100 Patriots Road, Stony Brook, New York 11790-3300 or call 631-444-8548. The Address for the Northport Veterans Nursing Home is:
Department of Veterans Affairs,
79 Middleville Road,
Northport, New York 11768-2290
