Can I use the VA for medical?

[white mudbug]

I only did 4 years in the USMC and was honorably discharged. Not looking to get a disability rating but want to be able to use the VA for medical if needed. Can I and if so how do I go about this?

thanks in advance!

[mikeSF]

I would call your local VA medical center and ask. I Have a WWII friend that uses the VA once a year for a check up . He served only 3 years back in the day.

[1stindoor]

Mike, I think he would still need to register due to their tiered system and I would strongly recommend he file an initial claim.

[white mudbug]

Would I need to file a claim even though I’m not seeking a disability rating?

[1stindoor]

White Mudbug,
One generally leads to another. Though that doesn't always mean it leads to compensable ratings. Could be you get a lot of zeros, which basically means the VA recognizes the service related condition, however, they are not bad enough to warrant compensation. Couple of questions...how long did you serve? How long ago did you serve (time in verses time out). The longer you've been out...the harder it is sometimes to get the VA to recognize a service related condition, unless you have your military medical records to back up your claims. Though I normally work with AD Army guys as they transition, I work with vets regularly too. My biggest advice is usually to find your nearest VSO (Veteran Service Organization).

[1stindoor]

I'm assuming you're in Sand Springs, OK...
Oklahoma Department of Veterans AffairsEmail:NOEMAIL@oklahoma.govWebsite:http://odva.ok.gov/Phone:405-521-3684

Just in case you're in GA:
Office:Georgia Department of Veterans ServiceEmail:gavetsvc@vs.state.ga.usWebsite:http://veterans.georgia.gov/Phone:404-656-2300

[white mudbug]

I was an active duty Marine from 1994-98 and only did 4 years. Not trying to seek a rating but basically want to get into the system as a backup plan. Hopefully it makes sense.

thanks so much for all of the help!!

[bassnman81]

Check with your county govt. they should have a veteran rep. If they do make an appointment with him or her and they will do all they paper work needed. This will be for any and all benefits your entitled to. You served and are deserving of what is available to you. If you have any injury from your service or illness put in a claim. You don't know what the future holds for you and that claim might come in handy. In my case and several others here as we got older the VA came through for us. Get you medical benefits and meds, eyeglass, hearing aids and other things become available. If your county doesn't have a rep get hold of your local DAV and they will help too. Go for it and keep us posted. Lots of good advice here for the asking, thanks for your service.

[fly by night]

I go to my local VA clinic for a physical exam annually.

[BOATS]

https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/

[1stindoor]

I was an active duty Marine from 1994-98 and only did 4 years. Not trying to seek a rating but basically want to get into the system as a backup plan. Hopefully it makes sense.

thanks so much for all of the help!!

Thanks for stepping up. When and how long you served doesn't make a difference, you're still a Veteran. Figuring out how to get benefits started is a little more difficult if you've never filed a claim and now you've been out for 21 years. For example, let's say you put in a claim for back issues...as a result of being an Infantryman for 4 years, humping a ruck, jumping, etc. Without medical documentation from that time period the VA will have a difficult time trying to figure out if your back pain is a result of your service...or some work related injury you got 10 years ago. If you can find a copy of your medical records from your time in the Corps that would help. It would also help the VSO assisting you if you had anything that backed up your claim that was related to your service. For example, let's say your DD214 shows you were an artilleryman...then filing a claim for tinnitus is a pretty easy (and quite common) starting point.

[Ben Danbleume]

Retired without a disability and the last time I check, the VA had no room for me, locally. I need to drive 200 miles to get anything done, no thanks.

[1stindoor]

Ben,
Did you file a claim?...For anything?...Seems pretty odd that someone would retire with 20+ years and not have a single claim.

[ToujoursPrey]

Hell all,
I served from 89-94 and was in Desert Storm (not that matters, for info only). I have a 10% rating due to an injury. Am I eligible for any VA health insurance?
Thank you,

[1stindoor]

Where to start:
https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/re...ligibility.asp

[n2ratfishin]

Ben,
Did you file a claim?...For anything?...Seems pretty odd that someone would retire with 20+ years and not have a single claim.

I was GSU for ten of my 20 years and had no physicals those ten years. We did not have the same separations they have now when I got out. I was sent to my servicing installation for a retirement physical and told good luck on my way out. I’d been out for 11 months before someone at FT Campbell told me I could file for a service connected disability. I gathered what records I could real quick and turned them into the VA thinking they would rate me like they should. Boy was that a mistake I’ve paid for since. Even if I’d been rated higher than I was, the current system of 50% and other ways of drawing concurrently were not signed into law until 2005.

I’ve spent the past 11+ years working part time helping over 10,000 military members get info on separating out of the military. If I can help one brother or sister in arms have a great transition without the huge chip I carried, and I see sooooooo many others carrying then all the time on the road and putting up with switching contracts etc...is worth it.

Yes, people get out after 20 without a claim. Not so much anymore, but it still happens.

By your post you make a difference at Bragg. Thanks for the continued service!

[1stindoor]

....
By your post you make a difference at Bragg. Thanks for the continued service!

And thank you for yours as well. I certainly don't work alone, I'm just one small cog in the overall machine trying to help our wounded, ill, and injured as they recover and remain on AD or transition off of AD. I work for the USSOCOM Warrior Care Program. Our work is primarily in the area of patient advocacy, but we assist Soldiers from their point of injury (or illness) throughout the rest of their career. Our client base is anyone in the SOF community: SF, CA, Psyop, MARSOC, AFSOC, SEAL, and those Soldiers working in those units, etc. But none of us will turn away a Soldier that needs help. Unfortunately there's just a lot less resources for a VET than there are for an AD Servicemember.

I'm sorry you had a difficult transition and had that "chip," but again, thank you for using your experience to help out those that followed you.

[wwc3]

I was eligable for many years before I went to my VA rep at our court house. Now recieve all my mediacal care thru VA. Never been treated as well in my life. See the Dr. every 3 months and a specialist if needed. They will now pay for a civilian Dr. if the nearest VA hospital is a distance away. ALL my meds are sent from the VA !!! To say that I am well pleased is a vast understatement !!!!!

[1stindoor]

^^Thanks wwc3. I wish everyone's VA experience was like yours. I always tell folks to enroll, regardless if they're going to use the VA or not. For example, I retired off of AD 6 years ago (so I've got both Tricare and VA eligibility); yet I haven't stepped inside their building for appts, treatments, or meds. I'm using the same MTF and clinic I used for nearly 20 years on AD. Why?...It's literally 6 miles from the house, and less than two from my office. Besides I know the Tricare and referral system pretty well. All that being said, I've still registered for the VA. The VA gets their funding based on the number of people in their system. Smaller enrollment numbers equals smaller funding amounts. By enrolling I'm increasing their budget, but not using them, I'm freeing space for another that has no other source of healthcare.

[wmitch2]

Go to the VA and get signed into the system with the VA rep. THEN, go to see the AMVETS rep ! They will get you much better benefits. Were you ever in a combat zone ? Do you have any hearing loss due to weaponry ? The AMVET rep will get you the best you can get.