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 Vallarta Living | Veteran Affairs | October 2006 
VA Health Care, Insurance and Survivor Benefits
 David Lord - PVNN
| | Iraq War veteran and Democratic Congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth makes a call from inside her Lombard, Illinois, campaign headquarters, October 6, 2006. Duckworth was co-piloting a Black Hawk helicopter north of Baghdad on November 12, 2004, when a rocket-propelled grenade struck the cockpit of her aircraft and exploded. Ten days later, when she woke up at Walter Reed Memorial Hospital in Maryland, she learned that the explosion would cost her both of her legs and had shattered her right arm. (Reuters/John Gress) |
An article for a weekly column has to have clarity in order for the message to get through, however sometimes the thought process of a Vietnam Veteran differs greatly from the norm, and I have to say that last week's article was a perfect example. (Ref: The Cost of This War)
I had the intention of writing something that made sense and therefore would serve some purpose. I am embarrassed to say that after reading last week's edition I had to ask myself, "What the hell was that?" I won't bother to even try to answer, so now that you know I care, please forgive the haywire of jumbled thoughts.
I have told you that the VA is starting to provide Chiropractic care at some of its Hospitals in the USA, including San Antonio and the Houston facilities. I am still awaiting the answer about service here in Mexico, and as soon as I know, I will provide the information that many of you wish to pursue.
Don't Leave Home Without It! F.M.P. is Free Medical Insurance!
One thing that is certain, if you travel, the VA will reimburse the cost of medical care, but only if you are enrolled in the Foreign Medical Program. Please sign up for this unique service, whether in Mexico, or any other Country world wide.
We US Veterans have medical insurance coverage for all injuries related to our Service Connected Disabilities. You can sign up on line by visiting www.vba.va.gov and going to the Veterans Benefits section on the pop-up menu.
Even a veteran that is only visiting a foreign country on vacation is allowed medical insurance coverage, as long as it is a service connected disability. The application process will include you sending by mail or fax a copy of your award letter listing your disability (ies), you will receive a letter of authorization from F.M.P. which allows you reimbursement for all cost associated with your care and treatment while outside the USA or its territories. You will have up to one year to send in your receipts for treatment that you have paid for out of your pocket.
Spouses, have you Remarried? If you are now married to a Non-Veteran, you may still entitled to Veteran Survivor Benefits!
The Guy was Veteran and he left you cold, or maybe you left him, but now he has gone to his just reward. Can you still receive his or her survivor benefits? Yes it's the law, there are categories of surviving spouses who may be entitled to dependency and indemnity benefits (D.I.C.), home loans and educational benefits.
Category one involves surviving spouses who became entitled based on a 1998 change in the law. Under the old laws, a surviving spouses that remarried could not receive DIC or any other VA benefit of the former spouse. Now after the 1998 change of law, the surviving spouse may be eligible to have DIC reinstated or receive it for the first time if:
1. the remarriage ends due to divorce, annulment, dissolution, etc. or the death of the second spouse.
2. (or where no legal remarriage has been created) the spouse stops living with the other person or stops holding him or herself to be that person's spouse.
In 2003, Congress again amended and liberalized the law regarding remarriage. The change includes all surviving spouses who remarry after age fifty-seven and remain remarried. These surviving spouses are eligible for DIC, home loan and educational benefits.
Here in Mexico, the home loan does not apply as it is used only in the States and territories of the USA. The educational benefits may apply here in Mexico if you attend the accredited School on the VA list. The list is published on the VA web site mentioned above.
 David Lord served in Vietnam as combat Marine for 1st Battalion 26th Marines, during which time he was severely wounded. He received the Purple Heart and the Presidential Unit Citation for his actions during the war in Vietnam. In Mexico, David now represents all veterans south of the U.S. border all the way to Panama, before the V.A. and the Board of Veterans Appeals. David Lord provides service to veterans at no fee. Veterans are welcome to drop in and discuss claims/benefits to which they are entitled by law at his office located at Bayside Properties, 160 Francisca Rodriguez, tel.: 223-4424, call him at home 299-5367, on his cell: 044 (322) 205-1323, or email him at mophmx@@yahoo.com or david.lord@yahoo.com.
Click HERE for more Veteran Affairs with David Lord »»» |
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