Follow
Share

I am the primary caretaker for my husband. He had a lvad implanted in him which is basically a mechanical heart. I was the caretaker for two years for that instance he was then put on the heart transplant list. I am still the primary caretaker which is a 24/7 job. We are based in Connecticut and we go through West Haven VA and the Tennessee VA also Yale has been involved in situations the lvad implant Etc on March 7th 2017 my husband went through a heart transplant through Vanderbilt Hospital which is connected to the Tennessee VA my question is ...is there any compensation for me being the primary caretaker? since I had to quit my job over a year ago to make the trips back and forth to Tennessee every month and take care of my husband my social worker at the Tennessee VA is a little bit slow on getting me answers to this question regarding compensated I thought if I threw it out to you guys you could let me know if there's some way that we get compensated for being the primary caretaker of our spouses. I make all the arrangements with the doctors I speak to all the doctors and make all the arrangements for his meds etc etc I have to make sure I'm here to cook meals clean the house take care of him make sure he isn't just oriented Etc it's not an easy task putting your life on hold not complaining at all I actually like taking care of him and running the household like this it's just if there was a little extra income coming in for the fact that I'm not working any longer would be awesome and we didn't hire anybody we basically hired me but I get paid nothing. My husband is now in the hospital again for minor complication due to the meds he's taking for the heart transplant but guess who needs to be there by his side leaving me unable to get a position anywhere which I have had many opportunities to work but I can't being that I have to be there for him obviously , Thanks for your help I find this forum very helpful and informative.

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
Wow thank you both --- I will do that -- I will go to the Local Va here as well as having the info input in Nashville already through that VA system -- well see how it goes and I will keep you posted -- thank you for your info!
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Was his heart condition due to the service? Is so he could possibly get compensation. If not you could probably get Aide and Attendance. These both depend on your current income. I suggest you contact your local VFW and find out the person that helps fill out claims. Also it takes 6 or more months before they make a decision too.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

If you are low income enough, without savings more than $20,000 you may qualify for assistance from the VA.

Talk to the local VA social service office. They may have some help for you.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

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