I need advice on veterans benefits. Have any of you done this for a parent?

vmetoyer,

Thanks, okay, one more question if you don't mind? When you say, Elder attorney team, would you recommend using a separate Elder attorney not affiliated with this 3rd party group that Brookdale Assisted Living Facility uses, it is called Patriot Angels. Do you prefer one of our local attorney teams in our area? I'm looking at three assisted living places, two are cooperate and the other is owned by independent investors. The other two gave me the numbers for local veterans organization.

I have just gone through this ENTIRE thing, including back benefits and aid and attendance. Heads up, it is a HORRIBLE process. Everything about the VA is horrible, its a red tape paperwork jump through hoops NIGHTMARE.

Your Mom would be fast tracked given her age. Fast Tracked means...waiting a year or 2 instead of 3 or 4 YEARS. Usually you can get AnA in about a year from time you first applied.

What you need is an atty who specializes in VA benefits-not just Elder Law. DO NOT go the VSO route. Just don't do it. Skip the AmLegion and all those sorts of places, they want to drink and tell stories and not help your veteran or family.

I come from a long line of military people, that includes both parents and DH..and let me tell you this. The VA will make you ashamed that your loved ones ever served because their whole purpose in life is to kill your veteran (or spouse) and deny them benefits. They do do everything that they can do to kill them off quickly so they do not have to pay them anything. And this, sadly, verified by my own experience as well as much reading and attys telling us this...is the American way. :( I am happy to say we survived the biggest part of this battle though I am pretty sure I aged 100 years...but it is still ongoing and took MANY years to resolve WITH the help of an atty.

The VA is pure, sheer, raw, EVIL. No two people will EVER tell you the same thing, EVER.

Before you attempt to try and get A & A be aware that Mom will receive no more than about $1200 a month as a spouse. (this may have changed in the 3 years I filed) Its a long process. You will need all Military records. Showing from when to when Dad was in the service. Discharge papers. Must be honorably discharged. A & A is only for those Vets who were in during wartime. Divorced spouses are not entitled to any VA benefits.

I would first contact your local VA office. Usually located at the County Seat. I would apply through their rep. If turned down, then I would find a lawyer who is versed in VA rules. I would not go thru a third party. It has been said on this site, that they try to get you to invest money with them. I don't see what they could do that a good VA rep can't.

Please call Mr Drennan with Vet Assist. Let him know Vernita referred you. 713-315-0086
Wishing you well.

Do you have his military discharge papers? Last year I sent a request to the VA for my father’s WW2 records to research where he was while in Europe for 4 years. I was crushed when they told me my father’s records were destroyed in the 1973 fire in St Louis and was told the only way I could find out at least his rank (as my dad was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant) was to request his payroll records from the Library of Congress. Well, I gave up, but I didn’t need them to apply for VA benefits.

I did help one of my patient’s spouse but just printed out the ppwk for her. She filled it out and sent it in, was told (as another reader said as well) that she needed one more piece of paper to apply. She produced it. They were declined.

That man was in the Vietnam war and did see combat so I have no idea why they were rejected. I was so disappointed for them. He is 77 y/o and his wife is exhausted taking care of him. Their son stole their retirement money for drugs and they now have no assets except their house.

I don’t think it’s an easy process to apply for unless you have all the necessary ppwk and are essentially indigent. Shameful we treat our vets like this.

I sincerely hope you get the results you need for your mom via the VA.

Yes, it seems like some had no problem and others did. I thought my Mom was going to have no problem. She only had 1700 a month coming in. I had every document that was needed. I had to prove a previous marriage for Mom that lasted a year. She was married to Dad for over 50. I got a letter saying something about she made too much money, what! She was under what they allow in assets that was being used for her care in an AL. All that paperwork had been filled out showing how much she paid a month. I chose not to pursue it because she was going on Medicaid. Can't have both.

Aid and attendance! Don't pay you can get the info on line or call VFW they have information.

There really is no rhyme or reason to how the VA determines eligibility for benefits. My dad served in Vietnam, suffered a few injuries and was in the Navy for 6-8 years and had no problem getting VA benefits. He gets a VA pension (pension may be the wrong word) and VA health care. My uncle only served a few months in Navy (didn’t go to Vietnam) before getting discharged-he couldn’t hack it I guess, couldn’t handle being until he service. And he gets the exact same benefits my dad does! And let me tell me, he is well off. Left the navy and went to UC Berkeley and got in to computer engineering. Made a great living and is now retired. Sold my grandmothers house when she died (which was totally paid off) and pocketed $500k. So.....yeah there’s no rhyme or reason here.

No, no, no, do not pay that $750!! I've read that some places that charge are scams! When I applied for benefits for dad I contacted the VA contact in my area. They were able to help me with the paperwork and they actually faxed everything to the VA. It didn't cost me a dime. Contact the VA hospital near you and they can give you a contact name in your area.
My dad also was denied because he has more than 2 acres of land!! It's a shame because he worked hard all his life for what little bit he has.

case worker