Register with the VA.

[brutal]

Until you "need" it VA services are virtually useless. If you make too much, or if you currently carry insurance from an employer than there is really no benefit. Your insurance will get you better care out in the non VA world and if you did see the VA benefits are lessened do to the fact you have insurance.

But you should presumably go thru the motions to get yourself in the "system". I have done so.

I wonder if I'm still "in the system."

I was getting 10% disability when I got out in 88. For one year, then they pulled it.

I suppose I should go check things out (online now I presume?) lest that old back injury gets the better of me when I might not have coverage and aren't already be dead.

Betcha they "lost" my records.

[theGinsue]

>>> ETA Note to self: Read the entire thread before posting a reply.

No worries brother; I do it all of the time.

[brutal]

This is troubling to hear but I've heard many others say the same thing. If you line your pockets while "serving" in Congress they throw healthcare at you forever but if you sacrifice yourself and family by serving in the military you have to fight for a band-aid.

I have a VA disability rating but have avoided using VA medical care. My back is so bad now and the only thing I've found that brings relief is TENS (electro-stim) treatment. The OTC TENS units are worthless but you can't get a good one without a perscription which TriCare won't authorize. After the first of the year I'll be looking to get seen by the VA as I hear they regularly issue out the good TENS units. Only thing is I'm told to expect the wait for the Colo Springs VA clinic to be 2 years. That's a lot of pain to suffer through while waiting.

Must be the same system the NFA was letting us use for a time.

Of course, we all know it was some shitty gov contractor that got low bid and had no talent to build the solution.

[USMC88-93]

I wonder if I'm still "in the system." I was getting 10% disability

You would be, I had never been to the VA or had anything to do with Veterans care until I took a neighbor down to the VA Hospital last year. While I was there I checked with their offices to see how to "get into the system" and they had all the service related medical issues still listed under me when they pulled it up. I have been out since 93.

[CS1983]

Nope. Just read a report on Military.com yesterday (or was it this morning? I've lost track) that they've paused this program indefinitely. It seems that the demand is overwhelming (much higher than they expected) and the system they're using has glitches. Once they sort out the program they're supposed to resume (after all, the Veteran ID thing was Congressionally mandated in 2015).

Wasn't aware of that. Thanks for the update.

[Fmedges]

I've been getting care from the VA since 2004, but that's because of the % I am it doesn't cost me anything. If I didn't have that I wouldn't register with them. That being said if you have insurance (I have to carry it for my son) they do some shady shit in my opinion. I am 100% covered by the VA for services there, but they still bill my insurance company. Once the insurance company pays them they then eat the rest of the cost so I don't ever get a bill. Since in the VA system for a number of years in a number of different states I can tell you that the care varies wildly by what facility you go to. In Portland, OR it wasn't uncommon to have to wait 6 months for a routine appointment while here in Minneapolis it's usually two weeks max. Also as time goes on they have added some things in that make dealing with them easier such as the ability to email your doctor or request medications online. I think it's worth looking into if you were to lose your job or if you meet any of these.

Enhanced Eligibility

Certain Veterans may be afforded enhanced eligibility status when applying and enrolling in the VA health care system. Veterans who:

Are a Former Prisoner of War (POW)
In receipt of the Purple Heart Medal.
In receipt of the Medal of Honor.
Have a compensable VA awarded service-connected disability of 10% or more.
In receipt of a VA Pension.
Were discharged from the military because of a disability (not preexisting), early out, or hardship.
Served in a Theater of Operations for 5 years post discharge.
Served in the Republic of Vietnam from January 9, 1962 to May 7, 1975.
U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships associated with military service in Vietnam
Served in the Persian Gulf from August 2, 1990 to November 11, 1998.
Were stationed or resided at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987.
Are found by VA to be Catastrophically Disabled.
Previous years' household income is below VA's National Income or Geographical-Adjusted Thresholds.