True story: a couple of years ago my Korean American girlfriend and I went to the ROK to visit her family. She told me that she always wanted to see a PX so we went to Usan Air Base trying to get in.I told her we'd probably fail but we could try. We got to the gate and I showed my driver's license which has "Veteran" listed on it. But the guard said "no". I wonder if they might have thought my girlfriend was a Nork spy...but she had her US passport.
Well, Korea is still a combat zone so they’re always at a higher Threat Con or whatever than stateside. The guard isn’t going to recognize a civilian designation of Veteran on a Driver’s license! A notarized DD214 would have worked. But you first go to Visitors Center to have them deal with IDs or a base pass. They decide what works or doesn’t. They’ll give a temp base pass or tell you what you need to do for a permanent ID. Then you go to the gate.
Your head injury should definitely qualify you for a disability rating and VA ID if you still have symptoms like difficult vision, dizziness, etc. I had a roof come down on my Kevlar with about a thousand lbs and still have dizziness, numbness, etc. Got rated for that and migraines which came with the back and neck injuries taken from that. I’m 220% with about another 80% still outstanding.
The VA only rates you or not. They’re not going to call the police on you LOL, but I’m sure some would like to! They look for active duty records of the conditions. You were on quarters to 2 days after a documented head injury. It may be difficult if there isn’t a trail of treatment for it. But most VA ratings are based on time in service damaging the body or limiting it later on. Example: eating fast in the Chow hall leads to bad eating habits which causes Gerd, etc. 30 years on. Or high blood pressure, or diabetes, etc. Those are real things ppl file for (but not me).
All my stuff is service-connected, line of duty, in my medical records, treated and current. A lot of ppl tho get disability based upon the course of their lives after military service being less than someone who didn’t enlist hence: “the military did it to me”. I look at it as: If I hadn’t gone in the military would I have this problem?” If the answer is No then the VA will probably recognize it and rate it.
All my stuff is active duty, service-connected with medical records and continuous symptoms and treatment to today. I don’t take any side-eyes when I park in Disabled parking with the Disabled Vet plate. I’m not some 10-years after service Plantar Fasciatis or sleep apnea rating.
Just get in the VA system and bring all your problems to them. You get even a 0% rating you have access to VA healthcare for life. Ain’t the best and they do try and kill you but, if nothing else, you have the Obamacare-required ‘medical insurance’ required so you don’t have to go out and buy it to avoid the fine.
Take her to a Target that doesn't have a grocery store. Tell her it's just like a PX but with lower prices.
Did you get resolution on visiting the base for courts martial?