Posted on 04/04/2017 2:48:08 PM PDT by FamiliarFace
Hello FReepers, my Mom is in deteriorating health, and we found out recently that her home health care insurance has a weekly cap. Dad served in the Army, to my understanding, during the Berlin Airlift and the beginning of the Korean War. We heard there is possibly Aid and Attendance help from the VA for my Mom, but that we need Dad's DD214 to apply for it. So, I engaged the services of a company that does this research, and just heard back that while they can find there is a valid service number for my Dad, his records have been completely lost due to the fire in 1973. Now I don't know what else to do.
“Get out the phone book and look for a county Veterans office that helps apply for disability. They have resources to help with many problems.”
I second this suggestion. If they can’t find it, they’ll tell you what to do.
Also once you get it, you’ll need them (the VA office people) anyways to fill out all the forms and submit them correctly.
I JUST did exactly what you’re doing about a month ago, and there’s NO WAY, I could have figured out all the forms on my own, don’t even try.
Go make an appointment at your local VA office, pronto.
The VA offers home based health care. Usually referred to as HBHC. Call your local VA and get her enrolled right away
The VFW has service officers who will be able to help you. They are experts at cutting red tape
call/visit your local VFW den or check this website:
https://www.vfw.org/NVS
I would go to the nearest DAV office Disabled American Veterans, in phone book, they are super and will know all the answers. Sometimes we misplace things and they are in the weirdest places when we find them. Going to be Praying that you find them but if anybody can help you they can in all matters. Going to be Praying for you also and His Loving Guiding hand to instruct you.
The form isn’t in the envelope, which was in a fireproof safe, as if it was taken out to display at some point. I did come across a little wallet sized document that has some info on it, but I’m not sure it has his separation date. With any luck, this might suffice in lieu of his DD 214. I will be going through his papers again with a fine toothed comb this time. Maybe we can glean enough info from these to help the case. I just don’t know if Mom would qualify for any help even if we do piece it together, but every little bit will help. We were saddened by the news that there is a weekly cap on her insurance plan for long term health care. She has coverage for several years worth of care if only we could use it without the cap.
you didn’t explain why you didn’t try the VA and instead spent money on some company who couldn’t help you..
have you gone to the VA website ???
VA.gov
Plus there’s toll free numbers...
you will also have a VA rep in your area..
in Indianapolis the address is 575 North Pennsylvania Street
Phone 800-827-1000
Unless she’s well off she will qualify for help.
Don’t waste time, seek help from the groups and organizations people have recommended immediately.
http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/index.asp
A free membership and a little work will probably find his service record. Start with yourself and work up.
Go here to find veteran’s records:
https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/standard-form-180.html
I worked for the VA for about 30 years. Just complete an application, give your Dad’s name, serial number, social security number, and let them do the work of securing verification. 99 percent of the time, they can do it.
Viet Nam Vet here. I went to the VA to merely get batteries for my hearing aids (rifle fire will do that) and presented DD214 etc. and was told, upon further investigation, that I was not entitled to anything. I thought ‘Oh well’ and went my way, paying $3600 for the hearing aids out of pocket.
A few weeks later, I received a large pack of info saying to go to the VA office and enroll for full benefits.
Also,(IIRC) there was a fire at this facility which destroyed some records.I don't recall which ones.
Hope that helps...
So far I haven’t spent money but I do expect him to ask for it at some point. Problem is the amount of time we have. The government is said to be very slow, and I don’t have a year for them to sort it out. I was hoping that hiring someone privately, I could access my Dad’s records more quickly, if they were available in St. Louis, which it turns out, they aren’t.
I’m remote and my sister is overwhelmed with mom’s care already. I try to “be there” for both her and mom every day. We have money for maybe 6 months of care in a memory care facility, but mom has always asked us to let her die at her home. We were thinking that her long term care would be enough, which it might’ve been had she not started needing 24/7 care.
She was born to immigrant parents and her father and brothers built their home from scratch when she was a little girl. They moved in from the chicken house to the new home in1936. After Grandma and Grandpa passed, my family moved in so that the little abode didn’t fall into disrepair. It’s a unique situation. There is no other home like it in the world. Ask anyone who has visited the place. They’ll tell you it’s special. Heck, it should be a freaking landmark in her town.
So yes, I’ve been to the VA website, that’s where I started. I got the name of the researcher from there. In fact I sent out inquiries to 5 and only heard from 2. I picked the one who seemed the most eager to help and the most personable.
My mom is in central Florida, where I was born and raised. Not sure if the office in Indy will help me. I’m the only one of the kids who moved so far away.
I will see what I can find from the VA office near her. I’m going to be “home” for a week starting tomorrow. I’ll see what I can get done, in between caring for her myself and giving my sister a break. Other family is comng on the weekend to celebrate her 87th bday.
Thanks for your help and insight.
Yes, that’s where the records are. That’s where the company I’ve hired is. The man said the only thing he can find on dad is that his service number matches up. That’s it. I have some other documents at mom’s that he may be able to use to find a DD214 equivalent.
Bttt.
5.56mm
If you have not done so yet, immediately file a formal claim with the Veterans Administration. This is necessary to preserve the right to benefits, if found entitled, from the earliest date possible. It also triggers the VA responsibility to assist with development of the claim. The only military records you will need are proof of service and character of discharge. This information can be obtained even in cases involved in the 1973 fire. The VA will request this information for you. You will also need proof of relationship which should be easily obtained at the county or state level. Don’t allow the bad experience of others to deter you from visiting the VA. There are some good people there and they will assist you. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of getting you claim on record.
Ok thank you for the info. I wish we had time on our side. I will visit the VA in her town this week when I go back to visit.
As an alternative, you can check your local telephone directory and see if there is a DAV, VFW, American Legion, PVA, or other service organization with a presence in your town. If so, they will have application forms and someone who can help with the claim. Give any of them a call and I am certain they will help you. They are generally very professional, know VA law and procedures better than any lawyer, and do not charge anything for their service.
Having cared for a parent with Alzheimer’s disease, I certainly sympathize with you. Good Luck
Prayers that you get the help you need. My dad’s DD214 was lost in that same fire. Mom’s gone too and she did not need VA help. I know my Dad probably had some medals due to him.
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