I have been encouraged by a few other vets and my wife to get the benefits they have been opening up to people who are NOT combat vets, non-combat vets injured while on active duty, or retirees, but...I honestly cannot bring myself to do so.
I just don’t believe the limited resources available to the VA should be spent on someone who doesn’t fit into those categories above. I feel strongly that every single cent should be spent on the following, in the order listed above with combat vets at the top priority.
I feel that way about PX and Exchange privileges being opened up as well.
My buddy asks me about it often, and my wife as well, but...I am not doing it. Perhaps if I were desperate with no options I might well do that. But I am not there.
It just isn’t right, IMO. The legislators who approved that widening of of eligibility...well, I just simply do not understand that beyond political pandering. We need to take care of combat vets, non-combat vets injured while on active duty, and retirees first.
The test of us shouldn’t even be eligible, IMO. I have no problem with the GI Bill and the mortgage benefit they used to offer (Although, when I tried to use that mortgage benefit, it was so unusable that it was nearly comical) but I find it a little embarrassing to even be in the eligible pool for any kind other kind of government benefit.
I feel that I got so much from my enlistment that I should be paying the government money...which I guess I do.
I get the same advice from fellow retirees but I'm like you, it might be available but I'm not deserving.
To be honest with you, I never knew I was eligible for benefits after I retired.
I developed a skin fungus (it was no big deal) while serving in Central America that was treated by a local physician and paid in part by my employer sponsored health care plan. I never new that I could have possibly utilized the VA.....