• How my dad lost his money thanks to the VA

    "My dad asked me to tell his story: He's a disabled veteran. He worked till retirement from GM in 1993. In 1994, he and my then teenage brother were wrestling hen my dad fell and broke his neck. He's been a quadriplegic ever since. My parents live on a fixed income from his retirement and they were really looking forward to the $600. They have been having problems with Haley VA Hospital taking money out of his social security, or any other money that comes via the government. They have been paying bills from the VA Hospital for years, yet it seems that years later some charge or another pops up. This time the VA Hospital claimed all but $218 of the rebate check. This rebate wasn't supposed to be for bills, but to stimulate the economy. My parents paid the amount they were billed for this month, but the VA took extra. This just isn't right, but when you complain to the VA, you get nothing but red tape. My parents needed this money very badly. The wheelchair van is broken down again (damn Ford) and the stove went out on them too. I couldn't think of anything else to do so I gave them my rebate check. The VA sucks. They don't care about a 68 year old retiree quadriplegic who wasn't in a war. He was serving during the period between Korea and Vietnam, during the cold war where we could have been at war any moment. He wasn't wounded in battle, so they don't care. He falls by the wayside and my parents end up balancing on the thin edge every month. I give them every dime I can."

    Aimee Charbeneau, 35, graphic artist
    Tampa, FL

    18th Jun 2008 in Other | Discuss (10) |

Comments

  • While I feel sorry for your father, I too am a veteran who did not serve during "war" time. But, your father wasn't injured while on active duty or while enlisted. If he owes the VA money, then he should pay it so other disabled vets can get the benifts they are entitled.

    Posted by: Navy veteran Jun 19th, 13:18

  • I'm sorry about your dad.

    Posted by: KC Jun 19th, 13:50

  • I work for the VA and i am also a disabled vet, If they are taking money from his SS its because he has bills that he owes for treatment at the VA, I am not trying to be a jerk but if he is being billed it means his income, or your mothers is over a certain level, and based on how many dependants he has his income (combined with wife) has to be at least $35,000
    or more. There are two cut offs Medication copay and Treatment with medication being the lower of the two. A VA Dr visit is $15 for primary care and $50 for specialty and $8 for meds. If you can tell me another hospital that is that affordable let me know. The VA was for INJURED vets, and combat vets for a certain amount of time after leaving the military. IE current Iraq Vets get 5 years of treatment at no cost, then if they are declaired disabled the they will get it for free for that diasbility FOR EVER, unless they are %50 or more then EVERYTHING IS FREE!!!! Please dont talk crap about what you dont understand, yea the VA has problems, but what giant organizaion doesnt. We help a hell of a lot of people.

    SGT M. (RET Disabled)

    Posted by: VA guy Jun 19th, 15:00

  • I feel bad for your dad...but really isn't he just happy to get some debt paid off and have a little to spend..... this is teh problem with people....give them FREE money and they want terms and more....the money is going to the economy...the hospital is a business and they will pay bills, buy items...or invest it.... so it still works... don't look at gift horse in the mouth and don't spend money that isn't yours before you pay off your debt

    Posted by: Me in Arizona Jun 19th, 18:22

  • I can feel for your dad. A couple years ago I had a test ran that was service connected (I was injuried in the Army). I was not supposed to have to pay because it was service connected. But while I was contesting the charges, the VA took the money from my income tax return and the IRS charged me an extra $21.00 for cutting the check. Yes the VA does suck. I love the county with all my heart, but I will do everything in my power to talk my sons out of going into the military.

    Posted by: Vet in NC Jun 20th, 11:42

  • I believe any man or woman who serves in any of our armed forces should get the best medical services possible and for free. I wake up every day and thank God for these men and women who put their lives at stake for my freedom. It's funny how if you're underage and get pregnant, you get assistance, if you have 7 kids and need food, you get food stamps,if yor a drug addict , you get disability, no questions asked. This country's priorities are so mixed up it's sickening. I really feel for your Dad and your family. My prayers are with you.

    Posted by: nc in nj Jun 20th, 16:52

  • In response to Sgt. M (KC):
    I spoke with my mom to make sure my "lack of education" about the VA was clarified and she informed me that your facts weren't quite straight, maybe for what ever VA you work for where ever you're from, but not for the James A Haley VA hospital in Tampa, Florida.

    According to my mom, a vet's combined income can't be more than $14K to qualify for assistance. Also the only expenses that they consider are medical, not the things you would expect, like mortgage payments, utilities, etc.

    Since my dad is a Quad, all of his medical treatment is considered "special" which means he has a $35 charge primary and his meds are $11. There are a lot of meds. This is still not the problem. It was the $950 a month hospital bill added on top that got beyond what they could afford. My parents live on a fixed income that is just barely enough to pay their bills, so when things like this come up- they struggle to make ends meet.

    As for the money going back into free enterprise, the VA is run by the government, the money just went back to them.

    My major complaint was that they were faithfully paying every month at least $100 on top of the $300 that the VA would take, but the VA still felt it wasn't fast enough.

    I believe that the VA needs to improve their out dated system for charges. Veterans should get more than non vets. They literally put their lives at risk, whether at war or not, to protect the rest of us.

    I agree that its total BS that people who are drains on society get unconditional help while people like my dad, who worked and supported this family, are left to the wayside. I've also fallen in the "hole" I've been working since I was 13, but I still can't afford to go to a doctor or dentist, because I don't have medical benefits. I'm eternally grateful that I've been in good health so far.

    Maybe none of this would happen if we had socialized medical.

    Remember the vets, next time you see one- thank them for their service. Thank you Sgt. M., but I will have to respectfully disagree with you. I'm glad as an employee, that you get a different perspective.

    Posted by: ravenwolven Jun 23rd, 05:45

  • Hello. I think it is very sweet of you to help your parents out with your check. I think the VA had to take his check to pay their employees because even if your parents are great, their employees are not volunteers. I would suggest you and your Mom apply at www.modestneeds.org for help with a new stove and other bills past due up to a grand. They are very generous and help with all sorts of stuff. They also support veterans. I hope good things come to you and your family.

    Posted by: Karen Townsend www.womensave.org Jun 26th, 09:16

  • Are your parents Edward or Paula? Thanks

    Posted by: Karen Townsend www.womensave.org Jun 26th, 15:30

  • I hate to tell you this, but the VA doesn't care about those who were wounded in the war!

    Posted by: stellamojo Jun 30th, 09:59

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