Gun Dog Forum

my wife was in the Army reserves in the 70's; honorably discharged. Is she eligible for any benefits (health) for her service in the reserve?

I believe that Reservists had to be activated at some point in order to get benefits but the only way to really know is to turn in an application. I am a former Spec Ops Soldier who served in the Gulf War, was exposed to Nerve Agent along with experimental Vaccines and I cant even seem to get a simple physical.

Im not saying don't try though.

You can print out an App and have a copy of her DD214. Mail it in and wait.

best way to find out is if you have local vetrans service office they are ususaly with the county offices, or you could contact the american legion or vfw they usually have people that cant help with that kind of stuff.

Best way to do it is have someone deal with the VA for you. A lot of groups out there will fill all the forms out, file it, and brief you on what you can get as far as benefits.

I had this done prior to discharge and it saved me so much time and frustration that I see people go through with the process.

Thank you very much

ultracarry wrote:Best way to do it is have someone deal with the VA for you. A lot of groups out there will fill all the forms out, file it, and brief you on what you can get as far as benefits.

I had this done prior to discharge and it saved me so much time and frustration that I see people go through with the process.

You got lucky. Many of us have gone through multiple avenues with no success and served a whole lot more than you. I love you Bro but this country spent Billions to study the Gulf War Illness. Many of us have signed up to get exams for the study group and haven't gotten them.

Your statement about "prior to discharge" was key... After many years of discharge the Gov just turns their back even once they admit to HUGE problems that can take years to manifest.

I second the veteran service organization route (VFW, DAV, Legion). The process isn't quick by any stretch of the imagination. For example, action on disability claims for those leaving the service now are 6 months or more behind.

Jay

Unless you can prove through documentation that any injuries were sustained during her active time (if she was ever active), as a result of active service, and non as a result of misconduct, then she may be able to get some aide. Honestly though, unless it was documented years ago, or it can easily be traced to a specific cause (agent orange, combat, etc) you're unlikely to get anything. Most disability claims are required to be started before out processing. Anything that shows up afterwards can be added but it's tough.

You have all my generation of young warriors, desert storm, Vietnam, etc crowding the VA right now, and coupled with the horrible nature of the VA, don't expect any quick response, if any.

If she served 180 consecutive active duty days (ie...a deployment) then she could be eligible for certain benefits. That doesn't include basic training, AIT, ect....The best way is to go through a group that handles VA claims. They differ from state to state, but Veterans of Foreign Wars is one group that you can reach out to for assistance. They will help her obtain all of her medical and service records. Its a tuff road to travel just as Brazos said. I was also Infantry and deployed and I'm not drawing a dime, nor do I have any medical benefits. I have service connected injuries as well. My problem is having the patience it takes to file claims and do all of the exams they require to draw from a service connected disability. Good luck to her, and thank her for her service for me!!

When I went for my benefits all the local VA office rep asked and then confirmed was that I had 180 days of active duty. It still took almost 2 full years to get my claim settled but it was all retroactive so worth the wait. We have a VA clinic in my town and I can't complain a bit about the service I get from them as long as they don't have to send me to the big hospital at Castle Point. Then it does take a long time to get seen by a specialist.

GL

im a Vietnam vet with a partial ptsd disability it took over 2 years and in 2008 I finally got my disability had to jump thru 100,s of hoops but since I received my disability I can use the local VA and they are pretty good I get all my med at no cost and and use them as my gp but I have limited income and they base most of the services they offer by your income and I believe the 180 days active is also required check with your counties va sevices rep they were the best source of help I found