VETERANS CORNER: DoD needs to inform veterans of benefits owed to them after discharge

Veterans Administration facility at Togus. (Internet photo)

by Gary Kennedy

I still meet Veterans who don’t know if there is any medical help for them and if so, how? I can’t help but shake my head every time I hear this. I have always been of the opinion that the Department of Defense should shoulder the burden of informing the future veteran of everything he or she will need to know before that individual is released from military service. For me it’s such an easy thing to do. Just give some predischarge counseling, with medical records on hand.

When I work with a veteran the first thing I do is take that individual to I.D. for photo and I.D. card. At that point a DD214 is presented by the veteran to VA. This starts the ball rolling, so to speak. Once the necessary information has been exchanged an internal search will begin for a Primary Care contact assigned to that veteran. The Veteran’s Advocate is very important at this point in the veteran’s life. He or she has several avenues in which to begin this journey through the Veterans Administration system. A friend, guide and advisor is a very handy tool in the process as he or she has knowledge and abilities the veteran doesn’t have and is his adviser during the vets search through the system. The advocate knows the way and all the short cuts and required procedures.

At some point in time the veteran and his advisor will discuss the veteran’s result. So, if you are a veteran who has seen some difficult in-service situations you might have some problems medical or emotional. Your new friend and guide will listen to all you have to say and then use the summation to place the information into a meaningful context, fit for VA submission for either guidance or compensation; both are most likely to happen. Over time records will accumulate and be acted upon. Sometimes things are pretty straight forward and the veteran will be awarded a benefit. Sometimes a VA decision has to be appealed in various ways. Your new friend and guide should be well versed in process and how to help you reach a successful outcome. Some situations are more difficult than others and could take a considerable amount of time.

Be patient and try to be as helpful and respectful as you can. Unfortunately, there are times when personalities get in the way and muddy up the water. Sometimes it becomes necessary to find another friend; one you can meet on level ground. Not all advocates are there for you. Some people work entirely for the paycheck. No fault or blame needs to necessarily be placed. There are many organizations out there that are more than happy to aid in your search. It’s nice to have someone by your side that truly cares but that is not always possible. There are some brilliant advocates who can give you a 100 percent but never become the friend and confidant you would like. If the advocate has a different way of doing things and gets the job done; you have been served well.

Being able to see and verbalize a veteran’s problem in and on VA terms is being familiar with the required process and will get you where you’d like to be in a most expeditious manner. It’s great to have a friend, but far greater is you and your families need for timely solutions to your service connected/related needs. Your advocate will start your journey off with VA form 21-526EZ. If you have computer a handy, you can be at great help by pulling up necessary forms and filling them out. Even in the rough, this is of great benefit to your process.

One thing I didn’t mention is if you didn’t hand carry your records from your E.T.S. (exit) station then you and your advocate will address that at (B.V.A.) Bureau of Veterans Affairs. Now, I believe they are going by (V.B.A.) Veterans Benefits Administration. In any case they send your request for records to (NPRC), National Archives and Records Administration, National Personnel Records Center, located in St. Louis Missouri. Although separated the medical records are located in the same facility with your personnel files.

After 62 years of separation from service your records become archived. Most of us are not around to worry about that. You can submit a request online through National Archives Vetrecs system or by completing a standard form 180, (SF-180). You can do a lot for yourself; however, you probably will never replace the experience of your Advocate or V.B.A.; it’s not their charm, it’s their knowledge and experience. Oh, don’t forget to have your Entry and Exit Exam paperwork. For some of us these are important documents. God bless you and yours and don’t forget, never pass a vet in need. We are in this together and persistence is for winners.