Spouse
Spouse
4
4
0
My husband is 73 and retired at the age of 60 after serving 38 years as an Army Reservist. He retired from Fort Benning in 2010. After 3 years of enduring symptoms of what we thought was "getting old," he was recently diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease. I do know that he has a VGLI policy which is to pay off our mortgage when he passes away. However, I am only 58 years old and stopped working outside the home in order to spend time with him during his retirement. He's already rated at 80% disabled. I have no clue how I am going to financially survive if he passes away before I retire at 67 years old (9 years from now)? Are there any financial resources proved to spouses of 19 years ?
Wellness
Spouse
Veteran Benefits Advisor
Caregiver
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 2
3
3
0
Have you checked into caregiver benefits? Perhaps a talk with a social worker can provide some guidance for you
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Anna Marie Warren
I did apply last FALL but, was denied due to lack of the correct medical documentation that would have qualified me to be his Caregiver. I was recently told by a patient advocate in Tuskegee, Al that I should not file an appeal. But, instead to complete a whole new application. In the meantime, we have put in a request for a new VA PCP. I was also told by another person at the new Columbus, Ga VA Facility that I should NOT bring in anymore medical records to add to my husbands medical files until we get the new PCP. Then, ask the PCP what needs to be added to his medical file. This is frustrating.
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Anna Marie Warren
Also, the VA Social workers I have made contact with back in Feb were of NO help. Some, never answered their phone and the others never returned phone calls.
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Anna Marie Warren, have you contacted your state's Veterans Affair office? They would be in the best position to advise you of state and federal programs that you can take advantage of (do an internet search for your state and the terms Veterans Affair .. i.e., Texas Veterans Affair).
Additionally, did you go back to the VA about possible service connection to your husband's Parkinson's Disease? There are a number of presumptive service connections* for that illness that may be applicable to your husband. If there does seem to be a service connection, work with a local Veteran Service Organization (VSO) to help with a disability claim.
Finally, it's never too late to start planning for the inevitable, especially with your concerns about what might happen if it occurs sooner than anticipated. When you talk to the state or VSO, make sure you mention that you want to prepare yourself by seeing what programs that would apply at that time and if there is anything you can do now (such as pre-filled paperwork, 'trigger' claims, etc.) so you're not faced with your husband's passing as well as trying to deal with paperwork and programs on top of that.
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* https://www.apdaparkinson.org/resources-support/living-with-parkinsons-disease/disability/va/
Additionally, did you go back to the VA about possible service connection to your husband's Parkinson's Disease? There are a number of presumptive service connections* for that illness that may be applicable to your husband. If there does seem to be a service connection, work with a local Veteran Service Organization (VSO) to help with a disability claim.
Finally, it's never too late to start planning for the inevitable, especially with your concerns about what might happen if it occurs sooner than anticipated. When you talk to the state or VSO, make sure you mention that you want to prepare yourself by seeing what programs that would apply at that time and if there is anything you can do now (such as pre-filled paperwork, 'trigger' claims, etc.) so you're not faced with your husband's passing as well as trying to deal with paperwork and programs on top of that.
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* https://www.apdaparkinson.org/resources-support/living-with-parkinsons-disease/disability/va/
VA Disability Compensation for Veterans with Parkinson’s | APDA
VA disability compensation are monthly tax-free benefits paid to U.S. military veterans with disabilities connected to their active duty military service.
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