Aid and Attendance

Non-Service Connected VA Disability Pension Benefit And Widowed Death Pension Benefit

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2012 Aid and Attendance Rates

October 31st, 2011 · Aid and Attendance Rates

2012 Aid and Attendance Rates

Is it really true that after two years of no increase in the VA aid and attendance benefit, veterans will now see an increase in the 2012 aid and attendance rates? It appears the rumors will tun out to be true!

2012 Aid and Attendance Rates

The 2012 Aid and Attendance Rates will increase per a recommendation made by the Congressional Budget Office.

The recommendation named S.894 Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011, was made in May of 2011.  The report and recommendation for the increase in the 2012 Aid and Attendance rates was ordered and reported by the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on June 29, 2011.

This is great news for veterans and widowed spouses of disabled veterans who depend on this non-service connected disability pension benefit with aid and attendance entitlement.

The aid and attendance rate increase will allow many of these wartime veterans or their widowed surviving spouse receive more care for their well-being and activities of everyday living commonly referred to as ADL.

2012 Aid and Attendance Rates

Single Veteran $1,704
Married Veteran $2,020
Widowed Surviving Spouse $1,094

When Will These 2012 Aid and Attendance Rates Go Into Effect?

All VA benefit rate changes, including the 2012 Aid and Attendance Rates, go into effect on the first day of December of each year. Remember that means the first check you will see the increased benefit amount in will be the check you receive the first week of January. The benefit check you receive the first week of December is for the month of November’s activity and will reflect the 2011 Aid and Attendance rate.

With the aid and attendance benefit rate increase effective 12/1/2011 the rate increase will show up in your VA disability benefit check (for both service related and non-service related disability benefits) you receive in January of 2012.

Watch for the announcement of when the VA officially releases the aid and attendance 2012 rate increase. S. 894 would increase the amounts paid to veterans for disability compensation and to their survivors for dependency and indemnity compensation by the same cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) payable to Social Security recipients. The increase would take effect on December 1, 2011, and the resulting adjustment would be rounded to the next lower dollar.

Would an increase in the 2012 Aid and Attendance rates let you receive more home care, assisted living cost relief or other improvement in the veterans or surviving spouse’s quality of life?

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How To Apply For VA Benefits

June 24th, 2011 · Veterans Disability Benefit

This discussion of how to apply for VA benefits will focus on the non-service connected disability pension benefit with aid and attendance entitlement.

To start the discussion of how to apply for VA benefits we have listed below the #1 item you will need:

  1. Your Discharge Record Document
How To Apply For VA Benefits

This Is What The Document You Need Looks Like

The first thing when considering how to apply for VA benefits is to find your official discharge document. Many people have the certificate which is suitable for framing. What you need is the actual discharge document that contains the vital information pertaining to your time of active duty, rank and assignments.

If you don’t have a copy then you can request one online at the National Archives.

How to apply for VA benefits Tip: The VA now commonly calls all discharge documents the DD214 even though WWII veterans will have WD-AGO and other names on their documents.

You have two ways to request your discharge document. The first way how to apply for VA benefits is to complete a VA form SF-180. You complete the form and mail it to St. Louis. How to apply for VA benefits Tip: DON”T request your discharge, or DD214, document this way. It is way to slow and unreliable.

The better way is through the online eVetRecs system found on the National Archives site.

How To Apply For VA Benefits Tip:

You may use the online eVetRec system if you are:

  • The military veteran
  • Next of kin of a former member of the military who is now deceased
  • The next of kin can be any of the following:
    • Surviving spouse that has not remarried
    • Father
    • Mother
    • Son
    • Daughter
    • Sister
    • Brother

Important How To Apply For VA Benefits Tip:

When requesting your service records or discharge document through the National Archives you must include certain basic information to make the locating of the military service records easier, and faster.

This information includes:

  • The veteran’s complete name (How to apply for VA benefits Tip: For women and some men who may have shortened their names, use the name they used while in service)
  • Service number (this is different from the social security number)
  • Social security number
  • Branch of service
  • Dates of service
  • Date and place of birth (especially if the service number is not known).

How to apply for VA benefits tip – Make sure your request is signed and dated by the veteran or his or her next-of-kin if you use the VA form SF-180. Likewise, if you use the e-VetRec system you will need to confirm electronically you are authorized to request the information. You will receive a request for signature that will need to be printed and then faxed or mailed to the National Archives.

If the veteran is deceased and you are the next of kin you may be asked to provide proof of death of the veteran such as a copy of death certificate. Often a letter from the funeral home or a copy of the published obituary will suffice.

1973 National Archives Fire How To Apply For VA Benefits Tip

The National Archives had a devastating fire in 1973 that destroyed many discharge documents from WWII and Korea.  If this is the case you may be asked to provide some additional information for a letter of certification to be created and sent to you act as your official certification of discharge document.

This additional information may include:

  • Place of discharge
  • Last unit of assignment
  • Place of entry into the service, if known

We hope this quick discussion of how to apply for VA benefits has proved helpful for you.

Of course, if you are seeking how to apply for VA benefits such as the aid and attendance benefit, check out the Aid and Attendance Handbook. Complete information on how to apply for VA benefits can be found at http://www.VeteransCareAdvisors.com.

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Aid and Assistance

April 27th, 2011 · Aid and Attendance Benefits

Many people look for aid and assistance instead of aid and attendance when they seek information about this VA disability benefit. It is a common mistake and one that is very easy to make.

Lets face it, aid and attendance seems like a really weird name for a non-service connected disability benefit that is meant to help people who’s income has been depleted because they are paying someone for aid and assistance with their care. If you are looking for help to be able to afford either an assisted living facility or even for someone to come into the home to help with care, you think “I need some aid and assistance”. It just doesn’t seem right to say you need aid and attendance.

Aid and Assistance = Aid and Attendance

aid and assistance bureacracyLeave it to a governmental bureaucracy to come up with a name that doesn’t seem to naturally fit. Aid and assistance, that fits directly to the need that a disabled or elderly veteran would need.

Well, if you or a loved one does indeed need aid and assistance then there is a benefit available from the Veterans Administration that could help you.  It is known as the aid and attendance benefit but it is really a disability pension.  In fact, the full and official name of the benefit is the Non-service connected disability pension benefit with aid and attendance entitlement.

Why is this benefit called a pension? I mean, you don’t have to have retired from the military to be eligible for it. Again, it is another way the government applies it logic.  The VA’s disability pension is for wartime veterans who have non-service connected disabilities or are over the age of 65 and have limited income. Income by the way that can be adjusted downward if you have qualified medical costs. <– Click the link to see the full list of qualified medical costs which can reduce your “countable income” for this aid and assistance type benefit.

Aid And Assistance With Compensation And Pension Benefit

If a veteran sustained wounds from service connected activities then they would be receiving a VA disability compensation benefit.  It does seem confusing but just remember:

Here is a little secret most people do not know. If a veteran is already receiving a monthly payment under the disability compensation benefit, he or she may also be able to apply for and receive the disability pension as well.  For example, the average benefit paid under the disability compensation program for WWII veterans is between$300 and $600 per month.  If the veteran satisfies the other benefit criteria (Get the Worksheet for full detail), then he or she may be able to get the difference between what they qualify for under the aid and attendance benefit (often searched for as aid and assistance) and their existing VA disability compensation benefit.

For a married veteran who receives $300 a month in disability compensation benefit from the VA and meets all the aid and attendance (aid and assistance) criteria, he or she would be able to get an additional $1,649 per month from the VA.

Likewise, an unmarried or widowed veteran receiving the same $300 per month could get an additional $1,349 per month from the VA under the same circumstances.

So, if you are looking for the aid and assistance benefit then you reached the right spot. The Aid and Attendance Handbook can help you get the aid and assistance you need.

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Veteran With A Sick Spouse

April 20th, 2011 · Aid and Attendance Benefits

There is a benefit from the VA for a veteran with a sick spouse. It is however, not the aid and attendance benefit.

The aid and attendance benefit is not really a benefit in and of itself. It is rather an entitlement attached with the non-service connected disability pension benefit. If you, the veteran, are housebound and have a medical condition that requires the assistance of another individual, you may meet the criteria for the aid and attendance entitlement to the VA disability pension benefit. Remember, the disability pension benefit is for non-service connected disabilities. Whereas the disability compensation benefit is for service-related disabilities.

But, what if the wartime veteran is otherwise healthy but their spouse is suffering from long-term disabilities? Normally, the spouse is only entitled to receive a benefit from the VA only if the spouse who was the veteran is deceased.

Is There No Help For A Veteran With A Sick Spouse?

The good news is that there is, but not under the aid and attendance program. Here is what needs to occur for the veteran with a sick spouse to receive a benefit from the VA under the non-service connected disability pension benefit.

First, the qualification for a veteran with a sick spouse follows similar rules as for a sick veteran:

  1. The veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty with just 1 of those days during an officially stated period of war. (Note: this rule was extended to 2 years or the entire period called to active duty effective 9/7/1980)
  2. The veteran must have been discharged from service with other than dishonorable status.
  3. The veteran must be over 65 (or age 65). (Note: The alternatives is that the veteran be permanently disabled. But then you would file for aid and attendance for yourself)

Next, the financial requirements must be met. As the maximum benefit allowed for a veteran with a sick spouse is on $1,290 per month versus $1,949 per month for a disabled veteran it may knock a number of people from eligibility. Let’s take a look at the two financial qualification criteria:

  1. The liquid assets or net worth of the household needs to be limited or “not excessive”. Okay, what exactly does that mean and how does a government agency determine that definition? While the VA officially claims there is no established amount, the VA has historically floated around the $70,000 to $80,000 range as being “excessive”.  (Note: Liquid assets or net worth does not count the primary home in this total. It does count stocks, bonds and vacation homes.)
  2. The “countable” household income needs to be below the maximum benefit level. In the case of a veteran with a sick spouse that amount is $15,493 per year. Here is where most people get turned away. The VA is looking at “countable” income which means they will subtract or adjust your income based upon qualified medical expenses.

For a veteran with a sick spouse claim the “countable” income calculation is similar to the aid and attendance program.

Veteran With A Sick Spouse Countable Income Calculation

  1. Take total household income from all sources. This includes Social Security, any retirement pay, interest, dividends, mandatory IRA distributions and any other source of income for the veteran, spouse and any dependent. Now, if an adult child lives with you or you live with that child you do not have to count any income from that child unless he/she is dependent financially upon you.
  2. Total the qualified medical and care expenses. This includes supplemental health insurance premiums, doctor and dentist co-payments and costs not covered or paid by insurance, cost of oxygen, diabetic or incontinence products (if any), plus cost of any home care services or assisted living facility costs. You cannot deduct the cost of independent living rent.
  3. Subtract from the total household income the total amount of the qualified medical and care expenses.
  4. The difference is the total “countable” household income.

To determine how much veteran with a sick spouse benefit you can receive is established by comparing the “countable” income to the maximum benefit for a veteran with a sick spouse, which is $15,493 per year.

If the “countable” household income is negative then you qualify for the entire benefit payable in equal payments of $1,290 per month.

If the “countable” income is a positive number, then subtract this number from the $15,493 and this will be the total benefit you are entitled to receive. Divide this total by 12 months to determine how much the VA will send you each month.

Here are the 2011 maximum VA non-service connected disability pension benefit amounts:

Disabled Veteran With A Spouse – $23,396
Disabled Veteran Without A Spouse – $19,736
Widowed Spouse (un-remarried) – $
Veteran With A Sick Spouse – $15,493

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WWII Merchant Marines Aid and Attendance

January 24th, 2011 · Aid and Attendance Rates

The VA aid and attendance program is getting more and more attention lately. It is about time that this little known disability benefit for individuals who served active duty during official time of war are getting their benefits.  Now that the news is out about this non-service connected disability pension benefit it is time to make sure all eligible individuals learn about it.

WWII Merchant Marines Aid and Attendance

Merchant Marines during the second world war may be eligible to receive this VA aid and attendance benefit.

During WWII a convoy system was put into place to provide the British Isles with food and materials for war.  These convoys were a collection of between 30 to 70 merchant ships.  American and Canadian merchant ships carrying vital supplies to Britain played a critical role in Britain’s survival from German invasion.  These ships were unarmed at first but as the German u-boats began to attack and sink the ships of the convoys, the Battle of the Atlantic began.

The crews of these merchant ships were placed in great peril as the German’s began to implement strategic and coordinated attacks on the convoys. The ships were quickly armed and naval frigates and on occassion destroyers began to escort these convoys. In addition, larger convoys were assembled and assembled according to the speed of the individual ships.  This way, the faster ships were less exposed to danger as they were from being grouped with much slower merchant ships.  Despite these alterations, all convoys faced an above average risk of attack, especially prior to the United States entering the war.

Due to this tremendous danger the VA allows the entire civilian crews of these merchant ships to be eligible for the non-service connected disability pension benefit under the VA aid and attendance program.  The entitlement only applies to those crew members who served on ocean-going merchant ships.  Those that traveled the great lakes do not qualify unless they crossed the Atlantic or traveled along the American (North and South) coasts.

The merchant ship crew member will need to have the ship voyage discharge record for each voyage. Typically the crew would serve on different ships.  These documents need to be sent to the Coast Guard who will issue the necessary official document to establish time of service eligibility. The Coast Guard will need photocopies of these individual ship discharges, identification, and other supporting documents. For widowed surviving spouses of a WWII merchant marine crew member please make sure to include a certified death certificate.

Merchant Marine Service Records including Voyage Discharges from U.S. Coast Guard:

Include Name, Date of Birth, copy of Death Certificate if deceased, Social Security number, Address, and Z or Service number.

Commanding Officer
USCG-National Maritime Center (NMC-421)
ATTN: Correspondence Section
100 Forbes Drive
Martinsburg, WV 25404

Merchant Mariners in “ocean-going service” during World War II do indeed have Veteran Status. In addition to the VA aid and attendance program they may be entitled to a gravestone, flag for their coffin, and burial in a National Cemetery.

If you cannot locate the individual ship discharge documents you can contact:

Service Records for U.S. Maritime Service, Army Transport Service, Navy Transport Service, Military Sea Transportation Service, Military Sealift Command:

National Personnel Records Center-Civilian Records Facility has personnel and medical records of former Federal civilian employees from approximately 1900 to the present. Your letter should include:

Full name used during Federal employment
Social Security Number
Date of Birth
Name(s) of Federal employing agency(s)
Approximate dates of Federal employment, especially separation

Please state in your letter the information you are seeking. Your request must contain the individual’s or authorized representative’s signature.

National Personnel Record Center
111 Winnebago Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63118

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Aid and Attendance Benefit Rates For 2011

December 31st, 2010 · Aid and Attendance Rates

2011 brings yet another year with no increase in the VA aid and attendance benefit checks. By federal law, the cost-of-living adjustments to the VA’s disability pension and compensation benefits is tied to the Social Security Administrations cost-of-living-adjustments.

The consumer price index is the factor used by the Social Security Administartion to consider if any adjusment upwards in benefit amounts is to be implemented. The last increase has not occurred since 2008. Likewise, the VA aid and attendance benefit has also not seen an increase since 2008.

The Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit Rates for 2011 are:

  • Up to $1,644 per month for a single veteran
  • Up to $1,949 per month for a married veteran or a veteran with one dependent
  • Up to $1,057 per month for an un-remarried widowed surviving spouse

In this year of focus on tax revenues, these VA disability benefits will continue to remain tax free for 2011.

The Aid and Attendance benefit is the common term used to describe the VA’s non-service connected disability pension benefit for qualified wartime veterans or their widowed surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing, grooming or taking care of the needs of nature.

Additionally, eligibility includes wartime veterans or their unremarried widowed surviving spouse who are blind, a patient in a nursing home or assisted living facility because of mental (dementia for example) or physical incapacity.

The regular aid of another person for these “activities of daily living” is a key component of qualifying for the aid and attendance entitlement.  An important factor to note is that you do not have to be receiving the precise care listed as needed by the doctor to be eligible.  All that is needed is that your doctor reports that you need assistance with others with the primary activities of daily living.

These primary activities of daily living include:

  • Dressing
  • Grooming
  • Bathing
  • Attending to the needs of nature

If the claimant is blind, confined to bed or a wheelchair, or suffers from dementia or Alzheimers they will almost always qualify.

The final hurdle to pass for aid and attendance benefit eligibility is financial need.
This is where having the need documented by your doctor makes you eligible but having too much income dis-qualifies you.

The good news is that for most people, having the assistance need means they usually have to pay a family member (other than spouse), independent home care agency or an assisted living facility to provide the care.

The cost of home care or assisted living facility may help you become financially eligible. You can also pay a son, daughter, niece, nephew, neighbor, etc to care for you and this cost will help by become eligible.

There are 5 criteria to meet for eligibility and qualification for the aid and attendance benefit.

We offer a Complimentary Eligibility Worksheet. (See above green link in header)

Get yours today and see if you too can start getting the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit.

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VA Benefits For Assisted Living

December 7th, 2010 · Aid and Attendance Benefits

Many people think that there is a VA benefit that will pay for their costs of Assisted Living. The correct answer to this question is yes and no.

Here is what we mean by that answer:

The VA has a benefit available for veterans or their un-remarried widowed surviving spouse that provides a pension benefit if certain conditions are met.

This benefit is called the Non-Service Connected Disability Pension Benefit with Aid and Attendance entitlement for the veteran. {See Aid and Attendance Handbook}

For a widowed surviving spouse it is called the Improved Death Pension Benefit with Aid and Attendance entitlement.

This veteran’s benefit will indeed provide a financial assistance pension up to a maximum of $1,949 per month.

VA Benefits For Assisted Living Explained
Now, here is the thing that most people get confused by with this benefit. The benefit will not pay your Assisted Living facility.  Hang on – here is the full explanation:

You most likely became qualified to receive this VA disability pension benefit because of the cost of the Assisted Living facility.

The VA takes the cost you are paying the facility and “adjusts” your income (Social Security, Retirement Pay, Interest, Dividends, etc).

The VA subtracts your cost of the facility from the income described above to arrive at an amount that they will count or consider when looking to determine if you qualify.

In simple terms this means that because you are using your own money to pay for the Assisted Living facility costs, the amount of income the VA will consider you have available is lower.

So, because you are paying for the Assisted Living out of your income the VA will only look at what you have left each month, if anything.

The amount you can receive is the difference between your income from all sources and the care facility costs you pay; up to a maximum amount.

So, if the cost of the Assisted Living facility is greater than the income you receive (and you meet the other qualifying criteria) you would be eligible to be paid the maximum benefit amount.

See the Aid and Attendance Handbook here.

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Types of Annuities Used in VA Planning

November 22nd, 2010 · Aid and Attendance Benefits

By: Dale Krause – With more and more elder law attorneys expanding their practices to include Veterans Aid & Attendance benefits planning, I have seen countless self-dubbed “VA Planning Specialists” offering their services.  A large amount of VA plans fail in that many insurance agents do not understand the applicable Medicaid rules, or sometimes even the relevant VA rules.  As a result, inappropriate insurance products are sold to a client and/or his or her family members.  In light of this, it is vital that any insurance products used in a VA plan be obtained from a source that is well versed in the applicable regulations.

Annuities provide a simple and convenient planning tool that serve a multitude of purposes within VA plans.  The primary use of annuities within VA planning is to reduce the available countable resources, while also providing an income stream to the applicant in order to almost meet his or her unreimbursed medical expenses.  Another frequent use is to preserve the tax status of certain funds, and avoid subjecting an individual to immediate income tax consequences.  Finally, using annuities in VA planning can provide a safe investment vehicle for transferring assets.  The annuity ensures that the transferred assets are protected should the transfer need to be reversed.

Four types of annuities are typically used within VA planning: (1) level-pay single premium immediate annuities, (2) balloon-style single premium immediate annuities, (3) tax-deferred annuities, and (4) tax-qualified single premium immediate annuities.
Level-Pay Single Premium Immediate Annuity

A level-pay single premium immediate annuity is an annuity contract under which the annuity start date occurs (and periodic income payments will begin) within one “payment interval” following the payment of the annuity premium.  A payment interval is the period that will elapse between annuity income payments (e.g., a month, a calendar quarter, or a year).  Typically, periodic income payments begin under an immediate annuity within one year of the premium payment.

Use: When a VA claimant wants to convert countable resources into an income stream to almost equal his or her unreimbursed monthly medical expenses.
Owner: The VA claimant or the claimant’s spouse.
Annuitant: The VA claimant or the claimant’s spouse.
Payee: The VA claimant or the claimant’s spouse.
Balloon-Style Single Premium Immediate Annuity

A balloon-style annuity is an immediate annuity structured with very small monthly payments, with the exception of the last payment which is very large.  Upon maturity, the final monthly payment is paid to the insured.  As an alternative, the insured may opt to have the final payment rolled into a new policy as a means to maintain program eligibility.  As a result of taking such action, the owner will not receive the scheduled balloon payment, but will receive additional balloon-style payments.

Use: When a VA claimant wants to convert countable resources into a limited income stream (i.e. small difference between the VA claimant’s income and unreimbursed medical expenses).
Owner: The VA claimant or the claimant’s spouse.
Annuitant: The VA claimant or the claimant’s spouse.
Payee: The VA claimant or the claimant’s spouse.
Tax-Deferred Annuity

A tax-deferred annuity is a type of annuity that delays payments of income, installments or a lump sum until the investor elects to receive it.  A tax-deferred annuity essentially has two phases – a savings phase, and an income phase.  The advantages of utilizing a tax-deferred annuity is that the owner does not have to file any fiduciary income tax returns, may offer a 15% free annual withdrawal(s), and the investment amount and any accrued interest are completely available to the owner at the end of the stated time period – without any surrender charges or penalties.

Use: When a VA claimant requires a safe investment vehicle with which to transfer assets and ensure that they are available should the transfer need to be reversed.
Owner: One of the VA claimant’s giftee(s).
Annuitant: One of the VA claimant’s giftee(s).
Payee: N/A – a tax-deferred annuity will not provide payments until it is annuitized.
Tax-Qualified Single Premium Immediate Annuity

A tax-qualified single premium immediate annuity is an immediate annuity contract which holds a tax-qualified status, thus converting a countable retirement account into an income stream while avoiding immediate income tax consequences.  The tax-qualified single premium immediate annuity may be structured with a level-pay or balloon-style income stream.

When purchasing a single premium immediate annuity with tax-qualified funds, an applicant has two options: (1) an IRA transfer or (2) an IRA 60-day rollover.  The IRA transfer consists of a direct plan administrator to plan administrator transfer.  The applicant would be required to fill out additional transfer paperwork with the annuity application, and the insurance company issuing the single premium immediate annuity would essentially obtain the funds directly from the custodian company.  However, this process can take between two weeks and two months to complete, thus delaying program eligibility until the transfer is complete.

An IRA rollover consists of an applicant contacting the company holding the tax-qualified funds, initiating a complete liquidation of the account without withholding any taxes, and then reinvesting the funds within 60 days to avoid immediate tax consequences.  The liquidation check is usually received within five to seven business days of the request, and as long as the funds are reinvested into the tax-qualified single premium immediate annuity within 60 days, immediate tax consequences will be avoided.  As such, in that timing is of the essence, most VA claimants opt to proceed with the latter option – IRA 60-day rollover.

Use: When a VA claimant wants to convert a countable tax-qualified resource into an income stream to almost equal his or her unreimbursed monthly medical expenses while avoiding immediate income tax consequences.
Owner: The VA claimant or the claimant’s spouse – ownership must remain identical as the ownership of the original tax-qualified account
Annuitant: Must match the ownership.
Payee: The VA claimant or the claimant’s spouse.

About the Author

Dale M. Krause, J.D., LL.M., has provided Medicaid Compliant Annuities to elder law attorneys, and their clients, throughout the United States. As a result of his practice, Mr. Krause has been labeled “The Pioneer of Medicaid Compliant Annuities.”
http://www.medicaidannuity.com/Blog/tabid/76/entryid/128/Types-of-Annuities-Used-in-VA-Planning.aspx

(ArticlesBase SC #3476309) Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Types of Annuities Used in VA Planning

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Veterans Day 2010

November 6th, 2010 · Aid and Attendance Benefits

November is both Family Caregiver Support Month and the month in which we honor veterans of the armed services. If you are caring for a veteran, it’s important to be aware of the benefits to which the person may be entitled as a result of their service.

For example, health benefits may be available for those who were honorably discharged from the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, or Air Force. Even folks who service in the Merchant Marine during World War II are eligible. Some reservists and members of the National Guard may be eligible if they served as the result of a federal Executive Order and they completed the full call-up period. Health benefits may be available even if the military member did not incur a service-connected injury or medical condition. Information on the VA Aid and Attendance eligibility is available at http://www.veteranscareadvisors.com/disability_pension_qualification.html

Some veterans or surviving spouses may be eligible for financial assistance for Home Care or Assisted Living through the VA’s Aid and Attendance non-service connected disability pension benefit. Veterans must have served one day during an active war and had no less than a 90-day service and have a general or honorable discharge. Surviving spouses must still have been married to the veteran when he or she passed away. A doctor’s order stating that the aid and attendance of another person is needed daily is necessary. There are income and asset eligibility requirements. Those who wish to see if they are eligible can call get the free eligibility worksheet on this site.

On a final note, there are businesses that want to honor veterans this month. Take advantage of these special offers, but be sure to take note of any requirements regarding identification.

Have A Happy 2010 Veterans Day

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F-O-C-U-S Project

October 19th, 2010 · Wartime Deployment

Have you heard about this fantastic service?

It is a service initiated by the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED). The FOCUS Project addresses concerns related to parental combat operational stress injuries and combat-related physical injuries by providing state-of-the-art family resiliency services to military children and families at designated Navy and Marine Corps sites.

In 2009, FOCUS Family Resiliency Services were made available to Army and Air Force families at designated installations through support from the Defense Department’s Office of Family Policy.

Head on over to F-O-C-U-S Project for complete information.

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VA Benefit COLA Email Hoax

October 5th, 2010 · Veterans Disability Benefit

The Military Officers Association of America has warned that an e-mail which incorrectly claims that new legislation will dramatically increase veterans’ disability compensation.

Often this bogus email claims that some benefits could increase by more than 100 percent in certain circumstances.

Unfortunately, the claim about H.R. 4667, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Act of 2010 is a hoax.

The problem is that the bill does indeed exist and was recently passed by Congress.

However, it is a standard annual bill that is introduced at the end of each government fiscal year (which is October).  The standard bill only authorizes the same COLA increase for VA beneficiaries that will be paid to Social Security annuitants this year

As it was last year, this year COLA will almost certainly will be zero.

Don’t be fooled if someone tells you that their VA benefit will increase due to Congress or any automatic government increase.

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Aid And Attendance Pension Benefit

September 14th, 2010 · Aid and Attendance Benefits

Are you looking for the aid and attendance pension benefit?

This phrase is just one of many ways people refer to the non-service connected disability pension benefit with aid and attendance entitlement.

Shorter and sweeter right?

The reason many people don’t apply for this benefit is because of the word pension.  Pension to most of us means a sum of money received after retiring from a particular profession or job.

Most WWII, Korean and Vietnam veterans did not make military service a career.  They were drafted, counted days and hopefully went home.

But, the VA calls this financial assistance benefit a pension.  People hear that and say, “well I didn’t retire from the military so I must not be eligible.”  I know we hear that from way too many folks.

The benefit is exactly what it states (minus the confusion over the word pension).

It is a non-service connected disability benefit.  That means any disability you now have does not have to be related to your service on active duty.

It is based on having a disability which for most are the types that come from aging. Next, you have to meet financial requirements. For those that need home care or move into an assisted living facility this no longer becomes an issue.

Many might have too many assets to qualify.  But, wait. You can do estate planning and move assets out of your name today and qualify under this criteria tomorrow.  Right now there is no look back period for asset transfers.

To get the aid and attendance pension benefit entitlement you simply need to show that you need the assistance of another individual to perform everyday daily activities. Things like dressing, hygiene, grooming, toileting, meal preparation, etc.

Many elderly people need assistance with these but pride interferes with their willingness to admit to the need.  While, in fact someone is helping them with these very items they claim that they can do on their own.

Do you or a loved one qualify for the Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit?

Get the free worksheet at the link above and find out how much you can get the VA to send you every month.

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eBenefits

September 7th, 2010 · Veterans Disability Benefit

A new website called eBenefits is an online service jointly offered by the VA and Department of Defense. It has over 100 links to resources but it is clear to see that it was built by a governmental entity.

That means it tries to give everyone everything they but in doing so it makes it overly complicated to navigate and find what you need.

eBenefitsThe site is touted to provide service members and Vets with direct access to their personal benefit information.

It appears to do just that. Supposedly safely and securely, but that will depend on your diligence on maintaining proper anti virus software and firewalls on your personal computer.

Many forms can be downloaded through the site. The best part of this site is the ability for you to search for your DD–214 (or WD-AGO) in addition to  checking your claims status and more.

It is difficult to find information about non-service connected disability pension benefits and don’t look for speed with this site and the claim status updates appear to lag, but it’s new so hopefully it will improve.

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Japan Finally Officially Apologizes

August 31st, 2010 · Remembrance

TOKYO — Japan’s foreign minister apologized Monday for that suffering of a group of former World War II prisoners of war visiting from the United States and mentioned they have been treated inhumanely. The six POWs, their relatives as well as the daughters of two males who died are the first group of U.S. POWs to pay a visit to Japan with government sponsorship, though groups from other countries have been invited previously.

“I offer my deep, heartfelt apology for the inhuman treatment you suffered,” Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada told the group.

The Japanese military ordered the 78,000 prisoners of war — 12,000 Americans and 66,000 Filipinos — to walk from the Bataan peninsula on the Philippine island of Luzon to a prison camp.

As many as 11,000 died for the duration of what became recognized as the Bataan Death March. Some of the horrors as a POW included working 12-hour days in a coal mine, barely surviving on three small bowls of rice a day. Medical conditions so dire an American medic amputated limbs with a steak knife, with out anesthetics according to one eye witness recount. And guys died in droves from disease.

Japan surrendered in 1945 immediately after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Japanese leaders have apologized for that country’s militarist past a lot of times, but the government contends that all reparations concerns were settled by treaties after the war. Japanese courts have also ruled that reparations problems should be dealt with on a country-to-country basis, but cases challenging that are pending in various courts.

Veterans who were POW’s can receive special compensation as well as priority in processing of any disability benefit claim such as aid and attendance.

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VA Disability Compensation

August 24th, 2010 · Aid And Attendance Spouse Benefits

What Exactly Is VA Disability Compensation?

Disability compensation is a benefit paid out to a veteran on account of wounds, accidental injuries or perhaps diseases which occurred while the veteran was on active duty.

It also applies if an existing condition has been worsened through active armed forces service.

Additionally it is paid out to selected veterans impaired coming from VA medical care.

These benefits will be tax-free.

Who Will Be Eligible?

A veteran may well be entitled to disability compensation when they’ve got a service-related disability and were also discharged under other than dishonorable circumstances.

Just How Much Will The VA Pay?

The actual amount of money of the basic benefit paid out varies determined by just how disabled that you are.

Take note: You might be compensated supplemental amounts, in particular circumstances, in the event that:

  • One has extremely severe disabilities or loss in arm or leg(s)
  • One has a husband or wife, child, children, or perhaps a dependent mom or dad
  • One has a very seriously handicapped spouse

The official VA Compensation Rate Tables details the specific percentages of disability and the rates paid.

How Can You Apply For The VA Disability Compensation?

You apply by filling out the VA Form 21-526 which is the Veterans Application for Compensation and/or Pension.

Please make sure to attach all of these items to your application:

* Discharge or separation papers (DD214 or equivalent)

* Dependency records (marriage & children’s birth certificates)

* Medical evidence (doctor & hospital reports)

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Veterans Aid And Attendance Pension Program

August 17th, 2010 · Aid and Attendance Benefits

Veterans aid and attendance pension program confusion.

Many people get the wrong answers from the VA when seeking assistance for an elderly veteran. They hear about programs and call the VA or Veterans Service offices inquiring about what benefits may be available.

More often than not they are asked a basic question:

  • Was the veteran wounded or killed while serving.

Well, for most people the answer is no.  They are promptly told there is no benefits available then.

You need to be informed when calling the VA or a government office so that you can hopefully get a better answer.

Here is the basic problem, other then misinformed staff.

Many people equate a pension to having retired from the military.

It indeed is not.  It is the name that the VA has put onto one arm of their disability benefit program.  There are two disability programs offered by the VA.

  1. VA Disability Compensation which is for service related wounds and injuries that lead to a disability.
  2. VA Disability Pension which is a non-service connected disability benefit program.

Hopefully soon the proper information will be given without people having to know the “proper” governmental terminology which is often confusing and counter intuitive.

Veterans aid and attendance pension program.

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Department Of Veteran Affairs – Support our Soldiers

August 10th, 2010 · Heroes

We sing songs about our freedom
We always keep them in our prayers
We wave our flags and bow our heads
Support our Soldiers over there

But all across this nation
Probably right in your home town
There’s a group of weary Soldiers
With their world turned upside down
We asked them for their lives and they agreed
Now their asking for the benefits
That they thought were guaranteed
We sent them off to fight on foreign shores
But now they’re casualties of a bureaucratic war
With every flag draped procession
With every tear and every prayer
We remember those who gave their lives
For every battle we declare
But all across our nation
Probably right in your hometown
There’s a group of broken Heroes
Because their country let them down
We asked them for their lives and they agreed
Now their asking for their veterans benefits
That they thought were guaranteed
We sent them off to fight on foreign shores
But now they’re casualties of a bureaucratic war
We sent them off to fight on foreign shores
Hey America
Let’s give our Veterans something more

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Senior Assisted Living Facilities

August 3rd, 2010 · Veterans Assisted Living Benefits

Many families don’t realize that there is a VA benefit that can provide a benefit that will pay a portion of the senior assisted living facilities costs.

This financial aid benefit is called the aid and attendance benefit.

Actually, it is officially the non-service connected disability pension benefit. If the veteran is housebound and needs the assistance of another individual with basic care needs then they can qualify for a greater pension benefit.

It is this “improved” or “enhanced” entitlement of the non-service connected disability pension benefit that is called “aid & attendance entitlement.”

If the veteran has already passed, then there still is a financial assistance benefit available for his or her spouse.

It is called the Improved Death Pension benefit. The entitlement kicker which increases the payout amount is also called aid & attendance entitlement.

The dollar amount is lower for the surviving spouse and the widow must not have remarried to be eligible.

A free worksheet is available to walk you through the 5 qualifying criteria. You can get it above by clicking on the green “Benefit Eligibility Worksheet” link.

For Great Facilities in Your Area Go To A Place For Mom <– CLICK HERE

P.S. A Place For Mom is Free!

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A Tribute To A Fallen Navy Hero – Mike Monsoor

August 2nd, 2010 · Heroes

A Tribute To A Fallen Navy Hero

Mike MonsoorThe Sailor Pictured Is MIKE MONSOOR

Navy Petty Officer, PO2 (Petty Officer, Second Class)

EOD2 (Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Second Class)

April 5th, 1981 ~ September 29th, 2009

Mike Monsoor Was Awarded “The Congressional Medal Of Honor” Last Week, For Giving His Life In  Iraq  , As He Jumped On, And Covered With His Body, A Live Hand Grenade,

Saving The Lives Of A Large Group Of Navy Seals That Was Passing By!

During Mike Monsoor’s Funeral,

At Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery , In San Diego , California ..

The Six Pallbearers Removed The Rosewood Casket From The Hearse, And Lined Up On Each Side Of Mike Monsoor’s Casket, Were His Family Members, Friends, Fellow Sailors, And Well-wishers.

The Column Of People Continued From The Hearse, All The Way To The Grave Site.

What The Group Didn’t Know At The Time Was,

Every Navy Seal (45 To Be Exact)

That Mike Monsoor Saved That Day Was Scattered Through-Out The Column!

As The Pallbearers Carried The Rosewood Casket Down The Column Of People To The Grave Side.

The Column Would Collapse… Which Formed A Group Of People That Followed Behind.

Every Time The Rosewood Casket Passed A Navy Seal,

He Would Remove His Gold Trident Pin From His Uniform,

And Slap It Down Hard,

Causing The Gold Trident Pin To Embed Itself Into The Top Of The Wooden Casket!

Then The Navy Seal Would Step Back From The Column, And Salute!

Now For Those, Who Don’t Know What A Trident Pin Is, Here Is The Definition!

After One Completes The Basic Navy Seals Program Which Lasts For Three Weeks, And Is Followed By Seal Qualification Training,

Which Is 15 More Weeks Of Training, Necessary To Continue Improving Basic Skills And To Learn New Tactics And Techniques, Required For An Assignment To A Navy Seal Platoon.

After successful completion,  Trainees Are Given Their Naval Enlisted Code, And Are Awarded The Navy Seal Trident Pin.

With This Gold Pin They Are Now Officially Navy Seals!

It Was Said,

That You Could Hear Each Of The 45 Slaps From Across The Cemetery!

By The Time The Rosewood Casket Reached The Grave Site, It Looked As Though It Had A Gold Inlay From The 45 Trident Pins That Lined The Top!

Mike Monsoor - Hero

This Was A Fitting End To An Eternal Send-Off For A Warrior Hero!

This Should Be Front-Page News!

Instead Of The Garbage We Listen To And See Every Day.

We Should All Be Proud Of All The Branches Of Our Military..

Our Freedom & Liberty Is Preserved By These Heroes. Let Us Never Forget!

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Assisted Living For Seniors

July 27th, 2010 · Veterans Assisted Living Benefits

Assisted living for seniors involve a very large number of veterans or their widowed surviving spouse that may not be aware of the VA’s aid & attendance benefit.

This benefit can make the cost of assisted living for seniors more affordable. In many cases, the VA disability benefit may be the factor that makes the ability to live in one of these facilities possible.

There are 5 criteria that you must meet to be eligible for this benefit. The most important thing to know about this benefit is that the veteran did not have to see action or be wounded while in active duty.

This benefit commonly called the aid & attendance benefit is actually a non-service connected disability pension benefit with aid and attendance entitlement.

It is widely used by seniors who begin to have difficulty with everyday activities due to advancing age.

Once you learn about the VA benefits for assisted living from the free worksheet you can get at the above green link, then visit A Place For Mom to find the assisted living for seniors in your community.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT A PLACE FOR MOM TO FIND ASSISTED LIVING FOR SENIORS

You may be entitled to receive financial assistance through this benefit for assisted living costs.  For the year 2010, A widowed surviving spouse can get up to $1,057 while a veteran can receive up to $,1644.  A veteran with a dependent can get up to $1,949 per month.

Get the free worksheet and learn how much you may be able to receive.

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Blue Angels Tribute

July 22nd, 2010 · Heroes

‘Blue Angels’ US Navy flight demonstration squadron – some of the best aerobatic and formation air pilots in the world. From Flixxy.com

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What Our Veterans Are Fighting For

July 15th, 2010 · Heroes

Let us all make sure we follow the Constitution and save our Republic and our Freedoms.


Glossary of definitions:

  • Despotism – a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)
  • Tyranny – the government or rule of a single person (dictator) or absolute ruler.
  • Spectrum – a broad range of varied but related ideas or objects, the individual features of which tend to overlap so as to form a continuous series or sequence
  • Federalist papers – a series of 85 articles advocating the approval of the United States constitution (1780′s).
  • Oligarchy – a form of government where political power effectively rests with a small elite segment of society distinguished by royalty, wealth, family, military powers, etc. The word “oligarchy” is from the Greek words for “few” and “rule”. .

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Department of Veteran Affairs

July 13th, 2010 · Heroes

Department of Veteran Affairs “The Face Behind the File” – A tribute to Medal of Honor winners.

Let us never forget those few and those brave men and women who gave so much for our freedom and way of life.

The aid and attendance benefit has begun to help hundred of thousands of veterans receive the care they need for disabilities they now suffer that were not directly received during active duty.

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VA Aid and Attendance Benefit

June 18th, 2010 · VA Aid and Attendance Form

The VA Aid and Attendance benefit is officially an entitlement that allows for a greater benefit amount on the two VA disability benefits.

These two VA disability benefits are the Disability Pension and the Compensation Benefit.

The VA Pension benefit is known as the ‘Non-Service Connected Disability Pension Benefit with Aid and Attendance Entitlement’.   That is the VA disability benefit that this site discusses.

This Pension is a benefit paid to wartime veterans (means you served 90 days of active duty with 1 day during a stated official time of war) who have limited or no income, (qualified expenses can reduce your income for eligibility) and who are age 65 or older, or, if under 65, who are permanently and totally disabled (not related to your service).

Veterans who are more seriously disabled may qualify for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits.    These VA Aid and Attendance benefits that are paid in addition to the basic pension rate.

To qualify for the VA Pension you DO NOT have to have retired from military service.

You just must have served at least 90 days of active duty with just 1 day during an officially stated period of war.

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Dept of Veterans Affairs

June 14th, 2010 · Aid and Attendance Benefits

On Flag day and every day for that matter, let us never forget our grand ole flag. It waves proudly over the Dept of Veterans Affairs reminding us all of what our veterans serve so proudly for.

And another tribute to our flag and veterans.

Make sure our veterans know about VA benefits for assisted living and the aid & attendance benefit for non-service connected disabilities.

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Qualified Medical Expenses

June 11th, 2010 · VA Aid and Attendance Form

USO_HonorAir_5-22-10-8815Creative Commons License photo credit: Scubabix

Many individuals who apply for the VA Aid and Attendance disability pension benefit don’t fully understand how to adjust their qualifying income by VA qualified medical expenses.

Qualified medical expenses are those medical and care expenses that are normal and recurring that will be paid out of pocket over the next 12 months, and are not reimbursed.

This means that you will pay for the medical and care expenses and they will not be paid by insurance or anyone else.  They have costs you pay 100% by yourself.

The VA will consider these qualified medical expenses and annualized them over the 12 months from the claim application date.  These medical expenses include:

  • Health & Long-term-care Insurance premiums
  • The cost of home care (unless provided by Medicaid)
  • The cost of paying a private person (including a non-spouse family member) to provide care
  • The cost of adult day care not covered by Medicaid
  • The cost of assisted living not covered by Medicaid
  • The cost of a nursing home facility not covered by Medicaid

Large one time medical expenses can also be used as qualified medical expenses for a 12 month period.  To continue your benefit at the same dollar amount the following 12 month time frame however, you’ll need other qualified medical expenses to replace this large one-time expense.

Other qualified medical expenses include:

  • Doctor and Dentist costs and co-pays
  • Hospital charges not covered by insurance, Medicare or Medicaid
  • Prescription cost and co-payments

However, the VA will not allow these as normal and recurring expenses.  Therefore, they will not allow them to determine the monthly benefit payment.  You will instead have to wait until the 12 month period is over and then request they be considered as qualified medical expenses.  You would only do this if you had not received the maximum allowable benefit amount.

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Form 21 526

June 4th, 2010 · VA Aid and Attendance Form

VA Form 21 526 is the claim application for Veterans to apply for the VA compensation and/or pension disability benefits.  It is also the form used to get Aid and Attendance entitlement to your disability claim.

The two VA disability benefits that you can apply for are:

  1. Disability Compensation – This is a disability benefit for service-related wounds or injuries.
  2. Disability Pension – This is a VA disability benefit for disabilities incurred or that develop that are non-service connected.

There are four sections of the VA form 21-526.

Part “A” (General) is required to be completed in full by all applicants. It  requests the demographic information about the claimant in addition to military service dates, places and rank details.

Part “B” (Compensation) is ONLY REQUIRED if you are filing for a service-related disability or a PTSD claim. The information you provide in this section is extremely important to a determination of your request.

Part “C” (Dependency) is also required by all applicants. It request marriage information along with details of any dependents.

Part “D” (Pension) is required if you are filing a claim for a non-service connected disability or in addition to a compensation claim.  (You can receive the greater of either the compensation benefit or the disability pension).  It requests financial information and work history data.

Hot Tip – Do not leave any blank answer boxes on the Form 21 526.  If there is no answer or it does not apply simply strike through the box or write n/a for your answer.

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Department of Veterans Affairs

May 31st, 2010 · Veterans Disability Benefit

Happy Memorial Day!

Though pensions for disabled soldiers was established in 1776 by the Continental Congress the care and pensions were provided by the individual states.

It was not until the 19th century that the Federal Government began to build some care facilities and expanded benefits and pension programs.  These benefits and pensions were also extended to widows and surviving dependents of deceased veterans.

When the U.S. entered WWI in 1917 veterans benefits were organized into a new system by Congress. Three Federal Bureaus were created (The Veterans Bureau, the Bureau of Pensions of the Interior Department, and the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers) to handle disability compensation, insurance and disability vocational rehabilitation.

The VA or Veterans Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs that consolidated the three bureaus under one roof was not officially established until 1930.

In 1989 the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was established as a Cabinet-level position by President Bush.

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VCAA

May 28th, 2010 · VA Aid and Attendance Form

VCAA Notice Response FormMany people are confused by the VCAA Notice Response form they receive with a claim followup letter they receive from the VA.

It is understandable. The sad thing is the VCAA and resulting form was the brainstorm of a politician who believed it was needed to help claimants better understand the process.

The official name of legislation that created the form is ‘Veterans’ Claim Assistance Act‘

It was intended to speed up the claim processing. All it seemed to do was add confusion.

Here is what you need to do with this form:

1. If you have sent in all the documentation required then check the first box which states.  Even if you have additional information check this box and attach the items to the notice when you mail it back.

2. If you check the second box you’ve essentially added another 4 months or more before you will get notice of the decision and the first benefit check (if approved).

You have 60 days from the stamped date on the first page of the letter from the VA to send the VCAA Notice Response form back to the VA.

Read the letter carefully and compare what they say you need to send in to what the letter states they received (usually 3rd page in) before thinking you did the claim all wrong.

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Assisted Living Retirement Homes

May 18th, 2010 · Veterans Assisted Living Benefits

assisted living retirement home

Are you looking for assisted living retirement homes for your aging parents?

Many veterans and their surviving spouse who served during a time of war don’t realize that financial assistance from the VA is available to help them pay for assisted living retirement homes.

VA benefit for assisted living can provide a married couple up to $1949 per month in benefits.  That certainly will make a huge difference in the affordability of these specialized housing units.

You have to be careful however if a family home is to be sold.  The sale may push the liquid asset eligibility criteria.  Simple planning can easily avoid this problem.  There is no official dollar amount for liquid assets, but our experience has shown you want to keep it below $80,000.  You can gift, transfer or use other simple techniques to move the liquid assets below this threshold.

Assisted living retirement homes are now more affordable and accessible for wartime veterans or their widowed surviving spouse with the aid and attendance benefit from the VA.

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Aid and Attendance Benefit Eligibility Worksheet

May 11th, 2010 · Aid And Attendance Eligibility, VA Aid and Attendance Form

Simply type in your first name and valid email below:

Do You Qualify For The VA Aid & Attendance Benefit?

Free Worksheet Reveals How Much You Can Get From The VA

We respect your email privacy


Eligibility is based on 5 factors:

  1. When you served
  2. If you are still driving or not
  3. The level of your liquid assets
  4. Medical condition or disability (non-service connected)
  5. How you medical and care cost compare to your monthly income.

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Veterans Benefits For Assisted Living

April 14th, 2010 · Veterans Assisted Living Benefits

Learn How To Get Your Fair Share Of Assisted Living Veterans Benefits

va disability pension benefitMany veterans or their surviving wife or husband don’t know about or perhaps know how going about getting veterans benefits for Assisted Living.

The basic facts are that a lot of families believe that they have to use a veteran’s home or nursing home operated by the VA for a place for their aging veteran’s care.

Because of this well-kept VA hidden knowledge now finally beginning to get out among the general populace you should understand that each and every Assisted Living facility is an choice for the war-time veteran relative or friend.

This particular VA benefit typically provides money that help the veteran or their surviving spouse pay 50% up to quite possibly 100% of the Assisted Living facilities expense. Who recognized that one could get paid veterans benefits for Assisted Living through the VA that will help you offset these pricey care costs.

For a long time it was generally believed that it was required for you to be wounded or even receive an immediate disability sustained in the veteran’s active duty.

It was too often perceived or assumed that the veteran didn’t qualify for any VA benefits when their disabilities they face because they get older didn’t have it’s source coming from a recorded active duty accident or wound.

The myth has been soundly busted.

WWII, Korean and Vietnam veterans are beginning to encounter natural disabilities as a result of natural aging course of action. Some of these issues are due to their active duty but many aren’t.

The non-service connected disability pension benefit through the VA does not require that the difficulties or incapacity you are now encountering be linked to your active duty. Once more, to be crystal clear…it does not have to be connected.

What’s this little-known VA benefit?

It is formally named the “Improved Disability Pension Benefit”. Presently there are three monthly payment thresholds that are defined by:

1. Income and Assets

2. Housebound Status

3. Need for help with activities of daily living

The last threshold allows the recipient to an entitlement commonly referred to as “Aid and Attendance”.

A widowed surviving wife or husband of a qualified veteran (just 3 months of active duty together with a single day in an official stated time period of war) is also eligible for this pension benefit.

For widowed surviving spouses it is officially called the “Improved Death Pension Benefit with Aid and Attendance Entitlement.

Therefore, this “new” veterans benefits for Assisted Living you might be hearing about called the “Aid and Attendance Benefit” is really either the long-standing VA benefit nobody every heard of called either the:

Non-Service Connected Disability Pension Benefit with Aid and Attendance Entitlement (for veterans)

or the

Non-Service Connected Improved Death Pension Benefit with Aid and Attendance Entitlement (for un-remarried widowed surviving spouse of an qualified veteran)

Now, here’s the best part.

The award amount of money of this VA non-service connected benefit:

1. A Veteran having a dependent (typically spouse) could get up to $23,388 annually, paid out monthly at $1,949

2. A Veteran without dependents can receive up to $17,728 per year, paid once a month at $1,644

3. An un-remarried widow surviving spouse can potentially be given as much as $12,684 per year, paid once a month at $1,057

Veterans Benefits for Assisted Living Qualifications

There are actually five qualification requirements:

1. At what time the veteran served together with at least 3 months of active duty together with at least a single day within a pronounced time of war. (The veteran doesn’t have to have seen action, serve offshore or be in a combat area to be able to be eligible)

2.Will have to no longer be able to safely drive

3.Must need help with activities of daily living

4.Must have liquid assets under $80 thousand. However, there is no look back in the event that you need to switch assets from the applicants title in order to meet this qualification. In the event you transfer excess assets today you are qualified the next day.

5.The exact amount of the veterans benefit you are able to receive is based on a simple formula.

This specific last qualification specifications often confuses families seeking to get the Assisted Living Veterans Benefits. Luckily, professional help accessible to ensure a fast and proper approval from the VA with regard to your loved one.

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How To Improve A Military Discharge

April 14th, 2010 · Veterans Disability Benefit

If you received anything but an “Honorable” Discharge, this may affect your VA Benefits, including a Veterans Aid and Attendance Claim. Here’s how you can apply for consideration in having your discharge upgraded:

Here’s How:

  1. Obtain a copy of DD Form 293, “Application for the Review of Discharge or Dismissal from the Armed Forces of the United States.”
  2. Complete personal information in Section 1.
  3. If you are making the application on behalf of another individual, complete Section 2.
  4. Indicate the action you wish the board to accomplish in Section 3.
  5. In section 4, indicate whether you wish to appear before the board in Washington D.C., wait for a traveling board, or have a records only review.
  6. If you are being represented by another person, complete section 5.
  7. Complete Section 6 if you elect not to be represented by counsel.
  8. List supporting documentation in Section 7.
  9. In Section 8, tell the board exactly why they should consider upgrading your discharge.
  10. Sign and Date the Form in Section 9.
  11. Mail the completed form to the address listed on the reverse side of the DD Form 293.

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Who Can Wear The The Purple Heart

March 26th, 2010 · Heroes

Who can wear the The Purple Heart, Vietnam Wound Medal, or Wound Chevron?

Established by General George Washington as the “Badge of Military Merit” on 7 Aug 1782.

Revived as the Purple Heart in 1932 by General Douglas MacArthur.

Awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or any civilian national of the US who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Forces has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may hereafter die of wounds received under any of the following circumstances…

Purple Heart Issue Regulations: http://www.amervets.com/replacement/ph.htm#isr

Vietnam Wound Medal Issue Regulations:

http://www.amervets.com/replacement/vnwnd.htm#isr

The Wound Chevron

http://www.amervets.com/replacement/wc.htm#isr

WW1 Wound Acknowledgment

http://www.amervets.com/replacement/acco.htm#isr

Common Myths about the Purple Heart medal:

http://www.americanwarlibrary.com/theheart.htm

Purple Heart Recipient Search: http://www.amervets.com/library.htm

Purple Heart Discussion and Info-Sharing Forum:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/purple-heart/

NOTE: Eligible personnel should ensure this Service Period acknowledgment is listed on your current 201A Military Award Report:
http://www.amervets.com/201areq.htm (or… amervets.com/201a)

Other medal, badge and certificate Issue Regulations are here:

http://www.amervets.com/replacement/other.htm

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Important Veteran and Military Forms & Applications

March 26th, 2010 · Aid And Attendance Eligibility

Important Veteran and Military Forms & Applications

The following list of essential military and veteran forms and applications
are now provided on The American War Library.

These forms and applications, and others to be added in the future, will
remain permanently down-loadable. See below for 24/7 War Library access
information:

FORMS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE (26 Mar 2010; this list will be updated regularly):

* Application For Correction Of Military Record
* Application For Spouse or Dependent Death Benefits
* Application For Review Of Discharge Or Dismissal
* Application For United States Flag For Burial Purposes
* Application For Va Education Benefits
* Award Recommendation (Air Force)
* Award Recommendation (Army)
* Award Recommendation (Coast Guard
* Award Recommendation (Navy/marine Corps)
* Civil Rights Discrimination Complaint
* Fisher House Application
* Geriatrics And Extended Care (Gec) Referral
* Military Medal Last Will, Female Inheritor
* Military Medal Last Will, Male Inheritor
* Power Of Attorney For Health Care And Living Will
* Request Document(s) From Military Record Jacket
* Request For Certificate Of Veteran Status
* Request For Headstone Or Marker
* Request For Personnel Action (Army)
* Social Security Earnings Request
* Statement In Support Of Claim
* Unit Personnel Roster Collection
* Veteran’s Application For Compensation
* Veteran’s Application For Disability Pension

Access The War Library: http://www.amervets.com/library

 

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VA Disability Claim Paperwork Time Line

March 24th, 2010 · Veterans Disability Benefit

For many veterans or spouses who have applied for the VA disability compensation or pension the time it takes the VA to process their paperwork and eventually issue the checks is agonizing.

It doesn’t matter whether you are waiting for a service related disability compensation check or a non-service connected disability pension check, the wait is the same.

It is apologetically slow. On average it takes the VA six to eight months for a veteran’s claim.  Some state’s Regional Offices are quicker, some slower.  North Carolina always seemed to be the quickest where NYC and Chicago the slowest.

There is one way to make your claim application processing a bit faster. That is to make sure you have every item of documentation properly completed, in acceptable format and sent in all together at the same time.

You’ll get a series of letters over the processing time frame.  Make sure if a response is requested that you don’t delay.  The VA gives you only 30 days to respond before it gets stuck in the pending file from hell.

Once you get the approval letter you should get the first retro-active check within 1 month’s time. Faster if you submitted the direct deposit information with your original claim application. This first payment will be equal to the amount you are eligible to receive from the 1st of the month following the date the VA received your application to the date they approved your claim.

Then you will receive a check (or direct deposit) the first of each month for the previous months time frame.

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Veterans Disability

February 11th, 2010 · Remembrance

IT HAPPENS EVERY FRIDAY!  Were you aware?

Mornings at the Pentagon
  By JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY 
  McClatchy Newspapers 

  Over the last 12 months, 1,042 soldiers, Marines, sailors and Air Force personnel have given their lives in the terrible duty that is war. Thousands more have come home on stretchers, horribly wounded and facing months or years in military hospitals. 

  This week, I’m turning my space over to a good friend and former roommate, Army Lt. Col. Robert Bateman, who recently completed a yearlong tour of duty in Iraq and is now back at the Pentagon. 

  Here’s Lt. Col. Bateman’s account of a little-known ceremony that fills the halls of the Army corridor of the Pentagon with cheers, applause and many tears every Friday morning. It first appeared on May 17 on the Weblog of media critic and pundit Eric Altermanat the Media Matters for America Website.

  "It is 110 yards from the "E" ring to the "A" ring of the Pentagon. This section of the Pentagon is newly renovated; the floors shine, the hallway is broad, and the lighting is bright. At this instant the entire length of the corridor is packed with officers, a few sergeants and some civilians, all crammed tightly three and four deep against the walls. There are thousands here. 

  This hallway, more than any other, is the `Army’ hallway. The G3 offices line one side, G2 the other, G8 is around the corner. All Army. Moderate conversations flow in a low buzz. Friends who may not have

seen each other for a few weeks, or a few years, spot each other, cross the way and renew. 

  Everyone shifts to ensure an open path remains down the center. The air conditioning system was not designed for this press of bodies in this area. 

  The temperature is rising already. Nobody cares. "10:36 hours: The clapping starts at the E-Ring. That is the outermost of the five rings of the Pentagon and it is closest to the entrance to the building. This clapping is low, sustained, hearty. It is applause with a deep emotion behind it as it moves forward in a wave down the length of the hallway. 

  "A steady rolling wave of sound it is, moving at the pace of the soldier in the wheelchair who marks the forward edge with his presence. He is the first. He is missing the greater part of one leg, and some of his wounds are still suppurating By his age I expect that he is a private, or perhaps a private first class. 

  "Captains, majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels meet his gaze and nod as they applaud, soldier to soldier. Three years ago when I described one of these events, those lining the hallways were somewhat different. The applause a little wilder, perhaps in private guilt for not having shared in the burden … yet. 

  "Now almost everyone lining the hallway is, like the man in the wheelchair, also a combat veteran. This steadies the applause, but I think deepens the sentiment. We have all been there now. The soldier’s chair is pushed by, I believe, a full colonel. 

  "Behind him, and stretching the length from Rings E to A, come more of his peers, each private, corporal, or sergeant assisted as need be by a field grade officer. 

  "11:00 hours: Twenty-four minutes of steady applause. My hands hurt, and I laugh to myself at how stupid that sounds in my own head. My hands hurt. Please! Shut up and clap. For twenty-four minutes, soldier after soldier has come down this hallway – 20, 25, 30.. Fifty-three legs come with them, and perhaps only 52 hands or arms, but down this hall came 30 solid hearts.

They pass down this corridor of officers and applause, and then meet for a private lunch, at which they are the guests of honor, hosted by the generals. Some are wheeled along. Some insist upon getting out of their chairs, to march as best they can with their chin held up, down this hallway, through this most unique audience. Some are catching handshakes and smiling like a politician at a Fourth of July parade. More than a couple of them seem amazed and are smiling shyly. 

  "There are families with them as well: the 18-year-old war-bride pushing her 19-year-old husband’s wheelchair and not quite understanding why her husband is so affected by this, the boy she grew up with, now a man, who had never shed a tear is crying; the older immigrant Latino parents who have, perhaps more than their wounded mid-20s son, an appreciation for the emotion given on their son’s behalf. No man in that hallway, walking or clapping, is ashamed by the silent tears on more than a few cheeks.

An Airborne Ranger wipes his eyes only to better see.  A couple of the officers in this crowd have themselves been  a part of this parade in the past.  

  These are our men, broken in body they may be, but they are our brothers, and we welcome them home. This parade has gone on, every single Friday, all year long, for more than four years. 

  "Did you know that? 

Aid and Attendance

Veterans Assisted Living

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Long Term Care Services Available From The VA

December 23rd, 2009 · Aid And Attendance Eligibility

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides three different types of long term care services.

The first are health care benefits provided to veterans who have service-connected disabilities, who are receiving VA Pension or who are considered low income.

These services include:

  • free medical care
  • possible free prescription drugs
  • orthotics and prosthetics
  • home renovation grants for disabilities
  • home care
  • assisted living
  • domiciliary care
  • nursing home care

The second benefit are the state veterans homes.

The majority of these homes offer nursing care but some may offer assisted living or domiciliary care. The Department of Veterans Affairs in conjunction with the states helps build and support state veterans homes.

Money is provided to help with construction and a federal subsidy of $72.71 a day is provided for each veteran using state veterans nursing home services.

These homes are generally available for most veterans and sometimes their spouses. Veterans homes are run by the states, sometimes with the help of contract management. There may be waiting lists in some states.

The third benefit for veterans is disability income programs.

The most familiar of these benefits is an income for service-connected disabled veterans called the "Disability Compensation Benefit".

The lesser known of these is a program officially called the "Non-service connected Disability Pension" but is more popularly known as the "Aid and Attendance benefit."

Let’s look closer at this Aid and Attendance benefit and who is eligible:

  • All active-duty veterans who served at least 90 days during a period of war are eligible for the VA disability pension and the additional income from aid and attendance or housebound allowances. A single un-remarried surviving spouse of such a veteran is also eligible.
  • All qualifying veteran applicants over the age of 65 are eligible for pension but must meet income and asset tests. Applicants under the age of 65 must in addition be totally disabled to qualify. The disability does not have to be service connected.
  • An un-remarried surviving spouse can be any age and there is no need for disability.

The aid and attendance benefit can provide additional income to assist with the costs associated with home care, assisted living, nursing homes, adult day care and other unreimbursed medical and care expenses.

One of the great features of this VA benefit is that it can also pay for a family member other than a spouse to be the care giver.

The amount of benefit payment you will receive is based on subtracting the qualified medical and care expenses from the recipient and any dependents income.

This "adjusted income" is then subtracted from the maximum allowable pension benefit amount for your marital status.

The difference is the amount of financial assistance you can receive from the VA under the Aid and Attendance Disability Pension Benefit. Learn how to fully understand and get this pension benefit at www.VeteransCareAdvisors.com.

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VA Aid and Attendance

December 17th, 2009 · Aid and Attendance Benefits

The VA aid and attendance benefit is a NON-SERVICE CONNECTED disability pension benefit available for veterans who served active duty at least 1 day during an official time of war with a total of 90 days or more of service time.

There are more qualifying factors for this VA aid and attendance benefit and the benefit amount you will receive is based on your total income AFTER deducting non-reimbursed medical expenses including home care, assisted living or nursing home costs.

The maximum benefit amounts are as follows:

VETERAN&SPOUSE   $15,493.00
VETERAN ALONE    $11,830.00     
WIDOW OF VETERAN $7,933.00

Here is a brief outline of the documents you will need to apply for this VA benefit:

VETERANS MILITARY DISCHARGE/(DD214)
VA REQUIRES original discharge or certified copy of military discharge.   NOT A DISCHARGE CERTIFICATE. You can contact your local Recorder of Deeds to see if your DD-214 or WD-AGO was recorded to obtain a certified copy.

COPY OF MARRIAGE LICENSE/DIVORCE DECREE/DEATH CERTIFICATES
Copies of current marriage license (if applicable) and death certificates (if applicable) as required by VA. If any prior marriages for either veteran or spouse, then we need to show proof that the marriage has been terminated, via divorce decree or death certificate.

LETTER FROM ATTENDING PHYSICIAN OR VDVA FM 10
If providing a letter from attending physician, letter must be DETAILED as to the patient’s prognosis/diagnosis including competency. Letter MUST be on physician’s letterhead. A PRESCRIPTION PAD IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE LETTER. Veterans Care Advisors has a proprietary form for you to use.

LETTER FROM ASSISTED LIVING/HOME CARE/NURSING HOME
Letter from nursing facility MUST include individual’s name, date individual entered into home, cost per day, (room rate), amount individual has paid the facility as of date of letter and date paid. Or Use VA Statement by Assisted Living (ALF) form.

VERIFICATION OF ALL INCOME
Includes current statement from Social Security, pension(s), dividend(s). Current bank statements for both checking & saving (all accounts). Proof of all income even if it is direct deposit need statement for source. Include current net worth of all stocks, bonds, deposits, CD’s IRA, etc. Prior year’s taxes are not needed.

MEDICAL EXPENSES
Verification of ALL medical expenses paid out of pocket that are not covered by insurance and/or reimbursed.   Prescription drug, if possible a printout from the pharmacy. If married, needed for both. Including health care premiums. If previously applied for Medicaid (MA) need those documents as well.

LIQUID ASSETS
You must provide financial institution in which benefit check should be deposited after granted benefits including account number and routing number.

MISC ITEMS
Social Security Numbers for both Veteran & Spouse.   If you have any dependent children you will need to also provide their date of birth and social security numbers for each dependent.

Click Here for Complete Details —-> Aid and Attendance

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2010 Aid and Attendance Rates

December 11th, 2009 · Veterans Disability Benefit

The VA has traditionally tied the benefit rates for the VA Disability Compensation (service-related disabilities) and the VA Disability Pension (non-service related disabilities) to COLA. COLA is the cost of living adjustment established by the Social Security Administration.

Since Social Security did not generate a COLA for the governments fiscal year which began on November 1, 2009 there will be no corresponding increase in the VA benefit rates.

NO CHANGE TO VETERANS AID & ATTENDANCE BENEFITS FOR 2010

The VA will sending letters to claimant beneficiaries notifying them that there will be no COLA for 2010.

Aid & Attendance is a special non-service connected disability pension benefit available to wartime veterans who meet certain eligibility criteria.

The benefit provides financial assistance based on the veteran or surviving spouse having qualified care and medical expenses. Veterans rely on this assistance to help pay for unreimbursed medical expenses.

A qualified married veteran can receive up to $1,949/mo. tax-free.

A qualified single or widowed veteran can receive up to $1,644/mo. tax-free

A un-remarried widowed spouse can receive up to $1,056/mo. tax-free.

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Improvement Coming To The Veterans Benefits Administration

November 24th, 2009 · Veterans Disability Benefit

By James Dao The New York Times

The official responsible for the problem-plagued disability compensation system at the Department of Veterans Affairs will resign early next year, the department announced Friday.

The official, Under Secretary Patrick W. Dunne, has run the Veterans Benefits Administration since 2006, a period in which the agency has been swamped by claims not only from wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans but also from aging Vietnam veterans. The rise in the backlog of unprocessed claims has fueled bitter complaints from members of Congress and veterans’ advocates.

You too can learn how to break the VA’s Aid & Attendance code…

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VA Disability Pension Rumblings

November 11th, 2009 · Veterans Disability Benefit

Rumor has it that the VA is again throwing roadblocks up for veterans and widows to keep track of their claim status.  It is just another mind-boggling procedure that we are seeing lately with the VA.

Last time we spoke about a veteran in his 90’s having to get a written doctor statement that his disabilities are preventing him from holding a job.  Think about that for a moment.  In his 90’s during a time when unemployment is around 10% nationwide and the government wants to proof that he can’t work.

Now some of the VA Regional offices are making it difficult for family members to help their elderly parents track the claim and make sure it stays out of someone’s bottom desk drawer.  Most people who file a disability pension claim with aid and attendance entitlement will also file a 21-22a form with the claim. 

The “VA 21-22a Appointment of Representative” form is suppose to assign the right to a family member under Section 14.630 “INDIVIDUAL PROVIDING REPRESENTATION” or an attorney to act as the claimants representative. Most VA Regional offices have accepted the form in the past without issue.  This is a great stress reliever for both the claimant and the caring family in helping to guide the claim through the VA maze.

Now we are hearing reports that the Philadelphia VA Regional office is not recognizing the VA 21-22a form while a claim is in processing.  They want to only recognize their own representative form after a decision has been made on the claim.  Huh!?!  Where is the benefit to the claimant or their family with that practice?

We’ve also suggested that when checking on the Veterans disability pension qualification status, even with the VA 21-22a form properly completed and submitted with the original claim application filing, that anytime a call to the VA was needed, to have the claimant with you to give verbal permission to the VA rep on the phone.  This has usually worked very well. 

We’ve also heard in the rumor mill that major computer software changes are being planned in the VA.  The first of which to get all divisions of the VA on the same programming language.  This is suppose to improve efficiency, but you will have to wait.  Keep alert for another VA FUBAR.

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What Is Happening With VA Disability Benefits

November 4th, 2009 · Veterans Disability Benefit

The VA disability benefits this article addresses is the non-service connected disability pension benefit.  This disability benefit is a life saver for millions of older veterans and their surviving spouses who need assistance with everyday activities due to advancing age.

The eligibility to receive these VA disability benefits has not changed. But, qualifying for them seem to be a moving target year to year and throughout the year.  It seems it comes down to the luck of the draw on the person evaluating the claim.

Compounding the qualification process for the disability pension benefit with aid and attendance entitlement is the requirement that WWII veterans in their 80’s and 90’s are now being asked to provide the last day of employment on their claim applications.  Many are even being asked to have their physicians provide detailed documentation to support their inability to hold employment.

What is going on? Didn’t Congress pass a stipulation that a veteran no longer had to submit evidence and prove that their disability prevented them from working once they were over the age of 65.  Is it fair to hold up a determination on a claim for a 93 year old WWII veteran receiving around the clock home care because supporting medical evidence that he can’t hold permanent employment wasn’t included with the medical report showing dementia?

There is even bad news looming for 2010 as it appears there will be no increase in the benefit payment threshold.  In the past the amount of VA disability benefits would increase at the same percentage as Social Security and other government payouts.  There will be no increase in Social Security benefits for 2010 and thus no increase for VA disability benefits.

Let’s get back to taking care of our elderly veterans and their surviving spouses who have sacrificed such a large portion of their lives to free our European neighbors from oppression and imprisonment from the right to live a free life.

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Army Soldier in Iraq’s Reminder Of Home

November 4th, 2009 · Heroes

Here is a soldier stationed in Iraq , stationed in a big sand box.

He asked his wife to send him dirt (U.S.A. soil), fertilizer, and some grass seed so that he can have the sweet aroma, and feel the grass grow beneath his feet.

When the men of the squadron have a mission that they are going on, they take turns walking through the grass and the American soil — to bring them good luck.

American Soldier Reminder Of Home

If you notice, he is even cutting the grass with a pair of a scissors.

Sometimes we are in such a hurry that we don’t stop and think about the little things that we take for granted.

Upon reading this, say a little prayer for our soldiers that give and give (and give up) so unselfishly for us.

You don’t have to Digg or Tweet this, but gosh, who wouldn’t?
It’s heartwarming!

God Bless Our American Heroes!

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A Real American Hero – God Is Watching

June 29th, 2009 · Remembrance

Michael Jackson dies and it’s 24/7 news coverage. A real American hero dies and not a mention of it in the news. The media has no honor and God is watching.

Ed Freeman

You’re a 19-year-old kid. You’re critically wounded and dying in the jungle in the Ia Drang Valley , 11-14-1965, LZ X-ray, Vietnam . Your infantry unit is outnumbered 8-1 and the enemy fire is so intense, from 100 or 200 yards away, that your own Infantry Commander has ordered the Media helicopters to stop coming in.

You’re lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns, and you know you’re not getting out. Your family is half way around the world, 12,000 miles away and you’ll never see them again. As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day.

Then, over the machine gun noise, you faintly hear that sound of a helicopter and you look up to see an unarmed Huey, but it doesn’t seem real because no Medi-Vac markings are on it.

Ed Freeman is coming for you. He’s not Medi-Vac, so it’s not his job, but he’s flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire, after the Medi-Vacs were ordered not to come.

He’s coming anyway.

And he drops it in and sits there in the machine gun fire as they load 2 or 3 of you on board.

Then he flies you up and out, through the gunfire to the doctors and nurses.

And he kept coming back, 13 more times, and took about 30 of you and your buddies out, who would never have gotten out.

Medal of Honor Recipient Ed Freeman died on Wednesday, June 25th, 2009, at the age of 80, in Boise , ID.   May God rest his soul.

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Medal of Honor Winner
Ed Freeman!

Since the media didn’t give him the coverage he deserves, send this to every red-blooded American you know.


THANKS AGAIN, ED, FOR WHAT YOU DID FOR OUR COUNTRY.
RIP

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The Final Inspection

May 29th, 2009 · Remembrance

~Author Unknown~

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The Marine stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

“Step forward now, Marine,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?”

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,

‘No, Lord, I guess I ain’t.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can’t always be a saint.
I’ve had to work most Sundays,

And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I’ve been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn’t mine to keep….
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I’ve wept unmanly tears.

I know I don’t deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears

If you’ve a place for me here, Lord,
It needn’t be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don’t, I’ll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the Marine waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

“Step forward now, you Marine,
You’ve borne your burdens well.”

“Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets,
You’ve done your time in Hell.”

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This Memorial Day Let Us All Remember…

It’s the Soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press.

It’s the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.

It’s the Soldier, not the politicians that ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

It’s the Soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag.

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HOME CAREGIVER TIPS FOR LOVED ONES WITH DEMENTIA

May 20th, 2009 · Home Health Care

 

DEALING WITH ANGER AND AGGRESSION

By Carol Duff RN, BA, MSN

anger Sometimes people with dementia become angry and will lash out at caregivers who are trying to help them.  Their anger can range from slamming doors, yelling, throwing food, and making accusations to actual hitting.  This behavior may upset you, the caregiver, and create problems in the home.

Anger and aggression may be signs of a person feeling a loss of control, feeling worthless, forgotten, or insecure.  Going from parent, veteran, family head, valued employee, or employer to “care recipient” can seem devastating to a loved one’s pride and self worth.  You are trying your best to care for your loved one, but may feel like you are the target of hostility shown by him or her.

An explanation of the term catastrophic reaction:

If you are reading information on dementia, you may see references in the literature mentioning “catastrophic reaction”.  This term is used to describe the care recipient’s reactions, such as arguing and refusal to cooperate, as a response to the feeling of being overwhelmed.

The person with dementia often cannot control his or her feelings of helplessness, which may lead to anger and nastiness. Negative reactions are exhausting and upsetting to you and your loved one.  Learning ways to avoid these reactions is the key to care management.

What are some triggers for anger and aggression?

  1. People with brain diseases often become excessively upset and may show rapidly changing moods.  He or she may then strike out, accuse others, and use denial, just as anyone else may do.
  2. Certain situations may cause the person with dementia to feel out of control and overwhelmed.
  3. Sensory overloads such as strange situations, sudden and loud noises or movements, and being exposed to groups of people may cause these responses.·
  4. Disruption of sleep patterns may decrease your loved one’s ability to deal with his or her emotions.
  5. Physical discomfort, such as arthritis pain, will increase the chances of lashing out at you, the caregiver.
  6. Your loved one’s impaired vision or hearing may cause a misinterpretation of sound or your actions.
  7. Adverse effects of medications can lead to confusion, anger, aggression, and even to seeing or hearing things that are not there.
  8. Your loved one may feel pressured at requests to do tasks that are difficult and may respond with anger, aggression, and crying.

What can you do to decrease triggers for anger or aggression?

  1. Approach your loved one slowly, from the front.
  2. Maintain a normal tone of voice.
  3. Do not get into a power struggle with your loved one.·
  4. Reduce feelings of helplessness by not hurrying during care and dealing with one task at a time.
  5. As the caregiver, do not respond with impatience, appear upset or irritable, or scold your loved on.
  6. Leave a task that is causing cooperation difficulties and come back to it later.
  7. Do not pressure for an answer or action if your loved one does not quickly respond.  Allow enough time for a response.
  8. Break the task into small steps and give clearly stated directions for each step of the activity.
  9. You and your loved one can develop routines and schedules which will limit stresses.
  10. Limit choices for him or her to make, as this will decrease frustration.

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REMEMBER!!!

Do not interpret anger as you would from a well person.

Anger is exaggerated in a confused person, who may not be angry at all.

Anger is probably a result of a misunderstanding of what is happening and can be the only response remembered when under stress.

What are ways to diffuse anger?·

  1. Simplify his or her environment by reducing noise, number of people, and clutter.
  2. Try music, quiet reading, or massage to relax the person.
  3. Try to gently distract the person.
  4. He or she will usually quickly forget the episode and can be distracted by something he or she likes to do, such as a walk, favorite activity, or a treat.
  5. Keep furniture and objects in the same place because familiar surroundings will help to offer a feeling of comfort.
  6. Make sure the person is protected from hurting him or herself by putting harmful objects out or reach or sight.
  7. Keep a log to see what causes anger and aggression and consult this to avoid future troubles.

WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOU FEEL YOU MAY BE HARMED?

  1. Ask others to leave the room or situation as more people could increase the aggression.
  2. Maintain your normal tone of voice.
  3. Stand out of reach.
  4. Leave the scene to prevent injury.
  5. Call for help from neighbors, family members, or friends.  Talk with the healthcare provider who may recommend medications or other treatments and follow up on any big change in behavior.
  6. Dial 911 as a last resort.  Carefully explain you are dealing with a loved one with a health related behavior and memory problem.  Remember, an unfamiliar person, wearing a uniform, can appear threatening.
  7. Once the incident has passed, do not remind the person of what happened.

The following are some websites to provide you with more information about anger and aggression.

AlzOnline: Caregiver Compass Reading Room: Caregiving challenges, Difficult behavior. http://alzonline.phhp.ufl.edu/en/topics

Reprinted from Veterans Today

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Aid and Attendance Veterans Benefits

April 14th, 2009 · Veterans Disability Benefit

elderlydriver1

We love hearing from elderly veterans and their families who have used our Aid and Attendance Veterans Benefits Handbook.

We often receive many humorous stories that we love to share to help bring a smile to your day.

The names and locations in this story have been changed.

Housebound = No Longer Driving

The VA considers the primary component of being classified as Housebound being established by the veteran or their surviving spouse no longer being able to drive.  This is a key qualifier for the aid and attendance veterans benefits.

George, a Houston, Tx Korean war veteran, reluctantly gave up driving after his doctor ordered him to stop driving after multiple run-ins with his garage wall and door opening molding.

Once George was no longer able to drive, he learned he may be eligible for the VA aid and attendance benefit.  He could get up to $1,949 per month in the form of a disability pension from the VA!

George liked that.  But, he did not like an invalid by his kids. He wanted a haircut and demanded Gertrude, his soft-spoken angelic wife, give him the keys to the car.

Gertrude, with her firm tone and famous eye stare, told him no.

George, being the rational smooth-talker talked her into driving him to his barber, about 1 mile up the road.  Now, Gertrude had always let her husband drive for the past 49 years.  In fact, it had been a number of years since she herself had driven due to her osteoporosis.

olddriver Realizing that George would find the car keys and sneak out of the house if she did not give in and drive him. So,  she relented and thought it indeed would be nice to get out of the house.

Plus, she knew if he snuck out it would jeopardize his VA special disability pension – and they needed that extra money each month.

Before they got out of the driveway Gertrude knew it was going to be a long 1 mile drive.  George could not remember the last time he was riding shotgun to Gertrude’s driving.

They drove down their street and turned onto the main busy road to the barbers.  Gertrude was nervous and stayed in the right lane of the heavily traveled 4-lane road.  Shortly Gertrude saw the blue, white and red lights of a police cruiser in her rear-view mirror.

She knew she was not speeding as she was only going 20 mph, well below the 45 mph speed limit, they both had their seatbelts on and she was in the slow-speed lane.  So, Gertrude kept driving and wondering why the police car did not pass her.

Soon, she got to the road she needed to turn left for the barbershop.  She got into the left turn lane; using her blinkers.  She had the green light but stopped because of on-coming traffic.

To her dismay, the police officer was still behind her and was now walking up to her window.  She asked the police officer what she had done wrong.

He told her that he just wanted to make sure they were okay and that she needed to pick up her speed so not to be a hazard to other drivers.  Gertrude argued that she was a good driver and was only trying to be safe.  George, of course, was also telling her how to drive and expounding his driving skills; speaking over the police officer.

The police officer tried to quiet George and tell Gertrude that she just needed to go faster.  Gertrude was getting confused with both the police officer and George talking to her at the same time.  She hushed George and asked the police officer to repeat to her once again what he wanted her to do.

The police officer told her to just keep up with traffic and go.  Gertrude asked him again, “you want me to go?” The police officer responded “yes, go; just go”.

So, Gertrude went.  She turned left just like she heard the police officer tell her.  However, she no longer had the green light.  Luckily cross-traffic was not heavy and no one hit anyone.

The police officer followed again, this time with lights and siren.  Gertrude and George now wait for one of their kids or grandchildren to drive them for their errands.

This story is sadly not so uncommon.  One of the toughest things for a senior citizen to give up is driving.  Being able to drive means independence and freedom.

choice-aTaking the keys and cars away from your parents or loved one is a hard heart-wrenching responsibility.

But, it is less so than the heartache of the aftermath of an accident due to declining depth perception and reactions.

To be eligible for the aid and attendance veterans benefits the claimant has to be considered housebound by the VA.  This requires documentation from the family doctor that the claimant is no longer safely able to drive a vehicle.

Giving up driving privileges will not only keep your parent or loved one safe.  It may also make them eligible to receive a thousand dollars or more each month from the VA.

Learn more about the Aid and Attendance Veterans Benefits.

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