Source: http://ptsdasoldiersperspective.blogspot.com/2011/05/combat-veteran-eligibility-enhanced.html
Timestamp: 2017-11-20 21:12:07
Document Index: 689266247

Matched Legal Cases: ['§3', '§3', '§5303', '§5303', '§2', '§3']

PTSD: A Soldier's Perspective: Combat Veteran Eligibility: Enhanced Eligibility For VA Health Care Benefits
Veterans, including activated Reservists and members of the National Guard, are eligible if they served on active duty in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998, and have been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. Documentation Used To Determine Service in Theater Of Combat Operations,
Receipt of imminent danger or hostile fire pay or tax benefits. Page 2 of 3 Health Benefits Under The “Combat Veteran” Authority
Full access to VA’s Medical Benefits Package.
What Happens After The Enhanced Eligibility Period Expires?
Veterans who enroll with VA under this authority will continue to be enrolled even after their enhanced eligibility period ends. At the end of their enhanced eligibility period, Veterans enrolled in Priority Group 6 may be shifted to Priority Group 7 or 8, depending on their income level, and required to make applicable co-pays.
For those Veterans who do not enroll during their enhanced eligibility period, eligibility for enrollment and subsequent care is based on other factors such as: a compensable service-connected disability, VA pension status, catastrophic disability determination, or the Veteran’s financial circumstances. For this reason, combat Veterans are strongly encouraged to apply for enrollment within their enhanced eligibility period, even if no medical care is currently needed.
Veterans who qualify under this special eligibility are not subject to co-pays for conditions potentially related to their combat service. However, unless otherwise exempted, combat Veterans must either disclose their prior year gross household income OR decline to provide their financial information and agree to make applicable co-pays for care or services VA determines are clearly unrelated to their military service.
They served on active duty and were discharged or released from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable from a period of service not less than 90 days
The certificate of discharge or release does not bear a certification that the Veteran was provided, within the 90-day period immediately before the date of such discharge or release, a complete dental examination (including dental X-rays) and all appropriate dental service and treatment indicated by the examination to be needed
Additional information is available at the nearest VA medical facility. VA facilities listing and telephone numbers can be found on the internet at www.va.gov/directory/, or in the local telephone directory under the “U.S. Government” listings. Veterans can also visit the VA health eligibility website at www.va.gov/healtheligibility/ or call VA toll free at 1-877-222-VETS (8387).
ruseter84@yahoo.com May 28, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Fact Sheet 16-8
Impact on Eligibility for VA Health Care Benefits
The in-between categories, administrative “Other than Honorable” discharges, and punitive “Bad Conduct Discharges” issued by special courts-martial, may or may not be disqualifying for purposes of general VA benefit eligibility or VA health benefits eligibility specifically. In assessing whether such discharges were issued “under conditions other than dishonorable,” VA must apply the standards set forth in Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) §3.12.
“Other than Honorable” Discharges – Special Health Care Rule
An individual with an “Other than Honorable” discharge that VA has determined to be disqualifying under application of title 38 C.F.R. §3.12 still retains eligibility for VA health care benefits for service-incurred or service-aggravated disabilities unless he or she is subject to one of the statutory bars to benefits set forth in Title 38 United States Code §5303(a). Authority: Section 2 of Public Law 95-126 (Oct. 8, 1977).
VA Health Care Benefits: If an individual presents or makes an application for VA health care benefits and has an "other than honorable" or "bad conduct" discharge, eligibility staff may register the individual and place in a Pending Verification Status. A request for an administrative decision regarding the character of service for VA health care purposes must be made to the local VA Regional Office (VARO). This request may be submitted using a VA Form 7131, Exchange of Beneficiary Information and Request for Administrative and Adjudicative Action. In making determinations of health care eligibility the same criteria will be used as are now applicable to determinations of service connection when there is no character of discharge bar.
Reference: M21-1 Part IV, Chapter 11 “Special Determinations and Administrative Decisions.”
Note: Emergent treatment may be provided with a signed statement by the veteran (may be on a VA Form 119, Report of Contact) that if s/he is subsequently found to be NOT Eligible for VA Health Care, they agree to pay the Humanitarian Rate for any emergent care or services provided while under this Pending Verification status.
For Further Information: Contact your local VA health care facility’s Eligibility office or the Health Eligibility Center at 404-828-5257. This and other eligibility related fact sheets are available at http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/Library/pubs/.
Authorities:Title 38, United States Code, §5303(a); Pub. L. No. 95-126,§2; and Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, §§3.12.
KrippledWarrior May 29, 2011 at 5:13 PM
Scott A. Lee May 29, 2011 at 5:20 PM
You are welcome KW!
One Weary Soldier November 20, 2011 at 9:33 PM
I'm trying to assist a Vet with VA Benefits. Need to locate a 7131. Haven't been able to find one online. Do you know a link to one? I'd really appreciate some assistance. Thanks.
Scott A. Lee February 10, 2012 at 2:56 PM
I have used all the Google search tricks I know I look for this elusive paperwork. You will find Google searches where other people are looking for it also. The thing with the VA is that they are supposed to give us this paperwork when we ask for it. But, we are still fighting the old guard at the VA who as a matter of practice would deny veterans the paperwork exists or give you the run around until you give up. Keep asking different people at your local Veterans Administration Local Regional Office. Eventually you will find someone willing to give you the help you need and I hope this helped.