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robt65

Mar 6, 2011, 2:05 PM

Post #1 of 22 (11515 views)

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Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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Hi All,

Are there any service connected Disabled American Veterans receiving benefits within reach of this forum? I would like to hear from you all. I have some questions regarding pensions, scheduling of medical appointments, getting pensions directly deposited to Mexican banks, Mexican spouse and tax deductions etc., that I would like to ask via PM only. Thanks for any replys.

robt65


(This post was edited by robt65 on Mar 6, 2011, 2:06 PM)



joaquinx


Mar 6, 2011, 2:22 PM

Post #2 of 22 (11502 views)

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Re: [robt65] Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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I receive a VA disability benefit that is deposited in a US bank.
_______
My desire to be well-informed is currently at odds with my desire to remain sane.


surebought

Mar 21, 2011, 3:54 PM

Post #3 of 22 (11122 views)

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Re: [joaquinx] Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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There was a guy around here for a while who was just an expert at getting money out of the VA. He convinced them that he had ptss from the Watts riots as a national guardsman. He got a retroactive check for this incredible amount of money. He got a pension from another guy because the other guy had hemorrhoids during his service in Korea. As a person who has to work for a living, I was a little offended by his actions, so I lost contact with him. The thing to do is tell the VA that you are going to resort to a life of crime if they don't give you money. Its better for them because if they do give you money, then you can't commit felonies or you lose the pension. That's what all the thieves do when they get too old to run. The government gives them a pension. When you think about it, I guess its cheaper than prison, so in a way I guess I approve.


joaquinx


Mar 21, 2011, 4:11 PM

Post #4 of 22 (11117 views)

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Re: [surebought] Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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Interesting, since benefits are not retroactive, but only from the date of application. Secondly, pensions from VA, not the military branch, are based on need, e.g., low income.

We had one guy in my area telling people that he has a 100% disability benefit when he was only getting around 300 usd. That is a 30% or less.
_______
My desire to be well-informed is currently at odds with my desire to remain sane.


sparks


Mar 21, 2011, 7:46 PM

Post #5 of 22 (11085 views)

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Re: [surebought] Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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I got the GI Bill for longer than I should have and still may be eligible for a VA loan but haven't asked about Mexico yet

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre


robt65

Mar 22, 2011, 2:14 PM

Post #6 of 22 (11000 views)

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Re: [surebought] Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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Hello Surebought,

In reading your response, I think the term you are looking for is "PTSD" not ptss. I seems pretty clear to me, that you have probably not been in the military or if you have, you have not seen the debilitating results of PTSD. PTSD happens at varying rates of severity depending upon the instigating circumstances. It can be and / or is a very deadly and debilitating medical condition. I do not believe for a minute that you have ever been in a place that would have given you an understanding of the atrocities many of our service men and women have been through in many different circumstances. Being that you apparently are not a medical doctor of any kind, I guess that I am pretty offended at your making a diagnosis of a Korean War Veteran and his past experiences. Maybe some factual medical reports of PTSD would be educationally rewarding for you to read. I think it might give you a better understanding of the consequences of PTSD.
Secondly, I am really trying to figure out why (in your mind) you feel this thread of yours is in any way a valid response to my original post. Your answer is one of the very reasons that I suggested that either disabled veterans or retired veterans PM me, instead of publicly posting their answers on this posting. None of us has the right to ridicule the medical condition of others.
The purpose of my original Post is to try and understand and to learn, if any other veterans who are living in Mexico have ever been able to receive their disability pension directly deposited to their Mexican bank account, or if they are able to utilize the services of either Mexican physicians or Hospitals to be paid directly by the VA Health Care System or for retired Vets if Tri Care takes care of such expenses in Mexico.
Since there are many NOB health care insurance companies who do pay for Mexican health care costs from accredited and approved Mexican hospitals and physicians partially because the dollar savings to the health care insurance companies, is immense. Just think of the taxpayer dollars that could be saved if Veterans and / or other government retirees were allowed Mexican health care. I know for me, it would make attending necessary medical appointments much less expensive, not to mention much less stressful for the USA government not to take this economic benefit. Think about how much taxpayer dollars could be saved and redirected to other necessary places. Would you (veterans and other government employees only respond please) take advantage of such an availability of Mexican medical services and would you prefer having your pensions sent direct to your Mexican bank account?
I would venture to say there are probably thousands if not tens of thousands of military veterans and or other retired (county, city, state and or federal ) retired employees living in Mexico. I just can’t think of a good economical reason for NOB governments not to take advantage of a good qualified medical service that would save their carriers and other government entities 50% or more on such services for expats.
Most of the medical professionals at the VA and professionals they approve to send us to, including doctors, pharmacy persons, surgeons etc have been foreign nationals. What is the difference? (Please do not take this last fact as being racist or bigoted) It was not intended to be taken in such a manner)
Thanks for any feedback on this posting. Feel free to PM me if you want our answers to be private.
Robt65


prorader

Apr 1, 2011, 11:09 AM

Post #7 of 22 (10613 views)

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Re: [robt65] Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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The biggest problem if your looking for treatment for PTSD. at least where I live there are no head shrinkers and damn sure none that speak english, so go to an internal medicine and your able to get your medication. Most GP's in Mexico will not write a prescription that is beyond there expertise and training they are held accountable, they won't even make adjustments to a higher trained doctors orders, lots of liability. And believe it or not the head shrinker type medicine is not always carryed by your local pharmacy and can be expensive even by Mexico standards. My medication for 1 month runs me $1,000.00 pesos of course you submit the receipts to the VA and about 3 months later you get a check, which you have to pay to cash


tonynico

Apr 1, 2011, 3:36 PM

Post #8 of 22 (10583 views)

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Re: [prorader] Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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I am a vet are you saying that the VA will pay for my meds in Mexcio? I thought I had to get my meds through the VA


robt65

Apr 1, 2011, 3:55 PM

Post #9 of 22 (10576 views)

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Re: [prorader] Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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Proraider,

Let me try to make it real clear. I never asked any reader of this post for any advice regarding PTSD. My comment to PTSD was your crass remark regarding the validity of Korean War veteran who apparently has this medical problem. None of which has anything at all to do with my original question. Secondly, you should be quite aware that (especially) in the Korean War, the atrocities were horrific. Before PTSD was ever correctly named, it was called "shell shock" a very serious psychological, psychiatric and medical malady, which can be very serious and in fact deadly in nature. It has many times been mistakenly passed off as malingering. I can tell you if you ever saw a heavy dose of shell shock or PTSD in a hospitalized military person, you would be stunned. Any serviceman or servicewoman who has contracted PTSD has my heartfelt respect and gratitude for serving our country. So until you either become a MD, or PHD specializing in PTSD, you might show a little gratitude instead of being so quick to defame a service person so struck. So suck it up and reach out with a hand to help and not slap any fellow service person who served his or her country honorably. And if you must know my personal service connected disability is asbestosis, a ninety percent hearing loss and now as of last month unique cataracts caused only be steroids (provided by the VA for my asbestos) which are now in turn leading to detached retinas. When I asked if there wasn’t other medications that could fight the asbestosis, I was informed that I had a choice. . . . . . . to see or to breath! Great choice. Oh and I forgot . . . . . . . also an amputee. Until I retired, I never took a public penny,Now my retired social security and my military pension are mine to use . . . . . . . I earned them. I always worked long days and earned every dime I made. I was one of the lucky ones . . . . . . . . I came back, many didn’t, some still haven’t, and some never will . . . . . May God rest their souls.
Robt65


prorader

Apr 1, 2011, 4:54 PM

Post #10 of 22 (10568 views)

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Re: [tonynico] Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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You pay cash in Mexico for your medication you then submit the bills to the VA's foregin medical department for payment to you. The info is on the Va's web site but not right up front. You fill out a request to them for service, they have your VA medical records transfered to them, they evaluate you status, they only approve treatment for service connected disabilities. They will send you a letter as to what they will pay for + an information packet as to cover letters and receipts and to where you send them. My local pharmacy gives me a signed blank receipt every month, I fill in the details as to medication and cost and send it to the VA from Mexico the whole process takes about 3 months to get a check and then like my bank no US checks go to exchange pay a fee and get your cash. It take a long time to get it started but after awhile you will get a check each month. The same goes for doctors and treatment only service connected disabilities


tonynico

Apr 1, 2011, 5:23 PM

Post #11 of 22 (10558 views)

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Re: [prorader] Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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I am a vet and have a vet med card but the issues I have are not service related. I guess it does not apply.

Tony


prorader

Apr 1, 2011, 5:24 PM

Post #12 of 22 (10555 views)

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Re: [robt65] Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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My friend Chill, those that where there and did there job knows what you are saying don't beat your head against the wall over stupid comments, this and many other boards, people sell advise about any and all things. Most think when they come to Mexico no body knows them so now they are old and they can be Col Patton, 11th ACR, Vietnam, or a General or maybe President, who cares BS is BS let it go brother


prorader

Apr 1, 2011, 5:29 PM

Post #13 of 22 (10547 views)

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Re: [tonynico] Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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I don't like it at all if I was in the US all of my medical, and perscriptions would be paid for but this is another country, ask me why who knows a vet is a vet no matter where they live but the same with Medicare you pay the price for living in Mexico, sometimes cheaper sometimes not but


mazbook1


Apr 1, 2011, 5:30 PM

Post #14 of 22 (10547 views)

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Re: [tonynico] Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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I'm certainly no expert on it, but I have several friends who are retired military living in México (with no service connected medical problems) who get decently reimbursed through TriCare, which seems be be something they as retired military all have. Other than knowing that they are getting reimbursed, I know nothing else about it.


prorader

Apr 1, 2011, 5:58 PM

Post #15 of 22 (10532 views)

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Re: [mazbook1] Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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Tricare does work in areas of Mexico but it is still pay as you go with reimbursment some time down the road it isn't easy either


robt65

Apr 1, 2011, 6:58 PM

Post #16 of 22 (10505 views)

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Re: [prorader] Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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Proraider,

Your information re: VA Foreign Affairs reimbursmen was excellent information. I thank you for that. What I do not lie si militgary slamming certain persons who have "only" PTSD and getting a pension for it. They deserve it as much as the Para or amputee or head trauma military vet.

I thank you a lot for the lead on the other information. It's a bit of a trick and certainly not right up front, I agree, but it beats the heck out of being away from wife and kids for two or three months at a time. It is a program and hopefully I will be able to get set up in it. We all may be out of luck if the budget doesn't get passed and the government gets shut down.

robt65


robt65

Apr 1, 2011, 7:04 PM

Post #17 of 22 (10500 views)

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Re: [mazbook1] Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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Hey Mazbook1,

Your retired military friends on TriCare are on a different military medical program. Military service connected medical problems are all handled through the Veterans Administration (VA).

robt65


robt65

Apr 1, 2011, 7:09 PM

Post #18 of 22 (10499 views)

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Re: [prorader] Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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I owe you an apology "proraider." It was not your crass remark about the vet with PTSD . . . . it was "sureboughts" remark. I apologise to you "proraider" for the misquote and again, I thank you for the heads up on the information in regards to the VA foreign affairs.

robt65


prorader

Apr 1, 2011, 8:11 PM

Post #19 of 22 (10486 views)

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Re: [robt65] Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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Well no big deal I am 70 PTSD, and 100% total I live the dream hour by hour and day by day, Viet Nam, Granada, Panama, and Iraq, my Mexican lady has no idea what to do she is total freaked out, pills and more pills sleep 2 3 hours wake up and walk, day better the panic attacks are better to deal with but not nice, I have been told over and over ther is no cure for what we have, the cure is death the end is near, sorry do not mean to be ugly but this is the real deal


prorader

Apr 3, 2011, 8:18 AM

Post #20 of 22 (10355 views)

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Re: [prorader] Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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For those that need this is it, these people are very nice so be nice to them, I think there is a total of about 5 people for the whole world. They automatically use a Spanish interpreter on claims from Mexico, english or not

VA HEALTH ADMINISTRATION CENTER
Foreign Medical Program, PO Box 469061, Denver, CO 80246-9061 USA
1 303-331-7590
hac.fmp@va.gov
Website www.va.gov/hac


PS: A nice helpful Doctor is a good thing, here. Also watch your prescribed medications, you get a lot of generic Mexican drugs that are not FDA approved. The VA will not pay you back for these, go on the internet to find the FDA approved generic and use that instead, a nice friendly pharmacy is also recommended, the one I have is a friend of the family, and they like your business every month more than likely to give you a discount and a do it your self receipt, don't get greedy


(This post was edited by prorader on Apr 3, 2011, 8:40 AM)


zapepper

May 11, 2011, 8:38 AM

Post #21 of 22 (8904 views)

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Re: [tonynico] Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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Hi,
I am a retired army sergeant living in Zapopan. I draw both military retirement and a 60% VA rated disability comp check. There is a program call the Foreign Medical Program, where you can apply through VA, and they will pay for treatment and meds related to your disability on a reimbursable basis. Unlike in the states, where with a 50% or higher rating, VA will take care of just about everything, the Foreign Medical Program (in my understanding) is limited to your actual service connected disability.
I use insulin for diabetes, and suck up the expense. Syringes and insulin run me about $80 a month, and that's all I use. If you are going for meds for PTSD, then the Foreign Medical Program is a good bet, because those meds are NOT cheap. It may take you a while to get reimbursed, but might be worth the effort to you. Check out the VA site on the web.
Also, if a new possibly service connected problem crops up, you can apply to VA and they will arrange for you to be examined here in Mexico, and pay for it. All that is run through the American Consulate here in Guad for us.

Good Luck

Gary
Of course I drink palomas, the tequila helps to get the Squirt down


robt65

May 11, 2011, 8:49 AM

Post #22 of 22 (8896 views)

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Re: [zapepper] Any Service Connected Disabled American Vets Getting Pensions?

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Hello zapepper,

I am 90% service connected soon to be getting 100% connected. do you happen to know how that work for when your family is also covered (such as under 100% service connected for the Vet, wherer your family's medical is also taken care of? Does it work the same go ahead and pay first and get reribursed for them?

robt65
 
 
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