Boot camp Question

J

jerseycowboy

New Member
Registered Member
Before I ask a question I would like to thank all those who have served and who are serving our country May the lord bless you and your families,, I have had this question on my mind for years now, and when I have asked it in the past I get so many different answers I don't what to think.... Back in Early Nov 1976 I enlisted in the USMC during Boot camp training I developed a hernia. They sent me to a doctor that could hardly speech English and it scared the crap out of me haha... They wanted to operate etc... I was really spooked about this being away from home and no speak thee English doctor.. so I decided to ask if I could have my own personal doctor take care of this.. they said yes but we have to discharge you.. I said well OK.. ( one of the biggest mistake of my life I regret it till this day 40 years later, I even have dreams re-enlisting to this day wish I could.) I was young immature at the time. So I was giving an Honorable discharge, DD 256 certificate, DD 214 showing NET Active service, total active service and total service for pay. So here is my question... Mind you back in 1976 things were a little bit different then they are today, I was wondering if I qualify for VA BENEFITS like health care. with this Obama care coverage its killing my wallet, and I was wonder if I would qualify... I was reading all the VA rules and according to this rule I will post here ..... QUOTE: (Length of Service Prior to September 8, 1980, there was no minimum length of service necessary to be considered a veteran for most VA benefits. However, for an individual who enlisted after September 8, 1980, there are now certain minimum length of service requirements. The general requirement is either 24 months of continuous active duty or the “full period” for which the service member was called or ordered to active duty.14) END QUOTE: With this being said I'm just wondering if my service in boot camp was ACTIVE DUTY or ACTIVE DUTY IN TRAINING, because it only states ACTIVE duty on my DD 214 plus the honorable discharge along with it... would they give me an honorable discharge with a DD214 if it was considered (active duty for training)? or wouldn't they stay it was ACTIVE DUTY FOR TRAINING ON THE DD 214? I appreciate those who took the time to read my lengthy question. Im not trying to promote myself as a seasoned veteran so please this question is not about me being a veteran but only being able to get VA health care if I qualify.. Thanks and God be with all of you daily.
 
Ok sir, from what I read about your question and the quote that you also submitted. Seems to me that if you go to the nearest VA Facility and register for benefits with the VA, they will be able to help you. Take your DD214 with you and since it states that you recived an Honorable discharge(regardless of training status or not) they should honor it and start the process. This would allow you to file a VA claim. I would suggest talking to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and they will provide further assistance to you. It may take a year to get some ratings back, but none the less the VA will have to treat you for your "service connected" disabilities. Hope this helps!
 
tasfighter22 said:
Ok sir, from what I read about your question and the quote that you also submitted. Seems to me that if you go to the nearest VA Facility and register for benefits with the VA, they will be able to help you. Take your DD214 with you and since it states that you recived an Honorable discharge(regardless of training status or not) they should honor it and start the process. This would allow you to file a VA claim. I would suggest talking to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and they will provide further assistance to you. It may take a year to get some ratings back, but none the less the VA will have to treat you for your "service connected" disabilities. Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
Thank you Tasfighter22 for you advice I guess I have nothing to loose for trying but my sanity I suppose haha Thanks for your thoughts once again. I just don't know if boot is considered active duty or Active duty training
 
jerseycowboy said:
Before I ask a question I would like to thank all those who have served and who are serving our country May the lord bless you and your families,, I have had this question on my mind for years now, and when I have asked it in the past I get so many different answers I don't what to think.... Back in Early Nov 1976 I enlisted in the USMC during Boot camp training I developed a hernia. They sent me to a doctor that could hardly speech English and it scared the crap out of me haha... They wanted to operate etc... I was really spooked about this being away from home and no speak thee English doctor.. so I decided to ask if I could have my own personal doctor take care of this.. they said yes but we have to discharge you.. I said well OK.. ( one of the biggest mistake of my life I regret it till this day 40 years later, I even have dreams re-enlisting to this day wish I could.) I was young immature at the time. So I was giving an Honorable discharge, DD 256 certificate, DD 214 showing NET Active service, total active service and total service for pay. So here is my question... Mind you back in 1976 things were a little bit different then they are today, I was wondering if I qualify for VA BENEFITS like health care. with this Obama care coverage its killing my wallet, and I was wonder if I would qualify... I was reading all the VA rules and according to this rule I will post here ..... QUOTE: (Length of Service Prior to September 8, 1980, there was no minimum length of service necessary to be considered a veteran for most VA benefits. However, for an individual who enlisted after September 8, 1980, there are now certain minimum length of service requirements. The general requirement is either 24 months of continuous active duty or the “full period” for which the service member was called or ordered to active duty.14) END QUOTE: With this being said I'm just wondering if my service in boot camp was ACTIVE DUTY or ACTIVE DUTY IN TRAINING, because it only states ACTIVE duty on my DD 214 plus the honorable discharge along with it... would they give me an honorable discharge with a DD214 if it was considered (active duty for training)? or wouldn't they stay it was ACTIVE DUTY FOR TRAINING ON THE DD 214? I appreciate those who took the time to read my lengthy question. Im not trying to promote myself as a seasoned veteran so please this question is not about me being a veteran but only being able to get VA health care if I qualify.. Thanks and God be with all of you daily.
Click to expand...
Just would like to add one more thought... I was reading on another site that ACTIVE DUTY IS CONSIDERED FULL TIME SERVICE 24/7 and ACTIVE DUTY FOR TRAINING IS for those who are RESERVIST does that make sense if so then I would qualify because I was full time... and I believe it would have started from day one...am I answering my own question? haha Can anyone confirm this ? thanks much
 
Veterans are placed in categories by the VA for medical care. So being a veterans and being accepted by the VA for care doesn't mean you can get all your care through the VA.

Priority Group 1
  • Veterans with VA-rated service-connected disabilities 50% or more disabling
  • Veterans determined by VA to be unemployable due to service-connected conditions
Priority Group 2
  • Veterans with VA-rated service-connected disabilities 30% or 40% disabling
Priority Group 3
  • Veterans who are Former Prisoners of War (POWs)
  • Veterans awarded a Purple Heart medal
  • Veterans whose discharge was for a disability that was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty
  • Veterans with VA-rated service-connected disabilities 10% or 20% disabling
  • Veterans awarded special eligibility classification under Title 38, U.S.C., § 1151, "benefits for individuals disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation"
  • Veterans awarded the Medal Of Honor (MOH)
Priority Group 4
  • Veterans who are receiving aid and attendance or housebound benefits from VA
  • Veterans who have been determined by VA to be catastrophically disabled
Priority Group 5
  • Nonservice-connected Veterans and noncompensable service-connected Veterans rated 0% disabled by VA with annual income below the VA’s and geographically (based on your resident zip code) adjusted income limits
  • Veterans receiving VA pension benefits
  • Veterans eligible for Medicaid programs
Priority Group 6
  • Compensable 0% service-connected Veterans
  • Veterans exposed to Ionizing Radiation during atmospheric testing or during the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
  • Project 112/SHAD participants
  • Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9,1962 and May 7,1975
  • Veterans of the Persian Gulf War who served between August 2, 1990 and November 11, 1998
  • Veterans who served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987
  • Currently enrolled Veterans and new enrollees who served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998 and those who were discharged from active duty on or after January 28, 2003, are eligible for the enhanced benefits for five years post discharge.
Priority Group 7
  • Veterans with gross household income below the geographically-adjusted income limits (GMT) for their resident location and who agree to pay copays
Priority Group 8
  • Veterans with gross household income above the VA and the geographically-adjusted income limits for their resident location and who agrees to pay copays
 
Thanks for the info ChaplainCharlie, I was just making sure I"m qualified but I did go down there today and registered and we shall see what transpires. anyone with imput please feel free to comment...
 
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