They need to apply for a service connected disability. They need their military health records to prove disability. For example tinnitus is a 10% disability. I believe once in system with the service connected disability they should quailify for VA health care as well as Tricare. I have both, retired in 1992, started the disability process in 1995.
Your medical records from active duty are critical. Sprained ankles, bad back etc. while in service.

I am 20% DAV with only 5 years in the Air Force. I have VA medical but they do not cover dental unless you are at least 40% DAV. They did just supply me with top of the line hearing aids from Starky labs with no cost. The problem is they are so backed up here in Panama City that I have to wait at least 2 months for an appt. So I just go to a clinic in town and have my Post office medical cover it. I am not old enough for medicare yet but my wife is. I never received a bill before my wife got medicare(now I have to resend bills in constantly before they are finally paid!).

You husband was probably like me, didn’t go to hospital/sick call for every little achy thing and now realize’s we should have. VA really for disabled vets regardless of time serviced. (IMO VA discriminated against retirees). If his DD214 was clean and he had no medical condition when retired now he will have to prove medical related condition that was caused by service to get VA benifits, `good luck with that.

Tricare for life along with Medicare should take care of all you’re and his medical needs except what you mentioned, even to get dental through VA that’s special requirement. I had 21 years active and was told same thing.

Medicare and TCL has done everything I expected it to do. If your husband has cataracts Medicare and tricare will pay for removal and corrective lens so he won’t need glasses other than to read depending on his condition?

Dental? you out there with worthless dental plans.

Try contacting the United Way in Leesburg. Ask for Tracey Schoomacker (I know I'm spelling this wrong but it sounds this way.) He is a veteran who guides veterans to get the benefits they deserve. He is a good place to start. I wish your husband and you the best with this.

The VA was originally established to care for injured soldiers and their widows and children but not for their healthcare. If you are a service connected veteran, you get free care for the service connected disability no matter how much you make. If you were in for 4 years and were never injured then you do not qualify for any healthcare. Obamacare made it possible to choose the VA as a provider if you met other criteria. The VA was never sold as a healthcare program for people who were not injured while on duty or retired with other medical benefits.

Traditional Medicare and coverage for eyeglasses:

Eyeglasses Coverage

There are many filling out false incomes

And false claims. :shocked:

Any additional award should be retroactive. He would receive a lump sum and an increased monthly award if the % is increased.

One of your subsequent posts on this topic may have shed a little more light on your dilemma. You mentioned that your husband spent about five years on active duty, and then the remainder of his time was spent in the National Guard.

If you retire from the National Guard, the rules surrounding healthcare are a little bit different. You may want to review the following:

https://www.tricare.mil/-/media/File..._Retire_Br.pdf

Yes, but you miss the point.....

I served 3 1/2 years active duty in the Navy '65 thru '68. Two years Vietnam. I went to the VA when I was around 64 or 65 years old, armed with my DD214. All I told them was that I wanted to register with them in the event of a service connected disability in the future. No problem. They gave me a once a year checkup which I co-payed $50. As it t.urns out, I now have several service connected disabilities due to Agent Orange. The VA had me go to a third party for medical analysis and prior to that I went to the Sumter County office off of Rt466A and met with an exceptionally efficient VSO who filled in all the blanks and gave me good info.
So now I get a disability payment and all my service connected disabilities are taken care of by the VA with no co-pay.
But I would recomment the Sumter County VSO. Pay him a visit (appointment needed). He will get you on track.

The VA
 

Not even close !

For the best information I suggest you contact the Sumter County Veterans Service center and make an appointment. They should be able to help you and your husband clarify the info out there.

The Villages Sumter
County Service Center

7375 Powell Road
Wildwood, FL 34785
Phone: 352-689-4400
Hours

Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Appointments only.

Think of all the Nam guys who had issues for years, with so called false or nothing claims.

Now compare numbers of Nam guys killed in action with died from effects of AO. No black wall with their names