I have some bad news...

[cleduc]

23. Some questions:

1. You said

"My dad worked until his health wouldn't allow for it anymore - as he was eventually ruled 100% disabled by the U.S. Government due to Agent Orange & PTSD, which he was exposed to in Vietnam."
...
"Well Grandpa died in '02 and Grandma a year later. At that point, however, my dad's health had declined markedly. He was generally housebound and my mom, once again, found herself taking care of someone she loved. "
...
"Well, like I mentioned, Dad died at the end of '10. "

So my first question:
Was the cause of your father's death clear cut in that it was "due to Agent Orange & PTSD" (war wounds)?

I don't know the rules for sure but I thought I read somewhere that there was a difference in how they would treat your mother if your father's death was related to the wounds he suffered. It might be something to ask about if you haven't already. Maybe your family doctor could help you if there's an opening.

2. You said this:

"My mom collects roughly $10,000 in Social Security - so, $2,000 more than the income required to be eligible."

According to this site:
http://www.payingforseniorcare.com/longtermcare/resources/veterans_pension.html

When determining countable income, veterans should deduct all of their allowable medical related expenses for themselves and their spouses. This includes the cost of skilled nursing, assisted living, home health care, Medicare or other insurance premiums. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and welfare benefits are not countable income.

Again, I don't know the rules (and that is not a VA site yet it maybe worth you reading that page) but that clause seemed to defy what they seemed to have told you re social security. Again, I'm not sure and maybe it's just something you could ask.


My grandfather served 15 years, in the Boer War and in WW1 (as did several direct members of my family in both World Wars). He was disabled from the first German use of Phosgene gas, shrapnel wounds and getting his back broken when the hospital he was in was intentionally bombed by the Germans (they targeted hospitals back then). The doctors couldn't resolve the chronic bronchitis from the gassing nor his broken back. He couldn't walk 100 yards and ultimately slowly suffocated, wheezing to death in the years that followed WW1. His disability was 20 cents per day ($2.87 per day in 2010 dollars) plus medical. My grandmother got cancer and predeceased him. My 15 year old mother was left parent-less and can't recall seeing a dime. She was sent off to live with relatives 1,500 miles away.

As that was nearly 100 years ago, you'd think they would have figured out something better by now so folks like your Mom wouldn't fall through the cracks. Like my grandfather, your father made something pretty close to the ultimate sacrifice that just took it's time to conclude but was preceded with years of suffering by him and his loved ones.

So to some limited extent, I can relate. I'm so sorry. I wish you all the best. I hope the VA can reconsider your Mom's case.