Independent voices from the TWT Communities
Dear Sgt. Shaft: I will be converting to Medicare/TRICARE For Life next year at age 65. (TRICARE is the health care program serving uniformed service members, retirees and their families worldwide.) My wife is 10 years younger. Will she be able to remain on TRICARE Prime until she also reaches age 65?
Dear Sgt. Shaft: I need your assistance with my VA claim for heart disease, which was denied by VA for reasons that are not at all clear to me. Thanks for whatever you can do.
Dear Sgt. Shaft, I just learned that is it planned to remove TRICARE prime for retirees that live more than 40 miles from a military base and put us on TRICARE standard. Since this a 80/20 type payment, will there be any supplement plans offered to cover the 20 percent that isn't covered by TRICARE standard.
Dear Sgt. Shaft: I need help and advice, I am three months in remission and have had chemo with Rituxan five times since my diagnose of ischemic heart disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 2001. I was not in Vietnam but in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1973 and the U.S. Air Force from 1973 to 1979. I was stationed at U.S. Army Fort Dix in N.J., U.S. Air Force Base Mather in California and Keesler AFB Biloxi in Miss. I have uncovered that these three military sites were exposed to Agent Orange as well as other chemicals. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Dear Sgt. Shaft: My name is Elisabeth. I am 30 years old and married to the man of my dreams. Unfortunately, my 29-year-old husband has ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease), which is a service-connected terminal illness. He was diagnosed almost exactly one year ago today. Over the course of this year, I have watched him go from a vibrant, young man full of promise and life to a man barely able to walk, swallow or talk.
Dear Sgt Shaft: I am currently in the Homeless Domiciliary program at the Coatesville VA Medical Center (CVAMC) in Pennsylvania after getting treatment for PTSD [Post Traumatic Stress Disorder] and other conditions related to my service in Iraq. I am writing you for assistance to help fellow homeless veterans.
Dear Sgt Shaft: My name is Carol H. I contacted you some time back seeking assistance in proving my case that my husband, Ralph Huey, actually served in Vietnam and was exposed to Agent Orange. He died very young from lung cancer. I just wanted to let you know that on March 30, 2011, I appeared in person in Washington, D.C., to present my case. I just received notification last week that I had won. I am so grateful.
Dear Sgt. Shaft: I am a 60 percent disabled vet. My disability comes from serving in Vietnam and having prostate cancer. I suffered a stroke two years ago. I was wondering if there is any validity to the rumor about some sort of caregiver compensation law. I would very much appreciate any help you can give me on this matter.
Dear Sgt. Shaft: The USS Weiss APD 135, I feel, should be on the Agent Orange exposure ship list also. It was the only class of ship with that designation at the time and could have been easily overlooked.
Dear Sgt. Shaft: I need some information on artillery third corps veterans with lung disorders.
Dear Sgt Shaft: My husband is military -- six years active duty Marine Corps and 13 National Guard Reserve. He is currently receiving a medical military discharge for a back injury sustained during his last activation for deployment.
A 56-year-old man was charged with evidence tampering Sunday in connection with the slaying of a wealthy Florida couple known for adopting children with developmental disabilities, the Escambia County sheriff said.
A new national suicide hot line will allow veterans to seek help for mental-health crises 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) said.
