Sgt. Shaft

SGT. SHAFT: Veteran’s widow seeks information regarding husband’s benefits

Dear Sgt. Shaft: I am the widow of a deceased veteran. My husband was rated as priority 8 in the VA health care system. After he died in April from Type II diabetes and ischemic heart disease, I contacted our local VA representative about possible benefits because I knew he had been exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

September 17, 2013

SGT. SHAFT: Divorced veteran seeks help getting full retirement benefits back

Dear Sgt. Shaft: I have spent more than $12,000 on private attorneys trying to fix what was done to me during my divorce when I was not represented. After spending all that monthly income, which I was able to resave with my new wife, I cannot afford to pay for more lawyers, as I am now a 100 percent disabled wounded warrior with PTSD.

September 10, 2013

SGT. SHAFT: Veteran’s wife seeks help for husband with multiple sclerosis

Dear Sgt. Shaft: I am writing concerning my husband, an Army retired veteran and myself as his 24/7 caretaker.

September 2, 2013

SGT. SHAFT: Veteran’s spouse will be able to continue on TRICARE Prime until age 65

Dear Sgt. Shaft: My wife and I are both enrolled in TRICARE Prime. When I turn 65 and become eligible for TRICARE For Life, will my wife who is 9 years younger still be eligible for TRICARE Prime? If so, how much will it cost us?

August 27, 2013

SGT. SHAFT: Veteran’s medical claim held up at VA

Dear Sgt. Shaft: I was recently medically discharged from the Army with a preliminary 100 percent disability. I was stationed at Fort Polk in Louisiana and was under the VA's care for 200 days prior to being discharged. My claim is being held up over a picture of my neck scar.

August 20, 2013

SGT. SHAFT: Woman who had leg surgery gets confusing info about TRICARE health insurance

Dear Sgt. Shaft: On Saturday, July 20, at 7 p.m., my 18-year-old son accidentally plowed into me while I was standing at the top of a two-stair entrance with a wooden floor in my house. I landed, fracturing both lower bones of my left leg.

August 13, 2013

SGT. SHAFT: Veteran should check eligibility for TRICARE Prime health insurance

Dear Sgt. Shaft: I retired from active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard on June 1, 2013, after 30 years of service. I then moved to the metro Cleveland, Ohio, area. I did not apply for TRICARE Prime since I was told that on Oct. 1, 2013, all retirees in this area will be forced onto TRICARE Standard.

August 6, 2013

SGT. SHAFT: Former soldier frets that she may be stuck with medical bill

Dear Sgt. Shaft: I served in the Virginia Air National Guard and had TRICARE Reserve Select. In October of 2012, I had some blood tests done through my doctor's office. To my knowledge, I was covered under TRICARE Reserve Select. I had also paid for my coverage up until January of 2013.

July 30, 2013

SGT. SHAFT: Veteran to get full retired pay if divorced spouse precedes him in death

Dear Sgt. Shaft: My first wife was awarded 37.5 percent of my military retired pay at the time of our divorce. My question is: Will I receive my full retired pay if she precedes me in death?

July 23, 2013

SGT. SHAFT: Ex-wife not entitled to benefits based on veteran’s service

Dear Sgt. Shaft: My ex-husband served in the Army for two to three years. I was married to him for 11 years. Am I entitled to any VA benefits? I was recently diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and was wondering if I am entitled to medical benefits.

July 16, 2013

SGT. SHAFT: Veteran seeks info on TRICARE For Life eligibility

Dear Sgt. Shaft: I am currently 56 and have to wait until 60 to draw my retired pay. I am drawing Social Security Disability and have Medicare. I am also married. Do I or do I not qualify for TRICARE For Life now based on my disability with Medicare?

July 9, 2013

SGT. SHAFT: VA will lend a hand to disabled veteran who wrote letter

Dear Sgt. Shaft: Thank you for your inquiry on behalf of Mr. Ben B. regarding the health care services available to him at the Kansas City VA Medical Center (KCVAMC) and his family's need to purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

July 2, 2013

SGT. SHAFT: Veteran wants to add new wife to TRICARE For Life health care

Dear Sgt. Shaft: I would appreciate it if you would answer a question for me. My wife is deceased, and I am wondering how long it will take for my new wife, if I remarry, to come under TRICARE For Life.

June 25, 2013

SGT. SHAFT: Daughter of veteran with Lou Gehrig’s disease seeks VA help

Dear Sgt. Shaft: For three years, my dad has been battling with twitching and a weakness that started in his leg. He went to the VA doctors first in Des Moines then in Kansas City. For over a year, they told him he had just had a stroke and sent him to therapy for it. Six months ago, they finally diagnosed him with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and said it was caused from Agent Orange from serving in Vietnam.

June 18, 2013

SGT. SHAFT: Navy veteran seeks more info on TRICARE health care

Q: What is happening with TRICARE? (TRICARE is the health care program serving uniformed service members, retirees and their families worldwide.) My wife went to her annual physical and was told "Methodist Hospital is no longer a preferred provider for TRICARE." She asked, "Is this more fallout from UnitedHealthcare taking over TRICARE West?' and was told "Yes."

June 11, 2013

SGT. SHAFT: Veteran seeks correct terminology in submitting VA claim

Dear Sgt. Shaft: What is the correct terminology to use when disagreeing with the denial of the VA claim? There are many different opinions as to what words to use to keep the original date of claim rather than have the date change to the date the notice of disagreement is submitted.

June 4, 2013

SGT. SHAFT: Veteran with prostate cancer seeks help with VA claim

Dear Sgt. Shaft: Last year, I contacted you for assistance with my VA claim because in March 2011, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and on June 2, 2011, my prostate was removed. I submitted a VA claim in Virginia, which was lost.

May 28, 2013

SGT. SHAFT: Veteran seeks answers about wife’s TRICARE For Life health benefits

Dear Sgt. Shaft: Thank you for a most informative column. However, the more I read and the more I ask the question, I become more confused. So does my wife, in the matter of our health insurance cost after the age of 65.

May 21, 2013

SGT. SHAFT: Veteran seeks help for hearing loss

Dear Sgt. Shaft: I have a veteran that has severe hearing loss that made two tours on the flight deck of the USS Bennington in the early 1960s. The VA says he has hearing loss but has no proven nexus to his military service. Are these guys nuts?

May 14, 2013

SGT. SHAFT: TRICARE For Life administrator seeks to help reader in distress

Dear Sgt. Shaft: My name is Jim Schwartz. I work for TRICARE For Life in the Priority Benefits Department. I have recently read your last article from Mary W. in Toledo and thought that I might be able to help. Could you provide me with contact info for Mary or give her mine? I will see what we can to help her out.

May 7, 2013