Anthony Radetic, a combat Veteran who served as an Army Blackhawk Helicopter pilot and a member of Special Forces, was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident in 2004 while stationed at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Although his injuries left him with complete paralysis of both of his legs, he was not eligible to receive a payment under the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection Program (TSGLI) because he was not deployed in support of either Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) or Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) when his accident occurred, a stipulation of the original legislation governing the program.
TSGLI became effective December 1, 2005 and was designed to provide payments to severely injured Servicemembers who suffer a qualifying loss due to a traumatic injury. TSGLI payments range from $25,000 to $100,000 depending on the severity of the injury. For those injured on or after December 1, 2005, TSGLI provides payment for qualifying injuries regardless of the geographic location where those injuries occurred. Originally, TSGLI also provided retroactive payments for those injured between October 7, 2001 and November 30, 2005, but only if the injuries occurred while deployed in support of OEF or OIF.
Since being injured in 2004, Mr. Radetic has been very active in the National Disabled Veterans Winter and Summer Sports Clinics, and recently participated for the first time in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. While attending the Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass, Colorado in February of this year, Anthony had the good fortune of meeting Allan McDonald of The Prudential Insurance Company of America. Prudential, which partners with VA to provide life insurance coverage to Servicemembers and Veterans, was a corporate sponsor of the Winter games. Prudential executives and managers attended the games to conduct outreach to disabled Veterans about VA life insurance programs.
After learning his story, Mr. McDonald told Anthony about the passage of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2010 that removes the requirement that injuries incurred during the retroactive period must have occurred while serving in support of OEF/OIF. Since Mr. Radetic’s injury was caused by a motor vehicle accident in Alabama during the retroactive period, this change to the TSGLI program, which will take effect on October 1, 2011, will allow Anthony to be paid the benefit soon after that date. When Anthony heard the news that he would receive the TSGLI benefit for his injuries, he commented, “This is awesome news, it doesn’t get much better than that!”
Although Anthony was on active duty when his injury occurred, National Guard and Reserve members who were injured during the retroactive period and suffered a qualifying loss are also eligible for a TSGLI payment, even if the cause was not related to military service, such as a civilian automobile accident or severe injury which occurred while working around their home.
Ruth Berkheimer is an Insurance Specialist at the Philadelphia VA Regional Office and Insurance Center.
Topics in this story
More Stories
The Social Security Administration is hoping to make applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) a whole lot easier, announcing it will start offering online, streamlined applications for some applicants.
Yusuf Henriques, an Army Veteran and former combat medic, is the founder and CEO of IndyGeneUS AI, a genomics company on a mission to improve health equity by increasing representation of women and racial minorities in clinical trials.
Online shopping scams are the riskiest scam for Veterans, with 77.3% of reports confirmed losing money when targeted by this scam.
My husband was hit by 3 IED’s in Afghanistan (2010) and was not seen in country for any TBI issues. He was eventually medevac’d out for a non-combat related broken elbow. When he came home in Nov 2010 it was evident that he had something wrong with his brain. Now I am his full time caregiver, he cannot work, he needs help with 5 ADL’s and he’s been this way for 17 months. We applied for TSGLI for the ADL’s he can’t do….we sent all the required paperwork and were denied. Do you have any advice for appealing it?
I was wounded in Iraq July 1, 2004, took shrapnel wounds to the hand and in 2005 I was released from the military honorably. I was diagnosed with TBI and PTSD in 2007. I spent 21 days in VA Palo Alto psych ward because they had no were else to keep me. I was there because of my TBI and PTSD. Can I file a claim with TSGLI?
After getting hit with a 61MM Mortar, being knocked out and Med Evac’ed with Thriteen pcs of schrapnel on a stretcher for days, told I would not walk again and pushed my self on crutches. Met all of the requirements for TSGLI. I had my packet complete with my Medevac records all the way back to the US in the care of nurses and various doctors and flight medics along the way. When I returned home I had a Civillan Orthopedic Surgeon examine me, 29 X-rays and a very thorugh examination and reccomendation for extensive physical therapy, of which I recieved one session at Ft Stewart Hospital. I rehab’ed myself. My civilian doctor that examined me when I came home reviewed my med records and signed of on my packet for TSGLI! Even wrote an extra letter stating that he a medical professional witnessed my loss himself. I was denied. I just don’t get it, everything is a fight! I wish I could afford a laywer at this point, I have fought for all of my benefits since I came home, I was on rated 10% from the army at the MEB process, given a severance (which I had to pay back with my VA disability monies) and the rated 30% from the VA! from 2004 until I moved to Central Florida in Aug 08. Then re-rated….. It’s just a fight everywhere I turn with this. I along with everyone reading this post served with honor and respect. Now we have to fight for everything we can get, scrape the walls and,,……………….. UGGGGHHH! Thanks for listening gang, sorry I was ranting for a while there….
Cheers,
Joe
Hi Joe,
I understand your frustration very well. I am a nurse who specializes in certifying TSGLI claims. Currently, I am working for an attorney in Colorado who has filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of servicemembers who have been denied TSGLI benefits. Our website is: http://www.williammuhr.com/law-cases/
Feel free to contact us!
My husband was injured by an RPG that hit his HUMVEE, he was out cold for 45 minutes and thought dead but once he woke up he was checked over and gave Motrin for his pain but sent back in to combat in his condition…when the company returned to CONUS he was given an ultimatum to have an xray show why he was in pain or face malingering charges…it showed 4 ruptured discs in a row and a possible spine fracture…he was given a surgury and then told that he would suffer from Chronic Pain the rest of his life…he can’t put his own shoes and socks on and he has a really hard time getting up on his own…the first time I applied for him for TSGLI he was denied. I gave up. He was diagnosed with severe PTSD…and his cognitive issues and weakness in his extremeties were said to be from his PTSD…until we saw a civilian doctor who said “NO, the issue is that he has a mild TBI in conjuction with his PTSD. But the VA won’t rate him for both because he was rated 100% for PTSD they won’t rate for both. I applied for Aid and Attendance this year cause NO ONE ever told me that this program existed and he was rated as incompetent. Can I now finally get TSGLI for my veteran? He’s had dressing issues all along but I didn’t get the incompentent rating until this month because no one told us about it and these issues were overlooked in his C&P exam although they rated him for his Chronic Pain at that time…so how do I prove his ADL issues lasted longer than 120 days which they have?
Hi,
Three years ago, while my husband was at drill, SANGB, he picked up a ration pan of water, and broke his back. As the result, he is paralysed. He is a 32 yr vet. Well, he applied for the TSGLI benefits, and was denied twice. This is terrible, not just for my husband, but for the other thousands of Army personnel that has been denied this benefit, for no fault of their own. These honorable men and women put their lives on the lines, and paid for this benefit, out of their earnings, and it should be provided. I will be going on a writing (and if possible, go to Washington, in person) to see why these guys and gals aren’t getting the TSGLI benefits.
What about those that got sick as a result of the sulfur fires in OIF 1? I have called and spoken with the TSGLI office (got tired of my emailes being returned because of a full mailbox) and checked all of the guidelines. I was hospitalized for 13 days between Landstuhl, Ramstein, Brooks, and Andrews. I have gotten gradually worse with what is now being called Constrictive Bronchiolitis. I understand that this program is to help those that have been tramatically injured. However… Its not like I fell off a truck or got hurt playing football for PT. I was on a mission and I got sick as a result of what my BN medical company told us was okay. I have been hospitalized 8 times in the past 2 years. Im 31 years old now and have the endurance of a 75 year old. There will be no ball playing with my 2 boys or swimming with my 3 girls. Im confined by my nebulizer and sometimes oxygen. I dont see why illnesses such as mine arent covered by this. To be honest with you I feel like its because of the couple hundred of us that are dying from this have no visable wounds. I understand what the Vietnam vets are going through with agent orange. Im sorry but this is just frustrating to me and the few I know that are in the same boat as I am. I am greatful that TSGLI is taking care of the vets that have lost limbs or been burned but there are vets who are still just as bad off that are not being taken care of.
Is there a place within to VA/DOD or any that have doctors to help fill out the TSGLI paper work. I know part A is easy just fill out your info but part B requires a doctor to fill out and the limb salvage needs the actual surgeon to sign. I was hurt in 2005 in a motorcycle wreak, was treated in a military hospital and now 6 years later none of my doctors/surgeons are still there. I’m just not to sure many doctors are really gonna read my 600+ pages of medical records to fill this out unless the VA has doctors that do just that.
If you are able to get your family doctor to complete Part B. There are no designated VA doctors for filling out Part B, although you may call or visit your local VA hospital to see if their doctors will complete Part B for you after reviewing your medical records. If you are unable to get a doctor to complete Part B, you should still sumbit your claim with all relevant medical records that document your loss. For example, you should include any hospital discharge summaries, any notes from surgeries you had etc. You do not need to send all 600 pages of medical documentaiton…only those that show your loss.
READ THIS ITS GOOD INFO:
I contacted the TSGLI contact info a few days ago about my previous claim filed in 2006. This claim was denied because it was not directly related to OIF or OEF however, it was a traumatic event. I spoke to a rep who gave me incorrect information. She was uneducated on the change effective 1OCT 2011. I politely hung up from her and called back in order to speak to someone who knew what they were talking about. I talked to Leslie….She was high speed. She had an answer to every question I asked.
The first female I spoke to informed me that I do not have a claim on file with them. Leslie informed me that it will not show up in their system because files older than 2008 have been achieved and will not show up in the new system. I asked about this claim being reopened and she said they have to manually look at each and every one.
What I am doing is taking my old file which I have a copy of to include over 200 pages of medical documentation and sending that in along with a new claim form. I am completing a new form as well as some of the criteria has changed. A Big one is the 15 days in the hospital =$25,000. If you wait for them to look up your old file you may be waiting a while. If you do not get the answer you are looking for call back talk to someone else. Leslie was awesome…the other person….I would fire!!
People should read the guidelines before posting on here!! Read the deadlines for when the program started. If you think you qualify submit an app or call the office to see. We have paid into this program in order to hopefully receive the benefits if injured. If you were injured in the 1970s for instance and have read the guidelines your not eligible….mainly because this program was just put into effect and its something we pay for!!!
If I could I would work for this program I would. I am a former NCO, I have a job and am not job shopping but calling an office like this and being misinformed is critical and unacceptable to the point where if they called me and offered me a job I would consider it. Does anyone know of any vets groups who fights for things like this that one can get involved in?? I am not an active vet in any organizations but things like this make me want to start making a difference.
PS if you comment on this thing and get the code you have to enter wrong it will erase your entire content that you typed copy and paste this into a word doccument first!!!!
you can join the purple heart, in your local town within the va to actively participate with volunteering your services to assist other veterans. god bless you for the motivation and willingness to help………addt’l blessings will follow you : )
I had a gun shot wound in Sept 2001 I have T.B.I. I was stationed @Ft. Stewart, GA this happened before my unit went to Afghanistan now my question would I qualify for the TSGLI I currently get VA comp.
The law provides that TSGLI benefits are payable only for losses due to injuries incurred on or after October 7, 2001. Since you indicated that your injury occurred while you were in the service in September 2001, it does not appear that you would be eligible for a TSGLI benefit.
Sadly, total/partial paralysis due to ALS and other similar service connected diseases still don’t qualiify due to the lack of a “traumatic” injury. The TSGLI law requires an injury resulting from an external force. The end result of the damage or harm to the neurological system from ALS is just as devastating and results in death within 3-5 years. Why isn’t the VA working with law makers to adjust the egibility requirements to include SC diseases?
ALS incurred by a service person is covered by the VA, regardless of the service person’s period or length of service. ALS is a presumptive illness by the VA. Anyone with ALS should see a qualified Service Officer to file a claim with the VA.
I am a DAV Certified Service Officer. After reading all of the foregoing comments, I encourage any Veteran who wants to file a claim with the VA to visit a service officer. In addtion to the DAV, many other Veterans Organizations, such as the American Legion, VFW, and Military Order of the Purple Heart, have service officers who can help you AT NO COST. A complete list of VA-qualified veterans organizations can be found on page 2 of VA Form 21-22. You can see this form by going to www. va.gov/forms, then enter 21-22 in the search box, and click on the result, which is in .pdf format.
I was injured in 2005 Had two operation on my right shoulder i had my shoulder replace with titanium is this consider a limp loss
Ruth, we all appreciate these one on one responses! It is so hard to be treated so well. Thank you again!
All you paople asking about eligibility: You can always click on the link in the article that says Traumatic Injury Protection Program (it’s in blue) and the VA, yes the VA will provide you with this information. As for most of you, probably not. This is for veterans with serious injuries. It’s not like disability, you actually have to prove that your life is disrupted.
I have a TBI, PTSD, Degenerative Spinal disease, I have a caregiver and she is now entered in the caregiver program. I found out that I am also qualified for Aid and Attendance benefits. It is a 2 page document and anyone at the VA cacan help you, but my suggestion is file everything with the help of a paid VA Reresentative because all of your files will be saved. As in the past several of us disabled vets have found sometimes the service officers from the Legion,VFW and DAV are helpful but they sometimes quick and sometimes you can say bye bye to your records. Use the VA they will have your records regardkess who resigns, gets fired or transferred.
i has two surgeries when i was in the military in 99 and i was only approved for 10 percent disibility but they preformed the same surgery on both legs. my legs are giving me more pain and now my back has been giving out on me and it makes it hard for me to stand for periods of time. i went to get my legs revaluated and i was denied an increase due to i have no hospital record to support my suffering. i dont have the money to afford the hospital bill ad the nearest va hospital is an 2 hour from me. i dont have transportaion to get to those distination so i deal with the pain! now the pain is getting to painful for me. what can i do to get help or who do i need to talk too?
Regarding TSGLI, the law provides that TSGLI benefits are payable only for losses due to injuries incurred on or after October 7, 2001. Since you indicate that your medical problems began while you were in service in 1999, it does not appear that you would be eligible for a TSGLI benefit. Regarding your other issues related to medical care, we suggest you call 1-800-827-1000.
I had a parachute jump NOV 2001 on Ft. Bragg, hit my head on landing, saw stars, medevac to the hosp. Put on quarters for a week. Later service connected for TBI for that incident. Does this incident qualify?
We thank you for your service to our country. It appears from your description that you suffered a traumatic injury. While there is a TSGLI loss associated with TBI, it is impossible to tell if you would qualify. You would have to file a claim with your branch of service and provide medical evidence of the loss. The loss has to have occurred within two years of the injury. The link below will provide detailed information about TSGLI, including what losses are covered, and provide instructions in the event you wish to file a claim. http://www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/TSGLI/TSGLI.htm
Do you have to be hospitalized to receive the benefit? In 2008 I was walking to work and fell down some icy stairs. I went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with 5 herniated discs. The emergency room doctor did not screen me for a TBI but I was diagnosed with a brain injury several months later. After my discharge from the ER I spent the next month bedridden. My wife had to dress me, bathe me, help me get out of bed, and assist in the bathroom. After the first 30 days I was able to walk short distances (less than 50 yards) and spent the next 2 months after that going to my primary care physician/chiropractor 2-3 times per week.
You do not have to have been hospitalized in order to be eligible for a TSGLI benefit. If you were on active duty or in the reserves and were covered by basic SGLI and you suffered any of the payable TSGLI losses within two years of the date of your injury, you might be eligible. The link below will provide detailed information about TSGLI, including what losses are covered, and provide instructions in the event you wish to file a claim. http://www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/TSGLI/TSGLI.htm
I was MEDDVAC to WRAMC from Germany during deployment in 2004. I had brain surgery then developed meningiti/w dementia. I then had to get a crainotomy. I submitted all my original records to the VA and it was all denied. Am I elgible for TSGLI or anything? Please help, I was neglected by WRAMC and was made to retire, even after my doctors at Bethesda said I was not to be discharged.
We thank you for your service to our country. TSGLI provides benefits for losses that occur due to traumatic injuries. Based on the limited information we have, it is impossible to determine whether you qualify for a TSGLI benefit. The link below will provide detailed information about TSGLI, including what losses are covered, and provide instructions in the event you wish to file a claim. http://www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/TSGLI/TSGLI.htm
My son recently retired from the Air Force. He enlisted in 1991 and retired this year after 20 years. About 5 years ago he hurt his back while on duty, which required surgery. It was done by a civilian doctor. A year later he required another surgery. He now is in constant pain as a result of the injury. At times he is unable to work (at his civilian job). He has applied for disability from through the VA but hasn’t heard anything yet. Would he quality for the TSGLI program? If so, would it effect his VA disability?
Thank you
READ THE GUIDELINES IT CLEARLY STATES WHAT IS COVERED AND WHAT IS NOT. LOOK AT TIME FRAMES WHEN INJURIES OCCURRED.
We appreciate your son’s service. TSGLI provides benefits when there is a loss due to a traumatic injury. If your son had such an injury that resulted in one of the payable TSGLI losses, and this can be substantiated with medical evidence he could be eligible, but it is impossible to tell from the limited information. Please use the following link to determine whether your son sustained a loss that is covered by TSGLI. Regarding your question about whether receiving a TSGLI benefit would effect a VA disability compensation claim, the answer is no. They are separate programs. http://www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/TSGLI/Schedule/Schedule.htm
I have a question about this TSGLI. I was wounded in 2004 in Iraq and was medically discharged from the Army in May 2006 but thanks to the NVLSP I will be medically retired soon. I was hit by some schrapnel and smacked my head pretty good, I have schrapnel in my left knee joint, inside of my left thigh, 2 in the buttocks, 1 in my lower back and the VA diagnosed me with a TBI 3 years ago. The Army never performed these tests to see if I had a TBI but now that it is official….what can I do about TSGLI?
The loss from a traumatic injury has to occur within 730 days (2 years) from the injury. If you can provide evidence of the injury and medical records that document the loss in this time frame, you should file a claim with your branch of service. They will determine whether you are eligible for a payment.. You may access further information about TSGLI by clicking on the following link.http://www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/TSGLI/TSGLI.htm
My husband has a TBI from a Auto accident while serving inthe USMC in 1977. He is receiving VA benifits at 80/20 for 100% unemployable. Can we file for compensation for his TBI since it is a result of that accident?
1977??? LOOK AT THE TIME FRAMES THAT COVER INJURIES.
TSGLI is payable for qualifying injuries that occur on or after October 7, 2001.
Back in Oct 2009 when i was in the Navy Reserve i was at home and suffer a massive stroke and bleeding of the brain. I haven’t been able to go back to work. I had to retire from the Navy Reserve. Do i qualify for anything?
A BIG THING YOU SHOULD LOOK AT IS HOW LONG WERE YOU HOSPITALIZED, IN ADDITION TO OTHER THINGS
TSGLI is payable for losses that occur as a result of a traumatic injury caused by an external force. TSGLI does not cover illness and disease, including stroke, unless the stroke is a direct result of a traumatic injury.
I am 100% permanent and total disable veteran…I was injured November, 4 2005. I was also diagnosed with ptsd and tbi (tramautic brain injury). I was injured from a ied blast. What do I do to seek retro benefits fo my tbi
First, let me thank you for your service and the sacrifice you have made for your country. The Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) program covers a range of specified losses, which you can view at http://www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/TSGLI/TSGLI.htm. If, you had any of the losses listed on the TSGLI schedule of losses and you meet the additional eligibility criteria, then you may be eligible for the benefit. The website will provide instructions on how to file a claim.
In early 2001 I injured my left eye on while serving onboard a Air Craft carrier causing the retna in the left eye and some some tears in the right eye. After surgery to repair he damage my eyesight isn’t the same in the left eye making it very difficult to read, I am only able to read because of my right eye. I currently at 40% disability with 30% of it is for my sight. Does this injury qualify for this benefit.
We do thank you for your service to our country. The Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection program (TSGLI) provides benefits for losses due to injuries that occurred on or after October 7, 2001. If your injury occurred in that time frame, you can view the specified TSGLI losses covered at http://www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/TSGLI/TSGLI.htm to see if you might qualify.
Is the VA reviewing the claims for service members that were previously denied due to being out of the former dates for non combat injuries?
Example I was injured in July and October of 2005 TSGLI was filed for me at WRAMC and denied due to being injured too early to qualify.
I have asked several people and no one has been able to give me a definitive yes or no on this. I need to find out if I have to re submit my claims.
Your branch of service should review your claim. You should not have to resubmit your claim. However, if you have not already been contacted by your branch TSGLI office you should follow up with them. What is your branch of service?
Army
I have sent emails still waiting for a response.
I am following up with the Army TSGLI office as well, and will let you know what I find out.
Anything?
what if you were in iraq up by ballad and no one knows whats wrong but have 100% for about 20 diffrent items, and i am on the gulfwar syndrom list
I think the program is wonderful to assist veterans who suffered from traumatic injuries. The flaw which has everything to do with what’s right and wrong involves a service members right to benefits of the program if military medicine caused their TBI, disabling them to the extent of a 100% perminent and total rating by the VA. Service members are not entitled the same rights relating to negligence or virified malpractice by military medical professionals. My case is one which casts so many shadows of doubt, mystery, and wrong doing it amazes me. I qualify for the max for TSGLI, however, since my condition was viewed as “An Unforeseen Outcome” as a result of a simple surgery I am disqualified. It is amazing that a trooper who experiences an act of neglect on themslelf-an arm, leg, fall, auto accident etc…- can qualify. But a service member who experiences a questionable or negligent act by Army Medicine is not even investigated by any review boards, CID, or Army Medical Department Activity. My TBI- a severe hemmoragic stroke- was the result of an act of uncermountable ethical malice yielding in a cover-up during the lack of post-surgical care based on ignorence. Of course, this service member who had to learn to see, eat, walk, talk, and speak again after years of ongoing theropy does not deserve the same treatment as the service member who looses a leg from a fall off a ladder. I have not plan of this being published, but I will not stay quiet any longer. SM’s who are victim to military medical negligence should be compensated, wspecially if they wre set for a second deployment.
I was Injured In iraq in april 2004 with an i.e.d. blast To my face and neck. They had to do a bone graph from my hip to my lower jaw an they had to place a titanium plate on half of my jaw and i lost so facial tissue. Would i be intitled to the benifit.
First, let me thank you for your service and the sacrifice you have made for your country. The Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) program covers a range of specified losses, which you can view at http://www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/TSGLI/TSGLI.htm One such benefit is for Facial Reconstruction. We can’t tell from your description whether or not you would meet the requirements for that loss. We suggest you visit the website to see if you meet the criteria for this or any of the other losses listed on the TSGLI schedule of losses.
My husband and I served in OIF. Shortly after my husband left the military, he developed a serious heart condition that is unexplained. He is was 25 years old at the time and was diagnosed with end stage heart failure. Our doctors from the University of Wisconsin Heart Transplant Team state that there is plausible evidence to suggest that his military experience contributed to his illness. He now has a Left Ventricular Assist Device and is currently listed for a heart transplant. My husband was forced to medically retire and is totally disabled because of the device that is keeping him alive. He was denied VA compensation benefits and we have filed an appeal because he has a presumptive illness. Is he entitled to these benefits?
First, let me thank your husband for his service and the sacrifice your husband made for our country. The Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) program covers a range of specified losses, which you can view at http://www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/TSGLI/TSGLI.htm. However, these losses must have been the direct result of a traumatic injury. The TSGLI program does not cover losses due to physical or mental illness and disease, which would include heart disease.
We just received a phone call from our Congesswoman this morning and we were told that my husband was found 100% service connected.
I will make it short and sweet: ALL VETERANS of ALL WARS or CONFLICTS deserve to be COMPENSATED for all or ANY TRAUMATIC INJURIES that he/she ocurred while serving in the MILITARY of The United States of America. Why are just the present Veterans being treated differently?? All Veterans have had some sort of Traumatic Injury during their tour of duty for the United States of America!!
I AGREE….TSGLI is something we now have to pay for in order to receive….kind of like guys who were in before the GI bill do not get the benefits that are currently availiable.
Using the GI Bill benefits to explain TSGLI does not work.
The insurance was not available to some vets serving in the time since and before 9/11. So Congress made it retroactive to cover this class of vet.
Any vet before this moveable date does not get the insurance, despite the fact that our limbs are just as valuable and just as gone as the new guys.
It is not at all like the denied GI Bill benefits except the are both denied.
Congress can do anything it wants, it needs the will.
I was Injured On active duty Deployed 2004 had surgery, My Stander-ed of Living has went from 110% strong and active to 30% active after the Injury and cant do things I use to Do.
I read the TSGLI and It said If you cant do things on your own Like putting on your shoes or dressing, I cant Run cant do situps only have 47% bending ability’s cant Lose weight Due to I cant Train went from 215 lbs to 298lbs . I was a Martial artiest for over 10 years I Hold Gold Medals over 3 years running cant Do any training any more, Why is it My injury’s are not accepted under TSGLI stander-ed my family has had great loss Monetary VA has me at 60% Disabled 4 kids a wife I make $1219 a month I was a Iron Worker made $1200 a week before I deployed. I know Lots of other Soldiers Need More Help Than My self and My Family God Bless them and there sacrifice’s.
I think when Your Stander-ed of Life gets Stomped out more than $1219 a month is deserved. But I’m Just a Vet what Do I know ?
Justin, I would like to get more information from you about your injury to see if you qualify for TSGLI. If you can provide me with your email address, I will contact you for that information.
usacwboy8@yahoo.com
how can i get this started, i was injured twice and was thrown out of the army on pearl harbor day last year on a chp 18 instead of the injuries being fixed so i could stay in the army, i really loved my job not the people i worked with i have nerve damage in my left arm, a knee leaking fluid, and fluid in my left shoulder. i passed my pt tests, only for them to be altered
harassed, hazed, right before i was thrown out
i have ptsd and tbi as well from time in iraq.
Let me thank you for your service and the sacrifice you have made for your country. The Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) program covers a range of specified losses, which you can view at http://www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/TSGLI/TSGLI.htm.
If you had any of the losses listed on the TSGLI schedule of losses and you meet the additional eligibility criteria, then you may be eligible for the benefit.
I was recently diagnosed with PTSD and recieve 30% disability. I also have a undiagnosed stomach illness due to the conditions while deployed to Iraq. I was deployed in 2003. Several of the men in my unit have the same symptoms I have from this illness and I have a certifed letter from the corpsman joined to our unit stating this is a problem that needs attention. How do I find out if I’m entitled to benefits?? Please help
Please Email Me so I know you got this Ruth Thanks.
Justin
Hi Ruth Contact me at usacwboy8@yahoo.com Thanks
Justin
I am 100% total and permanently disabled and retired from US Navy in 2004. I was on active duty when I suffered from PTSD and the manifestation of the illness surfaced in 2004 just before I quit drinking alcohol. Since I was on active duty from 2001 through 2004 would that entitle me to this benefit? I have social and employment impairments because of the conditions.
First, let me thank you for your service and the sacrifice you have made for your country. The Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) program covers a range of specified losses, which you can view at http://www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/TSGLI/TSGLI.htm. Because the TSGLI program was loosely modeled after commercial accidental death and dismemberment policies, certain conditions such as physical or mental illness and disease, including PTSD, are excluded from coverage. If, however, you had any of the losses listed on the TSGLI schedule of losses in addition to your PTSD, and you meet the additional eligibility criteria, then you may be eligible for the benefit.
My husband was a Vietnam vet, agent orange related and 100% military related problems. He fell many times, and two years ago had a tramatic fall that resulted in him being in the VA Hospital for three months and then a VA Nursing Home until his death in March of this year. He even fell several times in the nursing home while in his wheel chair and the last fall really finished him off. He was in hospital for a week and then went back to the nursing home for “comfort care” which is a lot like hospice. Would that be considered for the insurance situation? JP
I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. Please accept our deepest sympathies and know that we are grateful for your husband’s service in Vietnam. The law enacting the Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) benefit made the benefit effective December 1, 2005, with a retroactive provision for those who were injured in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. While this recent legislation made TSGLI retroactive to October 7, 2001 for all qualifying injuries regardless of where they occurred, an individual must have been in the service at the time of the injury. It does not appear, since he served in Vietnam, that your husband was in the service on or after October 7, 2001. If your husband was not in the service when he fell, he would not have qualified for the TSGLI benefit.
The programs and benefits made available to OEF/OIF veterans are a long time coming and are exactly where I want my tax dollars spent. However, programs like the Post 9/11 GI Bill, TSGLI or the VA Caregiver Program need to be made available to ALL veterans of all generations, not just OEF/OIF veterans. ALL veterans deserve these benefits. This discrimination is incredibly frustrating for the veterans of previous eras and their families who continue to suffer years and decades later.
See still the OEF/OIF vets not any that came before. I still don’t think that is fair to the VietNam vets and their families and I will continue to make my voice heard until something is done. My husband has Organic Brain Syndrom which his mental health Doctor says is the same as TBI but since he is not an OEF/OIF vet he isn’t entitled to S-T.
I understand your frustration. However, the law that enacted TSGLI made the benefit payable only for Servicemember injuries incurred on or after October 7, 2001. Your husband may be entitled to VA Compensation benefits for his condition if he isn’t already receiving them. You can call 1-800-827-1000 for more information or go to http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/compensation/index.htm.
That 1-800-827-1000 is nothing but computerized information. I have called the phone number many times but you can’t talk to a real person, even when you push the button to speak to an V A Rep, the message is “we are not taking any calls at this time, please try again later.” It is a waste of time.
YOU MAY HAVE TO GO INTO A VBA OFFICE, OR YOU MAY GO TO VA.GOV AND SEND AN EMAIL TO THE BENEFITS DEPARTMENT.
QUIET AS KEPT YOU MAY ALSO SEND A LETTER TO THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS: HON. SHENSKI IN WASHINGTON D.C.
MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT IF YOUR CONCERNS HAVE MERIT YOUR LETTER WILL BE PROMPTLY FORWARDED TO THE APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENT FOR PROMPT ACTION/RESOLUTION.
WE MUST LET THOSE IN AUTHORITY KNOW OF OUR FRUSTRATION SO THEY MAY TAKE STEPS TO EASE OUR FRUSTRATION.
I AGREE I have a difficult time actually speaking to someone from the VA it makes you not want to keep trying back maybe that is their plot to get you to not contact them
My husband had knee surgery after one deployment and shoulder surgery after the other the requirement of being hospitalized for 15 days disqualifies him and I helped him while he was home. He has also be diangosed with mTBI and PTSD what can we do about that
Shari, here’s a link to our PTSD site: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/ and our Mental Health site: http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ You can find information on counseling, PTSD programs, etc. Hope this helps!
TSGLI does work but they will deny you first and make you over prove your injury through an appeal before they will pay out. I broke my shoulder in theater, was medi-vac to the states for six months, sent them all LOD’s, PT notes 45 pages in short and I still have to file an appeal. This I guess is to be expected of Prudential insurance. Insurance is mandatory on Soldiers and believe me they get their money on time, every dime. But claims/pay-outs are a battle to get what is promised in writing. Prudential uses terms to suite them for lower payments. But these terms are not provide to the soldier in writting so you can’t hold them to it. They will tell you something like “limb salvage does not cover constructive surgery on broken bones but only in the case you would have lost the limb”.
Good luck to all