Veteran’s Son Gets Medical Benefits After 58-Month Fight

In Florida, veteran service officer (VSO) Marc McCabe’s office took the lead on a deceased veteran’s claim related to his son, who was born with spina bifida. A complicated and drawn-out case, the claim had previously been denied by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

In an interview, the child (now age 52) said that his father promised him and his mother that the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) would take care of him. And they did — members of the office made multiple trips to a regional office in Denver and VA’s central office to pursue the claim.

After 58 months of back-and-forth, a grant was finally approved. Compensation was awarded back to the original date of the claim 10 years prior, plus 10 years. The veteran’s wife received a direct payment of $199,000 overnight and will receive ongoing payments.

Compensation for the out-of-pocket costs paid for medical care — estimated at approximately $750,000 — is still being negotiated. The veteran’s wife was appreciative and emotional for the work and dedication that VVA put forth during the years-long odyssey.

Contact a VVA Veteran Service Officer to assist with your claim in states that have a benefits program here, or search for a VSO from another organization through the VA’s website in states where we do not. Enter your ZIP code or city and state, and you’ll see which VSOs serve your area.