VA Question

[quietus]

I\'m hoping someone here might have an answer to a VA question. My brother got discharged from the AF 2 years ago. His DD214 says that because the AF did not take care of his wisdom teeth while he was in that the VA will cover his teeth. So he called the VA and they told him that he should have applied within 90 days of separating. This was not something he was in all his transition briefings so he\'s trying to find out if the VA is full of crap (in this instance at least). I\'m hoping somebody might have had some experience with them with something similar.

Thanks for the help.

quietus

[donwon]

When I got out in 66 I had some bad teeth and they were gonna fix them for me.

I signed a releas form so they would not mess with my teeth anymore and they let me get out.

I had to pay for it later.

[Herkeng130]

The VA has been very good to me (A rarity?) The only thing they have not fixed were my teeth...and honestly, I am not sure I want them to touch them.

Everything else I have had work done to has been top notch!

[GaryRobinson]

The care I have received from the VA has also been very good. However, most people are not covered for dental care from the VA. There are very specific requirements. You need to check the VA web site below.

http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/

Eligibility for VA dental benefits is based on very specific guidelines and differs significantly from eligibility requirements for medical care.

You are eligible for outpatient dental treatment if you meet one of the following criteria:

If you: You are eligible for:

Have a service-connected compensable dental disability or condition Any needed dental care

Are a former prisoner of war Any needed dental care

Have service-connected disabilities rated 100% disabling or are unemployable due to service-connected conditions Any needed dental care

Are participating in a VA vocational rehabilitation program Dental care needed to complete the program

Have a service connected and/or noncompensable dental condition or disability that existed at the time of discharge or release from active duty of at least 90 days during the Gulf War Era One-time dental care if you apply for dental care within 90 days of separation from active duty and the certificate of discharge does not include certification that all appropriate dental treatment had been rendered prior to discharge.

Have a service-connected noncompensable dental condition or disability resulting from combat wounds or service trauma You are eligible for needed care for the service-connected condition(s).

You have a dental condition clinically determined by VA to be currently aggravating a service-connected medical condition. You are eligible for dental care to resolve the problem.

You are receiving outpatient care or scheduled for inpatient care and require dental care for a condition complicating a medical condition currently under treatment. You are eligible for dental care to resolve the problem.

Certain veterans enrolled in a VA Homeless Program for 60 consecutive days or more May receive certain medically necessary outpatient dental services.