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Returning Combat Veterans
Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom: Returning Combat Veterans
James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center is ready to provide health care and more to our newest Veterans returning from the armed forces. Even if you are still on active duty or an activated member of the National Guard or Reserve, you can receive care and benefits.
Am I Eligible?
Combat Veterans, including activated Reservists and members of the National Guard, are eligible if:
- You served on active duty in a theater of combat operation during a period of war after the Gulf War or in combat against a "hostile" force during a period of hostilities after Nov. 11, 1998.
- Your discharge classification was honorable, general or under honorable conditions.
- You were ordered to active duty by a federal declaration, served the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty, and have separated from active military service on honorable, general or under honorable conditions.
- You were discharged from active duty before Jan. 28, 2003, and applied for enrollment on or after Jan. 28, 2008 (you are eligible for these enhanced benefits until Jan. 27, 2011).
What Are My Medical Benefits?
Veterans have five years from their date of discharge to receive:
What Are My Benefits After Five Years?
After the five years, your co-payment status will depend on whether your illness or injury is considered service-connected. To receive care that is not service-connected, you must make co-payments and disclose your prior year gross household income. (You may choose to decline to provide your financial information.)
What About Dental Benefits?
Combat Veterans may receive dental treatment as reasonably necessary for the one-time correction of dental conditions if:
- You served on active duty, and your discharge classification was honorable, general or under honorable for a service period of at least 90 days.
- You were not provided a complete dental examination (including dental X-rays).
- You did not receive all appropriate dental treatment indicated by that examination within 90 days before your date of discharge.
- You submitted an application for VA dental treatment within 180 days of discharge.
What Happens If I Don’t Enroll Within Five Years?
Your eligibility for enrollment and subsequent care is based on several factors, including:
- Compensable service-connected disability
- VA pension status
- Catastrophic disability determination
- Your financial circumstances
Unless otherwise exempted, combat Veterans must disclose their prior year gross household income or decline to provide their financial information, and agree to make applicable co-pays for care or services that the VA determines are clearly unrelated to their military service. While income disclosure by a recently discharged combat Veteran is not a requirement, this information could allow for additional benefits such as eligibility for travel reimbursement, cost-free medication and/or medical care for services unrelated to combat.
Contact Information
If you have served in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom, please contact us in any of the following ways:
Phone:
Call us at (814) 940-6384 with any questions or inquiries about available health care services.
In Person Visits:
Report to the Central Registration area at the VA Medical center in Altoona.
We have appointed special staff to assist you in your transition.
Tim Kananen, Christine White, David Petrak
Please contact:
David Petrak, OEF/OIF Program Manager
(877) 626-2500, extension 7215
Tim Kananen, OEF/OIF Case Manager
(877) 626-2500, extension 7182
Christine White, Poly-trauma Case Manager
(877) 626-2500, extension 7133
VISN 4 Transition Patient Advocates:
Richard "Buzz" Bryan
(412) 302-4817
Bill Smathers
(412) 551-9651
Download a copy of the VISN 4 Returning Combat Brochure.
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