FAQ
1. Can I get my prescriptions through the VA?
Yes, once enrolled through a VA Medical Center and authorized to receive treatment
at the Yale Clinic if it is of preference, an outpatient appointment with a primary
care provider will occur. At that time a treatment plan will be initiated, which
may include pharmaceutical regimen, which may be filled at a VA pharmacy.
2. Can I get my prescriptions filled that my private physician prescribed?
 Not
directly. Unfortunately, only few eligible veterans may, but generally speaking
not. Prescriptions is not a benefit by itself, it is apart of treatment provided
by authorized VA care providers. However, you may hand-carry your prescriptions
to your VA Medical appointment and share your concerns with the VA Care provider,
he/she may prescribe the same if possible or he/she may not. You also may speak
with your private physician and discuss any prescriptions prescribed by the VA care
provider. Seeking treatment through a VA Facility does not ban you from receiving
treatment elsewhere.
If you have a service-connected disability and are unable to travel to a VA Facility
due to your service-connected disability you may apply for Fee-Basis (authorization
to receive local private care) or if you have been determined by the VA as housebound
or Aid & Attendance status you may apply for Fee-Basis as well.
Contact a St. Clair County Veterans Affairs counselor if you have questions or need
assistance.
3. I heard about the fire that burned my military records, can I obtain a copy of
my military discharge?
A record of military discharge (DD Form 214) may be available at one of the following
locations: your local county clerks office, the State of Michigan, or the National
Personnel Record Center.
Yes, there was a fire at the National Personnel Records Center. Not all records
have been destroyed. On July 12, 1973, a fire destroyed about 80% of the records
for Army personnel discharged between November 1, 1912, and January 1, 1960; about
75% of the records for Air Force personnel with surnames from Hubbard, James E.
through "Z" discharged between September 25, 1947, and January 1, 1964.
Due to this event, a Records Reconstruction Department has been created to attempt
to research from other records and reconstruct a military record; hence a record
of discharge. Unfortunately, the records in which are being researched were not
stored by a military serviceman's name, but by unit, organization, and date.
State of Michigan Record Request
Request to NPRC
Obtain military
records On-line
4. I am a Merchant Marine and served during WWII, am I eligible for VA benefits?
If so, how do I start?
Under Public Law 95-202, The Department of Air force approved active duty service
for certain WWII Merchant marine Seamen effective 1/19/88. Merchant Marine Seamen
who served under the Coast Guard, naval Transportation Service or Army Transportation
Service, inactive oceangoing service during the period fro 12/7/41 to 8/15/45, are
eligible to receive discharge certificates. Each of these services will issue DD
Form 214's, Certificate of Discharge or Release from Active Duty, or DD Form 1300's,
Report of Casualty, as applicable.
Complete a DD Form 2168 and forward it to 1 of 5 addresses provided in the instructions.
A DD Form 214 is required to apply for veteran's benefits. Once you obtain your
DD214, contact our office for appointment and a counselor will assist you in the
application for veteran's benefits. Click here
to download DD Form 2168
5. I have a question that was not answered here, how can I get more help?
If you have any more questions, please feel free to post them to our message board
under "Questions - Ask them here".
Click here to view our message board
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