I Got My DD214, Discounts, and Benefits?

[SweetMK]

I finally sent away for my DD214, it arrived yesterday.
I got it specifically to get the Lowes discount.

After "googling" about discounts, I found there are quite a few,,,

Veteran & Military Discounts: 90+ Spots Where Heroes Get a Discount

So, I ended up with two open questions:

1) where do you like to get a military discount?
2) do you use the VA medical?

I am currently on Medicare health insurance,, is there any benefit to signing up for VA medical?
I talked to a buddy yesterday, he was in the Navy about the same time as me,,
he uses the VA for an annual physical, and to get his medications.

Actually, the Salem Virginia VA medical center is as close to me as any medical center.

Is there any reason NOT TO seek VA medical care?
I ask that, because there is a procedure for dis-enrolling in VA medical care.

So, What is your opinion,, what should I use my form DD214 for?

 

[richardw]

Other than discounts, which can be meaningful, the DD-214 just serves as proof of enough active service to be classified as a veteran.

As for VA medical, if you are in Medicare you can use you VA benefit as a supplement to cover the 20% that Medicare does not cover. Depending upon where you live you might be able to,use it in other than a VA hospital. You need to speak with a VA office to get the details. It can get complex.

The downside of VA medical is the quality varies depending upon facility. Some of them give inferior care and others are up to par. I don’t think any of them are among the best. The Philadlelphia VA Hospital is OK for routine things. In 2009 I contracted a serious bacterial lung infection that required surgery to clean out the lung and a month of antibiotic treatment. I did not go to the VA Hospital. Went to a teaching hospital with top notch docs. But when I broke a bone in my foot last year I went to the VA.

 

[Whitwabit]

What happened to your copy of DD214 from when you were discharged ??

I still have all of my military records from the 60's .. including several copies of and the original DD214 ..

The farm store in town gives a good discount for Vets one day a month and for seniors 1 day a month .. and some local restaurants give a 10% discount to both ..

 

[fiasconva]

SweetMk, you can go to the DMV and get a veteran's card for $10. Take your DD214 and they will send you a card that looks just like your Dr's license. It works at a ton of places here in Va.

 

[Old Seabee]

VA

Let me name a few Glasses - Hearing aids - Get blood tests yearly and send to your Dr . Don't know where you were or anything you might be able to get compensation ? OldSeabee

 

[eb07]

I use mine for 10% off at lowes. Attached to my mylowes card. Otherwise nothing else.

 

[Marine Corps Air]

I also use mine at both Lowes and Home Depot.

I had to obtain a completed form from the State of Georgia Veteran's Assistance office for my driver's license. I'm not sure whether or not any states offer any veteran benefits for CCLs/CWLs.

Brownell's and Bud's Gun Shop (Louisville KY) both provide reduced prices to military veterans and LEOs.

Bill

 

[SweetMK]

Don't know where you were or anything you might be able to get compensation ? OldSeabee

During Vietnam, I was "busy" on the USS Hawkins (DD873) guarding the Med, Guantanamo Bay, Jamaica,,, etc,,,

I even made it to the Black Sea,,,

Somebody had to do it!!

 

[richardw]

The Black Sea! Damn man back thenthat was as close hazardous duty as one could get on a ship. It eased off, but I think it must be the same today under Comrade Putin.

 

[SweetMK]

The Black Sea! Damn man back thenthat was as close hazardous duty as one could get on a ship. It eased off, but I think it must be the same today under Comrade Putin.

Our ship pulled into Samsun Turkey, on Thanksgiving Day, 1971.

Turkey, Thanksgiving Day,,, that made it easy to remember,,,

Our ship was the first US ship to pull into that port since before WWII.

It seemed like EVERY man had a floor length coat,, and they all had a long gun, or a sword under the coat.

I did not stay ashore in Samsun long!!

Rota, Spain was more my speed,, then Barcelona,,,

 

[richardw]

Our ship pulled into Samsun Turkey, on Thanksgiving Day, 1971.

Turkey, Thanksgiving Day,,, that made it easy to remember,,,

Our ship was the first US ship to pull into that port since before WWII.

It seemed like EVERY man had a floor length coat,, and they all had a long gun, or a sword under the coat.

I did not stay ashore in Samsun long!!

Rota, Spain was more my speed,, then Barcelona,,,

Love warrior sailors. Semper Fi.

Loved Barcelona too. Was ferried there by guys like you. Go Navy.

 

[Marine Corps Air]

Update:

I thought that I might have better news for you, but I am not sure. However, all of the states are different. For example, in the State of Georgia there is no vehicle registration fee, license plate manufacturing fee, or annual fee for the veteran or retiree. A second license plate costs $20.00 for the manufacturing fee, with a $20.00 annual fee.

https://veterans.georgia.gov/sites/..._files/site_page/marine_retired_plate_web.png

However, the State of Virginia does have special license plates for your vehicle:

"To be eligible, your service record must reflect the experience or honor reflected by the license plate.

When you apply for a military plate in Virginia, you'll need proof of your eligibility, such as your discharge papers.

Most military plates have a plate fee PLUS regular registration or renewal fees. Plate fees vary, for example:
• U.S. Army license plate: •$10 to order.
• $10 to renew.

• Bronze Star license plate: $10 to order.
• Former POW plates are free.

You can personalize a military plate for additional fees.

For a complete list of military plates, eligibility requirements, and fees, see the Virginia DMV website. "

Types of Special Plates in Virginia | DMV.org

The good news is that the license plates are usually "Branch of Service" specific, which is a real plus for all of us.

Bill

 

[Muley Gil]

If you elect to drop Medicare and then later on decide to pick it up again, there is a 10% penalty, per year, for every year you were not under Medicare.

 

[dualsportdaddy]

VA Medical

I have been going to the Va Medical center in Saginaw Michigan and have had the best treatment possible. I have been 100% with them going on 5 years. I also have medicare only because I want to be sure I'll always have some kind of medical care, I hope. I dropped my private health care, it was getting way less bang for my buck. You know all those co-pays. If I need more expert help they sent me to the Va hospital in Ann Arbor Mich. They have everything there. Saginaw Va is great.

 

[steveno]

I was TDY to Incirlik AB for Thanksgiving week in 1971 for some stuff related to the navy being in the Black sea

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4jQhnXrWbg[/ame]

 

[yellowtr]

My DD 214 was filed with the county clerk when I returned home. I have the original + about 10 copies the clerk made for me.
When I signed up for the Lowes discount, all I did was go on-line and gave them my date of separation. I did not have to produce any other information other than name address. Now I am registered at any Lowes in the country by my cell phone number.
Before they had the on-line registration, I just showed them my VA id.

 

[Jebus35745]

I have the VA card, Lowe’s prefers it over the dd 214. Got a supplement to cover what Medicare doesn’t pay with no deductibles. Ask every place you go to see if a discount applies. The local Ace hardware has it registered with my curtesy card. I get pills only from the Vets and thank God I don’t need many. Do the yearly physical to keep your benefits.

Too many horror stories using the Vets for total medical coverage. Will use regular medical like the past. Larry

 

[BearBio]

My DD 214 was filed with the county clerk when I returned home. I have the original + about 10 copies the clerk made for me.
When I signed up for the Lowes discount, all I did was go on-line and gave them my date of separation. I did not have to produce any other information other than name address. Now I am registered at any Lowes in the country by my cell phone number.
Before they had the on-line registration, I just showed them my VA id.

1. The on-line site wouldn't take mine. Said I had to go in. Took less than 5 minutes. Had to get a "Lowe's Card" (NOT a credit card!) and both are linked by my phone number.
2. Show a copy of my DD214 at Home Depot on certain days for discount.
3. I have Federal Blue Cross/Blue Shield (carries over into retirement) and Medicare A, so I don't need the VA.
4. Used my DD214 to "Buy back" military time to add to my Federal retirement.
5. Of course, Federal benefits as a vet for employment are no slouch!

 

[LostintheOzone]

I'm not sure what the clinics have to offer. I applied several times for care there and was rejected both times. They means test you and assign you to one of about eight categories. If you fall in the last category you're out of luck. I applied when I was working to get hearing aids and was turned down. Now that I'm retired and on Medicare I don't really need the clinic so never went back.

I always thought all that was required was that you were a vet. Not true. Like you I was in the Navy but was never in country. That's one of the criteria that places you on the ladder of eligibility with the clinic. Another is your family income, both you and your wife combined. It was a real learning experience to be sure.

There are actually two administrations inside the dept. One manages the clinics/hospitals and one manages the disability claims. They don't talk to each other and run entirely two different systems with their own records. I had way more luck with getting a service connected disability than I did with the clinic but it took years, not months. If you have a service connected disability you might have better luck with a claim as I did. That side of the system isn't means tested. You can go to the American Legion and get some help with your claims. They are strong advocates for vets and know what it takes to get a claim approved. I'm now a member of the AL and strongly suggest you at least talk to someone there about your benefits. The VA is a poor place to get information. I have the impression that they are trying to discourage vets from getting health care instead of actually helping them. Just my opinion. USN 67-71.

I don't know about any other discounts, never looked into it.

 

[SweetMK]

OK, a new question for you Navy guys,,,

The wife and I were watching "El Camino Christmas" on Netflix.

The wife sees the one guy's metal ID tags from being in the service,,,
and she asked me where my ID tags were,,,

I told her, I do not think I EVER had any ID tags,,,
Am I right or wrong??



(NOTE: the movie "El Camino Christmas" ended up being a pretty good action flick,, original to Netflix!)