If someone in the US military is wounded in combat (or at all, while enlisted), does the VA Hospital not pay for their care and rehabilitation?

Yes, the Federal Government does provide for the health and well being for those soldiers injured in a declared war.

This fundraiser may be for a family member. I would check it out a little more closely.

GQ and GA John.

He may have to go to a VA hospital for medical care. The family may be opting to have him more local and they are asking for help to pay for out of VA medical care.
He should also be receiving VA disability benefits. They probably won’t replace his pay, but they will help.
I get suspicious when people try to raise money this way. You are right to be asking these hard questions. Keep digging until you figure out where the money is actually going.

I would also wonder if this is for in home care if the family cannot do it all by themselves and the VA has limited resources for in-home aftercare.

This soldier’s name is John Curtin and he received the Purple Heart in Feb. 2011. They say he may be two years in the hospital. There are fundraisers in my area. If you want to google it I just checked by googling John Curtin Purple Heart and some things came up that I did not read yet.

My father had medical through the military while active duty, it was not VA, which might work differently. What I can tell you is when he needed heart bypass surgery, the military hospital closest to us which would be the place to have the surgery done, the cardiology department was under investigation, and was not doing surgeries, so the military paid for him to have surgery at a civilian, very reputable, hospital.

Also, I worked at a private psych hospital, and the VA sent us patients because the local VA had limited services for patients who needed inpatient care.

Generally the VA will pay for care that is related for an illness or injury related to military service (known as “service-connected conditions”) If he has a purple heart, then I would suspect he is in a high benefits category. However, as @Judi said, the VA will pay for care given at a VA facility. Only if certain conditions are met can someone be reimbursed for care given outside the VA system.

Is it possible that the fundraiser is for other things, such as room and board for someone staying with him, or for a service that the VA can’t provide at all?

(Disclaimer—I am a full-time VA physician.)

This triggers my memory of people giving money to the families of 9/11 victims, I gave a check to a coworker who lost his brother, and later finding out they received a significant amount of money from the government.

@JLeslie, I gave (on about 9/13) to an organization called 9/11 Orphans Fund. They still maintain an office in my town and I think I donated to a life long high paying job for some shady opportunist.

@Judi I don’t regret what I personally gave, only because it was person to person and I cared very much for the specific person, so the money was a showing of direct concern, that I was thinking about their loss. Plus, I did not give very much, it was more like a thought that counts kind of gift. But, as your example shows, there are opportunists out there.

Does the VA pay for building a ramp for a wheelchair or for a house to be renovated to accommodate a wheelchair? I’ve heard some proper crap stories about things the VA won’t cover. Some types of rehab when it comes to head injuries was one example.

I wouldn’t hesitate in bringing over what I could if it was a family I knew.

I am all for the benefits that the military receive and deserve. I would give to them as I have here locally to help. All costs are not covered and they always can use help.

@cazzie There is a special grant that veterans can apply for that covers renovations.

If they’re active duty, generally they’ll go to active duty hospitals.

@jca I found a forum pertaining to this particular hero and his family (mother, father et al) is seeking funds for travel expenses. He is in a medical facility in Washington, DC, and the family must pay their own travel expenses from Wisconsin, pay for meals and make up for time lost from work etc.

From the website: “3–11-11, Check out the photo of a handsom, young man, a weary family still blessed to have him & President Obama under PICTURES. There is more information to add but for right now I will tell you that a very special woman, with credentials through the roof reached out and extended herself today. She was the blessing of the day. She took significant troubles and problems off the families plate and is handling them. She is not only an angel but a true LADY. When you stop believing & give up hope someone will reach out to you and guide you. There are services that the military covers and then there are gaps that need to be filled and you can’t figure them out. Housing is an issue for the family members and things need to be worked out. John will move to Malone House upon his discharge from Walter Reed. He is covered to have 1 family member be with him. Arrangements are being handled by this special woman to see if some accomodations can be made for the other family members to remain close by. This will be on a temporary basis. But any support or resolvement is appreciated and welcome. John will remain at Malone House until he is able to function on his own which is where the long road ahead begins. Fund raising will bring these things together. Since John’s injuries they have been contacted regarding other members of his unit that have not made it back and they grieve for them and their families.”

https://sites.google.com/site/lcpljohngcurtin/news

My loved one was just injured 5 days ago in Afghanistan and was sent to a private hospital on the outskirts of Afghan and the hospital is asking him to contact his family for monies as well. It is for $700 right now and it has left me furious because he is facing such pain and heartache yet they need money. The private hospital there refers to it as a “family token” If anyone has any insight on this I would greatly appreciate any information. The family is already strapped financially and coming up with this money is close to impossible.

The family should contact the injured soldier’s command. There should be no bills, etc. incurred by the military member. The command may not know that the hospital is ‘shaking down’ the family for money.