VA Won't Pay Widow

Now the three ring circus has begun... Hank Lee has passed in inexplicable circumstances while under VA care. The VA won’t pay benefits until we get a death certificate. We cannot get the death certificate with cause of death until after the autopsy and toxicology results. We cannot get the autopsy and toxicology for at least 90 days (government speak for could be 120) and around we go.

This family now has Zero income. The VA has not paid a basic death benefit (a disgustingly low $1500) to put Hank to rest, so the community paid that. They will not pay DIC (see above). And to cap it all off they are starting to say that he did not die due to a service connected disability. I guess PTSD as a result of getting shot and blown up doesn’t count any longer.

All further proceeds go to help keep this family's head above water.

 
We have studied the budget and the minimum to survive – yes survive, with a mortgage, 2 year old little girl and 10 month old twins – is $2800 a month. Without it Jamie Lee will have to miss paying monthly bills and we know where that leads.

This shouldnt happen to any of our veterans, or their families. We hope that you will at least get a feel from the frustration and futility of dealing with a system that quite simply doesn’t care.

We would like to thank everyone who was able to bring Hank home and to put him to rest as befitting a US Combat Marine. We appreciate your continued support through these uncertain days.

Semper Fi