Xpats US X military VA disability benefits

cra1948

New member

Member since 04 February 2022

cra1948

04 February 2022 02:41:21

cra1948

04 February 2022 02:41:21

Hey, glad to join up with fellows living in Ecuador. Diane and I (Carlos) are going through exiting the USA. Didn't thing it's so involved. But we're anxious to get to Qioto then are new lives in Cotacachi. Being an x-military VA disability veteran, I am concern about my preset disability claims and any type of medical exams that would be needed. How do you get medical care that is accessible. I would appreciate any information to relieve my anxiety.

cccmedia

Ecuador / Colombia Expert

Member since 14 March 2014

Quito, Pichincha

cccmedia

04 February 2022 08:20:20

10204

cccmedia

04 February 2022 08:20:20

10204

Quito, Pichincha

Dear Carlos, welcome to the Ecuador forums of Expat.com...

I predict your transition will be smoother if you ask your questions to a VA representative before you exit the USA.

Communicating from Ecuador is typically more challenging, especially when an enormous bureaucracy is involved.

cccmedia

Green Beans

Member

Member since 30 May 2022

Green Beans

30 May 2022 16:53:28

Green Beans

30 May 2022 16:53:28

@cra1948 hello, I'm on VA disability and thinking of moving to Ecuador. Were you able to find out more information on this as I am needing info as well? Will we still get our benefits?

OsageArcher

Colombia Expert

Member since 11 February 2015

Cali

OsageArcher

30 May 2022 17:14:38

1531

OsageArcher

30 May 2022 17:14:38

1531

Cali

@Green Beans

These links may answer some of your questions:

https://www.benefits.va.gov/persona/veteran-abroad.asp

https://www.va.gov/opa/persona/veteran-abroad.asp

There's a brief discussion here:

https://www.expatexchange.com/expatguid … quirements

You may find it's easier to keep your stateside bank and accounts, as well as a stateside mailing address (perhaps of family or a friend) where you can have correspondence sent to when emails won't do the trick. Pay for bills in Ecuador when possible with your stateside credit card. Use the ATM machines as necessary to get cash in Ecuador - USAA and Schwab and perhaps others, will reimburse any ATM fees.

Listening

Member

Member since 25 April 2022

Listening

31 May 2022 00:16:42

Listening

31 May 2022 00:16:42

I hope you get more satisfactory information.

lebowski888

Serial expat

Member since 09 April 2018

Guayaquil, Guayas

lebowski888

31 May 2022 01:34:08

318

lebowski888

31 May 2022 01:34:08

318

Guayaquil, Guayas

For US Veterans considering the Ecuador expat life, this might help you

*Foreign Medical Program*

Foreign Medical Program Benefits and Claims Information

The Foreign Medical Program is a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care beneﬁts program for U.S. Veterans who are residing or traveling abroad and have VA-rated, service-connected disabilities. Under FMP, VA assumes payment responsibility for certain necessary health care services associated with the treatment of those service-connected disabilities.

The VHA Ofﬁce of Community Care in Denver, Colo., administers the program and is responsible for all aspects of it, including the Veteran's registration process, veriﬁcation of eligibility, authorization of beneﬁts and the processing and payment of claims. All FMP inquiries should be made directly to VHA CC.

https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/progra … claims.asp

lebowski888

Serial expat

Member since 09 April 2018

Guayaquil, Guayas

lebowski888

31 May 2022 01:36:59

318

lebowski888

31 May 2022 01:36:59

318

Guayaquil, Guayas

@cra1948

Also i pay out of pocket and get private care. A complete blood panel and urinalysis runs about $25. The consult costs me $6 with insurance, $25 without. In Guayaquil

Coxhere1

Active member

Member since 20 May 2021

Quito, Pichincha

Coxhere1

18 June 2022 19:29:35

Coxhere1

18 June 2022 19:29:35

Quito, Pichincha

Hey, glad to join up with fellows living in Ecuador. Diane and I (Carlos) are going through exiting the USA. Didn't thing it's so involved. But we're anxious to get to Qioto then are new lives in Cotacachi. Being an x-military VA disability veteran, I am concern about my preset disability claims and any type of medical exams that would be needed. How do you get medical care that is accessible. I would appreciate any information to relieve my anxiety.
- @cra1948

I've checked into this and have found out that you can be reimbursed for medical services related to your V.A. disability and NOT for medical services that are NOT related to your service-connected disability(ies). Let me see if I can relocated the form that you must submit when claiming medical services provided in Ecuador that relate to your service-connected disabilities(y). . . . Here's a link that explains what I've been talking about: https://www.va.gov/communitycare/programs/veterans/fmp/index.asp. Good luck, fellow, service-connected-disabled-American-veteran!

vaclaims

New member

Member since 03 April 2011

Würzburg

vaclaims

01 July 2022 22:27:11

vaclaims

01 July 2022 22:27:11

Würzburg

@cra1948

***

Kevin Janey

Moderated by Cheryl last year
Reason : No advertising on the forum please
We invite you to read the forum code of conduct

Coxhere1

Active member

Member since 20 May 2021

Quito, Pichincha

Coxhere1

01 July 2022 22:53:04

Coxhere1

01 July 2022 22:53:04

#10

Quito, Pichincha

Hi Kevin, You work for the V.A. virtually? Never heard of such a thing. I finally got my PTSD and MDD and bilateral hearing loss rated as 💯 % service connected because of "unemployability." 80% without the unemployability being added. It took 15 1/2 years of continuing to appeal. Went out of the V.A. to the U. S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; it was remanded and the V.A. didn't do what the Court ordered done. Kept appealing and finally got my claim sent to the VARO in Cleveland, Ohio (out of the South where it was always denied) because I moved to Ohio. I got a call from a Rater in Cleveland and he said my claim should have been settled years ago. He actually apologized! He's the guy who finally did me right and approved my claim. . . .

vaclaims

New member

Member since 03 April 2011

Würzburg

vaclaims

05 July 2022 08:36:00

vaclaims

05 July 2022 08:36:00

#11

Würzburg

@Coxhere1

Hello! No, I don't work for VA, I am an accredited "claims agent," which is basically an independent VSO authorized by VA's Office of the General Council to represent veterans before VA. I can't post my website here, so if you need my contact info, just send me a private message and I'll get that to you.

Kevin Janey

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