![[Purple Heart]](../vetpixs/PurpleHeart.gif)
To Care For Him Who Has Borne The Battle And For His Widow And Orphans
Abraham Lincoln
To Care For Him Who Has Borne The Battle And For His Widow And Orphans
Abraham Lincoln
The above quotation of Abrahan Lincoln is chiseled into the exterior wall of the Department Of Veterans Affairs Central Office building in Washington, DC. Until recently it was universally ignored as combat wounded Purple Heart recipients had no special standing within the VA system unless the veteran had actually applied for and received a determination of a service connected disability based on residual disabilities resulting from said combat wounding.
Congress has finally rectified this long standing miscarriage of justice. Purple Heart recipients who are presently in VA health care priority categories, 4 through 8 or have not as yet enrolled for VA health care will be assigned to Category 3. This category is just below that assigned to high percentage service connected veterans.
The new eligibility rules for Purple Heart recipients was approved by Congress as part of the Veterans Millenium Health Care and Benefits Act. The act was retroactive back to 29 November 1999.
Any Purple Heart recipient who is not presently assigned to Catagories 1 thru 3 or has made copayments for VA health care provided subsequent to 29 November 1999 (excluding the $2.00 (now $7.00) copayment for each 30 day supply of prescription medications) should immediately go the appropriate VA Medical Center. Bring proof of receipt of Purple Heart (DD214, Purple Heart Certificate, official orders of award, etc.) and request to be immediately placed in Catagory 3. At the same time, initiate IN WRITING, a request for a refund of all copayments made for medical care subsequent to 29 November 1999.
It is in the best interest of all Purple Heart recipients, if they are suffering from any disability that may be a result of, or secondary to, the event that lead to the award of the Purple Heart, that they consult with a Veteran Organization Service Officer. They will assist the veteran to ascertain whether a claim for Service Connection for the disability should be initiated. Catholic War Veteran Service Officers, along with other veteran organization service officers, are available at most VA Regional Offices and VA Medical Centers for assistance.