Retroactive Traumatic Injury Benefits No Longer Just for OEF/OIF Injuries

[Rocky C]

Sept. 16th 2011

TSGLI Payments Will Be Made for Qualifying Injuries

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is extending retroactive traumatic injury benefits to Servicemembers who suffered qualifying injuries during the period Oct. 7, 2001 to Nov. 30, 2005, regardless of the geographic location where the injuries occurred.

“Now all of our nation’s Servicemembers who suffered severe traumatic injuries while serving their country can receive the same traumatic injury benefits, regardless of where their injury occurred,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We at VA appreciate the efforts of Congress and the President to improve benefits for our troops.”

Effective Oct. 1, the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) Traumatic Injury Protection benefit, known as TSGLI, will be payable for all qualifying injuries incurred during this period. This retroactive benefit is payable whether or not the Servicemember had SGLI coverage at the time of the injury.

The Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2010, passed by Congress and signed by President Obama in October of 2010, removes the requirement that injuries during this period be incurred in Operations Enduring or Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF). This is welcome news for the many Servicemembers who suffered serious traumatic injuries while serving stateside or in other areas outside of OEF/OIF during this time period, but until now have not been eligible for TSGLI.

TSGLI provides a payment ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 to Servicemembers sustaining certain severe traumatic injuries resulting in a range of losses, including amputations; limb salvage; paralysis; burns; loss of sight, hearing or speech; facial reconstruction; 15-day continuous hospitalization; coma; and loss of activities of daily living due to traumatic brain injury or other traumatic injuries.

National Guard and Reserve members who were injured during the retroactive period and suffered a qualifying loss are also eligible for a TSGLI payment, even if the cause was not related to military service, such as a civilian automobile accident or severe injury which occurred while working around their home.

National Guard and Reserve members make up more than 40 percent of the total force which has been deployed since 9-11. Those who are no longer in the National Guard or Reserves can also apply as long as their injury occurred while they were in service.

“I am extremely pleased that these total force warriors who defend our freedoms are getting the recognition and benefits they have rightfully earned in service to our nation,” added Under Secretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey.

VA is working with the Department of Defense to publicize this change in the TSGLI law. Additionally, all of the branches of service are identifying any claims previously denied because the injury was not incurred in OEF/OIF and reaching out to those individuals.

Although applications are currently being accepted by branch of service TSGLI offices, benefits will not be paid until Oct. 1, 2011, the effective date of the law.

For more information or to apply for a TSGLI payment, Servicemembers and Veterans should go to http://www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/TSGLI/TSGLI.htm or contact their branch of service TSGLI Office (contact information available at above link).

[03XX]

i had an issue during OEF 2009 a vehicle hit an IED while trying to recover it from a ditch the details are foggy, i was checked out and told i would be ok ever since then i am dealing with migraines about twice a month and i also started losing my sight in my right eye. i put off saying something about it due to the fact that i am a marine and didnt want to look weak to my junior marines, that and i didnt think too much about a headache. so now im dealing with trying to convince the navy that it was the cause do you have any tips aside from my evidence?

[FistFu68]

I once had a Marine XO-Tell Me Marines don't get PTSD!!! Saw him at a Division Reunion a Few Years ago and He was Bragging 'bout His new Mercedes Benz,and His 100% He was collecting for His PTSD.Moral of the Story,go for The Jugler You owe it too Yourself Marine.F**K what others May think they'd Jump on it in a HeartBeat if they Rated It.GoodLuck and Thank You for Serving and WelCome Home.Semper Fidelis

[doc h fmf]

Did Your Doc See You If So Have Him Write A Letter, Unfortunately Alot Of People Who Are Wounded Want Act Brave And Not See There Doc And Then Later On It Bites Them In The Butt. Anyway Thank You For Your Service And Sacrifice.

Semper Fi And God Bless You My Brother


Stephen Doc Hansen Hm3 Fmf

[spotts]

Get some buddy statements from guys in your unit.

[lmholmes11]

I am currently rated at 80% ( recieving IU) for PTSD, TBI and Migraines; I was medically separated from the Corps. I got a letter in the mail about extending my SGLI insurance for two more years, and along with it came an application for the TSGLI and requirements. After I got back to the states I had a loss of ADL's and i think i qualify however it is not documented in my medical records.....suggestions?