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The U.S. veterans have benefits in Mexico
By David Lord
I want to thank the PV Mirror and its Editor for the opportunity to connect with veterans and their dependants in greater Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay .
The U.S. veterans that live or visit Puerto Vallarta often are not aware that they have benefits in Mexico , not just the U.S.A.
I am a Department of Veterans Affairs Accredited Service Officer working with two National Veterans Organizations, the American Legion and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. I help veterans process V.A. claims forms for various benefits they may be entitled to.
Before, veterans were made to file at the Veterans Administration in the U.S. More recently, they could go online and file a claim, however filing online presents one problem: you do not have a local Service Officer to assist you with the basic process of filing a very important document. Veterans using the site are dealing directly with the V.A. thus they or their dependants are without the benefit of counsel for their claim's paperwork. The connective issues of a claim, and how it fits in relation to new or past service-connected disabilities, is best discussed by a third party (Service Officer) with knowledge of Veterans Law. The sheer number of changes in laws passed by Congress is very hard to keep up with, veterans. The fact is that veterans need help in the process, so email for help to mophmx@yahoo.com.
Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay has a new American Legion Post that was started just last year. The new contact phone number is (322) 299 5367, hours of contact: 9 a .m. to 5 p.m. Members who have already joined, please call. We invite new members too, but you must have served during a period of war, and have any type of discharge other than dishonorable; stateside service is acceptable if during war era, and this is why the American Legion is the largest and the oldest organization for veterans in Mexico, started in Veracruz in 1917.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart does not have a chapter here in Mexico ; the organization is comprised of combat-wounded veterans, and therefore it is much more difficult to gain members here in the Bay. The organization aids veterans by providing processing of claims at their office in V.A.R.O., Houston , Texas , resulting in better claims supervision.
Banderas Bay veterans have access to medical service right here in the Bay at various medical facilities, and particular doctors approved by the American Consul General, Guadalajara , Sandra Salmon; those approved on the doctors' list perform valuable service to U.S. veterans and dependants. Veterans having a service-connected disability or those that I have gained pension or compensation for, are able to register and receive authorization for insurance coverage by the V.A.'s Foreign Medical Program, which can cover the cost of treatment, medicines, diagnostic and lab fees. In fact, all veterans can qualify for a 20% discount at one service known as D.I.V. diagnostics in P.V., call me for information. You will need military service to qualify; membership in the American Legion is not required, but think about the importance of Veteran Service, and support the American Legion.
David Lord
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