VA slowed claim when daughter helped Dad

VA slowed claim when daughter helped Dad
Donald Shank is a World War 2 veteran
KOIN News
By Chris Woodard
October 24, 2013

LAKE OSWEGO, Ore. (KOIN) - Donald Shank is a simple man with a simple request. "All I'm asking is to survive."

This 87-year-old World War 2 Navy veteran was involved in a struggle with the Veterans Affairs that was so frustrating he couldn't contain his emotions.

"It's horrible," he said. "I'm glad I have a very good heart doctor now."

His problems began after he had a heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery. His daughter, Debra Walsh, arranged for her parents to stay at an assisted living facility in Lake Oswego. But the VA benefit they expected to help pay for it wasn't coming.

Walsh loaned her parents the money and paid the rent at the assisted living facility directly.

According to the VA benefit letter, that was the problem. If she had given him the money to pay the rent himself there wouldn't have been a problem.

"It's extremely frustrating. It's very hard on my Dad," she told KOIN 6 News. "I think the whole system is so broken."

The Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefit is available to veterans who need daily assistance, like what's offered at the assisted living facility where the Shanks are.

KOIN 6 News obtained the benefit letter and Donald Shank qualifies. But instead of being awarded the full amount of $2,019, he was only getting about $111 per month. The letter explained it was because of the technicality -- his daughter paid his rent.

The Shanks were about to run out of money and they received a notice from the VA that their appeal would take 420 days.

The government shutdown didn't make it easy, but KOIN 6 News contacted someone at the VA. After a week, the Shanks got a letter that said Mr. Shank would get the whole benefit.
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