This past weekend was the Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation (MASR) “Veterans No Boundaries” event held each August at Camp Wavus on Lake Damariscotta. This weekend we had 25 veterans and their families, mostly from Maine, enjoying a full range of outdoor activities, all at no cost.

As an MASR Board member, and as a veteran, it is special weekend for me. All veterans who have a permanent disability are eligible. For me, it is an opportunity see if the veterans know about all the services for veterans that are available in Maine; and to find out if they are in the VA system or have applied for any disability compensation. It is amazing to me that there are veterans in Maine that have service-connected medical conditions and are not in the VA system. Some think that because their medical condition started when they were in the service but is not combat related, they wouldn’t be eligible. Or they had an accident while on “leave” so would not be considered “service related.” Of course, both would be wrong. Anything that caused a current medical condition that started while on active would make you eligible. Then the issue is the paperwork involved with filing a claim for that disability. But, there can be no paperwork, if you go through an approved VA service officer.

If you go to the American Legion (623-5726), VFW (623-5723), or the DAV (623-5725) office at Togus, they have “service officers” that will do all the paperwork for you. The state has a service officer at Togus (623-5732) as well. Just make an appoint with them and start the process. Before you go, I suggest you contact Ed Harmon or me to help you prepare for the meeting. You don’t have to be a member of any of those organizations.

I also spend time while at this camp explaining how you can be eligible for the VA healthcare system (VHA) and debunking false information about the VHA. One such false information is that if you have been rated with a 10% disability for something, say hearing loss, that you can only be treated at the VA for that hearing loss. The fact is if you have a disability rating of 10% you are in a Priority Group 3 (out of 8) and the whole VA healthcare system is available to you (except dental). Some say they are happy with their current doctor and don’t want to change. The fact is that you keep the doctor you have, paid for you by your other insurance, but also can use the VA. You might find that you have co-pays with your insurance while there would be no co-pays for the VA. If you have no co-pays, it is likely because you have supplemental insurance … which you are paying for.

If you want to discuss how this all works in more detail, contact Ed Harmon or myself. Our motto is that no veteran should navigate the VA system alone. Let us help. For more information about MASR, contact me at dapatch@roadrunner.com or 751-5672.