Veterans' Spouses, Partners & Families

Benefits for Widows Due to Lou Gehrig's Disease

41 Comments
Widows Benefits Due to Lou Gehrig's Disease
Widows Benefits Due to Lou Gehrig's Disease

A reminder: On Sept. 23, 2008, Lou Gehrig’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, was made a presumptive condition for all veterans who served in our armed forces for at least 90 days.

This means that widows of those veterans who died of Lou Gehrig’s disease in years past are now eligible for the VA widows’ monthly benefit.

For more information, contact Fred Campbell, Chairman of VA Outreach for American Ex-Prisoners of War, 3312 Chatterton Dr., San Angelo, TX 76904, or at fredrev@webtv.net.

This benefit affects widows of all veterans, not just former POWs).

It is  vital information such as this that generally circulates by word of mouth or helpful sites like ours.

41 thoughts on “Benefits for Widows Due to Lou Gehrig's Disease”

  1. My husband Daniel Lee Cook died May 30, 1998 of ALS.  He served in the US Army in Okinowa for at least a year. What is the connection between ALS and being a veteran?

  2. Robyn,
             My condolences. Can  you tell me the years that Daniel served in the Army? And what unit he was assigned to while active duty? And lastly was he enrolled in the VA health care system prior to his passing? You may call anytime. 520-808-3907. Mike

  3. My father a WWII veteran passed away from ALS in 1980.  Is there continuing research on veterans who developed this disease?  I know that we didn’t report it to anyone, since we didn’t know it may have been related to his service.  If data will help current veterans and researchers then we all need to speak up about cases we know of.  As a nurse I know of at least one other rural case of ALS from years ago.  Thank you.

    1. My dad served in WWII also. Married and had 4 young girls, then died of ALS in 1962. At the time, my parents thought it was some strange illness he got in Guam but over time it became more common and we accepted it wasn’t service related. My mom managed to keep us together and provide for us. She still lives on around $600 a month. It seems the military, or veterans affairs would contact people.

  5. My step father died on Oct. 16 2005 from ALS.  He served in the airforce and the Korean War.  My heart goes out to all the families of ALS vets.  If anyone has any other information on the link of the Korean War with ALS I would appreciate it. Thank you!!

  6. My husband died from A.L.S. in July of 2004.  He served in Viet Nam for one year in 1969.  Who would I contact regarding the widows pension?  Thank you so much.  Debby

    1. My husband  died of ALS on July 10th, 1993 and I just heard that I might be eligable for widows benefits.  How do I go about applying?  

                                          Jane Moeller

        1. Lisa
          Waht did you find out about being remarried? My husband died
          in November 1998 from ALS. Because of economic circumstances
          I too remarried in 2002.  Let me know what you find out.
          Shari

        2. Lisa
          Just got off the phone with the DAV and Veterans Administration. If you remarried before December 2003 or before the age of 57 you are INELIGIBLE for widow’s benefits under ALS.  You may apply after you become widowed again under you first husbands military record at that time.
          Shari

  7. July 22,2009

    Dear Fred,

    I’m writing to you in regards to my husband Steven who died from Lou Gehrig’s disease and was a war veteran. Please e-mail me as to how to go about this claim. I really appreciate your taking the time to contact me. Please E-Mail me at YLFL2@VERIZON.NET.

    Thank you,

    Elizabeth DeThomas

  8. My husband passed in Februrary, 2004 of ALS.  He served aboard the USS Hancock and in Guam.  Who can I contact regarding the widows benefits?  Thank you for your assistance.
    Aloha, Irene

  9. http://www.axpow.org/?ctvaNavDLTEST=|42730|

    ALL:

    HELLO! There is a very recent newspaper article I was sent by a relative regarding ALS and widows benefits, etc. The above Url Link Address is such.

    It APPEARS that a Mr. Fred Campbell, of San Angelo, Texas thinks that this benefit applies to ALL service personnel/veterans? From ALL times, eras, wars? At least, he APPEARS to be saying/claiming such?

    I plan to contact Mr. Campbell via an email address that was included in the newspaper article I have regarding the above informations to clarify EXACTLY WHO and WHICH service widows ARE or are NOT ELIGIBLE for such above claims/representations.

    My ‘late’ father served in the U.S. Army in Korea and Japan and was Post Commander of our local American Legion for two years. He was diagnosed with ALS in 1997-98 and died from it on August 5th, 2000.

    SALUTE!  Brian L. Strawser. Oldest Son.

  10. Mr. Mike Brewer:

     HELLO! Can YOU clear my above comments/questions up, KIND SOUL?

    May I MOST kindly ASK what YOUR capacity is in this area? Do you work with this issue as a PROFESSIONAL in our government or VFW or VA, etc.?

    It SEEMS to me, that either ALOT of people are being told incorrect informations regarding WHO and HOW MANY veterans’ Widows and under WHAT circumstances can lay claim to such benefits …. OR, ALOT of such widows are not AWARE of such RIGHTS?

    THANK you, in advance, for ANY/ALL help in clarifying this matter for MYSELF and ALL vets families, widows, etc.

    SALUTE! …. Brian L. Strawser

  11. Brian,
    Yes I do work in the area of veteran benefits. I am a volunteer service officer with the  new Marine Corps League in Marana, Az. I was formerly the  VSO for the American Legion Post 7 in Tucson.  Yes there is a fair amount of confusion, some of which is cleared up by the Press Release that I posted here. And yes the veteran does have to have the official diagnosis of ALS.
    The VA’s ruling making ALS a service-connected disability became effective last September 23rd. That recognition provides a minimum 30-percent disability rating that is increased as the disease worsens. Those who were denied before must simply re-apply. If the issue is Death Benefits for Dependents, you are going to have to consult with an Accredited Service Officer in your State or County.
    If you are in Tucson, I would call the Arizona Department of Veterans Affairs at  520-207-4960 or myself at 520-808-3907 for further guidance.
    This article has resulted in calls and inquiries from all over the United States, for which I am grateful and more than willing to answer.  However the volume of the calls is a bit daunting for the short run, as I am a Disabled Veteran myself and can only answer so many under one moon. Kindly be patient I will get to all of you.

  13. Anyone of the posters here are free to call me at 520-808-3907 and I will direct you  to the proper agency to assist you in filing a claim.  So many of the respondents here are not here in Arizona, so one answer will not suffice. You are going to need to call. Be patient as I am getting many calls a day from all over the USA

  15. Sue,
    If you call the Veterans Administration at 1-800-827-1000 and tolerate the  voice mail promptings, go to disability benefits and then hit ‘O’ and you will get a counselor. That 800 number is regional so they will answer near your area.  Ask them for a claim package. You will need a copy of a death certificate if the vet is deceased and a copy of  the marriage license.
    So where do you live? Mike

      1. Call the VA at 1-800-827-1000. Go through the voice mail promptings until you get to disability benefits. Hit O for  an operator, tell them it is for ALS/ Widows benefits and they will send you a package.   Mike

  17. Pingback: widows connection

  18. Thank you for posting this information. My husband died in 1982 at age 37 from ALS. His neurologist back then told us that there was a high incidence of ALS in vets who had been Navy or Marines and in contact in the South Pacific; but the VA denied any connection. I struggled to feed and clothe and educate our young children with no help at all.
    A widow’s benefit now would certainly help toward a more secure retirement. Please keep more information coming. Thank you.

  19. Dear Mike,
    Thank you for your volunteer efforts.  You have made a difference to say the least.  My father died from ALS in 2001.  My mother, like many other widows, struggled tremendously watching my father die from this horrible illness and thereafter financially.  She barely makes it a month to buy groceries.  After learning about this death benefit, my mother was elated and can now feel more secure at making ends meet each month.  She has completed the appropriate forms and put them in the mail today.  Thanks again. Sharon 

  23. Thanks ‘azmouse’.  ” Feedback is the breakfast of champions.”  I have now made 144 calls from my home, to the women of the “Greatest Generation.” Most of them in their 80’s.  I am humbled to say the least, and moved to tears on many days. When a woman from Arkansas asks me how long the benefits will take to process because she is working down at the corner store part time- and she is 82- that brings on tears of joy, to think that this fine woman will have a bit of relief, maybe, from having to work at 82 years old!
    I believe that I have persuaded a journalist with USA Today, to take this story to the next level and do a feature story, so that others will have the knowledge of the benefits coming to them. It will take a national publication to insure that we have blanketed the nation. His name is William Welch, and he is based in Los Angeles. The fact that we are both owned by Gannett may help.  Thanks again for the nice compliment.

    1. You are just doing some amazing work and changing people’s lives for the better. I knew nothing of this whole subject, but I was so touched to see the response you’ve gotten. It has to be overwhelming to hear all the individual stories that I can only imagine you’ve heard.
      I also hope you get more coverage on this, since it’s so apparent the information is needed.

      If there is anything you need to continue your success, please reach out. I know I, and probably many like myself, would be happy to help.

  24. Hello…I too am a widow of a former servicemen who contracted this horrible and devastating disease..  He died in 1998.  He only lived 11 months after diagnosis, leaving me and our beautiful 7 year old daughter behind.  We have struggled for years and have been told by the VA in Michigan that there is no financial help for us.  We have also lost SS death benefits because my daughter is now 18.  There is no money available for her to go to college.  My husband was in the Army Special Forces.  All that we have received for his dedication was a US flag at his burial, presented by a Green Beret member.  Do you think I would now be eligible for some help from the VA?
    Please help me if you can….and may God bless you for your compassionate heart!

    1. Sue,
      Call the VA Hotline at 1-800-827-1000 and go to Disability Benefits on the voice prompter.  Then hit O for an operator. Tell them you are a widow of an ALS/Vet. They will send you a package of material of about 10 pages to fill out. You will need your marriage certificate and a copy of the Death Certificate.
      Have you remarried? Are you over 57?   If you need help, I set up a hotline number for anyone needing to talk.. It is 520-540-7000.  If you need assistance please leave your phone number and I will get back in a day or two. There are many callers who are trickling through.

  25. Hello.  I personally do not have a veteran family member affected by  ALS.   I just want to say THANK YOU!!! to all the veterans, widows and families that read this.  Thank you for the sacrifices that you are making or have made in your service to this country.  God bless you all.

  26. To all:  This may be helpful.  As a recently diagnosed ALS patient, quite by accident I discovered the PVA (Paralyzed
    Veterens Of America) will not only assist with filling out the
    VA claim forms, but will act as your as your “claimant’s  representative.” In doing so, they will submit the VA claim forms (21-526) to the VA authority for action.  I was advised by Penny Melvin, the PVA service officer,that their office
    would not only pursue the paperwork process, but expedite
    the matter.  Melvin said that in most cases payment may be made in 60 days!  I think this a wonderful service.  The PVA’s address is:  575 N Pennsylavania St.
                                              Room 328
                                              Indianapolis IN 46204
    Melvin’s ph. no. is (317)916-3626   

     

  27. My mother sadly passed away from ALS 8/24/10 after 8 mth diagnosis. She was not in the service, but all my other family members were service members. I can’t help but to wonder how someone is suddenly struck with this terminal disease. My mother was only 58 and didn’t deserve this horrible disease. She is my angel now in heaven :-(

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