Ok here goes. My father proudly served in Korea and Vietnam. He started getting sick around 1993. He applied for and was denied AO benefits. We appealed with a ton of evidence. My father finally won his appeal in April of 1996. In the letter he was deemed to be 100% disabled and unemployable due to AO. They back dated his disability to Jan of 1994. My father never received a penny. We tried numerous times to find out what was going on. I still have the appeal board letter, by the way. My father died in 1997 never gotten what he deserved. In fact, it took them 7 months to even provide a marker for his grave.
My mother never knew until recently she was entitled to benefits, seeing as her husband died of AO related cancer. She should of been getting benefits since his death in 1997. Also possibly the monies he should of gotten as well. She is now 74. She has had two cancers of her own, and a heart attack. On top of it all, she is deaf. Lives alone. Worked her butt off her entire life. She probably would of retired earlier, instead of working at the YMCA for 37 years. If only she would of known. My mom needs help.
Is it too late for her to receive the back money she deserves? Please any kind advice would be appreciated. I dont need any "its your fault for not applying sooner" comments. We simply did not know.
Thank you in advance.
