TSGLI (Traumatic Injury Protection):

More often than not, at least in my experience, I find that our veterans are not aware of the many benefits available to them.  Upon enlisting in any branch of the United States Military, soldiers are given the option to elect life insurance known as Service members’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI).  As with typical life insurance, SGLI pays a cash benefit to a beneficiary chosen by the Service member if he or she was to die while in service.  Once a soldier is discharged, he or she can then elect Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI).  The funny thing, or sad thing (depending upon how you look at it) is that after having reviewed the SGLI Election and Certificate document within many veterans’ personnel files, Service members’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) is never mentioned or described anywhere.  This automatic provision of the SGLI policy was put in place to help provide monetary relief for Service members recovering from a traumatic injury suffered on or off duty while serving in the armed forces.  But perhaps it is mentioned later in separate election and certificate? Nope.  Nowhere.  I am not surprised at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ (VA) obvious plot to prevent knowledge of TSGLI coverage from reaching our Veterans; however, it is only going to exacerbate the nation’s already tainted and despondent opinion of them.

It wasn’t until after the VA realized an abundance of injuries caused by weaponry like Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs) used during the Global War on Terrorism, that they put TSGLI into place.  The TSGLI provision was officially added to SGLI on December 1, 2005, and was retroactively added as of October 7, 2001 – the day the United States invaded Afghanistan commencing the War on Terrorism – regardless of whether not Service members had elected SGLI coverage.  The insurance pays out increments of $25,000 up to $100,000 for current soldiers or veterans who suffered a traumatic brain injury or other traumatic injury while enlisted that resulted in one or more scheduled losses for at least thirty consecutive day.  Scheduled losses include:  sensory losses, burns, paralysis, amputation, limb salvage, facial reconstruction, inpatient hospitalization, activities of daily living, and genitourinary losses.  Of course other details and eligibility requirements exist, but it would be interesting to know how many veterans there are that might be eligible, but have absolutely no idea that Traumatic Injury Protection exists!

If you are a veteran who served in the United States military anytime since October 1, 2001, and suffered a traumatic brain or other injury, on or off duty, causing at least one of the losses previously mentioned, take initiative and find out if you qualify! You will never know if you are eligible for TSGLI benefits if you never even attempt to find out! Make a move and pick up your phone, go on the internet – do whatever it takes – but do something! Get out of the pitiful coop of ignorance the VA holds you hostage in, and take advantage of what was promised to you!  Thank you to all the veterans for your service, courage, and sacrifices! Let Banks Law repay the favor and serve you – we will be waiting for your call.