VA in Ann Arbor says veteran makes too much money to receive COVID-19 vaccine

93-year-old World War II veteran wants to be vaccinated

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Don Schimmel, 93, is a Navy World War II veteran who is trying to get a coronavirus vaccine.

The VA in Ann Arbor said that he makes too much money to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. He isn’t looking for benefits, he just wants a vaccine.

UPDATE: Congressman says rule that led VA to deny COVID vaccine to veteran will be fixed

Schimmel received a rejection letter from the VA.

“You are rejected, over the income limit to receive medical treatment through the Department of Veterans Affairs,” the rejection letter stated.

The letter informed him that any appointments or medications set for after Feb. 24 would be cancelled.

Schimmel returned from the war, lost a job and started his own company. He is legally blind now and day trades during the pandemic as a hobby. The VA thinks he’s rich. The VA said they will not provide him with the vaccine.

READ: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phases

The VA released the following statement:

For more information on eligibility for VA health care, click here.


About the Authors:

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.

Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer.