2022 VetXL Veterans Together Town Hall - Watch Recording Below!

RallyPoint News — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 09:55:56 -0400

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcwSZpUtBQQ

Special Q&A Townhall With VA Secretary Denis McDonough-
In a town hall event on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at the Washington D.C. VA Medical Center, VA Secretary Denis McDonough will address the top requested concerns from Veterans and their families, caregivers and survivors. There will be 12 selected questions from RallyPoint members.

You can ask questions to the following people/organizations:
» Sgt Christopher Vidaurre - Veteran Wellness Alliance Check-In, George W. Bush Institute
» Melissa Comeau - Director, American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network
» Coleton Whitaker - Senior Director of Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» 2LT Private RallyPoint Member - Outreach Officer, VA
» VHA Office of Caregiver Support
» VHA Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
» VBA Survivors Assistance Program
» VHA Health Enrollment Center
» VBA Benefits
» VA Center for Women Veterans
» VA PACT - Burn Pits
» NCA Memorial Affairs
» VA Appeals
» Veterans Experience Office

Veteran Town Hall with Secretary Denis McDonough

VA Secretary Denis McDonough addresses the top requested concerns from Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors at the D.C. VA Medical Center.LIVE...

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Oct 18 at 2022 11:27 AM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 11:27:56 -0400

Thanks for sharing.

Response by Sgt William Trombley made Oct 19 at 2022 6:04 PM

Sgt William Trombley — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 18:04:01 -0400

I went to the VA. 223 miles away. Didn't get paid for mileage. Go to a clinic 52 miles one way and not get paid. Then go to get my rates check they tell me you don't have enough in your file. The local doctors charge my insurance and never send to VA.. Because they don't get paid enough from them it's a loosing battle.

Response by PFC Patricia Acton made Oct 19 at 2022 6:45 PM

PFC Patricia Acton — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 18:45:58 -0400

What is the update on the government recognizing Ft. McClellan as the toxic pit it was? Exposure to radioactive compounds, such as cesium and cobalt, Chemical warfare agents, like mustard gas and nerve agents, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Herbicide agents such as Agent Orange, Agent White, Agent Blue, and Agent Pink are being ignored even though Monsanto paid the city of Anniston, outside the base, millions of dollars, acknowledging the poisons in the water, soil and air. Is it because the government paid Monsanto to make these poisons and the soldiers stationed there are just collateral damage?

Response by CPL Scott Lattin made Oct 19 at 2022 6:54 PM

CPL Scott Lattin — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 18:54:59 -0400

I just recently received my 100%(after a 20 year battle)... My question is, If I feel like the VA didn't go back far enough with my award. What do I do?
I'm not trying to be selfish, I just want to make sure I don't miss out on anything.
Thank you and God bless

Response by PFC Patricia Acton made Oct 19 at 2022 6:59 PM

PFC Patricia Acton — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 18:59:07 -0400

Response by SGT Jesus Alvarado made Oct 19 at 2022 7:01 PM

SGT Jesus Alvarado — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 19:01:31 -0400

I have not received a travel payment for more than a year call va San Antonio tx as off today still not receiving travel pay, can someone direct me to the right personal?

Response by Sgt Collins Friedel made Oct 19 at 2022 7:08 PM

Sgt Collins Friedel — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 19:08:22 -0400

If a Senior 100% covered Vet, carries Medicare B, why can't the VA pay whatever isn't covered. I've been told the VA isn't an insurance, however, I, the spouse, get covered thru ChampVA, which covers everything not covered by Medicare. I can pick whatever Dr I wants & get appointments so much quicker. Seems I gets better care from the VA than my husband. If he's willing to pay for Medicare part B, it seems he'd be doing the VA a big favor if they'd cover the difference. He has no complaints about the care he gets from the VA, it's just that it's often time hard to get an appointment in a reasonable amount of time. Thanks, Karen Friedel

Response by SGT Terri Hester made Oct 19 at 2022 7:39 PM

SGT Terri Hester — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 19:39:58 -0400

I got married and moved - I have updated my military records, but need to get a new ID. I live near Dallas. What do I need to do? I've been given several different answers - each time I call a facility near me.

Response by Sgt Manuel Gonzales made Oct 19 at 2022 7:50 PM

Sgt Manuel Gonzales — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 19:50:18 -0400

QUESTION; If the water at Camp Lejeune contains toxic carcinogens, and if you drank it and you got all kinds of cancers, what is the difference between that water and the water we drank from streams in the jungle when we went on ops? I got toxic carcinogen on my left kidney and it was completely removed. Why won't the VA cover it like it does the cancers of Camp Lejeune? It's the same kind of cancer.

Response by CPL Robin Markland made Oct 19 at 2022 8:02 PM

CPL Robin Markland — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 20:02:26 -0400

How can I get the VA to pay for a walk-in shower conversion?

Response by PO3 Johnny Nissing made Oct 19 at 2022 8:06 PM

PO3 Johnny Nissing — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 20:06:53 -0400

I would like to volunteer my free time at Boise Idaho V A but was told I couldn’t if I don’t have the Covid vaccine

Response by SPC Peggy Adams made Oct 19 at 2022 8:26 PM

SPC Peggy Adams — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 20:26:11 -0400

What is the VA doing for the personnel at Ft McClellan, AL in regards to the dioxins that where stored in drums in unlined pits that leaked into the ground water? The government settled with the town of Anniston, AL but has not included the military who were at the base. When are we going to get recognized?

Response by PO3 Alan Fujisawa made Oct 19 at 2022 8:41 PM

PO3 Alan Fujisawa — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 20:41:05 -0400

I recently got denied a disability claim for hypothyroidism. I first had hyperthyroidism after getting out of the navy for 3 years. was on meds. which didn't work so had radioactive iodine treatment. and was ok for many years than it turned to hypo. and was told because I had the treatment and it turned hypo I don't qualify. Which does not seem right isn't any problem with your thyroid hypo or hyper a cause of being exposed to agent orange?

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2022 9:09 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 21:09:30 -0400

why does no one in the VA respond to letters, why does the VA deny veterans of their Constitutional rights, why does the VA force masks that are useless, basically why is the VA anti veteran and treat veterans as the enemy

Response by SSgt Darryl Jerome Williams made Oct 19 at 2022 9:45 PM

SSgt Darryl Jerome Williams — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 21:45:55 -0400

Hello,
I was denied a Rotator Cuff Procedure at the Iowa City VA Hospital.

When asked for a phone call from the "minion" whom inexorably carried out the bidding of the Surgeons, she (being a VA worker) is obviously unfamiliar with President Lincoln's precursor statement prior to the inception of the Department of Veterans Affairs in 1989, much less the ICARE mission acronym.

Granted, there was no phone call... This action within itself wreaks of arrogance much less a realization that the workers within the VA Medical System or VHA work for the Individual Veteran and not the other way around.

Thanks

Response by PVT Ted Rodosovich made Oct 19 at 2022 9:59 PM

PVT Ted Rodosovich — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 21:59:08 -0400

Any religious content?

Response by SGT Victoria Snyder made Oct 19 at 2022 10:14 PM

SGT Victoria Snyder — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 22:14:23 -0400

I would love for someone to explain to me why I have to literally beg the va mental health system to help me after losing over 14 friends and direct family members in less than 2 years. They refuse to listen to me about how the medicine they give me isn’t working! I’m not a pill hunter a drug addict or an alocoholic in fact I’m drug free and I’m falling faster than the va can handle meS I ask to be seen by an outside provider because after years of being ignored I feel it’s in my best interest and safety that I get outside psychiatric care! Instead of withholding that basic right from me they are saying a doctor of my choice doesn’t take the insurance needed when it’s clear that he accepts other veterans! Why after Al I have given am I being brushed under the rug! Does my life and mental health not matter ? Are they just waiting for me to die? Less money they would have to pay out to me while I’m alive right? I feel less of a human and more like a dog. My cries for help and begging them to change the medication as gone on deaf ears for well over 10 years. It’s heart breaking yo fee mocked and ignored by the very country I fought for. Sad indeed!

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Oct 19 at 2022 10:24 PM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 22:24:25 -0400

I think this will be very informative to attend!

Response by PO3 Terry Horsman made Oct 19 at 2022 10:33 PM

PO3 Terry Horsman — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 22:33:40 -0400

WHY AM I GETTING DENIED A DISABILITY FOR MY HEARING AND TINITUS

Response by SGT Dawn Spurgeon made Oct 19 at 2022 10:39 PM

SGT Dawn Spurgeon — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 22:39:49 -0400

VA has a zero tolerance for sexual harassment, at least that's what the signs say. At my VA when a male VA employee (and veteran) was reported, he was allowed to retire early without any consequences.

The VA said they wanted to make this go away quickly and quietly as possible. To top it off, the VA clinic where he worked at threw him a public party at a local bar. All of us veterans are dumbfounded because he is being paraded and celebrated. He is strutting around because he got away with it. Imagine how we feel. He had such a great union rep, who prepared him so well he admitted to nothing so he wouldn't lose his retirement. Retirement was also the quickest and easiest way to get rid of him.

How is having a party by VA employees, who are also our primary care providers and nurses, celebrating a retirement of a mental health employee (peer support), who was forced to retire for sexual harassment and assault be condoned? How does this type of behavior support VA policy? How are we supposed to trust them any of them now?

Response by SGT Frederick Trombley made Oct 19 at 2022 11:04 PM

SGT Frederick Trombley — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 23:04:13 -0400

Does the VA announce or support published authors in any way?

Response by SMA Ernest O. Zenker made Oct 19 at 2022 11:10 PM

SMA Ernest O. Zenker — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 23:10:40 -0400

What benefit does a widow of a veteran receive?

Response by SPC Steven Heggebo made Oct 19 at 2022 11:11 PM

SPC Steven Heggebo — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 23:11:58 -0400

Unfortunately I faced some serious medical issues this past year (2022, still ongoing) which required 4-5 ambulance rides to my nearest medical facility thus far. Just this week I learned that the VA will not pay for the ambulance services due to the fact that I don't qualify for travel pay. I was told that ambulance services fall under the VA's Travel Department and not Medical.
EXCUSE ME! Is not an ambulance manned by emergency medical care professionals providing emergency "Medical" care to patients in need of emergency medical care while transporting the individual to a well equipped medical facility?
I just don't understand the VA's logic behind this absurd rule. It's not as though I called 911 so as to obtain an ambulance ride to my nearest medical facility as though it were a taxi service.
Would somebody please give me the reasoning behind the VA's rules concerning this matter. A very well, detailed explanation and whom I may contact concerning this matter.
P.S. At this rate I may just call a taxi service for emergencies and pray for the best, it would still be expensive, which I can not afford, but much, much cheaper

Response by SGT Ashton Smith made Oct 19 at 2022 11:18 PM

SGT Ashton Smith — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 23:18:36 -0400

I'm a prostate cancer Viet Nam Veteran who has a problem with being discontinued compensation benefits.

Response by Sgt Charles Carbaugh made Oct 20 at 2022 12:35 AM

Sgt Charles Carbaugh — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 00:35:48 -0400

I submitted my claim 7 months ago and have received any assistance. How long does it usually take for the VA to approve and respond to a veteran's much needed relief?

Response by PO3 Cheryl Schneider made Oct 20 at 2022 12:37 AM

PO3 Cheryl Schneider — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 00:37:11 -0400

If my ex,who remarried is a 100% disabled am I entitled to any of his benefits, since I'm the one who was his wife when he was in the Army and she didn't spend that time?

Response by Cpl Bob Lathim made Oct 20 at 2022 3:59 AM

Cpl Bob Lathim — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 03:59:01 -0400

Hello, I am a Retired US Marine living in the Philippines and I want to know Why Veterans here in the Philippines do not get the same benefits as those in the US??
I Fought in Vietnam in 1968/1969 same as Veterans in the US So why does VA Give Veterans in the Philippines the shaft?????
FMP Is no help they keep rejecting claims because Doctors and Pharmacies DO NOT HAVE A STREET ADDRESS!!!!!!
This is just wrong, I am paying out of pocket for most of my medications because VA Manila does not have them and when I Have to fly to Manila I DO NOT get reimbursed like Veterans in the US again out of my Pocket and I Live on My Social Security and VA Disability monthly payments.
SO WHY ARE WE TREATED AS SECONED CLASS???????

Response by PO2 Kevin Downs made Oct 20 at 2022 5:12 AM

PO2 Kevin Downs — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 05:12:51 -0400

As a veteran , I see a few who claim they are veterans trying to survive on the street. Where can we direct these people to get help. Unfortunately my wife and I are in the PHILIPPINES visiting her family for the winter. We will not be returning to Peoria until mid April 2023. Any reply to
[login to see]
Thank You

Response by SSG Rocky Burrous made Oct 20 at 2022 8:10 AM

SSG Rocky Burrous — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 08:10:02 -0400

I am a 60 % disable vet, I found out that my VA card is not good enough to get on a base to use the commissary. I have to go get processed during normal working hours at the base I am attempting to enter. This is a real pain, how can I get entered into a national database to allow me to enter all bases?

Response by SSG Rocky Burrous made Oct 20 at 2022 8:14 AM

SSG Rocky Burrous — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 08:14:41 -0400

I am a disabled vet with service realated disabilites.
I found that when try to get on couple bases to use the commisary, it was not that simple.
Due to installation access policies you have to register during business hours to get on the base.
This is somewhat of a hassle, is there a way to get entered into a national database so you don't have to register on every installation?

Response by SSG Rocky Burrous made Oct 20 at 2022 8:21 AM

SSG Rocky Burrous — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 08:21:22 -0400

Response by CPO David Brugger made Oct 20 at 2022 8:27 AM

CPO David Brugger — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 08:27:16 -0400

If a veteran is cover by medical at 90% disability does he need to sign up for Medicare?

Response by Kelly Seldeen made Oct 20 at 2022 8:27 AM

Kelly Seldeen — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 08:27:43 -0400

Do veterans have access to alternative forms of healthcare such as TMS and neuroufeedback at nonVA facilities? My husband works at a clinic where veterans are being seen without having access to these services due to VA insurance.

Response by Sgt Alan Reynerson made Oct 20 at 2022 8:40 AM

Sgt Alan Reynerson — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 08:40:55 -0400

What is being done or will be done to allow Veterans to receive covered care at non-VA facilities? I have a clinic near me, but the VA hospital is over an hour away. I have service connected disabilities that require me to see specialists that aren't located at the nearest clinic. In addition to that, simply having blood drawn is a half day ordeal. They're very slow and understaffed. I've gotten to where I just pay out of pocket to go to a private practice due to it being much less of a hassle.

Response by Jenny Lancaster made Oct 20 at 2022 9:54 AM

Jenny Lancaster — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 09:54:37 -0400

The father of my children and I were high school sweethearts. He was my best friend since I was 12 years old. We hooked up romantically when I was 19 and had our 1st child at 21. We didn’t know the first thing about being parents. He used to write me from the army all the time. As a matter of fact, when he went AWOL it was to find me. I always hated that he did that because he was so good at being in the army. This was before he had a child and we found his “real dad.” He never knew his real father and the father he thought was his wouldn’t have anything to do with him. I did an online assisted search with the little bit of information we had and found his father who was a veteran. We all met and it was like a dream come true for all of us. In 2009 we had another child. Our 2nd son. We had separated for a year before his birth but got back together afterwards. Gary started a job in west Texas and became very distant to us. He decided he wanted to leave us in October 2014. In December he learned he was sick, I believe. It’s all kind of blurry because I remember him coming home for Christmas and saying he just wanted to spend the holidays with the boys. And that’s when he told me he had ALS. He explained to me that he had the rarest form of it. I couldn’t stop crying. He said they weren’t sure yet but they were doing lots of tests on him. He moved back in and some time went by and one day he sent me this awful message saying it should be me dying not him. I agreed with him and burst into tears because I knew they had told him it was ALS. I came home after taking the kids to school one day and he was stressing out over some letter he needed to write for someone in the army to try and convince them that they should give him money to help out with his illness after having gone AWOL so many years ago. I sat down and wrote this letter for him. Gary was never a good writer. He used to cheat off me in English class in high school before he graduated and he was especially not good at sharing his feelings about anything. So I wrote this letter and they accepted him and covered him as far as my oldest son going to school right now. I am so thankful for this because we were not prepared for anything that was soon to come in our lives. It was awful and the things Gary went through I wouldn’t wish on anyone ever. We split up until he got really bad and then we finally got to spend some quality time as a family in the end just a couple of months before our oldest son’s graduation. Our youngest son, I forgot to mention has autism. They are both the spitting image of their father and grandfather. I was there with his mother to care for him in the end. Jehovah got us through those times and helped us mend our family in the end. He is gone now and I can’t believe he is gone. We had such little time together in the end and we didn’t get to discuss anything as far as our son’s futures. Now I am left raising these boys on my own, well one is in college, but my health is bad. I had a stroke last November. I’m afraid of how my oldest son will handle taking in his younger brother if anything happens to me. I’ve been unemployed off and on but there is nothing to fall back on if I become I’ll. David is only 12 and he is nonverbal and he elopes which means we stay locked up most of the time so he doesn’t escape and get ran over. Is there any help that I could get for him in his future having lost his father to ALS . It’s like his family just forgot we existed even though they were never in our lives until the end. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks,

Response by SGT Elisha Johnson made Oct 20 at 2022 10:08 AM

SGT Elisha Johnson — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 10:08:39 -0400

Why are we able to go to the comissary and NEX to shop but cannot go to the Fitness center? We have earned that right to be able to keep our health up in an environment that is suitable to our needs and a familiar atmosphere.

Response by PO2 Johnnie Fred made Oct 20 at 2022 10:19 AM

PO2 Johnnie Fred — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 10:19:18 -0400

hownro get distance allowed card for local doctors civilian

Response by SPC S G made Oct 20 at 2022 10:22 AM

SPC S G — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 10:22:52 -0400

The VA Healthcare system is very broken. My wife and I both have experienced life threatening conditions that required us to go to the VA ER, and every time we get turned away. Then we have immediately gone to a private ER and they have found major issues the VA missed. They also mismanaged my medication to the point that it almost killed me. I have no confidence in the VA anymore. I have no Healthcare coverage because VA doesn't help they make us sicker.

Response by LTC Robert Hamburg made Oct 20 at 2022 2:49 PM

LTC Robert Hamburg — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 14:49:34 -0400

I am recently (July 25, 2022) divorced. How do I report this to VA for disability eligibility and will the change in dependents affect my benefits?

Response by Cpl Zachary Townsend made Oct 20 at 2022 6:26 PM

Cpl Zachary Townsend — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 18:26:58 -0400

Almost every piece of mail I receive from the VA contains a file number that is my actual Social Security Number (SSN). Every other veteran I have spoken to has had the same experience. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't identity theft a huge problem? So, why must the VA use veterans' SSNs as file numbers and then mail those SSNs all around the world?

The intent of my comment is to urge VA Secretary Denis McDonough to take action and change the policy that allows (or requires) the use of Social Security Numbers as file numbers that are printed on mail that goes to veterans.

Response by SPC Dashawn Myers made Oct 20 at 2022 8:31 PM

SPC Dashawn Myers — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 20:31:16 -0400

Question: Would a business that is started by a veteran be considered a safe work environment under the policies of TDIU? Why make it a case by case basis? Why cant the VA ust set a regulation and if the business can prove they fall between that then allow it. I would help with the drafting of the guidelines if needed.

Response by SP5 Anthony Cripps made Oct 21 at 2022 8:20 AM

SP5 Anthony Cripps — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 08:20:29 -0400

We sent an email to receive help about my wife being removed as my caregiver due to new regulations. And haven’t received any help from your organization. Is this a scam?

Response by Cynthia Brooks made Oct 22 at 2022 10:52 AM

Cynthia Brooks — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 10:52:01 -0400

As a survivor of a disabled veteran, am I entitled to dental insurance and vision? Also, is there any help to remodel a bathroom and kitchen in a mobile home?

Response by MSgt Robert E. M. made Oct 22 at 2022 10:05 PM

MSgt Robert E. M. — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 22:05:45 -0400

Is there any way that the Navy, Military, or/and Federal legal system stop scammers' fraudulent stop calling us military, veterans, and our close family members with lies? Does even the internet also have scams or fraud so many of us? This question or questions are for all of the above people or organizations. We know some will say, we will have to get back to you because some of the scammers or fraud work for foreign companies or governments. Let the UN be a ward that enough is enough.

Response by PO1 Kevin Wince made Oct 26 at 2022 5:58 PM

PO1 Kevin Wince — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 17:58:37 -0400

I fought 14 years for service connection for lung disease and was granted 9/1/21 by Veterans Law Judge. I am on 21 prescriptions including 3 strongest inhaled medications (corticosteroids) and monthly injections of 2 syringes of monoclonal antibodies. I am also on SSDI for lung disease. The Nashville Regional Office gave me a rating of 0% while stating that I don’t take ANY medications and that the condition has NO effect on my life. Now I am a year into appealing my rating decision with no end in sight. How is this blatant misrepresentation by the Regional Office legal, and why do I have to wait so long to correct an obviously intentional error????

Response by SP5 Joseph Kristick made Oct 26 at 2022 6:15 PM

SP5 Joseph Kristick — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 18:15:50 -0400

Does the VA offer any type of home equity loan?

Response by SSgt George Hargrove made Oct 26 at 2022 6:47 PM

SSgt George Hargrove — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 18:47:06 -0400

I'm a little confused; I thought a Veteran was able to use VA assistance when need. Then why are some Vetersns turned away because they are told that they make to much money and don't that kind of discriminate against those in this position?

Response by SGT David Probert made Oct 26 at 2022 7:57 PM

SGT David Probert — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 19:57:56 -0400

When are you going to provide ANY of the services in these newsletters in Puerto Rico?? Veterans here are totally forgotten. No job help, shit, there aren't any VSO'S here and I know a regional head that couldn't give me a number. None of the damn newsletter applies to us!! It's like we've been forgotten. Where's the same help mentioned in your shitty newsletter for us?? Don't we fucking count anymore??

Response by Sgt Greg Beers made Oct 26 at 2022 8:11 PM

Sgt Greg Beers — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 20:11:43 -0400

I would like to know why I’ve been waiting 3 yrs to get treatment by a special clinic when I had 3 appointments cancelled by the clinic I was to see and lost my orthopedic doctor I was to see and my primary with in 6 months but when I asked to go to community care I get told Iam not eligible so is there a reason for that considering the mission act has no eligibility requirements and it’s been 3 yrs I’ve been waiting as my condition worsening

Response by CPT Alvin Stephens made Oct 26 at 2022 9:33 PM

CPT Alvin Stephens — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 21:33:30 -0400

How come Viet Nam era veterans are not receiving consideration for Asbestos exposure during the mid "70s and before? All kinds of Agent Orange presumptive diseases but NO consideration for asbestosis.

Response by PO3 Scott Heath made Oct 26 at 2022 9:35 PM

PO3 Scott Heath — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 21:35:50 -0400

Why can't anyone, veterans, get dental? I've had surgery and never had to pay for them. Vascular surgery, but dental you have to be 100% disabled. I know the last surgery I had, I stayed for over 30 days. I'm 30% disabled, but I'm pretty sure that would have cost over 100,000 dollars. I'm very concerned because my teeth are falling out and I'm full disabled through ssdi. I'm on a tight budget and can't afford insurance for me!!

Response by SPC Allen Pritchard made Oct 26 at 2022 9:37 PM

SPC Allen Pritchard — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 21:37:04 -0400

My husband of 52 years and Vietnam Veteran recently passed away. He has been a totally disabled veteran for 8 years. Are there any benefits for me? I am also a veteran. I read that he would have had to have 10 years in order to qualify. Seems very unfair to me that 2 years would make a big difference.
Nancy Pritchard

Response by SrA Kathleen Cristofaro made Oct 26 at 2022 9:38 PM

SrA Kathleen Cristofaro — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 21:38:19 -0400

why were incidents like muggings and attempted rapes on base covered up and no type of counseling ever provided to us Lady Veterans? Shame on you all

Response by CPT Stephen Feldman made Oct 26 at 2022 9:45 PM

CPT Stephen Feldman — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 21:45:34 -0400

Can you answer the question how is the new insurance policy that starts in January a good deal for me and other vets if the following is true: The new insurance product which starts in January goes from $10-40,000 in $10,000 increments. It cuts off eligibility at age 80. When the policy starts in January, I will be 79 years 6 months old and the premium will be $485 a month for a $40,000 policy. There is a 2-year exclusionary period where only the premiums will be returned if I should die during that period. This means I have no insurance during the first 2 years or $11,640 in premiums that I pay.

In case you don't know how insurance works, please let me explain so you do understand how insurance actually works. Everyone knows a policy pays the face amount when a person dies. The actual amount of insurance, however, is the difference between the face amount and the number of premiums paid. In the case of this new policy from the VA, if I die in January 2025 my wife will get the $40,000 face amount of the policy, it will cost me $12,125 in premiums paid. In other words, she would get $27,875 from the insurance and a return of the $12,125 of the premiums I paid. Each month I live starting in January 2025, the amount of insurance will decline by $485 and the amount of returned premium will increase by the same amount. If I should die in October 2029, I will be 86 years and 3 months old, there will be $485 of insurance that my wife gets and $39,770 in premiums paid which will be returned. In other words, the only time there will be any insurance if I die will be from January 2025 through October 2029, a period of 4 years and 10 months. Once again, in order to get back the $40,000 face amount of the policy, the premium has to continue being paid even though the premiums paid from that time on after 6 years and 11 months exceed the face amount of the insurance. If I live until I'm 90, I will have paid $61,595 in premiums in order for my wife to get $40,000 back if I die . However, since I plan on living forever, when I reach 100 I will have paid $119,795 in premiums and the VA will cancel my policy and pay me $40,000, the face amount of my policy.

I really don't expect an answer because I sent a letter to McDonough on 8Sep2022 and he didn't reply! It's not that I currently have a $10,000 life insurance policy for which the VA pays the premiums and has from the beginning. The VA continues to pay $51 a month to maintain the policy even though there have long been more than $10,000 in premiums paid. I mention this because when I die the VA will pay my wife only $10,000, the face amount of the policy. Since the government is paying the premiums they are only costing themselves the ongoing premiums with no benefits accruing to anyone. However, the premiums must continue to be paid, or the policy lapses!

Tell me how this is different?

Response by PO3 Daniel Gregory made Oct 26 at 2022 9:53 PM

PO3 Daniel Gregory — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 21:53:16 -0400

Why, if I am already receiving compensation at 60% disability for Agent Orange exposure illnesses am I needing to see a third party doctor to confirm my new hypertention claim, as a result of PACT Act passage, when it is documented in my VA medical records that I have being prescribed medication by VA for hypertention since I began receiving AO compensation and that that medication has recently been increased?

Response by Sgt Juan Rojo made Oct 26 at 2022 10:26 PM

Sgt Juan Rojo — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 22:26:05 -0400

Please help me understand the reason there is a $3 deductible from mileage reimbursement for each way, specifically when a claim amount is lesser, or slightly above, a reimbursable amount. Thank you!

Response by MSG Terry Mikels made Oct 26 at 2022 11:13 PM

MSG Terry Mikels — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 23:13:35 -0400

I am 80% disabled and I tried to get some dental work on my mouth but was denied ! I have a lot of pain and can't afford a civilian dentist. All of my teeth need to be pulled and are broken. If I don't get some help soon I will join the other vets who could not go on with their problems.

Response by CDR Daniel Lee made Oct 26 at 2022 11:49 PM

CDR Daniel Lee — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 23:49:10 -0400

During my recent VA registration, I discovered from the VA representative that we have many WWII and Korean War Vets who have to battle the system to justify their disabilities. Simply stunned and disappointed! Has legislation been considered to grant a blanket disability rating for these members? It seems that our system could afford this shrinking population. Thanks...

Response by PO3 Micheal Geno made Oct 27 at 2022 12:22 AM

PO3 Micheal Geno — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 00:22:29 -0400

My question is for the VA Appeals Dept. Since the PACT Act was passed and signed into law 3 months ago, I would like to know if the 'Legacy Appeal' cases will be given any priority since they have been lingering for many years. My husbands case has been pending for 8 years. .He appeared before a Judge almost 3 years ago and still no answer. He passed away 1 1/2 years ago with no answer. His case, along with all the other thousands of cases, still pending, should be addressed first before any new cases. We have waited long enough! My husband deserves an answer so that he can Rest In Peace. Please address my question and explain what the VA intends to do. Thank you.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2022 1:27 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 01:27:49 -0400

2 Questions. One for VA Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and one for the VA Center for Women Veterans.

Question 1.

On 20 October 2022 at 1528 hours MDT I called my Suicide Prevention Team. No answer. So I left a message. Come Monday I vontact the Patient Advocate. I get a call later from a social worker with excuses that they can't answer the phone. Apparently they don't bother to answer the phone or check messages during work hours either. Then I get flack about they do not see that I called the crisis line. I say I did in September. The response is "OH" then more BS so I just hung up on them as they are a complete waste of time and a danger to me and other Veterans.

Now if you want to stop Veteran Suicides then you need to get involved. You also need correct information available for the crisis line. They sent people to help to an address I had not lived at for 10 years.

Just so you know The facility I was a guest at missed several doses of my antibiotic treatment forcing me to restart said treatment. I missed my heart meds for 3 days and my HRT shot was not given. To be honest I have no idea what records the VA sent them if any but what they had was totally out of date.

Now for Women Veterans.

You folks should be inspecting these facilities women vets go to like the one I was in. A lack of basic hygiene items,services and privacy. Nothing like taking a shower and take the chance one of the males don't see you as you rush to your corner with the hope no one sees you to quickly dress. The showers are right next to the door and your door is always open. The towels are just hand towels thus you have nothing to cover your body. If you care about your Women Veterans you will fix these issues .

Oh BTW if you are a big breastfed woman like I am you need those underwater bras for support. They would not let me have my bras unless I allowed them to cut them up to remove the underwire. Not going to happen as I pay $75 each for a properly fitting bra.

Response by MAJ David Bruno made Oct 27 at 2022 7:37 AM

MAJ David Bruno — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 07:37:31 -0400

Medical Retired after 20 years of service May of 2020.
100% P & T
Durham VA outsourced my dental care. It has been almost three years and I still have not seen a periodontist. I also need a crown. Why is it I can't get help?

I have been contacting Mr Phillips at Durham VA and Delorris Webb neither of them have been able to get me my treatment.

David Bruno
Wake Forest

Response by SGT K G made Oct 27 at 2022 8:07 AM

SGT K G — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 08:07:29 -0400

What are Veterans with rare conditions that require specialists and are 100% supposed to do if the specialist is not in the Optum Network and there are no local specialists?

Everyone I've spoken to has no idea and it ends there.

Response by Sgt Leslie Crisp made Oct 27 at 2022 9:22 AM

Sgt Leslie Crisp — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 09:22:03 -0400

I received a call from a long lost friend a few weeks ago. We were talking about him going to the VA hospital after he had a heart attack last spring!! He said when he went in the first time, they had him fill out a questionnaire and let him know that he had been considered as having PTSD. Apparently, our speciality has a very high number of personnel who are diagnosed as having PTSD, and when I told him about some issues that I'm having, he suggested going in for an evaluation, because those were some of the same things that he was dealing with.

I never thought much about our speciality field as having anything related to PTSD, I was a Graphics Specialist, but of my ten years on active duty, I also worked eight years as a Photographer and saw some horrific things. I just thought that was part of the job, so I never gave PTSD a second thought. I also has a brain and neck while on active duty, as the result of a motorcycle accident, but "healed" enough to let me progress through my remaining time.

My wife is a Psychologist, who specializes in people with PTSD, and has asked me to go see someone at the VA Hospital here in Michigan, just to rule out (or in) anything that needs addressed. Bless her, she tries to not practice her work on me, but I guess it just happens when she is trying to help me.

My big concern is that I separated in 1993, so not sure if they would even look at me. What is the first step in going to a VA Hospital? I mean, do I just go there and show up in the morning, or do I need to make an appointment, or what? I have my DD214 (Certified copy with the raised seal from my county veterans office), but no copy of the medical records.

Thanks in advance!!

Response by PO2 Robert Bauman made Oct 27 at 2022 10:02 AM

PO2 Robert Bauman — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 10:02:22 -0400

Why are Veterans who served before 31 May 1975 (Viet Nam surrender) NOT included in the "Care for those borne the battle..."?
The oldest, combat Veterans of Korea and Viet Nam are denied Caregivers and most other benefits and awards offered to those young men who showed up after 9/11/2001??

Response by SPC Mary Jackson made Oct 27 at 2022 11:16 AM

SPC Mary Jackson — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 11:16:08 -0400

How does Veterans handle identity theft, if a parent steals their identity in order to obtain benefits. For example the United States Department of Veterans Affairs allows my biological mother to proceed to the VAMC in order to obtain treatment, benefits, pay, allowances with my identity.

Response by CPL John Conway made Oct 27 at 2022 12:45 PM

CPL John Conway — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 12:45:26 -0400

I"m 100% disabled thru the Va. If I have more new issues is there any increase in compensation or is 100% the Maximum?

Response by PO1 Mark Slingerland made Oct 27 at 2022 1:05 PM

PO1 Mark Slingerland — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 13:05:14 -0400

Why is it so difficult to get supplies for my husband’s CPAP machine? If he breaks something he has to wait for an appointment, sometimes months down the road. Then he has to drive an hour and a half to said appointment. Then he might get the part if the employee at the VA feels it is warranted. It is easier to buy the replacement ourselves, IF we can find it!

Response by SPC Yesenia Mendoza made Oct 28 at 2022 2:40 AM

SPC Yesenia Mendoza — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 02:40:18 -0400

Why are male veteran getting paid monthly for supposedly being impotent(I know some who are getting paid and have had children at the time) Yet female veterans get paid nothing for their loss of interest due to rape and/or sexual harassment? Another double standard!

Response by PO2 Derrick Bowdry made Oct 28 at 2022 8:57 AM

PO2 Derrick Bowdry — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 08:57:10 -0400

Requesting assistance dealing with Substance Abuse steaming from Mental Health issues. Need resourses.

Response by MSgt Robert E. M. made Oct 28 at 2022 11:23 AM

MSgt Robert E. M. — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 11:23:21 -0400

I think I have already asked a or some questions, but will be listenig?

Response by Andi Martinez made Nov 3 at 2022 1:45 PM

Andi Martinez — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 13:45:19 -0400

Thank you everyone for posting questions!

Response by Danielle Myott made Nov 4 at 2022 8:07 AM

Danielle Myott — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 08:07:53 -0400

Is there any help for peacetime Veterans that need caregiving services, respite care, or hospice services?

Response by Ryan Callahan made Nov 9 at 2022 3:03 PM

Ryan Callahan — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 15:03:50 -0500

VA Caregiver Support Line: [login to see]