Why is enrollment in the VA not automatic at service separation?

Michael Compeau — Fri, 03 May 2019 10:55:01 -0400

...particularly with 14 out of the 20 daily suicide deaths by Veterans and active duty soldiers involving folks NEVER EVEN enrolled in the VA??
It seems obvious that enrollment could help reduce that number, whether through direct medical and mental health care OR through the increased vet-to-vet connections that always occur as a result of enrollment?!?!

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made May 3 at 2019 11:03 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Fri, 03 May 2019 11:03:18 -0400

That's a good thought. Maybe VA should be at TAPS with registration cards

Response by PO1 H Gene Lawrence made May 3 at 2019 11:03 AM

PO1 H Gene Lawrence — Fri, 03 May 2019 11:03:35 -0400

My question to you is, would they seek medical attention if they don’t seek to enroll in the first place?

Response by CPL Dave Hoover made May 3 at 2019 11:04 AM

CPL Dave Hoover — Fri, 03 May 2019 11:04:16 -0400

They don't want to pay, plus fearing patient overload Michael Compeau

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2019 11:07 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 May 2019 11:07:34 -0400

Because the majority of people leaving the service aren't eligible for any type of medical benefits. VA is a huge organization that covers all kinds of benefits, so there's no enrollment in the VA as a whole. With all the people they serve and how slow they can be it would be even worse if they had to slog through an additional 50,000 enrollments of first term soldiers who separated, perfectly healthy, at 22 years of age.
As it is, soldiers who retire or separate medically receive their VA rating prior to leaving the military in order to reduce that gap of time.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 3 at 2019 11:59 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 03 May 2019 11:59:29 -0400

I think some veterans don't want to be found, or are so gone from reality they don't know what the rational thing to do. Many veterans with PTSD are fighting several battles, namely PTSD and alcohol or drug dependency. If the process from AD to VA was a production line, the standards will vary with each product. Some of the veterans with PTSD were chaptered out for making mistakes.

Response by Michael Compeau made May 3 at 2019 12:12 PM

Michael Compeau — Fri, 03 May 2019 12:12:43 -0400

Did you know that in the past ten years, bills have been introduced to Congress TWICE to do exactly this? -- Some of the objections in the past? -
a) We'd need a unified Electronic Health Record for this (on the way now) and
b) We'd need a single Unified Veteran "contact management" system (a CRM) to best manage this (this is now on the VA Office of Information & Technology's strategic plan to make this happen)... So, I believe the time is now.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made May 3 at 2019 1:54 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Fri, 03 May 2019 13:54:22 -0400

Because the va is shit. I would never go to the va. Obama screwed it up and trump is not helping.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made May 3 at 2019 2:27 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Fri, 03 May 2019 14:27:43 -0400

I caution people that correlation does not equate to causation. Even the 20 a day, or 22 a day need to be taken with a grain of salt. The newest reliable data that I've seen is 2016, with 6079 veteran suicides that year. No, that isn't 20 a day. 58 percent of those are over the age of 55 and even in that age group, veterans are less likely to commit suicide than their age and gender in the general population.
All suicide is tragic and the increase in suicide among the young men, not only younger veterans, is big concern with me. But programs that address the needs of these guys probably aren't going to mean much to that 70 year old with few friends left and has cancer.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 3 at 2019 3:22 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 03 May 2019 15:22:03 -0400

Here is some food for thought. The majority of veterans who commit suicide are 55 and above. The majority of suicides are committed by those who do not seek the VA for help.

Response by SFC James Asbill made May 4 at 2019 12:06 AM

SFC James Asbill — Sat, 04 May 2019 00:06:10 -0400

Why are so many of us unwilling to ask for help ???

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2019 6:58 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 May 2019 06:58:38 -0400

So what are you going to do, try and force those of us who don’t want to enroll to do it on the off chance that we might commit suicide? You going to force us all to get mental health evaluations too? Not like we haven’t given up enouh of our rights when we were in, you want to force us to seek medical treatment after we get out in a system some of us don’t want to use? Nice...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2019 7:53 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 May 2019 07:53:12 -0400

Hmmm as much as I would love to see every veteran actually get every service they have earned through wearing the uniform, the fact is you can’t force anyone to sign up. Also how would the VA manage all those extra people? Right now most VA facilities are overloaded with patients and can’t get enough providers hired to handle the patient loads and congress has decided to try and send those folks out through choice and community care all the while not increasing staff in the VA to provide care. Do less with more seems to always be the way.

Some services would be much better and faster and convenient for veterans in the private sector due to distance or complexity of the speciality. Others just make more sense to be handled in house with the VA.

Our country has a huge shortage of mental health providers, insurance coverage for mental health, and just a huge stigma of what mental illness is and how to handle it and that is not just a veteran owned problem or VA problem.

Response by 1SG Eddie Smith made May 5 at 2019 10:15 AM

1SG Eddie Smith — Sun, 05 May 2019 10:15:28 -0400

"VA"—The Veterans Health Administration offers mental and emotional wellness healthcare services to ALL Veterans for one year after separation date on DD Form 214; no specific eligibility requirements other than serving in the military.

One of the big problems with Servicemembers and Veterans is that they are simply not aware of their eligibility for VA Healthcare, or other benefits they have earned through military service, or they have heard all the wrong things about VA Healthcare, they haven't looked into or tried VA Healthcare, or they think they are not eligible and don't bother looking into the details.

Basic eligibility for VA healthcare is two years of active duty service; National Guard and Reserve requires being called to active duty by a federal order and complete that period of duty, another way to word that is MOB / Demob under title 10 orders. And, the Veteran must have an other than dishonorable discharge—that's it folks, basic eligibility! Then other unique services factors and financial status comes into to play to determine co-pays or no-copays. There are NO monthly, semi-annual, or annual premiums for VA Healthcare, it is not insurance, VA Healthcare is direct medical care for Veterans of the U.S. military that meet basic eligibility requirements.

Currently, there are approximately NINE MILLION Veterans enrolled in and using VA Healthcare.

If Servicemembers would enter their contact info in their eBenefits account while they preparing for separation, VA will reach out and make contact to answer all questions and provide guidance. It's called the Concierge for Care Program or "C4C".

Any VA Benefit that Veteran believes they are eligible for must fill out and submit an application for the specific benefit, go see you local Veteran Service Organization rep (VSO rep), they will help and provide guidance at no charge, or you can apply online at VA.GOV. Think State Department of Veteran Services, you should be able to find one in your county or relatively close by. Use the locator links on eBenefits to find your nearest VSO rep.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2019 9:36 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 May 2019 21:36:19 -0400

Because not everyone will qualify for services, it all depends on how you are discharged...

Response by SSgt Daniel d'Errico made May 9 at 2019 12:48 AM

SSgt Daniel d'Errico — Thu, 09 May 2019 00:48:25 -0400

Excellent question. Automatic enrollment in the VA would be a great thing, unfortunately, no one has ever asked this question before in my memory. The VA hasn't the same computer system hooked in the the military system. Fove branches of different systems. No excuse for the VA, because they have their priorities and our enrollment isn't one of them. Maybe if they had an on base/post representative, it would be a way to a better way than having to make a trip to the VA in another city/state. The rep could attend briefing for those me,bers leaving/retiring from the service, hand out VA enrollment forms and answer questions about the VA.

Response by A1C Samuel Campbell made May 9 at 2019 6:17 AM

A1C Samuel Campbell — Thu, 09 May 2019 06:17:19 -0400

Always update your Means Testing at you local VA at that time check into your benefits and keep researching your benefits stay informed of all changes. We are still our own best resource.

Response by PVT Robert Bernhardt made May 15 at 2019 9:16 AM

PVT Robert Bernhardt — Wed, 15 May 2019 09:16:59 -0400

I do not think any one tidy statement covers the reasons for suicides. Rather i think the reasons are as various as the number of vets who do commit suicide. I was discharged in 68. In my case, what helped me were the multitude of drugs available and freely shared at that time - psychedelic drugs mostly, that facilitated my search for a practical non-religious connect with Spirit and led me to mentors who did not charge money for their mentoring, asking only for my sincerity. As well, what helped me was not giving up searching for a mate/life partner who did/does not cheat or lie, and was/is understanding and supportive of the changes I was/am going through. Re the latter I went through 3 wives and several significant others before i found and was found by the one I was looking for, my present wife and best friend going on 34 years now, whose seemingly unending optimism and unmistakable unconditional love keeps me afloat and looking forward to another day. After my discharge in 68, I avoided any connection with the military until 96, when the effects of my age combined with the deteriorating effects of the back injury I got in Vietnam necessitated getting some help. At that time the government afforded the VA enough money to supply each veteran a team of doctors from the various applicable fields of medicine and a team manager who met with each other once a week to discuss individual cases, devise a constructive plan for each veteran in their case load, and the case manager kept me informed of my team's plans. ie at that time I was given one hour each week with a shrink helping me deal with PTSD, and was able to switch to another shrink when I felt the shrink I had was not able to help me. I went through 6 shrinks before finding one who was able to communicate with me, help to the degree I no longer need counseling, and provided individual and family counseling. Now the VA system is stressed, swamped with the many deserving veterans of the ongoing wars in the Middle East. For just one example, the last time I checked the most time I could get with a shrink was a facetious and futile 15 minutes once a month, and, of course the glib, rote, toss off statement "Thank you for your service." But for the service provided by the VA in 96 and my wife in my life I am sure I would be depressed and would be dreading waking up to another day.

Response by SPC Byron Skinner made May 16 at 2019 3:53 AM

SPC Byron Skinner — Thu, 16 May 2019 03:53:06 -0400

Sp $ Byron Skinner.., First off such an interchange of records would be cost prohibitive for both the DpD and the VA. In a more practical vain the really don't talk with each other and lets face it the Soldier id not a customer of the VA he/she is a burden and an expense it is on the right side of the books. Did you know that VA Claims agents gets a cash bonuses for the number of applicants he/she can denny benefits…why would the approve any applicant???

Response by Capt Wayne Burden made Jun 28 at 2019 11:48 AM

Capt Wayne Burden — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 11:48:05 -0400

As a former VA civilian employee, and one that worked with massive databases, enrolling EVERY veteran at discharge would be an inefficient use of limited resources. Most veterans that serve a single enlistment, and are discharged at a young age, will never step foot in a VA Hospital or clinic, so why enroll them? Also, if they have no service connected disability what they’re qualified to receive is very limited and on a space available basis. Bottom line, the VA is severely overwhelmed by the sheer number of veterans and must practice some type of restrictive triage as to who gets seen and how much is done for those who DO get seen. Of course, 100% disabled vets will always have top priority, then the pecking order starts in. Go to va.gov to get all the info on their programs and whose eligible.

Response by MAJ Hugh Blanchard made Jun 28 at 2019 4:20 PM

MAJ Hugh Blanchard — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 16:20:27 -0400

I agree. When I retired after 23 years service, my whole experience with the VA was very hit or miss, very badly organized. AMVETS and DAV tried to help, but the VA back then was not very competent. Their retirement physical exam for me was a bad joke, administered by a doddering 78 year old MD who could not have cared less about me or anyone else. He was bitter, nasty and very unhelpful. I shouldn't speak ill of the dead, but he was just barely going through the motions. I hope to God that our soldiers nowadays get better treatment than I did.

Response by 1SG Eddie Smith made Jun 28 at 2019 9:16 PM

1SG Eddie Smith — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 21:16:59 -0400

Everyone has a role in suicide prevention!

Response by SPC Joe Weiss made Jun 29 at 2019 1:12 AM

SPC Joe Weiss — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 01:12:39 -0400

It should be

Response by SSgt Rebekah Bradfield made Jun 29 at 2019 10:52 PM

SSgt Rebekah Bradfield — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 22:52:12 -0400

I can shed some light on this from the inside. There are some people that aren't eligible for VA care due to character of service and others require a character of discharge determination when they request care. Overall, I think a lot of people assume they aren't eligible so they never apply. I highly recommend anyone that has served contact a local Veterans Service Organization, and apply for both VA medical care and disability compensation. If you served on Title 10 orders at any time during your military career, there is good chance you are eligible for care at a VA medical facility. The VA hospitals are funded based on the number of Veterans enrolled so we actually want more patients. As far as wait times to receive care, check out https://www.accesstocare.va.gov/

Response by SPC Byron Skinner made Jun 29 at 2019 11:44 PM

SPC Byron Skinner — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 23:44:37 -0400

Sp4 Byron Skinner,…Two very simple answers The Department of Veterans Affairs is not part of the Defense Department and second lay not every former service member wants to be involved in the Veterans Administration. One of them is my brother, he got out of the Army in 1971 and has yet to get a VA card, he wants nothing to do with anything that even resembles the US Army. This is a problem that I have been involved in over the years and to be honest if service followed the established procedures and not miss appointment, Fill out form completely and a number of other this the system would go much smoother. I got out on April 23, 1967. age 20, and received my first Disability Check on June 1, 1967 and started School June 16th.1967 with all my VA ducks in place. This was way before all of the Super Computers that come and gone. A word of advice sine the veterans themselves can't successfully deal with the VA and won't see any benefits for a decade or more you might consider joining a Veterans Service Organization like the DAV, Purple Heart Veterans, VFW or American Legion etc. In regard to SFC (verify) you are incorrect. all discharged service members have one or two years medical care after leaving the military. Second the the VA and Military yes gives a disability rating for shoddier who have medical issues, but it is to the VA Disability which in face has a different criteria. One is the military will give you only the high disability rating you deserve, most combat wounded have more the one disability. If you received a head wound like I did you have an amputation with the eye blown out, you have concussion, many like in my case have a fractured neck, they have disfigurement with their skulls, they may have lost some teeth the Army not will count the eye and give a 40% even though with out counting employability you very likely have total ratings of well over in the 100% level. The last time I looked mine were in the 300%+ rating if all separate injuries were counted. On PTSD the VA appears to have fond themselves in the same situation as Vietnam Era Veterans with Agent Orange, they jus gave up and said ant health condition where the Veterans population have more claims the the non Veteran group of the same age. No addition investigations of Veterans life styles which is very often far more risky the non Veterans. On PTSD I can see when it will be come just an automatic thing, especially now that coverage is being awarded with issues in a service personal ,personal problems that really have no connection to the Military Service.

Response by LTC Marvin Gibson made Jul 31 at 2019 12:54 PM

LTC Marvin Gibson — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 12:54:53 -0400

Entitlement or single provider healthcare minded?...

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 24 at 2022 11:16 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 24 Apr 2022 11:16:51 -0400

Are you involved with PTSD in any manner?