Posted on Nov 22, 2022
Veterans Together Town Hall Roundup: VA Secretary Denis McDonough answers RallyPoint member questions
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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough answered questions from the RallyPoint community during a Nov. 9 Veterans Month town hall, which touched on topics such as compensation for service-related injuries, coverage for care at non-VA facilities and much more.
Ahead of the “2022 VetXL Veterans Together Town Hall,” RallyPoint Veterans and their caregivers, family members and survivors submitted hundreds of queries for the VA secretary and other experts to address. The VA secretary answered selected questions during the one-hour live event, in front of an audience at the Washington, D.C., VA medical center. Meanwhile, VA and Veteran-serving nonprofit officials posted additional answers on the RallyPoint chat page at https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/vetxl-veterans-together-townhall-ask-questions-now.
Below are highlights from the town hall, the live portion of which was moderated by Jose Llamas of VA’s Veterans Experience Office. Find the full video at https://news.va.gov/110853/town-hall-with-va-secretary-denis-mcdonough.
On benefits for exposure to air- and waterborne toxins while in service …
McDonough opened his talk by saying that during the pandemic, VA “service never stopped” and continued at a high level, despite employees having to adjust to COVID-19 restrictions. VA provided more services, more care and more benefits over the last two years than at any time in history, he said. He added that more Veterans’ benefits claims were processed in the last year than ever before.
Nevertheless, the secretary was asked several questions about compensation, and about why certain benefits are not presumed to be service related, which expedites VA claims processing.
For instance, the recently signed PACT Act presumes a service connection for certain health issues of Veterans and family members deployed between 1953 and 1987 to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina. (The full name of the PACT Act is the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022.) Military officials acknowledge that’s when the drinking water was contaminated with industrial solvents, including benzene and other chemicals.
A Marine Corps Veteran asked the secretary why VA doesn’t provide compensation for his kidney cancer, which he believes was caused by exposure to toxic water while on active duty.
“What is the difference between that (Camp Lejeune) water and the water we drank from streams in the jungle when we went on ops?” the Veteran asked.
McDonough said that there are scientific studies clearly linking the water contamination at Camp Lejeune to many cancers and other illnesses (https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/camp-lejeune-water-contamination). “And,” he said, “we are continually reviewing that science to try to establish additional presumptions of service connection.”
He added that coming into contact with water from jungle rivers and streams can cause infectious diseases, and the secretary said VA will cover conditions found to be service related. “But they are different, obviously, than the cancers,” he said.
A U.S. Army Veteran joined other Veterans attending the town hall in asking why VA hasn’t compensated military personnel stationed at Fort McClellan in Alabama for air- and waterborne exposure to chemicals similar to those leaked into the groundwater at Camp Lejeune.
“When are we going to be recognized?” one Veteran asked the secretary.
There have been multimillion-dollar settlements regarding polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination south of the base, which is now closed. But here again, the secretary said, VA doesn’t yet have sufficient scientific data to establish a connection between that contamination and service at the base.
“We are looking closely at connections between those chemicals and conditions that are manifesting among our Vets,” McDonough said.
The secretary urged Veterans to contact the Veterans Benefits Administration to file claims for conditions believed to be service related at http://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/homepage. Find more PACT Act-related coverage at https://www.rallypoint.com/topics/burn-pits.
On getting coverage for health care at non-VA facilities …
A Veteran with service-connected disabilities said he’s located 30 minutes away from a VA clinic, which is understaffed and slow, and an hour away from a VA hospital with the specialist care he needs.
At the clinic, “simply having blood drawn is a half-day ordeal,” the Marine Corps Veteran said. “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.”
He asked McDonough how he could get compensation for the non-VA health care available near where he lives.
The secretary said the VA Community Care program is an option. The program is available to Veterans who meet requirements established by the 2018 MISSION Act. Eligible Veterans who meet one of six criteria — including long drive times to VA facilities — can be approved for community care. Visit http://www.va.gov/communitycare.
On benefits for survivors and caregivers and for specific health issues …
VA officials addressed additional subjects raised by the RallyPoint community during the digital portion of event, including:
Benefits for surviving spouses: A VA official urged a surviving spouse asking about VA benefits to explore the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation page at https://www.va.gov/disability/dependency-indemnity-compensation. Survivors who think they may have PACT Act-related claims can visit https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/#information-for-survivors.
Caregiver support: “Is there any help for peacetime Veterans that need caregiving services, respite care or hospice services?” a military family member asked. The VA responded by linking the questioner to the recently expanded VA Caregiver Support program at https://www.caregiver.va.gov/index.asp. Caregivers can also call VA’s caregiver support line at [login to see] .
Home adaptation for special needs: “How can I get VA to pay for a walk-in shower conversion?” a Veteran asked. In response, a member posted a video at https://youtu.be/gGXFIDsTzfI on accessing free medical supplies and equipment such as wheelchairs and ramps from VA. A VA official also directed the Veteran to VA’s disability housing grant programs, which are explained at https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/disability-housing-grants.
Privacy and identity theft: A Veteran noted that much of the VA correspondence he receives contains his full Social Security number. “Correct me if I am wrong,” the Marine Corps Veteran asked, “but isn’t identity theft a huge problem?”
VA responded that “unique legal requirements and business needs” mean that Social Security numbers “cannot be completely eliminated or truncated” on correspondence. However, VA’s Social Security Number Reduction Program Management Office is reducing use of personally identifiable information “where feasible,” officials said.
According to the VA Privacy Service, Social Security numbers are no longer on prescription labels, bottles or mailing labels; on certain health care cards; and on some letters sent to Veterans and service members. Visit https://www.oprm.va.gov/privacy/SSNReduction.aspx and VA’s Identity Theft Prevention at https://www.va.gov/identitytheft.
Treatment for substance use issues: One Veteran asked VA about assistance for substance use related to mental health issues. VA offers Veterans many substance use disorder treatment options, including medications that reduce cravings for opioids and nicotine replacement therapies.
A VA official said the Veteran can access services by dialing 988 and pressing 1 to talk to a trained counselor; contacting a Vet Center at https://www.vetcenter.va.gov; and exploring VA pages on substance use treatment (https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/substance-use-problems) and mental health care (https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health).
Veterans and service members who are having difficulties or are in distress can also connect to care and to peer support through the Veterans Wellness Alliance’s “Check In” program at https://www.veterancheckin.org/s/.
Learn more
Access many more answers to questions at the “2022 VetXL Veterans Together Town Hall” page: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/vetxl-veterans-together-townhall-ask-questions-now
Ahead of the “2022 VetXL Veterans Together Town Hall,” RallyPoint Veterans and their caregivers, family members and survivors submitted hundreds of queries for the VA secretary and other experts to address. The VA secretary answered selected questions during the one-hour live event, in front of an audience at the Washington, D.C., VA medical center. Meanwhile, VA and Veteran-serving nonprofit officials posted additional answers on the RallyPoint chat page at https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/vetxl-veterans-together-townhall-ask-questions-now.
Below are highlights from the town hall, the live portion of which was moderated by Jose Llamas of VA’s Veterans Experience Office. Find the full video at https://news.va.gov/110853/town-hall-with-va-secretary-denis-mcdonough.
On benefits for exposure to air- and waterborne toxins while in service …
McDonough opened his talk by saying that during the pandemic, VA “service never stopped” and continued at a high level, despite employees having to adjust to COVID-19 restrictions. VA provided more services, more care and more benefits over the last two years than at any time in history, he said. He added that more Veterans’ benefits claims were processed in the last year than ever before.
Nevertheless, the secretary was asked several questions about compensation, and about why certain benefits are not presumed to be service related, which expedites VA claims processing.
For instance, the recently signed PACT Act presumes a service connection for certain health issues of Veterans and family members deployed between 1953 and 1987 to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina. (The full name of the PACT Act is the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022.) Military officials acknowledge that’s when the drinking water was contaminated with industrial solvents, including benzene and other chemicals.
A Marine Corps Veteran asked the secretary why VA doesn’t provide compensation for his kidney cancer, which he believes was caused by exposure to toxic water while on active duty.
“What is the difference between that (Camp Lejeune) water and the water we drank from streams in the jungle when we went on ops?” the Veteran asked.
McDonough said that there are scientific studies clearly linking the water contamination at Camp Lejeune to many cancers and other illnesses (https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/camp-lejeune-water-contamination). “And,” he said, “we are continually reviewing that science to try to establish additional presumptions of service connection.”
He added that coming into contact with water from jungle rivers and streams can cause infectious diseases, and the secretary said VA will cover conditions found to be service related. “But they are different, obviously, than the cancers,” he said.
A U.S. Army Veteran joined other Veterans attending the town hall in asking why VA hasn’t compensated military personnel stationed at Fort McClellan in Alabama for air- and waterborne exposure to chemicals similar to those leaked into the groundwater at Camp Lejeune.
“When are we going to be recognized?” one Veteran asked the secretary.
There have been multimillion-dollar settlements regarding polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination south of the base, which is now closed. But here again, the secretary said, VA doesn’t yet have sufficient scientific data to establish a connection between that contamination and service at the base.
“We are looking closely at connections between those chemicals and conditions that are manifesting among our Vets,” McDonough said.
The secretary urged Veterans to contact the Veterans Benefits Administration to file claims for conditions believed to be service related at http://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/homepage. Find more PACT Act-related coverage at https://www.rallypoint.com/topics/burn-pits.
On getting coverage for health care at non-VA facilities …
A Veteran with service-connected disabilities said he’s located 30 minutes away from a VA clinic, which is understaffed and slow, and an hour away from a VA hospital with the specialist care he needs.
At the clinic, “simply having blood drawn is a half-day ordeal,” the Marine Corps Veteran said. “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.”
He asked McDonough how he could get compensation for the non-VA health care available near where he lives.
The secretary said the VA Community Care program is an option. The program is available to Veterans who meet requirements established by the 2018 MISSION Act. Eligible Veterans who meet one of six criteria — including long drive times to VA facilities — can be approved for community care. Visit http://www.va.gov/communitycare.
On benefits for survivors and caregivers and for specific health issues …
VA officials addressed additional subjects raised by the RallyPoint community during the digital portion of event, including:
Benefits for surviving spouses: A VA official urged a surviving spouse asking about VA benefits to explore the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation page at https://www.va.gov/disability/dependency-indemnity-compensation. Survivors who think they may have PACT Act-related claims can visit https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/#information-for-survivors.
Caregiver support: “Is there any help for peacetime Veterans that need caregiving services, respite care or hospice services?” a military family member asked. The VA responded by linking the questioner to the recently expanded VA Caregiver Support program at https://www.caregiver.va.gov/index.asp. Caregivers can also call VA’s caregiver support line at [login to see] .
Home adaptation for special needs: “How can I get VA to pay for a walk-in shower conversion?” a Veteran asked. In response, a member posted a video at https://youtu.be/gGXFIDsTzfI on accessing free medical supplies and equipment such as wheelchairs and ramps from VA. A VA official also directed the Veteran to VA’s disability housing grant programs, which are explained at https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/disability-housing-grants.
Privacy and identity theft: A Veteran noted that much of the VA correspondence he receives contains his full Social Security number. “Correct me if I am wrong,” the Marine Corps Veteran asked, “but isn’t identity theft a huge problem?”
VA responded that “unique legal requirements and business needs” mean that Social Security numbers “cannot be completely eliminated or truncated” on correspondence. However, VA’s Social Security Number Reduction Program Management Office is reducing use of personally identifiable information “where feasible,” officials said.
According to the VA Privacy Service, Social Security numbers are no longer on prescription labels, bottles or mailing labels; on certain health care cards; and on some letters sent to Veterans and service members. Visit https://www.oprm.va.gov/privacy/SSNReduction.aspx and VA’s Identity Theft Prevention at https://www.va.gov/identitytheft.
Treatment for substance use issues: One Veteran asked VA about assistance for substance use related to mental health issues. VA offers Veterans many substance use disorder treatment options, including medications that reduce cravings for opioids and nicotine replacement therapies.
A VA official said the Veteran can access services by dialing 988 and pressing 1 to talk to a trained counselor; contacting a Vet Center at https://www.vetcenter.va.gov; and exploring VA pages on substance use treatment (https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/substance-use-problems) and mental health care (https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health).
Veterans and service members who are having difficulties or are in distress can also connect to care and to peer support through the Veterans Wellness Alliance’s “Check In” program at https://www.veterancheckin.org/s/.
Learn more
Access many more answers to questions at the “2022 VetXL Veterans Together Town Hall” page: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/vetxl-veterans-together-townhall-ask-questions-now
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Health
Healthcare
Camp Lejeune
Vietnam War
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 7
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As the former Obama Chief of Staff, I am curious about what Denis was doing on Sep 11 when our brothers-in-arms were abandoned and killed in Benghazi. In addition, what role did he play that allowed Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, to have an unsecured server in her home? How many operatives were compromised and killed?
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SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D
LTC Patric Sauer, MHA, FACHE, CMPE :
Points well made which demand answers, but I don't believe those answers will ever materialize for there is no one with the guts to hold them accountable. Sadly, the majority of our entire Country and media outlets have been skewed LEFT!
Points well made which demand answers, but I don't believe those answers will ever materialize for there is no one with the guts to hold them accountable. Sadly, the majority of our entire Country and media outlets have been skewed LEFT!
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PO3 Justin Bowen
Gosh, you could read the public transcripts of the NUMEROUS investigations that showed that she was not guilty of ANYTHING.
Oh, and by the way, I love how silent you've been about Trump stealing highly classified documents that could seriously jeopardize the security of the US.
Oh, and by the way, I love how silent you've been about Trump stealing highly classified documents that could seriously jeopardize the security of the US.
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TSgt Alex Barkey
PO3 Justin Bowen don't for get Biden with four incidents of the same thing with highly classified files as well when he was VP.
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SPC Matt Ovaska
The swamp will always stick together and protect the swamp members. Congressman Dave Bratt was Not a member and he was shunned by the Rino's because he voted as he promised and we were happy with his record.
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