Posted on Nov 11, 2021
2021 Veterans Day Q&A with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough
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Over the past few weeks, the VA worked to answer more than 400 questions below on: Inflation, Burn Pits, Mental Health Services, Disability Claims, Medical Marijuana, Caregivers and Survivors, Community Care, Billing, Post-9/11 GI Bill, LGBTQ+, Electronic Healthcare Record, COVID-19, Dental, and Homeless Veterans.
On Veterans Day, Secretary McDonough directly responded to 9 RallyPoint member questions below. These responses are pinned below in green boxes.
On Veterans Day, Secretary McDonough directly responded to 9 RallyPoint member questions below. These responses are pinned below in green boxes.
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Health
Mental Health
Disability
GI Bill
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 404
Mr. Secretary, The re-legalization of cannabis presents an immense opportunity for the VA and the Dept. of Defense to commit real vision and leadership at the very beginning of what must be recognized as a paradigm shift. Outside the walls of VA facilities, we are witnessing a revolution in medical affairs. We are witnessing veterans being healed and families being saved through access to medical cannabis, a safe, effective medicine we have been using for millennia. Veterans tell me EVERY DAY that cannabis has saved their life. More importantly, spouses and children tell me that cannabis has brought their spouse or parent back. As a leader, as a cavalryman, and as a human, these are SPOT REPORTs that I cannot ignore.
I was privileged to serve and lead soldiers in the U.S. Army for 27 years. I went to a military academy that was started by a hemp farmer, Thomas Jefferson. Leaders in the military have known since 1900 that cannabis is safer and more effective than opioids.
I have asked your predecessors how they plan to show leadership on the subject of cannabis. I rarely got back more than a 'pot pun' and regurgitated "Reefer Madness" that had no bearing in data or science.
I implore you to step up and take a forward leaning leadership role within the Federal government on this subject. If your is to find a way to save soldiers' lives, yet fail to explore how cannabis can contribute, you will be sorely derelict in your duty.
I would like to invite you and any other leaders to this conversation. I am hosting an event in Arlington, TX on 6NOV21 immediately following the Army-Air Force Game. Please register at the link on the attached flyer. I am inviting all leaders to help us start this conversation in a meaningful and purpose driven way. These endeavors could lead to increased survivability of soldiers in combat and the ability of our veterans and families to thrive after service without fear of overdose, addiction, or increased suicidal ideation.
Our veterans and our military are in an absolute healthcare crisis. We will all be judged by how we responded to the burnpit effects, opioid, and suicide crises in our ranks and veteran community. So far, I have been sadly disappointed in the VA's inability to embrace cannabis and shine its massive research lens on this opportunity. How can I and the rest of the veteran cannabis community be of assistance in helping you understand more about cannabis and our plan to save soldiers lives?
I can guarantee you, that if you are the guy that brings this to the table, you can tell CPT McDonald that your most fulfilling moment was when you were able to help veterans access cannabis. You should want this to be part of your legacy, because it is what a leader would do.
Please feel free to call, email, or visit me in Kansas City. I give one hell of a tour at Ft. Leavenworth, the National WWI Museum, the KCVA.
I stand patiently by to assist you equipped with an army of cannabis veterans who will join me at the Hemp For Victory event in Arlington, TX.
Thank you for your service to the nation.
Todd Scattini
TheHempColonel
I was privileged to serve and lead soldiers in the U.S. Army for 27 years. I went to a military academy that was started by a hemp farmer, Thomas Jefferson. Leaders in the military have known since 1900 that cannabis is safer and more effective than opioids.
I have asked your predecessors how they plan to show leadership on the subject of cannabis. I rarely got back more than a 'pot pun' and regurgitated "Reefer Madness" that had no bearing in data or science.
I implore you to step up and take a forward leaning leadership role within the Federal government on this subject. If your is to find a way to save soldiers' lives, yet fail to explore how cannabis can contribute, you will be sorely derelict in your duty.
I would like to invite you and any other leaders to this conversation. I am hosting an event in Arlington, TX on 6NOV21 immediately following the Army-Air Force Game. Please register at the link on the attached flyer. I am inviting all leaders to help us start this conversation in a meaningful and purpose driven way. These endeavors could lead to increased survivability of soldiers in combat and the ability of our veterans and families to thrive after service without fear of overdose, addiction, or increased suicidal ideation.
Our veterans and our military are in an absolute healthcare crisis. We will all be judged by how we responded to the burnpit effects, opioid, and suicide crises in our ranks and veteran community. So far, I have been sadly disappointed in the VA's inability to embrace cannabis and shine its massive research lens on this opportunity. How can I and the rest of the veteran cannabis community be of assistance in helping you understand more about cannabis and our plan to save soldiers lives?
I can guarantee you, that if you are the guy that brings this to the table, you can tell CPT McDonald that your most fulfilling moment was when you were able to help veterans access cannabis. You should want this to be part of your legacy, because it is what a leader would do.
Please feel free to call, email, or visit me in Kansas City. I give one hell of a tour at Ft. Leavenworth, the National WWI Museum, the KCVA.
I stand patiently by to assist you equipped with an army of cannabis veterans who will join me at the Hemp For Victory event in Arlington, TX.
Thank you for your service to the nation.
Todd Scattini
TheHempColonel
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for the invitation to your event. VA is committed to providing the highest level of care to all Veterans who are seen by VA. As an agency of the U.S. Government, VA is governed by federal laws, not state laws. VA and all VA staff, including contractors, as well as outside providers acting on VA's behalf, may only prescribe medications that have been approved by the FDA for medical use. At present, marijuana and most products containing delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), or other cannabinoids are not approved by the FDA for this purpose. For these reasons, VA providers may not prescribe or recommend medical marijuana, nor complete paperwork/forms required for Veteran patients to participate in state-approved marijuana programs. In addition, VA pharmacies may not fill prescriptions for these drugs, nor will VA pay for such prescriptions from any source. Federal law would have to be changed and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would have to approve medical marijuana before VA providers would be able to prescribe or recommend medical marijuana or complete paperwork/forms for Veteran patients to participate in state-approved marijuana programs.
Why is there so much delay to receive Covid shots? I asked my clinic for the Phizer booster and was told scheduling is out to December. CVS and Walgreen take a couple days.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
We are sorry to hear you experienced delays in scheduling your COVID-19 vaccine. It is possible that your clinic may have been waiting on a shipment of COVID-19 vaccine prior to scheduling. You may have sooner options to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine at another VA facility. You may also choose to get a COVID-19 vaccine at a community site if it is more convenient for you. You can search for COVID-19 vaccine locations at vaccines.gov.
Why is that we have to fight to get our disability compensation? When we are suppose to get full medical and 100% disability rating upon discharge. I have been fighting for 5 years now and only at a 70%. Everything I have going on is service related but they reject the claims.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Unfortunately, we are unable to answer questions specific to your individual claim in this forum due to privacy issues. Please contact our national call center for claim specific assistance at [login to see] for the status of your claim and so we may provide individual assistance.
Why were the kiosks removed from the VA? We are back to standing in lines for check-ins and filling out travel pay.
What is being done about the delay of authorization processing regarding the Care in the Community Program?
Why has congress taken the decision making ability away from primary care doctors and Community Care?
How is the current budget based Veteran healthcare system more beneficial for Veterans than need based healthcare?
system?
Last question.
Why is no one answering the phone at WRIISC in Paulo Alto?
Why has congress taken the decision making ability away from primary care doctors and Community Care?
How is the current budget based Veteran healthcare system more beneficial for Veterans than need based healthcare?
system?
Last question.
Why is no one answering the phone at WRIISC in Paulo Alto?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA monitors the Veterans wait times from the date the consult is entered to when the appointment is scheduled. VA Medical Centers continue to work towards improvements to decrease the Veteran's wait time for a scheduled appointment in the community.
There are six eligibility criteria for community care under the MISSION act. More information regarding these criteria are located at https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/veterans/General_Care.asp
There are six eligibility criteria for community care under the MISSION act. More information regarding these criteria are located at https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/veterans/General_Care.asp
Like so many things with the wrong with the VA, this system will not work to let me ask a question. It just cycles back to the "Ask a question below" button.
Is there any intention to turn VA Fort Worth Clinic into a hospital. There are more then enough patients in the Fort Worth and surrounding communities to support turning the clinic into a hospital. Just like what was done with Sacramento VA Mather clinic. The closest hospital was VA Hospital in Martinez. So the Converted VA Sacramento Mather.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA North Texas Healthcare System does not have plans to convert the VA Fort Worth Clinic to a hospital at this time. Expansion plans have been developed to include more specialty services to improve Veteran access.
I been trying to get my service connection disability payments. Since 1988 why am I been denied so many times? When I clearly was injured in the line of duty. They keep showing peace time vet. Being Military Police you are never in peacetime.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Under current law, May 8, 1975 through August 1, 1990 is considered to be peacetime. Certain VA benefits, including non-service connected pension, are only eligible to Veterans who have wartime service. Service-connected compensation is available to anyone who incurred or aggravated an injury during active duty service. For questions specific to your claim, please contact VA at [login to see] .
Why doesn't the va disability board not listen to their own rules and regulations and what the persons doctor has documented?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA considers all available evidence when deciding a claim for service connected compensation, to include medical statements from VA doctor as well as private physicians. If you do not agree with VA's decision on your claim, you have the option to file an appeal within one year of receiving VA's decision.
Why are Vietnam veterans that have cancer and exposed Agent Orange being denied benefits? For example a marine veteran has tonsil cancer and under their disability rating it says tonsil cancer, cause agent orange, not service connected. How can it not be service connected?
Why can you find cases under the veterans board of appeals that has the exact same case and those people are awarded 100% and yet when you submit this as evidence for your claim you are denied equal benefits? If the veterans board of appeals has deemed this type of cancer as service connected to Agent Orange for Vietnam veterans why does it not apply to all veterans that are claiming that type of cancer ?
Why can you find cases under the veterans board of appeals that has the exact same case and those people are awarded 100% and yet when you submit this as evidence for your claim you are denied equal benefits? If the veterans board of appeals has deemed this type of cancer as service connected to Agent Orange for Vietnam veterans why does it not apply to all veterans that are claiming that type of cancer ?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
There is an extensive list of cancers and other diseases known to be linked with Agent Orange. This list was developed because of extensive research by the Institutes of Medicine (now the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine) and by other research studies. That list can be found at this weblink: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/conditions/index.asp
Tonsillar cancer is not one of the cancers currently known to be associated with Agent Orange. VA continues to review the science and published studies and will add other cancers and conditions to list of diseases known if evidence arises that links new conditions to Agent Orange exposure.
Tonsillar cancer is not one of the cancers currently known to be associated with Agent Orange. VA continues to review the science and published studies and will add other cancers and conditions to list of diseases known if evidence arises that links new conditions to Agent Orange exposure.
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