Sponsored
California Veterans! Do You Have Health and Benefits Questions? Ask Questions Now!
287K
311
198
On August 11th, 11AM - 12PM PT, VA and community experts will be here to answer your questions on benefits and claims. Type your questions in now!
You can ask questions to the following people:
» Pamela Redwine - Coach Public Contact, LA Regional Office, VA
» 1SG Zelda Davis - Management Analyst, VA
» SP6 Calvin Payne - Outreach Coordinator, VA
» Sgt Jay Dalrymple - Director, National Cemetery Scheduling Office
» Sgt Christopher Vidaurre - Senior Program Manager, Veterans and Military Families, George W. Bush Presidential Center
» SGT Lauren Augustine - Vice President Government Affairs, SVA
» Melissa Comeau - Director, American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network
» Coleton Whitaker - Senior Director of Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» Jay Gorman - Psychologist, VA
» Natalie Souza - Assistant Veteran Service Center Manager, LA Regional Office
» Rebecca Brenen - Veterans Service Center Manager, LA Regional Office
» Kris Lord - Associate Director, Team Red White & Blue
» LCpl Samuel Griffin - Outreach and Mental Health Services Manger, CalVet
» Daniel Young - Supervisory Program Analyst, National Cemetery Administration
» Jonathan Smith - Benefits Assistant Coach, VBA
» SrA Phillip Chaidez - Mental Health Clinical Supervisor, Veteran Peer Access Network
» Ben Gales - Local Interagency Network Coordinator
The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet):
The California Department of Veterans Affairs works to serve California veterans and their families. With nearly 1.6 million veterans living in the State, CalVet strives to ensure that its veterans of every era and their families get the state and federal benefits and services they have earned and deserve as a result of selfless and honorable military service. CalVet strives to serve veterans and their families with dignity and compassion and to help them achieve their highest quality of life.
Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN):
A community driven support network serving veterans and their families helping them navigate and link to L.A. County departments, non-profits, the VA, and L.A. City programs. VPAN helps veterans navigate complicated systems by connecting them to a “battle buddy” and linking them to needed resources such as mental health, substance misuse support, housing, workforce development and employment, healthcare, education, legal and other miscellaneous services.
RallyPoint Answers and Discussion Conduct: https://rly.pt/33ySsg0
You can ask questions to the following people:
» Pamela Redwine - Coach Public Contact, LA Regional Office, VA
» 1SG Zelda Davis - Management Analyst, VA
» SP6 Calvin Payne - Outreach Coordinator, VA
» Sgt Jay Dalrymple - Director, National Cemetery Scheduling Office
» Sgt Christopher Vidaurre - Senior Program Manager, Veterans and Military Families, George W. Bush Presidential Center
» SGT Lauren Augustine - Vice President Government Affairs, SVA
» Melissa Comeau - Director, American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network
» Coleton Whitaker - Senior Director of Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» Jay Gorman - Psychologist, VA
» Natalie Souza - Assistant Veteran Service Center Manager, LA Regional Office
» Rebecca Brenen - Veterans Service Center Manager, LA Regional Office
» Kris Lord - Associate Director, Team Red White & Blue
» LCpl Samuel Griffin - Outreach and Mental Health Services Manger, CalVet
» Daniel Young - Supervisory Program Analyst, National Cemetery Administration
» Jonathan Smith - Benefits Assistant Coach, VBA
» SrA Phillip Chaidez - Mental Health Clinical Supervisor, Veteran Peer Access Network
» Ben Gales - Local Interagency Network Coordinator
The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet):
The California Department of Veterans Affairs works to serve California veterans and their families. With nearly 1.6 million veterans living in the State, CalVet strives to ensure that its veterans of every era and their families get the state and federal benefits and services they have earned and deserve as a result of selfless and honorable military service. CalVet strives to serve veterans and their families with dignity and compassion and to help them achieve their highest quality of life.
Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN):
A community driven support network serving veterans and their families helping them navigate and link to L.A. County departments, non-profits, the VA, and L.A. City programs. VPAN helps veterans navigate complicated systems by connecting them to a “battle buddy” and linking them to needed resources such as mental health, substance misuse support, housing, workforce development and employment, healthcare, education, legal and other miscellaneous services.
RallyPoint Answers and Discussion Conduct: https://rly.pt/33ySsg0
Los Angeles
Anaheim
Long Beach
Responses: 51
I would just like to know if anything can be done about the new Glasses contractor.??? Only had my glasses 3 months and they are scratched worse then the previous contractors glasses that took over 1 year to get the scratches I now have on a 3 month old pair. Then optometry claims they are not scratched enough in the focal area to get replaced. I just hope it doesn’t take me crashing my Harley for the VA to find out their glasses are way below Par these days. Thank you in advance.
Natalie Souza
Good Morning Bernadette. There could be any number of reasons your claim could be delayed. The pandemic did affect our ability to get federal records and schedule exams with vendors as they were staying within the CDC guidelines to ensure everyone's safety and health. If you personally have a pending claim. We would be more than happy to go over your individual status either in person or virtual appointment. I have provided the link here for your convenience via the Visitor Engagement Reporting Application (VERA) https://vets.force.com/VAVERA/s/
Natalie Souza
A1C Bernadette Sava - depending on what type of claim you have waiting at the board. Appeals claims tend to take longer with an average of a year pending. If your outside that timeline or are experiencing a hardship you can work with either us, your VSO or private attorney to see if your claim is eligible to be expedited or to get an updated status.
A1C Bernadette Sava
Natalie Souza my attorney seems to be content to wait and it has been more than a year. I expect it will happen at the perfect time for me.
Do you have VA benefits, claims, and health care questions unresolved and live in LA, California? Register for the Veterans Experience Action Center today! To register please visit: https://book.appointment-plus.com/ch422seq/#//
This event is only for Veterans, Service members, family members, caregivers, and survivors residing in the Greater Los Angeles Area. If you register for this event and you are not a resident in the counties of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obisbo, Orange, and Kern, your registration will be cancelled. Additional VEACs will be held in other states across the country. Please visit http://www.va.gov/VEAC for additional information.
To register please visit: https://book.appointment-plus.com/ch422seq/#//
To register please visit: https://book.appointment-plus.com/ch422seq/#//
Good day, To anyone with the answer With the open burn pit exposure bill passing and several conditions listed as presumptive. Did Chronic Fatigue Syndrome make it as a presumptive condition? 21B for 22+years and a Desert Storm/Shield and OIF 06-07 tour. I find myself tired and fatigued all the time. I’m still waiting for my second wind to come and it is not. I do thank my battle buddies that helped me and the VA or Else I would not be here. Garcia, Javier 1SG Ret
PO3 Matthew Campbell
1SG Javier Garcia- First off thank you for your service! Second, There are a number a presumptives that were added with the passing of the PACT Act. The best source of information to check out at this time is http://www.va.gov/PACT VA also encourages you to file now, the link below has a place to file a disability claim online.
The PACT Act and your VA benefits | Veterans Affairs
The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. This law helps us provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve. This page will help answer your questions about what the PACT Act means for you or your loved ones. You can also call us at800-698-2411(TTY: 711). And you can file a claim for PACT Act-related...
Rebecca Brenen
What conditions will be added to the list of service-connected illnesses and when will they be in effect for Veterans to file claims?
Veterans and survivors can file claims for all conditions outlined in the PACT Act immediately.
For Gulf War and post 9-11 Veterans, that includes:
Brain cancer
Glioblastoma
Respiratory (breathing-related) cancer of any type
Gastrointestinal cancer of any type
Head cancer of any type
Lymphoma of any type
Lymphatic cancer of any type
Neck cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Reproductive cancer of any type
Kidney cancer
Melanoma
Asthma that was diagnosed after service
Chronic rhinitis
Chronic sinusitis
Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis
Emphysema
Granulomatous disease
Interstitial lung disease (ILD)
Pleuritis
Pulmonary fibrosis
Sarcoidosis
Chronic bronchitis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
§ 3.317 Compensation for certain disabilities occurring in Persian Gulf veterans.
(a) Compensation for disability due to undiagnosed illness and medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses.
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(7) of this section, VA will pay compensation in accordance with chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, to a Persian Gulf veteran who exhibits objective indications of a qualifying chronic disability, provided that such disability:
(i) Became manifest either during active military, naval, or air service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, or to a degree of 10 percent or more not later than December 31, 2026; and
(ii) By history, physical examination, and laboratory tests cannot be attributed to any known clinical diagnosis.
(2)
(i) For purposes of this section, a qualifying chronic disability means a chronic disability resulting from any of the following (or any combination of the following):
(A) An undiagnosed illness;
(B) A medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness that is defined by a cluster of signs or symptoms, such as:
(1) Chronic fatigue syndrome;
(2) Fibromyalgia;
(3) Functional gastrointestinal disorders (excluding structural gastrointestinal diseases).
Veterans and survivors can file claims for all conditions outlined in the PACT Act immediately.
For Gulf War and post 9-11 Veterans, that includes:
Brain cancer
Glioblastoma
Respiratory (breathing-related) cancer of any type
Gastrointestinal cancer of any type
Head cancer of any type
Lymphoma of any type
Lymphatic cancer of any type
Neck cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Reproductive cancer of any type
Kidney cancer
Melanoma
Asthma that was diagnosed after service
Chronic rhinitis
Chronic sinusitis
Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis
Emphysema
Granulomatous disease
Interstitial lung disease (ILD)
Pleuritis
Pulmonary fibrosis
Sarcoidosis
Chronic bronchitis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
§ 3.317 Compensation for certain disabilities occurring in Persian Gulf veterans.
(a) Compensation for disability due to undiagnosed illness and medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses.
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(7) of this section, VA will pay compensation in accordance with chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, to a Persian Gulf veteran who exhibits objective indications of a qualifying chronic disability, provided that such disability:
(i) Became manifest either during active military, naval, or air service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, or to a degree of 10 percent or more not later than December 31, 2026; and
(ii) By history, physical examination, and laboratory tests cannot be attributed to any known clinical diagnosis.
(2)
(i) For purposes of this section, a qualifying chronic disability means a chronic disability resulting from any of the following (or any combination of the following):
(A) An undiagnosed illness;
(B) A medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness that is defined by a cluster of signs or symptoms, such as:
(1) Chronic fatigue syndrome;
(2) Fibromyalgia;
(3) Functional gastrointestinal disorders (excluding structural gastrointestinal diseases).
Signing in for my Dad, Vietnam War Vet, Air Force Captain stationed at Takhli AFB in Thailand. The base is on the official VA list for Agent Orange usage. Dad has Parkinson's Plus, he needs constant caregiving, he can't walk, is wheelchair bound, can't speak & is declining rapidly. Been fighting for 3 years to get his disability percentage increased from a low 10%. Will the PACT act now help us increase his disability claim before it's too late???
Capt Erich Reichenbach
How can we please expedite increasing his disability claim? 3 years is way too long to wait for a decision on his VA disability claim as he declines rapidly & at only a low 10% for Agent Orange exposure? Why isn't his Parkinson's automatically service connected? Dad desperately needs more caregiving, needs a hospital bed, needs home modifications for wheelchair access, etc.
Dad served his country honorably, he was awarded a medal and proud no man died in his squadrons & yet he isn't receiving care from the VA in his time of need. I worry Dad will pass away before his percentage can be raised.
Why 3 years??? His Dr at the VA suggested I write to our Congressmen.
Seems our only hope is the PACT act?
Dad served his country honorably, he was awarded a medal and proud no man died in his squadrons & yet he isn't receiving care from the VA in his time of need. I worry Dad will pass away before his percentage can be raised.
Why 3 years??? His Dr at the VA suggested I write to our Congressmen.
Seems our only hope is the PACT act?
Rebecca Brenen
The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. This law helps us provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they've earned and deserve.
The Act:
• Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam era, Gulf War era, and Post-9/11 era; and
• Expands eligibility for benefits for Veterans exposed to toxic substances.
While it is our sincere desire to process every claim promptly, VA is working to complete a high volume of claims that have accumulated due to problems obtaining VA examinations and Federal records during the COVID-19 pandemic. Claims are generally processed in the order in which they were received. VA can expedite claims if your father meets certain priority criteria, such as homelessness, financial hardship (for example, eviction, overdue rent, mortgage, or utilities), age 85 or older, terminally ill, or meets certain service criteria or medical conditions described on VA Form 20-10207, Priority Processing Request. Should your father meet any of the criteria for expedited processing, please let the VA know immediately. Please ensure that you are submitting the required documentation, per the form instructions, to support the request.
I also recommend you and your father make an appointment to discuss his claim with a VA Rep. https://vets.force.com/VAVERA/s/
The Act:
• Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam era, Gulf War era, and Post-9/11 era; and
• Expands eligibility for benefits for Veterans exposed to toxic substances.
While it is our sincere desire to process every claim promptly, VA is working to complete a high volume of claims that have accumulated due to problems obtaining VA examinations and Federal records during the COVID-19 pandemic. Claims are generally processed in the order in which they were received. VA can expedite claims if your father meets certain priority criteria, such as homelessness, financial hardship (for example, eviction, overdue rent, mortgage, or utilities), age 85 or older, terminally ill, or meets certain service criteria or medical conditions described on VA Form 20-10207, Priority Processing Request. Should your father meet any of the criteria for expedited processing, please let the VA know immediately. Please ensure that you are submitting the required documentation, per the form instructions, to support the request.
I also recommend you and your father make an appointment to discuss his claim with a VA Rep. https://vets.force.com/VAVERA/s/
Capt Erich Reichenbach
Thank-you Rebecca. No one informed us there is a VA form for Priority Processing Request. I will fill it out for him as his condition has a 5 year lifespan from diagnosis, so time is of the essence. I have spoken with other VA claim reps who have not been helpful & just tell us to wait. Dad is running out of time.
Hello,
Thank you for sharing your busy time to allow for questions to be asked and hopefully answered.
My VocRehab Case has gone cold for a period of 4-6 months roughly without a response received from counselor or supervisors nor through ask VA. What would be the best course of action just to receive a response? My case is a sensitive file and had to be transferred from local jurisdiction to an up north office. I am trying to have my file transferred to San Diego.
Thank you for sharing your busy time to allow for questions to be asked and hopefully answered.
My VocRehab Case has gone cold for a period of 4-6 months roughly without a response received from counselor or supervisors nor through ask VA. What would be the best course of action just to receive a response? My case is a sensitive file and had to be transferred from local jurisdiction to an up north office. I am trying to have my file transferred to San Diego.
Rebecca Brenen
Please make an appointment with a VRE Counselor using this link https://vets.force.com/VAVERA/s/. A counselor will call you on the date/time you select. You may also send an email to [login to see]
I was a nuclear specialist in the Air Force. While maintaining nuclear weapons, we were required to clean components with trichloroethylene and other solvents without any raspatory gear. I also tested positive to exposure to radioactive tritium gas. I was also exposed to jet engine exhaust during missile runup testing.
I have never smoked but have been treated for asthma and shortness of breath by the VA. I have been denied disability claims twice for raspatory claims that I feel are the result of the exposure I received in the Air Force.
What recourse if any do I have?
I have never smoked but have been treated for asthma and shortness of breath by the VA. I have been denied disability claims twice for raspatory claims that I feel are the result of the exposure I received in the Air Force.
What recourse if any do I have?
Rebecca Brenen
There are several options to appeal our decision, including requesting a higher level review and supplemental claim. If you have medical evidence linking your disabilities to your exposure, it's highly recommended to submit that with your claim. If you make an appointment with a LA Regional Office representative at https://vets.force.com/VAVERA/s/ we can review your file and assist you with submitting the proper forms.
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google
Send me your phone number. I can check and see what can be done.