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California Veterans! Do You Have Health and Benefits Questions? Ask Questions Now!
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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
Once you have qualified and has been invited to apply for the Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) benefits program, why does it seems there is another section of the VA poise to disapprove your qualification?
An entire industry of civilian lawyers has sprung up just to assist veterans to be approved for a program that they already qualified for.
Yes, I read my notification letter stating why I was disapproved, everything mentioned was incorrect. Counselor or approving official disregarded my statement of intent.
Two Doctors- Physical Therapist - diagnosed continuous actions has exacerbated my conditions. Yet, Counselor deemed me unqualified for VR&E.
An entire industry of civilian lawyers has sprung up just to assist veterans to be approved for a program that they already qualified for.
Yes, I read my notification letter stating why I was disapproved, everything mentioned was incorrect. Counselor or approving official disregarded my statement of intent.
Two Doctors- Physical Therapist - diagnosed continuous actions has exacerbated my conditions. Yet, Counselor deemed me unqualified for VR&E.
Do you have to be 100% disabled or a retired Military Veteran in order to qualify for VA medical benefits?
Pamela Redwine
if you have any service connection you can get a health care card and be treated for that condition. You don't have to be 100%. Here is the link for more information... https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/
Eligibility for VA health care | Veterans Affairs
Find out if you can get VA health care as a Veteran.
CPL Elizabeth Callaghan
So how do you apply for Health care benefits? Are these benefits free to Veterans
Melissa Comeau
The VA Welcome Kits are the most straight forward way I have seen about getting started with VA. Please check out this link https://www.va.gov/welcome-kit/
Print out your VA Welcome Kit | Veterans Affairs
Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, the VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned. Based on where you are in life, your VA benefits and services can support you in different ways. Keep your welcome kit handy so you can turn to it throughout your life—like when it’s time to go to school, get a job, buy a house, get health care, retire, or make plans for your...
SP6 Calvin Payne
Hi Elizabeth,
What Pamela stated above is correct.
1. Must have served active duty time or
2. a Combat tour (active or reserve) or
3. Have a service connected disability (0% - 100%
)
you can apply online @ http://www.va.gov or go into your nearest VA Facility
What Pamela stated above is correct.
1. Must have served active duty time or
2. a Combat tour (active or reserve) or
3. Have a service connected disability (0% - 100%
)
you can apply online @ http://www.va.gov or go into your nearest VA Facility
VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs
Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.
My two-year post-cancer disability period ended, but the civilian review indicated I was not cancer-free. How long before my status is up for review again?
Natalie Souza
Col Ralph Wetterhahn A 100-percent evaluation is assigned for active cancer. This rating is typically assigned prospectively and can run indefinitely, however if permanence is not conceded, VA will schedule a review examination based on the evidence of record to ascertain continued status of active cancer or treatment. If you would like to know if a date has been set for your review you can reach out to us via a virtual appointment you can set at your convenience here:
https://vets.force.com/VAVERA/s/
https://vets.force.com/VAVERA/s/
I am a veteran with 90% disability rating. I go to the VA for all my healthcare. Do I have to still have Medicare A&B and if so, do I need to add Medicare D.
Pamela Redwine
Hello, There is not enough information here to get to what the bottom line issue is and give you an answer. We would not take benefits away because of a suit. There are legal requirements if you are awarded a tort settlement that would be explained. If there was negligence, there is such a thing as filing an 1151 tort claim on a 526ez or you can visit the Office of General Council for the tort process. You can make an appointment to discuss your particular issue with us because there may be other solutions. There is also the Office of Inspector General if you suspect wrongdoing. https://www.va.gov/OGC https://oig.hhs.gov
Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.
Pamela Redwine
Please make an appointment with us and we can address your specific questions over the phone. https://vets.force.com/VAVERA/s/
Pamela Redwine
who said you would lose benefits? Have not heard of such a thing. This is why i would need a bit more information so i can address your concerns. if you make a phone appointment at the link provided and ask for me Pamela Redwine... they will reach out so i can talk with you.... I will be happy to help you. We just don't take benefits away.
we haved celled 5 times left messege with the va 310 number of the last 2 weak with no call back
Natalie Souza
PVT Danny Towler can you clairfy who specifically you have reach out to. Was this the VA Hospital or VA Benefits Office etc. Thank you.
Pamela Redwine
https://vets.force.com/VAVERA/s/ Please make an appointment with us so we can direct you to the correct place if we can't assist you
HOw long after calling the va care giver number and leaving 5 messeges over 2 weaks span should we get a call back not one call has ever been reurted
PO3 Matthew Campbell
Hi Danny- Sorry to hear about your experience and apologize for not being able to get connected. I assume you called the Caregiver Support Line at [login to see] correct? They have a plethora of information located here. The CSP Tea/Caregiver Support Coordinator at your local VA facility could also assist. that info is found here on their website. https://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/New_CSC_Page.asp
Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.
Melissa Comeau
I agree, calling the Caregiver Support Line [login to see]
Caregiver Support Line Expanded Hours:
- Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET
- Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET
Caregiver Support Line Expanded Hours:
- Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET
- Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET
If I am on TDIU (permanent), am I able to work a part time job? The 100% I get paid is barely enough to cover rent.
Rebecca Brenen
Marginal employment exists when a Veteran’s earned annual income does not exceed the amount established by the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, as the poverty threshold for one person, or on a facts-found basis, and includes, but is not limited to, employment in a protected environment, such as a family business or sheltered workshop, when earned annual income exceeds the poverty threshold. Marginal employment is by definition not substantially gainful employment.
Pamela Redwine
You can’t hold down a steady job that supports you financially (known as substantially gainful employment) because of your service-connected disability. Odd jobs (marginal employment) don’t count.
Pamela Redwine
You do want to be careful that work is not considered substantially gainful employment like a consistent pay check and work hours.
Pamela Redwine
Please be sure to read your notification letters and rating decision because they will explain why you got denied. These are good clues as to what gaps you need to close to get approval on your decision. For increase the medical evidence need to support you have gotten worse. If you are not been treated for increase pain or worsening then it will not get approved. So please look at your letters for the clues. Please feel free to make a phone appointment and we can help you look at the letter. https://vets.force.com/VAVERA/s/
1) I, and a number of my friends can't get on a military base to visit the PX because we did not have a military disability.
2) All of my military friends have VA Medical. I can't get it because the rules changed and my yearly income is to high. They signed up before the rules changed and their incomes are much higher than my income. It doesn't seem right that just because my income is high I don't have any access to VA Medical.
2) All of my military friends have VA Medical. I can't get it because the rules changed and my yearly income is to high. They signed up before the rules changed and their incomes are much higher than my income. It doesn't seem right that just because my income is high I don't have any access to VA Medical.
Pamela Redwine
Eligibility for VA health care | Veterans Affairs
Find out if you can get VA health care as a Veteran.
Pamela Redwine
if you have a service connection even at 0% you can get a health care card because of that disability. va.gov will also give you a VIC card. Veteran Identification Card. Even with those things, depending on the base they will still vet you at the security office to allow access.
Pamela Redwine
Commissary and exchange privileges for Veterans | Veterans Affairs
Find out if you’re eligible for commissary and exchange privileges and what kind of IDyou’ll need at checkout.
Pamela Redwine
Am I eligible for commissary and exchange privileges?
In the U.S., you may be eligible for commissary and exchange privileges if you meet one of the requirements listed below.
If you’re a Veteran or service member, one of these must be true. You:
Have a service-connected disability rating and were honorably discharged, or
Are retired from military service, or
Are a former prisoner of war, or
Are a member of the Reserves, or
Have received a Purple Heart or the Medal of Honor
In the U.S., you may be eligible for commissary and exchange privileges if you meet one of the requirements listed below.
If you’re a Veteran or service member, one of these must be true. You:
Have a service-connected disability rating and were honorably discharged, or
Are retired from military service, or
Are a former prisoner of war, or
Are a member of the Reserves, or
Have received a Purple Heart or the Medal of Honor
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VA.gov | Veterans Affairs
Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.
VA VERA