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Colorado Veterans! Do You Have Health and Benefits Questions? Need Peer Support? Ask Questions Now!
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On March 3rd, 12-1 PM MT, VA and community experts will be here to answer your questions on benefits, claims, and peer-to-peer support services. Type your questions in now!
You can ask questions to the following people:
» Justin Monk - Director of Policy, Student Veterans of America
» Kate Hatten - Executive Director, Home Front Military Network
» Rebecca Smith - Coach, Public Contact Team, Denver VA Regional Office
» PO3 Tiffany Morgan - Director of Training and Peer Mentor, WarriorNOW
» 1SG Zelda Davis - Management Analyst, VA
» Melissa Comeau - Director, American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network
» SPC Dwight Amey - Legal Administrative Specialist, VA
Student Veterans of America:
Student Veterans of America is a Chapter-based organization with about 1,500 locations on college campuses nationwide. We represent about 750,000 student veterans and work on personal and professional development, leadership training, and advocacy at the federal level.
Home Front Military Network:
HFMN is a collaborative, working with nearly 50 service providers; we connect military service members, veterans and their families to essential resources, including financial assistance provided by HFMN and our partners, in order to meet the full range of needs of individual and families. Our programs include Navigation (Case Management); Financial Bridge Support; Information & Assistance; and Education & Outreach.
WarriorNOW:
WarriorNOW has designed and implemented a program that brings Structure, Camaraderie, and Purpose back into Veterans and their families lives, and we do this through peer-to-peer mentoring, recreational therapy, PTSD groups, pro-social events, and education on topics pertaining to mental health, addiction, and building healthy relationships. WarriorNOW has flipped the conventional treatment model 180 degrees to start with building protective factors and coping skills first through peer work, and then when the Veteran is ready, we start the individual clinical work.
You can ask questions to the following people:
» Justin Monk - Director of Policy, Student Veterans of America
» Kate Hatten - Executive Director, Home Front Military Network
» Rebecca Smith - Coach, Public Contact Team, Denver VA Regional Office
» PO3 Tiffany Morgan - Director of Training and Peer Mentor, WarriorNOW
» 1SG Zelda Davis - Management Analyst, VA
» Melissa Comeau - Director, American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network
» SPC Dwight Amey - Legal Administrative Specialist, VA
Student Veterans of America:
Student Veterans of America is a Chapter-based organization with about 1,500 locations on college campuses nationwide. We represent about 750,000 student veterans and work on personal and professional development, leadership training, and advocacy at the federal level.
Home Front Military Network:
HFMN is a collaborative, working with nearly 50 service providers; we connect military service members, veterans and their families to essential resources, including financial assistance provided by HFMN and our partners, in order to meet the full range of needs of individual and families. Our programs include Navigation (Case Management); Financial Bridge Support; Information & Assistance; and Education & Outreach.
WarriorNOW:
WarriorNOW has designed and implemented a program that brings Structure, Camaraderie, and Purpose back into Veterans and their families lives, and we do this through peer-to-peer mentoring, recreational therapy, PTSD groups, pro-social events, and education on topics pertaining to mental health, addiction, and building healthy relationships. WarriorNOW has flipped the conventional treatment model 180 degrees to start with building protective factors and coping skills first through peer work, and then when the Veteran is ready, we start the individual clinical work.
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Denver
Colorado Springs
Fort Collins
Lakewood
Responses: 45
Have had a 10% hearing disability for fifty years, it has become much worse and tinnitus has also gotten worse. Can I request a higher rating?
This question is about medical supplies. On Jan 3 ordered supplies for my Bi-Pap machine. Three weeks later no supplies. Called I was told to order them again. February 1 no supplies called again they said to order them again. March 1st no supplies I was told they had switched companies and it would be about 6 to 8 weeks to get new supplies. I don't understand why it takes so long. I need my supplies. That will be 5 months without supplies.
Melissa Comeau
SPC Ron Cooper I know how frustrating it can be waiting for medical supplies. It might be time to get the Patient Advocate involved. https://www.va.gov/health/patientadvocate/
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.
This is useless. I thought these people were going to be active advocates . Just responding with lame answers that we already know about.
Andi Martinez
From Tuesday, March 15th to Thursday, March 17th, from 10AM – 3PM Mountain Time, you may schedule an appointment to work directly with an accredited Veteran Service Officer (VSO) to discuss all your needs. This appointment will occur over the telephone. Register today! https://book.appointment-plus.com/ck3047g2/#/
I have a question, Dec 2018 I was hospitalized because I had heart failure, then Jan 2019 I had my aortic valve replaced using a TAVR. At that time my teeth were in bad shape and they decided to pull them all to avoid future infections. Keeping in mind that I had heart surgery, I would need to adopt a healthier lifestyle to keep good heart health. The VA pulled out my teeth and then the surgery, then after I recovered they sent me home. Not having any teeth, it has been a challenge keeping a healthy lifestyle with my diet. Thus putting my heart health in jeopardy. Pre surgery I weighed approximately 150lbs, after I got home I fell to a weight of 118lbs, I am now currently at 130 lbs, but what I’m eating is not the healthiest. I’m wondering if I could get an explanation of why the VA health system will not assist me with dentures so I can at the very least chew my food properly.
Andi Martinez
Thank you John for your question and sharing your story with us. VA dental care eligibility and Veteran dental care benefits are based on a number of factors. All Veterans are encouraged to contact their nearest VA to find out if they qualify for dental care benefits. Those eligible receive the necessary VA dental care to maintain, restore, and improve oral health and masticatory function, including repeat care.You can get regular cleanings, restorative work, dentures, tooth extractions, and reconstruction surgery resulting from trauma through VA. More info here: https://www.va.gov/dental/patients.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.
SGT John Stiles
They told me that I would need to be rated 100% disability to receive any help with dentures. And my rating is only at 20%. Thus I am not eligible for getting any assistance with dentures. This is causing me problems in finding decent employment due to the fact that I can't pronounce words correctly and just by looking at me, I look like an ex-crackhead. I have sought out every avenue to get dentures to include trying to get on Medicaid which I have been denied because the household makes too much money. This is a problem because no one is supporting me but myself and they use a factor of how much money everyone in the house is bringing in. As my wife and I are going to get a divorce and my children are grown but living in the same house. I have no other income except from the job I have at King Soopers (Kroger) in which I am currently on work restrictions be because I hurt myself 9/6/2021. Messing my back up and getting a hernia due to a lifting accident. So that is where I'm at. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Andi Martinez
Thank you for your comment. If you have more information and details to share please email https://ask.va.gov/
Can someone reach out to me about why legitimate claims keep getting denied? Mine is a straight forward case and keeps getting denied and I hope it’s not for the reason I think it is.
Andi Martinez
Hi Steven. Thank you for your question. We'd like to know more. Please use this secure portal to send more details https://ask.va.gov/ or call the White House VA Hotline to speak to someone now about your claim. White House VA Hotline [login to see] (24/7 access to a live agent)
I live too far from the nearest VA hospital. Recently I had a head cold. I couldn’t get in to see my VA primary because he was booked through March. No VA approved urgent care up here. Not going to emergency room. Advice?
Andi Martinez
Thank you for your question. You may want to see about VA Community Care. Here is more information on Veterans care in the community https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/veterans/index.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.
Andi Martinez
In general, VA can pay for emergency medical care at a local ER for a Veteran's service-connected condition, or if the care is related to a Veteran's service-connected condition. VA can also pay for emergency medical care for a Veteran's non-service connected condition.
Andi Martinez
Additional information here: https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/48884/emergency-medical-care-veterans-eligibility-va-payments/
Emergency medical care for Veterans: eligibility and VA payments - VAntage Point
During a medical emergency, Veterans should immediately seek care at the nearest medical facility. A medical emergency is an injury, illness or symptom...
Andi Martinez
We have over 20 VA medical facilities in Colorado. Listing is here https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/fac_list_by_state.cfm?State=CO&dnum=ALL
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.
When will we have a safe place to discuss alternative therapies such as psilocybin and cannabis? When I mean safe, I mean someone with knowledge and education on the subject. I am still being offered pills when I am not asking.
Andi Martinez
Hi Theresa, Thank you for commenting. Please contact your local VA Medical provider to stop any prescriptions that you do not wish to take. I assume this is from a VA facility. Here is more information on VA and cannabis https://www.publichealth.va.gov/marijuana.asp. Also you can use this secure platform to ask questions: https://ask.va.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.
Hi,
I've been dealing with digestive issues 2 years during my enlistment until now, almost a total of 20 years. Is this something that I can claim? Speaking with other veterans compared to others who haven't served, it seems a lot of veterans have similar issues.
I've been dealing with digestive issues 2 years during my enlistment until now, almost a total of 20 years. Is this something that I can claim? Speaking with other veterans compared to others who haven't served, it seems a lot of veterans have similar issues.
Andi Martinez
Thank you for joining us. Please contact your local VA Medical Center to enroll and set up an appointment. Additional information on gastrointestinal issues here: https://www.va.gov/QUALITYOFCARE/improving/Gastrointestinal_Health.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.
Andi Martinez
How to apply for VA health care | Veterans Affairs
Find out how to apply for VA health care benefits as a Veteran or service member.
1SG Zelda Davis
Hello SrA Phillips, Please see information listing all Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) if the digestive system is listed the information will be there.
https://va-handbook.com/resources/dbqs/
https://va-handbook.com/resources/dbqs/
Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs)
Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) Disability Benefits Questionnaires (“DBQs”) are standardized forms that are used by VA clinicians when performing disability examinations, or Compensation and Pension (“C&P”) exams. VA now uses more than 80 different DBQs with standardized language and check boxes to streamline the information intake process and ensure timely
SPC Leroy Chavez
Good afternoon,
Thank you for your service with the United States Air Force!
VA presumes that some health conditions were caused by military service. In practical terms, Gulf War Veterans who meet certain criteria do not have to prove an association between their illness and military service. By assuming a link between symptoms and military service, VA simplifies and speeds up the application process for health care and disability compensation benefits. Presumptive illnesses are listed in the graphic below.
Presumptive Illnesses and Military Service
For Gulf War Veterans, VA presumes that unexplained symptoms are related to Gulf War service if a Veteran has experienced them for six months or more. The “presumptive” illness(es) must have first appeared during active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations or by December 31, 2016, and be at least 10 percent disabling.
Thank you for your service with the United States Air Force!
VA presumes that some health conditions were caused by military service. In practical terms, Gulf War Veterans who meet certain criteria do not have to prove an association between their illness and military service. By assuming a link between symptoms and military service, VA simplifies and speeds up the application process for health care and disability compensation benefits. Presumptive illnesses are listed in the graphic below.
Presumptive Illnesses and Military Service
For Gulf War Veterans, VA presumes that unexplained symptoms are related to Gulf War service if a Veteran has experienced them for six months or more. The “presumptive” illness(es) must have first appeared during active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations or by December 31, 2016, and be at least 10 percent disabling.
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Thank you for your service with the United States Marine Corps!
You can file a claim for increased disability compensation if you have a rated service-connected disability that’s gotten worse. You’ll need to submit up-to-date medical evidence that shows your disability has gotten worse.
You can file an increased claim to request:
An increase in your disability rating
More financial support
How to file a VA disability claim | Veterans Affairs
Find out how to file a claim for disability compensation or increased disability compensation.