Event Roundup: VA Secretary Denis McDonough and other VA officials answer RallyPoint questions

Ryan Callahan — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 14:58:06 -0500

Members of RallyPoint asked the bulk of questions answered by Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough during a Nov. 11 video town hall, responding to our community on topics such as dental care, homelessness, housing, inflation, marijuana and more.

In the weeks leading up to the Veterans Day event, RallyPoint’s Veterans and their caregivers, family members and survivors submitted more than 400 queries for the 11th VA secretary, who took office this year. In fielding nine of our community’s questions, out of 15 total over the one-hour event, McDonough showed mutual concern for the issues that our members care strongly about.

Below are highlights of a few exchanges with the secretary during the event, moderated by Jose Llamas of VA’s Veterans Experience Office. Find the full video, in-depth comments and VA-posted resources on our question-and-answer page here: https://rly.pt/SECVAQA

On complaints of substandard care at VA facilities and long wait times for Veterans in crisis …

A U.S. Marine Corps Veteran asked McDonough when VA would improve care at VA facilities that fall short. “A Veteran contemplating suicide can't wait two months for a mental health counselor’s calendar to open,” the Veteran said. “A phone call to a suicide hotline is nothing compared to an in-person visit.”

The secretary didn’t deny that certain facilities are lacking in quality. He said VA’s recent 90%-plus satisfaction ratings in the area of mental health treatment should be the “floor not the ceiling.” But McDonough said a Veteran calling the Veteran Crisis Line with an emergency can be seen that day, and a Veteran with problem characterized as urgent can be seen within two days. But he said he doesn’t “take solace in the averages when I know that there’s outliers.” Details: Call the Veterans Crisis Line at [login to see] , press 1, or visit https://rly.pt/3x7wIUE

On the impact of high inflation on VA’s cost of living adjustment …

With the cost of many goods on the rise, a U.S. Army Veteran asked the secretary if inflation would drive VA to provide Veterans with higher benefit payments. McDonough said that the consumer price index, which determines cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), is set by policymakers outside of VA. He quickly added that those policymakers did increase the COLA —to 5.9% from 1.3% — starting in December 2021. “And so, you will be seeing a very consequential increase in the cost-of-living adjustment,” McDonough said. “That’s the highest it’s been in decades.” (It was 7.4% in 1982 and 5.8% in 2008.) Details: https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/colasummary.html.

On what is being done to house Veterans who are homeless …

On a given night in January 2020, there were an estimated 37,252 Veterans living without safe, stable housing. A Marine Corps asked how VA is reducing homelessness among Veterans, particularly those who are homeless due to a disability. Even though Veteran homelessness has been cut nearly in half since 2010, the secretary said the phrase “homeless Veteran” should not exist in the United States.

McDonough said VA is addressing the issue in several ways: For Veterans experiencing housing instability, VA seeks to prevent homelessness through rental and mortgage assistance. For unhoused Veterans, VA engages in “Housing First,” placing Veterans in safe, stable housing and then connecting them to substance use and mental health treatment, employment assistance and other services.

He also said VA is attempting to track by name every Veteran who is homeless to connect those willing to accept help with services, whether emergency or transitional housing, a monthly housing voucher or another hand up. This personalized effort to assist Veterans is now being implemented in West Los Angeles. “We’re working Veteran by Veteran to get them the care they need and get them into sustainable housing,” McDonough said. Details: For assistance, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET [login to see] ) and visit: https://rly.pt/VAHomeless

On whether VA will require Veterans to get the COVID-19 vaccination to receive VA health care …

“No,” McDonough said in response to the U.S. Navy Veteran’s question, “we will not.” But, he said, ensuring the safety of the Veterans who VA serves requires that those who work at VA be vaccinated.

On Veterans obtaining VA-issued medical marijuana cards for pain …

A Marine Corps Veteran asked about the possibility of obtaining cards to access cannabis to treat pain and post-traumatic stress disorder. McDonough said because the federal government controls pot as a particular narcotic, VA’s options are limited, and both the law and policy would need to change.

He said he sympathizes with Veterans’ concerns, recalling a “profound” conversation with a Veteran in Washington, D.C., who told the secretary he wouldn’t be alive without the companionship of his service dog and the assistance of cannabis.

“We’re trying to explore what more we can do,” the secretary said, including by expanding access to nonpharmaceutical treatments through VA’s Whole Health program. Details: https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/veteran-resources/whole-health-basics.asp and https://www.rallypoint.com/command-post/legislation-to-allow-va-providers-to-prescribe-medical-marijuana-in-certain-states-reintroduced-in-congress.

On expanding dental care to more Veterans …

In responding to a U.S. Air Force questioner about expanding dental care to more Veterans, the secretary didn’t break much news, saying eligibility rules are set by law. He shared the desire to open up VA’s dental services to more Veterans and said he is in talks with lawmakers on Capitol Hill about ways the law could be changed to make that happen. (Of the roughly 9 million Veterans enrolled in VA health care, only about 1.36 million are eligible for comprehensive VA dental care.) Details: Eligibility for VA dental care is outlined at https://www.va.gov/health-care/about-va-health-benefits/dental-care.

On the difficulty of refiling a disability claim after being denied …

The secretary said with requirements set by statute, the claims submission and appeals process can seem long and haphazard. He recommended that Veterans use automated and expedited processes and exercise the ability to appeal directly to the board. Connect with your state, county or local Veteran service officer (VSO), who can file claims and appeals. A VA official noted that as of Nov. 3, 2021, it takes about 117 days on average to complete a regular rating claim. Details: Learn more about filing claims at https://www.va.gov/claim-or-appeal-status. Find VSOs at https://nvf.org/veteran-service-officers.

On ending the in-person requirement for Veterans to get their full housing stipend under the GI Bill …

A U.S. Army Veteran said it was “antiquated” that, in today’s more online educational system, VA still requires Veterans to appear in person to get their full housing stipend under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. McDonough said this is another place where the law dictates VA policy, and that policy changes must come from Congress. A VA official noted that if a student attends classes in more than one location, the stipend amount can be based on the location that is most advantageous to the Veteran.

On standardizing data among VA locations …

A U.S. Navy Veteran wanted to know why there isn’t a universal data system among VA locations to allow evaluations of medical providers. McDonough conceded that this is “maddening,” even though he noted that VA pioneered e-health care in the industry. Veterans who change their personal information electronically are updating their profile VA-wide. The secretary added that VA and the Department of Defense are implementing a new electronic health record system, which aims to improve military-Veteran data interoperability and patients’ interactions with providers. McDonough said he hoped to share progress on that effort soon.

Learn more

Access more answers to questions at “2021 Veterans Day Q&A with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Dennis McDonough”: https://rly.pt/SECVAQA

2021 Veterans Day Q&A with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Dennis McDonough | RallyPoint

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...

Response by PFC David Foster made Nov 23 at 2021 4:55 PM

PFC David Foster — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 16:55:50 -0500

This is an old add, I believe it's long over with.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Nov 23 at 2021 6:15 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 18:15:12 -0500

Ryan Callahan Thank You for the Great Honor you have bestowed upon us; here on the Rally Point Nation; by gracing us with your presence.

Response by SGM Jason Speede made Nov 24 at 2021 8:33 PM

SGM Jason Speede — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 20:33:25 -0500

I just spent the last hour watching Secretary McDonough’s Veteran’s Day Q&A on YouTube. Thank you Mr. Secretary, I found your responses both reasonable and in most cases reassuring. It’s no secret the VA is an imperfect agency but I can also say that I’ve been retired since 2012 in the DFW area and I’ve got nothing but great things to say about my healthcare team. From my PCM to all the separate clinics, there’s no way I’d be here had it not been for the care I’ve received at the VA. I only wish all Veteran’s could proudly say the same thing with confidence and sincerity. All the best to you, our Veterans, and our VA Healthcare system. Cheers

SGM

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Dec 4 at 2021 10:18 AM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Sat, 04 Dec 2021 10:18:43 -0500

I will not use VA for anything...useless and worthless beauracratic organization...I would rather they just pay a private physician in our local area to take care of us than to have to go to that place where they hire the #97, 98, 99, and 100 ranked graduates out of a class of 100 at med school. Nothing but disappointment for me. No accountability.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Dec 5 at 2022 5:09 PM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 17:09:32 -0500

TheVA seems to be juggling many balls!

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Dec 6 at 2022 11:56 AM

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 11:56:48 -0500

.
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