Kentucky Veterans! Do You Have Health and Benefits Questions? Need Peer Support? Ask Questions Now!

2022-04-11T13:55:35-04:00

On May 19th, 2-3 PM ET, 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:
» SGT Lauren Augustine - Vice President Government Affairs, SVA
» Coleton Whitaker - Senior Director of Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» SFC Travis Rahill - Vice Chairman, Board of Directors, Veterans’ Club, Inc
» Jay Gorman - Psychologist, VA
» Melissa Comeau - Director, American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network
» Sgt Ed McEvoy - National Outreach Specialist, VA
» PO1 Amanda Davis - Administrative Services Manager, VA
» Anyah Hoang - Associate VP of Veteran Services, Volunteers of America Mid-States
» 1SG Zelda Davis - Management Analyst, VA

Student Veterans of America (SVA):
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.

Volunteers of America Mid-States:
Supportive Services for Veteran Families - housing/employment support for unhoused Veterans and their families or those imminently at risk of being unhoused. Mental health, substance use support and services

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Apr 11 at 2022 3:11 PM

2022-04-11T15:11:20-04:00

What the #%&%# does it take for VAMC Louisville to comprehend that a condition that I am already diagnosed as having, and that I have been on daily medication for over the past 4 years, is "service connected" now that the condition has been added to the presumptive list for exposure to Agent Orange (which is also already in my records)?!?

The VA endocrinologist acknowledges that the condition probably should have always been listed as 'service connected' and absolutely should be listed as 'service connected' now that it is a presumptive link to Agent Orange, but apparently no one in the VA medical system knows how to check the box to fix the problem.

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Apr 11 at 2022 3:20 PM

2022-04-11T15:20:28-04:00

Is it the entire VA or just VAMC Louisville that has recently decided to make the invoice for medications totally incomprehensible? It used to be that you'd get a bill for the co-pay for medications that were for conditions not recorded as 'service connected' -- that bill would show any previous balance, whatever you had paid in the past month, and just the co-pay charges for the meds you received that month, giving your new balance. Plain and simple. Pretty much the same format as any other revolving charge bill you get from anywhere.

This year, the invoices are different. Instead of just one or two pages covering just co-pays for just the past month, now the invoice runs 8 to 10 pages with every med you got in the past year, showing the full cost for each med (not just the co-pay) and dozens of "payments" from God-only-knows-where, making it impossible to tell if any of it is correct.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2022 4:42 PM

2022-04-11T16:42:17-04:00

I seldom say the VA has done a good job but the folks in Lexington KY. saved my left eye. The pressure in my left eye had jumped to 65 and from the moment I hit the ER they were treating my condition. The eye surgeon arrived, did emergency surgery thus saving my left eye. Couldn't be more happier with their actions because as a Transgender Veteran that's not the response I've come to expect from any medical provider.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2022 12:38 PM

2022-04-17T12:38:35-04:00

Glad you had success at the V.A.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 19 at 2022 8:56 PM

2022-04-19T20:56:09-04:00

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/11/05/ [login to see] /after-a-concussion-the-brain-may-no-longer-make-sense-of-sounds

https://www.npr.org/2021/12/09/ [login to see] /concussions-how-a-mild-brain-injury-can-alter-our-perception-of-sound

Is the VA moving forward with recognizing and testing for this type of hearing loss?

When I did my exit exam, I was told my inability to pick conversation out of background noise was "normal" and that "there was nothing wrong with my hearing" because I passed the audiology tests. But science is proving what I - and many other veterans - know to be true. There is a very real problem, here. And that problem is caused by our exposure to blasts. I wasn't even rated a 0%, I was flat out denied on that particular claim.

After a concussion, the brain may no longer make sense of sounds

A concussion can make it difficult to converse in a noisy room. Scientists say that's because the injury has impaired the brain's ability to process sounds.

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made May 3 at 2022 4:26 PM

2022-05-03T16:26:40-04:00

Not specifically a KENTUCKY question, but an entire VA question....
Why does the VA advertise its website for supposedly tracking the status of C&P claims, the the website they are advertising says outdated nonsense like this: "We don’t know yet when we’ll be able to make a decision on your claim. To decide your claim, we need to complete your in-person claim exam. But we don’t know yet when we’ll be able to schedule your exam."
My in-person exam was scheduled and completed last month. Even the "doctor" they sent me to admitted that there was absolutely no need for an in-person exam because there was nothing for him to examine, everything needed was in the lab test results. Two lab tests done the same week (one by VA and one contracted by VES) but the same information was in every VA lab test going back over four years. It is clear that the only reason for the "in-person" exam was so VES could fleece the government for a few hundred more dollars on their contract -- and, of course, give the VA an excuse to put off making a decision.

Response by Maj Ken Brown made May 12 at 2022 11:04 AM

2022-05-12T11:04:26-04:00

I read that Kentucky may lower its requirement for homestead property discount. Currently you need to be 100% VA rating, which very few people have so not very veteran friendly. I read there is legislation to lower it to 80%. Has that passed or do you know the status on it?

Response by Cpl Edward Burke made May 16 at 2022 3:23 PM

2022-05-16T15:23:19-04:00

What are the VA duties of a Doctor for writing letters about diagnosis for claims? What do you do when the patient advocate refuses to help or even do anything?

Response by Jay Gorman made May 18 at 2022 8:22 AM

2022-05-18T08:22:57-04:00

Happy to answer questions regarding mental health. Here are some mental health resources by topic for anyone interested. https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov

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.

Response by CPL Jerry Hardin made May 19 at 2022 10:09 AM

2022-05-19T10:09:21-04:00

Where can Veterans go for community care in 2022, I went to my local Fast Pace they said Va didnt renew contract this year.

Response by SPC Michael Hensley made May 19 at 2022 10:28 AM

2022-05-19T10:28:44-04:00

I am a 100% P&T vet, I got in a little trouble and had to go to jail for 5 months. VA reduced my comp payment down to 10% rating. I have been out of jail since 09Mar22 and i still have not started receiving my 100% comp. I have sent in paperwork, hardship and started a supplemental claim. I have called VA and no one can seem to tell me when my 100% comp payment will go back into effect. I need help, I am about to become a homeless vet, to include my wife and children.

Response by Coleton Whitaker made May 19 at 2022 12:17 PM

2022-05-19T12:17:22-04:00

Hello everyone! Happy to answer any questions around military and veteran caregivers and VA's caregiver program and resources. We at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation also provide some great programs, direct support services, and resources. Find out more at HiddenHeroes.org.

Response by Sgt Ed McEvoy made May 19 at 2022 12:56 PM

2022-05-19T12:56:21-04:00

Hello, my name is Ed from VA’s Vet Centers. I am happy to answer your questions and help put you in touch with your local Vet Center if interested.

You can reach us 24/7 by calling the Vet Center Call Center at [login to see] or find us online at http://www.vetcenter.va.gov.

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.

Response by PO3 Matthew Campbell made May 19 at 2022 2:07 PM

2022-05-19T14:07:50-04:00

Hello, Welcome Everyone to Kentucky VetXL Q&A. Please feel free to drop your questions below. There are a number of VA & Community Experts here to assist. Thanks for joining everyone!

Response by PO1 Amanda Davis made May 19 at 2022 2:09 PM

2022-05-19T14:09:51-04:00

Hello Everyone,

I am the Veterans Experience Officer at the Lexington VA Health Care System in Lexington, Kentucky. I am happy to answer questions regarding VA Healthcare! Please use the link below for general eligibility requirements but please feel free to ask other questions as well. Please refrain from sharing your personal health information in this forum but instead, reach out to me directly at [login to see] . I am also available in MyHealtheVet secure messaging application.

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.

Response by 1SG Zelda Davis made May 19 at 2022 2:12 PM

2022-05-19T14:12:26-04:00

Good afternoon! My name is Zelda Davis with the Veteran Employment Program Office. Thank you for joining us today. The VEPO assist Veterans and military spouses find employment and training opportunities in VA to include other Federal agencies we partner with. You can find employment and training opportunities on the VA for Vets website @ http://www.vaforvets.va.gov or VA Careers website at http://www.vacareers.va.gov. Our office also encourages Veteran and military students to seek out Internship opportunities in VA through the Pathways Program. You can find employment and internship opportunities as a Student or Recent Graduate. Please search for these opportunities on VA for Vets, VA Careers and USAJOBS. The VA for Vets website also offers other training resources to assist you with your resume; information on the use of Special Hiring Authorities and Veterans Preference to name a few. .

VA for Vets: Your Gateway To VA Careers

VA for Vets

Response by Anyah Hoang made May 19 at 2022 2:15 PM

2022-05-19T14:15:20-04:00

Hello everyone,
I am the Associate Vice President of Veteran Services with Volunteers of America Mid-States. I am happy to answer questions about housing, employment, or any social supports needed.

Response by Sgt Jim Wolfe made May 19 at 2022 2:15 PM

2022-05-19T14:15:55-04:00

Doesn't seem to be much rallying on Rally Point. I was under the (mistaken) impression that this was a live WebX or Zoom type of discussion. I have no specific question and would only offer my comment of how well the Cincinnat VAMC does what they do. Dealing with a huge number of crusty, impertinent vets is challenging but they do an excellent job of providing services in a timely, respectful and cheerful manner. Kudos CVAMC.

Response by SFC Travis Rahill made May 19 at 2022 2:22 PM

2022-05-19T14:22:24-04:00

I am the Vice Chair of Veteran's Club, a nonprofit based in Louisville. http://www.veteransclubinc.org Let me know what questions you have.

Veteran's Club Inc.

Veteran's Club provides healing through our Equine program, housing assistance for homeless Veterans and connection through family outreach, vocational training, and recreational therapy.

Response by Melissa Comeau made May 19 at 2022 4:15 PM

2022-05-19T16:15:55-04:00

Thank you all for joining today.

Response by Andi Martinez made Jun 28 at 2022 6:28 PM

2022-06-28T18:28:21-04:00

George W. Bush Institute- Veteran Wellness Alliance - Veteran Wellness Alliance -- Health Care Providers (bushcenter.org)
THE CHECK-IN CARE JOURNEY
All Check-In needs to get started is contact information and a general description of needs.
Step 1: Reaching Out
The care journey begins by sign-up or referral. Once connected with Check-In, a trained “Care Coordinator,” will be assigned to you or your loved one within 24-48 business hours. The Care Coordinator will listen, answer questions, and begin the care process.
Step 2: Getting Connected
After administering an initial intake screening, the Care Coordinator will develop a personalized care plan, matching you or your loved one's unique needs to the programs and organizations best able to provide help.
Step 3: Receiving Care
The Care Coordinator will then assist in scheduling care, with treatment options ranging from outpatient and telehealth programs to intensive, in-person care programs. The Care Coordinator will continue to serve as an advisor and guide throughout the care journey.