Posted on Oct 12, 2021
Texas Veterans! Do You Have Benefits Questions? Need Peer Support? Ask Questions Now!
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On October 28th, 12-1PM CT, 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:
» BG Mike Eastman - Advisor, ETS Sponsorship
» SGT Arlene Perez - Peer Services Manager, Texas Veterans Commission (MVPN)
» SFC Gregory Morton - Peer Services Coordinator, Texas Veterans Commission (MVPN)
» SFC James Schaale - Peer Services Coordinator, Texas Veterans Commission (MVPN)
» PO2 Elizabeth Saunders - Operations Associate, Team Rubicon
» Coleton Whitaker - Director of Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» Staci H. - Senior Manager of Volunteers and Partnerships, Blue Star Families
» Melissa Comeau - Director, American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network
» Jeanette Gilles - Deputy Director of Community Integration, Americas Warrior Partnership
» Justin Monk - VP of Government Affairs, Student Veterans of America
» SPC Lori Coffman - VBA Homeless Veterans Outreach Specialist, Claims Support
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 800,000 student veterans and work on personal and professional development, leadership training, and advocacy at the federal level.
Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN):
The MVPN provides services including direct peer-to-peer support, training on suicide prevention and military cultural competency, coordination of mental health first aid, and warm-handoffs to local resources based on the individual needs of the veteran and family.
You can ask questions to the following people:
» BG Mike Eastman - Advisor, ETS Sponsorship
» SGT Arlene Perez - Peer Services Manager, Texas Veterans Commission (MVPN)
» SFC Gregory Morton - Peer Services Coordinator, Texas Veterans Commission (MVPN)
» SFC James Schaale - Peer Services Coordinator, Texas Veterans Commission (MVPN)
» PO2 Elizabeth Saunders - Operations Associate, Team Rubicon
» Coleton Whitaker - Director of Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» Staci H. - Senior Manager of Volunteers and Partnerships, Blue Star Families
» Melissa Comeau - Director, American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network
» Jeanette Gilles - Deputy Director of Community Integration, Americas Warrior Partnership
» Justin Monk - VP of Government Affairs, Student Veterans of America
» SPC Lori Coffman - VBA Homeless Veterans Outreach Specialist, Claims Support
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 800,000 student veterans and work on personal and professional development, leadership training, and advocacy at the federal level.
Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN):
The MVPN provides services including direct peer-to-peer support, training on suicide prevention and military cultural competency, coordination of mental health first aid, and warm-handoffs to local resources based on the individual needs of the veteran and family.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Houston
San Antonio
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 80
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I had a VA re-evaluation in September (I EAS'd about five years ago). It's been more than a month, and still no one is giving me answers about it. No one can tell me "where" it is, how long this will take, or any kind of timeline update. I assume it's realized that taking this long is impractical and affects the day to day life of my family?
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Melissa Comeau
Hello Sgt Jacob Dulany I can relate to the frustration of waiting and having to chase down answers. Do you have an eBenefits account where you might be able to see the status of the re-evaluation? https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/homepage
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Sgt Jacob Dulany
It has been locked since I haven't used it in awhile. When I tried talking to a VA rep about it, I was given a long list of instructions for unlocking/resetting/etc my account. I haven't messed with it since I talked to them since I can just check the (unchanged) status on VA.gov
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Melissa Comeau
Hello MAJ Ross Hines Here is some information I found regarding Prospective Contractors with VA https://www.va.gov/opal/nac/fss/prospective.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.
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I've looked and can't seem to find a good answer - if I submit for an increased rating due to a worsening in one rated disability, will the VA only re-look at that claim, or will they reassess *all* rated disabilities?
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SPC Lori Coffman
Hello SGT Beely,
It will depend if you have one disability that affects another one we may have to look at both. However, if you file for an increase in your migraines we will not look at your knees. You can also reach out to the VA if you have any further questions at [login to see] . If you are in the Houston area you can call our appointment line of [login to see] and request a telephonic or personal interview and we can assist you further.
It will depend if you have one disability that affects another one we may have to look at both. However, if you file for an increase in your migraines we will not look at your knees. You can also reach out to the VA if you have any further questions at [login to see] . If you are in the Houston area you can call our appointment line of [login to see] and request a telephonic or personal interview and we can assist you further.
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I would like to add to my original questions. I also would like to establish a micro Grade A Goat Milk Dairy for the store. However there is nothing that I have found on establishing, setting up, and managing a micro goat Grade A Dairy in Texas. Who can help with this and integration into the small store? This is both a technical and financial matter.
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I am moving from my ranch near Gatesville to a possible small property to continue chicken and dairy goat operations. What support is available to establish a small roadside store and develop animal productivity? Support means financial and some technical support on establishing the small store.
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Melissa Comeau
How cool! CPT Jim Phipps Have you looked into the Small Business Administration? They have support and services for Veteran owned businesses. Check out this website https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-locations/headquarters-offices/office-veterans-business-development
Office of Veterans Business Development
The mission of this office is to maximize the availability of administration small business programs for veterans and their dependents or survivors.
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SSgt Kenny Kimbrell
Thanks for asking, Jim. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) can provide you with resources to help you start or grow your own business. And many universities and nonprofit organizations offer free or low-cost entrepreneur and business-focused courses for Veterans and military family members. Some courses are online, while others are in-person classes. You can find out more here: https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-business/veteran-owned-businesses#section-header-0
We support America's small businesses. The SBA connects entrepreneurs with lenders and funding to help them plan, start and grow their business.
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SPC Lori Coffman
Hello PO2 Casas,
You can file a claim and the VA will make a determination as to whether or not it can be service connected. You will need to provide as much information in regards to this issue. Did you have an injury and they did not fix it properly? We need further information. You can file a claim at http://www.VA.gov. You can also call us at [login to see] for more information.
You can file a claim and the VA will make a determination as to whether or not it can be service connected. You will need to provide as much information in regards to this issue. Did you have an injury and they did not fix it properly? We need further information. You can file a claim at http://www.VA.gov. You can also call us at [login to see] for more information.
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.
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I currently have 10% disability. I have recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Will that affect my disability? If so, what forms and information do I need to send the VA?
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SPC Lori Coffman
Capt Boyd;
In order to provide the best response to your question we would need additional information. What I would suggest is for you to call our appointment line of [login to see] . You can schedule an in person interview or a telephonic interview. Once that is scheduled we will either call you at the scheduled time or see you in the office. We will then review your electronic record to see what you are service connected for and we can then inform you as to the direction that you will need to take in reference to filing a claim for Parkinson's Disease. If you choose to file a claim for Parkinson's Disease you can go to our website http://www.VA.gov and can complete that at any time. If you would like assistance with filing your claim you can go to http://www.VA.gov/VSO/ and look at the Accredited Representatives that are located in your area that can also assist you in filing a claim if you choose to do so.
In order to provide the best response to your question we would need additional information. What I would suggest is for you to call our appointment line of [login to see] . You can schedule an in person interview or a telephonic interview. Once that is scheduled we will either call you at the scheduled time or see you in the office. We will then review your electronic record to see what you are service connected for and we can then inform you as to the direction that you will need to take in reference to filing a claim for Parkinson's Disease. If you choose to file a claim for Parkinson's Disease you can go to our website http://www.VA.gov and can complete that at any time. If you would like assistance with filing your claim you can go to http://www.VA.gov/VSO/ and look at the Accredited Representatives that are located in your area that can also assist you in filing a claim if you choose to do so.
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.
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SPC Lori Coffman
Good Evening Capt Boyd;
Your question is one that I would have to review your claims folder in order to provide more guidance. I do not know what your current 10% disability is for and I do not want to lead you in the wrong direction. If you would like more detailed information in regards to what may or may not affect your disability you can contact the Veterans Benefits Administration at [login to see] . You can request either a telephonic interview or an interview in person. We will set up a time and we will ask you to provide us with the identifying information and then once we identify you in our system we can provide you with the appropriate course of action. If you would like to file a claim for Parkinson's Disease you can go to our website http://www.VA.gov and can complete that at any time. If you would like assistance with filing your claim you can go to http://www.VA.gov/VSO/ and look at the Accredited Representatives that are located in your area that can also assist you in filing a claim if you choose to do so.
Your question is one that I would have to review your claims folder in order to provide more guidance. I do not know what your current 10% disability is for and I do not want to lead you in the wrong direction. If you would like more detailed information in regards to what may or may not affect your disability you can contact the Veterans Benefits Administration at [login to see] . You can request either a telephonic interview or an interview in person. We will set up a time and we will ask you to provide us with the identifying information and then once we identify you in our system we can provide you with the appropriate course of action. If you would like to file a claim for Parkinson's Disease you can go to our website http://www.VA.gov and can complete that at any time. If you would like assistance with filing your claim you can go to http://www.VA.gov/VSO/ and look at the Accredited Representatives that are located in your area that can also assist you in filing a claim if you choose to do so.
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.
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Need help raising my neauthpathy been al.ost 8 months.and said had a coming CP exam..need help diabetic
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SPC Lori Coffman
Hello SP5 Lozano,
It seems like you may already have a claim pending as you mentioned that you had a coming C&P exam. In order to better assist you I would ask you to contact us at [login to see] . This is our appointment line. You can either schedule an appointment by phone or in person. We will then gather your personal information such as your VA Claim number. We can then research your record and provide you with the assistance that you need.
It seems like you may already have a claim pending as you mentioned that you had a coming C&P exam. In order to better assist you I would ask you to contact us at [login to see] . This is our appointment line. You can either schedule an appointment by phone or in person. We will then gather your personal information such as your VA Claim number. We can then research your record and provide you with the assistance that you need.
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SPC Lori Coffman
Hello SP5 Lozano,
It seems like you may already have a claim pending as you mentioned that you had a coming C&P exam. In order to better assist you I would ask you to contact us at [login to see] . This is our appointment line. You can either schedule an appointment by phone or in person. We will then gather your personal information such as your VA Claim number. We can then research your record and provide you with the assistance that you need.
It seems like you may already have a claim pending as you mentioned that you had a coming C&P exam. In order to better assist you I would ask you to contact us at [login to see] . This is our appointment line. You can either schedule an appointment by phone or in person. We will then gather your personal information such as your VA Claim number. We can then research your record and provide you with the assistance that you need.
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