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In a special town hall event, VA Secretary Denis McDonough addressed questions from Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Health
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Responses: 201
I am a 74 yr old Air Force Veteran. I served from 1968-1975. I appreciate the care I have received from Michael E Debakey Medical Center over the years. I also dearly appreciate my care giver team at Conroe Texas Put Patient Center. I need dental care that the VA does not offer or make available to me. I cannot afford this care from civilian dental clinics or dentists. Please find a way to offer all Veterans the dental care most of us need and cannot afford. Thank you for reading my post.
Why has no research or treatments been offered to veterans by the VA since 2016 for STEM CELLS TREATMENTS?
Why did the VA choose Dr lobbying over veterans health and not even look into STEM CELLS TREATMENTS for 8 years whilst veterans have self financed STEM CELL TREATMENT CLINICS outside US borders?
Why is the VA not a world leader in this technology?
Why did the VA choose Dr lobbying over veterans health and not even look into STEM CELLS TREATMENTS for 8 years whilst veterans have self financed STEM CELL TREATMENT CLINICS outside US borders?
Why is the VA not a world leader in this technology?
why is it , if i have a disability rating of 30% for my asbestoes exposure with my breathing problems,(c.o.p.d. , c.o.l.d. and emphazema with noduals in my lungs and honeycombing) that isnt going to get any better over time(it will only get worse) why is it so hard to get an increase as my breathing gets worse?? WHY SO MANY HOOPS TO JUMP THROUGH???
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
You are encouraged to submit a claim for increased disability rating if your condition is getting worse. Veterans who experience a worsening of a service-connected condition or develop a new disability can file for an increased rating under 38 CFR §3.400(o)(2). You can file a claim online via VA.GOV or, in person at any regional office, or with an accredited representative.
I have a question and a comment, but don’t see an appropriate professional to ask. Comment: at the New Orleans VA (perhaps VA wide) the travel office, if you ask about help to file a travel claim, the guy just points to a sign. If you have questions they give you a flyer. Va needs to u der stand that not all of us are computer versed. Before we scan our card at a kiosk and just file our travel claim. That was taken away. It has been difficult to just file a claim in the new phone/computer system. I just gave up filing travel claims because it is annoying. I go to community care. I fill out travel pay and it is denied be abuse I have no proof that I went to my appointments. I provide a copy of my OPTUM VA CCN EXPLANATION OF BENEFITS. That is also not acceptable to the BA. This EOB shows how much VA was charged and how much they paid. The way I see it, if that EOB is not proof of attendance, is VA paying the providers without any proof they saw the patient? Now my question: Why can’t VA travel use said EOB as proof of attendance? The EZoB provides my address, the medical facility I attend as well as their address, Amoy t billed to VA and VA CCN AZoproved payment.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA understands the challenges of access to electronic claims submission in some areas of the country and for some Veterans. Every VA Medical Center is required to provide the option to file a claim using a paper form, VA Form 10-3542, Veteran/Beneficiary Claim for Reimbursement of Travel Expenses.
Regarding evidence, the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) should be sufficient evidence. Many times, the EOB will not be available when the Veteran files the claim for reimbursement, so may not be seen by the travel clerks at the local VA facility. Other options are a work/school excuse letter from the community care provider as evidence proof care/services were received from the community provider.
Veterans Transportation Program Office will continue to educate VA beneficiary travel offices at the VA Medical Centers on acceptable documentation for care in the community appointments.
Regarding evidence, the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) should be sufficient evidence. Many times, the EOB will not be available when the Veteran files the claim for reimbursement, so may not be seen by the travel clerks at the local VA facility. Other options are a work/school excuse letter from the community care provider as evidence proof care/services were received from the community provider.
Veterans Transportation Program Office will continue to educate VA beneficiary travel offices at the VA Medical Centers on acceptable documentation for care in the community appointments.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The VA would like all Veterans to have access to good oral health care; however, VA is limited to providing dental benefits to those Veterans who meet certain eligibility criteria. Eligibility for VA dental care is governed by statute and provided in accordance with the provisions of existing law and regulations. These laws and regulations mandate dental care as a benefit for certain defined Veterans groups. The VA is obligated to fulfill the requirements of the statutes enacted by Congress and to follow their intent. Another option for Veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system, and beneficiaries and their dependents of the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA (CHAMPVA), is the Veterans Affairs Dental Insurance Program : https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vadip/
VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP) | Veterans Affairs
The VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP) offers discounted private dental insurance for Veterans and family members who meet certain requirements. Find out if you’re eligible, and how to enroll in a plan that meets your needs and budget.
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Why does it take almost 3 months to get travel pay. It used to take a week. Times are tough. For me to make an apt I have to drive 1.5 hours one way. It costs money to get there. Often times I have to break a piggy bank for the gas. Lately I have had 3 apts a week for the last 3 months. Still waiting on my first travel pay. Medication that I need is taking longer to get. The military gave me 3 terminal Lung diseases and I should not have to wait for the medicine to be approved or sent. VA used to do their Job but you bureaucractsstarted messing with something that was not broken and screwed it up. I know I have been going to the VA since 1982.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Significant enhancements to transparency and visibility of open claims have been made, ensuring national and local leadership have visibility of claims inventory. This allows VA the opportunity to reallocate resources to assist if a local VA Medical Center is above the 10-day inventory standard established in 2021. As of January 1, 2024 through November 15, 2024, 84% of claims are being processed within 10 days. If you are experiencing significant delays in your travel reimbursement, please reach out to the Beneficiary Travel office at your local facility, which an be found at the following link: https://www.va.gov/HEALTHBENEFITS/vtp/beneficiary_travel_pocs.asp.
Hello, I have diabetes and Rheumatory arthritis. I just recently had to come back and use the VA due to losing my medical. I had goverment (county) medical. I was extremely over weight and sick. My outside doctors gave me and endicronolgist and got my weight and health A+. I no longer needed hip replacement because I lost weight and I was almost diabetes negative. Well whn I came back to the VA last year, they have not treated my diabetes and turned me down twice for a endicronolgist. In 5 months i have gained about 50lbs, cant hardley walk for my hip randomly going out and I truly believe they are trying to kill me! I am in so much pain and over weight and just depressed! Every time i was sick I had to go outside of the VA to get diagnosed. My thyroid, which was bad and is removed now and my diabetes. Why can't the VA take care of me like the county? I served my time, no one just seems to care. This is so frustrating. Why cant I get the help I had on the outside?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The health and wellbeing of all veterans is our biggest priority. Typically women Veterans are seen by designated women’s health primary care providers in a primary care setting. These providers are trained and experienced in women’s health and can manage your care for your chronic illnesses. Additionally, there are facility based resources to assist in managing patients with chronic health impairments, such as the MOVE! Clinic for managing weight issues, and Diabetes Education Classes for Veterans with Diabetes. If your primary care provider believes your condition requires more specialized care they can make a referral to a specialist, in your case an endocrinologist. VA has Women Veteran Program Managers (WVPM) at every health care system to help you navigate your health care needs. You can call the Women Veteran Call Center at 1-855 VA WOMEN to find your facility WVPM.
when I go to sign in to ( my healthevet ) then go to see if there is a appointment that comes up for me . why doesn't it tell where to go to? it will have the date and time but it will not where to go for the appointment . what building or place . I will go to one place and try to sign in only to find out that I went the wrong place . thank you for the time
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Affairs is transitioning away from multiple VA websites into one entry point, VA.gov (the new digital front door). This will allow all VA websites and mobile application features to be managed through one entry point. VA.gov is secure with two login credentials (ID.me and Login.gov), which have multi-factor authentication for enhanced security of Veteran Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
My HealtheVet is also transitioning behind VA.gov. The familiar features will still be available. By clicking the appointment hyperlink, the appointment details will be displayed including the date, time, and location on the appointment. If you are still experiencing technical issues with appointment details not displaying as customary, you may contact My HealtheVet technical support from 7:00 am-7:00 pm (CT), Monday - Friday at 1- [login to see] for immediate support.
Thank you for your feedback. VA strives to continuously improve Veteran access to VA benefits and services.
My HealtheVet is also transitioning behind VA.gov. The familiar features will still be available. By clicking the appointment hyperlink, the appointment details will be displayed including the date, time, and location on the appointment. If you are still experiencing technical issues with appointment details not displaying as customary, you may contact My HealtheVet technical support from 7:00 am-7:00 pm (CT), Monday - Friday at 1- [login to see] for immediate support.
Thank you for your feedback. VA strives to continuously improve Veteran access to VA benefits and services.
Wounded Warrior Access Act, which requires the VA to provide veterans digital access to their C file, was signed into law approximately one year ago. When can veterans expect to begin to access these C-files?
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