Veterans Experience Live (VetXL): Survivors Together - Memorial Day Q&A with VA and Community Partners. What Are Your Questions?

2022-05-03T18:28:21-04:00

On May 26th at 1PM EST the Department of Veterans Affairs and our community partners, to include State VA, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network, Blue Star Families, and Elizabeth Dole Foundation will be here to answer questions about survivor resources, benefits, caregiver support, memorial affairs, and mental wellness. Ask your questions now!

You can ask questions to the following people:
» Coleton Whitaker - Senior Director of Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» Leigh Edmonds - Sr. Manager of Communications, TAPS
» Melissa Comeau - Director, Military and Veteran Caregiver Network
» Jay Gorman - Psychologist, VA
» COL Les' Melnyk - Chief, Public Affairs and Outreach, National Cemetery Administration
» Sgt Ed McEvoy - National Outreach Specialist, Vet Center, VA
» RDML Ann Duff - Director of the Office of Survivors Assistance, VA
» LTC Hugo Lentze - Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer, Travis Manion Foundation
» Leah Christensen - Clinical Program Coordinator, VA Caregiver Support Program
» Mary Beard - National Employment Coordinator, VBA
» Geri Maples - Chapter Coordinator, Blue Star Families

Veterans Crisis Line:
The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans and Service members in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring VA responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text.

· Call [login to see] and Press 1, 24/7.
· Chat online (https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat)
· Text to 838255.

Get Help - Mental Health (https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/mentalhealth/get-help/index.asp)

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS):
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the leading national organization providing compassionate care and survivor support services for the families of America’s fallen military heroes. Since 1994, TAPS has offered support to all those grieving the death of a military loved one through peer-based emotional support, connections with grief and trauma resources, grief seminars and retreats for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, casework assistance, connections to community-based care, online and in-person support groups and the 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline, all at no cost to surviving families. For more information, please visit TAPS.org or call 202.588.TAPS (8277).

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Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2022 9:36 PM

2022-05-03T21:36:06-04:00

Thanks for the notice.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made May 5 at 2022 4:31 PM

2022-05-05T16:31:58-04:00

Thanks for sharing.

Response by A1C Riley Sanders made May 14 at 2022 2:55 PM

2022-05-14T14:55:32-04:00

A great provider for veterans .

Response by CPT David Gowel made May 16 at 2022 1:37 PM

2022-05-16T13:37:27-04:00

Thank you for bringing together such a great group of leaders on this important topic. I am curious, what has changed/improved in each of your organizations since Memorial Day last year in the way you serve survivors?

Response by SPC Liliya Hartman made May 19 at 2022 10:13 AM

2022-05-19T10:13:50-04:00

Thanks. Question: what services exists for veterans with memory problems, especially when such veteran can't drive himself into any facilities?

Response by SPC Liliya Hartman made May 19 at 2022 10:17 AM

2022-05-19T10:17:15-04:00

Thanks. Question: What services exists for the veteran with memory problems especially if the vet can't drive himself to the offices and mostly resigns at home?

Response by Celeste Matthews made May 19 at 2022 4:20 PM

2022-05-19T16:20:16-04:00

How do I find and sign up with a VA advocate?

Response by Linda Wolverton made May 19 at 2022 4:22 PM

2022-05-19T16:22:09-04:00

Please cover The difficult transition from caregiver to survivor. In one you are caring for your spouse and assisting him/her to continue in this life. Then, when they pass, you are suddenly in the role of failure, because you failed to keep him/her alive and working toward coping skills in life.

Response by Margaret McLauchlin made May 19 at 2022 5:21 PM

2022-05-19T17:21:27-04:00

Hi,
I have had a claim in with the VA on appeal for almost 6 years now for care giver when my husband was still alive. He died 2/28/2017 of Agent Orange problems. I filed the claim in 2017 and was told that he wasn't sick enough to need a care giver. He had so many things wrong and couldn't be left alone while I was at work. Was forced to quit my job and lose my health insurance to be home with him. It was denied at the end of 2016. I was appealed in March of 2017, didn't reach the court until 2/8/2018 and have been waiting ever since to get a answer from anyone. Have had several Senators check on status and they get the same thing I do. It's waiting to be looked at. Just because the survivor is still living doesn't mean the claim should be shoved to the back. If this is the way the appeals works I'm shocked. God forbid that one of our veterans has to wait for this. All I want is a answer!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 20 at 2022 2:05 PM

2022-05-20T14:05:34-04:00

Yes, I have a question. Why did the eligibility of the Caregiver program to include stipends for spouses go from medical needs to a silly questionnaire? "Sir your spouse is no longer qualified because you can escape a burning house."

This dubious questionnaire for eligibility does not correlate well with the medical needs of a veteran. It opens up the door to a caregiver who takes care of a veteran with suicidal ideations becoming no longer qualified for the stipends because the veteran can escape from a burning house. It is quite appalling to see this process implemented not only from point of view of poor correlation of the questions to the actual needs of the veteran, and the fact the VA thought this was an appropriate course of action. What is mind boggling is how could the VA with a budget of around $243 billion a year not have the collective brain power and wherewithal to understand asking questions like can the veteran chew gum and walk at the same time as a criterion would be the causation for 90% of the caregivers becoming ineligible for the stipend?

I don't claim to know the metrics, but I do know there are MANY veterans and their families who struggle financially which is further exacerbated by caregivers who must stay home to take care of the veteran in lieu of a salary. Taking away the caregiver stipend will financially ruin many families because their source of "income" is very limited. It is mind boggling.

Response by SrA Ronald Moore made May 21 at 2022 12:49 PM

2022-05-21T12:49:35-04:00

Thanks for sharing

Response by Kristie George made May 24 at 2022 9:21 PM

2022-05-24T21:21:39-04:00

I am a survivor of a veteran who was receiving 80% disability at the time of his death. How do I know when I can start to file for his Social Security?

Response by Lisa Williamson made May 25 at 2022 6:15 PM

2022-05-25T18:15:20-04:00

Thank you

Response by Au Smith made May 26 at 2022 1:48 AM

2022-05-26T01:48:40-04:00

Please cover PCAFC Appeal Process when you have exhausted one or more decisions from VA. There is a class-action lawsuit, for Veterans Claims recently ordered, but how to navigate through medical records to process your Appeal to the Board of Veterans'?

Response by Melissa Comeau made May 26 at 2022 12:49 PM

2022-05-26T12:49:07-04:00

Welcome to the VetXL Survivors Together. I am Melissa Comeau the Director of the Military and Veteran Caregiver Network at Red Cross. I am also a caregiver to a combat wounded Marine. Thank you for sharing your journey with us today. You can find out more about our programs and services here https://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/services-for-veterans/military-veteran-caregiver-network.html

Military and Veteran Caregiver Network

The Military Veteran Caregiver Network provides our nation’s pre- and post-9/11-era military and veteran caregivers with peer support.

Response by PO3 Matthew Campbell made May 26 at 2022 12:55 PM

2022-05-26T12:55:24-04:00

Hello & Welcome Everyone to VetXL Survivors Together 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 LTC Hugo Lentze made May 26 at 2022 1:00 PM

2022-05-26T13:00:07-04:00

Thank you for your interest in VetXL Survivors Together! I'm Hugo Lentze, Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer for Travis Manion Foundation. We are focused on building communities based on character, and we have a focus on survivors and families of fallen heroes, with a special emphasis on mental well-being and thriving. You can learn more at travismanion.org, and learn more about our Survivor Expeditions at https://www.travismanion.org/our-programs/survivor-expeditions/

Expeditions

TMF provides family members of fallen heroes and veterans the opportunity to process grief by serving alongside others. Participants in our fully funded, single and multi-day expeditions have made a difference in communities through service projects, while gaining strength from new bonds with one another.

Response by Sgt Ed McEvoy made May 26 at 2022 1:03 PM

2022-05-26T13:03:58-04:00

Hello, my name is Ed from VA’s Vet Centers. Vet Centers offer community based counseling services, community engagement, and referral services to eligible Veterans, active duty service members and their families (when it is found to aid in the readjustment or transition of the Veteran or service member).

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 Geri Maples made May 26 at 2022 1:05 PM

2022-05-26T13:05:20-04:00

Welcome to the VetXL Survivors Together. I am Geri Maples, the Chapter Director of Blue Star Families of Dayton & Southwestern Ohio. I am also a Military Caregiver to a combat-wounded National Guardsman. Thank you for joining us today. You can learn more about our programs and services here https//:http://www.bluestarfam.org/chapters/dayton

Dayton & Southwestern Ohio - Blue Star Families

Response by COL Les' Melnyk made May 26 at 2022 1:17 PM

2022-05-26T13:17:44-04:00

Hello - Les' Melnyk with the National Cemetery Administration here. Happy to answer questions people may have about burial and memorial benefits.

Response by CPT Dr. Lynda C. Davis made May 26 at 2022 1:25 PM

2022-05-26T13:25:25-04:00

My deepest gratitude to Rally Point and VA VEO and OSA and VHA for organizing this important sharing of the resources and services available from all sources - including TAPS, RC MVCN, and EDF - to best support the survivors of those who have served us all. With remembrance on the eve of Memorial Day unwavering gratitude to those who wore the uniform and undying dedication to those who loved them deeply.

Response by LTC Hugo Lentze made May 26 at 2022 1:50 PM

2022-05-26T13:50:05-04:00

Travis Manion Foundation appreciates all of the organizations and leaders brought together for this virtual event! As an organization that works with survivors and within the veteran service space, we know how invaluable the collaboration and conversation between us all is to best serve our survivor community. Thank you to everyone who is pitching in to provide expertise and advice!

Response by Leigh Edmonds made May 26 at 2022 1:54 PM

2022-05-26T13:54:15-04:00

Hello, my name is Leigh Edmonds. I'm TAPS Sr. Manager of Communications and here to answer any questions. TAPS is the leading national organization providing ongoing compassionate care to all those grieving a death of a military loved one. We provide care and connections to resources at no cost to the survivor, regardless of circumstances of death, relationship to the deceased, and time since death. We can be reached 24/7 on our National Military Survivor Helpline at 1-800-959-TAPS(8277) or email [login to see] . Learn more about our mission at http://www.taps.org.

Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors (TAPS) Is Here For You!

TAPS provides comfort, care and resources to all those grieving the death of a military loved one.

Response by PO3 Matthew Campbell made May 26 at 2022 2:00 PM

2022-05-26T14:00:23-04:00

To all of you that took time out of your day to spend with us today during this special moment, THANK YOU!! Reminds me of the great quote by John F. Kennedy which says, "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget the highest appreciation is not to utter the words, but to live by them". You all truly exemplify that.

Response by Melissa Comeau made May 26 at 2022 2:04 PM

2022-05-26T14:04:40-04:00

Thank you all for being with us today.

Response by Helen Buelow made Jan 16 at 2023 12:50 PM

2023-01-16T12:50:07-05:00

My dad is a veteran and has passed away. I was trying to find out about his medals. Also he had a COE home loan and he didn't use it so how can I use it?