VetXL: Women Veterans Together Q&A - Ask Questions Now on Women’s Health and Benefits Services!

Hello all!

The VA is consistently monitoring and updating women veteran specific conditions and unfortunately, it's a painstaking and lengthy process. In 2017, the VA began the process of updating the ratings schedule, and has since included the addition of FSAD, or Female Sexual Arousal Disorder--which is often a condition for many victims of MST. We encourage women veterans to refer to the VA website, where women veterans can find information on current benefits available to them, and can even reach out to the Women's Advisory Committee at [login to see] to voice concerns. I hope this helps!

Thank you for reaching out. We want VA to be women Veterans’ first choice when looking for high-quality care. We recognize that there is still work to be done. We are continuing to enhance care for women Veterans, prioritizing hiring and training women’s health primary care providers and increasing the gynecology workforce. Endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, (PCOS) and uterine fibroids can absolutely affect a person's health and wellbeing. Treatment for these conditions usually starts with your Women’s Health Primary Care Provider. Sometimes treatment of these conditions is best done with collaboration between primary care, gynecology and other specialists If you have additional questions, please contact the Women Veterans Call Center at 1-855-VA-WOMEN.­ You will get connected to the right staff at your facility who can assist you.

Thank you for reaching out. VA welcomes Veterans to VA for health care services regardless of whether they have a compensation claim or service-connected condition. We want VA to be women Veterans’ first choice when looking for high-quality care. Endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and uterine fibroids are common conditions and VA is here to help. Treatment for these conditions usually starts with your Women’s Health Primary Care Provider. Sometimes treatment of these conditions is best done with collaboration between primary care, gynecology and other specialists If you have additional questions, please contact the Women Veterans Call Center at 1-855-VA-WOMEN.­ You will get connected to the right staff at your facility who can assist you.

I have a disability rating for PCOS. This was also documented on my medical records during active duty.

Hi Patty, I would very much like more information on the resources available at the VA for Women specifically within the Long Beach VA system and local surrounding areas. I would like to know how to advocate for myself within this system as it has been challenging to get timely care or any care at all at times. It is especially stressful when you are in the midst of an illness and trying to obtain care. Thank you for your time!

PO3 Laura Mazucca No disrespect but when you say that we women should not have been let in to the military until proper care was completely thought out… I mean, seriously, you do realize we’ve been a part of the military since WW2, right? And we were glad to have worn the uniform. Yes, I know what you’re talking about. I was married for 43 years to an abusive (also military) husband. And was offered the same group therapy (I declined). I took them up on one-on-one. But I joined in 1974, and all the forums, and groups, and different avenues for complaints that we have now? Didn’t exist then. At. All. Takes a long time for things to change, but they do change.

Cpl Jo Goodwin could you say more about specific instances or examples of physical medical conditions being treated as psychiatric disorders?

I find that autoimmune symptoms, persistent women's health issues, and long-term tbi (traumtic brain injury) symptoms are not acknowledged nor assessed well with the typical tests given, thus you are left with "all your tests are normal". When in actuality there is a very narrow range of testing options offered and very little support, other than a push towards a depression/anxiety diagnosis, to pursue the root cause of symptoms.

SPC Crystal Ellington - Yes, it is an unfortunately, a very common scenario, although I know that it is vehemently denied by the VA. The situation commonly occurs when doctors do not know what is wrong with you and before any testing occurs for your specific illness. For example, during my visit to a VA Medical Facility for physical symptoms and related illness, after explaining to the Doctor my symptoms, she examined me and showed immediate concern and ordered a myriad of tests, however, she did not offer any medications to treat any of my symptoms. However, afterward, she immediately ushered me into the VA psychiatrist's office where upon a very brief conversation (about 15 minutes) with a psychiatrist, I was given immediate prescriptions for several medications. It is common to feel upset when suffering with physical medical conditions and related illnesses, doctors at the VA and everywhere else have a duty to treat our medical conditions. I was told on a subsequent visit by medical personnel at the facility whose name I will not disclose to seek care outside the system when I explained to them my experience and visibly showed them my body which evidenced the symptoms. Ultimately, I had to seek care elsewhere because I would not be here had I waited to fight for timely care at the VA.