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

2022-03-08T17:13:11-05:00

Join us LIVE on March 23rd from 1-2 PM ET for a Q&A focused on Women Veterans. You can ask questions, on this page, about Women’s Health and Benefits Services.

You can ask questions to the following people:
» PO3 Ginger Miller - Founder and CEO, Women Veterans Interactive
» 1SG Zelda Davis - Management Analyst, VA
» CPO Missina Schallus - Communications Manager, Center for Women Veterans, VA
» SPC Crystal Ellington - Communications Director, Minority Veterans of America
» PO3 Melissa A. Washington - CEO & Founder, Women Veterans Alliance
» Patty Hayes, Ph.D. - Chief Officer, Women's Health, VA
» SSgt Lourdes Tiglao - Executive Director, Center for Women Veterans, VA
» SP5 Nicole Neri - Veteran Employment Coordinator, DOL
» Leah Christensen - Caregiver Support Program, VHA

Women Veteran Resources:
http://www.va.gov/womenvet/
http://www.womenshealth.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 SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2022 6:38 PM

2022-03-08T18:38:59-05:00

Thanks for the post

Response by SrA Ronald Moore made Mar 14 at 2022 4:34 AM

2022-03-14T04:34:51-04:00

Keep this being announced to make a lot of Veterans aware

Response by PO2 KIm Kay McCarty Martin made Mar 15 at 2022 3:29 PM

2022-03-15T15:29:16-04:00

In MT we don't have a Women's Health Clinic. We are told there isn't enough of us for one to be cost effective. We really feel like we are not important enough even though we served too. Can this be addressed? They offer more for pregnancy care then what is offered for women in general which is very nearsighted and lopsided. We would feel more appreciated for our service if we had programs specifically for our care.

Response by Barbara501 Williams made Mar 16 at 2022 1:01 PM

2022-03-16T13:01:25-04:00

Be patient thing will turn around.

Response by SPC Wendy Suttles made Mar 16 at 2022 6:47 PM

2022-03-16T18:47:02-04:00

Is there any development in helping women veterans with MTS?

Response by SPC Jina Lofton made Mar 16 at 2022 8:28 PM

2022-03-16T20:28:10-04:00

I am wondering when the VA will take a serious look into diseases that severely impact women such as endometriosis, PCOS, and fibroids? Many are living with these conditions and the VA is denying them compensation and more importantly proper Healthcare for these illnesses. The people who are doing the ratings and making decisions don't even understand the first thing about them. Ignoring them or down playing them only serves to put the female veterans in more pain and incurring further damage to their bodies. I'm afraid to even go to the VA. People think because you can't see physical damage that it doesn't exist but what about mental health, back injuries, or stomach issues? You can't see some of those issues, can't pinpoint when they started; however, people are treated for them and compensated.

Response by Cpl Jo Goodwin made Mar 16 at 2022 9:10 PM

2022-03-16T21:10:27-04:00

Our conversation should include concern over medical personnel persistent need to diagnose physical medical conditions as a psychiatric disorders for women. Its a very unsettling experience and causes frequent delays in needed medical treatment.

Response by SSG Conrad Sylvestrelamb made Mar 16 at 2022 11:21 PM

2022-03-16T23:21:46-04:00

Ideas out there married soldiers, 1 retired 1 working at va need information helping cope with divorce, depression and other mental health issues.

Response by CPL Samantha Pryor made Mar 17 at 2022 11:24 AM

2022-03-17T11:24:01-04:00

Are there any benefits available to women who are dealing with infertility?

Response by PFC Ashley Duke made Mar 18 at 2022 3:39 AM

2022-03-18T03:39:48-04:00

Will a zoom link be provided? Would love to attend!

Response by SFC Mary Snyder made Mar 18 at 2022 6:38 PM

2022-03-18T18:38:41-04:00

I have spoken to VA Women's support reps regarding MST (Military Sexual Trauma). So far, I only get told to call this person or that person, only referrals and resources. Maybe someone here can tell me if I have a case for a claim. My MST happened from 1974-1976. I reported the incident when it came to the point that my boss was going to fire me, driving to Camp Mabry Austin, TX to speak to his boss. Finally, leaving my job for another one, and probably the chance for a great career (lost). He was reported by another female and the Texas NG IG interviewed me. I gave 5 single spaced pages of incidents of intimidation and harassment. Later, after I retired, I asked for the IG report, all the way to DC, but was told it did not exist. I only found my copies of the report recently. These events not only hindered my career, my mental concentration, and changed me from being a 'gung-ho' veteran to a bitter and angry person towards the US Army. I am grateful for the VA benefits I receive (retirement pay and annual physical/lab work) but it effected my performance the rest of my life, lead to alcoholism, suicide attempts, and the idea that to get ahead in the military you have to give in to sexual harassment. I have read about making a MST claim, but have not because of the exhaustive list of questions and no one to tell me if I even have a claim due to time it happened, 1974.
Thank you if you can tell me to just suck it up or is there hope for closure for me.

Response by Maj Amanda Johnston made Mar 23 at 2022 11:58 AM

2022-03-23T11:58:37-04:00

I believe the VA is particularly inaccessible to women with young children. Specifically in my circumstance, I am unable to even enter the VA facility with my 10 month old as children under the age of 18 are not permitted in the facility (though all hospitals and doctor offices in my area do not operate in this manner). As someone who has a husband who works, and no family nearby, this is a severe limitation for me. I have brought this us to my VA in various forms to no avail, the answer is simply for me to pay for a babysitter. Is anything being done to change this?

Response by CPT Ruth Kramer made Mar 23 at 2022 1:02 PM

2022-03-23T13:02:38-04:00

How do we join the live event over the internet?

Response by PO1 Andrea Tate made Mar 23 at 2022 1:03 PM

2022-03-23T13:03:02-04:00

Hello. Are there any rafters on todays event?

Response by CPO Missina Schallus made Mar 23 at 2022 1:08 PM

2022-03-23T13:08:01-04:00

Everyone welcome. I am Missina Schallus, I am the Communications Manager at the VA Center for Women Veterans and I am happy to be here with you today to answer your questions.

Response by SrA Bich Thuy Callens made Mar 23 at 2022 1:08 PM

2022-03-23T13:08:55-04:00

Hello. Is this a live event?

Response by SSgt Lourdes Tiglao made Mar 23 at 2022 1:22 PM

2022-03-23T13:22:12-04:00

Good morning/afternoon! I'm Lourdes Tiglao, currently serving as the Executive Director for the Center for Women Veterans joining from the DC area. We're happy to be here and answer your questions.

Response by 1SG Zelda Davis made Mar 23 at 2022 1:28 PM

2022-03-23T13:28:44-04:00

Good afternoon Everyone! My name is Zelda Davis with VA's Veteran Employment Program Office. We provide employment readiness assistance and outreach to Veterans, transitioning Service Members and Military Spouses seeking employment in the VA. Please visit the following websites for resources seeking employment in VA: http://www.vacareers.va.gov and http://www.vaforvets.va.gov to search and apply for positions in VA to include available training resources to help with your Federal resume.

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Response by Sgt Sharon Brooks made Mar 23 at 2022 1:30 PM

2022-03-23T13:30:19-04:00

Good afternoon. I wanted to know how can women who are having issues service connecting abnormal bleeding such as Menorrhagia if you do not have a a diagnosis of Endometriosis but the active duty medical records shows the abnormal bleeding and fibroids. There are no female VSO's in my area. I and other women are having trouble.

Response by Patty Hayes, Ph.D. made Mar 23 at 2022 1:32 PM

2022-03-23T13:32:01-04:00

Good Day! I am Patty Hayes, the Chief Officer with the VHA Office of Women’s Health. We are here to answer any questions you may have about women’s health at the VA, how to get your needs met, and how to get connected with resources.

Response by PO3 Melissa A. Washington made Mar 23 at 2022 1:52 PM

2022-03-23T13:52:23-04:00

Please feel free to connect with Women Veterans Alliance. We are the premier national network focused on directly impacting the quality of life of women veterans. We do this successfully by transforming the way the community networks to bring people and programs directly together through a reliable and resourceful platform. http://www.WomenVeteransAlliance.com
Thank you, Center for Women Veterans, and RallyPoint for the opportunity to participate today.

www.WomenVeteransAlliance.com

Response by Andi Martinez made Mar 23 at 2022 1:53 PM

2022-03-23T13:53:29-04:00

1-800-MyVA411 is a national, toll-free number that serves as a “front door” to VA.

Response by Andi Martinez made Mar 23 at 2022 1:55 PM

2022-03-23T13:55:36-04:00

Resources:
VA WELCOME KIT! https://www.va.gov/welcome-kit/
Subscribe to VA News! https://www.va.gov/vetresources/
White House VA Hotline [login to see] (24/7 access to a live agent)
Veterans Crisis Line [login to see] (Press 1) or send text to 838255

VA.gov makes it easy for Veterans to schedule an appointment, update contact info, file a claim, apply for healthcare and much more!

VA COVID-19 Response: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/n-coronavirus/

Print out your VA Welcome Kit | Veterans Affairs

Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, the VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned. Based on where you are in life, your VA benefits and services can support you in different ways. Keep your welcome kit handy so you can turn to it throughout your life—like when it’s time to go to school, get a job, buy a house, get health care, retire, or make plans for your...

Response by SSgt Lourdes Tiglao made Mar 23 at 2022 2:04 PM

2022-03-23T14:04:01-04:00

For those who'd like to get more information on services for women Veterans, please check out the VA's Center for Women Veterans Website: https://www.va.gov/womenvet/

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 LCpl Susan Moretz made Mar 7 at 2024 5:03 PM

2024-03-07T17:03:57-05:00

I was diagnosed with PTSD and MST by VA. Now I have Fibromyalgia which VA diagnosed. Should I file a claim for the fibro? I understand it could be caused from the PTSD. Either way, it's difficult to live with and has altered my life. Thank you.