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Women Veterans! Do You Have Health and Benefits Questions? Ask Questions Now!
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On June 28th, 1-2 PM ET, VA and community experts will be here to answer your questions on benefits and claims. Type your questions in now!
You can ask questions to the following people:
» Richelle Taylor - Public Affairs Specialist, National Cemetery Administration
» CPO Missina Schallus - Communications Manager, Center for Women Veterans
» Col Michelle Gardner-Ince - Director, Women Veteran Small Business Initiatives
» SSgt Lourdes Tiglao - Executive Director, Center for Women Veterans
» RDML Ann Duff - Director of the Office of Survivors Assistance, VA
» Leah Christensen - Clinical Program Coordinator, VA Caregiver Support Program
» DeShaun Sewell - Program Analyst, VBA Outreach, Transition and Economic Development
» Mary Beard - National Employment Coordinator, VBA
» Leigh Edmonds - Sr. Manager of Communications, TAPS
» Coleton Whitaker - Senior Director of Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» Jay Gorman - Psychologist, VA
» Melissa Comeau - Director, Military and Veteran Caregiver Network
» 1SG Zelda Davis - Management Analyst, VA
» Sgt Ed McEvoy - National Outreach Specialist, VA
» Karen Earhart - Program Manager, Caregiver Support Program, VA
» Maj Lillie Mells - Program Manager, Education & Training, VHA
» CPT Chanel Bankston-Carter - Director, Strategic Outreach and Communications, VA
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.
Women Veterans Call Center:
· Call or text the Women Veterans Call Center at 855-VA-WOMEN [login to see] )
Get Help - Mental Health:
· https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/mentalhealth/get-help/index.asp
RallyPoint Answers and Discussion Conduct:
· https://rly.pt/33ySsg0
You can ask questions to the following people:
» Richelle Taylor - Public Affairs Specialist, National Cemetery Administration
» CPO Missina Schallus - Communications Manager, Center for Women Veterans
» Col Michelle Gardner-Ince - Director, Women Veteran Small Business Initiatives
» SSgt Lourdes Tiglao - Executive Director, Center for Women Veterans
» RDML Ann Duff - Director of the Office of Survivors Assistance, VA
» Leah Christensen - Clinical Program Coordinator, VA Caregiver Support Program
» DeShaun Sewell - Program Analyst, VBA Outreach, Transition and Economic Development
» Mary Beard - National Employment Coordinator, VBA
» Leigh Edmonds - Sr. Manager of Communications, TAPS
» Coleton Whitaker - Senior Director of Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» Jay Gorman - Psychologist, VA
» Melissa Comeau - Director, Military and Veteran Caregiver Network
» 1SG Zelda Davis - Management Analyst, VA
» Sgt Ed McEvoy - National Outreach Specialist, VA
» Karen Earhart - Program Manager, Caregiver Support Program, VA
» Maj Lillie Mells - Program Manager, Education & Training, VHA
» CPT Chanel Bankston-Carter - Director, Strategic Outreach and Communications, VA
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.
Women Veterans Call Center:
· Call or text the Women Veterans Call Center at 855-VA-WOMEN [login to see] )
Get Help - Mental Health:
· https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/mentalhealth/get-help/index.asp
RallyPoint Answers and Discussion Conduct:
· https://rly.pt/33ySsg0
Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Women in the Military
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Women in the Military
Responses: 70
Why does CHAMP VA never pay for breast MRI with diagnosis of breast cancer. I was told it is not a covered benefit and always will be denied.
Patty Hayes, Ph.D.
Hello Jan- CHAMPVA Is a VA insurance program. Please call the Women Veteran Call Center at 1-855-VA-Women, as we will need more information in order to answer your question fully
I retire this year and have breast issues from nursing mu son and being required to breast pump when I was TDY. Are these types of health issues considered "Service Connected?
Patty Hayes, Ph.D.
good afternoon, we recommend reaching out to VBA to see if your condition is service connected. Here is the link to outline process for applying for VBA benefits: Applying for Benefits - Veterans Benefits Administration (va.gov)
DeShaun Sewell
Good afternoon!
Service connected means that a Veteran got sick or injured while serving in the military. In order for a condition to be considered service connected, the evidence would need to show -
1. That the condition was caused by/diagnosed during military service and has continued to affect you or,
2. The condition existed prior to service and was aggravated or made worse during your military service or,
3. Is a result of treatment received at a VA facility or,
4. Is a presumptive condition - VA presumes that certain disabilities were caused by military service.
We encourage you to apply, and let VA consider the evidence to make a determination.
Service connected means that a Veteran got sick or injured while serving in the military. In order for a condition to be considered service connected, the evidence would need to show -
1. That the condition was caused by/diagnosed during military service and has continued to affect you or,
2. The condition existed prior to service and was aggravated or made worse during your military service or,
3. Is a result of treatment received at a VA facility or,
4. Is a presumptive condition - VA presumes that certain disabilities were caused by military service.
We encourage you to apply, and let VA consider the evidence to make a determination.
SSG Kevin Crozier
This event was confusing. I had a local councilman going to participate. However, we both were under the assumption it was a video chat, etc. Neither of us have time to sit and watch for questions/responses. Thank you anyway.
Melissa Comeau
You are here. The link for this specific event is https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/women-veterans-do-you-have-health-and-benefits-questions-need-peer-support-ask-questions-now
Women Veterans! Do You Have Health and Benefits Questions? Ask Questions Now! | RallyPoint
On June 28th, 1-2 PM ET, VA and community experts will be here to answer your questions on benefits and claims. Type your questions in now! You can ask questions to the following people: » - Public Affairs Specialist, National Cemetery Administration » - Communications Manager, Center for Women Veterans » - Director, Women Veteran Small Business Initiatives » - Executive Director, Center for Women Veterans » - Director of the Office of...
Col Michelle Gardner-Ince
We appreciate your service and joining us today. Please let us know if you have any questions.
RDML Ann Duff
CPL -- Completely understand it's pretty scary giving up something meaningful that you have dedicated a significant part of your life to. Perhaps you can view it as a step forward. -- it can be the time to move on, to try something new, do something you haven't had the time to do or share all of the wonderful things you have learned with others through teaching, mentoring, volunteering or working in a different but similar area. Many veterans come to work at the VA where they can use their military knowledge and skills to give back to their fellow veterans.
CPL Sheila Lewis
I was basically told(not to my face) that I was too old, and that I fulfilled my contract. However, on active duty I was passed over for promotion because I was seen as too old.
Please explain to this Transgender woman vet why breast reconstruction after a mastectomy is not allowed.
Patty Hayes, Ph.D.
If a person has breast cancer and has a mastectomy VA does provide breast reconstruction surgery. Currently VA does not provide transition related surgical procedures. VA is working on regulations to address gender affirming surgeries.
SGT (Join to see)
Patty Hayes, Ph.D. I'm not talking about Transition surgeries. My VA has already told me that I am not eligible for breast reconstruction after ha ing a breast removed. So explain to me why?
SGT (Join to see)
Patty Hayes, Ph.D. We are not talking about gender affirming surgeries woman. We are talking about breast reconstruction after a mastectomy.
I am a veteran of both the Navy (active duty) and Air Force (Reserve) retiring with a Reserve retirement. I am also retired from federal service. I can enroll in either Tricare for Life or health care through OPM. My question is, am I eligible for any health care services from VA if I don't have a service related injury? I have always wondered if there was any VA health services I was eligible to receive. Thank you.
Melissa Comeau
Thank you for your service MSgt Debra Summerlin I found this info on VA health care eligibility.
You may be eligible for VA health care benefits if you served in the active military, naval, or air service and didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge.
If you enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981, you must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which you were called to active duty, unless any of the descriptions below are true for you.
This minimum duty requirement may not apply if any of these are true:
You were discharged for a disability that was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service, or
You were discharged for a hardship or “early out,” or
You served prior to September 7, 1980
If you’re a current or former member of the Reserves or National Guard, you must have been called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty. If you had or have active-duty status for training purposes only, you don’t qualify for VA health care.
https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/
You may be eligible for VA health care benefits if you served in the active military, naval, or air service and didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge.
If you enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981, you must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which you were called to active duty, unless any of the descriptions below are true for you.
This minimum duty requirement may not apply if any of these are true:
You were discharged for a disability that was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service, or
You were discharged for a hardship or “early out,” or
You served prior to September 7, 1980
If you’re a current or former member of the Reserves or National Guard, you must have been called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty. If you had or have active-duty status for training purposes only, you don’t qualify for VA health care.
https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/
Eligibility for VA health care | Veterans Affairs
Find out if you can get VA health care as a Veteran.
When the new VA Life insurance begins Jan 2023, will
Veterans that need life insurance be able to purchase the product , if the don't have a service connected disability? I'm 74 yrs old , was discharged in 1969 with an honorable discharge, Will I be eligible to purchase a policy? I have recently be classified as Legally Blind by the VA? I currently have no life Insurance. Roger
Veterans that need life insurance be able to purchase the product , if the don't have a service connected disability? I'm 74 yrs old , was discharged in 1969 with an honorable discharge, Will I be eligible to purchase a policy? I have recently be classified as Legally Blind by the VA? I currently have no life Insurance. Roger
Andi Martinez
Info can be found here: https://www.va.gov/life-insurance/
VA life insurance | Veterans Affairs
VA life insurance can offer financial security for Veterans, service members, and their spouses and dependent children. Explore your options, manage your policy, and file claims to get the insurance benefits you've earned.
DeShaun Sewell
You can contact the VA Insurance Center at [login to see] to find out what options are available for your specific needs. You can also visit the following link to explore the programs that are offered and see the eligibility requirements. https://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/overviewInsurance.html
Melissa Comeau
Thank you for this question SPC Amber Seeley I will be looking for others to answer this for you but hope there is a program that can help.
Patty Hayes, Ph.D.
Tubal reversal surgery is a covered benefit for all enrolled and eligible Veterans. Not all Veterans will be candidates for tubal reversal based on their individual medical history and anatomy. You can call the Women Veteran Call Center at 1-855-VA-WOMEN
Hello to all, respectfully how do I start to establishing a medical record in effort to start the process of my benefits and claims? Thank you!
Melissa Comeau
Thank you for being with us today. I recommend starting with eBenefits. https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/apply
Melissa Comeau
Also you may benefit from a FREE VSO to assist with the process. YOu can find a list of approved, no cost VSOs here https://www.va.gov/vso/
Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services youâve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family memberâlike health care, disability, education, and more.
SSgt Jennifer Dane
Request Your Military Service Records Online, by Mail, or by Fax (Includes DD 214/Separation Documents, Personnel Records, and/or Medical Records) [one-third] [image-button label="Submit Your Request Online (written signature still required)" image="computer" link="https://vetrecs.archives.gov/VeteranRequest/home.html"][/image-button] [/one-third] [one-third] [image-button label="Submit your request by MAIL or FAX using the SF-180"...
SSgt Jennifer Dane
Melissa Comeau - Yes, please never pay someone to do this. There are so many free resources, even within your city/town, county, state.
PO3 Matthew Campbell
Hi Sgt Kd Washington- This event will take place on 28th from 1-2 PM ET, however if you have a question you'd like to ask prior, please feel free to post and our Subject Matter Experts will weigh in the day of the event! Thanks for being apart of it!
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