Posted on Nov 11, 2021
2021 Veterans Day Q&A with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough
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Over the past few weeks, the VA worked to answer more than 400 questions below on: Inflation, Burn Pits, Mental Health Services, Disability Claims, Medical Marijuana, Caregivers and Survivors, Community Care, Billing, Post-9/11 GI Bill, LGBTQ+, Electronic Healthcare Record, COVID-19, Dental, and Homeless Veterans.
On Veterans Day, Secretary McDonough directly responded to 9 RallyPoint member questions below. These responses are pinned below in green boxes.
On Veterans Day, Secretary McDonough directly responded to 9 RallyPoint member questions below. These responses are pinned below in green boxes.
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Health
Mental Health
Disability
GI Bill
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 404
My appeal was filed over 8 years ago. It was remanded, I still haven't recieved a decision yet. Also the VA ruled against me for an over payment on my benificeary under the chapter 30 program. They collected 9,000 dollars from me, even though the exact same thing happened to other veterans and the Federal Appeals Court ruled against the VA about this practice.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
A remand from the Board is a decision. It has not reached a final decision but there was more arguments that needed to be considered by the Agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) that made the original decision that was appealed. If the case is not granted in full while on remand from the Board, the case will be returned to the Board to determine if the remand orders were complied witha new deicion will be made. It is important to note, that while each case has similarities, they are each as unique as the person behind the case. I express caution when answering case specific questions without the all of the facts in the case. I would encourage you to work with your VSO or representative to identify what is missing from the case and supply that information so we may make the best decision possible.
Why doesn't the VA just close down the Hampton VA and transfer our care to Richmond Va along with Community Care? Of all the VA's I've had care this one is horrible and they know it. I've had 3 tries to get lab work and all a fail. Most of my care is sent out to Community Care anyway, things that the Richmond VA did in-house. It at the very least frustrates us Vets and our families and at worse will be our death. I went untreated for a heart complaint for 1 yr and 3 months. Of the care providers at Hampton they are rarely MD but only PAs. When i got my care in DC, San Diego and Richmond I never saw a PA but board certified MDs. It took 5 months to get a new primary care PA. After 2 ½ yrs of going to the Hampton VA I saw a MD only once and that was for a procedure. Close it down and send us to Doctors and keep us healthy.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your feedback. VA has shared these comments with local leaders. Please contact the facility to request a change in providers. We want to ensure you receive the world class care and would be happy to address any other concerns if identifying information could be provided.
why are we only getting the basics of care win so mini things have been cut and premised to us and now the care we get is worse now the a person who is on welfare gets better care thin we do . now ask look at what we were supposed to receive and premised in the o lets say 1975 on until Regan toke so much ae way from us .
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
If you have a specific question, please visit https://ask.va.gov/
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
If you have a specific question, please visit https://ask.va.gov/
Mr. Secretary - 2 important questions:
1: Can the VA and DOD combine the injury disability rating system into a shared system? I am rated 100% service-connected with VA, but have no rating with US Army that I know of. I am in the situation because I transferred directly from active duty to Reserves and my injuries have gotten worse over the years which changed my ratings from 20% to 90% then total. I am still fit and serve at a high level of fitness. As I begin to retire from the Army, I will have to fight for injury ratings with the Army to match what is already on record.
2: I am also a Federal employee and not allow to have Tricare- Reserve because I have to pay for FEB insurance which is 10 times fewer benefits at a much higher cost. Why are veterans like myself forced to pay higher rates for a policy I don't need when Tricare and ChampVA is a far better option.
Thank you.
1: Can the VA and DOD combine the injury disability rating system into a shared system? I am rated 100% service-connected with VA, but have no rating with US Army that I know of. I am in the situation because I transferred directly from active duty to Reserves and my injuries have gotten worse over the years which changed my ratings from 20% to 90% then total. I am still fit and serve at a high level of fitness. As I begin to retire from the Army, I will have to fight for injury ratings with the Army to match what is already on record.
2: I am also a Federal employee and not allow to have Tricare- Reserve because I have to pay for FEB insurance which is 10 times fewer benefits at a much higher cost. Why are veterans like myself forced to pay higher rates for a policy I don't need when Tricare and ChampVA is a far better option.
Thank you.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for the recommendation. VA works closely with the Department of Defense through our pre-discharge programs and interagency staff. The eligibility requirements for Tricare benefits are not determined by VA; Tricare is not a VA benefit.
having used the VA for 39 years all i hear is how much we have improbed and we are here to serve you. that is incorrect. since my divorce i have been known by the VA as a " traveling vet". as a "traveling vet" i have a hard time getting medical help in that i am a diabetic 100 % disabled due to illnesses. . have been told " i have to save my meds for our people" . then since i am on insulin the VA dosnt carry i have to pay for ($60 per quarter) and since i have not gone thru thier guini pig trials i cannot get the insulin they do carry. the insulin i am on i have used for 17 years prescribed by a civilian doctor. i know it works but now they wont evern give me the latest greatest thing the VA has . i truly believe the biggest problem is year end bonuses. the more they spend on Vets the less the bonus is. also had a pet scan several weeks back and still have heard nothing. so guess this 79 yo body is in great shape. all i need is the VA to tell me they dont really want to take care of me and i will use my medicare and trycare for life. but please be honest with our vets. i feel sorry for the new kids comeing home from war depending on VA for help. thank you for your time . i really do wish some one with authority would read this and reply.
have a good day
have a good day
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Under the current Request for Services process, the VA has implemented a standardized form for community providers to request additional or continued care or services for Veterans. The purpose of the Community Care Provider-Request for Service, VA Form 10-10172, is to manage requests from community providers and to allow for placement, tracking, managing, and reporting of those requests. Since approved care may be performed within VA or at community facilities, the request must be reviewed by the applicable VA staff to enter a new consult to the VA physical therapy office. If the consult is unable to be scheduled within the VA and the care falls under community care eligibility, the consult for PT can then be sent into the community. The VA Medical Center staff will process all requests and the community provider will be notified of the decision or outcome via their preferred method of communication. The notification will also indicate if the care will be provided within VA or in the community. If it has been longer than three days, please contact your local community care department for care coordination assistance. https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/providers/Care_Coordination.asp
My annual drug costs would decrease dramatically if the VA allowed me to buy them through Costco.
A Costco membership is NOT required to buy prescription drugs. Free fast shipping.
A Costco membership is NOT required to buy prescription drugs. Free fast shipping.
CW2 William Melton
can you use Escrips to buy your meds. they are very reasonable on price if you have medicare or tricare forlife. hope this helps
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
If you have a question, please send your inquiry to: https://ask.va.gov/
Thousands of Seabees stationed in Gulfport Mississippi in the mid 1970s were exposed to the Agent Orange stored on base in rusting and leaking drums. Yet the VA refuses to consider type 2 diabetes as presumptive because of the exposure. We likely used contaminated groundwater in drinking and showering. We deserve compensation. We served our nation yet the VA refuses to serve us.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
In October 2020, VA received confirmation from the Department of Defense Pest Management Board that Gulfport, Mississippi was added to the list of locations where Agent Orange was stored. See below:
Location: Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport
Date: 26 June 1968 - June 10, 1977
Site: Secure 12-acre storage area. Marshalled for shipping to Vietnam/then storage pending guidance on disposal.
Location: Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport
Date: May 24 - June 10, 1977
Site: Redrumming facility. Drums were moved to redrumming facility where the drum heads were removed and herbicide was sucked through intake hoses into tank railcars. Rail cars were then moved to the dock where the herbicide was transferred to the Vulcanus, a privately-owned incineration ship
VA encourages you to file claims for Agent Orange exposure if your service meets these dates. Veterans who are experiencing health issues that they associate with their service should see their primary care provider or local environmental health provider. Veterans may also file a claim for disability compensation. VA decides these claims on a case-by-case basis. Many Veterans Service Organizations can assist Veterans in filing claims.
Location: Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport
Date: 26 June 1968 - June 10, 1977
Site: Secure 12-acre storage area. Marshalled for shipping to Vietnam/then storage pending guidance on disposal.
Location: Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport
Date: May 24 - June 10, 1977
Site: Redrumming facility. Drums were moved to redrumming facility where the drum heads were removed and herbicide was sucked through intake hoses into tank railcars. Rail cars were then moved to the dock where the herbicide was transferred to the Vulcanus, a privately-owned incineration ship
VA encourages you to file claims for Agent Orange exposure if your service meets these dates. Veterans who are experiencing health issues that they associate with their service should see their primary care provider or local environmental health provider. Veterans may also file a claim for disability compensation. VA decides these claims on a case-by-case basis. Many Veterans Service Organizations can assist Veterans in filing claims.
Since I retired in 1989 after 23 years Active Duty, I have received 20% VA Service-Connected Disability Benefits. However, due to an unfair U.S. Law, every month since my retirement, the Dept. of Defense has deducted an amount equal to what I receive as my monthly VA Disability Benefit from my Retired Pay. Clearly, there is no justifiable rationale to justify my gaining nothing for my service-connected disability just because I served [AND SACRIFICED FOR] my country long enough to qualify for retirement! Yet, my VA mobility disability has deprived me of playing with my son as he grew up and also caused back and obesity problems which now prevent me from standing more than three minutes or walking more than 30 feet without escalating pain! WHY HAS THE VA NOT GONE ON RECORD TO CONGRESS REQUESTING RECTIFICATION THIS UNJUST AND UNGRATEFUL LAW EFFECTING RETIRED VETS WITH LESS THAN 50% VA DISABILITY IN VIEW OF THE MANY, MANY BUDGETARY EXPENDITURES OF FAR LESSER TRUE PRIORITY, THAT CONGRESS HAS AND CONTINUES TO FUND? RONALD R. RICE, LTCOL USMC RETIRED
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The law requires that a military retiree waive a portion of their gross DoD retired pay, dollar for dollar, by the amount of their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation pay; this is known as the VA waiver (or VA offset). The law does not allow for concurrent receipt of VA compensation and retired pay under Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) for VA disability ratings under 50%.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Yes. All VA employees and contractors are required to have the COVID vaccine (with limited exemptions).
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