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
I filed for disability compensation for illnesses in the Agent orange presumtive list on November 28th of 2020 and have not heard anything since April 8th, 2021. Why has it taken so long to hear anything?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA is committed to ensuring timely access to benefits and services for all Veterans. To assist with the backlog, VA is hiring and training 2,000 new employees to assist in claims processing, leveraging authority to transfer CARES funding to VBA and utilize the American Rescue Plan to fund overtime to ensure timely claims processing. VA is also deploying Fiscal Year 2022 budget resources for general Compensation and Pension claims processing. Please contact our national call center for claim specific assistance at [login to see] for the status of your claim.
I am now an EMT, why does VA not give NARCAN out UNLESS you are prescribed opiates. I see MANY veterans who need it in both homeless and non homeless environments. With opiate overdose a major problem with veterans why is it not available for emergency use and supplied like face masks by the VA?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Please review this press release on Naloxone (brand name: Narcan) to learn more about it: https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5679
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.
Ok I whant know why the va hospital Iam registered with is telling me Iam not allowed,don’t quilfy according to the mission act.so my question is how do we as veterans get to use community care that is being denied because va hospitals are saying we need to be eligible witch from my looking at the mission is clearly no eligible requirement
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans should follow up with their local VAMC providers regarding community care eligibility. There are six eligibility criteria for community care under the MISSION act. More information regarding these criteria are located at https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/veterans/General_Care.asp
My question is regarding expired college benefits. I served from 1987-1991 and chose the college fund. I was only able to use a small portion of the fund before it expired. My question is would it be possible to use the rest of those funds? Also, is there any talk with the Dept of Education about loan forgiveness for veterans? Thank you so much!
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The College Fund was a benefit awarded by the individual branches of service as part of an enlistment or reenlistment contract and was not a VA benefit. Each service branch determined who received the Colelge Fund and the amount received. As this was not a VA benefit you would need to contact the Department of Defense to determine if the benefit can be extended.
https://gibill.custhelp.va.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/97/~/what-is-the-college-fund-(kicker)-and-am-i-eligible%3f
https://gibill.custhelp.va.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/97/~/what-is-the-college-fund-(kicker)-and-am-i-eligible%3f
I went to my local VA clinic (New City NY)to get my flu shot. I was told that they didn’t have the dosage for over 65 years old I was told the same thing for 3 weeks in a row. I finally got my shot at CVS at no cost to me. If CVS can get the vaccine why can’t the VA. I’m assuming your purchasing department messed up. Or is the VA back to the old days of not caring?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Each VA medical facility determines the quantities and types of flu vaccine they make available for Veteran patients. Many VA facilities carry the extra strength/adjuvanted vaccine, however since we don't know from which facility you receive care, we don't know if your facility has the extra strength/adjuvanted vaccine on hand. For the 2021-2022 flu season, VA arranged for 816,340 doses of the extra strength flu vaccine to be available.
WHY! taking so long for viet nam veterans to receive agent orange claims an disability claims not llways related to war injuries, but latter in year's! iraq veterans getting processed an paid with in weeks of return from war! Not vietnam veterans
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA is committed to ensuring timely access to benefits and services for all Veterans and works claims beginning with the oldest cases first. To assist with processing claims VA is hiring and training 2,000 new employees to assist in claims processing, leveraging authority to transfer CARES funding to VBA and utilize the American Rescue Plan to fund overtime to ensure timely claims processing. VA is also deploying Fiscal Year 2022 budget resources for general Compensation and Pension claims processing.
Why is the VA still using the new computer system at Mann-Graff VA. It is clearly inferior to the old system CPRS. After all this time it continues to be a problem. Someone has made billions off the ineffective system.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
We are moving to a more integrated and seamless system. We know how frustrating it can be for our customers, but also our employees.
We do have a seamless Veteran data system in place. This means you can go on VA.gov right now and update your contact information, and everyone in VA will have that update.
We do have a seamless Veteran data system in place. This means you can go on VA.gov right now and update your contact information, and everyone in VA will have that update.
PO3 Brian Levy
I also don’t have dental care. I did find a discount plan AVIA.com that costs me around $11 a month for my wife and I and it’s cut out dental bills in half or more. I just paid $550 for a porcelain cap that the dentist originally wanted $1250 for
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Please contact a VA clinic in your area to inquire about provisions for medical and dental care. VA facilities can also provide lists of community resources for low or no-cost dental services for Veterans not eligible for VA dental care.
Honorable Secretary McDonough, my name is Alex Padilla and I am on 100% disability with the VA. I have all my full Post 9/11 educational benefits that I would like my only son to use for his education. However, under current law, I cannot not transfer my educational benefits because I did not transfer them to my son prior to separating from service. I as a retired veteran of active service I am in disbelieve that I am not allowed to transfer my education benefits, and I will never personally be able to use them. Moreover, it is inconceivable to me that I will one day lose these educational benefits afforded to me for my service to the country I love, due to not having foresight enough to transfer them to my only child.
With Respect to Your
Service Honorable Secretary,
Alex Padilla
With Respect to Your
Service Honorable Secretary,
Alex Padilla
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The Department of Defense determines who can transfer their GI Bill benefit and must approve the Transfer of Entitlement while you are on active duty. However, as you are a 100% service connected Veteran, your child may qualify for other education benefits such as Dependents Education Assistance (DEA). You can apply by going to http://www.va.gov/education and searching DEA.
https://www.va.gov/education/survivor-dependent-benefits/dependents-education-assistance/
https://www.va.gov/education/survivor-dependent-benefits/dependents-education-assistance/
Mr. Secretary, I would like to know what VA plans (if any) concerning those Veterans on 100% P&T Disability, when they reach Social Security Retirement ages of 65, or 67? Are they going to be switched over to Social Security Benefits, or will they continue to receive full compensation and VA Benefits for their remaining lifetime? I am one of those Veterans and I am very concerned about this issue. I have not worked in over 10+ years, therefore not paying into Social Security. If forced to depend on Social Security as my only income, I would receive less than 1/3 of my current compensation. Thank you for any answers you could provide relating to this issue.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
If you are in receipt of service-connected compensation, there is no restriction on receiving both VA compensation and Social Security at the same time. VA also provides a pension benefits, which is a needs-based benefit program for wartime Veterans, who are age 65 or older or have a permanent and total non-service connected disability, and who have limited income and net worth. Most Social Security Administration benefits are also a needs-based program, additional income from VA benefits will affect the cash benefit amount. When you receive Social Security benefits, those are considered recurring income which affects your overall income determination.
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