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 soon to be ex-wife had me 302 thinking she would get full access to my VA pay and be able to have me committed due to having PTSD. The doctor at the civilian hospital was going to have me go home as he seen no signs. He called my wife and she told him I had to be angry in order to see it. I refused to sign the 302 Being asThere was nothing going on to warrant it. He sent me for evaluation and during the hearing at the end of the week it became apparent that my wife made up the story to have me 302d So they threw it out as unlawful testimony by witness. However the 302 still stands on my record from the initial doctor. My question is will the VA help with legal to get this removed. Also since this incident occurred six years ago I have completed An undergraduate degree in substance-abuse and addictions and a masters degree in clinical mental health counseling with hopes to help other veterans. I have zero run-ins with the law and don’t understand how someone can make a false accusation, haven’t proven to be false, yet it still stands on my record.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA is currently reaching out to Veterans who are due for a COVID-19 booster vaccine. Veterans who received both doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months ago may be recommended to get a booster. Please contact your local VA Medical Center or VA health care provider if you would like to find out more. Booster vaccines are also available through community providers. You can find a COVID-19 vaccine location at vaccines.gov.
Why is it so hard to change VAs when you move? You have to disengage one location before getting on list for another. You aren't told if new area has a wait list. You are without medical care. I'm on several medications. I would be without for God knows how long. Took two years to get in first time. So now I drive 9 hours for care & cost me at least $1000 . And anything acute I have nothing. I'm checking into other options. I put in 30 years. It's not right. And I know people worse off than me.
CW2 William Melton
welcome to the VA my friend. there are always excuses why you cant be seen or get meds
been there and done that many times, florida, georgia, alabama, indiana, arizona . you are considered a traveling vet and there fore they are in NO hurry to help you with meds or seeing a doctor. as a diabetic i was told to go back to my doctor ( civilian) who first put me on insulin and have him write a new scropt for the insulin and needles i needed for my pen. my civilian dr plased away almost 10 years ago so i had to go dig him up and have haim write a new script. he wasnt happy since not a voting year
been there and done that many times, florida, georgia, alabama, indiana, arizona . you are considered a traveling vet and there fore they are in NO hurry to help you with meds or seeing a doctor. as a diabetic i was told to go back to my doctor ( civilian) who first put me on insulin and have him write a new scropt for the insulin and needles i needed for my pen. my civilian dr plased away almost 10 years ago so i had to go dig him up and have haim write a new script. he wasnt happy since not a voting year
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
If a Veteran is wanting to transfer their care from one VA health Care facility to another they will need to contact their PACT. The PACT will work with the Traveling Veteran Coordinator for assistance in transferring their care and establishing an appointment at the new facility.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA would like all Veterans to have access to good oral health care; however, VA is limited to providing dental benefits to those Veterans who meet specific eligibility criteria as defined by statute. In order to provide dental care to a larger group of Veterans, statutes defining eligibility would need to change. VA does not have the authority to write policy that is not in accordance with statute. VA continues to explore options presented by members of the house, senate, Veteran Service Organizations, and stakeholders in the community, to expand eligibility and access to dental care for Veterans. Veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system and who are not eligible for VA Dental Care can enroll in the Veterans Affairs Dental Insurance Program to purchase discounted dental insurance.
Mr. Secretary,
My specific question is in regards to the Caregiver Support Program and why during the appeals process the evaluation board does not provide the worksheets for denying a Veteran. It is hard to file a accurate appeal and win an appeal when we are not given any specific reason for Denile. Even our Caregiver Support Team is not given a reason. VBA provides specific reasons to us for ratings, yet for this program they do not. I’ve considered a FOIA request but hope maybe my Syracuse VA is just mistaken and there is place I can access specific information in order to properly file an appeal. Patient Advocates only forward appeals, they provide zero advocacy. My follow on is why would a person fully enrolled in the same program that moves from Florida to NY have to reapply to the program. Why is the standard not universal for all the VA’s nationally, is is all the same Federal Program.
Thank You
My specific question is in regards to the Caregiver Support Program and why during the appeals process the evaluation board does not provide the worksheets for denying a Veteran. It is hard to file a accurate appeal and win an appeal when we are not given any specific reason for Denile. Even our Caregiver Support Team is not given a reason. VBA provides specific reasons to us for ratings, yet for this program they do not. I’ve considered a FOIA request but hope maybe my Syracuse VA is just mistaken and there is place I can access specific information in order to properly file an appeal. Patient Advocates only forward appeals, they provide zero advocacy. My follow on is why would a person fully enrolled in the same program that moves from Florida to NY have to reapply to the program. Why is the standard not universal for all the VA’s nationally, is is all the same Federal Program.
Thank You
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The Caregiver Support Program (CSP) acknowledges the potential benefits of adopting a Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) format to communicate decisions. The Caregiver Support Program is a clinical program, and the staff has historically utilized Veteran centric letters to communicate decisions and appeal options while leveraging facility Caregiver Support Program staff to communicate decisions with Veterans and caregivers in greater detail, answering any questions they may have. CSP is currently developing 8-point decision notice letters, based on VBA decision notices, with the intent to improve transparency into how decisions were made so Veterans and their caregivers have a clear understanding of why they were or were not approved at the time of their decision.
Regarding the second question, an active PCAFC Veteran and Family Caregiver who moves from Florida to New York, would not have to reapply to the Program. Rather, they would request through their local Caregiver Support Coordinator to be transferred to the alternate VA medical center. However, the transfer may impact the monthly stipend amount since they are based on locality. If only the Veteran is relocating and they have a identified a different caregiver, that Veteran would have to complete a new application with the new caregiver, as the caregiver's capabilities and home environment would need to be assessed.
Regarding the second question, an active PCAFC Veteran and Family Caregiver who moves from Florida to New York, would not have to reapply to the Program. Rather, they would request through their local Caregiver Support Coordinator to be transferred to the alternate VA medical center. However, the transfer may impact the monthly stipend amount since they are based on locality. If only the Veteran is relocating and they have a identified a different caregiver, that Veteran would have to complete a new application with the new caregiver, as the caregiver's capabilities and home environment would need to be assessed.
Is it true that the current administration is going to eliminate ther Community Care Program?
I thought the VA was doing something about speeding up the decision process regarding claims?
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.
Social Security and VA.
Why are diagnoses from 3 prong vigilance at VBA not good enough for Social Security? It should be a "no brainer" that a disability is a disability. Why are VA doctors not believed? Are they not as good as the Urgent Care quacks that deny benefits for SS? What would AMA say about this question? VA doctors give their lives to the service. SS doctors get a contract to deny the facts put before them.
Why are diagnoses from 3 prong vigilance at VBA not good enough for Social Security? It should be a "no brainer" that a disability is a disability. Why are VA doctors not believed? Are they not as good as the Urgent Care quacks that deny benefits for SS? What would AMA say about this question? VA doctors give their lives to the service. SS doctors get a contract to deny the facts put before them.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA cannot speak to the processes and procedures of another federal agency. One of our highest priorities and core responsibilities is providing Veterans with the benefits they have earned.
Mr. Secretary, first off, Thank You for everything you do. It takes strong Leadership such as yours to Represent the millions of us Veterans. On March 25, 2021, the VA Issued an email Statement/Notification titled "Copayment Debt: Cancelled-Refunded". In it it was stated that ALL copays for Medical Services (including Prescription Copays) incurred between April 6, 2021 and Sept. 30, 2021 were "Cancelled and we should not pay them". On Oct. 1, 2021 I received another email notification from the VA titled "What you need to know about VA Debts and Debt Relief Notification". This second notice claims the VA had only "Deferred those payments, and that 9 this is a direct copy and paste from this second notice) "On Oct. 1, 2021, the DMC began sending debt notification letters, which include timelines for next steps. The letters will be sent in phases over a period of several months, so you may not receive your debt notification in October. If you requested DMC to temporarily stop your payment plan due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will not automatically resume on Oct. 1, 2021.". Now I'm sorry but, my income is $2,000 per Month Gross. That's from Social Security and VA Disability Combined. There is no way I can afford to pay for back copays from 1 1/2 years. I can barely pay for monthly copays that started up on Oct. 1, 2021 but I make them. Please don't make me have to send a Hardship Claim Begging for money that the VA told us Would Not happen. Thank you so much for the time and attention to this issue, which affects many Veterans. Grant R. Fisk USAF Veteran 1975-1981
Secretary McDonough,
Thank you for this great opportunity.
Here is my question:
Why isn't there more information circulating about the Army Rank Corrections Board? After coming out in 1993, then being denied promotion to Captain, I was "allowed" to retire from the OR ARNG in 1999.
Literally 20 years later, I learned about the board and am applying to correct this wrong.
Can you help make more information like this available to the LGBTQ+ veteran community?
Thank you,
iLT Elli Work (R)
Thank you for this great opportunity.
Here is my question:
Why isn't there more information circulating about the Army Rank Corrections Board? After coming out in 1993, then being denied promotion to Captain, I was "allowed" to retire from the OR ARNG in 1999.
Literally 20 years later, I learned about the board and am applying to correct this wrong.
Can you help make more information like this available to the LGBTQ+ veteran community?
Thank you,
iLT Elli Work (R)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
For information on the Army Board for Correction of Military Records visit: https://arba.army.pentagon.mil/abcmr-overview.html
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