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
Not a question, but I would like to commend the SLC, Utah VA hospital - every experience I have had with (them) has been awesome.
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Sgt (Join to see)
I agree, too. The Little Rock and North Little Rock staff are excellent.
SPC Washington George
Unfortunately not all VA medical clinics are the same..I was having a medical emergency the first symptoms of Sarcoidosis and I was in Haverhill Massachusetts where I live but I was a regustered patient at the Jamaica Boston VA 100 per cent service connected and the VA Clinic in Haverhill refused to see me ..I was in there Clinic and I asked to see a Doctor or to get examined because I felt ill..They said I was not in their system but I was in another VA system and I would have to go to the hospital I was registered..I couldnt believe it..I went to the local hospital and was admitted an hour later..then the next day was admitted at the West Roxbury VA Hospital inpatient for the next 6 days..please send memo to Haverhill Massachusetts Clinic not to reject Veterans because they are enrolled in another VA facility...and can you suggest Disabled Veterans debt be waived by the VA Debt Management Agency.Thank you and Godbless.
SMSgt Henry Kiester
SPC Washington George - I agree with you entirely - not all VA facilities are good - this is why I singularly commended the SLC hospital - if the bad (ones) get chastised, I think the good ones should be praised.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your feedback!
Will there be any changes in the Community Care program? Also when will the Medical Records program be updated? All VA referrals for Community Care must be faxed to the Community medical office or hospital. It is not an efficient process.
FN Steven Santucci
Your right, but updates have been made it might goes a little faster, but not as fast as it should. It should not hit a bottle neck.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The implementation of the MISSION Act in June 2019 provided updated eligibility for Veterans regarding eligibility for the Community Care program. No additional legislation regarding Community Care eligibility has been passed.
The VA utilizes the HealthShare Referral Manager (HSRM) software for Community care authorizations. HSRM is a secure, web-based system that allows community providers and VA to better manage community care for Veterans. Community providers can obtain access to HSRM and have web-based access to community care authorizations and medical records. More information on HSRM is located at https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/providers/Care_Coordination.asp#HSRM
The VA utilizes the HealthShare Referral Manager (HSRM) software for Community care authorizations. HSRM is a secure, web-based system that allows community providers and VA to better manage community care for Veterans. Community providers can obtain access to HSRM and have web-based access to community care authorizations and medical records. More information on HSRM is located at https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/providers/Care_Coordination.asp#HSRM
Sir, thanks for joining us on RallyPoint! My question is this -- how do you think a platform like RallyPoint can play a positive role in helping reduce Veteran suicide and self-harm? If you had a magic wand, what would RallyPoint do in this area?
What i'd like to know, is what he intends to do to correct the culture of denial that is so established in the VA system. I've got a bum right knee, that is the direct result of my left knee having issues. My left knee is service connected because i complained about it before the Army discharged me. The VA, however, refuses to acknowledge that the effect that my left knee has on my gait and posture, could possibly have any effect on my right knee, even though anyone with common sense could tell you that it WILL have an effect and should be connected. They deny deny deny like its their own personal funds that they're protecting when the VA SHOULD be fighting for us to get those service connections. They SHOULD be helping us vs fighting us. What's this grand new secretary gonna do about it? I should have been at 100% years ago but instead i have to fight the va harder than I ever fought an enemy of my country. Why do we have to fight sir?
A lot of private health insurance companies give discounts or pay for health club memberships. It's good for the health insurance companies because the more people who stay in shape, the less health insurance will be used. Would you look into the VA providing veterans in the VA health system the same health club memberships as private insurers.
The Disability Compensation Pay Schedule has remained at the same pay for decades. When will there be a raise in the amounts of all the ratings?
SFC David Beck
SrA Shannon S unfortunately it's been the repubs. The current administration is trying to pass a law that would greatly increase funding but not one repub senator will vote for the bill.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA disability rates, to include cost of living increases, are determined by Congress. Public law 117-45, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2021 became law on October 8, 2021 and is effective as of December 1, 2021. Typically, disability compensation rates increase annually, consistent with the cost of living increase assigned to Social Security benefits.
I am an 82 YO veteran...20+ years service, Vietnam era. In 2017 I submitted a new claim to update my eligible benefits / disability percentage against my present health status which has worsen considerably with side effects from service-connected injuries. Here it is almost 5 years latter and VA is since dickering around stuck on 90% when my doctor and lawyers tell me I should be 100%. Please help me get this resolved before I die. They keep sending me to your "Contractor doctors" who have highly questionable credentials as medical professionals.
SSgt Jerry Godbey
LtCol Ray Collins and I have a similar story. I am a service connected disabled Vietnam vet and 72 years old. Why does it take 6 months to a year to get a Supervisory review and years to get an appeal even looked at. I, like many other Vietnam era veterans have little time to live and should be rated at 100% with multiple issues related to my service-connected disabilities.
PO3 Adam Lambertus
You are not actually required to use the contractor doctors for your appraisal. Look up Veteran Adviser, and get in touch with them.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
All contract examiners must be accredited and have valid credentials. Additionally, they must complete the same C&P Certification Training as VHA examiners prior to performing an examination. If you feel your chronic condition has worsened due to your service-connected injuries, we highly encourage you to file a claim.
Will it be possible for VA disability rates to take a hike , not counting the COLA hikes as sometimes there are no hikes, and also when will the mileage rate be raised? Thanks
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA disability rates, to include cost of living increases, are determined by Congress. Public law 117-45, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2021 became law on October 8, 2021 and is effective as of December 1, 2021.
My dear mr. secretary,
Currently if a vet has a cavity, cracked or chipped tooth; it takes months to repair the tooth. The damage oftentimes is increased. The chip or crack get larger and sometimes are now decayed.
The cavity grows and often gets infected. Needless to say this increases the man hours the VA
spends on the teeth and cost. If the problem(s) are addressed immediately, the problem ends.
It is a no brainer. Myself and many vets would appreciate solving this problem that has been
ongoing for years. I have lost over 6 teeth since the VA has been treating them.
Thank you kindly in advance for any consideration.
MSC(SS) Arthur Yogy Weinberger USN Retired
Currently if a vet has a cavity, cracked or chipped tooth; it takes months to repair the tooth. The damage oftentimes is increased. The chip or crack get larger and sometimes are now decayed.
The cavity grows and often gets infected. Needless to say this increases the man hours the VA
spends on the teeth and cost. If the problem(s) are addressed immediately, the problem ends.
It is a no brainer. Myself and many vets would appreciate solving this problem that has been
ongoing for years. I have lost over 6 teeth since the VA has been treating them.
Thank you kindly in advance for any consideration.
MSC(SS) Arthur Yogy Weinberger USN Retired
SFC Robert Walton
I agree and if you were being treated while in the service for dental issues why does that stop when you get out. I am not talking about the yearly check ups but on going conditions. Let be honest Viet-Nam VET's have always had problems in this department. Dental Hygiene was never at a level that it is today. Many places i was stationed at did not have dental, or it was very limited. Now i have jaw bone Deterioration to the point that with a little novocaine i can push a loose tooth out myself. But going to a civilian dentist $1500. a tooth, Sorry can't afford that on a fixed income.
FN Steven Santucci
I have also lost teeth do to no and some dental care i could only afford, it is sad when you give your life to the military and they won't pay you back when you need it the most. We should have some king of dental care. I don't care if we pay 50.00 a month, we should have care that helps us to stay healthy. I was ALWAYS told Dental Care is PART OF YOUR HEALTH CARE. Why don't we have it??????
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
There are approximately 1.36 million Veterans eligible for comprehensive dental care, and these patients are the majority of those treated either in-house at VA facilities, or through co-managed care in the community. Comprehensive care consists of outpatient dental treatment reasonably necessary and clinically determined by a treating dentist and authorized by the VA to attain and sustain oral health and function. The goal of treatment is to restore Veterans to a healthy dentition, which is planned through phased care. The first phase of treatment involves the elimination of disease through caries control and the removal of hopeless teeth to restore the periodontium to a healthy state. This essential first step should be completed prior to consideration of more complex care.
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