2021 Veterans Day Q&A with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough

Effective September 2021, VA has extended the presumptive period for qualifying chronic disabilities that become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more through december 31, 2026.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/09/14/2021-19712/extension-of-the-presumptive-period-for-compensation-for-persian-gulf-war-veterans

With an average of 80K calls a month, VA North Texas Healthcare System call center has maintained a 30 second response rate and 3% abandonment rate. Facility has completed a process improvement project to combine the two Call Centers into one for better cross coverage of staff and was able to reduce the abandonment rate by 55% and the Answer speed by 45% from FY20.

To ensure VHA hires the highest quality clinical providers, physicians undergo extensive background checks as well as a thorough credentialing process to verify the physician's education, training, certification, licensure, work history, current clinical references, and history of adverse employment actions (if any).  VHA only requires board certification if the physician will supervise health professional trainees, if they have a joint appointment with an affiliated medical school, or for certain positions specified in VHA policy.

The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act removed the time limitation for the use of Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits for individuals whose last discharge or release from active duty is on or after January 1, 2013.

https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/FGIBSummaries.asp

Why should taxpayers foot the bill for such surgeries?

CMSAF John Williams why wouldn’t they?

Thank you for your question. VA currently provides all medically necessary gender-affirming care to transgender Veterans with the exception of gender-affirming surgical interventions, due to an exclusion in the VA medical benefits package. In the summer 2021, VA initiated the rulemaking process to modify the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to expand VA's care to transgender Veterans to include gender-affirming surgery. The entire rulemaking process can take approximately two years and includes a period of public comment. This will allow VA to develop the framework to provide the full continuum of care in a way that is consistent with VA's rigorous standards for quality health care. During the rulemaking process, VA will continue to provide or pay for the services it currently offers, including corrective procedures after gender affirming surgeries a Veteran obtains outside VA, hormone therapy, and other gender affirming care. For more information on services currently available to transgender Veterans see https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/

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.

Unfortunately, we are unable to answer questions about individual claims and entitlement in this forum, however you can contact our Loan Technicians at [login to see] to discuss the specifics of your case. Eligibility for VA-guaranteed loans can be granted even if the minimum service requriements are not met if you were discharged due to certain medical conditions or a service-connected disability.

https://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/benefits-summary/SummaryofVAHomeLoanGuarantyBenefits.pdf

Unlike Medicare, VA is not a private insurance plan. VA offers a comprehensive health benefits package that includes inpatient hospital care, outpatient care, prescription drugs coverage, and preventive care services. Veterans can have both Medicare and VA benefits, but Medicare and VA benefits do not work together. Medicare does not pay for any care that you receive at a VA facility. In order for VA coverage to cover the care, the Veteran must generally receive health care services at a VA facility. Community Care health providers are also available when VA cannot provide the care Veterans seek. Some enrolled Veterans are also eligible for long-term care services. Recommend Medicare review as well.

Unfortunately we are unable to provide a response for individual cases in this forum.  We encourage you to contact [login to see] to speak with one of our representatives who can review your file information and provide you with an explanation for the reduction.  They can also assist you with filing a claim for an increased evaluation to reassess your claim.