Posted on Nov 11, 2021
2021 Veterans Day Q&A with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough
181K
564
836
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
Why does the VA seem to considerAD/service-connected survivors to be at the bottom of the food chain? There are 439,000 serviving spouses that receive DIC and other benefits but you have a 2 person office to deal with survivor issues. Many of your employees don't have any idea about what survivor benefits are. Not 50% of the veteran's compensation! Many of your employees are not sensitive to dealing with survivivors and our issues. Not what you say but how you say it. Additional training might be called for. Finally, if the IT systems were integrated at the VA, we would not receive phone calls from VBA employees about our deceased veterans benefits because death seems to be noted on the VHA system. There are many great people that work for the VA but its sometimes like pulling teeth! I have been a customer of the VA for 20 years and will continue to be a customer until I die. Can you please insure that we are not forgotten?
Pat Collins Miller
Widow of SGT Danny J Miller
Army (11B) 1965-68
Pat Collins Miller
Widow of SGT Danny J Miller
Army (11B) 1965-68
When filing for dependents, your website states Wards can sometimes be included ( I am a Guardian), but every time I claim him, they state that Wards are never allowed dependency status? This would be about a $100.00 increase, but it is just automatically denied.
Thank you.
Thank you.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Dependents you may add to your VA disability compensation include biological children, step children and adopted children who are unmarried and either under the age of 18, between the ages of 18-23 and attending school full-time, or who were seriously disabled before the age of 18. It was recently established by the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 that service members can now transfer all or part of their Post 9/11 GI Bill Entitlement to their ward or foster child.
https://benefits.va.gov/compensation/add-dependents.asp
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/87864/va-expands-gi-bill-benefits-dependents/
https://benefits.va.gov/compensation/add-dependents.asp
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/87864/va-expands-gi-bill-benefits-dependents/
Suspended Profile
My question to Secretary McDonough: currently veterans with 100% service connected disability has eligibility for spousal death benefits after 10 years of awarded disability in the event of the veterans death. Any possibility that spousal eligibility regs or statutes could be changed to reduce the number years to 5 or even 3 years? There are a lot of widows that are thrown into a state of poverty after the veteran has passed. Kind regards, SSGT Bruce L Thompson
Pat Miller
Currently, the requirement for surviving spouses to receive DIC for NON-SERVICE CONNECTED DEATHS requires rated 100% P&T or IU for 10 years before death with the spouse married to the veteran for the same 10 years. For service connected deaths, the only time requirement is married for one year, et. al. Current companion bills S 976 and HR 3402, Caring for Survivors Act of 2021, include a provision for NON-SERVICE CONNECTED DEATHS that allow surviving spouses to receive 50% of DIC (currently $1327) after 5 years, 60% after 6 years, etc.
The bills S 976 and HR 3402l also provide for an increase to DIC (currently $1327/mo) in order for the inequity between servicemember survivor benefits and federal employee survivor benefits to be corrected. DIC is some 7-12% less than what non-military surviving spouses receive. Very disrespectful for a country that says they honor servicemembers and their families. The service and deaths of my husband and father are worth at least as much as any other federal employee.
Your Representative and two Senators need to hear what you think about S 976 and HR 3402!
Pat Collins Miller
Surviving Spouse of SGT DJ Miller
The bills S 976 and HR 3402l also provide for an increase to DIC (currently $1327/mo) in order for the inequity between servicemember survivor benefits and federal employee survivor benefits to be corrected. DIC is some 7-12% less than what non-military surviving spouses receive. Very disrespectful for a country that says they honor servicemembers and their families. The service and deaths of my husband and father are worth at least as much as any other federal employee.
Your Representative and two Senators need to hear what you think about S 976 and HR 3402!
Pat Collins Miller
Surviving Spouse of SGT DJ Miller
Suspended Profile
Thank you for your response Pat Miller, I am100 % service connected and unaware the 2021 bills you mentioned. Thanks again.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
There has been discussion of adjusting this requirement for those Veterans suffering from or passing from ALS, however, this requirement is set by legal statute. A change to this requirement would have to come from Congress.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/1318
Final concurrance document: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/:f:/r/sites/VBAOPO/Concurrence%20%20Final%20Docs/TA%20HVAC-D%20Draft%20Bill%20to%20amend%20Title%2038%20to%20extend%20increased%20comp%20to%20surviving%20spouses%20of%20Vets%20w%20ALS?csf=1&web=1&e=pn7s1u
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/1318
Final concurrance document: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/:f:/r/sites/VBAOPO/Concurrence%20%20Final%20Docs/TA%20HVAC-D%20Draft%20Bill%20to%20amend%20Title%2038%20to%20extend%20increased%20comp%20to%20surviving%20spouses%20of%20Vets%20w%20ALS?csf=1&web=1&e=pn7s1u
Mr. Secretary - It has been said that more people will be hired to help with the backlog of Benefits & Appeals. But that will take some time to train these people. What is the objective date to start with them in the mix, and is there a target date to have these Appeals completed by? We know that COVID was a Big impact on many things, and has backlogged many things. Thanks for you comment on this and answer.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Starting in October, VA began hiring and training new staff to ensure claims are adjudicated quickly and help reduce the expected increase in the backlog of claims. VBA plans to further reduce the current claims backlog to 100,000 claims by April 2024.
https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/:w:/r/sites/VBAOPO/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc=%7B1290BB43-30E2-4AE0-B800-CDDCE9766449%7D&file=VA%20prepares%20to%20get%20ahead%20of%20surge%20in%20backlogged%20claims_01OCT2021_v5%20(mab)_vba.docx&action=default&mobileredirect=true
https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/:w:/r/sites/VBAOPO/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc=%7B1290BB43-30E2-4AE0-B800-CDDCE9766449%7D&file=VA%20prepares%20to%20get%20ahead%20of%20surge%20in%20backlogged%20claims_01OCT2021_v5%20(mab)_vba.docx&action=default&mobileredirect=true
My question is and I want an answer.. I have been going to the SLC VA hospital for 27 years.. I have no complaints about the hospital I receive extremely good care there.. but I want to know WHY after all these years I was denied travel pay to see my Dr's.. especially since the price of Gas has gone sky high thanks to your boss Joe Biden
My concern is about Community Care. While I appreciate it very much, the way it works now, however I think that it could be extended by a different criteria to be able to use it in a more extensive way. When you have a doctor 30/40 miles over the mountains in the VA system, I think that I should be able to go to a doctor 5 minutes from my house to be cared for. Again I'm grateful for the community care service that I do get. Thank you for your time in this matter.
I am a 100% disabled vet whose disability was due to chemical exposure while in the Air Force 1967-1971. I am diagnosed with a non Hodgkins Lymphoma and have a lot of issues with my lungs as a result of my exposure. I do get pneumonia often and have to get medications in me ASAP. If I am not near an open VA clinic or Hospital I’ll go to a local hospital or walk in clinic who will generally put me on an expensive antibiotic and steroids. The prescriptions will be sent to a local drugstore and I go in and pay for them — usually around $100.
No matter how many times I have tried to get reimbursed I am turned down or totally ignored by VA. I’m told by VA that I should report to their emergency room and that way meds will be provided by them. I am also told I should call them before going to an outside facility and then they will cover the meds. Just try it it doesn’t happen.
My wife who has Champ VA because of my disability actually has BETTER medical coverage than I do. If she has an emergency similar to what I described her meds would be covered (minus a 25% co-pay.
What’s wrong here ?
No matter how many times I have tried to get reimbursed I am turned down or totally ignored by VA. I’m told by VA that I should report to their emergency room and that way meds will be provided by them. I am also told I should call them before going to an outside facility and then they will cover the meds. Just try it it doesn’t happen.
My wife who has Champ VA because of my disability actually has BETTER medical coverage than I do. If she has an emergency similar to what I described her meds would be covered (minus a 25% co-pay.
What’s wrong here ?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The authority which implemented the Civilian Health and Medical Programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) differs from the authorities for Veteran programs. By law, CHAMPVA medical benefits are based on care provided to certain dependents and survivors of active and retired members of the Armed Services which also includes a requirement to cost -share 25% of the allowed amount of covered benefits. Under the Veteran programs, VA will only pay for urgent care when provided at an urgent care center that is part of the VA Community Care Network. The legal authority for emergency care also has specific requirement that must be met in order for VA to pay for the Veteran's care.
2 Questions why have it on Veterans Day when there are activities celebrations for us all around does not make sense!! The other is how come military personal with 100% disability Rating, can’t get a sales tax deferent for All States. for ourselves, And free fishing,and a lifetime pass to our Nation Park System in American. We sacrificed our lives, Injures in Combat for the FREEDOM IN AMERICA.
Hi I was honorably discharged in 1976, I was having strange bleeding problems so I was sent to the hospital they couldn’t figure our t what was causing the hemorrhaging out of my mouth and nose so eventually I was discharged. Years later in my 30s a VA hematologist noticed my blood counts were abnormal and I was diagnosed with a blood-bone cancer and given chemotherapy pills to take the rest of my life and also given permanent and total disability. To my surprise though when I went to apply for a VA loan for a house I was told I didn’t qualify do to the time in service and to get my discharge changed so that it says it had to do with medical reasons. I’m now 62 and being told it’s impossible to change it this many years later. Can you help me with this issue?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Unfortunately, we are unable to answer questions about individual claims and entitlement in this forum, however you can contact our Loan Specialists at [login to see] to discuss the specifics of your case. Eligibility for VA-guaranteed loans can be granted even if the minimum service requirements are not met if you were discharged due to certain medical conditions or a service-connected disability. For more information on eligibility, please visit - https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/eligibility/.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thermal scanners only detect fever. Since many persons who are infected with and capable of spreading COVID-19 do not have a fever, thermal scanners only detect a small proportion of individuals who may transmit infection. A far more effective method of preventing COVID-19 spread within facilities is the requirement that all persons entering wear a mask. Masks have been proven to prevent transmission from infected persons to uninfected persons, and are required for all persons entering VHA facilities.
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google
Final Concurrence document SecVA Press Briefing Book 9-16-21
VBA has a large number of employees that process Survivor claims to include DIC, training is available and ongoing for new employees as well. VA values our Service members, both living and lost and we value the families of those Service members and hold them at the utmost importance.