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 am an active duty deceased widow. When my husband died, I had great advice from my CACO officer and he was around for a couple years to answer questions. One thing never covered was the trauma to my 5 year old daughter. She never received any therapy to deal with her loss and her doctors never made any recommendation for it. Now as an adult, she has problems dealing with her father being absent in her life. She is now undergoing therapy, but it is expensive. Why can we not offer therapy to adult children of deceased members? I understand that your budget is not unlimited, but these adult children, as well as us spouses who did not get help deserve something. Thank you for your time.
I served in the U.S.Navy from 1980 to 1986 and it seems that unless a person served in a War our Service does not seem to count. Many Service Members between Vietnam and all the Desert Wars to Iraq and Afghanistan have fallen through the cracks. Many have been hurt or exposed to Chemicals have been through different Traumas and I want the Military to Honor our Service as well. No matter if its Peace time or not Service is Service.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA agrees with you that whether or not a Veteran served during peace or wartime, their service is invaluable. Veterans who incur an injury or an illness as a result of their military service can file a VA claim for service-connected compensation and by doing so can potentially become eligible for benefits.
Why isn't the VA aggressively seeking replacement Urgent Care Doctors for the Redding VA clinic, as Redding serves most of Northern California into Oregon. This forces our Northern California Veterans to seek emergency care outside of the VA?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Northern California Health Care System is aggressively seeking Urgent Care providers at the Redding OPC, and we successfully hired a new one who started last week. Recruitment is challenging in rural areas, and with seasonal wildfires and health care professional pandemic fatigue it has been a particularly difficult recruitment season.
Mr. Secretary,
According to information on va.gov, veterans and their family members who served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 cumulative days from August 1953 through December 1987 are treated differently in regard to contact with contaminants in the drinking water there. The list of presumptive conditions for the veteran includes Parkinson's disease. However, the list of conditions for which family members may be reimbursed for out-of-pocket health care costs does not include Parkinson's disease. Please explain the difference. If this item doesn't make the virtual town hall, please respond through Rally Point.
Sincerely,
Joe Garceau
According to information on va.gov, veterans and their family members who served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 cumulative days from August 1953 through December 1987 are treated differently in regard to contact with contaminants in the drinking water there. The list of presumptive conditions for the veteran includes Parkinson's disease. However, the list of conditions for which family members may be reimbursed for out-of-pocket health care costs does not include Parkinson's disease. Please explain the difference. If this item doesn't make the virtual town hall, please respond through Rally Point.
Sincerely,
Joe Garceau
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
This question is more VHA than VBA as the family member program is a VHA program. https://www.publichealth.va.gov/docs/exposures/camp_lejeune_brochure.pdf
Mr. Secretary. Requesting that a site be created where Veterans can post adverse effects caused by the COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccinated veterans are having problems and a forum to post and discuss this would be helpful.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA recommends that Veterans who experience side effects after COVID-19 vaccination report these to their VA health care provider. The provider can them submit these to VA's safety database which reports to CDC. These reports are analyzed by VA staff to detect safety signals that may need further review. In addition, if a Veteran wishes to report side effects to CDC's v-safe tool, more information on v-safe can be found at: https://emergency.cdc.gov/coca/ppt/2020/v-safe-information-sheet-508c.pdf#:~:text=V-safe%20is%20a%20smartphone-based%20tool%20that%20uses%20text,your%20secondCOVID-19%20vaccine%20dose%20if%20you%20need%20one.
I kept being told by one VA rep after another that I didn't qualify for the 9/11 GI Bill, when I felt I did quality for a percentage of it. Finally, I spoke to a rep that confirmed I qualified. Upon processing for crane operating school, I was again told I did not qualify. Upon further inquiry, I found the window of opportunity had expired. It was when I was within the window of opportunity that I had been getting rejected. Shouldn't the VA make it right with me?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Unfortunately, we are unable to comment on the specifics of any individual case in this forum.
To qualify, you must have served:
90 days of active duty service after September 10, 2001; OR
30 continuous days after September 10, 2001, and be discharged due to a service-connected disability.
If you are no longer on active duty, you must have received an honorable discharge.
You can contact [login to see] or To complete an application, use VA Form 22-1990, "Application for VA Education Benefits." You can complete the application online.
https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/4731
To qualify, you must have served:
90 days of active duty service after September 10, 2001; OR
30 continuous days after September 10, 2001, and be discharged due to a service-connected disability.
If you are no longer on active duty, you must have received an honorable discharge.
You can contact [login to see] or To complete an application, use VA Form 22-1990, "Application for VA Education Benefits." You can complete the application online.
https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/4731
Hello My name is Gregory Larue and I live Utah and deal with the VA in Salt Lake City. I transferred to the main hospital in Salt lake, due to I was having too many issues getting the health care I need at the Ogden clinic, and wanted a real PHD Doctor. I am a 100% disabled vet and am also a full time Government employee. I have burned a lot of sick leave for my appointment in the past, but not anymore. I get every other Friday off as I work 9 hour shifts. I do all my appointments now on my Friday that I have off, as I will not use my medical leave anymore. Now I have called the patient advocate several times and have gotten know where as they have directed me to the Ogden clinic, but as I told them they do not see patients on Friday for chiropractic as I have been seen through local care. I have called the White House, and currently have a congressional ongoing as to this very issue. They are trying to force me to go to the Ogden Clinic to see this guy who is trying to force all the vets in the area to go to him for this service. Your help in getting this VA Hospital to understand they are trying to send me to a facility that is not acceptable to my availability. There is a lot of issues at the facility. Thank you
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your feedback. VA has shared these comments with leaders at the VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System. We would be happy to follow-up on your specific concerns if additional identifying and contact information is provided.
,WHY DON'T YOU EXPAND THE JOLIET, ILL CLINIC AND PROVIDE THE SAME SERVICES THAT WE HAVE TO GO TO HINES IN MAYWOOD, IL. IT IS VERY HARD TO USE HINES BUT A LOT OF THE SPECIAL DOCTORS ONLY WORK FROM THERE. THE JOLIET CLINIC IS LOCATED IN AN OLD UNUSED HOSPITAL THAT HAS PLENTY OF SPACE AND COULD BE EXPANDED. THIS WOULD PROVIDE NEEDED CARE TO THE SOUTHERN AREA VETS IT IS EASILY ACCESSED AND BETTER LAID OUT THEN HINES
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your inquiry. We are excited to see the enthusiasm for Specialty Care services at our Joliet CBOC. Here are the services we currently have and some of our plans to expand our specialty services Medicine Sub-specialties:Currently, as of September 2021, we have grown our Cardiology Services from one day a week to three days a week and every third Monday to include General Cardiology and Pacemaker services. The clinics are also telephone and VA Video Connect capable. As of January 2021, we have started Dermatology Clinic weekly on Wednesdays which now offers face to face clinic, telephone visits, VA Video Connect and minor procedures. Future plans, we are working on standing up the Joliet Gastroenterology Clinic, which will be up and running shortly as well as Respiratory Therapy services both clinic and supply. Radiology: We provide x-ray and ultrasound, no future plans at this time. Audiology: Currently- we have two full-time audiologists offering hearing testing, hearing aids, and hearing aid repair. One Part-time technician. Future plans: Adding one full-time audiologist. Replacement of part-time technician with new part-time technician or part-time audiologist Mental Health:Currently MH offers the following services: PCMHI, Care management support to PCPs, onsite and virtual psychotherapy , psychiatry, group and individual psychotherapy, trauma based psychotherapy - Prolonged exposure and Cognitive processing therapy, substance use group and individual therapy virtually, Voc rehab services, Health Care for Homeless Veteran outreach, and MHICM Range program, same and scheduled full psychiatric assessment based on acuity thru tele -MH.Future plans: we are looking to expand SUD and BHIP - general MH nursing support through recent VACO hiring initiatives. We offer THRIV programming Virtually - which is mindfulness based programming and would love to expand that as we have more staff. Ophthalmology: Currently Ophthalmology has 2 providers there seeing patients Monday thru Friday. We are trying to hire a glaucoma provider that can also go to Joliet. Future plans: We are not able to expand other subspecialty services such as retina, because of space constraints and lack of sterile processing on site. Pm&R: Currently- we have Physical therapy, Occupational therapy , prosthetics- will be expanding our services to include Acupuncture , Chiropractic care and also pelvic therapy program. Woman's Health: Comprehensive WH exams including Pelvic exams, Pap smears in addition to offering full primary care services. Whole Health Services: Acupuncture and Chiropractic services are also being added in FY22. In addition, we have other services that include clinical pharmacy, nutrition, Behavioral health, ATP, HUDVASH and CWT programs
Why is veteran who served 14 years of honorable service denied VA benefits just because they were not in a combat zone? There wasn’t a whole lot of action going on from 78 - 92. They served during desert shield and desert storm but were not in theatre. I think it is utterly ridiculous that anyone who served honorably is denied VA benefits.
One problem that I see is I don't have a primary care physician. Everytime I see a doctor, it's a different one. I didn't like not having a regular doctor that knows me and my set of problems.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
It is unclear whether the Veteran's question stems from not being assigned to a PACT team or whether there has been provider turnover within his or her assigned team. All Veterans eligible for care within VHA are entitled to be assigned to a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) that includes a primary care provider (PCP), this process begins with Eligibility at the medical facility. If the Veteran currently does not have a PACT assignment, facility Eligibility should be notified immediately to reach out and schedule an appointment according to the Veteran's preferences. If an assignment exists and access to care via the PACT team is not available within 20 days (or sooner if urgent) or within 30 minutes of the Veteran's residence, the Veteran has the option to receive their care in the community, authorized and paid for by VA via the MISSION Act. If there has been provider turnover or reassignment, it is incumbent upon facility leadership to communicate the transition and manage Veteran preferences and expectations. Finally, when an assigned PACT PCP is on leave or otherwise unavailable to provide care, the Veteran may be scheduled with a covering provider in order to provide timely access.'
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