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HOW THE US DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS BREAKS DOWN:
In my "travels" from a small young soldier, departing the service and blossoming into a fine young "Veteran" (Oh I sound like my Grandfather!), I have learned much a long the way, asking questions, being persistent and taking charge of my own journey as a Veteran. As a now VA Employee, I have the honor of serving my brothers and sisters every single day. One of the many questions I am asked at least 3-5 times daily is, Stacy can you help me with my claim for disability? OH how I hate to say NO to any Veteran! But to be honest I cannot assist with the disability claim itself I can only give them information on where to get that help.
But having seen this daily, I thought well, shoot I will get this out on RP and maybe that will help even one person with the confusion! If I can help even one, that is one more than I did yesterday right? So lets do this:
1. US DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
a. The Veterans Health Administration - (http://www.va.gov/health/)
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system with over 1,700 sites of care, serving 8.76 million Veterans each year. All of your Healthcare needs are met thru this Administration.
b. Veterans Benefit Administration - (http://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/)
Education, Training, Pension. Life Insurance, Vocation Rehabilitation and Employment, Home Loan Eligibility, Post 911/GI Bill, Fiduciary Program, Career Center, Compensation Claims, Compensation, and many many more! But I think you get the idea here, see the site for more information!
c. The National Cemetery Administration - (http://www.cem.va.gov/)
Not so hard to figure this one out, but Burials and Memorials Benefits, Headstone Markers and Medallions, Presidential Memorial Certificates and basically everything dealing with us in the front leaning rest position on a permanent basis. I am joking of course, please forgive me if I have offended you but hey not a fun subject is it? We can at least all smile a little at that one, since we are all probably the only ones that know what I even meant! (smile).
So, as you can see, The VA is Three Divisions like The 1st Inf Div, the 101st ABN Div, and uhhhh, give me one here, Hey the 10th Mountain Div! There we go! Currently I have heard the we are working on a nice integration system, of the three administrations, which would be GREAT, so if you change your phone number with one it changes it with all the systems!
Unfortunately, Stacy at the Outpatient Clinic may not be so knowledgeable on your compensation claim status, but she can get you to Joe Shmo Veterans Service Officer (VSO) that can. Joe Shmo VSO, cannot assist you with setting up an appointment for a new pair of glasses, or hearing aids, or helping to understand the Veterans Choice Program, but he can send you to Stacy at the Outpatient Clinic who can! OH! Lets not forget Spectacular Sally at the National Cemetery Association, who cannot talk to you about anything Healthcare or living Benefits but, well.....
OK! I feel educated on the VA a little bit more, but mainly I want YOU to be! So how ya feeling? Hope this helps! Questions? ASK Away!
In my "travels" from a small young soldier, departing the service and blossoming into a fine young "Veteran" (Oh I sound like my Grandfather!), I have learned much a long the way, asking questions, being persistent and taking charge of my own journey as a Veteran. As a now VA Employee, I have the honor of serving my brothers and sisters every single day. One of the many questions I am asked at least 3-5 times daily is, Stacy can you help me with my claim for disability? OH how I hate to say NO to any Veteran! But to be honest I cannot assist with the disability claim itself I can only give them information on where to get that help.
But having seen this daily, I thought well, shoot I will get this out on RP and maybe that will help even one person with the confusion! If I can help even one, that is one more than I did yesterday right? So lets do this:
1. US DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
a. The Veterans Health Administration - (http://www.va.gov/health/)
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system with over 1,700 sites of care, serving 8.76 million Veterans each year. All of your Healthcare needs are met thru this Administration.
b. Veterans Benefit Administration - (http://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/)
Education, Training, Pension. Life Insurance, Vocation Rehabilitation and Employment, Home Loan Eligibility, Post 911/GI Bill, Fiduciary Program, Career Center, Compensation Claims, Compensation, and many many more! But I think you get the idea here, see the site for more information!
c. The National Cemetery Administration - (http://www.cem.va.gov/)
Not so hard to figure this one out, but Burials and Memorials Benefits, Headstone Markers and Medallions, Presidential Memorial Certificates and basically everything dealing with us in the front leaning rest position on a permanent basis. I am joking of course, please forgive me if I have offended you but hey not a fun subject is it? We can at least all smile a little at that one, since we are all probably the only ones that know what I even meant! (smile).
So, as you can see, The VA is Three Divisions like The 1st Inf Div, the 101st ABN Div, and uhhhh, give me one here, Hey the 10th Mountain Div! There we go! Currently I have heard the we are working on a nice integration system, of the three administrations, which would be GREAT, so if you change your phone number with one it changes it with all the systems!
Unfortunately, Stacy at the Outpatient Clinic may not be so knowledgeable on your compensation claim status, but she can get you to Joe Shmo Veterans Service Officer (VSO) that can. Joe Shmo VSO, cannot assist you with setting up an appointment for a new pair of glasses, or hearing aids, or helping to understand the Veterans Choice Program, but he can send you to Stacy at the Outpatient Clinic who can! OH! Lets not forget Spectacular Sally at the National Cemetery Association, who cannot talk to you about anything Healthcare or living Benefits but, well.....
OK! I feel educated on the VA a little bit more, but mainly I want YOU to be! So how ya feeling? Hope this helps! Questions? ASK Away!
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Posted from va.govPosted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Disabled VeteransVeteran Family Network
Transition
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Disabled VeteransVeteran Family Network Transition
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 7
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Thank you SGT Stacy Moody for an informative discussion about the VA and a link to the VA website. Hopefully this will benefit many who are unfamiliar with the VA.
RallyPoint members who are veterans tend to be familiar with the VA but I expect many service members are not as familiar.
RallyPoint members who are veterans tend to be familiar with the VA but I expect many service members are not as familiar.
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Very good, very informative and well put. You have touched on one of the things that few veterans understand, and which for one reason or another, isn't explained to very many people. I have been explaining this to other veterans for years. The only thing that I would add to this is, these 3 separate administrations almost never communicate with each other. I have had people tell me all about how they told their doctor and/or nurse all about all their issues, and yet they were denied on a disability claim. So very often they just do not get that their claim is handled by a completely separate entity, and that it is up to each individual to make certain that the VBA has all the information you think they should have. The VHA will not automatically do it for you. They have no idea what your claim is about, or that you even have one in the system. Even if you think a condition is well documented in your VA medical records, get a copy, and send it to the VBA to back up your claim. Highlight the section you want them to see, reference it chapter and verse in your claim. Just because they have access to your records does not mean they will look at all of your records.
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SGT Stacy Moody
That is absolutely correct Mr. Weaver, as far as ensuring you send a copy of your VA records in with your claim, always always always. FYI, if your enrolled in the VHA, you can register for MyHealthEVet, and get copies of your records anytime and print them at home, plus have a direct email contact to your provider order your medications at the touch of a button etc......guess Ill do a write up on that next :)
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PO2 Weaver Brian
SGT Stacy Moody - I use it constantly. Excellent website. Prescription refills, secure messaging, and the ability to view/print your records are the best additions to be made since they introduced it .
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I'm with LTC Ford. I have had this information for several years now, and always passed it along on an individual basis.
Don't know why I never thought of doing this, but I am glad that someone did.
Thank you very much SGT Moody.
Don't know why I never thought of doing this, but I am glad that someone did.
Thank you very much SGT Moody.
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