Posted on Aug 24, 2015
Anyone having difficulty getting into a Vet Center for counseling?
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VET CENTER HISTORY
The Vet Center Program was established by Congress in 1979 out of the recognition that a significant number of Vietnam era vets were still experiencing readjustment problems. Vet Centers are community based and part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In April 1991, in response to the Persian Gulf War, Congress extended the eligibility to veterans who served during other periods of armed hostilities after the Vietnam era. Those other periods are identified as Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Somalia, and Kosovo/Bosnia. In October 1996, Congress extended the eligibility to include WWII and Korean Combat Veterans. The goal of the Vet Center program is to provide a broad range of counseling, outreach, and referral services to eligible veterans in order to help them make a satisfying post-war readjustment to civilian life. On April 1, 2003 the Secretary of Veterans Affairs extended eligibility for Vet Center services to veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and on June 25, 2003 Vet Center eligibility was extended to veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and subsequent operations within the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). The family members of all veterans listed above are eligible for Vet Center services as well. On August 5, 2003 VA Secretary Anthony J. Principi authorized Vet Centers to furnish bereavement counseling services to surviving parents, spouses, children and siblings of service members who die of any cause while on active duty, to include federally activated Reserve and National Guard personnel.
Learned today that some VA Medical Centers unable to keep up with the mental health demands are suggesting veterans go to a Vet Center. The Vet Center was supposed to see combat vets same day if possible, but I learned that it's taking a week to 2 weeks to be seen at some Vet Centers.
The Vet Center Program was established by Congress in 1979 out of the recognition that a significant number of Vietnam era vets were still experiencing readjustment problems. Vet Centers are community based and part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In April 1991, in response to the Persian Gulf War, Congress extended the eligibility to veterans who served during other periods of armed hostilities after the Vietnam era. Those other periods are identified as Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Somalia, and Kosovo/Bosnia. In October 1996, Congress extended the eligibility to include WWII and Korean Combat Veterans. The goal of the Vet Center program is to provide a broad range of counseling, outreach, and referral services to eligible veterans in order to help them make a satisfying post-war readjustment to civilian life. On April 1, 2003 the Secretary of Veterans Affairs extended eligibility for Vet Center services to veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and on June 25, 2003 Vet Center eligibility was extended to veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and subsequent operations within the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). The family members of all veterans listed above are eligible for Vet Center services as well. On August 5, 2003 VA Secretary Anthony J. Principi authorized Vet Centers to furnish bereavement counseling services to surviving parents, spouses, children and siblings of service members who die of any cause while on active duty, to include federally activated Reserve and National Guard personnel.
Learned today that some VA Medical Centers unable to keep up with the mental health demands are suggesting veterans go to a Vet Center. The Vet Center was supposed to see combat vets same day if possible, but I learned that it's taking a week to 2 weeks to be seen at some Vet Centers.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 1
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When I needed assistance recently, I had no trouble getting into the Vet Center. They were helpful, friendly, and seemed to have qualified personnel. The only complaint I have is that they seemed to lose interest over time. Not being much of a squeaky wheel myself, I let the relationship lapse from my end as well.
I think that they performed their services well and would recommend I to others.
I think that they performed their services well and would recommend I to others.
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Sgt Spencer Sikder
What many veterans don't realize when they go to a Vet Center is that those records aren't captured by VA Medical Centers for medical care nor VA Regional Offices for C&P claims. Veterans must get copies from the Vet Center and provide them as part of their C&P claim or have the medical center add them to their medical records if necessary. Some veterans have had their compensation reduced because there wasn't any continuing medical documentation when the Regional Office did their reevaluation (by regulations every 5 years), however they were dutiful in going to group at a Vet Center.
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