Drew

The VA is in the process of evaluating itself again. I don’t think it ever stops, or gets much better. Vets are still struggling to get care in some locations and despite the accuracy issues with counting “parking lot suicides,” they are still happening at an alarming rate.

Over the next few years the government will be addressing aging facilities, shifting vet populations, and availability of civilian care as they choose what medical centers to shut down, expand, etc. I don’t care to guess what metrics they will use. I know that the VA Medical Centers (VAMC) have been getting additional funds but have often used them for furniture or grounds improvement, despite staff shortages in critical areas such as mental health. Funding has been increased over the last decade by both major political parties but with lack of accounting oversight, it’s just another bureaucratic boondoggle.

The VA is considering changing how it rates things. The middle button above will take you to the article. Keep in mind, this will NOT affect your current rating, if you have one, or your compensation.

Proposed Changes

1. Sleep apnea ratings– if the CPAP helps your sleep apnea, it’s possible/likely you’ll get a lower disability rating (or 0%) because the problem is being mitigated by the treatment.
2. Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)– “the proposed rules would slightly lower the requirements for a 100% rating.”
3. Tinnitus– “the proposed changes would recognize that symptom within the Veteran’s broader ailment and provide service-connected compensation for tinnitus through the disease to which it is attributed.”
4. Mental Health– “The proposed rules for mental health conditions would increase the minimum disability rating from 0% to 10%. The rule would get rid of a dated part of VASRD that prevents a Veteran from getting a 100% rating for a mental health condition if they are able to work.”

Benefit loss from Ukraine service?

An 11 March article on Military.com by Sean Timmons (managing partner of Tully Rinckey PLLC’s Houston office, concentrating his practice on military law) suggests that there is a possibility of losing your VA benefits if you choose to serve in the Ukraine and join their fight.

I will admit, there’s a lot of IF’s and conditional statements in his article but we all know how convoluted the law can be, and if the government can find a way to NOT pay people, they’ll find it.

Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 is the possible constitutional issue. The wording in the link seems innocuous; however, the law is always subject to interpretation and the article expounds upon the possible conflicts of interest and loyalty.

“As interpreted by the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel, the Emoluments Clause prohibits the receipt of any form of compensation, including consulting fees, gifts, travel expenses, honoraria or salary by all retired military personnel — officer and enlisted, regular and Reserve — from a foreign government unless Congress consents. Consent, arguably, is provided by Congress in 37 U.S.C. § 908, which has delegated approval to the military branches and requires advance consent from the relevant service secretary and the secretary of state before accepting anything from any foreign government.”

Military.com | By Sean Timmons

But I’m just a veteran you say… you could still run into some of the same issues, especially if you’re medically retired, receiving compensation from the government, etc. Check with a lawyer and/or the state department.

But I MUST fight the Russians!

Ok, no one’s stopping you. Here’s some great advice from a Navy Seal who became CIA: CLICK HERE

VA Tele-health

The past few years have greatly changed the business and healthcare sectors. More than ever, things are accessible remotely. This includes appointments with the VA. If you’ve gone in person over the last few years you’ve seen a variety of protocols for screening and admittance to their facilities.

My last few appointments have all be through the clunky, online video portal. OR, more likely, when that system doesn’t work (which is often the case) you just talk to your provider over the phone. Some like it, some don’t. In general, it does not engender trust.

Imagine trying to meet and establish rapport with a new mental health provider over the telephone, on a phone/tablet/pc. I haven’t had to do it but I can imagine me quitting that experience quickly. After losing my 4th mental health provider at the VA, I stopped trying. I have other avenues of therapy and have reached a homeostasis after many years of therapy and programs.

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