I would like to share what I have
learned from navigating Veterans Affairs’ (VA) services, hopefully, to give
veterans hope that they both deserve and can obtain the resources offered
there. The VA is a tough cookie, sweet because it holds valuable and earned
resources for veterans but access to those well-deserved resources can be tough
and almost make one feel it’s best to crumble and walk away from their
countries’ promises.
To begin, I would like to advise
that when seeking VA resources, it is the long game. No matter how you slice
it, no matter how obvious it is that a veteran has earned them, it will take
weeks to years to finalize access to VA resources and VA ratings, thus, the
importance of patience. Please remember the length of the VA response and the
manner of how they handle applications for resources and filing for claims is
in absolutely no way a reflection of a veteran’s worthiness. While a veteran
should exercise their civic interests as much as they want, when it comes to
the VA it can be helpful to not be too concerned with the politics that can
play out in the VA. Much like an active duty member of the armed forces is to
refrain from politics, this tactic applied to the VA environment can likewise smooth
rough waters for the veteran to obtain the many valuable resources offered.
Please remember if there is anyone who deserves these services it is our
veterans. If you are a veteran, please remember, you do deserve this and if
patience is an unfair request due to your present struggles reach out to a
trusted family member, friend, or local nonprofit advocate and ask them to be
your voice. Let them navigate, in this there is strength.
Next, if you are the veteran or
family member/friend speaking for the veteran, get an advocate. Trying to
navigate the VA processes can be daunting for anyone, gaining the assistance of
an advocate is not only wise but necessary. You can ask your local VA for a
list of local advocates, if you have a Vet Center near you, you can ask them
their recommendation on which advocate services seem to get the best and
quickest results. If you are not physically close to any on these buildings,
look online at https://www.va.gov/find-locations/,
to locate which one is closest to you and give them a call.
Once you have an advocate
established, follow up with them often. Be patient if they have a large caseload. Remember this is the long game. Schedule for yourself how often you will
check in with your advocate and set reminders in your calendar. Schedule these
calls when you know you will be in a calm environment that will support you in
being patient with these calls. Perhaps you need zero distractions and quiet or
a book on hand to read during the hold times. I have been on hold with the VA
for over two hours and often would line up these calls with laundry time so I
could do something with my hands to pass the time easily for me. Think ahead
and plan for how to best handle long holds for you and your situation. Learn
from trial and error on what works best for you, there will be an opportunity as
there will be many of these calls. Be willing to learn what gets you the best
response. I personally, went with once a month, I paid attention and found that
our local VA responded best to once a month. It also gave us enough time in
between calls to not be stressed by them. You can also ask your advocate how to
long to wait before you check back in as an initial guide.
Now that you have your system set
up to run the long game of obtaining your well-earned services start thinking
about a plan to bridge the gap created by the long game. In the interim, you
will need a plan to meet the needs of care that the VA will be providing you as
it can take years to obtain results. Luckily, there are several veteran
nonprofits who can help with just these situations and happy to do so, you just
need to find each other. One of the most comprehensive lists available to
veterans and those assisting them is the Caregiver Resource Directory which you
can download for free at https://warriorcare.dodlive.mil/caregiver-resources/.
Depending on your circumstances it may be more than one organization that comes together to help bridge the gap between your current situation and the realization of VA services. Explore what the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes can do for you or your veteran at www.saluteheroes.org. To our veterans, there are a lot of people who care about you and want to help. I hope this gives you a good start in your journey to find the support you deserve.
-caregiver of disabled USMC combat
veteran (Six months to establish VA medical, two years to establish initial VA
benefits, additional three years for first increase, additional 8 years for
next increase, still working to finalize rating.)
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