Veterans Affairs Directive Gives Priority to Disabled Vets

American Forces Press Service ^ | Jan. 9, 2004 | By Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample, USA

[Calpernia]

The Veterans Affairs Department wants to send veterans with service-connected medical problems to the front of the line when it comes to receiving medical treatment at VA facilities.

VA Secretary Anthony J. Principi issued a new directive to all VA medical facilities requiring that "priority access" be given to qualifying veterans seeking appointments for treatment.

The directive covers hospitalization and outpatient care, and does not apply to veterans seeking care for medical problems not related to a service-connected disability.

Priority access, Principi explained, means that when qualifying veterans come to a VA treatment facility for inpatient or outpatient care, they will receive an appointment within 30 days. "It's really as simple as that," he said. Veterans seeking treatment need only let the administrative clerk or nurse know of their service-connected disability status, the secretary added.

If a VA facility is unable to schedule an appointment within the 30-day time limit, an appointment must be arranged for care at another VA facility, or at a facility under contract in the private sector.

"I've always felt that it is important to give veterans with service-connected disabilities a priority for care," he said. "I want to make sure that those who have disability related to military service have a high priority for health care, whether it is inpatient or outpatient, and this new priority scheme is to ensure that those who are disabled go to the 'front of the line.'"

The new policy will not be without its challenges. Some 25 million veterans are in VA's health care system, and the department reports the number of veterans seeking medical care has risen significantly, from 2.9 million in 1995 to nearly 5 million in 2003. The VA operates more than 1,300 medical facilities, including 162 hospitals and 800 outpatient clinics, but officials report the increase in veterans seeking care "outstrips VA's capacity to treat them."

The secretary acknowledged that veterans have suffered long waits for appointments at medical facilities in some parts of the country, but he said the goal for his department will be to reduce those lines and to ensure that veterans are cared for in a timely manner.

In the past, priority access to health care went only to veterans with disabilities rated at 50 percent or more; for severely disabled veterans, priority is extended for non- service-connected medical problems, according to VA guidelines. However, Principi said, the new directive now makes priority access available to all veterans injured in service to the country.

He said the VA was established to care for the men and women who served in the armed forces, and that "we should never lose sight of that." He said his department's priority must "always be the men and women disabled in service to their country."

In addition, Principi said his department will work harder to reduce the backlog of disability claims for veterans. And he said VA is making "tremendous progress" in that effort.

"They've shown renewed commitment ensuring that if a veteran files a claim for disability compensation, he or she doesn't have to wait six months to a year. We are going to get that claim decided in 100 days or less."

[caisson71]

As a veteran, I don't have a problem with the VA putting those with service connected medical problems at the head of the line - way ahead of the line.

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[BushisTheMan]

30 days is way too long in my opinion, but this at least is a start in the right direction. Liberals wanting free plastic surgery get it before our Vets get what they so much deserve for giving so much. Our system is upside down and needs to change. Veterans to the front of the line!

[tracer]

Go figure. Who'd a-thunk it??

Every new day brings forth such stunning examples of genius......

[Spok]

As a veteran, I sort of surprised this wasn't policy already...

My neighbor is a WWII vet with an 80% disability from an arty round in Italy-1943. He has heart trouble and my wife drives him to the VA Hospital, goes to his doctor's appointments with him (as she schedules and administers his meds) and kicks bureaucratic butt when it needs kicking. The doctors make the sign of the cross when they see her coming, but she gets results. Elderly vets in particular often need advocates in dealing with the system-I'd like to see a volunteer program set up to do so.

[JLO]

"...this new priority scheme is to ensure that those who are disabled go to the 'front of the line.'"

That's the rub - ensuring that veterans who ARE service-connected disabled - can GET that status in a timely manner! (My partner has been 100% service connected since 1996 and he has no problems quickly getting into the VA or a VA clinic.) There are untold numbers who are deserving the same, but the backlog in getting a VA disability rating can take years.

[JLO]

Bless your wife, Spok. Here's a place to look at DAV's volunteer opportunities - http://www.dav.org/volunteers/volunteer_opportunities.html

[JoeFromSidney]

As a veteran, I don't have a problem with the VA putting those with service connected medical problems at the head of the line - way ahead of the line.

I've never been able to understand why I, a retiree from a military career who has no service-connected disability, should even be eligible for VA care. There might be some argument for making poverty-stricken veterans eligible for VA care, but for the rest of us, it makes no sense at all.

[JLO]

First off, JoeFromSidney, apparently you are a VN vet from Australia, is that right?

This is NOT a put-down. Just asking you to clarify, ok?

(Vets from Australia don't get USA veterans' benefits, but you must know that, already.) Right?

[Calpernia]

Pro Military News

The Veterans Affairs Department wants to send veterans with service-connected medical problems to the front of the line when it comes to receiving medical treatment at VA facilities.

VA Secretary Anthony J. Principi issued a new directive to all VA medical facilities requiring that "priority access" be given to qualifying veterans seeking appointments for treatment.

[JLO]

Calpernia, that's the problem - "qualifying"

Trust me/believe me or not. Qualifying for disability with the VA is a very difficult task. Many folks don't have a loved one invested in them to take on the task.

VSO's (Veterans Service Officers) are great friends and they do alot. In my experience though, it takes a loved one to really take everyone on and get the job done.

If anyone cares to talk one-on-one, don't hesitate to 'Freempail" me. Happy to help if I can.

[Calpernia]

Are you part of a Legion or VA organization? I do volunteer work with a head group in Okie. They take care of processing paperwork and filings for vets. If you aren't plug in with a group, I will freep mail you their email. They will hook you up.

[caisson71]

I agree.

[Militiaman7]

FYI

JoefromSidney is a Retired Colonel serving in the USAF from 1953-1975.

[JLO]

Hey thanks Calpernia. Nah, I'm not a part of any organization. Just a gal, partner to a VN vet.

Have helped a few over the years, is all.

BUT - you're right! There's help out there; the LEGION is a great resourse and a good starting point.

Plus, I can never stress enough about a good VSO.

[xzins]

I am a veteran, and I think the policy of giving priority to those with "service-connect" disabilities sounds good on paper, but it really begs the question of the agreement made with veterans.

That agreement was that their service would earn for them things like GI education assistance, GI mortgage assistance, and health care in Veterans Hospitals.

They should simply live up to the deal they made.

How many of you know that "service-connected" does not mean "combat injury?" Service-connected means that it was an illness or injury that had its inception while you were in the military.

If you were out drinking one night when you were a GI and slipped on the ice due to drunkeness and cracked your tailbone, then ever after that would be called "service-connected."

[mathurine]

What you are eligible for and what you get are not the same thing. Ask your wife.

[JLO]

Thanks I guess. I remembered him from awhile ago.

I didn't recall he was a retired guy from 1953-1975.

Mea culpa!

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!