As Wisconsin is beginning to look forward to Spring and new beginnings, so has our office in experiencing many new introductions, both with new veterans coming into the office as well as an invigorated renewal of past clients who have made their journey into our newly redecorated space. We wanted to share a couple of our recent client testimonials with you:

“This is a welcoming space. I actually feel like I am home, as I feel comfortable in your office and sharing my story.” 

“Thank you both for sitting down with me to discuss my past and present claims and experiences. I felt so comfortable discussing my experiences in such a peaceful setting.”

In experiencing this renewal, we have been heavily reflecting on our renewed commitment to our clients. Every veteran deserves the opportunity to share not only their service and their great stories, but also their challenges faced, not only with their disabilities but with their lives being forever changed by their service to our country. In having a comfort level at the start of coming in to see us, we are honored to help them with their burdens and hearing about their joys and their struggles. More than once, when hearing their very real and vulnerable stories regarding their service, we were moved to tears. That feeling lingers when you realize the fact that it is truly a miracle that this soldier is still sitting here with us. That realization, that the tenacity and determination of a veteran to heal and persevere, is the reason they are here. You realize that this story and this life – they are a gift to be cherished.

Our office mission statement is “To serve all veterans and their families with dignity and compassion by providing prompt and courteous assistance in preparing, submitting, and presenting all claims for benefits to which they may be entitled and serve as their principal advocate on veterans issues.”

The connection that we make with these veterans establishes a lifelong relationship, not only with VA claims, but with their many life changes along the way. We establish relationships as well as a sense of camaraderie, much like the one they experienced and cherished from military service.

Our commitment to our clients always includes a discussion about VA health care. When a veteran or their dependent contacts our office, they may want to know more about “the VA health insurance.” The VHA or Veterans Health Administration is known as health care. Many veterans automatically say a few things based on their experience or what they have heard from neighbors or friends such as “but I make too much money” or “but I did not deploy or serve during wartime.” We also hear veterans say that they do not wish to take benefits away from those who are more deserving. Today we will discuss the facts involved in VA health care to promote an awareness within our local community.

When we are visiting with a veteran and discuss the application for VA health care, we work with them in creating the VA Form 10-10EZ in order to start the process. You must be enrolled in VA health care to get care at VAMC (VA Medical Centers) or to have the VA cover your care at a community care provider (a community care non-VA provider must be approved by the VA as this is another segment of the program.)  You will be asked to provide a copy of your DD214 (copy of your discharge or separation papers from the military.) The application form asks for basic information about the veteran including their demographics: address, birth date, email address and social security number. The form includes questions about your preferred facility and whether you want to be contacted for your first appointment. The form requests your previous calendar year income (for veteran and spouse) and also requests previous year’s out-of-pocket medical expenses as those expenses lower the veteran’s income. If a veteran is service connected for disabilities at the time of the initial application, that information needs to be included as well.  Financial disclosure requirements also do not apply to the following veterans: former Prisoner of War; Purple Heart recipients; recently discharged combat vet; those who served in a toxic exposure risk activity; those discharged for disability incurred in line of duty; those receiving service connected disability compensation; those receiving VA Pension; those in receipt of Medicaid benefits; those who served in Agent Orange exposure locations; those who served in SW Asia during Gulf War between Aug. 2, 1990 and Nov. 11, 1998; or those who served at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune between Aug. 1, 1953 and Dec. 31, 1987. For those who are not service connected, you generally need to have served in the active military, naval or air service and be discharged under conditions other than dishonorable and meet specific service requirements, such as 24 months of active duty, or a deployment, or Title 10 orders (being called up from the National Guard or reserves by Federal order to serve.) There are many different scenarios with eligibility and each of our veterans is unique.

Also note that the VA provides mental health treatment services for veterans. Always remember it is okay to not be okay. If you or a veteran that you know are struggling with issues like PTSD, depression, grief, anger or trauma, the VAMC offers counseling and other support. All VA health care facilities offer same-day help; you may qualify even without enrolling in VA health care and these services are provided without judgment when reaching out for help. To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night, call 988, then select 1. OR you may text 838255; OR start a confidential chat (https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat/).

If you have hearing loss and want to connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

Please contact the Pierce County Veteran Services Office at 715-273-6753 to make an appointment to discuss your application for VA health care; another way to qualify for VA health care is having a service-connected disability which can be discussed through an office visit. Once your VA Form 10-10EZ application is completed and signed, our office will submit it to the Minneapolis VAMC for processing. Applications typically take a couple of weeks or less to be processed by VAMC. After your application is processed, you are assigned to a Priority Group, with levels 1-8, used for allocating medical benefits and long-term care resources to U.S. veterans. The Priority Groups further define your eligibility status. The VA looks at your service and at your income, but there are many pieces to the application piece that we are here to discuss with you as benefits are unique to each veteran.

If a veteran is concerned about taking benefits away from another that they feel is more deserving, it is important to note that the Department of Veterans Affairs budget is calculated and allocated for specific areas based on the prior year’s budget and use of the funding for VA. We are here to assist with any further questions you may have and would like to help you get your VA Medical Center applications underway for a bright and healthy Spring. The Pierce County Veteran Services Office has Walk-In Wednesdays, when you should stop by with questions, paperwork to complete and sign, or simply to come in and greet our team. We would love to see you. We are here to help you remember that someone needs you - and you matter. Your story matters.