VA Directive... Do I qualify and How to get started?

[Guest Julie_Mason]

Ok, heres the skinny of my situation...

I was enlisted in Active Duty Army from Oct.2008 to April.2009 as a 35M. I completed my BCT, and went onto AIT, where I was injured during a training exercise and subsequently discharged on an EPTS (Exsisting Prior to Service. It is considered an Honorable but not Medical Discharge). Because the injury was a pinched nerve and nerve damage in my lower back/legs and because I have minor Scoliosis, they insisted that this directly lead to my injury. They were quite emphatic that I could no longer serve with this injury, so I tried and tried to get them to discharge me medically so I could recieve disability if the injury gave me future issues (which it does), but they wouldnt budge and ultimately discharged me as EPTS. I realize now that the Army physicians were merely trying to look out for themselves and not me, but at the time I was hurt, naive, and ready to just be done with the whole ordeal so I gave in and agreed (stupid move, I know).

When I was discharged, they told me to bring my DD-214 to the VA and register, but because I 1) heard the horror stories associated with VA treatment and didnt want to subject myself to it, and 2) felt (and still feel) that there are so many other veterans that need the care much more than I do, and I didnt (dont) want to take away from their care or further tax the already stretched-thin system, I have yet to even set foot in a VA, much less register.

Today for the first time, I learned (by way of this forum...thank you) that as transgender veterans, we are entitled to treatment by the VA and since my GT has yet to find a local Endo that can/will prescribe HRT to me even with her letter (me, having no medical insurance and very limited income), this would be a gigantic help to my situation. Im not sure where to begin, however, or if I even qualify as my time of service was so brief. I also read that the VA Directive expires next month, so I imagine its probably too late, as Im sure it takes many months to get enrolled into the VA system. I feel so stupid for waiting this long and I just need to know if Ive missed my opportunity to take advantage of the Directive or not.

Also, I live in Augusta, GA (a not-so-trans-friendly town), so Im not sure if the local VA would even have the proper resources that would be familiar with all of this.

Any information, advice, or other help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Julie M.<3

[Carolyn Marie]

Julie, I'm responding to this mainly to keep it on page 1 so more folks will see it. I can't really answer your question, but I do wonder if your information on the directive regarding care for TS vets is accurate. I see no reason why something like that would have an expiration date on it.

As to the bennies, your best bet may be to talk to the intake/eligibility folks at the VA, or groups like the DAV, who are experts on the VA eligibility rules. I used to work for them many moons ago, and those rule books are thicker than the phone book, and 5 times as complicated. I wish you luck.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Valerie1]

Carolyn;

That VA Directive does in fact expire Nov. 30th. It has never been voted on and accpeted. However, after the directive expires the adminstration will be abel to reiusse a new directive.

I found this out the other day while doing some online research for a new training presentation about the Transgender Community. Specifically on the requirements for Transgender employees of the Federal Government. The new changes made by the Federal Government to protect its Transgender Employees within the last 4 years.

/Love

Valerie

[Carolyn Marie]

Julie and Valerie, I've verified that you are correct; the Directive expires 11-30-12. However, the practical effect of that expiration or why it exists isn't clear. As I noted above, I would check with your local VA facility's Patient Advocate, the DAV, or either of these two organizations for more information:

Transgender American Veterans Association www.tavausa.org

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network www.sldn.org

I still tend to doubt that the V.A. would simply end its provision of TG services after agreeing to provide them, and training their staff on them. My guess is that such Directives require annual renewal.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Julie_Mason]

Thank you both for your thorough research, and willingness to help me on this front.

After re-reading the directive and seeing this:

1. PURPOSE: This Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Directive establishes policy regarding the respectful delivery of health care to transgender and intersex Veterans who are enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system or are otherwise eligible for VA care.

I have decided to "bite-the-bullet" (so to speak) and just go to the local VA with all my discharge documents tomorrow morning. I know it will be an experience that will test my resolve, but that is what growing is all about.

Now, my question is, what additional documents (if any) should I bring (ie: a letter from my GT, etc) that will help facilitate a speedy admission?

If I encounter issues while there, I will indeed call these numbers (also listed in the Directive):

6. FOLLOW-UP RESPONSIBILITY. The Office of Patient Care Services (10P4) is responsible for the contents of this Directive. Questions related to medical care may be referred to Specialty Care Services (10P4E) at (202) 461-7120. Questions related to mental health care may be referred to the Office of Mental Health Services (10P4M) at (202) 461-7310.

and/or contact the two organizations listed by Carolyn (Thank you).

-Julie M.<3

[Guest HeatherNC]

Well, I had an appointment with my primary care provider in the VA system today and asked about getting put in contact with a gender therapist. They asked a few questions, and put in a consult to actually visit one of the local therapist. So that was actually far easier than I thought it owuld have been.