What can I expect from the VA?

[Traci Lynn]

Hello,

My name is Traci Lynn and I have been transitioning since Oct 2019. I am a retired Army Veteran, but have not utilized the VA since I left the military. Tricare pays for my HRT meds, but lately I have been thinking it might be beneficial for me to see a therapist. None of the therapists in my area accept insurance and out of pocket costs are not feasible. So turning to the VA, but not sure how to make the right contact? I know that they do not cover any surgical procedues or hair removal, and its highly unlikely that will change with our current president trying as hard as he can to deny transgender people to even serve or continue to serve. Someone clue me in if I have my information wrong here please. I have been against therapy from the beginning, mostly because I felt it was an admission that something was wrong with me mentally. There is nothing wrong with me, but as I said lately I have been feeling the need to talk about things, and get some guidance from a professional. When I started HRT, I had not made my mind up on if I would do SRS and leaned more towards probably not. Here I am 8 months later knowing that for me its the only choice now. Sorry I am kinda all over the place at the moment. Can anyone offer me any advice or information please? I am from the Austin Tx area if that helps.

[Erikka]

Hi Traci Lynn , 

I am a U.S. Navy Vietnam vet who never, ever trusted the VA, never wanted anything to do with the VA, that is until every ugly thing I experienced and did my best to bury, didn’t just come bubbling to the surface...it was a freaking runaway freight train. It turned me into a 5150 mess. I was told to go, not walk but run, to the the nearest VA Clinic. They would help and they did. First day was with a therapist for an intake, next day with a psychiatrist, and then followed by 3 months of weekly sessions. Bit by bit I was able to come clean with everything. No judgement from anyone. I got around to talking about how I might be trans. But I could not come out and say that yes, I am trans. Four years in and finally my therapist and my psychiatrist both asked me point blank if I wanted to go ahead Wyoming HRT. The VA pays for your HRT, they will do vocal training for a more feminine voice, but no GRS. They used to provide that until politically correct Pentecostal, fill in the blank, idiots decided that was against god’s will. Medical care is impartial, straight, gay, trans, bi, pink with polka-dots or even two heads will get the same level of care. I go to the VA sometimes wearing a dress and even though I look like a former Division 1 tight end in a dress, I don’t care and neither does the VA. They can help you. Good luck, lykke til.

[Erikka]

Who ever invented predictive text should be taken out, put up against the wall and shot. The sentence should read .....go ahead with HRT. I have no idea how with could be transformed into Wyoming. 

[Traci Lynn]

Thank you Erikka, and of course for your service. I will settle for a therapist, and if they offer voice training even better. I have been on hormones going into my 8th month now, I thought that being able to talk over things on my mind would help with some of my sexuality issues I have recently been experiencing. Also wasnt sure if I might need a letter from them if GRS  ever becomes available again.

[TommieAnne]

Hi Traci Lynn, I'm an Army vet.

The VA does a generally excellent job with counseling and therapy.

You will want to find the LGBT coordinator for your area VAHC facility, tell them (or primary care mental health) that you are trans and need to have an appointment with their gender therapist. From there it should get easy.

As they often say, this is not my father's VA.

It's mostly better.

Austin should have first rate facilities. I know San Antonio does.

TA

[Traci Lynn]

Thank you Tammyanne, will definitely be going in

[TommieAnne]

2 hours ago, Traci Lynn said:

Thank you Tammyanne, will definitely be going in

Let me know how it goes. If you have trouble, I'd like to know about it. My son works for the VA, sometimes there's a back channel I can use.

But mostly I just want to know you're okay and being taken care of.

TA

[Wichita]

I’m glad they do the voice training.  I just contacted my local V.A. LGBT coordinator yesterday.  I’m fairly certain I’ll need voice training.  I may even eventually opt for vocal surgery, but I want to give training a shot first.

[KymmieL]

the VA has been there for me.  Ever since I started going in 02. I am a disabled vet. So everything is covered.  While the VA  will not put me on HRT. Due to blood  clots history.  I see a gynecologist.  A gender specialist therapist.  And a speech therapist.  I have never had anything bad to say about the VA.  

I am treated with respect. I am called by my female  name.  I use the ladies room when ever I am there. Any problems with anyone at the VA.  Talk to the LGBT coordinator  it is their job to make sure we are treated with respect though out the whole VA system.

 

Any questions feel free to ask.

 

Kymmie 

[Erikka]

I tried voice training. But since it is hard to ignore the fact I have the body of someone who once played Division 1 football...why bother. Maybe I might change my mind, but for now...

[Wichita]

4 hours ago, Erikka said:

I tried voice training. But since it is hard to ignore the fact I have the body of someone who once played Division 1 football...why bother. Maybe I might change my mind, but for now...

I’m built...not quite like a linebacker...but if I tried, perhaps wide-receiver? 
 

I’m going to exhaust every resource the V.A. does provide until I make plans to add another non-covered surgery to my list. Okay...technically the surgery is already on the list, but after I try voice training.

[Erikka]

I was 225 and 6’3” and played tight end and leg pressed 450#.  I can wear a face mask and a hoodie and still get recognized from a distance. But underneath I am female and damned proud.