Jump to content
  • Welcome to the TransPulse Forums!

    We offer a safe, inclusive community for transgender and gender non-conforming folks, as well as their loved ones, to find support and information.  Join today!

Veterans Affairs Canada


Recommended Posts

  • Forum Moderator

A while back, I submitted an application to Veterans Affairs for support for hearing loss.  My audiologist figured I had a good case, having been around jet engines for several years. Today, the benefits package brochure arrived in the mail.

 

I now have coverage for hearing services and devices.  I will be ordering a pair of hearing aids soon.

 

It also covers prescription drugs.  I had been claiming my HRT under my wife's civil service pension plan.  It covered about 75% of the generic patches, but only about 30% of the brand name patches that I prefer.  The Veterans Affairs package covers 100%, including for the brand name patches - I already checked!

 

And there could also be a small pension on the way for the hearing loss.  I hope to hear about that soon.  And there are various other benefits I could become entitled to in future.

 

The requirements to be considered a veteran are pretty simple.  You have to have completed Basic Training and have an houourable discharge.

 

I had heard that Veterans Affairs was pretty generous (my wife used to work for them, so she gave me the scoop), and I am happy to find out that it is true.  I need the hearing aids, and the full ride on my HRT is a nice bonus.

Link to comment

Excellent news.  Very nice that your system is working on your behalf without undue hassle!

 

Astrid

Link to comment

I was around those jet engines in the military too.  Certainly not every day.  There was all the loud amplified music as well.  Luckily my hearing is still in decent shape.  I'm more concerned about my eyesight.

 

I came out as transgender to my primary care physician at the VA last month.  It went over very well and it turns out he is very experienced with it.  I'm still getting my transgender care privately and paying full price for HRT.  I'm sure the VA will be there for me when I decide to use them.

 

It was interesting wearing my feminine clothing for the first time in the VA clinic waiting room!  And showing off my neon yellow bra when I got shots!

Link to comment

Congrats @KathyLauren! On both the hearing coverage and the full ride for HRT! 

 

And, @Lydia_R, your VA experience mirrors mine.  I found they were very receptive to me for HRT, so go for it! The worst they can do is decline, but that isn't very likely.

Link to comment

That's great @KathyLauren

 

17 hours ago, Lydia_R said:

It was interesting wearing my feminine clothing for the first time in the VA clinic waiting room! 

I was kinda nervous about that at first myself.  I worked into it in increments.  I don't think I need to worry though.  

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator
On 12/5/2022 at 7:43 PM, KathyLauren said:

And there could also be a small pension on the way for the hearing loss.  I hope to hear about that soon.

 

Got the letter today.  Yes, they officially recognize that my hearing loss was caused by my military service, and I will be getting a small monthly payment as compensation.  Nice!  Well, not nice that I am losing my hearing, but nice to get compensated.

Link to comment
1 hour ago, KathyLauren said:

I will be getting a small monthly payment as compensation

Better than nothing 

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...
  • Forum Moderator

Well, I found out that my coverage doesn't include 100% of prescriptions.  It's only hearing-related prescriptions.  Oh well, better than a kick in the head.  The fully-subsidized hearing aids are something I hadn't even hoped for.

 

My hearing aids arrived yesterday.  They make a big difference!  I'll have to re-learn what treble sounds like: I haven't heard much for years, and there's lots of it now!  Everything sounds like it's playing through a cheap transistor radio.  Still, I can hear conversation in noisy environments.  On my walk yesterday, I heard birds chirping, which I haven't heard in a long time.

Link to comment

So glad you could hear the birds. Just out of curiosity can they perhaps tune the hearing aids for you so it's clearer?

Link to comment
1 hour ago, KathyLauren said:

On my walk yesterday, I heard birds chirping, which I haven't heard in a long time.

That must have been nice.

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator
37 minutes ago, Marcie Jensen said:

So glad you could hear the birds. Just out of curiosity can they perhaps tune the hearing aids for you so it's clearer?

 

Yes, they can adjust the hearing aid's response.  Right now, it is adjusted to give me back 75% of what my audiogram says I have lost.  It is plenty clear!

 

The "excess" treble is just my brain noticing what it hasn't noticed in years.  My audiologist told me that he routinely gets clients complaining about the "excess" treble and asking for it to be adjusted out.  He adjusts it until the client says it sounds good.  At which point, he points out that the hearing aid is essentially off!

 

I will just have to get used to the new sound.  It is what I was supposed to be hearing all along.

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator
42 minutes ago, Ivy said:

That must have been nice.

 

It was! :)

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...

Hi KathyLauren, I just wanted to confirm that you had the hearing tests done prior to your approaching Veterans Affairs. I am also a former CAF member, have been suffering from severe tinnitus and deteriorating hearing. I definitely want to look into this matter. 

 

Thank you for making this post. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

Hi, @_Kira_.

 

Yes.  I knew I needed hearing aids, and my wife persuaded me to get my hearing tested.  In the interview, the audiologist asked if I had had any past exposure to loud noises, and I mentioned my air force service.  That's when he suggested applying to Veterans' Affairs.

 

I called their 800 number and asked them to send me an application package for hearing loss benefits.  When I submitted the application, I included a photocopy of my audiogram.  They ask you to describe how hearing loss affects your life, and why you think it was related to your military service.  I mentioned constant exposure to jet engines over six years, as well as weapons training on Basic, and a couple of exceptional incidents of exposure to painfully loud sounds.

 

Independently, my audiologist sent my records directly to them.  They needed the file number from my application for reference, so they couldn't send it in until I had the application in my hands. 

 

After that, it took a few weeks and I got a letter accepting that my hearing loss was service-related, and saying that I had 100% coverage for treatment relating to hearing loss.

 

Good luck with your application!

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

By the way, being trans was a non-issue to Veterans' Affairs.  I gave the phone guy my dead name as well as my current name, just to make finding my file easier.  But all my correspondence has been under my current name.  It helps that my surname and initials have not changed.  Linking to my service file was done through my SIN, of course, and all my new correspondence is by my new Veterans' Affairs number.

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Who's Online   2 Members, 0 Anonymous, 121 Guests (See full list)

    • LucyF
    • Betty K
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.7k
    • Total Posts
      768.4k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      12,026
    • Most Online
      8,356

    JamesyGreen
    Newest Member
    JamesyGreen
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. Anyatimenow
      Anyatimenow
      (23 years old)
    2. Aria00
      Aria00
    3. Ava B.
      Ava B.
      (24 years old)
    4. Claire Heshi
      Claire Heshi
    5. CrystalMatthews0426
      CrystalMatthews0426
      (41 years old)
  • Posts

    • LucyF
      So an update from me.   Had my endo appointment last night. Went very well and they are sending 3 months supply of estrogen (estradoil patches) and the anti-androgens whilst my Dr gets a shared care agreement sorted out. So happy, should start HRT tomorrow!! Cost for the 3 month supply is £70 total for me, so not too bad. Not told my parents about this yet, but them being in spain, not sure they need to know yet.   Can't wait to start, just got to think about where to put the patches now and wait for the changes...
    • Willow
      Good Morning    well it’s Friday for most, pay day for some.  For me it’s pay day but not Friday.  I work the same opening shift tomorrow.  I typically have Friday on Saturday and Monday on Tuesday.     @KymmieL it does sound like your shop has an issue and you are smack in the thick of it.  The new gal or guy often is.  We have an issue with new people not getting fully trained before being turned loose on customers.  Some struggle through it and some quit because of it.  I try to get them working with customers as quickly as I can but I stay right with them observing, helping, even jumping in when things are getting backed up to keep the stress down.  Not everything comes up during training so when things do, even later after trying is done, I try to help and explain.  Our ASM feels that once she has you scanning barcodes and taking money she is done training.  Generally, refuses to train me on things that she does, and questions why I’m doing something that she normally handles when I’ve been told to do it as part of my advancement training.     She and the cashier involved both keep trying to toss the manager under the bus over a hours of work issue and shifts.  I tell her I realize her issues and I’ll work what ever she needs.  Because of that I tend to get a better more consistent schedule.   Well, time to say Happy Trails to you, until we meet again.   Hi ho Silver, away   Willow
    • Maddee
    • Birdie
      That does get you the 'starting point' for cup size, but manufacturers, style, breast shape, etc... will effect the results.    Step one is of course finding the proper band fit, then figuring out the approximate cup size with the calculations. Of course you need to try on a few styles after that in different cup sizes close to your measured result until you get the perfect fit.    I have bras in a DD that fit just like my bras in DDD both from Torrid but different styles.    I have some DDD's that fit awesome and some that are a bit loose, but I measure a 46G. It's not wonder that 80% of women are wearing them wrong bra. 
    • Carolyn Marie
      https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/man-arrested-accused-of-beating-to-death-transgender-woman-outside-miami-city-ballet/3293404/     May Andrea rest in peace.  If the person in custody is found guilty, hopefully he'll get the punishment he deserves.   Carolyn Marie
    • violet r
      I firmly believe I drank entirely to much for about 25 years. Got drunk every day. This was my coping mechanism to keep hiding deep inside that I was a woman. I miss a lot of signs over the years. Now I drink mabye 1 or 2 beers a day don't even get a buzz anymore. totally accept myself and on regret is that I hide that part of my self which  truly makes me happy being violet 💜. I wasted a lot of time before  being self destructive and had no clue I was just hiding th real me
    • Adrianna Danielle
      Service manager at goes through that here.One was a belt change in a 2019 Kenworth.It was written on the work order including a service done and I seen it.Customer was a complete a-hole.I did it and said he did not want that done.Shown him the original work order and finally said the service manager was right.My boss had to get rid of two customers,always complained about their bill being a little high.Price of parts went up due to inflation and had to explain this to them
    • Tiffany 838
      Well it not morning and I haven’t been on her for a while but it’s nice to be back.  Did some catching up on everyone.  I do have a question, how is Toronto Canada for a get away? Is it a safe and friendly area for us to go.  The wife and I are looking for some where to go to allow me to be my true self.     thanks in advance
    • KymmieL
      Hey, everyone. my life is going down the tubes. at least I think. So, today. A customer called about his car, I told him that the oil change was done. The parts to fix the check engine light are ordered. He can come and get it. For the weekend if he wants. Customer says I didn't want an oil change. it was check the engine light and check for an oil leak. Checking the work order says oil change. The boss wrote the vehicle up. checking with the customer on services wanted.   Being that I wrote down the appointment in the book. and clearly states oil leak. She is complaining because she can't read my small ish writing. It seems she read oil and assumed it as an oil change. It seems like she is blaming me.  She wound up going home because she was too upset. She is stressing about an eye problem she has, she has to get eye surgery it seems she has a tear in her eye.    I feel that I am short for this job. because of the BS they are blaming me on. Plus I am still upset about the trust issue. If either one of the bosses start their Shite tomorrow. I am walking out.    
    • Davie
    • Abigail Genevieve
      "I love you so much,"  Lois said.  They met in the driveway. "I could not live without you." "Neither could I." "What are we going to do?" "Find another counselor?" "No. I think we need to solve this ourselves." "Do you think we can?" "I don't know.  But what I know is that I don't want to go through that again.  I think we have to hope we can find a solution." "Otherwise, despair." "Yeah.   Truce?" "Okay,  truce." And they hugged.   "When we know what we want we can figure out how to get there."   That began six years of angry battles, with Odie insisted he could dress as he pleased and Lois insisting it did not please her at all.  He told her she was not going to control him and she replied that she still had rights as a wife to a husband. Neither was willing to give in, neither was willing to quit, and their heated arguments ended in hugs and more.   They went to a Crossdressers' Club, where they hoped to meet other couples with the same problems, the same conflicts, and the same answers, if anyone had any.  It took them four tries before they settled on a group that they were both willing to participate in.  This was four couples their own age, each with a cross dressing husband and a wife who was dealing with it.  They met monthly.  It was led by a 'mediator' who wanted people to express how they felt about the situation.  Odie and Lois, as newcomers, got the floor, and the meeting was finally dismissed at 1:30 in the morning - it was supposed to be over at 10 - and everyone knew how they felt about the situation.   There was silence in the car on the way home.   "We aren't the only ones dealing with this." Odie finally said.   "Who would have thought that?  You are right."   "Somebody out there has a solution." "I hope you are right."   "I hope in hope, not in despair."   "That's my Odie."    
    • Abigail Genevieve
      The counseling session was heated, if you could call it a counseling session.  Sometimes Lois felt he was on Odie's side, and sometimes on hers.  When he was on her side, Odie got defensive. She found herself being defensive when it seemed they were ganging up on each other.   "This is not working," Lois said angrily, and walked out.  "Never again. I want my husband back. Dr. Smith you are complicit in this."   "What?" said Odie.   The counselor looked at him.  "You will have to learn some listening skills."   "That is it? Listening skills?  You just destroyed my marriage, and you told me I need to learn listening skills?"   Dr. Smith said calmly,"I think you both need to cool off."   Odie looked at him and walked out, saying "And you call yourself a counselor."   "Wait a minute."   "No."
    • Ashley0616
      Just a comfortable gray sweater dress and some sneakers. Nothing special today. 
    • VickySGV
      I do still carry a Swiss Army knife along with my car keys.  
    • Timi
      Jeans and a white sweater. And cute white sneakers. Delivering balloons to a bunch of restaurants supporting our LGBT Community Center fundraiser today!
  • Upcoming Events

Contact TransPulse

TransPulse can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Click Here.

To report an error on this page.

Legal

Your use of this site is subject to the following rules and policies, whether you have read them or not.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
DMCA Policy
Community Rules

Hosting

Upstream hosting for TransPulse provided by QnEZ.

Sponsorship

Special consideration for TransPulse is kindly provided by The Breast Form Store.
×
×
  • Create New...