Veterans transgender policies & services

[Sidney]

I just did some online research of the Veterans Affairs policies concerning the LGBTQ community for veterans. I am 100% Disabled by the VA and am eligible for free medical benefits. Even if you are not Disabled you still may be eligible for some benefits. The VA has become very LBGTQ friendly. Right now they are in the process of getting approval to provide Gender Reassignment Surgery. Not all available services are a one size fits all. Every VA Hospital has a LGBTQ Coordinator. I would suggest any veteran interested go to the VA hospital web site serving their area and do some research, THEN call the LGBTQ Coordinator and talk to them about services you may be eligible for. They provide counseling, hormone treatment, MTF and FTM body devices, in some cases top surgery, support groups etc. A few years back I did use the VA counselor. I was very happy with them. The VA system has changed for the good. For my own reasons I have now switched to all civilian medical care. Yes I have very good medical insurance. Hope this information helps some. MODS hope this is in right section. I put it here thinking more exposure. Thanks.

[Heather76]

Like you, I'm rated at 100% but use primarily private practice physicians and specialists. I recently (about 6 months ago) learned of the VA's LGBTA+ Veterans Care program. I know of one person seeing a therapist thru this program. My wife and I just moved to a new state and I have my first PCP visit at a new (to me) VA facility on Feb. 15th. I use the VA for labs and a litany of meds I take. I do need to go to the VA every 6 months to keep receiving my meds. Anyway, while I've been crossdressing for going on 2 years, I've never spoken about it with any health care workers. At this appointment, while wearing panties and bralette, I will ask for a referral to this program. I do NOT want to live as a woman and I don't want HRT. I just want to talk with someone that can offer insight as to how I might best talk with my wife about my crossdressing so she doesn't think I'm completely off my rocker.

[docrobbysherry]

While I cannot advise anyone about the VA's LGBTQ policies, I can recommend their medical help and doctors. Which have been helping me for nearly 50 years!

And, the reason I'm not disabled at age 78 is them!

Here is what they've done:
Double hernia operation
Fixed unusable left hand
Removed countless small skin cancers. Two nasty big ones.
Treating me for cancer as well as anyone could. (I paid a top private specialist for his advise before and during treatment).

VA Physical therapists fixed:
My shoulder and knee recently
And, my back is better now than 25 years ago

I can't complain about ANY of the docs and nurses who have worked on me there.

I strongly suggest every vet visit their nearest VA hospital just to see what they can do for u if and when u need them!

[Kitty Sue]

I have never had a problem with the VA either. Generally I find them a great service.

[Heather76]

I moved to a new city in 1981. Since then I have had 2 PCP (1st one retired about 7 years ago). I had by-pass surgery in 2001 and I'm on my 2nd cardiologist (first one retired in 2006). I began going to the VA in 2004 and have had likely 5 PCP. The change in care givers is my only real knock on the VA. I like the continuity of care thru private providers. But, that's just me as I am relatively resistant to change.

[Dianeob]

Have therapist and primary care dr at the VA as Diane. 1st primary care dr was poor but had to go through that person to get to therapist. Have new primary care dr there and she is very good, Therapist has been great from the beginning even though she had limited experience with trans patients. I go to the appointments presentin* as Diane. Have always been treated respectfully. They do have other services, e.g, speech therapy.

[mbmeen12]

I myself, found the folks at the VA doing their best and super friendly. Im sure some folks here will have some bad experience's with the VA soon to post but..... If you do have good experience with someone, ask for their supervisors contact info to praise the civil service folks. Critical feedback is so important...and of course if someone is not nice too. Good info and I shall look into LGBTQ on the web site...

[Beverley Sims]

Sidney, How times do change.

It is called progress.

[Shiny]

I am a disabled veteran, on service connected 40% disability. Can't say much better things about the VA and their services, especially for those "service connected" who always go first in line. I get tremendous care and almost never see a bill! The only thing I wish they would add is that at my VA they have nearly a dozen brand new dental cubicles that are almost never used---this is due to cost concerns. I got some dental work done once and was told by everyone they were amazed I got treated there. Seems you have to be shot-in-the-mouth to qualify--no kidding! My father lost all his teeth in combat in WWII by living in a fox hole for 18 months and dealing with bad food etc. They changed the rules even though he qualified but since he had not been shot-in-the-mouth during combat they weren't responsible, or so they figured. The VA is government all the way and as an ex-military person I get that. You have to follow a lot of weird rules.

I went in on delayed enlistment in the USMC. I signed my papers and took my oath in March of 1975, a solid month before Siagon fell. Today the VA says I am not a "Vietnam Era Veteran!" Just another deal I just don't understand. But for all the things they do for veterans I wish they would allow hearing aids and dental care and dentures. They do seem to allow glasses but there are more rules. To get the top notch service you have to have the words "Service Connected" printed on the bottom of your VA card. That makes all the difference. So, for now I have a few gripes but I can't really complain!