FORT RILEY -- The Veterans Administration has evolved and adapted to the modern-age veteran.
Veterans now have 24-hour access to primary care providers and health records, as well as access to benefits paperwork, such as the Montgomery Government Issue Bill and veteran preference letters.
Transitioning out of active duty to the civilian world can be daunting, but according to Master Sgt. Jason Snell, noncommissioned officer in charge, Soldier for Life Transition Assistance Program, and veterans like Jason Yearwood, veterans employment representative, Manhattan, Kansas, and Junction City, Kansas, Workforce Centers, it is possible to have an easier time with the transition process. It is important for Soldiers do the research and take the time to follow up on the paperwork.
"The process starts 24 months before separation," Snell said. "Soldiers must start the process of separation by watching a pre-separation brief and scheduling their appointment with the VA. SFLTAP is available to active-duty Soldiers, veterans and their spouses because the spouses need to understand how to use the VA system as well."
The Soldier for Life Transition Assistance Program is available in a classroom or electronically through the Army Knowledge Online portal or the Joint Knowledge Online portal. Classes at SFLTAP are available to all personnel on Fort Riley and they cover the important aspects of life, such as how to build a budget, write resumes, dress for success and how to have a successful interview.
The VA counselors are available to help Soldiers get evaluated for a service-connected disability and who they need to see to begin scheduling appointments with future primary care providers. Snell's office is 212 Custer Avenue, room number 210. For additional information, call 785-239-2278.
From SFLTAP, Soldiers can make an appointment with the VA representatives in Irwin Army Community Hospital on the third floor in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System Clinic to be evaluated for physical disability. Soldiers can then file for financial compensation and medical care upon separation. Once the Soldier has separated from the service, they will go to the nearest medical facility with their DD-214 to apply for eligibility. The veteran can choose whether they want to receive medical care through the VA. If they do decide they want to be cared for by the VA, they will receive an appointment with the appropriate care provider.
"It is important for the veteran to ask questions about what category the veteran is in and ask questions based on their individual needs," said Karla Emmons, a benefits evaluator with the eligibility office at the Topeka VA Medical Center.
In the state of Kansas, there are three VA medical centers in Leavenworth, Wichita and Topeka, as well as an outpatient clinic in Overland Park, Kansas, and Community Based Outreach Clinics in Chanute; Dodge City; Emporia; Fort Scott; Garnett; Hays; Hutchinson; Junction City; Lawrence; Liberal; Paola; Parsons; Salina and Wyandotte. There are also resource centers in Manhattan and Wichita.
At the VA medical center in Topeka, veterans receive medical care based on if they are Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom veterans. The campus also has clinics for women's health, vocational rehabilitation and behavioral health. The Wichita VA also has medical clinics that focus on specialties, such as orthopedics in addition to primary care providers.
However, in addition to the medical care, the Wichita VA is the regional care center and handles the fiscal side of the VA and vital records, such as the dependent enrollment and eligibility records.
The Veterans Resource Center in Manhattan and Wichita work closely with the Manhattan Workforce Center and several veteran groups, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion Associations, to help veterans apply to receive benefits. The resource center also provides counselling services and community outreach services, such as Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Administration Supportive Housing, a program that places transient veterans and veterans in abusive living situations into healthier and more permanent homes.
"We make it a point to help veterans get what they need by finding answers to their questions," said Shawn Martin, team leader for the Manhattan Vet Center. "We can do that by making a phone call and getting the veteran in touch with someone who can help them get what they need."
The Manhattan Vet Center offers services to both active duty and separated veterans,. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Vet Centers will provide services after normal work hours and/or on weekends. For assistance after hours, weekends, and holidays call: 1-877-927-8387. The center is designed to put veterans and active-duty Soldiers in touch with someone who speaks their language and can offer guidance and support in helping them to get whatever they need.
Sometimes, the guidance that is needed can be provided through counseling sessions offered through the center. Veterans and active-duty Soldiers are eligible for counseling if they have combat-related issues or if they have been sexually traumatized.
As a part of the partnership between the Manhattan Workforce Center and Fort Riley, Jason Yearwood, veterans representative, helps to place veterans in jobs around the Manhattan, Junction City and Fort Riley areas.
"Soldiers who are transitioning out need to make sure they do their research on where they are going to go after they get out of the Army," Yearwood said. "They need to research job opportunities, cost of living, housing prices, schools and every other aspect of living in a new place."
Yearwood, who is also a veteran, works closely with the Veterans Resource Center for the veteran who is looking for work.
"I was fortunate because I filed my claim before I got out," he said. "Getting my appointments was pretty easy and the transition was relatively smooth."
Once the veteran fills out an assessment of needs, Yearwood then begins the process of helping them find a job. If the veteran is found to need more support before finding a job, he works with the resource center to get that veteran the help he or she needs.
The My Health-e-Vet website is one example of how the VA is meeting the needs of modern veterans. This website allows veterans to access their medical records, communicate with healthcare providers via a secure e-mail server, renew prescriptions and schedule appointments.
Another feature of My Health-e-Vet is the portal for My e-Benefits. Through this portal, veterans can access their service records and keep track of how much disability they have. They must visit the My e-Benefits portal to access their disability rating if they are applying for government jobs and if they want to access other government forms employers request. Soldiers create their username and password for My Health-e-Vet during their time at SFLTAP. If they wait until after they separate or if the veteran has not already created one, they can go to the website, www.myhealth.va.gov and click on "Register." This will sign the veteran up for a basic or advanced account and then they will be able to use the basic functions of the website.
To get a Premium account, which allows the veteran to access their health records, order prescriptions and message their primary care providers, the veteran must do an in-person authentication at any of the VA medical centers or community-based outreach clinics.
The important message for Soldiers and veterans to know, remember and understand, is the process for a smooth transition starts with ensuring all paperwork is taken care of before separation from the service is complete.
All injuries must be documented and the Soldier must complete all examinations prior to separation. Veterans must make sure they read the fine print and ask plenty of questions. If you need help with finding a job, ask to get in touch with someone who can help. Visit the veterans organizations to find out more about being rated for disability. Speak with doctors about regular physicals and any major medical questions.
The VA is in place to ensure veterans are taken care of after active-duty service.
More information about the VA is available at www.va.gov.
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