By Larry Dandridge
Editor’s note: This article is the second in a series of two.
This article will cover asking a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for help, how to apply for VA healthcare, how to request PTSD (mental health) evaluation and treatment, and how to apply for service-connected disability for PTSD.
GET HELP AND TREATMENT
Step 1
If you are a veteran in “Crisis”: If you are a veteran and thinking about harming yourself or someone else, contemplating suicide, about to become homeless, etc. call the “Veterans Crisis Line” at 988 and then press 1 or go to the nearest VA Emergency Room.
Step 2
Use a VSO: Navigating the VA systems can be complicated. Veterans should use a VSO to help them understand their state and federal veterans’ benefits, enroll in VA healthcare, and file claims for veterans’ benefits.
S.C., Ga., and County VSOs
Contact your state Department of Veteran Affairs to find a county or area VSO. Find S.C. County VSOs at https://bit.ly/3qbLVSL and Georgia VSOs at https://bit.ly/44KMVA7.
Beaufort S.C. VSOs.
- Beaufort County, 100 Clear Water Way, Beaufort, S.C. 29906, 843-255-6880, website https://bit.ly/3ryd5qS (Dr. Caroline P. Fermin is the new Director).
- Beaufort DAV Chapter, Chapter Service Officer (CSO) Michael Vergantino, 843-301-2543 and mlv1030@gmail.com.
VA VSO Search
Veterans can also search for VSOs at VBA Regional Offices at https://bit.ly/3TahNn1. They can also find VA-accredited representatives (VSOs, Attorneys, and Claims Agents) by using the “VA Accreditation Search” at https://bit.ly/3QnCk5M.
Step 3
VA Healthcare Eligibility: If already enrolled in VA healthcare, go to Step 4. According to the “Eligibility for VA Health Care” webpage, https://bit.ly/3cuf4Vm, all veterans who meet basic service and discharge requirements and who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving at home and overseas are now eligible for VA healthcare. All veterans, including those with less than honorable discharges, are eligible for VA emergency mental health services.
Eligibility and Enrollment (E&E) Office
The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center & Healthcare System (RHJVAHCS) E&E Office is in the Medical Center, first floor, phone 843-789-7235. Call and make an appointment before going to the office.
Step 4
Apply for VA Healthcare: Veterans should follow the directions at the VA’s “How to Apply for VA Healthcare” webpage, https://bit.ly/3B7x5Dz. If you have already signed up for VA Healthcare, call your local VA Medical Center or Community-Based Outpatient Clinic for an appointment with VA Mental Health. Veterans can apply for VA healthcare:
- “In person” at any VA Medical Center or Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, Download and fill out VA Form 10-10EZ, make an appointment;
- “Online” (follow instructions at https://bit.ly/3B7x5Dz, “by phone” (call 877-222-8387);
- “By mail” (Fill out VA Form 10-10EZ), or
- “With the help of a VA-accredited professional (VSO, Attorney, or Claims Agent)”.
Step 5
Get PTSD Treatment: Make an inventory of your military Traumatic Events and describe the event in a paragraph to share with your VA Mental Health Provider. Call your local VA Medical Center or CBOC and make an appointment with mental health. You can ask your VA Primary Care Provider to refer you to Mental Health or you can call Mental Health directly. The Ralph H. Johnson VA in Charleston, S.C., phone is 843-577-5011 and the “Mental Health Care” phone is 843-577-5011 Extension 2. Find the phone numbers for the RHJVAHCS CBOCS at https://bit.ly/3CUTuUj.
Step 6
Ask for a Supporting Letter: After a couple of months of Mental Health treatment, ask your Mental Health Provider to write a letter supporting your claim for service-connected disability.
FILE FOR SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY
You can file for service-connected disability compensation before, during, or after you ask the VA to treat you. If you get diagnosed and treated for PTSD by a VA Mental Health provider, you are virtually assured (but not guaranteed) to be awarded a service connection for PTSD. Steps to follow to file for service-connected disability include:
Step 1
Use a VSO: Veterans should use a VSO to help them understand their state and federal veterans’ benefits, enroll in VA healthcare, and file claims for veterans’ benefits. Call a local VSO and make an appointment to get help filing a claim for service-connected disability compensation.
Your VSO will tell you what evidence you will need to bring to your appointment to support your claim. You will need things like your DD214 Discharge, military medical/personnel records, and other documents verifying trauma like a Purple Heart, Lay Witness Statements, Accident Reports, Line of Duty Reports, Civilian Health Records, Officer/Enlisted Efficiency Reports, and more to prove when, where, and how the trauma (wounds, injuries, death/injury of battle buddies, killing of enemy, fratricide, killing of civilians, etc.) happened during military service.
Step 2
File an “Intent to File”: Ask your VSO to help you file an “Intent to File Form” for service-connected PTSD. Read the information, “Your intent to file a VA claim,” at https://bit.ly/3Rzq8Qk. Get a VA Form 21-0966” at https://bit.ly/3W9mzlP.
Step 3
Request Your Military Records and VA Mental Health and Other Medical Records: Ask your VSO to help you go to the National Archives website at https://www.archives.gov/dc, click “Veterans’ Service Records” and request your military medical and personnel records (including your DD214 if you need it).
Veterans can review, print, save, download, and share their VA medical records and personal health information with the Veterans Health Administration’s online tools. Go to the VA’s Get Your VA Medical Records Online (Blue Button) site https://bit.ly/3kCgBgH to get your medical records online.
Lowcountry S.C., and Ga., veterans can get a copy of their VA medical records at the RHJVAMCHCS Medical Records Office, in the Welcome Center, at 109 Bee Street, Charleston, S.C. 29401. The Medical Records phone is 843-577- 5011, ext. 206333, the direct phone is 843-789- 6333, and the FAX is 843-579-3783.
Read the VHA website page “How to Get Your Medical Records From Your VA Health Facility,” at https://bit.ly/3VCO47p to learn how to request records. Veterans will need to fill out and submit a VA Form 10-5345a, to get their records. Learn more by reading:
- The Island News article titled, How to get copies of a veteran’s military service records, dated May 24, 2023, by W. L. Dandridge, https://bit.ly/4bCdcTD.
- The Island News article titled, How do I get a copy of my DD214, military service personnel, medical, dental, and other records?, dated May 31, 2023, by W. L. Dandridge, https://bit.ly/45X7RVC.
Step 4
Follow your VSO’s Instructions and Advice and read The Island News past articles listed below:
- How to file a VA disability claim (Parts 1 and 2), August 16, 2023, https://bit.ly/4cWYzvh and August 23, 2023, https://bit.ly/3VZZGU4.
- Suggestions for Veterans filing a Service-Connected Disability compensation claim (Parts 1 and 2), September 13, 2023, https://bit.ly/4ePHyox and September 20, 2023, https://bit.ly/4eSh7OR.
- Preparing for C&P Exams (Series of four Island News articles), published on 15, 22, and 29 Nov, and 6 Dec 2023, https://yourislandnews.com, and click on “Military.”
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing free-lance writer with the Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.
