In a very quietly issued memo issued to its hospitals and clinics, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it approved hormones for transgendered veterans. Further, transgendered veterans' regular health benefits will include pre- and post-surgical care for gender change surgery, as well as mental health counseling.
The VA's directive drew distinctive limits to what would be allowed under these new benefits.
The VA did specifically note transgendered veterans' routine care should consider their special needs. Those special needs include hormone therapy, according to the VA.
The VA issued the directive in response to criticism claiming transgender care differed too much between VA facilities; a standard had to be imposed. As any good health care system states, the best health care treats the whole person, and not just their issue or condition.
With this directive, the VA is now mandating all their facilities treat their veterans as a whole person. Further, that treatment must happen despite veterans having had gender change surgery. VA health care, then, can no longer provide non-trans-specific treatment.
The VA is determined to provide health care respectfully. This directive is a powerful first step toward meeting that goal.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.
Category: Veterans' Disability
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Soldiers can return home with a number of conditions, injuries, and aggravated preexisting conditions. If you believe you have a service-connected physical or psychological injury you may be entitled to Veterans’ Disability Compensation.