|
Returning Service Members
Returning Service Members
The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center is grateful to the men and women who risk their lives to fight terrorism in Afghanistan, Iraq, and many other places around the world. The VA has developed special programs to serve the nation's newest Veterans - the men and women who served in Operations Enduring Freedom & Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) — by assisting them with a smooth transition from active duty to civilian life. VA’s goal is to ensure every seriously injured or ill serviceman and woman returning from combat receives easy access to benefits and world-class service.
Benefits and Services:
In an effort to enhance benefits for many of our nation's Veterans, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2008 extends the period of enhanced VA health care eligibility provided to Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998. Under the "Combat Veteran" authority, the VA provides cost-free health care services and nursing home care for conditions possibly related to military service and enrollment in Priority Group 6, unless the Veteran is eligible for enrollment in a higher priority of care. This benefit applies to OEF/OIF Veterans, currently enrolled Veterans, and new enrollees who were discharged from active duty on or after January 28, 2003 and is good for five years after discharge. Additionally, Veterans discharged from active duty before January 28, 2003, who apply for enrollment on or after January 28, 2008, are eligible for the enhanced benefit until January 27, 2011.
Veterans, including activated Reservists and members of the National Guard, are eligible if they served on active duty in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998, and have an honorable discharge. Health benefits include cost-free VA health care and medications provided for conditions potentially related to combat service. Veterans can become "grandfathered" for future access by enrolling with VA during this period. Veterans with service-related injuries or illnesses always have access to VA care for the treatment of their disabilities without any time limit, as do lower-income Veterans.
Fast Facts for Returning Service Members:
Returning Veterans Brochure **
What Can the VA Do For Me?
Wide Range of VA Benefits
To enroll in VA Healthcare:
Contact Information:
Please contact one of our OEF/OIF Coordinators at the Post Deployment Clinic (Room 1B-373), by e-mail at vhahouOEFOIF@va.gov, or by telephone:
 |
Fern A. Taylor
Supervisor, OEF/OIF Program
713-794-7034
|
 |
Cheryl Houlette, LCSW
Program Manager
713-794-7075
|
 |
Vickie L. Toliver
Transition Patient Advocate
713-794-8825
|
 |
Rose Bush
Administrative Support Assistant
713-794-7034
|
 |
Marcian Parker, LCSW
Case Manager
713-791-1414
|
 |
Phillip Semple
Physician Assistant
713-791-1414, ext. 5396
|
 |
Paul Hoisington, LCSW
Case Manager
713-791-1414 ext. 5053
|
 |
Verna Wells, RN, MSN
Federal Recovery Coordinator
713-794-7516
|
 |
Peggie Taylor
Army Wounded Warrior Rep
713-791-1414 ext. 6305
|
Related Links:
Veteran Crisis Line
Vet Centers
MEDVAMC Polytrauma Site
VA Seamless Transition
VHA Benefits & Services
Eligibility & Enrollment
National Center for PTSD
National Resource Directory
South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC)
Returning Veterans Brochure **
|
