LAKE COUNTY — The Department of Veterans Affairs anticipates the opening of a new Veterans Affairs community based outpatient clinic (CBOC) in the City of Clearlake by October 1.
The facility will be housed in the former Lake County Mental Health building located at 15145 Lakeshore Drive.
Area dignitaries are scheduled for a site tour recognizing the initiation of the project with Congressman Mike Thompson at 11:30 a.m. April 6. The public is invited to share in this occasion and light refreshments are expected to be served.
“We must always remember that access to quality health care is something that veterans have earned through their service to our country,” Congressman Thompson stated. “Our veterans deserve to be able to access care close to home, rather than being forced to travel to San Francisco or Ukiah to get health care.”
Veterans Affairs estimates about 8,000 veterans living in Lake County with nearly 3,000 already enrolled with Veterans Affairs, many of which receive care at the Ukiah VA Outpatient Clinic.
“It is VA”s priority to ensure the availability of high quality, easily accessible health care for veterans. This new clinic is a perfect example of VA keeping that commitment,” Lawrence H. Carroll, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center director said. “We are excited about the opportunity to take the next step in establishing outpatient services in Lake County to improve access to health care for our veterans residing in northern California.”
Veterans can apply for VA health care, nursing home, domiciliary or dental benefits by completing VA Form 10-10EZ, Application for Health Benefits. The forms can be obtained by accessing the VA Web site at www.va.gov/1010EZ.htm or by visiting, calling or writing any VA health care facility or veterans benefits office.
Forms can also be obtained by calling the VA Health Benefits Service Center, toll free at 877-222-VETS (8387), 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EST) Monday through Friday.
Veterans applying in person at any VA medical center can request an appointment for medical care at the same time they apply for enrollment.
It is not necessary to wait to request an appointment before enrollment is confirmed.
Additionally, veterans can indicate on the VA Form 10-10EZ that they desire an appointment and when the application is processed at the medical center, an appointment will be scheduled for the applicant.
Notification will be sent in writing of any appointment scheduled and eligibility for medical care.
Higher priorities are set for veterans requesting care for a service-connected disability and appointments will be scheduled within 30 days of the desired date.
Priority access will be provided for veterans who have a service-connected or who are 50 percent service-connected or higher and need care for any condition.
In order to reduce processing time, the VA suggests submitting the following paperwork with new applications as evidence of eligibility: copy of discharge papers if the applicant is not already receiving VA benefits; military service records indicating that the veteran received a Purple Heart medal or evidence that the veteran received hostile fire or imminent danger pay or a combat medal.
According to the VA, by law the burden of proof falls on the veteran or dependent. “Even though the VA is now required to look for evidence, this may take months,” the VA states. “You can help your claim and speed up the process if you can obtain supporting evidence.”
Evidence can be any number of items such as the veteran”s statements, especially those of combat veterans claiming a combat-related injury or illness; statements from friends, relatives or anyone that has knowledge of the veteran”s disability and its relationship to service; and medical evidence.
According to the VA, lay statements must fit certain criteria and are not always helpful and some can be harmful to the veteran”s claim.
The VA suggests discussing any statements with the veteran”s representative before submitting it to the VA.
Completed original applications should be mailed to the veteran”s local VA health care facility. Once the application is processed the applicant will receive a letter informing the veteran of his/her eligibility and enrollment priority group assignment.
A letter will also provide information regarding appeals should the applicant disagree with the VA”s decision. Veterans who are enrolled will remain enrolled without having to re-apply for benefits annually.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
