Veterans Benefits – Is Coronavirus Covered?
Veterans who are exhibiting symptoms of coronavirus, such as coughing, fever, and shortness of breath, and are concerned that they may have contracted COVID-19, should contact 1-877-741-3400 or visit va.gov/coronavirus.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has put in place a dynamic public health response for the care and protection of Veterans in the face of this evolving pandemic. They are working in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as other federal agencies in order to stay informed regarding the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Nationally, the VA has tested over 1,524 veterans for COVID-19, while having initiated bold measures to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.
Some of the steps that the VA is taking are clinical screenings at VA health care facilities, outreach to Veterans and staff, and protective procedures for patients admitted to community living centers and spinal cord injury units.
One of the cautionary measures being taken is that all patients arriving at a VA hospital or medical facility will be screened for flu-like symptoms, before they are allowed to enter, in order to protect other patients and staff. The VA has stated that they are working diligently to make sure they have enough tests kits, beds and protective medical garb to safely treat all veterans.
For Veterans who cannot get to their local VA medical facility or choose not to, they can go online to MyHealth.VA.gov and sign in. This allows the veteran the ability to send a secure message to the VA or use telehealth options to explain their condition and receive a prompt diagnosis.
After the initial screening process is completed, a VA health care professional will assist the veteran with their next steps.
As of right now, there are no vaccines to prevent infection from COVID-19 and there are no known medications to effectively treat it. According to the CDC, symptoms appear within 2 to 14 days after initial exposure. The best way to avoid exposure and exposing others is by following these simple steps:
• Learn to use VA Video Connect through the VA mobile app store or by contacting your VA care team, before any urgent problems arise.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An easy way to mark the time is to hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end, twice while scrubbing.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick or becoming sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue (not your hands) and throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Getting a flu shot is recommended.
Additional information for all Americans is available at coronavirus.gov
As of March 23, 2020, the VA is tracking nationally the following Veteran patients who tested positive for COVID-19. Due to the fluidity of the situation, the VA will provide updated information as it becomes available and verified.
204 Positive Veteran Cases
1 Ann Arbor – VA inpatient
1 Arizona – VA inpatient
17 Atlanta – 15 home quarantine, 2 VA inpatient
1 Bay Pines – home quarantine
1 Birmingham – VA inpatient
8 Bronx – 7 home quarantine, 1 VA inpatient
2 Chicago – 1 home quarantine, 1 VA inpatient
4 Cincinnati – 4 home quarantine
3 Cleveland – 2 VA Inpatient, 1 home quarantine
1 Columbia (MO) – VA Inpatient
3 Columbia (SC) – 2 home quarantine, 1 VA inpatient
1 Dayton – VA Inpatient
5 Denver – 3 home quarantine, 2 VA inpatient
1 Detroit – home quarantine
2 Fayetteville (NC) – home quarantine
1 Fresno – home quarantine
1 Hines – home quarantine
6 Hudson Valley – 4 home quarantine, 1 VA inpatient, 1 CLC
2 Kansas City – 2 home quarantine
1 Lebanon – home quarantine
2 Long Beach – VA Inpatient, home quarantine
1 Madison – home quarantine
1 Manchester – home quarantine
1 Miami – VA Inpatient
4 Milwaukee – 3 VA Inpatient, 1 home quarantine
2 Minneapolis – 1 home quarantine, 1 VA inpatient
1 Montana HCS – home quarantine
1 Mountain Home – home quarantine
2 New Jersey – 2 home quarantine
1 New Mexico – home quarantine
10 New York Harbor – 5 home quarantine, 5 VA inpatient
65 NOLA – 20 home quarantine, 44 VA inpatient, 1 pending
1 Northport – home quarantine
3 Orlando – 3 home quarantine
2 Palo Alto – VA Inpatient, home quarantine
2 Portland – 2 VA Inpatient
9 Puget Sound – 5 home quarantine, 4 VA Inpatient
3 San Diego – 3 home quarantine
7 San Juan – 6 home quarantine, 1 VA inpatient
3 Sioux Falls – 2 home quarantine, 1 community hospital
1 Southern Nevada HCA – VA inpatient
1 Spokane – community hospital
1 St. Louis – home quarantine
2 Togus – 2 home quarantine
1 Tomah – home quarantine
8 Washington (DC) – 5 home quarantine, 3 VA inpatient
1 West Haven – home quarantine
1 West Palm Beach – home quarantine
1 White River Junction – home quarantine
1 Wichita – home quarantine
The Injured Veterans legal team at Gordon & Partners is here for military veterans and their families. Please contact us immediately, if you are having difficulty with your claim or you are not receiving the disability benefits to which you are entitled. Call us at 1-866-779-9990 or fill out the form on this website.
See the Public Health announcement from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs here: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/n-coronavirus/?utm_source=Homepage&utm_campaign=Coronavirus
