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VA Works With DoD For 'Seamless Transition' For Returning Servicemembers

"The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has no greater mission, no more important task, than to provide world-class health care for veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom." - Jonathan B. Perlin, MD Under Secretary for Health Department of Veterans Affairs

Together, VA and the Department of Defense are finding ways to move records more efficiently between our two agencies; to share critical medical information electronically; to protect the health of troops stationed in areas where environmental hazards pose a threat; to process benefits claims quickly and efficiently; and, in every way possible, to hold open the doors to an uncomplicated passage from soldier to citizen. Earlier this year, VA established a permanent Seamless Transition Office to coordinate all departmental activities related to the transition of returning service members. John Brown, formerly Executive Officer for VA Geriatrics and Extended Care, who retired from Army service with the rank of colonel after 26 years of active duty, is the office's first director. Mr. Brown's Army assignments included Garrison Commander at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander for Administration of the Walter Reed Health Care System. The goals of the Seamless Transition Office include improving communication, coordination and collaboration within VA and with the Department of Defense to provide health care and benefits to returning veterans; educating VA staff about their health care and other needs; ensuring that policies and procedures are in place to enhance their seamless transition from service member to veteran; and enabling veterans to receive prompt and full access to benefits and services to which they may be entitled.

Today, full-time VA social workers and benefits counselors at seven major military treatment facilities work closely with treatment teams to ensure that returning service members receive information and counseling about VA benefits and programs. They also coordinate the transfer of active duty service members and recently discharged veterans to appropriate VA health care facilities and enroll them into the VA health care system. Since the start of the war, VA's four regional Polytrauma Centers (located in Minneapolis, Palo Alto, Richmond, and Tampa) have served as regional referral centers for those with serious combat injuries. These programs provide comprehensive rehabilitation services and traumatic brain injury services. Each is uniquely equipped with state-of-the-art rehabilitation resources specifically designed to meet the needs of these wounded heroes. In the near future, VA plans to expand the scope of care to include intensive psychological counseling and case management for the patients; expanding services for their families; and the latest in high tech specialty prostheses. VA also plans to continue to work with DoD to improve services and communication between the two departments, and to continue to innovatively ensure that those fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq receive the world-class care and services they have earned.