Military retirement and transition

[Wesley_33]

I'll finally be getting my medical retirement soon. My question is after I'm finally in the VA system what steps do I need to take to transition with them? How hard is it dealing with them on this? I know I can't have the name changed on my DD 214 so what do I do about that for future work?

Oh and since I'm full of questions now... What about getting the VA to help with any surgeries? Will they cover hormones?

[Epi]

Oh and since I'm full of questions now... What about getting the VA to help with any surgeries? Will they cover hormones?

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but anything that is considered gender alteration is not covered, not even intersex corrective surgery.

This hopefully should provide you with more answers to your questions:
http://www.tavausa.org/faq.html

[Jigsaw]

Afraid I am not much help, I am still in the process of trying to figure it all out myself.  I have been told that they will cover T, but that's all that I have ever heard of being taken care of....oh and therapy, but I don't need to go to them for that.  I like my therapist just fine and the price is something I can afford.

I don't know the difference between retired and medical retirement, but it was suggested when I retired to have an organization represent me.  I picked the DAV because they have a lot of experience with helping a variety of people.  I am going to talk to them in the near future about submitting additional paperwork for claims and when I was on the phone with them I asked about any VA reps who handle transgender patients and it seems they have some who use the DAV already.   If I find out anything of use, I will make sure to post it. 

[SandraJane]

Interesting, a week or so ago I posted a thread concerning VA Policy And Transgender Medical Services, no one posted. Per their lastest directive HRT, Speech, Therapy, Medical and Pre-Op and Post Op Medical care services are covered/provided. Plus the directive is specific as to how the patient is addressed, restrooms, etc.

SRS and Cosmetic/FFS is not authorized by the VA/VHA.

Epi is right about going to the TAVAUSA site, you will be able to find the latest info. Also, believe the Transgender Clinics are now part of Women's Services.