Why Transgender Vets Can't Get Military Benefits

[skin]

Sarah Gonzalez, NJPR
September 15, 2014

Before transitioning from male to female, Jennifer used to jump out of helicopters and parachute into enemy-controlled areas on intelligence-gathering missions for the US Army. She's was in the infantry for 30 years – a position only open to men.

"That's the guys that kick in doors, those are the guys that fight on the lines, those are the guys that get the face to face combat," she said.

She says she took on "all the big tough jobs"  in an attempt to suppress the Jennifer inside. "It was all to try to make things go away," she said.

Since leaving the Army, the decorated veteran lives her life as a woman.

She's been able to change her name and gender on every federal form except one — the DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. It's every veteran's proof that they served in the military and its needed to receive any military benefits or services.

More (Including audio): http://www.wnyc.org/story/transgender-veterans-cant-get-military-benefits-without-disclosing-transgender-past/

[Eevee]

Shoot... I guess this means I won't be able to change this either. I didn't do anything in the military that was for for men only though. Does that change anything?

[skin]

It does not change it.  Although I do think this story overstates the problem though.  It's been my experience so far that once you are in the VA system, you don't need to show your DD-214 again.  I gave them a copy of mine as soon as I got out and haven't needed it for a VA service since.  Like for using my GI Bill, all I did was apply through the VA eBenefits page, then took the Certificate of Eligibility I got from the VA to the school.  So I really believe this story only really applies when you need your DD-214 for non-VA things.

[Shantel]

It does not change it.  Although I do think this story overstates the problem though.  It's been my experience so far that once you are in the VA system, you don't need to show your DD-214 again.  I gave them a copy of mine as soon as I got out and haven't needed it for a VA service since.  Like for using my GI Bill, all I did was apply through the VA eBenefits page, then took the Certificate of Eligibility I got from the VA to the school.  So I really believe this story only really applies when you need your DD-214 for non-VA things.

I'm rated 100% disabled with VA, was in the paratroops in VN. I've only presented my DD-214 four times, once for college benefits, again for a VA home loan, then when registering for VA medical ID and again when filing a PTSD claim. I'm in the VA system and it's not a big issue as I won't be required to show it again. My legal name on my VA medical benefits card is different from that on my DD-214 though the records are electronically directly connected to my original name. My medical records are private meaning only VA medical personnel and myself have access to them. They do have "transexual" plastered all over my provider's commentaries and those of the endocrinologist, but it's necessary information and I'm not put off by it. After all, when I was in the military I was there as so and so and not as Shantel.

[Michelle-G]

This is nonsense. Every document except my DD-214 has been changed to accommodate my new name and gender marker and there has been absolutely NO denial of any benefit I am due.

These people need to worry about real problems facing the trans community instead of fluff like this.