VA OCONUS Connection

From the Director's Desk

I am hopeful that you are safe and well during this unprecedented time.  As we approach Memorial Day, many public ceremonies have been canceled.  However, we can still honor those men and women who gave their lives in uniform by spending a quiet moment paying homage to their courage and sacrifice and honoring the selflessness with which they did their duty so that our republic would be preserved.

IMPACT OF COVID 19

The worldwide COVID 19 pandemic continues to impact disability claims processing.  VA is performing many compensation examinations by phone or videoconference.  We are also doing some by records review.  If your claim requires an in-person examination, we will schedule one at a later date when we can ensure your safety.   We will not deny your claim if you cannot report for a VA examination during this time.  For more information about how VA is dealing with COVID-19, click here.  

Status of Operations: BDD Offices

Our offices are temporarily closed for in-person assistance.  We're still open for business to help you by email. Contact information is provided below for your location. Benefits and services, like payments, will continue to be delivered.

Exams may be delayed significantly as a result of current COVID-19 related restrictions. The exam provider will contact the Service Member as soon as the required exams are able to be scheduled; however, there is no projected timeline for the resumption of face to face exams

“Transition Talk” video series: Military to Civilian support during COVID-19

The Veterans Benefits Administration knows that the transition from military to civilian life can be stressful and complex. To combat the transition challenge that “You don’t know that you don’t know,” especially now during a global pandemic, VBA has launched a new video series, Transition Talk, to bring critical information and resources to transitioning service members and Veterans. Check out the inaugural episode here.

Contact Information:  BDD Offices in

Germany & Korea

The Landstuhl, Germany office can be reached by e-mail at: GermanyBDD.vbapit@va.gov.

The Camp Humphreys, South Korea office can be reached by email at KoreaBDD.vbapit@va.gov or by phone at DSN 757-2914 (or commercial 050-3357-2914).

Update on Overseas Military Service Coordinators

Due to COVID-19,  Overseas Military Services Coordinators (OSMCs) are currently providing support to Veterans, service members, and dependents living overseas at the e-mail addresses below. Please use the e-mail address for the installation nearest to your residence. The OMSCs are monitoring the e-mails daily, and providing FaceTime and phone interviews where possible for those who wish to arrange these services.

Veteran Suicide Prevention

Where can I turn for ongoing support?

Crisis feels different for everybody and can be caused by a wide range of situations before, during, or after military service.  The Military Crisis Line is staffed by caring, qualified responders from VA — some of whom have served in the military themselves.

Confidential support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year through the Military Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255 and Press 1), online chat and text (838255).

You can visit this link to see how Veterans, Service members or their loved ones can reach VCL from Europe, Korea and Afghanistan.

• In Europe call 00800 1273 8255 or DSN 118 *
• In Korea call 0808 555 118 or DSN 118
• In Afghanistan call 00 1 800 273 8255 or DSN 111

* In Europe, toll-free service may not be available through all carriers or in all countries

S.A.V.E. Online Suicide Prevention Training

VA recently launched the S.A.V.E. online suicide prevention training video in collaboration with PsychArmor Institute, a national nonprofit providing online education and support to those who work with, live with, or care for Service members, Veterans, and military and Veteran families. S.A.V.E. — which stands for “Signs,” “Ask,” “Validate,” and “Encourage” and “Expedite” — offers simple steps that anyone can take when talking with Veterans who are at risk for suicide.

FAQ: How do I get medical care now that a disability has been found related to my service?

After you receive an award of service connection, you should enroll in Foreign Medical Program so that medical treatment for your service-connected disabilities can be reimbursed.  For more information, watch this video

To find a healthcare provider, please check with the U.S. Embassy and Consulate.  U.S. Citizen Services can provide a list of healthcare professionals in your area. 

Veteran Service Officers

In recent issues of the OCONUS Connection, we provided information pertaining to Veteran Service Officers (VSO) representatives located in various countries.  Following those publications, we received notification of additional VSO contacts abroad and prepared an updated list below:

What about an Apprenticeship?

Being an apprentice is a great way to learn on-the-job and get paid!  There are opportunities in many career fields and finding permanent opportunities can be easier with the experience you’ve gained. 

Some of the key benefits of apprenticeships are:

• Learning while you are earning
• Varied learning experience -  You won’t have to spend all of your days studying; most of the time you’ll be working at a company
• Hands-on training gives you a real chance to put your skills into practice and helps you to gain more confidence in a working environment.
• Training in the skills employers need
• Development of core competencies for work and life
• Excellent progression opportunities and the chance to show employers that you can 'hit the ground running.'

We’ve gathered a few sites to help you learn more and explore opportunities, including one in the United Kingdom! 

Apprentice Finder

Apprentice in UK

VA Welcome Kit

Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, the VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned.

Based on where you are in life, your VA benefits and services can support you in different ways. Keep your welcome kit handy so you can turn to it throughout your life—like when it’s time to go to school, get a job, buy a house, get health care, retire, or make plans for your care as you age.

Feel free to share this guide with friends or family members who need help with their benefits too. Download your VA Welcome Kit and print out copies for yourself and others!

eBenefits

What is eBenefits?

Enrolling in eBenefits is easy. Just visit www.eBenefits.va.gov for more information.

How to get an eBenefits account

If you don’t already have an eBenefits account, you can register on the DS Logon Registration page. Instead of using your APO address for registering on eBenefits, use your last recorded United States address.

For dependents of Veterans without a social security number, you must do the following:

Contact the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) at 1-800-538-9552.

• Provide your dependent's Foreign ID number.
• Obtain a generated social security number provided by DMDC.
• Use the generated social security number for registration in eBenefits.
• You can visit the eBenefits help page for assistance with registering for an account or you can call 1-800 372-7437.

Foreign Medical Program (FMP)

The Foreign Medical Program (FMP) is a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care benefits program for U.S. Veterans who are residing or traveling abroad and have VA-rated, service-connected disabilities. Under FMP, VA assumes payment responsibility for certain necessary health care services received in foreign countries and associated with the treatment of service-connected disabilities, or any disability associated with and held to be aggravating a service-connected condition. Additionally, VA may authorize necessary foreign medical services for any condition for a Veteran participating in the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program (38 U.S.C. 31). For more information, to include submitting claims for reimbursement, please visit here.

Help Us Spread the Word

Please encourage Veterans residing abroad with whom you come in contact to subscribe to “Veterans Abroad” to receive bulletins and information specific to Veterans residing abroad. 

Subscribe here

Feedback Requested

We’d love to hear your feedback regarding the VA OCONUS Connection!  We want to provide the information you need - please tell us what topics you would like addressed in the future.

*The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Veterans Affairs of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized VA activities, the Department does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. All links are provided with the intent of meeting the mission of the Department. Please let us know about existing external links which you believe are inappropriate and about specific additional external links which you believe ought to be included.