Kerr County VSO urges veterans to enroll in health care as part of VA outreach

In December, the VA launched a new outreach program encouraging all eligible United States military veterans to enroll in VA health care – including approximately 1 million previously unenrolled veterans who served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan. The program will include text messages and emails directly to veterans, public service announcements, paid advertising and events.

“The VA decided to embark on this campaign after hearing concerns from veterans about health issues, including mental health challenges and thoughts of suicide – which could be potentially related to repeated blasts and head trauma (from low-level artillery blasts, IEDs, missile launches, heavy fire and more),” said Kerr County Veterans Service Officer Jenna Sanchez.

“Since the first reporting of these concerns, VA researchers have been urgently studying this matter to learn more about the potential health impacts of blast exposure on veterans,” she said.

The benefits of VA health care include access to specialty screenings and services to address any health issues related to blast exposure.

“It is important to note that veterans do not need to have any health conditions specifically associated with their service in order to be eligible for care,” Sanchez said. “Those who served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan and other specific locations are eligible for VA health care based on their deployments.”

“We, at the Kerr County Veterans Service Office, encourage these veterans (and all eligible veterans) to apply for VA care today. It’s a fact that veterans who use VA health care have better health outcomes than non-enrolled veterans do,” Sanchez said.

Added VA Secretary Denis McDonough: “We take veteran concerns about repeated blast exposure very seriously and we are studying this matter urgently to learn more about potential health impacts. While we do that, we don’t want veterans to wait. They should enroll in VA health care today to get full access to primary care, mental health care, regular screenings, specialty care and more. That’s what this outreach effort is all about: getting veterans in our care, because veterans who come to the VA are proven to do better.”

“The more veterans who enroll, the more we can learn about the impact of blast exposure – and the better care we can ultimately provide those who served,” said VA Under-Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, MD. “The VA aims to be the best, most accessible and most affordable health system in America for veterans, and we are constantly looking for ways to improve that care as science and research tells us about new concerns.”

In 2024, the VA made all veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards (and meet basic requirements) eligible to enroll directly in VA health care – years earlier than called for by the PACT Act. This included all veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone at 9/11. Veterans who never deployed, but who were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States also became eligible to enroll.

Veterans who do not meet any of the above criteria can often still access VA health care by receiving VA disability benefits or based on income.

This new outreach effort is a part of the largest outreach campaign in VA history, which began when President Biden signed the PACT Act into law in 2022 and it continues to this day. As a result, more than 835,000 veterans have enrolled in VA health care (a 37% increase over the previous period); more than 900,000 veterans have upgraded their priority groups, making them eligible for health care with fewer copays (an all-time record); and more than 4.4 million veterans and survivors have applied for disability compensation benefits (another record.)

To enroll, veterans can contact the Kerrville VA Medical Center (KVAMC) Enrollment & Eligibility Office at 830-792-2444. Or, contact the Kerr County VSO at 730-792-2203 for assistance in co