Veterans Now Able to Enter/Edit Gender ID, Preferred Name

The following information was released today:

The Department of Veterans Affairs includes gender identity and preferred name in its national medical record system to help VA providers better understand and meet the health care needs of Veterans. As of June 25th, 2022, VA patients can view, enter and edit their gender identity and preferred name at VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs. This new feature of VA.gov gives Veterans the ability to enter information about themselves into their health record without going through a VA staff person. With this new solution, VA is giving Veterans more control and choice when it comes to their healthcare information.

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It’s been years since the military lifted the ban to allow gay, lesbian and bisexual troops to serve openly, but veterans kicked out under the ban are still on their own to clear their names.

🏳️‍🌈KPBS: The former ban on LGBT troops still haunts veterans🏳️‍⚧️

For more than 40 years, your Sacramento LGBT Community Center has supported the health and wellness of the most marginalized. We understand there is increasing concern amid the Monkey Pox outbreak, and we want to assure you that the health and safety of our clients, staff, and community are paramount. We are closely monitoring the situation and following the advice of the CDC and the State and County Departments of Public Health.

🏳️‍🌈Sacramento LGBT Center’s Statement on Monkey Pox🏳️‍⚧️

A vote in the U.S. Senate on legislation to codify same-sex marriage, following a surprise bipartisan approval in the U.S. House, now appears on track for consideration in September after lawmakers return from summer recess.

🏳️‍🌈WA Blade: Senate holds off on marriage bill, may vote in September🏳️‍🌈

In a changed world, gay men still feel the anxiety (and lessons) of the darker days of HIV/AIDS

🏳️‍🌈WA Post: Monkeypox is rousing old fears — and ways gay men care for each other🏳️‍🌈

The World Health Organization’s director-general has advised gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men to reduce the number of sexual partners they have for the time being in the wake of growing monkeypox outbreaks around the world.

🏳️‍🌈Advocate – Monkeypox: Gay Men Should Reduce Sexual Partners, Advises WHO Chief🏳️‍🌈

A new analysis dives into the use of service dogs by U.S. veterans who have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), illuminating factors and mechanisms that may underlie the mental health effects of these relationships.

Science Daily – How service dogs reduce PTSD symptoms: factors and mechanisms

The World Health Organization Saturday designated monkeypox a global health emergency, making clear that the growing number of cases calls for an international response. The outbreak has mostly affected men who have sex with men. Now the federal government is working on making the treatment more accessible as the queer community pays close attention to the outbreak.

🏳️‍🌈Advocate: Biden Administration Increases Access to Monkeypox Treatment🏳️‍🌈

House lawmakers warned that they may kill off the Department of Veterans Affairs costly and complicated electronic health records modernization effort unless officials can show significant progress in coming months.

Military Times: VA’s $16 billion health records overhaul could be scrapped if fixes aren’t made

Sacramento County on Tuesday confirmed another probable case of monkeypox, which brings the total of confirmed or suspected cases to 30 within the county.

CBS 13: Sacramento County Now Has 30 Confirmed Or Probable Cases Of Monkeypox

The Department of Veterans Affairs has proposed changes to the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities that pertain to the respiratory and auditory systems. The changes will incorporate medical advancements for treating certain disabilities and modern medical knowledge to more accurately compensate veterans for their service-connected disabilities, according to the VA.

DAV: VA proposes updates to disability rating schedule

The review team examined three distinct samples of claimed conditions potentially related to burn pit exposure completed from May 1, 2020, to May 1, 2021, and found VBA could improve its processing and oversight. Though VBA staff nearly always made the correct decision in granting compensation for conditions identified as burn pit-related, the OIG found most denials were premature.

VA OIG: Veterans Prematurely Denied Compensation for Conditions That Could Be Associated with Burn Pit Exposure

Under the Serving Our LGBTQ Veterans Act, a center for LGBTQ+ veterans would be established within the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA). A director would be appointed to advise the VA on the adoption and implementation of policies and programs affecting LGBTQ+ veterans, according to the bill.

🏳️‍🌈The Hill: House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs passes bill to create center for LGBTQ+ veterans🏳️‍🌈

Veterans Affairs officials are overhauling their website detailing medical wait times at facilities across the country, but that won’t mean significant changes to private-sector care eligibility for patients worried about access issues.

Military Times: VA overhauls patient wait time website, but not policies on other medical options

988+1: New Vets Crisis Line Number Coming July 16th

More stories have been appearing about the launch of a new number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline starting on July 16th. The change simplifies the main number 1-800-273-8255 to 988 in order to help remember & share in times of need. As such, the Veteran Crisis Line will also change to 988+1; the old number will remain active.

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