Director's Veterans' Message July 12, 2024

which includes Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, who need to travel to access certain services that are not available locally. Recognizing the financial and logistical burdens this places on Veterans and their families, the VAPIHCS is committed to addressing these concerns through various initiatives and support programs.

To mitigate the costs associated with traveling for medical services, the VA offers several support mechanisms, including our Beneficiary Travel (BT) Program, where eligible Veterans can receive reimbursement for travel expenses related to obtaining VA health care. This includes mileage reimbursement and other travel costs.

Eligibility for BT is determined after meeting one of these qualifiers:

-A Veteran that travels to or from a VA medical facility or VA-authorized medical facility in connection with treatment or care for a Service-Connected (SC) disability (regardless of percent of disability).

-A Veteran with a SC disability rated at 30% or more who travels to or from a VA medical facility or VA-authorized medical facility for examination, treatment, or care for any condition.

-A Veteran that travels to a medical facility or VA-authorized medical facility for a scheduled compensation and pension (C&P) examination.

-A Veteran receiving pension under 38 U.S.C. § 1521, who travels to or from a VA medical facility or VA-authorized medical facility for examination, treatment, or care.

-A Veteran whose annual income (as determined under 38 U.S.C. § 1503) does not exceed the maximum annual rate of pension that the Veteran would receive under 38 U.S.C. § 1521 (as adjusted under 38 U.S.C. § 5312), if the Veteran was eligible for pension, and travels to or from a VA medical facility or VA-authorized medical facility for examination, treatment, or care.

-A Veteran traveling to obtain a service dog under 38 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) § 17.148 without regard to whether the Veteran meets the eligibility criteria as set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 70. NOTE: VA will provide payment for travel expenses related to obtaining a replacement service dog, even if the Veteran is receiving other benefits for the service dog that the Veteran needs to replace.

-Veterans with vision impairment, spinal cord injury or disorder (SCI/D), or with double or multiple amputations whose travel is in connection with care provided through a special disabilities rehabilitation program of VA (including programs provided by spinal cord injury centers, blind rehabilitation centers, and prosthetics rehabilitation centers), if such care is provided on an in-patient basis; or

during a period in which the VA provides the Veteran with temporary lodging at a VA medical facility to make such care more accessible to the Veteran.

VA Travel Pay Reimbursement. This program provides financial assistance to Veterans traveling long distances for specialized care not available in the Pacific Islands. It covers transportation costs, lodging, and meals. Veterans may apply for travel reimbursement through the Beneficiary Travel Self Service System (BTSSS), or by completing VA Form 10-3542 online. Applications for payment must be submitted within 30 calendar days from the date the travel is completed or the date the applicant is notified he or she is eligible for travel payments if the request is based on a change in eligibility.​  Home  · BTSSS (dynamics365portals.us)

Telehealth Services. The VA has expanded its telehealth services, allowing Veterans to receive medical consultations and follow-up care remotely. This reduces the need for travel by providing convenient access to health care professionals from home. This service is particularly beneficial in the Pacific Islands, where travel can be difficult and time-consuming. Telehealth provides access to consultations, follow-ups, and certain types of therapy without the need for physical travel.

Outreach and Coordination. The VA is actively working with local Veterans' organizations and state agencies to ensure that Veterans are aware of the available resources and support programs. This collaborative effort aims to streamline the process and provide timely assistance to those in need.

The VA remains committed to ensuring that all Veterans, regardless of their location, have access to the quality health care they deserve. By leveraging these programs and continuously seeking new solutions, the VA strives to alleviate the burdens faced by Veterans in the Pacific Islands and enhance their overall well-being.

Thoughts from Chaplain Jewel

The Audacity to Thrive

Roses are practically everywhere. There are hundreds of species and varieties of them. Unfamiliar, perhaps, with their subtle differences, we probably see them so often that we’ve become “rose blind.” These beautiful flowers occur naturally in the wild or are cultivated to grow in gardens. They adapt to climate changes, and they thrive in almost any soil. Archaeologists have discovered rose fossils that date back millions of years. The world’s oldest living rose, known as the Thousand-Year Rose in Hildesheim, Germany, is reported to have thrived for approximately 700 years. Roses are so cherished around the world that they are worn in fashion prints. We see them in paintings, on dishware, as centerpieces, wallpaper, and jewelry. They’re used as emollients and fragrances, and they’re highly popular for wedding arrangements.

A national emblem of versatility and loyalty, the rose represents our Veterans, their families, survivors, caregivers, and ourselves – all citizens of this nation who adjust as situations demand while also, on a united front, flourish amid adversity. Our ceaseless efforts to overcome struggles and to persevere despite unfathomable challenges, give credibility to our audacity to thrive. We do so with strength and poise, diversity and patriotism, commitment, and resilience.  

May we honor the Veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice to win our nation’s freedom, and may we hold in highest esteem those who continue to protect it.

In the poem, To Thrive is Life, Okim Otu writes, “Though the sunshine; thrive! Though the rain falls, thrive! Though the wind blows; thrive! All you got to do is thrive!” 

Blessings and Mahalo.

One Team, One Ohana!

Adam M. Robinson, Jr., MD, MBA, CPE 

Director, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System

VADM, MC, USN, (RET) 36th Surgeon General, USN