For Your Benefit
For and about Hawaii's military
See also: In The Military
Department of Defense
has control of ID cardsQuestion: I recently requested the VA to provide an identification card for my aide. I am currently single and have a 100 percent service-connected disability rating. I need my aide to shop for me in the military commissary and exchange. The VA told me to contact the Army. Why can't the VA help me?
Answer: The VA has no control over the issuance of military identification cards, which are necessary for entry into those facilities. Cards are issued and controlled by the individual military services. The VA will provide a letter to the veteran to take to the Department of Defense facility that states the veteran is disabled.
The issue of a separate identification card for a shopper or aide is between the veteran and the Department of Defense. Upon the veteran's request for such a card, the department may ask for a doctor's letter stating that the veteran is homebound or requires aid, or other reasons why the veteran cannot shop on his own.
The department will then make the decision whether a military identification card will be issued to the aide.
For more information on VA identification cards, contact at 433-1000 or visit the VA Web site at www.va.gov/hawaii.
Q: I am a female veteran. What services are available to women?
A: Services include health promotion and disease prevention, primary care, women's gender-specific health care (e.g., hormone-replacement therapy, breast and gynecological care, maternity and limited infertility excluding in-vitro fertilization), acute medical/surgical, telephone triage, emergency and substance abuse treatment, mental health, domiciliary, rehabilitation and long-term care.
For more information, call the VA at 433-1000.
If you have questions about your benefits as a veteran,
call Fred Ballard at the Veterans Affairs at 433-0049
or visit the VA Web site at www.va.gov/hawaii
or the Star-Bulletin at 529-4747.Gregg K. Kakesako, who covers military affairs for the Star-Bulletin,
can be reached by phone at 294-4075
or by e-mail at gkakesako@starbulletin.com.