VA Benefits with COVID – 19

The Veterans Administration is providing clinical screenings at VA health care facilities in Nebraska and throughout the nation for Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The virus is considered a serious public health threat and older Veterans are among the most vulnerable to infection.

COVID-19 spreads through the air, like the flu, and typically causes respiratory illness days after exposure. The VA has administered more than 320 COVID-19 tests nationwide and is taking aggressive steps to prevent the spread of the respiratory disease.

What Are My Next Steps as a Veteran if I Get Coronavirus?

Any Veteran in Nebraska with symptoms of Coronavirus should contact the Omaha VA Medical Center or their nearest local Nebraska Veterans hospital.

The symptoms of Coronavirus are similar to the common cold and flu. They include:

• Fever
• Dry cough
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Thick mucus coughed up from the lungs

The VA urges Veterans to call your local VA medical center and select the option to speak to a nurse before visiting the facility. You may be able to get diagnosed and receive care through VA telehealth without having to come to the hospital.

At present, there is no vaccine to prevent the COVID-19 infection and no medication to treat the virus in patients who have confirmed cases.

Which States Have Coronavirus?

The virus has spread rapidly since it emerged in China in December 2019. Cases of COVID-19  have now been confirmed in every state in the U.S.

The state of Nebraska has 18 cases of COVID-19 as of March 17, according to the Nebraska Department of Health. Three cases in Douglas County are confirmed and 15 cases across the state are presumed positive. More cases are expected, and the Nebraska governor has declared a state of emergency.

Across the country, the VA is tracking Veteran patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. The VA is tracking 30 cases of COVID-19 among Veterans enrolled in the VA health system. Fifteen patients are hospitalized in VA facilities and the remaining patients are under home quarantine.

The VA also has taken steps to protect patients in VA facilities. Many VA facilities have moved to restrict all visitors to reduce older Veterans’ risk of exposure to Coronavirus. More than 100 nursing homes and rehabilitation centers operated by the VA have adopted a “no visitors” policy.

Based in Omaha, the VA disability lawyers at Berry Law have a core commitment to serving service-members. We have represented Veterans in Nebraska and all 50 states. We wish you all good health during these unprecedented times.

Furthermore, we want you to know that our team will continue fighting for you as our offices remain open and operational. If you have received a denial of your benefits from the VA, you should consider contacting a knowledgeable VA claims lawyer at Berry Law. Our law firm is dedicated to helping Veterans obtain the Veterans benefits they are entitled to.