A new report published in the September 2020 edition of the journal Medical Care shows promise for a different approach to treating veterans' health needs.
For many returning veterans, ongoing physical and mental health issues are simply a part of life. However, until recently, VA health care services were focused mainly on allopathic treatment options—that is, the use of medication and/or surgery to address health issues.
Since the passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016, which called for expanded addiction and treatment services for veterans, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs has broadened its focus to include complementary and integrative (CIH) therapies as part of their initiative to provide a "Whole Health" approach to veteran wellness.
The new report, which looked at the use of more than a dozen different CIH therapies including yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and tai chi, found that several of these therapies offered mind and body benefits for veterans ranging from reduced feelings of stress and anxiety to increased physical functioning and feeling more comfortable in social situations.
In addition to improving health outcomes, many CIH therapies cost less than traditional remedies. For example, yoga, when utilized over a 12-week period to address chronic low back pain, turned out to be less expensive—and just as effective—as physical therapy.
Like all VA health care benefits, you'll need your DD214 to show proof of service.
If you are considering taking advantage of VA-provided health care services, including the use of certain CIH therapies such as acupuncture, massage therapy, tai chi, and even clinical hypnosis, you will first need to prove you are eligible to receive veteran benefits. This is often as simple as providing a copy of your DD214, or Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
You should have received your DD214 upon separation from the U.S. Military, but if you didn't, or if it has been lost or damaged over the years, you will need to order a new copy. To make it easier, the retrieval experts at DD214Direct.com have streamlined the process to help you get your documents faster and without the hassle of dealing directly with the government.
Veteran-owned DD214Direct helps you get the documents you need, when you need them.
Our cutting-edge technology platform and keen knowledge of government protocol and procedure allow us to deliver your documents faster than you could get them on your own. First, we digitize both your request and the returned documents, using electronic signatures to avoid extra time with the postal service. We also integrate email and fax throughout our entire process, while many agencies do not.
To further expedite the process, our team ensures your initial request is filled out properly the first time and includes the necessary supporting documentation so that it doesn't bounce back. In addition, we break up multiple requests (DD214, OMPF, etc.) so that each piece is handled separately and one does not delay the other.
Once your request is processed, DD214Direct becomes your personal advocate, working directly with the agency that holds your records (currently there are about 75 independent agencies) and immediately responding to any agency issues on your behalf. In many cases, DD214Direct is able to advance your request to a higher-priority workflow. Finally, we have team members at many locations to drop off and pick up documents.
Much like paying a small fee to have your taxes done by a professional, DD214Direct provides the service and convenience you’ve been hoping for, plus we make it a lot easier. Once we locate your DD214, we can email you a copy immediately—a service not offered by the government. And tracking your request through us is simple, so you never have to worry about long hold times and inconclusive answers.
Ready to get started? Click here to begin the order process.
