[00:00:00] This season, we're not chasing headlines. We're cashing them in VA benefits, interest rates and AI for small business, what matters, what doesn't, and exactly what to do before the year ends. Real answers and step-by-step plays. Prepare to compete season six. Starts now.
Hello. Welcome to Prepare to Compete when we talk all things VA benefits, real estate, entrepreneurship, and more. Kenneth Davis, how you feeling today? My brother? Excited. Excited, excited. I must tell you, uh, this is gonna be an interesting one because there's been so many things drumming up with the veterans and just business in general, really excited about it.
Absolutely. We are in the fourth quarter of 2025. Lot of changes happening and even with us, right. You know. You as you [00:01:00] may or may not notice, you know I did not say the word podcast in the introduction there we're trying to span outside of just being perceived as a podcast. Although if you are listening on Apple Music, Spotify, or similar, you are listening to the podcast audio experience.
But what we do on YouTube is we educate, right? And we're. Providing a lot of high level detail outside of what you can expect from the podcast here. True indeed. Listen, we're a show, we're a community and guess what? We are here to serve. So I'm really excited to get into everything and once we get into everything, I guarantee you guys, you will not skip this, uh, video.
Absolutely. So yeah. With no further ado, let's get into the VA benefits segment for today. So now for the first topic, we wanna talk about different executive orders and [00:02:00] changes going on here in the va. Okay, so now executive order passed in May of 2020. Impact how veterans receive their services for va, medical care, for housing and other, uh, low income or homeless veteran assistance program.
Now, something that they're looking to pilot is the National Center for Warrior Independence. And you know, I know Kenneth here as an expert has definitely been looking into. A lot of that and you know, what are some of the things that your initial thoughts kind of bring to you here regarding that?
Honestly, uh, my initial thoughts is a, it, it, it generally of with the wide scope, it is a fantastic, fantastic ideal, right? Uh, but also I think it's a fantastic idea in theory when we talk about these things, uh, because a [00:03:00] veteran community does need the help, right? Um, when we're talking about, uh, this first executive order, we're talking about removing homelessness from veterans.
Um, essentially. That's a, that's a, a pretty big, uh, wide net to be able to fill. So, uh, all in all, listen, when we're talking about the full scope of the executive order, I'm excited about it, but also I am, uh, worried on the rollout. Absolutely. 'cause you know, that's what's gonna be important, right? Because you look at policy and, you know, we understand policy, uh, to some degree here, and we understand why they're doing this program, right?
You know, the. Benefits and services that veterans currently receive, they're scattered, right? And we wanna be able to make improvements. So, you know, regardless of kind of just criticizing a president or saying one thing or another, we definitely appreciate making strides and [00:04:00] serving the veteran community.
However, we just all have to work together on how this is going to be. Implement it and exactly what is gonna cause the best impact for the veteran community. Yeah, no, true indeed. Uh, I mean, ultimately the desire is always to, uh, be able to help those in need. Right. Uh, with, again, any of these. Executive orders or, uh, policies that is to serve, uh, sometimes an underserved community and also sometimes to serve, uh, you know, uh, big business or, you know, uh, to serve those at large who are a little bit more well in doubt.
So at the end of the day, our, our, our, again, our opinion here, um, on the prepare to compete, uh, show here, we wanna make sure that everyone understands that. Uh, we are focused on the change, right? We're focused on the change, uh, when we are discovering a lot of this information because it is new. Um, and [00:05:00] we wanna make sure that we deliver it to you guys first.
Absolutely want to deliver it to you first. And you know, with this. Act here. They're looking to kind of pilot the program at the VA hospital in West Los Angeles campus, and what they're looking to do is basically combine services, right? Again, as I mentioned, things are scattered and they want veterans to be able to go receive healthcare and if they have other needs or.
It identify as being homeless or, uh, certain things. They're able to really get that access and support while they're there and as it's been identified. And that is a very ambitious goal. But, you know, Kenneth, I guess you could kind of see some. Apprehensions on why that may be difficult, right? Uh, it's gonna cause a lot of different agencies to really communicate together or really are they gonna come together?
And actually [00:06:00] each individual agency, as far as the healthcare. Housing, you know, other services as far as behavioral health, mental health and different things under one roof. And have, uh, representatives all there within that center, are they looking to cross train? Right? Uh, we don't really know the answers to those things, and I think that is what really kind of makes us.
Apprehensive on how this is actually gonna work, uh, for the veterans looking to utilize assistance in these programs. Yeah, no, true indeed. Uh, when we talk about this, again, we're talking about the, again, the executive order of the National Center for, uh, warrior Independence. Right. Uh, basically again, that's gonna be.
Full service on ramp for homeless veterans to be able to receive housing, treatment, uh, rapid, uh, connection to benefits and so on and so forth. Uh, but when we talk about this, there's so many different agencies that's involved, uh, not only so many different agencies, uh, there's so [00:07:00] much. Red tape that's involved as well.
Uh, rules, regulations, and, uh, not only that, there are focal issues that are, and specifically ingrained in these agencies that needs to be addressed. Uh, now when, again, these issues that are being addressed, uh, I think, uh, the biggest, the biggest thing is, uh, who's gonna address them. And how are we gonna get this rolled out the quickest way possible?
And, um, I, I think, uh, specifically there's so many different components when we're navigating that. Uh, I don't think we have the answers, and I don't frankly think they have the answers. But I'll tell you this, uh, one thing. Is that when you are dealing with, uh, homeless veterans knowing, uh, the, the, the impact that, uh, VASH Hood has provided, uh, SFVF US Vet, uh, US vets, there's so many other different nonprofit agencies as well, uh, that I may have not named.[00:08:00]
Uh, it's so, so, so impactful. Um, and to be able to run self sufficiently is one thing. Now, and what I mean by self sufficiently, many of these organizations are nonprofits or NGOs or anything of that nature, and they do receive funding, however, uh, to be able to be self-sufficient in agency, uh, a again, the agency running, running and helping the veterans at need, that's, that's.
That's, that's impactful. That's the answer. But now when we bring in everybody together and bringing all these agencies and treatment facilities and also, uh, benefits together, what does that look like? What does that look like for the veteran? What does that look like for the agency? What does that look like?
Uh, for even again, uh, uh, funding? That's a big, big, big question that we have. Oh, big questions I think we all have to answer, so No, absolutely right. Because we're in a climate right now where there's been a lot of government [00:09:00] layoffs and there's been a lot of, uh, issues with spending and where funding needs to go and kind of a lot of downsizing of essential resources, you know, within the va, within other agencies.
So. Uh, this is again, a very ambitious goal and program, uh, under this type of climate, but I would say it is definitely well deserved for veterans and well needed because we wanna make sure that every veteran has a home. Right. And that is first and foremost there. So any goal that can potentially get us closer to that is one to pursue.
But we definitely wanna make sure that the agencies are working together. You know, I know you mentioned HUD vash there and you know, that's a, a wonderful program where I believe, uh, veterans are able to get housing vouchers. Yes. Yes. So. Homeless veterans, right? And what do we qualify as [00:10:00] homeless? It could be very subjective when we talk about that.
Uh, but generally speaking, um, again, uh, not having sufficient shelter, right? Not not having sufficient shelter. Um, so with that, the HUD Bash program or the Bash HUD program, uh, which whichever intertwines, right? Uh, that program there, what it does, it actually provides vouchers for homeless veterans, uh, to be able to.
Get the needs of housing. Okay. Uh, providing case management. They'll be able to provide a case manager, kind of go down the pathway to get the voucher and also get the shelter that they need. Uh, this is a phenomenal program. Let's, let's understand. It is a HUD based program now with it intertwined with the va, which is phenomenal.
Uh, again, i, I, I, I must tip my hat to this program. Uh, but we, we, we also deal with the challenges of long wait lists, qualification issues, uh, case management, uh, [00:11:00] contact, it's so many different, uh, uh, focus issues that they deal with. How can we be able to kind of unravel that, but also, um, you know. Connect everything together with other pro other organizations and serve at the same time.
So, uh, but yeah, I mean, the HUD VASH program is phenomenal. Uh, they've been, uh, they've been attacking the ambitious, the VA's ambitious goal, uh, since the, then the strategic plan has come out since 2022, uh, to be able to focus, uh, uh, on. Ending homelessness for veterans. Uh, again, they have to have a big audacious goal, but how do we get there?
How do we get there? Is very important. And, you know, I, what I find interesting about it as well is with the collaboration, hopefully this would, uh, cause some additional collaboration with looking at. The VA benefits as far as the monthly compensation and how that intertwines with a HUD VASH program [00:12:00] because you know, one of the barriers that I always hear from the veteran community and those who work in the HUD V sector is that a lot of these veterans don't wanna apply for service connection in fear that they could potentially lose their actual housing voucher because now they're receiving.
Too much income and there's income requirements there, right? So, uh, hopefully with combining these different sectors, a a lot more of the nuances of these different conversations start to happen more often, and we develop some solutions for it, right? Because we don't want veterans apprehensive on getting care and getting the benefits that they deserve, especially the, uh.
The disability benefits they deserve, which are permanent, uh, entitlements and benefits for 'em, just because in fear of, hey, I receive that benefit, [00:13:00] I still. Will be in need, but now I don't have housing. And if it's coordinated in a way where hey, well no, this is the requirement, these are the thresholds, and it's worked together with a lot more, we could kind of combat some of those issues because Hub Vast isn't a program where you want the veteran to be on that program permanently.
Right. And obviously if they qualify for service connected. Benefits that is intended to be a permanent status there, especially if they're able to get a hundred percent permanent in total. So, you know, we really wanna kind of be able to have more of those conversations and have the different agencies that are working together understanding, kind of unpack the issues there.
No. True indeed. True indeed. Again, and, uh, and that, and that's what we talk about, right? Because those thresholds need to be modified. Uh, communications needs to be modified. Uh, the service needs to be [00:14:00] modified. Um, and also the rollout should be generated and created, uh, to be able to. Make awareness. So it is a lot of different things that you have to go down and, and to create change.
Um, do I think it's ambitious and, and fantastic. I think it's a lovely tagline. Now, let's fast forward five years from now to get this going. You know, so, uh, really excited for what's to come. But again, uh, when we talk about, uh, the, uh, uh, all the agencies and benefits that are afforded, I truly think if a veteran survives, uh, any type of injuries, combat, or, uh, have made that sacrifice, uh, again.
If that has been had, uh, we can't have bureaucracy fail them. And that's, uh, that's just kind of the, the real notion behind that. No, absolutely. So now we obviously know this is gonna be a center. So [00:15:00] again, it's probably looked at as a pilot project. Uh, potentially going to be, uh, nationwide at some point once they get the nuances, uh, together there.
But, uh, ultimately something that I've kind of read from it is that they're going to, uh, hopefully have case managers right, who are gonna be able to facilitate all of the different services that particular, uh, veteran may need. So, you know, with that. Again, I hope a lot of more of those conversations and that collaboration is going to happen where now this veteran actually has an advocate that's going to be able to help and assist facilitating all of the various needs that they potentially could have in the services, and really providing that educational component of, uh.
Understanding the access and, and that, so again, it's a very exciting conversation to have. Uh, again, like you said, it's a big audacious goal, but I feel like we have a lot of competent professionals [00:16:00] working in those agencies that are well prepared for the task there. No, uh, FII, again, I totally agree. I think, uh.
That we have com uh, competent professionals who's definitely gonna figure these things out. Uh, really excited to actually see what the outcome is. Uh, but I will tell you if you are at any amendment, risk at being unsheltered or homeless, please make sure that you reach out to the, uh, uh, national Veteran Homeless Hotline, uh, at 8 7 7 4 2 4 3 8 3 8.
Please do not. Do not, do not wait. Reach out and if you are in need immediately please make sure it is discussed. And make sure the circumstances is fully, uh, provided to them because, uh, they're there to help. They are there to help. So make sure that you reach out to them Again, that's 8 7 7 4 2 4 3 8 3 8.
[00:17:00] Absolutely. So, yeah. So the next topic we actually are gonna flow into here is talking about. Community care, right? So we wanna make sure the veterans are, uh, cared for and have the information there. And now we actually have a whole video regarding the topic of the community care changes in 2025. So you can absolutely go on YouTube and receive that full content there.
And, you know. Learn everything there is to know about those changes. But you know Kenneth, today, I wanted you to kind of let 'em know just kind of high level of what's going on with the changes here in 2025. Yeah. I'm just gonna be very direct and frank. Listen, veterans. 2025. A huge, huge change have come through the pipeline.
Uh, community care authorizations is now granted for an entire year, uh, before any type of medical care that was ever needed. Uh, listen, it was always a 90 day turnaround where you needed to go in to get [00:18:00] reauthorization and so on and so forth from your VA medical center. But that is no longer the case.
Now, you're able to receive authorization for an entire year. For your private, uh, uh, provider outside of the VA for any type of specialty needs or even sometimes primary care for any type of wait times mental health issues and, uh, like I said before, specialized care. Okay. Uh, for more information on that, you definitely could check out our community care video.
Uh, it is posted. Please watch it all the way through because it is very insightful. We got some good information at the end of that video. Uh, but veterans, again, you are authorized to be able to receive a private care provider. Um, and not only a pri uh, private care provider, but a specialist, uh, outside of the va.
If granted community care for one year. Absolutely. And again, they have to be granted. So it's still an application process. And then I notice on there, um, and, and they get all this in the video, that if they already [00:19:00] have community care, they still need to make sure. If that authorization is gonna be for a year, so always talk to the local facility.
Yes, please always talk to your local facility. You do not want to get a bill from that provider, uh, stating that you are, you know, uh, in owing those monies. So, um, even if you do take it to the va, see what they can, uh, be able to provide you if they can provide you any support. Go get the support. Alright?
Uh, but, uh, if you are already in, in, in, in concert with community care and receiving that, uh, and receiving, uh, care, and you need to basically reauthorized. Don't continue to see the provider, wait until you are, uh, receiving your authorization. Wait until you receive a, uh, a authorization to continue. Okay.
It's very important. Absolutely. So, and then what a question for that, just kind of at a high level now, what are some ways that, uh, veterans could [00:20:00] actually avoid being denied community care? Um, avoidance in being denied community care. Uh, to be very honest, it is very rare. Uh, and for denial, it's just the knowing, alright, the information and also making the ask.
Most veterans do not make the ask. They go ahead and continue with the wait time or they go ahead and, uh, make the drive, uh, 60, 50, a hundred miles from their, uh, from their home of residence, uh, to. Go see their physician. That's not needed. You can be authorized to see someone locally in town, okay? If there isn't a VA facility, uh, near you.
Um, if you are feeling unsafe with the treatment, you can be authorized for community care if the VA has long wait times. You can [00:21:00] be authorized in a community care and those all details are in our previous video that was provided. So Absolutely. Yeah. You make some good points there, right? So a lot of our veterans in rural areas, they have to travel, um, quite a way sometimes, you know, I know veterans that live in certain parts of Texas where.
They may be, you know, a hundred miles away from San Antonio and they have to get some care, uh, and they're going out there. Well, if they had a community care program, they'll be able to use their local provider and that they frankly may even know. 'cause in a small town, oftentimes you, you kind of get to know a lot of your, uh, neighbors and, and.
Individuals in your town. So yeah, they will wanna do that. And you know, sometimes we forget about how important that could be because you know, if you are in San Diego and you don't like a particular VA for. Facility [00:22:00] where there's multiple and you're already within that network and you can go pick another physician, and it's very streamlined for you.
So just imagine how some veterans don't really have that same level of access, where if they wanted to go. As far as another VA location, it's the difference of going 60 miles south or 60 miles north. Right? Yeah. Yeah. And that, and that's, and that's just the reality of things. Um, everyone is not provided the same resources that, uh, that we may think, you know?
So, um, again, using the example of the rural area, but also safety of care, right. Bedside manner. Understanding that those specialty issues that you're dealing with, if you don't feel like you're receiving proper care, it is your right to be able to get the proper care that you need. Understand that it is your right [00:23:00] to receive safe.
Medical care. Right? Absolutely. And that's because I actually recently had veteran and, and lives in a rural. He cannot afford to go to private medical. And he's like, well, I don't like my VA doctor. I'm not receiving the quality care that I feel like I deserve. I have, you know, X, Y, z, uh, ailments going on, and they're not receiving that care from this provider.
And he's reluctant to try to go to the PR private provider because he feels like, Hey, I don't wanna receive that bill. And through community care you don't have to worry about that. But you know, even though this program exists, uh, just sometimes veterans' belief in the system and that it's gonna work on their behalf, they're still [00:24:00] apprehensive.
But we definitely wanna. Encourage them that hey, this is an option and you at least want to definitely apply. You know, obviously if you could apply ahead of time and not go in an urgent care type of setting, now you increase your chances and you know exactly that you have that authorization and approval.
Ken, so this segment we've been talking a lot regarding the care for veterans and we really wanna make sure our veterans are cared for in all of their conditions. And there has been some new policies throughout the last several years, uh, regarding the PAC Act, right? And how veterans could actually, you know, qualify to have.
Certain presumptive conditions. So can you kind of explain a little bit more to how the PAC Act, uh, works for our veterans, uh, looking to get service connected there? Yeah. Yeah. So the PAC Act is such a huge, wide range of, uh, benefits for presumptive [00:25:00] issues, right? Uh, so what do you mean by presumptive? I know the PACT Act, that's been one big.
Trigger word, right? Hot button, word, hot button, word that goes out there. Uh, PAC act, pac act, PAC Act. But what is the exact PACT Act? So again, uh, legislation was passed to be able to expand, uh, the location areas for veterans in regards to receive, uh, again, you know, presumptive issues or presumptive diagnosis for service connection without a medical opinion.
Because again, what was understood was that you were in the place and time, and now you have a diagnosis. So if you were in a specific location and a and, uh, and at a specific time. You have a specific diagnosis? Well, the scientific research has been done. You are nine times outta 10, uh, dealing with that diagnosis because you were in this area [00:26:00] and you was exposed to chemicals, toxins, environmental, uh, uh, uh, uh, issues or pollutants.
So many different things, right? There's so many different things that are ongoing. But, uh, with that being said, when we talk about the pac, that one big reminder, a huge reminder to understand is that no. Medical opinion or again, another trigger or hot topic nexus letter, it's gonna be needed, right? Um, it is, it's specific, it's very specific in nature of what a presumptive issue is.
Okay. Um, so again, the PAC Act was such a huge, huge. Huge, uh, legislation. Okay. This was a big overhaul for a lot of veterans and actually, uh, opened up the doors for a lot of veterans to receive millions of veterans to receive medical care. Okay? I don't wanna bypass that, that that was a very, very big deal, uh, for millions of veterans to now have access to [00:27:00] medical care who was previously denied.
Right. Veterans. We didn't know veterans can get denied medical care from the Veterans Administration Medical Center, did we? Well, guess what? That happens all the time. Okay. There are certain thresholds that you must need to be able to receive medical care, but now that has opened many of doors for millions.
So with that being said, I guys, I want you guys to understand that the PACT Act was a very, very huge la uh, legislation that was passed. Please go ahead and again, uh, check out a, our previous video that outlines. Each detail of the PACT Act. Okay. Uh, but again, it's serving Gulf War veterans, uh, uh, uh, Vietnam veterans, our veterans in current state today.
It is a huge, huge legislation that was passed. I, I, I really, really, uh, would love to speak with anyone, uh, that really wants to talk about the PACT Act [00:28:00] because if you have been exposed in those specific locations and now dealing with, um, a specific medical element. You may be. Losing out on receiving service connection.
Absolutely. And now we wanna, uh, be able to talk about here as well with the PAC Act and essentially getting service connected. Is that now talking about what service connected percentage do you need to have to receive that medical care that you were, uh, talking about there? Well, there's not even a percentage tied to it, right?
Uh, you can receive medical care even if you're not service connected. But now there's thresholds, right? What is the threshold of income? What is the threshold of, uh, your, uh, your duty and service, right? There's, there, there again, there's rules and thresholds. However, uh, what you're referencing, I believe, is that you can receive medical care at 0%.
[00:29:00] You don't need a compensable decision or ailment to receive medical care. Your care is, you, you, you're right. Right, so that 0%. Grants you that benefit, go receive your care. Absolutely. And why that's very important is that although you may have served at at a particular time and location and you get service connected for a PAC Act related condition, it may be at a threshold of 0%, right?
Yeah. And that same veteran may have been denied medical care before. However, now that you have that 0%, you may have a few different avenues of reapplying for care. One because you're 0% now and two is because they opened up. Who qualifies for healthcare? True indeed. True indeed. I, I, I, I, I totally, again, I, I have nothing to say.
I, it's, [00:30:00] I totally agree with you. You need to go, uh, really evaluate at that 0% level so you can be able to get your healthcare. If you don't, well, you are probably paying for medical care that you don't need. Uh, and they're also nine stars outta 10. Are listed in a community care network and now, uh, that medical care, you can be saving yourself thousands of dollars over the time.
But, uh, that's just an again, and that's not coming from me. I'm not telling you to drop Blue Cross Blue Shield, uh, blue Cross Blue Shield. Please know, uh, I'm just letting you guys know. You really need to really evaluate your healthcare and also medical needs and, uh, what to, what, what, what's afforded to you.
Absolutely. And now I want to be able to ask you a couple more questions for veterans who may be watching that again, may have that 0% rating or may have a 10 or 20% rating, uh, from a pack act condition. And they are [00:31:00] receiving care for that particular condition at the va. Okay. And now. There have been told that they're not able to receive care for other conditions that they're dealing with.
Uh, can you kind of confirm that different nuance? Because I have heard veterans, uh, encounter that type of situation there. Um, that's a great question. What I will tell you is this, is that. Uh, every circumstance and situation is different. Um, obviously we would really, really have to unpack that. Uh, but in general terms and speaking, um, being turned down for medical care in any hospital or facility I think is a big no-no.
Right? So, um, I won't specifically be able to speak upon that, but what I will say is this, is that if you are receiving, uh, medical care. Um, from A-V-A-M-C [00:32:00] or medical clinic or satellite, uh, uh, uh, uh, station. You should be able to receive care, okay? If, even if you, you're, you're enrolled and you have 0%, you should be able to receive care.
Not that saying that you're going to receive, uh, free care based upon a service connected condition, but you should be able to genuinely receive care. Understood there. Yeah, and, and something that you kind of pointed out there indirectly is that a lot of times they may be going to a VA facility or they may be receiving specialty care and they're asking that particular professional certain details about other conditions.
And that becomes a nuanced conversation there where they may not just have the information or they may just be saying, Hey, I cannot provide you with that care. So, uh, that's why you really wanna kind of look into and really reach out, uh, to be able to really understand what's going on there. And never accept the [00:33:00] first no.
Right. Yeah. Never accept the first, no. What I would tell you is, uh, um, I also will make sure that though you are accepting the first no, that you're doing everything to get a yes. Right. So, uh, please, please, please reach out if you need any assistance. We're here to serve. We're here to help. Uh, if you just need some questions answered, we'll love to be able to speak with you.
Absolutely. Reach down in the comments. Absolutely. Ask any questions. We love communicating. Hear what you digitally. And you know, for our next topic here, we wanna get into what the VA is actually doing in the digital space, right? They're making quite a few power moves in really changing, uh, the different healthcare apps, the VA benefits apps, and changing the workflow of how it looks when you're, uh, applying for a claim.
So you may have been in your va.gov account or similar. Down for maintenance, right? Because [00:34:00] they're trying to make a lot of those different improvements. So, you know, we definitely wanna kind of educate you about some of the things to do there. And they are looking to completely go digital with a lot of things there to assist with not pushing too much paper and not having too much.
Snail mail because ultimately you wanna get the information out to the veteran, right? Whether it's through a text message, through a email, through accessing the portal. It's encouraged to get the information out as soon as possible because time is of the essence. So I know sometimes veterans look at it as like, Hey, I get, I'm used to this method right?
Of, of working and, and information and. Systems change processes are changing. And even with direct deposit, right? If anyone's still receiving a paper check, they're actually looking to have that digital now and, and go through [00:35:00] direct deposits. So, you know, with. All of these different changes in the digital space.
Kenneth, what, uh, type of, uh, sentiments or advice you may have, uh, for the veterans listening here? Uh, one thing I would tell you, uh, though, uh, again, the digital age is, uh, not coming. It is, we are in it. Right. We're in it. So, um, this is something that we haven't seen before, right? So, uh, kind of going away with a lot of hard copies of everything, though we're coming away with a lot of hard copies of everything.
You guys, you know, my model. Keep your records stored. If it is stored in a hard copy fashion, great. Hold those records. If it is not. Understand it can be digitized and digitized and safekeeping with yourself as well, and make multiple copies when you got outta service, I can guarantee you if they, you were not told [00:36:00] to make multiple copies of your DD two 14 service, medical records, personnel records, so on and so forth.
Uh, again, we're gonna go ahead and make sure that we depend on our federal government to keep safe keeping of this stuff, which is what they supposed to do. We, we want you to do that. However fires happen, huge fire actually burned and. Literally destroyed many of these veterans records in the digital space.
It may not be feasible to, uh, destroy, but there are other attacks that may can, could come along and actually destroy your records, or it cannot be found in safekeeping because it hasn't been stored properly. Right? So, uh, what I will say though, we earned a digital age and I promote it, uh, again, very highly.
Always make sure you retain your copies yourself. Absolutely, definitely. Uh, do [00:37:00] that there. And now when we're talking about utilizing, uh, va.gov, right? We may have some veterans, like, I've never accessed that portal, you know, a day in my life. So now how would they go to setting up that account? Um, you know, it is a process, uh, in regards to setting up your, uh, your va.gov account, but you can be able to set that up through, again, the portals of login.gov and also id.me again, that's, uh, right there on the VA website.
Uh, but there is verification method. Right. So, uh, make sure you're able to navigate those verification methods and you should be fine. Okay. And now with those two access points, 'cause I think that's very important to look at there, is there a preference between whether they should set up a id.me account versus a login.gov or it is just two options for 'em?
Totally. Just multiple options and what you, what you desire. Um, it's not. One [00:38:00] is better than the other. It is simply getting your access to your needs, you know? Absolutely. Um, but again, totally, it's uh, just totally up to you. Absolutely. Yeah. And, and they both seem to, um, have the same type of security set up, right, where you're talking about two factor authentication.
Uh, you know, some veterans may not want to do the text methods, but you can still receive a call, right? You can receive a call for that secondary code there and, uh, things of that nature. So still a lot of different options to familiarize yourself with, uh, when you have that. Account there, but really works well as you mentioned there, because you could apply for your whole entire claim process, whether it's uh, establishment of claim, appeals, higher level review.
You can do that all through that online portal and even most importantly, you can track what's going on with your claim through that portal as [00:39:00] well, and even receive notifications to your phone or email, which is. You know, very, very good withstand abreast of what's going on with your claim status.
Alright, now as we close out this segment here, Kenneth, with all the changes that are happening in 2025 and the new updates and legislation, you know what? Is your piece of advice for veterans here in the fourth quarter of 2025 going into 2026? Well, uh. As we know you guys, uh, the VA landscape is changing.
Uh, the military landscape is changing. Uh, you know, as much as we want to think, uh, the Department of Veterans Affairs, uh, the Department of Defense, uh, and other federal agencies are all disconnected from one another. They are however. Uh, [00:40:00] they are still united in the same service that they're trying to serve, the veteran and active duty member.
Um, though that these landscapes are changing, we are not one to. Waiver with it, right? Uh, let's go ahead and remain steadfast in what we do and not only what we do in our approach on receiving our medical care, our benefits, our education, um, and also what we have actually serve for and earn. So with that being said, remain here and prepare to compete because let me tell you, we're gonna be able to provide all those details on, be able to navigate with what, what the VA is going, what the VA is doing, what's going on.
Um, again, there's been a high level of denials as of late. Well, let's talk about why and when we talk about why we're gonna be able to make sure that you guys understand [00:41:00] why. But remain tuned in because it doesn't only affect just the denials of benefits, but it also affects your family. Absolutely.
Kenneth, thank you for that. Thank you all for watching. Prepare to compete. We're out. Peace.
