Douglas Veterans Claims Clinic Connects Rural Veterans With Critical Services

Quick Takeaways

An estimated 70 veterans attended the two-day Veterans Claims Clinic in Douglas.Veterans completed disability claims, medical exams and VA healthcare enrollment in one location.Organizers focused on reducing travel barriers for rural veterans.Community organizations offered housing, mental health, caregiver and other support services.Organizers say similar outreach events will continue throughout Southern Arizona.

DOUGLAS — An estimated 70 veterans took advantage of a two-day Veterans Claims Clinic and Resource Fair in Douglas, where organizers brought together federal, state and local agencies to provide disability claims assistance, healthcare enrollment, medical examinations and community resources under one roof.

The event, held July 14-15 at the Balar Entertainment Center, was organized by the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) in partnership with Arizona@Work and numerous community organizations. The goal was simple: eliminate travel barriers and make it easier for veterans in Cochise County and surrounding rural communities to access the benefits they earned through military service.

The clinic offered veterans the opportunity to file new disability claims, check the status of existing claims, complete required medical disability examinations, enroll in VA healthcare and connect with organizations providing assistance with housing, mental health, caregiver support, women's veteran healthcare and other community services.

"The big draw for the event was being able to put in for a VA claim, process the claim and do a medical examination all in the same day without having to travel a long distance," said Luke Johnson, public affairs officer for the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System.

Johnson said just over 70 veterans attended during the two-day event.

"I'd say that's excellent," Johnson said. "All the veterans we helped were able to come in, get the services and resources they needed, and we were able to be here in person and interact with the veterans and be part of the local community."

He also praised the Douglas community for embracing the event.

"The local community here in Douglas was very supportive of veterans and very supportive of our event," Johnson said. "We couldn't have done this without the support of the Douglas community."

One of the clinic's biggest advantages was its "one-stop shop" approach, allowing veterans to complete multiple steps in the claims process during a single visit rather than making separate trips to Tucson, Phoenix or Sierra Vista.

Johnson said bringing services directly to veterans is especially important in rural communities.

"There are a lot of veterans who are unable to come to Tucson or travel long distances," he said. "We want to bring the resources and services to them and make it more convenient so they have access to the benefits they've earned throughout their service to our country."

The event also highlighted the emotional impact these clinics can have.

Carmen H. Pizarro, operations supervisor for Veteran Services with OptumServe, recalled a Vietnam veteran who reluctantly attended the event after some encouragement from a friend.

Following his behavioral health appointment, the veteran shared that it was the first time in 35 years he had spoken openly about his experiences in Vietnam.

"He was very emotional," Pizarro said. "You could sense his relief of being able to talk about the things that he saw and experienced in Vietnam."

Pizarro said Veterans Claims Clinics are designed to fast-track the disability claims process because key VA personnel are available in one location.

"These veteran claims clinics are considered a fast track," she said. "On average, our veterans do get a rating through the VA between two to three weeks versus a year or more because all of the key players of the VA are here."

She said the clinic model has expanded over the past three years, with mobile units now traveling nationwide to underserved and tribal communities where veterans may otherwise have limited access to services.

Johnson said the Douglas clinic demonstrated a clear need for continued outreach in rural Arizona.

"We'll be back here again to provide services and resources," he said. "We're here to come to the veterans to help them and bring our services and resources to them."

The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System plans to continue that outreach with a smaller Veterans Resource Fair on July 24 at the American Legion in Sierra Vista.