VA hosts tele-town hall for Central Texas veterans

VA officials in Washington, D.C. held a tele-town hall Tuesday evening during which almost 25,000 veterans here and around the state asked about their coverage and benefits in the next few months as the Coronavirus pandemic continues.

To Dr. Paul Lawrence, answering veterans questions by phone is not what he's used to.

"Normally when I would travel around the country, I would do these in person."

Lawrence says that while staff are doing most appointments virtually, they are taking it on a case-by-case basis and seeing some patients in person.

He says that while all veterans will be taken care of, these guidelines are to protect veterans and staff at all costs.

"Nothing is changing if you're in our system," he said.

"As you could imagine, folks who've applied for benefits wonder how that's going to happen in their processing. So we continue to tell them that everything is working as usual."

He also said the VA will be working closely with other military installations like Fort Hood.

"Fort Hood could have a lot of certain types of doctors," he said.

"We could also have extra supplies and we could share those resources when necessary."

Lawrence says that like War, this pandemic will be a challenge that our veterans and nation will overcome.

"I think about people like my mother," he said.

"Her brothers served in World War II. That was a trying experience and we'll get through this one just like they got through that. I just can't imagine that this won't make us stronger and better."

The VA will continue to host tele-town halls for veterans all across the country. Any veterans who have more questions can click on the links down below for more information.