Veteran Resources

AVER Veterans Affairs is dedicated to advocating and serving the needs of America’s LGBT armed forces veterans with information, referral, and limited legal consultation regarding VA benefits claims.

GETTING HELP:
Individual Inquiries:

If you have specific questions about veterans benefits eligibility or your rights as an LGBT American armed forces veteran, you may contact us directly and we will do our best to provide information and referral and point you in the right direction to resolve your issues.  Please contact us at vetsaffairs@aver.us
Please note that we are not able to provide immediate or emergency assistance.

Legal Consultation:
AVER LEGAL CONSULTATION REGARDING VA CLAIMS FOR LGBT VETERANS

AVER Veterans Affairs is offering limited legal consultation to LGBT
Veterans with VA Claims issues. Rochelle Richardson, Principal Attorney at Rochelle E. Richardson, Attorney at Law, PLLC, is a VA accredited attorney, and provides representation to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, nationwide, in their claims for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. As her time permits, referrals will be made to Ms. Richardson for veterans to consult with her on VA claims issues. Ms. Richardson, a veteran, has volunteered to provide this limited service to AVER.  Please contact AVER Veterans Affairs at vetsaffairs@aver.us  This is not an emergency service.

LGBT Veterans Benefits E-Mail Discussion Group:

The AVERvetsBenefits e-mail discussion group is for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender veterans to share information on issues of specific concern to them as LGBT veterans, e.g., service discharge upgrades, VA health services for HIV/AIDS, same-sex partner issues at VA, etc. Click here to join the group.

Liaison with LGBT Organizations:

AVER Veterans Affairs maintains liaison and coordination with other LGBT service organizations such as TAVA (Transgender American Veterans Association), OutServe (the active duty LGBT service organization), S.W.A.N. (Service Women’s Action Network), SAGE (Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders), among others; serving on committees and boards, and participating in forums and conferences regarding the rights and needs of LGBT service members.

We maintain particularly close coordination with TAVA regarding Transgender veterans receiving respectful, dignified, and sensitive treatment at VA facilities in accordance with a 2011 VA directive concerning the treatment of Transgender veterans.

AVER Veterans Affairs has liaison with the Veterans Administration and has provided consultation to Pentagon personnel regarding the survey and transition process to open service.

AVER Veterans Affairs has particularly participated in and or coordinated conferences, articles, and discussions regarding VA treatment of HIV/AIDS and PTSD in LGBT veterans.

AVER Veterans Affairs is engaged in an ongoing aggressive campaign to establish and secure the rights of LGBT service members and veterans. At the national and local level, via AVER chapters, we continually write letters to editors of gay and mainstream media, promote and endorse LGBT rights legislation, participate in efforts to keep VA hospitals open, and regularly liaison with elected officials and political candidates.

AVER VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE:

The AVER Veterans Affairs Committee brings together lawyers, social workers, psychologists, therapists, VSOs and others involved in direct service with LGBT vets for discussion, consultation, and referral. To inquire about participation in the AVER Veterans Affairs Committee, please contact vetsaffairs@aver.us

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Useful Toll-Free Telephone Numbers

  • Department of Veterans Affairs: 1-800-827-1000
  • Veterans Health Administration: 1-877-222-8387
  • Veterans Benefits Administration: 1-800-827-1000