About
On Point for Veterans OP4V is a privately held PLLC inspired by the work of Cheryl Young, U.S. Navy veteran, and Veteran Services Officer from Charlevoix County Michigan. Ms. Young and Mike Coonan USN, LMSW, ACSW, BCD created the first rural VA Vet Center outpost in Northern Michigan. Cheryl was the Veterans Services Officer VSO and worked tirelessly on behalf of veterans seeking service connected disability benefits. Sadly, Cheryl died young. We miss her!
We currently contract with the Wexford County Project which was created by Kathy Cline director of the Wexford County Veterans Affairs. The Project was previously staffed by a VA counselor and then followed by a community counselor. Veterans chose not to come for the services they provided.
What is different? Veterans referred by their Veteran Services Officers and word of mouth are provided a detailed mental health evaluation called Military History Psychosocial Assessment (MHPSA). If they meet the criteria for a VA benefit, counseling and advocacy are provided as they seek a VA benefit for their service related disability.
Because of word of mouth and referrals by Veteran Services Officers from 8 rural counties 15 to 20 veterans travel up to 100 miles round trip for groups and individual session twice a month.
We advocate for veterans because the Wexford County Project is not a part of the Veterans Administration. Therefore we do not have “Conflicts of Interests” helping veterans with their VA claims. On the other hand the 350,000 VA employees are prevented from helping veterans because of the VA’s “Conflicts of Interest” policy and practices which is very harmful to veterans.
In addition to the Wexford County Project, On Point 4 Veterans OP4V is a private mental health practice. We provide mental health assessments and counseling at no costs for older veterans living in Michigan. These are veterans with suspected Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or other mental health disorders, survivors of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and surviving spouses eligible for the VA’s Dependency and Indemnity Compensation DIC (death benefit for the surviving spouse) for victims of Agent Orange.
In our practice we have found many veterans do not follow through because of problems associated with “Avoidance”. They frequently report the VA claim process causes major anxiety issues for them.
At the same time, many veterans distrust the Veterans Administration in connection with the VA’s Compensation & Pension process. We hope the OP4V blog and podcasts will help reduce veterans anxiety and distrust of the VA by explaining the VA’s disability benefits process while we advocate for them.
For example veterans do not know the evidence necessary for a successful for a claim must be “more likely than not” a service-related event or trauma occurred.
We also discuss the “Nexus” i.e. connecting their current condition to their trauma/event.
Our assessment i.e. Military History Psychosocial Assessment evaluates the above issues and describes their level of disability which relates directly to the amount of compensation they are awarded.
If we find the veteran does not meet this standard we discuss this with the veteran and their referring VSO. They are encouraged to pursue other options and we continue our support. All Wexford County Project veterans are encouraged to continue with individual and group counseling as needed.
Disability Benefits Advocates
There is a need by some veterans for extra support as they go through the VA claims process. . In the future, for veterans not living in Michigan we may offer the services of a Disability Benefits Advocate DBA. These advocates will typically be retired VSOs or couples (husband and wife teams) who have successfully navigated through the VA claims process. At this point we do not know the extent of the need for this service and quite frankly how best to provide it. This is a work in progress. Your suggestions are appreciated.
This service is intended to help veterans from other states who have no one to support them and they require more hands-on attention preparing for their Compensation & Pension evaluation.
PODCASTS AND BLOG
On Point 4 Veterans’ OP4V Podcasts and Blog are free and available to all. The Podcast discusses the VA’s disability benefits system and provides true life experiences by veterans. It is a place where we respond to your questions.
It is also important to note, there are many excellent organizations helping veterans in the VA’s disability claims process. We will showcase them.
Our blog will also provide forms, screens, questionnaires, and specific information to help veterans understand the VA’s C&P process. We are working closely with the veteran’s VSO as they process the veteran’s claim.
OP4V is not a Veterans Services Office and we do not process VA benefit claims.
CLINICAL FORMATION
OP4V is owned and operated by Mike Coonan LMSW ACSW BCD. Mike provides the clinical assessments (Military History Psychosocial Assessment) and counseling as needed. Mike has a Master’s in Social Work with a Clinical and Macro License in Michigan. He is a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers, by National Association of Social Workers. Mike is a Board Certified Diplomate, American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work.
Mike is VA STEP Qualified therapist for Military Sexual Trauma and VA STEP Qualified therapist for Couples and Family Counseling.
When Mike was a VA Clinical Counselor he was one of the first VA’s Primary Care Mental Health Integration Therapists in Saginaw MI.
Mike has practiced at the VA Medical Center in Saginaw MI, and was a Vet Center Clinical Counselor in Traverse City MI, Mobile AL, and Pensacola FL.
MILITARY EXPERIENCE
Mike’s military service includes US Navy Fleet Marine Force Corpsman (Medic) January 1966 to August 1969.
Mike was wounded in action earning a Purple Heart while serving as a Navy Corpsman with the 1st Platoon, Alpha Co. 1st Battalion 9th Marines, at Con Thien in October 1967.
Mike earned Presidential Unit Citations for Con Thien, Viet Nam September—December 1967 and in Khe Sanh during the siege from January -April 1968 with Alpha Company 1/9, (The Walking Dead).
Mike was one of the survivors of the February 8, 1968, battle on Hill 64, at Khe Sanh. In this 5 hour fight out of 64 Marines and Corpsmen on the hill, 26 Marines and one Navy Corpsman were killed in action. Chapter 11 The Last Stand at Khe Sanh, By Greg Jones describes this fight.
CAVEATS
We do not have all of the answers. Heck, we don’t know most of the questions. We are taking this journey with you and yes it is anxiety provoking.
We do not prescribe medications. When that issue arises we will talk to you about it and recommend you discuss psychoactive medications with your VA psychiatrist/PA/NP with a psychiatric certificate.
The information on this website is available for anybody at no charge. Because of Medicare’s rules On Point 4 Veterans is limited to providing counseling only for veterans living in Michigan on Medicare/Tricare insurance.
We are urging clinicians and VSOs in other states to contact us to replicate our services in your state.
