Local military veterans seeking health examinations, benefit consultations or referrals, won't have to travel far this month. Opportunities for military veterans to meet with the VA Mobile Medical Outreach Clinic team will begin next week as part of collaboration with the Turlock VFW Post 5059.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at the VFW Hall, 1405 East Linwood Avenue in Turlock.

Help will also be available for those with questions about their eligibility for medical or mental health services. Walk-ins are welcomed, and will be greeted by enrollment specialists.

The clinic will be bringing veteran service officers and medical teams in order to assist local veterans in reviewing their benefits, filing new claims, and updating existing disability claims. Help will also be given for those wishing to enroll for VA healthcare.

Afghanistan, Iraq and Vietnam veterans will also have new benefits available to them, and are encouraged to join the clinic to find out more information.

Different enrollment categories may change over time said Valerie Gabriel, a VA rural outreach coordinator. Those that were previously denied may have another shot of acquiring benefits.

“It is a one stop shop center,” said Gabriel. “It is a rare opportunity for veterans to get almost everything done in one spot. It is better to be here than to be shuffled from one county agency to another. I encourage veterans to come out and see what they have available to them.”

For those interested in joining, but are not on the VA system, Gabriel advises bringing an extra copy of their discharge papers DD214 attached to their enrollment form.  For those who do not have a copy, expect delayed enrollment.