Veterans In Brazil
Supporting and Uniting U.S. Veterans Residing in Brazil.
Medical & FMP Assistance
🩺 Foreign Medical Program (FMP) Navigation
Hands-on guidance to help veterans register for the VA’s Foreign Medical Program (FMP).
- Ensure your service-connected conditions are fully covered while living in Brazil.
💰 Reimbursement & Claims Support
Step-by-step assistance to ensure you get paid back by the VHA Office of Community Care. We help you:
- Compile & Translate: Gather and translate your local medical records.
- Form Completion: Accurately fill out VA Form 10-7959f-2.
- Submit Claims: File bulletproof claims for seamless reimbursement
.
🇧🇷 Vetted Provider Network
Gain access to a growing directory of trusted local Brazilian doctors, specialists, and clinics.
- English-Speaking Directory: We prioritize identifying providers who can document your care in English to drastically expedite your VA claim processing.
Bureaucracy & Case Management
🤝 Dedicated Case Management
Never get lost in the system. Every member gets a dedicated point of contact to personally walk them through complex local processes from start to finish.
📑 Local Documentation Support
Clear guidance navigating the maze of Brazilian bureaucracy. We help you handle:
- Driver's Licenses: Registering foreign licenses with Detran.
- Visas: Managing smooth visa transitions
- Tax Identity: Resolving local CPF issues
.
- Trusted Network: Connecting you with reliable legal and translation services.
🇺🇸 Federal Beneficiary Maintenance
Maintain your standard U.S. federal compliance effortlessly while residing permanently outside the United States.
- Direct Deposit: Seamlessly update and manage your federal deposit accounts.
- VA Correspondence: Stay on top of critical mail, notifications, and compliance mandates.
Cultural Integration & Community
🗣️ Language & Dialect Familiarity
Skip the textbook fluff. We point members toward practical, real-world language resources so they can confidently navigate:
- Daily Street Interactions: Mastering colloquial terms and local street versions of the language.
- Local Terminology: Understanding regional dialects and daily slang
.
- Emergency Situations: Communicating effectively on your own when it matters most, without relying on a translator.
🎒 Expat Bootcamps & Meetups
Build your local network. We host regular social events and community check-ins designed to:
- Foster genuine camaraderie and prevent isolation.
- Connect you with a peer group of fellow veterans who truly understand the unique dynamic of living abroad.
🗺️ Cultural Onboarding
Get your boots on the ground with confidence. We share essential, practical knowledge for settling into major hubs, covering:
- Safe Neighborhoods: Deep-dives into navigating local areas and neighborhoods.
- Localized Logistics: Setting up your daily life seamlessly.
- Safety Protocols: Practical security measures and situational awareness for peace of mind.
Meet our team
Meet our team
The people that make this all work.
Patrick Charles Flynn
President & Director
Patrick is a U.S. Army veteran and turned expat living in Brazil. Driven by the challenges of navigating international business, veteran benefits and local bureaucracy, he co-founded the organization to provide hands-on case management and community for veterans residing in the country.
Joe MacDonald
Clerk & Director
A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and founder of the purpose-driven apparel brand Signum Socks, Joe has a long track record of standing up for his fellow service members. Working alongside Patrick once again, he leverages his background in operations and mission-driven entrepreneurship to help veterans transition and thrive in Brazil.
João Bonini
Treasurer & Director
João co-founded Veterans In Brazil to help build a strong, sustainable local network for expat service members. He oversees regional operations, community outreach, and cultural integration initiatives to support veterans in their transition.
Tara Wyckoff
Board Member
Tara is a professional Veterans Representative, a fellow CBYX Germany alumnus, and holds a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship.
As the sibling of military veterans, she is committed to supporting those who served and their families. Tara combines her professional advocacy background with her training in organizational strategy to help shape Veterans In Brazil's long-term growth, ensuring the network can sustainably deliver high-impact resources to expats overseas.
Cooper Alofs
Board Member
Cooper as a founding board member of a prior nonprofit, he leverages his experience in governance and strategic planning to strengthen Veterans In Brazil’s infrastructure.
He is dedicated to driving the long-term growth of the network, ensuring the organization has the sustainable resources to support disabled veterans navigating life overseas.
Cody Shearrow
Board Member
A Registered Nurse and fellow CBYX Germany alumnus, Cody brings critical healthcare expertise and international experience to the board.
He collaborated closely with Patrick during their time in Europe and now provides strategic oversight for Veterans In Brazil's medical and case management initiatives. Cody is dedicated to ensuring expat and disabled veterans receive high-quality, reliable guidance when navigating health systems overseas.