General
Announcements
Walt Disney World's Armed Forces Salute 2010
From January 3, 2010 to July 31, 2010,
Active and Retired U.S. Military, including members of the U.S. Coast Guard and
active members of the National Guard or Reservists, may purchase 4-Day Walt
Disney World Armed Forces Salute Tickets for themselves and up to five (5)
family members and/or friends for $99.
The base ticket is valid for four days
of admission into one of the four Walt Disney World theme parks. The Park
Hopper option allows guests to visit more than one park each day. The Water
Park and More option gives guests a total of four visits to a choice of a
Disney water park, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive
Theme Park or certain other attractions.
During this offer period, active or
retired U.S. military personnel may make a one-time purchase of up to a maximum
of five 4-Day companion tickets (one theme park per day) for $99 per ticket,
for family members (including spouse) or friends. Although this ticket for
family members and friends does not include either the Park Hopper or Water
Park Fun & More options, this ticket can be upgraded to add either such
option, or both, for an additional $25, per option. All tickets and options are
non-transferable and must be activated by September 26, 2010. Block out dates 3/27- 4/9/2010 All
locations. 7/3-4/2010 Magic Kingdom only. Tickets available for purchase at Shades of Green beginning January
3, 2010. Tickets expire September 30, 2010.
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It's
official; DD-214s are NOW Online.
The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has provided the following
website for veterans to gain access to their DD-214s
online: http://vetrecs.archives.gov/
This may be particularly helpful when a veteran needs
a copy of his
DD-214 for employment purposes. NPRC is working to make it easier for
veterans with computers and Internet access to obtain copies of
documents from their military files.
Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military
members may now use a new online military personnel records system to
request documents.
Other individuals with a need for documents must still complete the
Standard Form 180, which can be downloaded from the online web site.
Because the requester will be asked to supply all information essential
for NPRC to process the request, delays that normally occur when NPRC
has to ask veterans for additional information will be minimized. The
new web-based application was designed to provide better service on
these requests by eliminating the records centers mailroom and
processing time.
Please pass this information on to former military personnel you may
know and their dependents
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ALL VETS SHOULD COPY THIS
Someone has gone to a
lot of trouble. If this helps one person, then it was worthwhile..
Below are web-sites that provide information on Veterans benefits and how
to file/ask for them. Accordingly, there are many sites that explain how to
obtain books, military/medical records, information and how to appeal a denied
claim with the VA. Please pass this information on to every Veteran you
know. Nearly 100% of this information is free and available for all veterans,
the only catch is: you have to ask for it, because they won't tell you
about a specific benefit unless you ask for it. You need to know what
questions to ask so the right doors open for you -- and then be ready
to have an advocate who is willing to work with and for you, stay in the
process, and press for your rights and your best interests.
Appeals http://www.warms.
Board of Veteran's Appeals http://www.va.
CARES Commission http://www.va.
CARES Draft National Plan http://www1.
Center for Minority Veterans http://www1.
Center for Veterans Enterprise http://www.vetbiz.
Center for Women Veterans http://www1.
Clarification on the changes in VA healthcare for Gulf War Veterans http://www.gulfwarv
Classified Records - American Gulf War Veterans Assoc http://www.gulfwarv
Compensation for Disabilities Associated with the Gulf War Service http://www.warms.
Compensation Rate Tables, 12-1-03 http://www.vba.
Department of Veterans Affairs Home Page http://www..
Directory of Veterans Service Organizations http://www1.
Disability Examination Worksheets Index, Comp http://www.vba.
Due Process http://www.warms.
Dut y to Assist http://www.warms.
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations http://www.gpoacces
Emergency, Non-emergency, and Fee Basis Care http://www1.
Environmental Agents http://www1.
Environmental Agents M10 http://www1.
Establishing Combat Veteran Eligibi lity http://www1.
EVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR GULF WAR AND IRAQI FREEDOM VETERANS WITH POTENTIAL
EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM (DU) http://www1.
See also,
Depleted Uranium Fact Sheet http://www1.
EVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR NON-GULF WAR VETERANS WITH POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO
DEPLETED URANIUM (DU) http://www1.
Fee Basis, PRIORITY FOR OUTPATIENT MEDICAL SERVICES AND
INPATIENT HOSPITAL CARE http://www1.
Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependants 2005 http://www1.
Forms and Records Request http://www.va.
General Compensation Provisions http://www.access.
Geriatrics and Extended Care http://www1.
Guideline for Chronic Pain and Fatigue MUS-CPG http://www.oqp.
Guide to
Gulf War Veteran's Health http://www1.
Gulf War Subject Index http://www1.
Gulf War Veteran's Illnesses Q&As http://www1.
Hearings http://www.warms.
Homeless Veterans http://www1.
HSR&D Home http://www.hsrd.
Index to Disability Examination Worksheets C&P exams http://www.vba.
Ionizing Radiation http://www1.
Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom Veterans VBA http://www.vba.
M 10 for spouses and children h
ttp://www1.va.
M10 Part III Change 1 http://www1.
M21-1 Table of Contents http://www.warms.
Mental Disorders, Schedule of Ratings http://www.warms.
Mental Health Program Guidelin es
http://www1.
Ment al Illness Research, Education and Clinical
Centers http://www.mirecc.
MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Centers of Excellence http://www.va.
My Health e Vet http://www.myhealth
NASDVA.COM National
Association of State Directors http://www.nasdva.
National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention http://www.nchpdp.
Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders, Schedule of Ratings http://www.warms.
OMI (Office of Medical Inspector) http://www.omi.
Online VA Form 10-10EZ https://www.
Parkinson's Disease and Related Neurodegenerative Disorders http://www1.
http://www1.
Peacetime Disability Compensation http://frwebgate.
Pension for Non-Service-
and, http://www.access.
and, http://www.access.
Persian
Gulf Registry http://www1.
This program is now referred to as Gulf War Registry Program (to include
Operation Iraqi Freedom) as of March 7, 2005: http://www1.
Persian Gulf Registry Referral Centers http://www1.
Persian Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Research 1999, Annual Report To Congress http://www1.
Persian Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Research 2002, Annual Report To Congress http://www1.
Phase I PGR http://www1.
Phase II PGR http://www1.
Policy Manual Index http://www.va.
Power of Attorney http://www.warms.
Project 112 (Including Project SHAD) http://www1.
Prosthetics Eligibility http://www1.
Public
Health and Environmental Hazards Home Page http://www.vethealt
Public
Health/SARS http://www.publiche
Pu blications Manuals
http://www1.
Publications and Reports http://www1.
Records Center and Vault Homepage http://www.aac.
Records Center and Vault Site Map http://www.aac.
REQUEST FOR AND CONSENT TO RELEASE OF INFORMATION FROM CLAIMANT'S RECORDS
http://www.forms.
Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses April 11, 2002
Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses http://www1.
Research and Development http://www.appc1.
Survivor's and Dependents' Educational Assistance http://www.access.
Title 38
Index
Parts 0-17
http://ecfr.
1b0c269b510d3157fbf
Part 18
http://ecfr.
1b0c269b510d3157fbf
Title 38
Part 3 Adjudication
Subpart Aââ,¬"Pension, Compensation, and
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation http://ecfr.
1b0c269b510d3157fbf
Title 38
Pensions, Bonuses & Veterans Relief
(also Ã,§ 3.317 Compensation for certain
disabilities due to undiagnosed illnesses found here)
http://ecfr.
1b0c269b510d3157fbf
Title 38
PART 4--SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES
Subpart B--DISABILITY RATINGS
target=_blank>
ab7641afd195c84a49a
Title 38
Ã,§ 4.16 Total disability ratings for
compensation based on unemployability of the
individual. PART 4ââ,¬"SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES
Subpart Aââ,¬"General Policy in Rating http://ecfr.
1b0c269b510d3157fbf
U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims http://www.vetapp.
VA Best Practice Manual for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) http://www.avapl.
VA Fact Sheet http://www1.
VA Health Care Eligibility http://www.va.
VA INSTITUTING GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTION (GAF) http://www.avapl.
VA Life Insurance Handbook ââ,¬" Chapter 3 http://www.insuranc
VA Loan Lending Limits and Jumbo Loans http://valoans.
VA MS Research http://www.va.
VA National Hepatitis C Program http://www.hepatiti
VA Office of Research and Development http://www1.
VA Trainee Pocket Card on Gulf War http://www.va.
VA WMD EMSHG http://www1.
VA WRIISC-DC http://www.va.
VAOIG Hotline Telephone Number and Address http://www.va.
Vet Center Eligibility - Readjustment Counseling Service http://www.va.
Veterans Benefits Administration Main Web Page http://www.vba.
Veterans Legal and Benefits Information http://valaw.
VHA Forms, Publications, Manuals http://www1.
VHA Programs - Clinical Programs & Initiatives http://www1.
VHA Public Health Strategic Health Care Group Home Page http: //www.publichealth.
VHI Guide to Gulf War Veteransââ,¬(tm) Health http://www1.
Vocational Rehabilitation http://www..
Vocational Rehabilitation Subsistence http://www.vba.
VONAPP online http://vabenefits.
WARMS - 38 CFR Book C http://www.warms.
Wartime Di sability
Compensation http://frwebgate.
War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center - New Jersey http://www.wri.
Welcome to the GI Bill Web Site http://www.gibill.
What VA Social Workers Do
WRIISC Patient Eligibility http://www.illegion
.
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Release No. 12-02-09
>
> Dec. 3, 2009
>
>
> 2009 tax form, pay statement availability schedule
>
>
> CLEVELAND (AFRNS) - Air Force retirees with a myPay
online account can now
> download their annual account statements. Annuitant statements will be
> available online Dec. 14.
>
> There will not be a cost-of-living adjustment increase for military
> retirees or annuitants in 2010.
>
> COLA increases are determined each year based on the rise in the Bureau of
> Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners and clerical
> workers. The Department of Labor calculates the change in the CPI for
> goods and services from the third quarter average of the previous year to
the
> third quarter average for the current year.
>
> Although Congress and the Administration decide how much to increase
> federal pay, because military retirees and annuitants do not receive pay
increases
> but cost-of-living adjustments, they rely on the final CPI results.
>
> Internal Revenue Service 1099R forms for retirees and annuitants will be
> posted Dec. Dec. 14.
>
> Retirees who rely on the U.S. Postal Service for DFAS correspondence can
> expect to see their account statements soon as they are now in the mail,
> while tax forms will be mailed Dec. 11.
>
> For annuitants, account statements and 1099R forms begin mailing Dec. 14.
>
> Statements and forms are mailed to the address on file with DFAS.
>
> Retirees with questions about account statements or tax forms should call
> the DFAS Contact Center at 800-321-1080. (Courtesy of DFAS)
>
> Related sites:
>
> 2009 <http://lyris.dmasa.dma.mil/t/2327108/5020558/8156/0/>
Tax Forms and
> Statements
>
> DFAS <http://lyris.dmasa.dma.mil/t/2327108/5020558/8157/0/>
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Dear Readers,
Reading the news these days
reminds me of the Depression era song my mom used to
sing: "Happy days are here again.The skies above are clear again......"
Can we say that yet about our own
time and economy? Some experts say we can, but I
keep wanting to insert an
"almost" or "maybe, baby," or " I hope, I hope"
(except it
wrecks the rhythm).
I think it'll be awhile before we
know whether we're out of the woods. Spending
bazillions of dollars to correct a horrible
economic abyss may work -- I certainly hope
so.
Today's feature focuses on
another way to increase your monthly income if you need
long-term care -- not by using your home,
but by using a little known pension benefit
available to veterans and their spouses.
As I come across other options, I'll write about
them in future issues.
Til next time.
Liz Taylor
Aging Deliberately
www.agingdeliberately.com
14-year former columnist on
aging, The Seattle Times
Editor, the Aging Deliberately
e-Newsletter
Feature
Column: Little known financial help for those who
served
their country
by
Liz Taylor
One of the Catch-22's in the
eldercare world is being too poor to be able to afford
what you need when you need care - and
being too wealthy to qualify for government
assistance. There's a little-known
financial aid program available only for veterans and
their spouses that may offer you or
someone you know much needed help.
Aid and Attendance Special
Pension program
Passed into law by Congress under
the Truman Administration, The Aid and Attendance
(A&A) Special Pension
provides additional income for veterans and surviving spouses
who need assistance (or
"attendance") with their daily activities. This income is used
to offset the costs of needed care,
such as help with eating, bathing, dressing,
escorting to the dining room, taking
medications, or going to the toilet.
You can use the financial aid to
pay for help in an independent retirement community,
assisted living, adult family home,
nursing home or at home (though home care is
more difficult to obtain).
The A&A Pension can provide
up to $1,644 per month to a single veteran, $1,056 per
month to a surviving spouse, $1,949
per month to a veteran with a spouse, or $2,540
for two veterans married to each
other.
To qualify, a vet must have
served at least one day in the military during wartime
(though
not necessarily in combat), show financial need, and prove he can't live by
himself. If the veteran has died, a
surviving spouse can apply for the benefit. The
disability does not have to be service
related.
Three factors make this benefit
work better than many other government programs.
One, you don't have to exhaust
your assets, like you must before applying for
Medicaid. A vet may keep a portion of his
assets to qualify, plus a home, car and
personal possessions.
Second, VA regulations currently
allow you to transfer your assets to your children or
others to reduce your net worth in
order to qualify (Medicaid has strict limits on asset
transfers).
Third, financial need is usually
fairly easy to show when a person
facing tens of thousands of dollars in
care each year doesn't have
the income to cover it.
The one significant problem with
the A&A benefit is the
application process - it's demanding,
involving many documents,
and everything must be submitted to
the Veteran Administration
exactly right. Approval usually takes
six to nine months (although
benefits are retroactive to the date of
application). You can apply
on your own, or work with a
professional trained to help you with the process. There is
no fee to apply.
A private, nonprofit organization
- Veterans Assistance Association -- operates in six
states, including Washington, to help
veterans apply for the Aid & Attendance benefit.
You can find out more at its
website by clicking here or by calling Rick Kamenshine
at
Senior Assurance Consultants,
Inc, its local representative, at 425-275-9555.
Sign
up for this newsletter
Visit agingdeliberately.com
to
sign up for this free, informative newsletter.
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MSNBC Nightly News
Little-known veterans benefit can really
help
Hundreds of thousands may be eligible, says Veterans
Affairs
By Anne Thompson
Chief environmental correspondent
NBC News
Updated: 3:38 p.m. ET Feb 26, 2007
DALLAS - At 83, Byrdeen Goldsmith can still harmonize. To look at her, you wouldn't know she has Alzheimer's, but she can't live on her own. A year ago, her daughter Betty moved Byrdeen into an assisted living facility in Dallas, and got an unexpected assist from the government.
"It's thrilling," says Betty about the veterans' benefit that helps her mom. "It's a real blessing. It's just something you didn't expect."
Byrdeen's husband, Hubbard, served in World War II, a Navy medic in the invasion of Sicily. Because of that service, Byrdeen gets about $900 a month, one-quarter of the cost of her care. The other $3,000 comes out of Betty and husband Ted's savings each month.
"The financial burden is stressful enough, then you have the emotional stress on top of it," says Betty.
It's called the Aid and Attendance benefit, for at home, assisted living, or nursing home care. Facility director Michael Halliburton says it never fails to surprise families.
"It's shock and awe," he says. "Their eyes light up; their jaws drop. I've had people cry. I've had people hug and kiss me. It can really make the difference as to whether someone can afford the services." But the program is little known. Today, just 143,000 veterans or surviving spouses receive the benefit. The government says hundreds of thousands more could be eligible.
"We know that about 36 percent of veterans either didn't know about the program or thought they weren't entitled," says Brad Mayes with Veterans Affairs.
Eligibility is based on need, but you don't have to be impoverished. The formula includes your income, minus medical expenses, and your net worth, excluding your house and car. The benefit is available to veterans who served during wartime and their spouses, if they cannot live on their own.
It's a benefit that is now one more part of Betty's father's legacy.
"I think he'd be proud of the fact that his service was being honored," says Betty. Hubbard Goldsmith helped his country then; his country helps his wife now.
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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
December
19, 2006
Secretary
Nicholson: VA Reaches Out to Veterans and Spouses
“Aid and Attendance” an Under-Used Benefit
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is reaching out to
inform wartime veterans and surviving spouses of deceased wartime veterans
about an under-used, special monthly pension benefit called Aid and Attendance.
“Veterans
have earned this benefit by their service to our nation,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim
Nicholson. “We want to ensure that every veteran or surviving spouse who qualifies
has the chance to apply.”
Although this is not a new program, not everyone is aware of his or her
potential eligibility. The Aid and
Attendance pension benefit may be available to wartime veterans and surviving
spouses who have in-home care or who live in nursing-homes or assisted-living
facilities.
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VA Disability Pension
General Information
·
What is Aid & Attendance? Benefits
for veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of
another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing, and undressing or taking
care of the needs of nature. It also
includes individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home because of
mental or physical incapacity. Assisted
care in an assisted living facility also qualifies.
·
How can these benefits help someone? Aid
and Attendance can help pay for care in the home, nursing home, or assisted
living facility. A veteran is eligible
for up to $1,644/month, while the surviving spouse of a veteran is eligible for
up to $1,056/month. A married couple,
with one veteran is eligible for up to $1,949/month and two married veterans
$2,400.
·
Who is Eligible? Any War Veteran with 90 days of
active duty, 1 day beginning or ending during a period of War. A surviving spouse of a War Veteran—marriage
must have ended in death. The individual must qualify both
medically and financially.
·
How do I qualify for this benefit? Eligibility
must be proven by filing the proper Veterans Application for Pension or
Compensation. This application will
require a copy of DD-214 or separation papers, Medical Evaluation from
physician, current medical issues, Net worth limitations, and Net Income, along
with out of pocket Medical Expenses. The
VA does not allow a Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) or VA benefit
recipient to double-dip. What this means
is if the resident is already receiving money from DFAS in the form of
retirement or from the VA in the form of disability, the VA will give them the
greater benefit of the two. They will
not be allowed to receive both benefits at the same time.
·
Example of Determining eligible benefit amount for a
War Veteran:
Total monthly income (Social Security, pension, etc.) $2,500.00
Total out-of-pocket facility expenses <$3,000.00>
Total Net Income <$
500.00>
Aid & Attendance Monthly
Benefit:
$1,949.00 (Married
Vet)
$1,644.00 (Single Vet)
$1,056.00 (Surviving Spouse)
· How quickly would I receive the benefit? To actually receive payment from the VA takes approximately 6-9 months. However, the VA does pay retroactively from the date of application. An application must be turned in by the third week of the prior month for which you are applying. For example, if you are applying for April benefits the application must be turned in no later than the third week of March and the VA will start the payment date as of April 1. The resident is paid directly from the VA. This program financially assists the resident with paying their monthly rent and care.
Disclaimer: This information is not guaranteed. It is provided for informational purposes and
based on advice from VA representatives.