1. SPECIAL VA HEALTH CARE ELIGIBILITY FOR VETERANS WHO SERVED IN COMBAT
THEATERS
This info has been slow to get out! Please share at any and all opportunities. Particularly those of you actively engaged in support of the active military, Guard and Reserves.
It also has implications for Combat Veterans who applied for enrollment
after 16 January 2003 and for new enrollees discharged from active duty
on or after 28 January 2004.
New GI Bill Frequently Asked Questions
The following FAQs are provided by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest group dedicated to the troops and veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
A Good Look at the New GI Bill
As with most new veteran benefit laws, the Post 9/11 GI Bill has some good, some bad, and some down right ugly aspects. The following is a brief look at each of these areas.
VAN DRIVERS NEEDED TO TRANSPORT VETERANS TO AREA VA HOSPITAL, YOU NEED NOT BE A VETERAN, PLEASE CALL CLINIC AT-508-771-3190
M-2PM a VFW Servive Officer will be filing claims at the Vets Center at 474 West Main St. if you would like an appointment call 508-778-0124
STATE of MA.
Chapter 115
Under Chapter 115 of Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L. ch. 115), the Commonwealth provides a uniform program of financial and medical assistance for indigent veterans and their dependents. Qualifying veterans and their dependents receive necessary financial assistance for food, shelter, clothing, fuel, and medical care in accordance with a formula which takes into account the number of dependents and income from all sources. Eligible dependents of deceased veterans are provided with the same benefits as if the veteran were still living.
Attention college bound Veterans' seeking the Veterans' Tuition Waiver, the state of Ma. charges $131.50 per credit hour (This is subject to change). Of that $24 is tution and $107.50 is fees. ONLY THE TUITION PART IS WAIVERED FEES MUST BE PAID. The Schools have no say in the matter, it is dictated by Law -Call Cape Cod C.C. at 508-362-3672
Members of the National Guard from Ma. deployed overseas do get a full Waiver of fees and tuition
Link to Ma. Support and Benefits for activated Guard and Reserve troops and families.
Ma. Guide to Veterans Benefits -Welcome Home guide-617-210-5480, Guide to benefits and rights
Ma Gov. Ma Goverment site
AmVets Dept. of Ma. site with links to assistance of all types. Very good surfing site for Veterans needing informatiom, nice job -Leon
Education & Upward Bound Program- for returning Vets
**ATTENTION** Homeowners-Do you need money for home repairs? The Resourses Inc. can help. This is a non-profit organization working to improve the lives of low and moderate income people securing grant funding to rehabilitate home (pluming, insulation, heat, flooring, septic, electrical, roof, foundation, etc) in the Dennis and Martha's Vineyard area. Funded by the Ma. Dept. of Housing & Community Development- Call Jean at the Dennis Port office 508-760-4900, or Ted at the Martha's Vineyard Office 508-696-3285.
If you are a disabled vet new categories of real estate tax exemption and increases in the amounts.
PURPLE HEART-Recipients get free plate and registration ( no fee ) One per award.
may more to be posted
FEDERAL
MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PROGRAM- VETERANS LEARN YOU RIGHTS AND WHAT YOU CAN GET
Veterans who are also Medicare beneficiary's (dual eligible) are in a unique position. They are entitled to their VA health care benefits because of their service in the military and they are also entitled to their Medicare health care benefits because they earned enough credits through their payroll taxes. The VA and Medicare benefits do not conflict in any way. Veterans have the luxury of deciding which one they wish to utilize without losing the other
Veterans Admin.-Web site with links to all needed information
2008 Disability rates
Combat Related Special Compensation- for 20 year troopers who are also disabled, with links to active duty pay and benefits for 2008
Defense Finance and Accounting Service- Catch all site for Defense related pay issues
MILITARY SERVICE FROM 1940 TO 2001 CAN BE CREDITED TO YOUR SOCIALSECURITY ACCOUNT you MUST go to the ssa office.
Veteran and Dependant Benefit Booklet 2008
Veterans Burial Care Veterans Burial Care Worldwide
Questions about V.A. billing-call 1-866-450-9099, ex 3080, M-F, 8:30am-3:30pm
Emergency Care in non-VA Facilities-What to do.
How to file a claim for non-VA Provided Care-1-303--331-7590
Get DD214, replacement medals set (free) on line- 1-800-827-1000
Agent Orange Review - Laters update Hot line 800-749-8387
Gulf War Illness VA Atomic Veterans site
Atomic Veterans-National Assn. of Atomic Veterans
VA disability information checklist based on %'s -what you get
*** THE BELOW SITES TO ENTER YOU UST COPY & PASTE***
HIGHLIGHT THE WEB ADDRESS, RIGHT CKICK HIGHLIGHTED AREA CLICK ON COPY, GO TO BROWSER AND RIGHT CLICK PASTE, SEARCH
Appeals:
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch05.doc
Board of Veteran's Appeals: http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/
CARES Commission: http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/
CARES Draft National Plan:
http://www1.va.gov/cares/page.cfm?pg=105
Center for Minority Veterans:
http://www1.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans/
Center for Veterans Enterprise:
http://www.vetbiz.gov/default2.htm
Center for Women Veterans: http://www1.va.gov/womenvet/
Clarification on the changes in VA healthcare for Gulf War
Veterans: http://www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000016.html
Classified Records - American Gulf War Veterans Assoc.:
http://www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum18/HTML/000011.html
Compensation for Disabilities Associated with the Gulf War
Service: http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part6
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part6/ch07.doc
Compensation Rate Tables, 12-1-03:
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/comp01.htm
Department of Veterans Affairs Home Page: http://www.va.gov/
Directory of Veterans Service Organizations:
http://www1.va.gov/vso/index.cfm?template=view
Disability Examination Worksheets Index, Comp:
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/exams/index.htm
Due Process:
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch02.doc
Duty to Assist:
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch01.doc
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations:
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/
Emergency, Non-emergency, and Fee Basis Care:
http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf
Environmental Agents: http://www1.va.gov/environagents/
Environmental Agents M10:
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1002
Establishing Combat Veteran Eligibility:
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=315
EVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR GULF WAR AND IRAQI FREEDOM VETERANS WITH
POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM (DU):
http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DUHandbook1303122304.DOC and
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1158
See also, Depleted Uranium Fact Sheet:
http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DepletedUraniumFAQSheet.doc
EVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR NON-GULF WAR VETERANS WITH POTENTIAL
EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM (DU):
http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DUHANDBOOKNONGW130340304.DOC
Fee Basis, PRIORITY FOR OUTPATIENT MEDICAL SERVICES AND
INPATIENT HOSPITAL CARE:
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=206
Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependants 2005:
http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf OR,
http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/current_benefits.htm
Forms and Records Request: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/
General Compensation Provisions:
http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter11_subchaptervi_.
html
Geriatrics and Extended Care: http://www1.va.gov/geriatricsshg/
Guideline for Chronic Pain and Fatigue MUS-CPG:
http://www.oqp.med.va.gov/cpg/cpgn/mus/mus_base.htm
Guide to Gulf War Veteran's Health:
http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/VHIgulfwar.pdf
Gulf War Subject Index:
http://www1.va.gov/GulfWar/page.cfm?pg=7 and
http://www1.va.gov/GulfWar/page.cfm?pg=7&template=main&letter=A&template
=main&letter=A
Gulf War Veteran's Illnesses Q&As:
http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/GWIllnessesQandAsIB1041.pdf
Hearings: http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admi -
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch04.docn21/m21_1/mr/
part1/ch04.doc
Homeless Veterans: http://www1.va.gov/homeless/
HSR&D Home: http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/
Index to Disability Examination Worksheets C&P exams:
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefits/exams/index.htm
Ionizing Radiation: http://www1.va.gov/irad/
Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom Veterans VBA:
http://www.vba.va.gov/EFIF/
M10 for spouses and children:
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1007 -
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1007
M10 Part III Change 1:
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1008
M21-1 Table of Contents: http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/M21_1.html
Mental Disorders, Schedule of Ratings:
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKC/PART4/S4_130.DOC
Mental Health Program Guidelines:
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1094
Ment al Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers:
http://www.mirecc.med.va.gov/
MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Centers of Excellence:
http://www.va.gov/ms/about.asp
My Health e Vet: http://www.myhealth.va.gov/
NASDVA.COM National Association of State Directors:
http://www.nasdva.com/
National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention:
http://www.nchpdp.med.va.gov/postdeploymentlinks.asp
Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders, Schedule of
Ratings:
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38cfr/bookc/part4/s4%5F124a.doc
<http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38cfr/bookc/part4/s4_124a.doc> -
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38cfr/bookc/part4/s4_124a.doc
OMI (Office of Medical Inspector):
http://www.omi.cio.med.va.gov/
Online VA Form 10-10EZ:
https://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/
Parkinson's Disease and Related Neurodegenerative Disorders:
http://www1.va.gov/resdev/funding/solicitations/docs/parkinsons.pdf and,
http://www1.va.gov/padrecc/
Peacetime Disability Compensation:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc -
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&doc
id=Cite:+38USC1131&docid=Cite:+38USC1131
Pension for Non-Service-Connected Disability or Death:
http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapteri_.h
tml and,
http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapterii_.
html and,
http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapteriii_
.html
Persian Gulf Registry:
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1003
This program is now referred to as Gulf War Registry Program (to
include Operation Iraqi Freedom) as of March 7, 2005:
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1232
Persian Gulf Registry Referral Centers:
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1006
Persian Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Research 1999, Annual Report To
Congress
http://www1.va.gov/resdev/1999_Gulf_War_Veterans'_Illnesses_Appendices.d
oc
Persian Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Research 2002, Annual Report To
Congress: http://www1.va.gov/resdev/prt/gulf_war_2002/GulfWarRpt02.pdf
Phase I PGR:
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1004
Phase II PGR:
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1005
Policy Manual Index:
http://www.va.gov/publ/direc/eds/edsmps.htm
Power of Attorney:
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch03.doc
Project 112 (Including Project SHAD): http://www1.va.gov/shad/
Prosthetics Eligibility:
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=337
Public Health and Environmental Hazards Home Page:
http://www.vethealth.cio.med.va.gov/
Public Health/SARS: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/SARS/
Publications Manuals:
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/publications.cfm?Pub=4
Publications and Reports:
http://www1.va.gov/resdev/prt/pubs_individual.cfm?webpage=gulf_war.htm
Records Center and Vault Homepage:
http://www.aac.va.gov/vault/default.html
Records Center and Vault Site Map:
http://www.aac.va.gov/vault/sitemap.html
REQUEST FOR AND CONSENT TO RELEASE OF INFORMATION FROM
CLAIMANT'S RECORDS:
http://www.forms.va.gov/va/Internet/VARF/getformharness.asp?formName=328
8-form.xft
Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses April
11, 2002: http://www1.va.gov/rac-gwvi/docs/Minutes_April112002.doc
Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses:
http://www1.va.gov/rac-gwvi/docs/ReportandRecommendations_2004.pdf
Research and Development:
http://www.appc1.va.gov/resdev/programs/all_programs.cfm
Survivor's and Dependents' Educational Assistance:
http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partiii_chapter35_.html
Title 38
Index
Parts 0-17
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8
801bc9b3dc&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv1_02.tpl&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecf
rbrowse/Title38/38cfrv1_02.tpl
Part 18
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8
801bc9b3dc&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv2_02.tpl>
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8
801bc9b3dc&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv2_02.tpl&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecf
rbrowse/Title38/38cfrv2_02.tpl
Title 38
Part 3 Adjudication
Subpart A, Pension, Compensation, and Dependency and Indemnity
Compensation:
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d315
7fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfr3_main_02.tpl&sid=1b0c269
b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d315
7fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfr3_main_02.tpl&tpl=/ecfrbr
owse/Title38/38cfr3_main_02.tpl
Title 38
Pensions, Bonuses & Veterans Relief
(also 3.317 Compensation for certain disabilities due to
undiagnosed illnesses found here):
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-
Title 38
PART 4 - SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES
Subpart B - DISABILITY RATINGS
target=_blank>
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=ab7641afd195c84
a49a2067dbbcf95c0&rgn=div6&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.2&idno=38ab7641af
d195c84a49a2067dbbcf95c0
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=ab7641afd195c84
a49a2067dbbcf95c0&rgn=div6&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.2&idno=38&rgn=div
6&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.2&idno=38
Title 38
4.16 Total disability ratings for compensation based on
unemployability of the individual.
PART 4, SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES
Subpart A, General Policy in Rating
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textidx?c=ecfr
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d315
7fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&rgn=div8&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.1.96.11&idno=38&s
id=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d315
7fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&rgn=div8&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.1.96.11&idno=38&r
gn=div8&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.1.96.11&idno=38
U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims:
http://www.vetapp.gov/
VA Best Practice Manual for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD): http://www.avapl.org/pub/PTSD%20Manual%20final%206.pdf
VA Fact Sheet: http://www1.va.gov/opa/fact/gwfs.html
VA Health Care Eligibility:
http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/home/hecmain.asp
VA INSTITUTING GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTION (GAF):
http://www.avapl.org/gaf/gaf.html
VA Life Insurance Handbook, Chapter 3:
http://www.insurance.va.gov/inForceGliSite/GLIhandbook/glibookletch3.htm
#310
VA Loan Lending Limits and Jumbo Loans:
http://valoans.com/va_facts_limits.cfm
VA MS Research: http://www.va.gov/ms/about.asp
VA National Hepatitis C Program: http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/
VA Office of Research and Development:
http://www1.va.gov/resdev/
VA Trainee Pocket Card on Gulf War:
http://www.va.gov/OAA/pocketcard/gulfwar.asp
VA WMD EMSHG: http://www1.va.gov/emshg/
VA WRIISC-DC: http://www.va.gov/WRIISC-DC/
VAOIG Hotline Telephone Number and Address:
http://www.va.gov/oig/hotline/hotline3.htm
Vet Center Eligibility - Readjustment Counseling Service:
http://www.va.gov/rcs/Eligibility.htm
Veterans Benefits Administration Main Web Page:
http://www.vba.va.gov/
Veterans Legal and Benefits Information: http://valaw.org/
VHA Forms, Publications, Manuals:
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/
VHA Programs - Clinical Programs & Initiatives:
http://www1.va.gov/health_benefits/page.cfm?pg=13
VHA Public Health Strategic Health Care Group Home Page:
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/
VHI Guide to Gulf War Veterans--(tm) Health:
http://www1.va.gov/vhi_ind_study/gulfwar/istudy/index.asp
Vocational Rehabilitation: http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/
Vocational Rehabilitation Subsistence:
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/InterSubsistencefy04.doc
VONAPP online: http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp
WARMS - 38 CFR Book C: http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/bookc.html
Wartime Di sability Compensation:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc -
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&doc
id=Cite:+38USC1110> &docid=Cite:+38USC1110
War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center - New Jersey:
http://www.wri.med.va.gov/
Welcome to the GI Bill Web Site: http://www.gibill.va.gov/
What VA Social Workers Do:
http://www1.va.gov/socialwork/page.cfm?pg=3
WRIISC Patient Eligibility: http://www.illegion.org/va1.html
Beryl
Beryl W. Love
AMVETS (American Veterans)
National Programs Director
4647 Forbes Blvd.
Lanham, MD 20706
240.832.7768
OTHER
ASSISTING VETERANS TO START A BUSINESS
Veterans Today-site links veterans to many organizations that help with funding and grants to disabled veterans
Small Business Administration-For veterans
North East Veterans Business Resource Center
U.S. General Services Admin. Assisting veterans in business
Guide to State Veterans' Benefits in US
The Marine Corps and Law Enforcemenr Foundation
Soldiers Angels-Adopt a Soldier
Wounded Warrior Project-Unique assistance for wounded hero.
Support our Troops, Operation Home Front Providing emergency assistance.
Elder Care- www.ElderLawFirms.com Specializing in elderly fraud abuse, nursing homes, etc.
Presidential Memorial Certifcate request form
bravenet.com