State Bonuses for Vets:   Only 26 states have awarded bonuses to veterans of wars from the Mexican Border Conflict to the Persian Gulf War.   To determine exactly what bonuses are available check with various Web sites maintained by the states that has a bonus programs.   The states that provide bonuses are:   Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.     Each state had its own way of rewarding veterans.   For example, the Pennsylvania Legislature passed the World War II Veterans' Compensation Act, which made it possible for any Pennsylvania resident who served in the military between 7 DEC 1941, and 2 SEP 1945, and who was honorably discharged, to apply for a bonus payment.   Applications were not accepted until 1950, when money became available.   Some states, such as West Virginia, awarded bonuses to veterans of every conflict up through the Gulf War.   Pennsylvania issued many awards as well.   Montana, Illinois and Missouri gave bonuses only to World War II veterans.   To find out what's available in a particular state check with that state's department of veteran affairs.     [Source: sptimes.com/2003/10/30/Floridian/ ] Massachusetts Vet Annuity for 100% Disabled:   The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its Department of Veterans' Services provides an annuity in the amount of $1,500 which is payable bi-annually on August 1st and February 1st in two installments of $750 each.   This annuity is given in recognition of the service of MA distinguished 100% service-connected disabled veterans and to the parents of distinguished veterans (Gold Star Parents) and the un-remarried spouses (Gold Star Wives or Husbands) of distinguished veterans who gave their lives in the service of their country during wartime. Eligible applicants should meet the following criteria: VETERAN: * Was a resident of Massachusetts at the time of his/her entry into military service. * Meets one of the service time requirements set forth in 108 CMR 3.03. * Has received any discharge from military service other than a dishonorable discharge. * Is a resident of Massachusetts at the time of applying for the annuity and continues to be a resident of the Commonwealth as per M.G.L. ch. 115, s.6A. * Meets the requirements for blindness, paraplegia, double amputation or other disability set forth in M.G.L. ch. 115, s.6B and so certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Proof of service and disability shall be furnished to the Commissioner as per M.G.L. ch. 115, s.6C. PARENT or SPOUSE: * Must reside in the Commonwealth and must continue to reside in Massachusetts from the date of application and while in receipt of the annuity payments. * Spouses must not be remarried. To receive the annuity the applicant must complete an application, IRS W-9 Form, and a Direct Deposit Authorization (which is optional). There is a separate application form for each category of applicant. Submit all annuity applications to: Department of Veterans' Services, Attn: Annuities, 600 Washington St., Suite 1100, Boston, MA 02111. Forms can be downloaded online at http://www.mass.gov/veterans An application may also be obtained by regular mail by calling the Department of Veterans' Services (617) 210-5480. [Source: Hanscom AFB Newsletter Fall 04 and     http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cisvet/vetbonus.htm ]   AGENT ORANGE AND DIABETES :     The DoD released 8 JUL 08 the latest report of the Air Force Health Study on the health effects of exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, which includes the strongest evidence to date that Agent Orange is associated with adult-onset diabetes. This supports the findings from earlier reports in 1992 and 1997. The Air Force Health Study summarizes the results of the 2002 physical examination of 1,951 veterans, which is the final examination of the 20-year epidemiological study. The Ranch Hand Study was named after the operation responsible for spraying herbicides in Vietnam between 1962 and 1971 to deny cover and destroy crops of the North Vietnamese Army. Since the first examination in 1982, the Air Force has tried to determine whether long-term health effects exist in the Ranch Hand pilots and ground crews, and if these effects can be attributed to the herbicides used in Vietnam, mainly Agent Orange and its contaminant, dioxin. The report, along with many other studies on herbicide and dioxin exposure, will be reviewed by the National Academy of Sciences. Based upon this review, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs can ask Congress for legislation on disability compensation and health care. Results from the 2002 physical examination support adult-onset diabetes as the most important health problem seen in the Air Force Health Study. They suggest that as dioxin levels increase, not only are the presence and severity of adult-onset diabetes increased, but the time to onset of the disease is decreased. A 166% increase in diabetes requiring insulin control was seen in those with the highest levels of dioxin. This is consistent with the strong evidence found in animal studies. Cardiovascular disease findings were not consistent, but separate studies have found an increased risk of cardiovascular death in Ranch Hand enlisted ground crews, the subgroup with the highest average serum dioxin. Overall, Ranch Hand pilots and ground crews examined in 2002 had not experienced a statistically significant increase in heart disease relative to the comparison group. Associations between measures of cardiac function and history of heart diseases and herbicide or dioxin exposure were not consistent or clinically interpretable as adverse. Other findings included an increase in the frequency of reported acne after service in Southeast Asia in Ranch Hand enlisted ground crew members, but the lack of corresponding patterns of skin lesions observed at the physical examination rendered this finding difficult to interpret. Finally, several blood tests regarding liver function and blood lipids were elevated and did tend to increase with dioxin level. However, these tests which may be elevated for many reasons, do not constitute a disease by themselves and cannot be explained by other findings in the study. At the end of the 20 years of follow-up, Ranch Hand pilots and ground crews as a group exhibited no statistically significant increase in the risk of cancer relative to comparisons. Differences by military occupation were inconsistent. Most importantly, the Ranch Hand enlisted ground crews, the subgroup with the highest dioxin levels and presumably the greatest herbicide exposure, exhibited a 14% decreased risk of cancer. These results do not suggest that herbicides or dioxin exposure are related to cancer in these veterans. The report emphasizes three major limitations to the study. First, the results cannot be generalized to other groups, such as all Vietnam veterans or Vietnamese civilians, which have been exposed in different ways and to different levels of herbicide. Second, the size of the study makes it difficult to detect increases in rare diseases, thus small increases in rare diseases may be missed by the study. Third, other variables that were not considered in this report could be confounding factors influencing the results. The report is available on the Air Force Health Study Web site at:   www.brooks.af.mil/AFRL/HED/hedb/default.html     [Source: DoD News Release No. 682-05 dtd 8 JUL 05] VA Diabetes Mellitus Care Update :   VA is testing a new drug to treat Type 2 diabetes.   The drug – Cycloset – is an oral treatment option that will be studied for its safety and tolerability over the next two years.   More than 2,200 vets will be tested at 20 VA medical centers.   VA encourages veterans with diabetes to participate in the study.   They should be between the ages of 30 and 80 and stable on their current diabetes therapy (oral and/or insulin).   VA has been reviewing the medical histories of vets to determine eligibility and enrolling them in the trial since NOV 04 and will continue through JUL 05.   Participants are given either Cycloset or placebos for one year.   For more information, including the nearest participating VA medical center call 1 (877) 204-5849.     [Source: VFW Magazine MAR 05] VA Tinnitus Comp Update :   On 5 APR 05, the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims handed down its decision in Smith v. Nicholson.   The DAV had argued on behalf of Mr. Smith that he was entitled to two separate 10% disability ratings for service-connected tinnitus, i.e., ringing, in his right and left ears.   The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) argued in Smith's case, as well as a large number of other cases, that the schedule for rating disabilities provided for only one 10% rating, regardless of whether the tinnitus was present in only one ear or both ears.   The Court held that:   "Based on the plain language of the regulations, the Court holds that the pre-1999 and pre-June 13, 2003 versions of [diagnostic code] 6260 required the assignment of dual ratings for bilateral tinnitus."     Veterans who filed a claim for service connection for tinnitus in both ears, or who claimed an increased rating for that condition, prior to 13 JUN 03, may be entitled to receive combined disability compensation based on two 10% ratings for tinnitus.   Additionally, the law does not permit any such ratings to be reduced in the future, unless the severity of the tinnitus is shown to have actually improved.   Veterans who believe that they may be entitled to benefits based on the Smith precedent should contact their DAV National Service Officer. [Source: http://www.dav.org/news/documents/Tinnitus_Website_%20Summary.pdf APR 05]   GI Bill of Rights:   Democrats have announced a new proposal to update and improve the GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century.   House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) invited all members to join in to assure that current military members are given equivalent opportunities and benefits that WWII veterans received from the original GI Bill.     Some of the improvements would include: * Improve veterans health care to include mental health * Block increase in prescription drug co-payments and enrollment fees. * End Disabled Veterans Tax.   (Concurrent Receipt) * Reduce disability claim waiting times. * End Military Families Tax.   (SBP/DIC Offset) * Increase Survivor Benefits for families with minor children. * $1000 bonus for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. * Improve military pay for senior enlisted and warrant officers. * Modernize and enhance the GI Bill Education and Job Training Programs. * Expand TRICARE for National Guard and Reservists.     There are many other points, but if these listed here were included in any legislation, veterans, and survivors would have a good start in improving and rebuilding their lives.     Legislation had not been introduced for the new "GI Bill of Rights" but, separate bills already address a number of the initiatives including SBP-DIC (S.185, H.R. 808) and TRICARE for all of the Guard and Reserve (S.337, S.32, H.R. 558). [Source: NAUS & MOAA Leg Up 15 Apr 05]   Veterans' Preference Update:   On 29 MAR 05 the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced plans to revise the application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference.   OPM Acting Director Dan G. Blair said the agency is striving to improve and standardize preferences and make them available to more veterans.   The agency is overhauling Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference Standard Form 15 and putting it on the OPM Web site, where applications can be submitted.   The online form is used by individual agencies and OPM officials to decide on veterans' preference claims.   Veterans Preference, which became law in 1944, awards veterans special consideration in hiring, promotion and reduction in force proceedings.   Veterans who apply for federal jobs are automatically given an advantage over equally qualified nonveterans.   A federal manager is not permitted to hire a nonveteran over an equally qualified veteran without sufficiently explaining the decision to OPM.   In 1998, President Clinton signed a law allowing managers who do not follow the veterans' preference regulations to be fired.  According to an OPM release, the application form has been revised to be consistent with the policy of the Veterans Affairs Department - specifically allowing official letters issued in 1991 or later as proof of a permanent disability.   Previously, applicants were required to provide disability letters dated within 12 months of the time the veteran was claiming preference.   OPM also said it has eliminated outdated references - to nonexistent forms or manuals - from the application.   In addition, the agency announced that it is initiating the second phase of its Veterans' Invitational Program which features seminars by OPM recruiters and hiring specialists, discussions on the fine points of veterans' preference and workshops on resume writing, interviewing skills, and online job searching.   Representatives from the agency are scheduled to visit military bases in North Carolina, Washington D.C., Virginia and Texas. Form SF15 can be downloaded at www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf  Detailed information on Federal Veterans Preference is available at www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.asp [Source:   http://GOVEXEC.com     David McGlinchey article 31 MAR 05]   DAILY BRIEFING     June 15, 2005 Veterans businesses set to receive $5 billion By Kimberly Palmer     kpalmer@govexec.com A leading tracker of government contracting dollars estimates that a new vehicle for businesses owned by service-disabled veterans will direct $5 billion towards those companies over the next 10 years. The Veterans Technology Services Governmentwide Acquisition Contract, known as VETS GWAC, will enable those businesses owned by service-disabled veterans to make technology services contracts available to government agencies. President Bush signed an executive order last October that requires agencies to implement a strategy to help them reach the governmentwide 3 percent goal for contract awards to service-disabled veteran owned businesses. Currently, agencies fall well under that goal. That will likely soon change, said Brian Haney, director of research operations at INPUT, a Reston, Va.-based market research and consulting firm. He estimated that through the GWAC as well as other contracts, businesses owned by service-disabled veterans will receive $3 billion annually by 2009. He said the total information technology market in that year will be $70.7 billion. The impact of the GWAC will be particularly significant because there is a relatively small group of companies that are eligible. "Typically, larger vendors play a part in the bids," he said. As a whole, he said, companies that are owned by service-disabled veterans tend to be smaller companies. Veterans groups have long charged that the government does not purchase enough from them. Defense, the largest government purchaser of goods and services, awards about $514 million a year to service-disabled veterans, or about 0.3 percent of total contracting dollars. Some veterans expressed doubt that the GWAC would be successful. "Are they going to do an education campaign to make sure that contracting people understand this vehicle and what it's for? I haven't seen too much of that yet," said Dave Stack, director of corporate development and communications at CDO Technologies Inc., a veteran-owned company in Dayton, Ohio. As a 20-year-plus veteran of the Air Force, Stack also said he thought the vehicle should include all veterans, and not just service-disabled ones. Over the last year and a half, veteran-owned business groups and their allies have been advocating for more contracting dollars. Haney said growing national pride in veterans as a result of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as growing Defense budgets and strong lobbying groups, led to the governmentwide goals and the GWAC for service-disabled veterans. Haney said he would expect to see more joint ventures and subcontracts between businesses owned by service-disabled veterans and other businesses interested in the GWAC, as well as mergers and acquisitions that are structured in a way such that service-disabled veterans retain majority ownership. "Any time something like this goes into effect, people who are excluded will feel limited. There are plenty of other opportunities to grow," said Haney. Stack said that he was teaming up with a business owned by a service-disabled veteran, and that his firm would be a subcontractor on a GWAC proposal. Proposals for the GWAC are due June 30. This document is located at www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0605/061505k1.htm   VA CLAIM FILING SOURCES :    If you are a retiree with any injury or medical condition that first manifested itself during military service and causes you to be at least 10% disabled, you might be entitled to disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. In addition, wartime retirees and veterans with low incomes who are permanently and totally disabled, unable to work and over age 65 may be eligible for monetary support through VA's pension program. In 2003, VA provided $26 billion in disability compensation, death compensation and pension to 3.4 million people. About 2.8 million veterans received disability compensation or pensions from VA. Also receiving benefits were 568,146 spouses, children and parents of deceased veterans. It s relatively easy to file a disability claim; you can do it at any VA office or medical center. Many cities also have Vet Centers where claims may be filed. Once approved, veterans with service-connected disabilities receive priority access to care for outpatient and hospitalization care. VA's Readjustment Counseling Service has operated its Vet Centers since 1979. It provides psychological counseling for war-related trauma, community outreach, case management and referral activities, plus supportive social services to veterans and family members. There are now about 206 Vet Centers, and the system has served about 1.7 million veterans since its inception. If you don't live anywhere near a VA office, medical center or Vet Center, you can file a disability claim online at   vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp. VA also offers comprehensive information about all its disability compensation and pension benefits on its Web site at   www.vba.va.gov/bln/21.     If you do not have computer access, you can call VA toll free at (800) 827-1000 for more information. Your DD214 discharge papers are the key to unlocking your veterans' benefits. Without them, you are virtually shut out until you can get an official copy from the National Records Center, which can take weeks or months. If you plan to retire from the military soon, you should ensure that your medical records, personnel file and other important papers are updated with all the proper documentation of any incurred injuries, illnesses or ongoing medical conditions. Representatives of veterans' service organizations are on duty at all VA offices or clinics and can help you with disability claims. They can ensure that your enrollment and claims forms are correctly filled out and that your claims are processed right the first time. Many veterans' service organizations are federally chartered, recognized or approved by the secretary of Veterans Affairs. These groups include the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion, to name just a few. Representatives of these organizations may prepare, present and prosecute VA claims. Each VSO's service officer will help prepare and manage your claims for benefits at no cost to you. It's their job and they have the expertise to assist. These service officers also can function as advocates for you and your family in any appeals you make with VA. And they will help you and your family in filing claims for rehabilitation and education programs, pension and death benefits, employment and training programs, Social Security disability benefits and many other programs. If you plan to file a VA claim of any kind, make sure you keep copies of everything that might be related to your claim inclusive of all your correspondence and evidence. Remember, this is the government, and the government needs its paperwork. VA review boards can only award veterans claims based upon the documentation and evidence presented to them. It is your responsibility as a veteran to ensure that your case has been thoroughly reviewed. Laws change and if you are not eligible to receive compensation today, you may be one day. There is no deadline for applying for disability benefits, but approved VA claims are usually awarded back to the date of filing, so it is important to file as soon as possible. [Source: Navy times Alex Keenan article 25 JAN 05] Veteran Disability Claim Help:   A well-trained veteran's service officer (VSO) is crucial for many veterans applying for benefits from the VA.   State, County or Local Veterans Affairs Offices contact information for assistance is available at www.va.gov/partners/stateoffice/index.htm   If desired, an agent recognized by VA or a licensed lawyer who is either in private practice or a legal aid attorney can represent you.   Agents and attorneys can charge you only for services that you get from them after the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) gives you their final decision about your application.   That means you can use an attorney during any stage of your application for benefits.   However, the agent or attorney cannot charge you for services unless you are trying to resolve a dispute with VA after BVA has made a decision about your claim.   If you want to use a representative to help you with your application, contact the closest VA office at 1-800-827-1000.   Many veterans group national service organizations are certified by the VA to provide assistance upon request.   In a few states (such as Michigan) veterans groups are paid - rather than state employees - to help veterans navigate the complex benefits application process at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.   The 14 national service organizations that file the most disability claims are listed below.   Contact information for their VSO in your area is available at the phone numbers or web sites indicated.     According to a Knight Ridder survey, these VA-accredited VSOs vary in training and oversight.     The below includes the survey results in the following five categories: (1) Number of VA-accredited VSO's in parent organization. (2) Accreditation training required. (3) Accreditation test required. (4) Continuing education required. (5) Later testing required. American Ex-Prisoners of War (817) 649-2979 www.axpow.org (1) 531 (2) No minimum requirement; provides 8-10 hours voluntary training annually. (3) No (4) No (5) No American Legion (317) 630-1200 www.legion.org (1) 1341 (2) Standards vary by local branch; offers 48 hours of optional training at national schools. (3) No (4) One VSO per state must attend national training twice yearly. (5) No AMVETS (301) 459-9600 www.amvets.org (1) 456 (2) 40 hrs one-on-one training for new VSOs. (3)Yes (4) Yes - 26 hours annually. (5) No In Las Vegas, click here. Blinded Veterans Association (202) 371-8880 www.bva.org (1) 198 (2) Yes - 70 to 80 hours. (3) Yes (4) Yes - 70 to 80 hours annually. (5) No Catholic War Veterans USA (703) 549-3622 www.cwv.org (1) 107 (2) No minimum requirement. (3) A few local branches may test. (4) No (5) No Disabled American Veterans (859) 441-7300 www.dav.org (1) 941 (2) National VSOs: 16 months OJT training; computer-based training course qualifies for 10 college credit hours. State VSOs: Training varies. (3) Yes (4) Yes (5) Yes Fleet Reserve Association (800) 372-1924 www.fra.org (1) 407 (2) Varies; VSOs receive training through other veterans groups. (3) No (4) No (5) No Jewish War Veterans of the USA (202) 265-6280 www.jwv.org (1) 222 (2) 32 hrs through the VA. (3) Yes (4) Yes (5) No Marine Corps League (703) 207-9588 www.mcleague.org (1) 352     (2), (3), (4), & (5) No response Military Order of the Purple Heart (703) 642-5360 www.purpleheart.org (1) 617 (2) 64 hrs (3) Yes (4) Yes (5) No Non-Commissioned Officers Assn. (703) 549-0311 www.ncoausa.org (1) 367 (2) Training varies; most VSOs employed by state or county agencies. (3) No (4) Varies; VSOs working directly with group must have11 hrs annually. (5) No Paralyzed Veterans of America (800) 424-8200 www.pva.org (1) 129 (2) 16 months OJT (3) No (4) Yes - 32 to 36 hours annually. (5) No Veterans of Foreign Wars (816) 756-3390 www.vfw.org (1) 719 (2) 72 hrs of training during first year of accreditation. (3) No (4) Yes (5) No - Required tests at training conferences used to gauge overall training needs. Vietnam Veterans of America (800) 882-1316 www.vva.org (1) 555 (2) Requires 40 hrs training for new VSOs, varies for others. (3) yes (4) One advanced course every two years. (5) No [Source:   www.realcities.com/../vets_expertise.pdf   MAR 05 ++]

DIC Facts 2004: Following is germane regarding VA Disability Indemnity Compensation: * Disability compensation for veterans is not subject to federal or state income tax.   About 80 percent of veterans receive their VA benefits by direct deposit, which VA recommends for security reasons. * Veterans are rated at increments of 10 percent reflecting degree of disability.   As federal regulations summarize the underlying principle, "The percentage ratings represent as far as can practicably be determined the average impairment in earning capacity resulting from such diseases and injuries and their residual conditions." * The largest category of veterans on the compensation scale is at 10 percent disability ($108 per month), with 783,000 veterans at this rate at the beginning of fiscal year 2005 among the total 2.6 million veterans receiving disability compensation. * The criteria for rating the severity of various disabilities are available online at www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/   As medical knowledge, laws and procedures change, VA regularly publishes proposed changes to these criteria in the Federal Register for public comment before a final regulation is adopted. * Where a veteran has more than one disability, the percentages are not simply added together to produce a new rating.   Instead, a formula described in federal regulations calculates the overall rating. * A veteran may be rated at zero percent, meaning there is evidence of the service-connected condition, but it does not impair the veteran.   An example is a minor scar.   This zero percent rating, though not compensable, can be beneficial, since it may raise the veteran's priority in other VA programs such as health care eligibility.   In addition, it may be reviewed for a higher rating if the condition worsens. * A veteran may have a number of disabilities individually evaluated as 0% which produce 10% combined disability and entitle the veteran to disability compensation.   At the beginning of fiscal year 2005, there were more than 15,000 veterans in the category of "compensable zero" ratings. * In addition to the 2.6 million veterans on the compensation rolls, past studies have shown approximately 1.2 million veterans have overall (noncompensable) ratings of 0 percent, but because they do not receive payments from VA, the exact number is not known. * There were 771,000 new and reopened claims requiring a disability rating received from veterans in fiscal year 2004, an average of more than 64,000 claims filed per month. * Among veterans on the rolls, the largest category of service-connected disabilities is musculoskeletal problems, accounting for about 40% of all disabilities.   This includes such problems as impairment of the knee and arthritis due to trauma. Data on the number and type of disabilities are published annually at www.vba.va.gov/reports.htm [Source: VFW Post 03822 Panama City msg 23 DEC 04]   VA My Health eVet Web Site:   The Veterans Administration launched the My Health eVet web site on Veterans Day, 2003.   Since then improvements to the site have been incorporated.   My Health eVet gives veterans easy access to their health information while protecting their privacy.   A feature on the site allows veterans to record their personal information and medical data - including emergency contacts, health care providers and insurance, prescriptions, tests and allergies - in a private, secure Internet environment.   Eventually, veterans will be able to receive their medical records from VA online.   The web site's new features significantly expand the information veterans can record and share with medical professionals, family members and others of their choice.   One recent feature is a "Learn About" tab, which leads veterans to a variety of topics in health education.   My Health eVet establishes a veteran-clinician partnership that should result in better - informed decision making and move veterans toward more proactive management of their health care.   The idea is to make it as easy as possible for veterans to take good care of themselves.   The site is located on the Internet at http://www1.va.gov/../MHVTrifold.pdf     See also:   Hot Topics/VA. [Source: Air Force Retiree News Release No. 12-04-04]   Veteran's Taxable Pay:   When filing your federal income tax you can use the following guidelines to determine what income to report: * All VA benefits are exempt from taxation and should not be reported to the IRS.   This includes the VA Work Study Program.   Moneys paid to participants in the Work Study Program are educational assistance benefits paid under the same Chapter under which the student is receiving educational assistance. * VA does not issue W-2 or 1099 forms, with one exception: amounts of overpayments that are waived by VA are taxable income, and are reported as such to the IRS (1099 form issued). * Secondary interest on VA benefits may be taxable.   For example, if a VA beneficiary deposits his or her compensation check in an interest bearing account, the interest is not tax exempt. * VA benefits are subject to collection for tax liens, i.e. in cases where the beneficiary owes the IRS. * Military Retired Pay:   Veterans in receipt of military retired pay who are awarded VA compensation benefits retroactively may claim an exclusion for their income in the amount of the VA compensation they would have received had they not been in receipt of military retired pay.   Affected veterans should claim the exclusion by submitting the award letter showing the amount and effective date of compensation they would have received, but for the receipt of military retired pay.   IRS instructions tell affected veterans to submit a "VA Form 20-8993."   VA Form 20-8993 is the award letter.   If the veteran doesn't have it, VA can provide a letter in lieu of it. [Source: eFloridaVets News dtd 25 FEB 05]   VA Handbook:   The 2005 edition of "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents" is now available for reading or downloading on the VA web site at www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf (about 840kb).   It can also be downloaded at www.valaw.org/files/fedben.pdf.   This 119 page booklet lists the variety of federal benefits available to military veterans and their dependents.   Topics covered include health care enrollment, VA claim filing, burial and survivor benefits, and workplace benefits.   It also contains contact information by state for all Regional Offices, VA Medical Centers, VA Clinics, Vet Centers, and National Cemeteries.   Hard copies which should be available sometime in April can be ordered at the U.S government online Bookstore bookstore.gpo.gov/ for $7.00 each. [Source: MO Veteran's Party & http://www.va.gov MAR 05]   VA Compensation Rate Tables 2005:  As required by the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2004, Public Law 108-363, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has given notice of adjustments in certain benefit rates.   These adjustments effective 1 DEC 04 affect the compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) programs are: Disability Compensation Rates (10%-100% Combined Degree Only) 1. Veteran Only Rates: 10% $108 ~ 20% $210 ~ 30% $324 ~40% $466 ~ 50% $663       60% $839 ~70% $1,056 ~80% $1,227 ~90% $1,380 ~100% $2,299 2. Veteran w/Child only: 10% $108 ~ 20% $210 ~ 30% $350 ~40% $501 ~ 50% $707       60% $891 ~70% $1,117 ~80% $1,297 ~90% $1,459 ~100% $2,387 3. Veteran w/Spouse only: 10% $108 ~ 20% $210 ~ 30% $363 ~40% $518       50% $728 ~ 60% $917 ~70% $1,147 ~80% $1,331 ~90% $1,497 ~100% $2,429 4. Veteran with Spouse & Child: 10% $108 ~ 20% $210 ~ 30% $391 ~40% $555       50% $775 ~ 60% $973 ~70% $1,212 ~80% $1,406 ~90% $1,581 ~100% $2,523 5. Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 or helpless: 30% $19 ~40% $26       50% $33 ~ 60% $39 ~70% $46 ~80% $52 ~90% $59 ~100% $66 6. Add for Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18: 30% $62 ~40% $82 ~ 50% $103       60% $124 ~70% $144 ~80% $165 ~90% $186 ~100% $117 Note:   Additional amounts are payable to veterans with ratings of more than 30% with dependent parents or a spouse meeting aid and attendance criteria. DIC for Surviving Spouses Veteran's Death Was On or After 1 January 1993:   Basic Monthly Rate = $993 Veteran's Death Was Before 1 January 1993 1. E-1 thru E-6 $993 ~ E-7 1027 ~ E-8 1,084 ~ E-9 $1,131 2. W-1 $1,049 ~ W-2 1,091 ~W-3 1,123 ~ W-4 $1,184 3. O-1 $1,049 ~ O-2 1,084 ~O-3 1,160 ~ O-4 1,217       O-5 1,351 ~ O-6 1,523 ~O-7 1,645 ~O-8 1,805 ~O-9 1,931 ~ O-10 $2,118 Additional Allowances: * Add $213 if at the time of the veteran's death, the veteran was in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability rated totally disabling (including a rating based on individual unemployability) for a continuous period of at least 8 years immediately preceding death AND the surviving spouse was married to the veteran for those same 8 years. * Add $247 per child allowance for each dependent child under age 18. * Add $118 if the surviving spouse is entitled to Housebound. To inquire concerning the status of compensation, DIC, pension, burial, accrued, clothing allowance, automobile, specially adapted housing, or Spina Bifida claim or to ask any general Compensation & Pension (C&P) benefit question, call the VA toll-free number 1-800-827-1000 [Source: TREA Leg Up 24 FEB 05 & http://www.va.gov rate tables] VA BUDGET 2006 :    The VA claimed that through their ongoing program of shifting funds dedicated to replace old equipment and conduct maintenance the department could address its budget shortfall and meet veterans' demand for timely, high quality health care. In the interim the House agreed to a $3,100 pay raise for Congress next year bringing their annual salaries to $165,200. Ranking Democrat on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Congressman Lane Evans (D-IL), and his staff conducted research to determine the impact on veterans from how VA was coping with the shortfall resulting from Congress' approval of a budget that was $1 billion less than what was needed. The following snapshots from across the nation reflect the stark reality of the budget shortfall on veterans' access to safe, high quality care: The 3 surgical operating rooms at the White River Junction VAMC in Vermont had to be closed on June 27 because the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system was broken and had not been repaired due to the siphoning of maintenance funds to cover the budget shortfall. The VAMC in San Antonio could not provide a paraplegic veteran with a special machine to help clean a chronic wound because the facility did not have the equipment dollars. The VAMC in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, closed its Geriatric Evaluation and Management Unit which does extensive case management to help elderly veterans increase their functioning and remain at home. The Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) needed to meet veterans' increased demand for care in the North Florida/South Georgia VA Healthcare System have been delayed due to fiscal constraints. The Gainesville facility has made progress in reducing its wait lists, but as of April there were nearly 700 service-connected veterans waiting for more than 30 days for an appointment. VA Medical Centers in VISN 16, which includes Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Louisiana and part of Texas, have stopped scheduling appointments for many veterans who are eligible for care, pending available resources. Even though the VA Palo Alto, California, Health Care System has used $3 million in capital funds for operating needs, as of March 1 more than 1,000 new patients had to wait more than 30 days for a primary care appointment. A third of these new patients had to wait more than 3 months. More than 5,000 patients had to wait more than 30 days for a specialty care appointment. Roughly 1,400 had to wait more than 3 months. The replacement of the fire alarm system at the Loma Linda VAMC in California won't be done this year because the facility is using most of its capital funds to cover operating expenses. The White River Junction VAMC in Vermont is struggling with a $525,000 shortfall in its prosthetics budget. Because the FY 2005 budget is inadequate, the facility has not been allowed to hire 3 additional mental health care staff and 3 additional Registered Nurses for the ICU. Nurses in the ICU have been forced to work double shifts, which this Committee has found to be an unsafe patient practice. Even though the San Diego VAMC expects to exceed its goal in medical care cost collections, it will divert $3.5 million of non-recurring maintenance funds to partially cover operating expenses, and has delayed filling 131 vacant positions for 3 months. The facility has a waiting list for patients of 750 veterans. Because the Iowa City VAMC had to shift maintenance funds and equipment funds to cover a FY 2004 million shortfall of $3.2 million in medical care expenses in FY 2004, the facility is facing severe infrastructure problems and a larger shortfall of $6.8 million in FY 2005 that puts patient care and safety at risk. The facility wanted to spend $950,000 in non-recurring maintenance funds last year to prevent a mechanical failure of the electrical switcher, which would close the facility, but was required to use those funds to cover a budget shortfall in medical care last year. As a result in FY 2005, the VA must divert $1.5 million of medical care funds to maintain the key electrical switchgear for the hospital. Recently, a motor failed on a hospital bed, which the VA planned to replace but couldn't because of the shortfall, causing a fire with the patient on the bed. Fortunately the patient was able to get out of the bed safely, but the facility was forced to expend $700,000 of medical care dollars to replace all the beds, which thanks to the diligence of VA staff lasted 7 years beyond their life expectancy. The facility could not use capital funds to replace the very old beds because the money had already been siphoned off to cover medical care. To bring the shortfall down to $6.2 million the facility has delayed hiring staff for 4 months. deliberately short staffing nurses on the psychiatric ward as a means to correct the budget shortfall. This has forced the VA to cut the beds available for treatment in half. As a result of cost cutting measures to make up for the shortfall in FY 2005, the Portland, Oregon, VAMC is delaying all non-emergent surgery by at least six months. For example, veterans in need of knee replacement surgery won't be treated because of the budget shortfall. Since FY 2002, the Portland VAMC has had to use its equipment and non-recurring maintenance funds to cover medical care expenses. For FY 2005 the facility needed $13 million for medical and clinical equipment but only received $2 million. The facility is reducing staff as a cost-cutting measure and is now short at least 150 hospital staff, including nurses, physicians, and social workers. As a result of budget cuts for staffing, the VA has cut the number of medical beds available to care for veterans. Veterans in need of outpatient psychiatric treatment at the Portland facility are on a waiting list because of the budget shortfall. The Biloxi, Mississippi, VAMC has diverted maintenance dollars to meet operating expenses for the past two years but the facility will not be able to balance its budget without reducing staffing levels at a time when the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System has approximately 100 new veterans seeking enrollment each week. Fifty percent of all the veterans receiving home health care through the San Antonio VAMC will now have to fend for themselves. This cost-cutting measure means that some 250 veterans, including those with spinal cord injuries, will no longer be provided this care. The VA Connecticut Healthcare System is facing a major budgetary challenge of sending veterans to non-VA facilities for hospitalizations because the VA has a shortage of beds to care for veterans and staff. Due to the budget shortfall, the VA facility in Bay Pines, Florida, has been forced to put veterans who have a service-connected illness or disability rating of less than 50% on a waiting list for primary care appointments. As of late April, some 7,000 veterans will be waiting longer than 30 days for a primary care appointment. [Source: Veteran & Retiree News report from Democratic_Leader_Pelosi@mail.house.gov dtd 30JUN 05] VA BUDGET 2006 :    The Senate, after a series of angry partisan exchanges, unanimously approved 29 JUN $1.5 billion in emergency funds for the Department of Veterans Affairs' health care programs. The action is the first step in what now appears to become a total increase of at least $2.5 billion in fiscal 2005 and 2006. Hours before the Senate's 96 to 0 vote, the last opponents in the House and Bush administration to boosted VA spending told reporters that they have abandoned their resistance. House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Steve Buyer (R-Ind.) and Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson, who had both argued that the department could get through this year without additional cash, held a joint news conference to announce "immediate action" to fill a fiscal 2005 shortfall of at least $1 billion, and another shortfall of at least $1.5 billion in the House-passed appropriation for VA health care in fiscal 2006. Nicholson told lawmakers that the administration had vastly underestimated the number of service personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who would seek VA medical treatment. The estimates had been based on outdated assumptions from 2002. The developments marked the failure of the administration and GOP congressional leaders to force tough spending constraints on the department, which is backed by some of the most influential lobbies in the capital. With the 2006 midterm elections approaching and President Bush's favorability ratings at low levels, Republicans in the House and the Senate clearly had no stomach for risking the wrath of former service members in the cause of deficit reduction. Virtually all veterans groups -- including the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars -- have complained bitterly that the administration and the Republican leadership have abandoned a commitment to treat VA health care as an integral "cost of war." The commander in chief of the VFW, denounced Bush's spending proposals for the department as "especially shameful during a time of war." The Senate vote was on a bill sponsored by Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA.), who had opposed a past Democratic amendment to raise VA spending. He was given the honor of becoming lead sponsor because he faces one of the toughest reelection fights next year among incumbent Republicans. The VA department had been planning to make up for the $1 billion shortfall in medical care money for 2005 by transferring just under $400 million from a special reserve fund and more than $600 million from a fund for maintenance and equipment purchases. Many lawmakers voiced concern over these planned transfers, contending that critical repairs would be postponed. [Source: Washington Post Staff Writer Thomas Edsall article 30 JUN 05] VA COMP PAYMENT DISPARITY :     The VA pulled back a week-old policy that required the most seriously disabled veterans to wait for a second review on their cases before the agency would pay any money. The VA decided it needed to revise their JUN 05 directive that was issued to all 57 regional VA offices through a memo (a copy of which was obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times) that required two approving reviews for veterans to be granted disability for post-traumatic stress disorder or to be deemed 100% disabled or unemployable. A point of contention among many veterans was that the directive had not required a second review to deny such cases. Senators Dick Durbin and Barack Obama also thought the policy "ignored" the possibility that denials could be wrong. The two Illinois senators sent VA Secretary Jim Nicholson a letter calling the policy "disturbing" and demanding that denials for PTSD claims receive extra scrutiny. The VA inspector general's investigation last month showed that PTSD and mental disabilities were among the most highly subjective cases in the nation. That report also showed that states where VA offices pay the most disability also have the largest percentage of veterans who are 100% disabled for PTSD. Only 2.8% of Illinois' veterans are rated 100% disabled for PTSD and Illinois is last in the nation for disability pay. Durbin and Obama cited the inspector general's report as one more reason denials should be included in the extra reviews. In their letter, the senators also asked that the VA send notices to all Illinois veterans who have filed claims over the last several decades. Nicholson sent a special squad to the Chicago VA in June to re-evaluate denied claims of Illinois veterans but no formal procedure has been set up to review those claims and veterans have not been informed that they can ask that their claims to be re-evaluated. [Source: Chicago Sun-Times 22 JUN 05]   VA COPAY UPDATE 1 NOV 06 RAO BULLETIN     There is no monthly premium required to use VA care. You may, however, have to agree to pay copays. If you have insurance, it may cover the cost of copays. Veterans are categorized into Priority Groups 1 through 8 by the VA to establish their eligibility to receive VA medical care. These groups plus a few other factors determine the amount of copay they must pay for their medicine or medical care. Following is a breakdown of who must pay what: - For 2006 an annual Medication copayment cap of $960 was established for veterans enrolled in priority groups 2 thru 6. Medications will continue to be dispensed when the copayment cap is met. Medication provided for treatment of nonservice-connected (NSC) conditions is $8 per prescription. An annual medication copayment cap was not established for veterans enrolled in priority group 7 or 8. - Veterans in Priority Group 1 (50% or more) are not subject to copayments. - Veterans in Priority Group 2 (30% & 40%) and below are subject to copayments. Basic and specialty outpatient care is $15 & $50 per visit respectively. Inpatient care is $10 per day per diem charge or $953 for first 90 days and $465 for each subsequent 90 days. Nursing Home or Day Care/Inpatient Respite Care/Geriatric Evaluation is $97 & $15 per day respectively. Domiciliary care is $5 per day. - Veterans in Priority Group 3 (10% & 20%) are subject to copayments. Those in receipt of a Purple Heart or are former POWs are also placed in this priority group. Veterans who have been POWs are exempt from Medication Copays. - Veterans in Priority Group 4 are subject to copayments. Catastrophically Disabled veterans placed in this priority group can be subject to full medical care copayments or to reduced inpatient copayments under the Geographic Means Test criteria. - Priority Group 6 Health insurance and all applicable copayments will be billed when the care is for conditions not related to the veteran's exposure or experience. Veterans in this priority group are subject to full medical care copayments or to reduced inpatient copayments under Geographic Means Test criteria and to medication copayments. - Veterans in special Categories are subject to copayments when their treatment or mediation is not related to their exposure or experience. The initial registry examination and follow-up visits to receive results of the examination are not billed to the health insurance carrier and are not subject to copayments. However, care provided that is not related to exposure, if it is NSC will be billed to the insurance carrier and copayments can apply. - All veterans receiving prescriptions for NSC conditions who meet the low-income criteria (income limits for the VA NSC pension program) are exempt from the medication copayment. - Veterans enrolled in priority group 7a and 7c have income above the VA Means Test threshold but below the Geographic Means Test threshold and are responsible for 20% of the inpatient copayment and 20% of the inpatient per diem copayment. The geographic means test copayment reduction does not apply to outpatient and medication copayments and veterans will be assessed the full applicable copayment charges. Note that reduced inpatient copayments can apply to veterans in Priority Groups 4 and 6 based upon the income of the veteran. - Veterans assigned to Priority Group 7e or 7g are not eligible for enrollment if a decision to restrict enrollment of new Priority Group 7 veterans has been made. These veterans are eligible for care of their NSC conditions on a humanitarian emergency basis and are charged the applicable tortuously liable billing rate for services provided. Veterans in Priority Group 7e are eligible for care of SC conditions at no charge. - Veterans enrolled in this priority group 8a and 8c are responsible for the full inpatient copayment and the inpatient per diem copayment for care of their NSC conditions. Veterans in this priority group are also responsible for outpatient and medication copayments for care of their NSC conditions. - Veterans assigned to Priority Group 8e or 8g are not eligible for enrollment. These veterans are eligible for care of their NSC conditions on a humanitarian emergency basis and are charged the applicable tortuously liable billing rate for services provided. Veterans in Priority Group 8e are eligible for care of SC conditions at no charge. [Source: www.va.gov/healtheligibility/costs/ Nov 06 ++]   VA Budget 2007 UPDATE 1 JAN 07 RAO BULLETIN     Before the 109th Congress recessed it attempted to pass a number of important items during its final hours in session. Unfortunately, those did not include the 11 overdue appropriations bills for FY2007, which began on 1 OCT. One of these was the Military Construction/VA spending measure, which funds the VA medical system. To keep the VA and other government agencies running into the new year, Congress passed a continuing resolution funding government agencies at House-passed, Senate-passed or 2006 funding levels, whichever is the lowest. That continuing resolution will expire on 15 FEB 07, which means next year's Congress will have to act before then to keep the government running. Rumors around Capitol Hill are that the new Congress will simply extend the continuing resolution for the rest of FY2007 so leaders can focus on crafting appropriations for FY2008.     This doesn't affect the Defense Department, since the FY2007 Defense Appropriations Act was one of the two appropriations bills the Congress actually finished. Although that can't be said about VA appropriations, the continuing resolution will let the VA reallocate up to $684 million to fund VA health care needs for the next couple of months. While this provides some interim relief, there is concern about the VA's ability to provide quality medical care at 2007 prices with a 2006 budget. Along with the continuing resolution, Congress also approved legislation to: - Avoid the JAN 07 5.1% cut in Medicare and TRICARE payments to doctors by freezing 2007 rates at 2006 levels. - Avoid imposing a $1,740 annual cap on Medicare payments for outpatient speech and physical therapy that had been scheduled to take effect in January. - Ban protests at military funerals at any funeral site. - Authorize the Federal Communications Commission to work with the Pentagon to reduce phone rates for deployed troops. - Delay any action on a 2007 congressional pay raise at least until 16 FEB 07. [Source: MOAA Leg Up 15 Dec 06] DAV Reprint :   FY 2006 Erosion of Veterans' Benefits & Services CRDP UPDATE 38:   The 2006 NDAA Conference report indicates Congress has agreed to accelerate the timetable to 1 OCT 09 for phase-in of full concurrent receipt of military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation for military retirees who are rated 100% disabled by the VA for non-combat injuries and have individual unemployability (IU) as a factor in their rating.   Current law would have made them wait until 2014 to receive full payment of both.   In doing so the committee rejected Sen. Harry Reid's (D-NV) Senate-passed plan which would have allowed those retired veterans who are rated IU and compensated at 100% by the VA, to be paid retroactive to 1 JAN 05. VA HOME LOAN UPDATE 05:   The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan guaranty limit has been increased. Effective 1 JAN 06, changes in the loan guaranty limits will mean veterans are able to get no-down payment loans up to $417,000.   The previous ceiling was $359,650.   The Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004 tied increases in the VA guaranty to increases in the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation's conforming loan limit.   When this limit increases, VA guaranty limits also go up, allowing VA to keep pace with rising home values.   VA-guaranteed home loans are made by banks and mortgage companies to veterans, service members and reservists.   With VA guaranteeing a portion of the loan, veterans can receive a competitive interest rate without making a down payment, making it easier to buy a home.   Information about VA home loan benefits is available on the Web at www.homeloans.va.gov or by calling 1(800) 827-1000.   [Source: VA News Release 29 Dec 05] VA GRAVESITE LOCATOR UPDATE 01:  The burial locations of more than 5 million veterans for whom the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has provided grave markers are now available on the Internet, as well as the information inscribed on the markers.   Online since April 2004, the nationwide gravesite locator gravelocator.cem.va.gov helps veterans' families, former comrades-in-arms and others find the graves of veterans.   VA recently added 1.9 million records for veterans buried primarily in private cemeteries to its database.   The gravesite locator previously carried records on 3 million veterans buried in VA national cemeteries ] since the Civil War, and in state veterans cemeteries and Arlington National Cemetery since 1999.   The new records date from January 1997, the earliest time for which electronic records exist.   The information comes from applications made for these veterans' headstones or markers. Beyond the 5 million records now available, VA continues to add approximately 1,000 new records to the database each day.   Last year, VA furnished nearly 369,000 inscribed headstones and markers for veterans' graves worldwide.   Internet users only need to provide the last name of the deceased veteran or dependent.   Typically, the information available includes name, birth and death dates, rank, branch of service and the address and phone number of the cemetery.   Veterans whose discharges are other than dishonorable, their spouses and dependent children may be buried in a national cemetery, regardless of where they live.   No advance reservations are made.   VA provides perpetual care, as well as a headstone or marker, a burial flag and a memorial certificate to survivors.   Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from national cemetery offices, from a VA Web site at www.cem.va.gov or by calling VA regional offices at 1-800-827-1000.   [Source: VA News Release 22 DEC 05] VA CLAIM ERROR RATE:   Veterans' organizations are decrying the fact that at the Department of Veterans Affairs the error rate on disability claims remains high even as the backlog of claims continues to grow.   The House Veterans' Affairs Committee was told 7 DEC that about 15% of initial benefits decisions on claims from veterans and survivors include errors, while the backlog of claims has increased to 346,000, almost 8% higher than last year.   The Government Accountability Office reported the average time to process a claim is 120 days, and processing an appeal takes an average of 622 days.   VA's deputy undersecretary for benefits testified the workload has increased every year since 2000, with 788,298 claims filed in fiscal 2005,   a 36% increase over that span, and it is expected that these increases will continue over the next five years. Given the current staffing levels of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), which handles claims, the error rate suggests that every VA decision-maker makes a significant error approximately every other day.   The VA's growing reputation for carelessness results in appeals even in cases that are error-free.   That results in an even bigger backlog of claims because VA must process the appeals.   Veterans' advocates say VA is caught in a Catch-22 in which efforts to whittle the backlog of claims by increasing the speed at which decisions are made plays a role in the high error rate.   They allege Regional office managers are pressing ratings employees to process numbers without ensuring claims decisions are done right the first time.   VA offices that operate slower than others, where decisions are more accurate and more favorable to veterans generally have the greatest backlogs. Testimony from applicants appearing before the committee indicated experiencing years of red tape in the processing of their claims causing them to feel manipulated by a system of bureaucratic maneuvers undertaken to delay decisions on their claims.   In many cases it is impossible for a claimant to find out what is going on or if those assigned to the case have the correct or most recent data or information to consider to which would enhance a favorable decision.   [Source: Navy Times staff writer Rick Maze 19 Dec 05] VA Budget 2006 Update:   The House Veterans Affairs Committee, headed by new Chairman Steve Buyer (R-IN), held a hearing on 16 FEB 05 to review the VA budget request for FY 2006.   The Committee heard testimony from three panels of witnesses including newly confirmed VA Secretary Jim Nicholson and representatives of military and veterans organizations.   Secretary Nicholson said the Administration's plan increases the VA budget by 2.7% over last year.   Witnesses took issue with that description, pointing out that much of the budget increase comes from plans to raise fees and copays for certain veterans and optimistic assumptions about increased collections from veterans' insurance companies.   They asserted that, once medical inflation and rising demand for care for combat veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are taken into account, the proposed budget would not allow the VA even to continue its current level of services.  Nicholson testified that the administration's budget request also proposes to raise drug co-pays for lower-priority non-disabled veterans and to impose an annual usage fee of $250 for Priority 7 and 8 veterans (those without compensable disabilities and whose incomes exceed indigence levels).   Those same veterans would see the co-payments increase from $7 to $15 for each prescription they receive.   In a VFW legislative alert they recommend a $3.5 billion increase above the President's budget request for veteran's health care and note that if his budget proposal budget is passed as is the impact would be: * 220,000 veterans would stop receiving treatment for their injuries and disabilities at VA hospitals. * 28,000 fewer veterans would receive long-term care, such as in nursing homes, and it eliminates funding for construction of care facilities throughout the country. * Waiting times for health care would skyrocket because VA would not have enough funding to provide care. * Funding for prosthetic research would be slashed by $9 million, despite the many wounded soldiers returning from overseas. * Over 3,000 health care workers would be eliminated. * 700 veterans benefits staff positions would be cut. * Hundreds of thousands of veterans would have to pay hundreds of extra dollars out of their own pocket because of increased co-payments and the enrollment fee. * The four-tenths of a percent increase in the medical care portion of the budget proposal would be less than the required increase in salaries for VA employees. * VA would be forced to collect more money from veterans and from their insurance companies to make up for the funding shortfall. The Committee Chairman backed the usage fees and increased co-pays to sustain the VA health system, asserting that the VA should focus its efforts on the disabled and indigent.   Rep. Lane Evans (D-IL), the Committee's senior Democrat, strongly disagreed with the Administration plan, saying the Administration's own estimates show it was designed to drive 213,000 veterans from the VA system.   The committee panel was urged by witnesses to provide full funding for all currently enrolled veterans, consistent with the recommendations of the recent President's Task Force on DoD/VA health care.   It was also brought to the panel's attention of the critical need for additional funding to reverse cutbacks in claims processing staff and reduce the disability claims backlog, which is now lengthening again just when there is a new influx of disabled returnees from Iraq and Afghanistan.   And, that immediate action was needed to ensure a seamless transition from military to VA health coverage to ensure wounded returnees are not further disadvantaged by administrative and records conflicts between DoD and VA personnel and health systems.   On a more positive note, witnesses expressed support for improving the Montgomery GI Bill, with particular emphasis on ensuring that Reserve GI Bill benefits are automatically adjusted to maintain their originally intended value (about 50% of the active duty rate).   Testimony offered at the hearing can be reviewed at www.moaa.org/Legislative/Testimony/. [Source: MOAA Leg Up 18 FEB 05 & VFW Leg Alert 18 FEB 05] VA Budget 2006 :   After receiving testimony on the President's proposed 2006 budget for the VA, the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs on 18 FEB made his recommendations on behalf of Republican members of the Committee in a letter to the Senate Budget Committee.   Senator Craig rejected both doubling prescription drug co-pays for veterans and decreased spending on state nursing homes for veterans but did agree to approve a $250 a year "enrollment fee" for higher income veterans who have no service connected injuries.     The letter also called on Congress to provide $244 million more on medical services for veterans above what the president had proposed and expressed support for the president's $200 million proposed increases in funding for mental health services and prosthetic care for returning soldiers and supported an increase in funding to pay for emergency medical services obtained by enrolled veterans at non-VA hospitals.     Democrats are sending a separate letter to the Budget Committee clarifying their views. [Source: TREA Special Leg Up 23 FEB 05] VA Budget Proposal 2006:   For the third straight year, the Bush administration will try to impose a $250 enrollment fee for veterans' health care and more than double the $7 monthly co-payment some veterans pay for prescription drugs.     President Bush's fiscal 2006 federal budget proposal would provide $30.4 billion for veteran's health care which is a 2.7-percent increase over the current budget, but less than veterans' groups believe is needed.     The budget also asks for $37.8 billion for veterans' benefits which is $1.8 billion less than the current budget.     Administration officials assume lower costs for disability benefits and pensions for low-income veterans because the death rate among World War II veterans should more than offset the number of newly disabled veterans from current operations.     The budget assumes modest increases in insurance payments and burial benefits.     The proposed $250 enrollment fee and $15 monthly co-payment per prescription are meant to raise about $424 million to offset the cost of providing medical services to veterans.     VA officials said both are relatively small changes aimed at veterans being treated for conditions that are not service-connected.     With the fees the administration contends costs of using the VA health care system would be more in line with other public and private health care programs.     Congressional aides said the likelihood of the proposals being enacted is low,   as the Bush administration made similar recommendations in 2004 and 2005 that lawmakers rejected.     The administration, and new Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson, are bracing for complaints from veterans' groups about the budget.     But, administration officials argue veterans actually are getting preferential treatment, since Bush wants to cut budgets for most federal programs while the VA budget continues to climb, albeit modestly.     In its background books release the administration attempts to show it is working for veterans.     When Bush took office, for example, the average time for a veteran's disability claim to be processed was 230 days.     That has dropped to 145 days, and efforts are continuing to further reduce processing time.     The VA's health care budget is 47% larger today than when Bush took office, although some of that increase is the result of Congress, under pressure from veterans' groups, approving more money than the administration wanted.     A long-term fix to eliminate this annual problem would be to replace the current Discretionary Budget process, with its ongoing short-fall funding, with a Mandatory Budget process.     The current Administration does not favor a VA mandatory budget.     Congressional hearings on the fiscal 2006 Bush budget proposal for the VA are expected to begin in mid-FEB. [Source: Navy Times staff writer Rick Maze article 7 FEB 05]   VA Registries Update:   Veterans should be aware that they may be eligible to be placed on one or more of the VA Registries.     The Registries are administered at VA Health Care Systems - NOT at VA Regional Offices.     Registries are generally administered through the Office of Occupation & Safety Hazards.     The Veteran must "REQUEST" to be placed on the respective Registry(s).     The Eligibility Office should be able to direct you to that office.     The advantage of being on a Registry is the potential for treatment(s) of legislated ailments & diseases, under that Registry - at NO COST.     Applicable medications may also be provided at no cost.     Being on an applicable Registry and being treated for Registry ailments / diseases could assist in a future claim.     The following registries are maintained by the VA: * Atomic Veterans   www1.va.gov/IRAD * Agent Orange   www1.va.gov/AgentOrange * SHAD   www1.va.gov/Gulfwar/     For more info on Registries go to www.va.gov then to the applicable Registry info. [Source: New Mexico e-Veterans News 2 FEB 05]   VA Means Test Thresholds 2005:   The Means Test Thresholds are used to determine a veteran's eligibility for free VA health care for nonservice connected medical conditions.     Current law requires VA to increase the Means Test Threshold amounts by the same COLA percentage made to other VA compensation and pension payments (i.e. 2.7% for 2005).     Public Law 107-135, the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2001, directed VA to implement a Geographic-based Means Test (GMT).     VA uses HUD's "low-income" geographic-based income limits as the thresholds for VA's GMT.     A veteran's income from the previous year is compared with the appropriate GMT threshold for the previous fiscal year to determine if the veteran should be placed in VA' health care priority category 7.     HUD's "low income" geographic-based income limits for FY 2004 can be found at:   www.huduser.org/datasets/..     The new rates have been announced with an effective date of 1 JAN 05.     The Means Test apples to veterans within one of the three definitions: * Below the Means Test Threshold is defined as those veterans whose attributable income and net worth are such that they are unable to defray the expenses of care and therefore are not subject to co-payment charges for hospital and outpatient medical services. * Above the Means Test Threshold is defined as those veterans whose attributable income and net worth are such that they are able to defray the expenses of care and must agree to pay a co-payment for hospital care and outpatient medical services. * Above the means test and below the GMT threshold is defined as those veterans whose attributable income and net worth are such that they are able to defray the expense of care, but whose inpatient medical care co-payments are reduced 80 percent. Within the VistA system these veterans are identified as "GMT Copay Required." The 2005 Means Test Thresholds are: * Veterans without Dependents: Below $25,842 - Above $25,843 * Veterans with One Dependent: Below $31,013 - Above $31,014 * Veterans with Two Dependents: Below $32,747 - Above $32,748 (Note: Dependent threshold amount increases above two dependents are $1,734 per dependent, child income exclusion is $8,200, Medicare deductible is $912, and income and/or asset threshold for net worth development is $80,000) Maximum annual Rate of Pension: The base rate without dependents is $10,162 and with one dependent is 13,309. Add $1,734 for each additional dependent. (NOTE: The base pension rate is also used to determine if certain veterans are subject to co-payments for Extended Care Services) [Source: VHA DIRECTIVE 2004-071 dtd 17 DEC 04] TSP UPDATE :    The restrictions of having only two open seasons each year for civilian and military members to sign up for, stop, resume or change their Thrift Savings Plan contributions has ended. Public Law 108-469 goes into effect 1 JUL 05, eliminating restrictions on contribution elections that have always been tied to TSP open seasons. The elimination of open seasons affects civilian and military members who are eligible to contribute to TSP in the following ways: Gives people more flexibility in managing their TSP contribution amounts depending on their personal situations. Civilians can now make 26 or 27 TSP contribution elections per year (based on pay periods) and service members 24 per year. Contribution elections submitted on or after 1 JUL will be effective at the beginning of the pay period following the one in which the election is submitted. The contribution limits set for 2005 have not changed. Employees may continue to contribute to TSP based on the system they are currently under for 2005 -- Civil Service Retirement System, 10%; Federal Employees' Retirement System, 15%; or the military pay system, 10%. The law eliminating open seasons does not eliminate the waiting period that newly hired or rehired FERS employees not previously eligible must serve before they can begin to receive agency contributions. Participants who make an in-service financial hardship withdrawal may not make TSP contribution elections for a six-month period following the withdrawal. Information on the overall TSP is also available at www.tsp.gov. [Source: Air Force Retiree News 29 JUN 05] FLORIDA VETERANS HOMES :    The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a grant of more than $713,000 to renovate the Robert H. Jenkins Veteran's Domiciliary. The grant will pay up to 65% of the cost for renovations at the State Veteran's Domiciliary in Lake City. The overall cost of the project is over $1 million. Florida provides the following assisted living and/or skilled nursing facilities to veterans: Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Veterans' Domiciliary Home of Florida, 751 SE Sycamore Terrace, Lake City, Florida 32025 Tel: (386)758-0600 Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans' Nursing Home, 21281 Grayton Terrace, Port Charlotte, FL 33954 Tel: (941) 613-0919 or FAX: (941) 613-0935 Clifford Chester Sims State Veterans' Nursing Home, 4419 Tram Rd, Springfield, FL 32404 Tel: (850) 785-1678 or Fax: (850) 785-2237 Emory L. Bennett Memorial State Veterans' Nursing Home, 1920 Mason Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32117 Tel: (386)274-3460/61 or FAX: (386) 274-3487 Baldomero Lopez State Veterans' Nursing Home, 6919 Parkway Blvd, Land-o-Lakes, FL 34639 Tel: (813) 558-5000 or FAX (813) 558-5021 Alexander "Sandy" Nininger State Veterans' Nursing Home, 8401 West Cypress Drive, Pembroke Pines, FL 33025 Tel: (954) 985-4824 or FAX (954) 985-4866 Any person interested in residency can be referred through a VA Medical Center. Candidates must be veterans with qualifying war or peacetime service, be a resident of Florida for one year immediately prior to applying for admission and must require long-term care in a skilled nursing facility.     For admission information contact the nearest Florida County Veterans Service Office which can be located at   www.floridavets.org/organization/cvso.asp   or Florida Department of Veterans Affairs Office www.floridavets.org/organization/where.asp#medical.     Veterans with service-connected disabilities or veterans unable to afford nursing home care will be considered first for residency.     You are welcome to contact the Admissions Coordinator for the Home in which you are interested for additional information.     Tours are always available.     At   www.floridavets.org/nursing/nursing.asp   a virtual tour of a State Veterans' Nursing Home can be found. The tour includes ten 360 degree fully interactive pictures that require no additional software to view. VA's State Home Program is a partnership with the states to acquire, construct or renovate nursing homes, domiciliaries and adult day health-care facilities for veterans. The states own and operate the homes, but VA can provide up to 65% percent of the cost of approved projects. When construction is complete and inspections are satisfactory, the facilities qualify for per diem payments from VA. In fiscal year 2004, VA spent over $4.6 billion in Florida to serve more than 1.7 million veterans who live in the state. VA operates six medical centers in Florida with outpatient clinics and Vet Centers in many communities. Information about Florida's Veterans Homes can be found on the Web at   www.floridavets.org/nursing/nursing.asp   or by calling (850) 487-1533.     [Source: FDVA e-florida Newsletter 17 JUN 05]   VA Home Loan Update:   VA Home loans offer veterans and service members low interest mortgages with "No Down Payment".     The Veterans Benefits Act of 2004 signed by the President on 10 DEC 04 made the following significant changes to the Veterans Home Loan Guaranty Program. * Increased Maximum Guaranty Amount:   The law changed the maximum guaranty amount of $240,000 to a new limit for a single family residence of $359,650.     In addition maximum original loan amounts are now 50 percent higher for first mortgages on properties in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. * Specially Adapted Housing:   The law expanded eligibility to the $50,000 Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant to veterans with permanent and total service-connected disabilities due to the loss of, or loss of use, of both upper extremities such as to preclude use of the arms at or above the elbows.     In addition the law is amended to specify eligibility where any veteran has suffered an injury, or an aggravation of an injury, as the result of hospitalization, medical or surgical treatment, as if it were service-connected for benefits under Chapter 21, relating to SAH.     The VA will be developing detailed application instructions in the near future. * Adjustable Rate Mortgages:   The law gave the VA authority to guarantee "traditional" Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) like the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) which insures adjustable rate mortgages under the National Housing Act.     VA previously had this authority but it expired 30 SEP 95.     The legislation provides authority through 30 SEP 08.     The Key features of the ARM program are: (1) Interest rate adjustments on an annual basis; (2) Annual interest rate adjustments limited to a maximum increase or decrease of 1 percentage point; (3) Interest rate increases limited to a maximum of 5 percent points over the life of the loan; (4) This type of ARM loan MUST be underwritten at 1 percentage point above the initial rate. * Hybrid ARM Loans:   The law extended VA authority to guarantee hybrid ARM loans to 30 SEP 08 and modified the Rate Adjustment Requirements.     The provisions of this Act does not affect existing hybrid ARMs.     VA hybrid ARM loans made prior to this Act are subject to the terms in effect at the time they were made.     For example, a hybrid ARM with an initial fixed rate for five years or more made prior to this Act is limited to a one percentage point initial adjustment and a 5% limit over the life of the loan. The modified interest rate adjustment requirements incorporated by the new law are: (1) If the initial contract interest rate remains fixed for less than 5 years, the initial adjustment is limited to a maximum increase or decrease of 1 percentage point and the interest rate increase over the life of the loan is limited to 5 percentage points. (2) If the initial contract interest rate remains fixed for 5 years or more, the initial adjustment will be limited to a maximum increase or decrease of 2 percentage points. (3) In cases where the initial interest rate remains fixed for 5 years or more, the interest rate increase over the life of the loan will be limited to 6 percentage points.. * Funding Fee Exemption:   The law expanded the definition of veterans who are entitled to a waiver of the VA funding fee. Veterans who are rated eligible to receive compensation as a result of a pre-discharge disability examination and rating will now be considered as receiving compensation as of that date. This means veterans still on active duty awaiting discharge, but who wish to close on a loan before being released from the military, may be entitled to a waiver of the funding fee. [Source: Military.com msg dtd 6 JAN 05] Please keep in mind that Vietnam Era veterans were really on their own until the early 90's when the Courts of our land started making decisions that favored the filing claimant veteran.     Some twenty years of pathetic administration, denying veteran claims for just about anything; placing the burden of proof (see top of page) on the veteran.   (Were you in Nam?!   Prove it!)     .. service connected .. take a walk.     For those of us that didn't die from cancer or other critical diseases, the good news is the Courts have basically said:   "Period of presumptive is indefinite."     See your VSO Advocate today and get on the right track for justice and righteous compensation ; file your disability claim asap !     Many, if not all of the links you will find on this page are out-dated.     Typical of the administrative support our veterans could expect.     If you read the Sec. 4.23 of CFR 38, it was meant to be sarcastic.     I want to clarify that. This last (out-dated) reference was put together very well around March of 1995 when I am sure the V.A. and the federal government were feeling some public outrage.     VA Guide. So, please keep in mind when you are reading over requirements in such documents and "facts of law," they have probably been over-turned or not upheld by the Courts in favor of us veterans. One of the most important Court decisions relates to "the presumption of service-connected" and burden of proof (otherwise) shifted from the veteran claimant to the government. Presumption of a whole slew of diseases, complications and deaths has all been decided by the Courts and not administrators with your "interest" in mind. When dealing with a VSO representative if you feel that you there is a "conflict of interest" in that rep's attitude towards your claim, get another opinion. VA Budget Report 38 U.S.C. 101 ' (16) The term "service-connected" means, with respect to disability or death, that such disabiliity was incurred or aggravated, or that the death resulted from a disability incurred or aggravated, in line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service. Today, 5/10/05, presumption in the affirmative; Courts upheld that the burden of proof evident the condition was prior to entry into military service is the responsibility of the government and rightfully so, not the veteran.

Please send me an email for corrections, update and other important links for vets!

See Senior Services for more senior programs.