New
Laws
Veterans
and Beneficiaries Receive 2012 Cost of Living Adjustment
“Veterans, their families and their survivors are entitled
to benefits that keep pace with the cost of living,”
said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “VA
is also using the latest technology to provide Veterans and
their families with access to current information about their
benefits.”
VA
Continues PTSD Outreach with AboutFace Campaign
In
observance of June as PTSD Awareness Month, the Department
of Veterans Affairs National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD) has begun a new online initiative, AboutFace,
focused on helping Veterans recognize PTSD symptoms and motivating
them to seek treatment. “We must do all we can to help
Veterans identify possible indicators that they may be suffering
from PTSD,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric
K. Shinseki. “It requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted
approach to be effective. We hope that this initiative, while
just one aspect of our program, will play an important role
in that effort.”
Women
Veterans Task Force Draft Plan Released
The
Department of Veterans Affairs is releasing for public comment
a draft of its strategic report to address key issues facing
women Veterans. The plan outlines steps for improvements to
care and services for women Veterans that are sustainable,
accountable and a part of the department’s culture and
operations.
Joint
VA/DOL Program Launches to Retrain 99,000 Unemployed Veterans
Starting
May 15, unemployed Veterans between the ages of 35 and 60
can now apply for new benefits to cover education costs for
up to one year through a joint Department of Veterans Affairs
and Department of Labor (DOL) program that focuses on retraining
99,000 Veterans for high-demand jobs.
VA-Army
Agreement Helping Transform Health Care for Patients
The Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of the Army are working
together to provide cutting-edge simulation-based training
for medical staff to enhance the quality of patient care at
VA medical facilities across the Nation. “This
agreement between the VA and the U.S. Army strengthens an
important relationship that helps VA deliver better health
care and value for all of our Nation’s Veterans. It
also allows VA to make the best and most cost-effective purchases
of simulation equipment, while also moving us toward system-wide
standardized simulation training,” said Dr. Robert A.
Petzel, VA Under Secretary for Health.
About
the Post-9/11 GI-Bill and its Upcoming Changes
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial
support for education and housing to individuals with at least
90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001,
or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability
after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge
to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. As of August 1,
2009, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is effective for training. Approved
training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill includes..
President
signs repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy
WASHINGTON (Army News
Service, Dec. 22, 2010) -- President Barack Obama signed the
bill to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy
on gays in the military. "No longer will tens of thousands
of Americans in uniform be asked to live a lie, or look over
their shoulder, in order to serve the country that they love,"
he said. "So this morning, I am proud to sign a law that
will bring an end to 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' It is a law,
this law I'm about to sign will strengthen our national security
and uphold the ideals that our fighting men and women risk
their lives to defend."
State
by State Veterans Programs
We've compiled the most complete list of state veterans programs
that all vets should be aware of. Many state programs for
vets offer everything from free education, free fishing and
hunting licence's and much more.Take advantage of these programs
as you and your family deserve the benefits of serving our
country well.
Equal
Rights For Disabled Veterans: Because You Served
Veterans have
provided a service to this country and are entitled to receive
certain benefits, including home loan benefits from the VA
loan program. Veterans who were disabled as a result of their
service in the military are entitled to additional VA loan
benefits, as well as fair and equal protection under the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development's Fair Housing
Act. VA loan benefits and the protection they receive from
this act can help veterans find affordable housing and save
money while allowing them to live comfortable lives.
Veterans
Benefits: Financial Help For Veterans And Their Survivors
Rachel Caesar,
the 1st American-born in her family of immigrants from Trinidad,
served within the National Guard and Army Reserve for 14 years.
Today, a few years following coming back from a tour of duty
in Afghanistan, she is out of an apartment, not working, and
even, on some days, ready to "ready to give up"
Disabled
Vietnam Veterans Can Receive Compensation.
Public laws and a number of regulations by the Department
of Veterans Affairs are intended to ensure that these persons
receive priority medical service at VA hospitals, or financial
compensation, or both.
Mycaa
Military Spouse Accounts – Funds Reinstated!
Are you an active-duty military spouse that had to
put their education on hold after losing your MyCAA funds?
On March 13, 2010, the Department of Defense (DoD) made a
very special announcement concerning MyCAA military spouse
accounts – funds will be reinstated for accounts that
are currently open.
VA’s
Mail-Order Pharmacy Program Recognized 2011
The Department
of Veterans Affairs’ mail-order pharmacy program has
been recognized as a J.D. Power 2011 Customer Service Champion
– one of only 40 entities in the United States to earn
the distinction this year. “We
are honored to receive this distinction and be included in
this elite group of companies that focus on customer service
excellence,” said Rita Brueckner, national quality management
officer for VA’s Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy
program.
|
