Empowering Our Veterans

Claiming the Benefits You’ve Earned

Author

Rickie Keys
September 25, 2023

Empowering Our Veterans: Claiming the Benefits You’ve Earned

Our veterans have dedicated their lives to the service and protection of our great nation, facing challenges and experiences that many of us can only imagine. As a country, our profound responsibility is to honor their sacrifice with words and meaningful actions that genuinely support their post-service lives. The benefits available to our veterans are not merely handouts; they are hard-earned acknowledgments of the price they've paid, the commitment they've shown, and the valor with which they've served.

Yet, many veterans often do not claim or even know about the full range of benefits they rightly deserve. This is not just an oversight—it's an injustice. By actively seeking out and securing these benefits, veterans aren't taking advantage but merely receiving what was promised. I strongly urge every veteran to take proactive steps to learn about, understand, and claim the benefits that have been established in gratitude for their service.

Would a Government Shutdown Affect Your Federal Benefits? Here’s What You Need to Know

Government Shutdown

  1. Impending Shutdown Concerns: There's a growing unease among the public regarding the potential government shutdown at the end of September. This mainly stems from concerns about the possible interruption of federal monthly payments.

  2. The Good News for Benefit Receivers: If you're a recipient of Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, or Veterans Affairs payments, rest assured: these payments will not be disrupted. These programs are funded through permanent appropriations and are not subject to current budget discussions. Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs has provisions ensuring that most of its operations, including compensation, pension benefits, and burial services, will continue without interruption.

  3. Agency Communication Hurdles: While benefits might not be disrupted, there may be challenges reaching agency representatives if the shutdown does occur. This is because some employees might be furloughed during the shutdown.

  4. Essential Services to Continue: Even during a shutdown, essential services would remain functional. Border protection, federal law enforcement, air traffic control, and even the U.S. Postal Service (which is funded independently) would persist in their duties.

  5. Current State of Shutdown Talks: Efforts to avoid a shutdown have hit significant roadblocks. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's spending cut plan, which aimed to appease conservative members of his party, faced rejection. The bill's progress was halted with a vote of 212-216, causing the House to go into recess.

🌟 Why This Matters: A government shutdown has broad implications, affecting many sectors of society. For many, the chief concern is the possible disruption of their federal benefits. This summary aims to clear the air about what one can expect regarding such benefits during a potential shutdown, emphasizing the fact that the major benefits will remain untouched.

👍 Find this helpful? Share with others, and click the link to dive deeper into the topic! Let’s stay informed together. 🔗 Read the full article

One in Three PACT Act Claims Receive 0% Disability Rating, Prompting VA Reconsideration

PACT Act Claims

  1. Highlighting the Issue: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has sanctioned almost 80% of the 570,000 claims under the PACT Act. However, 34% of these claims have been given a 0% disability rating. This means affected veterans have at least one service-connected condition (like hypertension from Agent Orange exposure), which isn't deemed disabling due to medical control.

  2. Veterans' Concerns: With many veterans and their service organizations worried about the 0% ratings, Joshua Jacobs, VA Under Secretary for Benefits, has initiated a review. The aim? To discern if the rating schedule can be adjusted, especially for medically managed conditions.

  3. Records Set by PACT Act Claims: Over 1 million PACT Act-related claims have been submitted this fiscal year, with 570,000 processed. Coupled with other claims, this marks a 40% increase from the prior record set in fiscal 2022. Jacobs credits this surge to the "largest outreach campaign in VA history."

  4. The Nuances of the 0% Rating: Jacobs points out that a 0% rating, though it doesn't provide direct compensation, offers veterans other benefits like healthcare, prescription waivers, and federal hiring advantages. Plus, it can lead to recognition for "secondary service-connected conditions."

  5. The PACT Act's Significance: This act has broadened healthcare and disability benefits for up to 6 million veterans exposed to burn pits and environmental pollution across various regions and wars. It has eliminated the need for veterans or their survivors to prove service connection for over 23 health ailments.

🌟 Why This Matters: The PACT Act represented a landmark veteran benefits expansion. However, the rising number of claims receiving a 0% disability rating underlines potential discrepancies in its implementation. With hypertension being a prime concern, the VA's review will be pivotal in ensuring veterans receive the compensation they deserve.

👍 If you value the welfare of our veterans, share this overview and dive deeper into the intricacies of the PACT Act's impact by reading the full article! 🔗 Read the full article

Veterans and Musculoskeletal Injuries: What You Need to Know

Veterans and Musculoskeletal Injuries

  1. The Prevalence: Musculoskeletal injuries are a major concern for returning veterans. In 2022, half of the top 10 service-connected disabilities were related to such disorders, making them a leading issue for those seeking VA compensation.

  2. The Big Five:

    • Limitation of Flexion, Knee: Ranked 2nd, with 134,893 new VA compensation cases. This injury often results from intense physical training or heavy lifting, causing difficulty in bending the knee.

    • Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain: Placing 3rd, with 103,768 new cases. This term refers to back or neck strains arising from heavy lifting or vehicular accidents during service.

    • Limitation of Motion of the Arm: Ranked 4th, with 91,424 new cases. Caused by injuries or overuse, this limitation impacts arm movement, especially when reaching.

    • Limitation of Motion of the Ankle: 7th on the list, with 71,410 new cases. Typically it stems from carrying heavy gear or navigating uneven terrains.

    • Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve: Taking the 8th spot, with 64,566 new cases. Back strain or direct injuries can damage this large nerve, causing pain and numbness.

  3. Going Deeper: There are various in-depth guides available to explore specific injuries further, such as back pain, degenerative disc disease, and sciatica. Additionally, conditions like arthritis, scoliosis, and carpal tunnel have their unique VA disability ratings.

  4. Training-Related Concerns: Military training is demanding, frequently resulting in injuries from repetitive motions, high-impact activities, or sudden movements. In 2023, the Army highlighted overuse injuries, fractures, and soft tissue injuries as common training-related issues.

  5. The Bottom Line: Understanding musculoskeletal injuries is crucial for veterans seeking VA compensation. This hub centralizes all relevant information, making it a vital resource for those in need.

Why This Article Matters: With many veterans returning from service experiencing musculoskeletal disabilities, this comprehensive guide is essential for understanding potential VA compensations and the specifics of each condition. The injuries covered affect thousands, and knowledge of them is not just important – it's imperative.

Veterans Affairs Disability Claims Hit Historic Backlog

1. The Backlog: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeing its highest backlog in almost ten years, with pending first-time disability claims nearing 300,000. This peak hasn't been seen since the early part of 2014.

2. Why the Surge? Contrary to fears of a system breakdown, VA leaders attribute this spike to the influx of claims related to the newly introduced military toxic exposure benefits. This indicates not just a bottleneck but also the success of reaching out and connecting more veterans with their due benefits. The Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT Act) of 2022 has expanded benefits covering certain cancers and respiratory illnesses, leading to over a million PACT Act claims in just a year.

3. What it Means for Veterans: The increasing backlog signifies a longer waiting period for veterans anticipating disability payouts. These can fluctuate between a few hundred to $4,300 a month, rooted in the injury's severity. While retroactive pay is available for prolonged claims, interim waiting can be financially straining for many.

4. The VA's Action Plan: To address this, the VA is ramping up its efforts by hiring and training more staff for claims processing. VA Under Secretary for Benefits, Joshua Jacobs, revealed their progress: completing over 8,000 claims on 102 separate days this year—a feat achieved just six times in the VA’s entire history before this. In addition, the VA's benefits workforce has expanded by about 20% within the past year.

5. Moving Forward: Expectations to restore the backlog to pre-pandemic levels have been pushed from 2024 to 2025. Meanwhile, there are plans to adopt technology enhancements and system upgrades for more efficient operations. With lessons from a decade ago in mind, lawmakers are keeping a watchful eye to ensure that the backlog doesn’t spiral out of control.

Why This Matters: The ability of the VA to efficiently handle disability claims directly impacts the well-being of veterans, many of whom rely on these funds. As the number of claims surges due to expanded benefits, it’s crucial to ensure that the veterans who've served the nation get the timely support they deserve.

Senators Call for Swift Action on Veteran Suicides Following Crisis Hotline Failures

1. The Urgent Issue: An alarming inspector general report highlighted significant flaws in the Department of Veterans Affairs crisis hotline for suicide prevention. Senators, concerned about the lack of progress in veterans’ mental health care, demand rapid improvements.

2. Striking Remarks: Sen. Jon Tester passionately articulated the sentiment of many senators during a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing, stating, “We’ve had so many hearings on mental health, and it doesn’t seem like anything has changed… We've got to do better.”

3. Telehealth as a Potential Solution: Senators pointed out that the new telehealth authorities for expanded mental health care were not being implemented swiftly. This slow progress prevents many veterans from getting the timely assistance they need. Sen. Angus King emphasized the crucial role of telehealth, especially for veterans in rural areas.

4. Disturbing Case: Highlighting the urgency, the inspector general's report described a tragic incident where a Texas veteran with significant mental health challenges died by suicide shortly after seeking assistance from the VA’s Veterans Crisis Line. This case revealed glaring deficiencies, such as inadequate risk assessment and improper documentation.

5. VA's Counter: Matthew Miller, the executive director for suicide prevention at the VA’s Veterans Health Administration, acknowledged the challenges. While he cited recent suicide statistics showing a decline among veterans, Miller admitted to the VA's shortcomings in implementing telehealth services and hiring enough qualified mental health specialists.

Why This Matters: The well-being and mental health of veterans, who have sacrificed for their nation, are paramount. Delays in providing essential support or flawed systems could lead to tragic outcomes. The calls for improvement shed light on the pressing need to ensure veterans receive timely and effective care.

Three VA Medical Centers Honored for Their Commitment to Veterans Through Community Partnerships

1. Overview: The 2023 National Community Partnership Challenge (CPC) announced its winners in August. Sponsored by the VA’s National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships (HAP), this challenge acknowledges partnerships that boost the well-being of veterans and their communities.

2. Theme and Purpose: The 2023 theme, “Accelerating VHA’s Journey to High Reliability Through Partnerships,” aims to bolster patient safety, cultivate a continuous improvement mindset, and employ proactive strategies to mitigate errors and adverse events.

3. Recognized Partnerships:

  • Greater Los Angeles VA: Partnering with AyZar Outreach, Brentwood School, U.S. VETS, and Village for Veterans, this VA center has effectively provided temporary and permanent housing solutions for veterans at risk of homelessness. Their program has notably scaled from hosting 10-15 tents to establishing 140 shelters on their property.

  • Syracuse VA: Collaborating with the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) and Clear Path for Veterans, Syracuse VA offers comprehensive educational support for veterans via a family and peer program. The partnership ensures veterans and their families access support groups simultaneously while also providing childcare and meals.

  • West Palm Beach VA: In partnership with Delray Beach Community Center, Vet Centers, and the West Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, this initiative offers specialized training for police officers about veteran-specific issues. The training aims to enhance understanding and foster positive interactions between law enforcement and veterans, reducing violent confrontations.

4. Impactful Words: Kenneth Dempsey from West Palm Beach, VA mentioned, "You can feel it. We hear it from the police officers. We hear it from the community. It’s measurable because we see a decrease in violent confrontations between police and Veterans in our community.”

5. Looking Ahead: With the upcoming 10th anniversary of the CPC in 2024, HAP is eager to further capitalize on successful VA partnerships to enrich veterans' lives.

Conclusion: These notable partnerships exemplify the power of collaboration in enhancing veterans' lives. They serve as models for other communities to emulate, ensuring veterans receive the support and care they deserve.

Massachusetts Establishes Board to Grant State Benefits to Veterans Denied Due to Former "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey inaugurated members of a novel state board on Wednesday, designed to aid veterans previously denied an honorable discharge under the U.S. military's antiquated “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in accessing state benefits.

Highlights:

  1. Historic Date: The event, which occurred 12 years post the repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” mandate, was a two-fold occasion: a commemoration and a reminder of the ongoing journey for justice. Healey stated, “an occasion to say our work is not done.”

  2. Veterans Equality Review Board's Role: Conceived in the 2023 fiscal state budget, the board’s mission is to evaluate submissions from Massachusetts veterans who presume they were bestowed an "other than honorable discharge" based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Following this, the board can endorse these veterans for state benefits.

  3. Board Members: The new panel comprises of the following members, each serving a term of five years:

    • Claire Burgess, VA Boston clinical psychologist

    • Cliff Brown, Home Base project manager

    • Lynette Gabrila, Wachusett district veterans’ services director

    • Christine Serpe, VA Boston staff psychologist

    • Rachel McNeill, U.S. Army Reserve veteran

  4. U.S. Department of Defense's Initiative: Parallelly, a fresh website was unveiled by the U.S. Department of Defense, enabling individuals previously discharged under the policy to petition for corrections in their military records.

  5. Sen. John Velis's Perspective: Senator Velis, a U.S. Army Reserve veteran and National Guard serviceman, expressed his view on the matter, emphasizing the common bond soldiers share, regardless of their personal backgrounds. Velis lamented the time when certain soldiers couldn't openly discuss their families due to fear of prejudice, calling such a state of affairs “morally reprehensible.”

In Conclusion: This move by the Massachusetts government marks a significant stride towards rectifying past injustices, ensuring veterans, irrespective of their personal identities, are recognized and supported appropriately for their services.

Lebanon VA Medical Center Recognized as the Top VA Facility in the U.S. for Third Consecutive Year

Lebanon VA Medical Center

For the third year running, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has conferred the Lebanon VA Medical Center with the prestigious distinction of being the top VA Medical Center in the country in terms of patient experience.

The esteemed award was announced during the VA’s annual Customer Experience Symposium, which took place on September 7-8 in Washington, D.C. The Lebanon VA Medical Center and its five affiliate community clinics earned this honor due to their combined stellar scores in patient and employee experience among all complexity level 2 facilities under the Veterans Health Administration.

Comparing the award's significance to illustrious accolades like the Oscar, Emmy, or Grammy, Jeffrey A. Beiler, Lebanon VAMC's CEO and Executive Director, proudly remarked, "It’s a great day when the actions, culture, and outcomes of our staff are recognized and honored at a national level." He added, "The best in VA Overall Experience Award reaffirms years of excellence and showcases the monumental achievements possible with outstanding teamwork."

About Lebanon VA Medical Center:

  • Serving Central Pennsylvania: Nestled in Lebanon, the medical center caters to veterans across nine counties in south-central Pennsylvania, which include Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, Schuylkill, and York.

  • Size and Scale: The Lebanon VAMC stands among 170 dedicated medical centers nationwide, all of which are committed to delivering world-class medical care to the nation’s veterans. The center's workforce of over 2,000 serves close to 50,000 veterans annually across the aforementioned nine-county region.

  • Community Clinics: In addition to the main facility, Lebanon VAMC oversees community clinics situated in Lancaster, Mechanicsburg, Pottsville, Wyomissing, York, and Fort Indiantown Gap.

End Note: This consistent national recognition underscores Lebanon VAMC's unwavering commitment to quality care and service to America's veterans, making it a beacon of excellence in the veterans' healthcare sector.

Unlock Your Benefits Today!

Knowledge is the first step. Action, the next. Dive deep, discover, and claim your entitlements. For a detailed guide and criteria for eligibility, make your way to GetMyVABenefits.com.

To the heroes of the past, present, and future: Your sacrifices are recognized, and your well-being is a priority.