Veteran Service Officers
American Legion Post 141 is here to help. We have a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) who has resources and has connections to other resources for:
Phone: (510) 258-2167
alvso@gmail.com
Accredited American Legion VSOs are specially trained to provide expert assistance, free of charge, concerning VA disability benefits and other VA programs. But the Legion is here to help even if your question is not about the VA. The VSO has access to resources for housing, food, economic help, employment, education, transportation, transition into or out of deployment status, and for many other aspects of life that are experienced differently by veterans than by civilians who have not seen, done or been though what you and your family have.
Just because you took off the uniform doesn’t mean you are no longer part of the US military family. We had each other’s back then. We still do now.
- active duty, guard and reserve service members
- anybody with prior US military service
- immediate family of the above
- caregivers for the above
Phone: (510) 258-2167
alvso@gmail.com
Accredited American Legion VSOs are specially trained to provide expert assistance, free of charge, concerning VA disability benefits and other VA programs. But the Legion is here to help even if your question is not about the VA. The VSO has access to resources for housing, food, economic help, employment, education, transportation, transition into or out of deployment status, and for many other aspects of life that are experienced differently by veterans than by civilians who have not seen, done or been though what you and your family have.
Just because you took off the uniform doesn’t mean you are no longer part of the US military family. We had each other’s back then. We still do now.
March 2023
PACT Act Open House
Livingston County Veterans Services will be holding a PACT Act briefing on 23 March at 0930 through 1130 at their office on 1420 Lawson Drive, Howell, 48843. There is no charge.
DD-214 Online Request
You don’t have to write to the National Personnel Records Center to get your DD-214 anymore. There is now an online process. If your DD-214 has been scanned into the system, you should get an electronic copy emailed to you much faster than the two years it takes to get it in hard copy from Saint Louis. Go to https://vetrecs.archives.gov/VeteranRequest/home.html? to ask for yours.
You might want to call 800 642-4838 (MVAA) to see if they have it first. They will respond the same day, if they have yours.
American Legion Lawyer for Camp Lejeune cases
The American Legion has entered into an agreement with Bergmann & Moore, LLC to handle Camp Lejuene cases for American Legion members. One of the benefits is that the total legal fee is capped at 33.33% of the recovery, rather than costs plus 1/3 of the recovery. You are allowed and advised to pursue both the lawsuit and your VA Compensation claims at the same time. You can go to camplejeunelitigationteam.com/al to start the case, or you can call (800) 898-9450.
Vietnam Veterans Day, 29 May
For those in this room, thanking and welcoming home a Vietnam Era Veteran is nothing new. Our members value everyone who ever wore an American military uniform, not matter when or where they served. But for the nation, this is still an unlearned lesson. For example, even though we now fly the POW-MIA flag under the US Flag on all federal buildings, our efforts to recover POWs and MIAs from Vietnam pales in comparison to recovery operations for all servicemembers of all other periods. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency reports that of the 166 bodies that were recovered during the 2022 fiscal year, only 2 were from the Vietnam war and those were recovered by Vietnam searchers, not by the DoD.
February 2023
Things you should know:
Suicide Prevention Training
VA SAVE may help you act with care and compassion if you encounter a Veteran who is in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts. The acronym S.A.V.E. helps you remember the important steps involved in suicide prevention:
https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/docs/VA_SAVE_Training.pdf
A Private Crisis Line
Vets4Warriors, by Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care Nation Calle Center provides a service similar to the VA Crisis Line without having to talk to the computer first and with only veteran counselors. It is available to all active, reserve and guard military personnel, veterans, family members and caregivers. Call or text (855) 838-8255 or chat online at www.Vets4Warriors.com.
Don’t Forget Your Education Benefits
Those who are still in service who don’t want to go back to school can transfer their Pot 9/11 education benefits to their dependents. Even if you don’t see yourself studying rocket science in a regular classroom, there are many other training programs that qualify for GI Bill from truck driving to construction and beyond. There is even a program for veterans who want to learn how to start their own business.
Your help is needed
The PACT Act is giving lots of press to our exposures to all kinds of toxins in all kinds of places. The VA is moving to implement the PACT’s provisions that might result in you getting better healthcare. It is also interviewing us to see if we should be on one of the toxin registries. However, it is not moving so fast to protect our children. It is requiring us to sue them to implement the research provisions of the prior toxic exposure acts. You can help overcome this by making sure you and your offspring are registered with birthdefects.org – a private organization that is doing the government’s job of studying the health impacts of toxins on following generations. For more information, visit https://birthdefects.org.
Also do not ignore the letters you get from the VA saying that you may be entitled to enroll on one or more registries or apply for toxin related compensation.
January 2023
Things you should know:
Free Acute Suicidal Crises Care
According to the American Legion national website, starting Jan. 17, veterans in acute suicidal crisis will be able to go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergency health care at no cost. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit. The benefit includes inpatient crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days.
VSO Office Hours Change
Effective Immediately, office hours will be on Tuesday from 1500 to 1700 (instead of from noon to 1400). If you need help or want to refer somebody for help, you may also call or text (517) 258-2167 or send email to alvso141@gmail.com.
Community Care:
If the VA has approved you to get urgent care but the place you go can’t find that you are eligible, please ask them to call the verification number for our area: 888-901-6609. Some of the urgent care facilities are calling the west coast, not the Midwest for verification.
Nexus Letters:
Several high-ranking Ann Arbor VA officials have assured me that VA medical professionals are authorized and encouraged to write nexus letters for veterans when the facts warrant it. If you or a vet you know is denied a nexus letter because of “VA policy” please make sure the “policy” they refer to is based on the facts of the case, not a general rule. In other words, if a doctor isn’t familiar with your military history and can’t say for sure you banged your head on a bulkhead, policy would prevent the doctor from writing a nexus letter because the facts don’t justify it. But if the doctor sees that you banged your head, then a nexus letter is authorized and encouraged when the doctor can say that it is as likely as not that banging your head caused the injury you now have. If you or a veteran you know has been wrongfully denied a nexus letter, please let me know. I’ve been told that VA officials will review these cases with me.
December 2022
November 2022
Things you should know:
File Notice of Intent Now
If you file a VA Form 21-0966 VA Notice of Intent to File a Claim today, you have one year from today to file the claim. If you win, your retroactive pay will go back to today, not the day you filed the claim. If you are wondering if you qualify for something, file the notice today, then you have up to a year to gather documents, talk to experts and get your claim filed.
Nexus Letters:
Some veterans are being told that the VA doctors are not allowed to complete Nexus Letters* or Disability Benefits Questionnaires**. The official policy says that is not true, but the VA currently has no plan to enforce its policy. Therefore the American Legion needs to know specific instances where a doctor has told a veteran that they are prohibited from doing benefit paperwork. If you or somebody you know is in this situation, please let me know the doctors name, the date (more or less) and facility where the statement was made. Not only will that data be used to get you the help you need, but it will also be used by Michigan Department to help the VA’s Inspector General understand that this is a systemic problem that needs to be resolved quickly.
Lifetime National Park Pass for Veterans
All veterans, reservists and guard members are entitled free entry into national parks and other federal facilities. You can still get into many facilities with your ID card, but if you don’t have one, you need to get a pass. The pass they issue now is a lifetime pass. Go to https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/pickup-pass-locations.htm for a list of places you can get a pass. Seniors and disabled can get theirs online for a small fee at https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes.
Buddy To Buddy
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency is another place to call for resources of all kinds. Their number is 1-800-MICH-VET. (800) 642-4838. They also run the Buddy to Buddy program. Buddies are folks who share some of your experiences. You can talk to them about the road ahead of you and about how they handled their challenges. They also help you get connected to the resources you need. Do you think you might be a good buddy? Send an email to MVAA-B2B@michigan.gov to get more information and to learn about an online information session about becoming a mentor.
Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (Part of the PACT ACT)
This law allows certain folks to sue the United States for damage caused by 30 days or more of exposure to Camp Lejeune water. But, if you win, your award must be offset by any payment you receive from the VA, Medicaid or Medicare. So, the rumor of the “giveback” is true, but limited to Camp Lejeune water lawsuits. The giveback includes payments made to the veteran or veteran’s representative. It does not appear to include payments made to surviving spouses or dependents.
* A “Nexus Letter” is a written opinion from an expert that says your current health problem was caused by an event that happened while you were in the military.
** A “Disability Benefits Questionnaire” is a long form that is filled out by an expert and that is used by VA raters to determine if you have a disability, whether it is service connected and, if so, how severe the disability is according to the appropriate rating table.
October 2022
The (PACT) Act expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substance. This historic new law empowers VA to provide generations of Veterans – and their survivors – with the care and benefits they have earned.
Please join staff members of VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System for an important Veteran Town Hall on Thursday, October 20th, at 10:00 a.m. to receive an overview of the PACT Act, how it will help VA serve Veterans, the new and expanded health care and benefits options outlined in the law, and answers questions you may have.
Join Microsoft Teams meeting on your computer, mobile app or room device:
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 222 799 044 915
Passcode: u4xtZ9
Or call in (audio only):
1 872-701-0185
Phone Conference ID: 964 115 080#
Veteran Hiring Event
Hire MI Vet is hosting a veteran hiring event at the Howell Armory on 10 November. 25 Livingston County area employers will be ready to hire veterans on the spot or at least get them through the interview phase. If you are looking for work, this is a great opportunity.
Hire MI Vet would appreciate it if the Howell American Legion would send 7 volunteers to the event to assist veterans find their way around the Armory. Volunteers are needed from 0900 until 1300. The actual hiring event will be from 1000 to 1230.
www.22aday.org
You are encouraged to help place crosses for the Veteran Suicide Awareness Presentation being cosponsored by our American Legion Riders and 222ADay.Org. We place the crosses everyday at 1815. If you know veterans who lost the battle to suicide, you may write their name on one of the crosses.
Please keep your eyes out for folks who seem different from normal (for them). Ask them if they would like any kind of help knowing that if they say yes, your Legion Family can help you help them get the help they need. Suicides don’t happen as much for people who have hope that help is nearby.PAST REPORTS
September 2022
If you have a claim pending, want to know if you are eligible for PACT Act benefits, want to sign up for VA healthcare or have other VA related questions, there will be a unique opportunity to get some answers. The VA and the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency are arranging phone appointments for one on one help. When you register for the event, you will be given an appointment sometime between 1000 and 1500 on 4, 5 or 6 October. You will receive a phone call from someone who will try to answer your questions.
Click this link to request the appointment that works for you: https://book.appointment-plus.com/ck3047g2/#/
Women Veterans Call Center
The Women Veterans Call Center will help you navigate VA, point you in the right direction, and connect you with the Women Veterans Program Manager at your local VA medical center. You can call for yourself or on someone else’s behalf. Just call 855-829-6636.
Suicide Awareness Month
Please keep your eyes out for folks who seem different from normal (for them). Ask them if they would like any kind of help knowing that if they say yes, your Legion Family can help you help them get the help they need. Suicides don’t happen as much for people who have hope that help is nearby.
Veteran Directed Care Program
If a veteran suffers from an issue that makes it so that the veterans needs help with one or more of what they call “activities of daily living” (defined by the VA as “bathing, feeding, dressing, toileting, adjust prosthetic devices, meal preparation, medication management or protection from environmental hazards due to mental or physical incapacity”) the veteran is entitled to some at-home care. In the past, the VA would send somebody. Under the Veteran Directed Care Program, the veteran is given a care budget which they can use to hire their own caregivers (including family members), purchase approved goods and services and do other things to keep them independent.
Have them ask their VA Primary Care Physician or a VA Social Worker for a referral to the Veteran Directed Care program.
August 2022
PACT ACT PASSES:
What you should do
If you don’t already get your healthcare at the VA, apply now. Even if you want to keep your civilian doc, apply now. The VA does work with civilian healthcare providers.
If you applied for any compensation in the past for anything seeming like Gulf War Syndrome or a respiratory disease after serving in the sandbox, file you claim again now.
Meet with your VSO to see if your medical records indicate that you have any presumptive conditions you need to be compensated for.
It will help for your own healthcare, and for compensation and may help your dependents with healthcare and compensation if you register yourself and your next two generations of children at www.birthdefects.org. Similarly, it will help if you make sure you are on the VA’s Agent Orange registry and on the VA’s Burn Pit registry if you served in the sandbox or Vietnam area.
July 2022
Mental Health Hotline: No more messing around with dialing a ten-digit number then waiting through an announcement and then dialing “1” to get mental health help in a hurry. Starting now, you should dial “988” instead. You can use this number for yourself or to get help dealing with a veteran who is experiencing a mental health emergency. Be advised, this number is used by civilians as well, so if you want help for a vet related issue, be sure to say so because they can directly connect you to folks who specialize in helping veterans and their caregivers and families.
Vet Fest Last month I said that VetFest will be in Washtenaw instead of in Livingston. Turns out I was wrong. There will also be the Livingstong County VetFest, run by the same group as last year. The event runs from 1200 to 1600 on 13 August at the Fowlerville Fairgrounds. You do need a ticket which you get online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vet-fest-livingston-county-2022-tickets-348925113407?aff=Website
PACT Act If all goes well, the PACT Act will be law by our August meeting. The new law would do a lot of things for veterans, families and caregivers. Congress finally recognizes that military service comes with toxic exposures that cause long term illness, sometimes death too, both for the servicemembers and for their offspring. It beefs up the process for identifying veterans with toxic exposure, it calls for more studies about how offspring are impacted and to what extent and provides for faster and more complete treatment and compensation. Once it passes, you can see me for more details.
Adaptive Housing needs Help You already know that certain disabled vets are entitled to a grant to fixup their house to make it useful for veterans with their particular disabilities. What you might not know is that the VA is looking for contractors to do those modifications and, surprisingly, it needs veterans with disabilities to use up the grant money that is available for those home remodeling projects. Please spread the word.
Pimp my Ride There is also a similar program to adapt your vehicle to your needs in the context of your disabilities. https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/special-claims/automobile-allowance-adaptive-equipment/
Quickest way to get your DD-214? Call 800 642-4838 and ask them to send it to you. That number goes to the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. They have many electronic DD-214’s on file. One of them might be yours. If you are old, you were told to record your DD-214 with the county clerk’s office. If you took that advice, you can get a copy there.
June 2022
Washtenaw Vet Fest will be like the one we attended last year at the Fowlerville fairgrounds but put on by a different group – Veterans Community Action Team 9 (or VCAT9). 23 July from 1100 to 1500. Ticket required, but free. See https://tinyurl.com/washvet22 for details. The other group’s VetFest will be in Roscommon County this year.
Veteran Hiring Event We will be hosting a hiring event on 20 October 2022. To be successful, we’ll need 15 employers who have open jobs they want to fill with veterans. If you know of an employer that might be interested, please let me know or refer them to me. The other half of the event is helping veterans get ready to be hired.
New Life Insurance Program
In January 2023, VA will launch a new program offering, Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife), which provides guaranteed acceptance whole-life insurance coverage to Veterans ages 80 and under with any level of service-connected disability. Although, some Veterans aged 81 and older may also be eligible. For more information, go to https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/103790/valife-insurance-program-coming-january-2023-veterans-with-service-connection
VA Canteen Offers Discount Eye Wear
Get up to 35% off your next pair of glasses with Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) Rx Eyewear! Veterans enrolled in VA health care, their families, and caretakers have access to discounts on a wide variety of both prescription or regular glasses and sunglasses. Check https://vcsrxeyewear.com for details.
Just Got Back?
If you just got home from service and are wondering about VA benefits, transition assistance and other related services, check out this online resource guide: https://www.va.gov/welcome-kit/?utm_source=footer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=VetResources
This 51 page booklet is not anything you want to read from cover to cover, but it will outline your benefits and some resources available to you. If a topic interests you, there are additional details about it and how to apply for it, etc.
May 2022
Need A Big Turnout Michigan attorney Lisa H Beatty will be here at 1830 on 25 May. She’s coming here on her own time to help you understand the 5 most important documents everyone should have and to answer your questions about living wills and estate planning.
Nine New Presumptives for Sandbox Vets On April 26, VA announced the addition of nine rare respiratory cancers to the list of presumed service-connected disabilities due to exposure to fine particulate matter for Veterans who served any amount of time in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Syria or Uzbekistan during the Persian Gulf War, from September 19, 2001, to the present, or The Southwest Asia theater of operations from August 2, 1990, to the present.
Veterans and survivors who had claims previously denied for any of the below respiratory cancers are encouraged to file a supplemental claim for benefits;
Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx;
Squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea;
Adenocarcinoma of the trachea;
Salivary gland-type tumors of the trachea;
Adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung;
Large cell carcinoma of the lung;
Salivary gland-type tumors of the lung;
Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung and;
Typical and atypical carcinoid of the lung.
Learn Free Job-Ready Skills with Career Forward
Veterans, transitioning service members, military spouses and military caregivers are eligible to participate in Career Forward for free. Learn job-ready skills and start a new career in under six months with help from Google Career Certificates available in data analytics, IT support, project management, or user experience design.
https://www.hiringourheroes.org/career-services/education-networking/career-forward/
Travel Benefit Expanded As of July 2021, all Veterans with a discharge status of honorable or general under honorable conditions are eligible to shop for a wide selection of discounted rates on hotels, air fare, rental cars, vacation packages, cruises and much more on www.AmericanForcesTravel.com.
American Forces Travel is the Department of Defense’s official Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) platform offering bookings for leisure travel. A portion of all bookings go back to support military quality of life programs.
April 2022
Estate Planning
Rain Replay Michigan attorney Lisa H Beatty will be here at 1830 on 25 May. She’s
coming here on her own time to help you understand the 5 most important
documents everyone should have and to answer your questions about living wills and
estate planning. We didn’t have a good turn out last time due to weather and short
notice. Please help get the word out.
Commissary Benefit In 2020, commissary shopping benefits expanded to include
more Veterans:
Veterans with any VA-documented service-connected disabilities; Purple Heart recipients;
Former prisoners of war; and Individuals assessed, approved and designated as primary family caregivers to eligible Veterans under VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. Veterans and designated caregivers are encouraged to check their commissary privilege qualifications. The benefit can be used on line to some extent.
Together We Served: This is a VA website that will help you connect with the people
with whom you served. While it is offered to help you connect with those you survived
with and probably still can relate to today, another reason to be aware of it is in case
you need a buddy statement for your VA compensation claim. The military records
you think are being kept may not be accessible. If you need help proving where you
were, when you were there or what happened while you were there, this website can
help you find people who were there with you. There are over two million veterans
on this site so far. https://join.togetherweserved.com/va
Job Fair Plans: Our plans to hold a job fair are still underway. I believe details will
start coming together yet this month.
March 2022
Need A Big Turnout Michigan attorney Lisa H Beatty will be here at 1830 on 23 March. She’s coming here on her own time to help you understand the 5 most important documents everyone should have and to answer your questions about living wills and estate planning.
Veterans Employment Services (VES) The concept of veterans helping veterans is a trademark of the VES team and one of the keys to its success. Veterans face many challenges when transitioning out of the military – finding meaningful employment should not be one of them.
• Veterans in need of employment assistance should contact the nearest Michigan Works! One-Stop Service Center by calling 800-285-WORKS (9675) or visiting https://www.michiganworks.org/.
• More information about Veterans’ Employment Services is available at https://www.michigan.gov/leo/0,5863,7-336-94422_95539_98962---,00.html.
• Register today and start your job search at Pure Michigan Talent Connect at https://www.mitalent.org/.
Sand Box Presumptive Cancers: If you served in the southwest Asia theater of operations - Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, and the airspace above these locations, you should file a notice of intent to file a claim with the VA if you have one of these cancers:
February 2022
Benefit Recalculation: It is true that certain benefit ratings are being recalculated. However, the changes will not apply retroactively. Your current rating will not be changed unless you do something like as for a new rating. The changes are based on the science and the data associated with aspects of illnesses as they are becoming better understood. Hearing and PTSD ratings are among those that will change. The changes are only proposed at this point anyway.
Veteran Health Care Reopened: Post 9/11 veterans were given 5 years of VA healthcare when they left active duty. Due to the passage of a slimmed down burn pit bill, all post 9/11 veterans will get one more year of free healthcare at the VA. Those who apply will be screened for all of the known problems associated with burn pits and other toxic exposures they may have experienced down range. Even if you like your private pay healthcare, still sign up and go through the screening.
Post 9/11 Veterans Dying Fast: Post 9/11 veterans are dying at a faster rate than Americans overall. Those who experienced traumatic brain injury are the most at risk. Post 9/11 veterans are committing suicide at double the rate of the American population. Please keep your eye on our post 9/11 brothers and sisters.
Speaking of Veteran Suicide: The VA has a new suicide prevention strategy. You can read about HERE.
Goal 7 of the plan is to provide training to community and clinical service providers on the prevention of suicide and related behaviors. The VA thinks all community-based and clinical suicide prevention professionals whose work brings them into contact with Veterans at risk for suicide should be trained on military culture, how to address suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and how to respond to those who have been affected by suicide. Once this training becomes available, I’ll let you know. We should get this training.
January 2022
From the Veterans Benefits Newsletter: Solid Start
The VA is calling every newly separated service member three times during their first year of separation. From help getting a home loan, to health care, to returning to work, to mental health support – the VA is here for you. It’s your call. Qualified VA representatives will be reaching out to help you better understand the benefits available to you and help you get a solid start on your civilian life. VA is on the line – take the call!
https://benefits.va.gov/transition/solid-start.asp
National Personnel Records Center Update:
Since covid, the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has been running at less than 15% capacity. It increased to 25% in September and is now up to 45%. Due to the lack of personnel, NPRC is processing requests that were made in November of 2019. If you need something from your records in a hurry, go to your e-benefits website and look there. Not signed up yet? Click here:
https://myaccess.dmdc.osd.mil/identitymanagement/registration.do?execution=e1s1
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency may have what you need, including your DD-214. Contact them at 800-642-4838. Also, your DD-214 may be on file in the county you came home to after your service. Check with the register of deeds there.
Free Premium Linked In: LinkedIn offers U.S. veterans a free one-year Premium Careers subscription, including access to LinkedIn Learning.
To be eligible for this offer, you must meet all of the following requirements:
https://socialimpact.linkedin.com/programs/veterans/premiumform
VA Response Time Rules Change:
I’ve had a couple people ask what to do when they receive a letter that was dated months ago and says they have 30 days or more to respond. The delay is a dual problem. The company that is contracted by the VA to produce the letters is having difficulty. When the documents finally get to the post office, they are also held up longer because of the post office delivery timeframe. The VA is aware of both issues. They have said they are automatically extending the deadlines for any of the letters it sends by an additional 90 days. When you receive something that requires a response, complete it immediately and send it back as quickly as you reasonably can. Most forms have a “comment” box on them. It’s a good idea to mention the date you received the demand letter and the date of the demand letter in the comments box of your reply form.
PACT Act Open House
Livingston County Veterans Services will be holding a PACT Act briefing on 23 March at 0930 through 1130 at their office on 1420 Lawson Drive, Howell, 48843. There is no charge.
DD-214 Online Request
You don’t have to write to the National Personnel Records Center to get your DD-214 anymore. There is now an online process. If your DD-214 has been scanned into the system, you should get an electronic copy emailed to you much faster than the two years it takes to get it in hard copy from Saint Louis. Go to https://vetrecs.archives.gov/VeteranRequest/home.html? to ask for yours.
You might want to call 800 642-4838 (MVAA) to see if they have it first. They will respond the same day, if they have yours.
American Legion Lawyer for Camp Lejeune cases
The American Legion has entered into an agreement with Bergmann & Moore, LLC to handle Camp Lejuene cases for American Legion members. One of the benefits is that the total legal fee is capped at 33.33% of the recovery, rather than costs plus 1/3 of the recovery. You are allowed and advised to pursue both the lawsuit and your VA Compensation claims at the same time. You can go to camplejeunelitigationteam.com/al to start the case, or you can call (800) 898-9450.
Vietnam Veterans Day, 29 May
For those in this room, thanking and welcoming home a Vietnam Era Veteran is nothing new. Our members value everyone who ever wore an American military uniform, not matter when or where they served. But for the nation, this is still an unlearned lesson. For example, even though we now fly the POW-MIA flag under the US Flag on all federal buildings, our efforts to recover POWs and MIAs from Vietnam pales in comparison to recovery operations for all servicemembers of all other periods. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency reports that of the 166 bodies that were recovered during the 2022 fiscal year, only 2 were from the Vietnam war and those were recovered by Vietnam searchers, not by the DoD.
February 2023
Things you should know:
Suicide Prevention Training
VA SAVE may help you act with care and compassion if you encounter a Veteran who is in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts. The acronym S.A.V.E. helps you remember the important steps involved in suicide prevention:
- Signs - Recognize the Signs of someone thinking about suicide.
- Ask if you are thinking of killing yourself.
- Validate the Veteran’s experience.
- Encourage treatment and expedite getting help.
https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/docs/VA_SAVE_Training.pdf
A Private Crisis Line
Vets4Warriors, by Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care Nation Calle Center provides a service similar to the VA Crisis Line without having to talk to the computer first and with only veteran counselors. It is available to all active, reserve and guard military personnel, veterans, family members and caregivers. Call or text (855) 838-8255 or chat online at www.Vets4Warriors.com.
Don’t Forget Your Education Benefits
Those who are still in service who don’t want to go back to school can transfer their Pot 9/11 education benefits to their dependents. Even if you don’t see yourself studying rocket science in a regular classroom, there are many other training programs that qualify for GI Bill from truck driving to construction and beyond. There is even a program for veterans who want to learn how to start their own business.
Your help is needed
The PACT Act is giving lots of press to our exposures to all kinds of toxins in all kinds of places. The VA is moving to implement the PACT’s provisions that might result in you getting better healthcare. It is also interviewing us to see if we should be on one of the toxin registries. However, it is not moving so fast to protect our children. It is requiring us to sue them to implement the research provisions of the prior toxic exposure acts. You can help overcome this by making sure you and your offspring are registered with birthdefects.org – a private organization that is doing the government’s job of studying the health impacts of toxins on following generations. For more information, visit https://birthdefects.org.
Also do not ignore the letters you get from the VA saying that you may be entitled to enroll on one or more registries or apply for toxin related compensation.
January 2023
Things you should know:
Free Acute Suicidal Crises Care
According to the American Legion national website, starting Jan. 17, veterans in acute suicidal crisis will be able to go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergency health care at no cost. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit. The benefit includes inpatient crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days.
VSO Office Hours Change
Effective Immediately, office hours will be on Tuesday from 1500 to 1700 (instead of from noon to 1400). If you need help or want to refer somebody for help, you may also call or text (517) 258-2167 or send email to alvso141@gmail.com.
Community Care:
If the VA has approved you to get urgent care but the place you go can’t find that you are eligible, please ask them to call the verification number for our area: 888-901-6609. Some of the urgent care facilities are calling the west coast, not the Midwest for verification.
Nexus Letters:
Several high-ranking Ann Arbor VA officials have assured me that VA medical professionals are authorized and encouraged to write nexus letters for veterans when the facts warrant it. If you or a vet you know is denied a nexus letter because of “VA policy” please make sure the “policy” they refer to is based on the facts of the case, not a general rule. In other words, if a doctor isn’t familiar with your military history and can’t say for sure you banged your head on a bulkhead, policy would prevent the doctor from writing a nexus letter because the facts don’t justify it. But if the doctor sees that you banged your head, then a nexus letter is authorized and encouraged when the doctor can say that it is as likely as not that banging your head caused the injury you now have. If you or a veteran you know has been wrongfully denied a nexus letter, please let me know. I’ve been told that VA officials will review these cases with me.
December 2022
November 2022
Things you should know:
File Notice of Intent Now
If you file a VA Form 21-0966 VA Notice of Intent to File a Claim today, you have one year from today to file the claim. If you win, your retroactive pay will go back to today, not the day you filed the claim. If you are wondering if you qualify for something, file the notice today, then you have up to a year to gather documents, talk to experts and get your claim filed.
Nexus Letters:
Some veterans are being told that the VA doctors are not allowed to complete Nexus Letters* or Disability Benefits Questionnaires**. The official policy says that is not true, but the VA currently has no plan to enforce its policy. Therefore the American Legion needs to know specific instances where a doctor has told a veteran that they are prohibited from doing benefit paperwork. If you or somebody you know is in this situation, please let me know the doctors name, the date (more or less) and facility where the statement was made. Not only will that data be used to get you the help you need, but it will also be used by Michigan Department to help the VA’s Inspector General understand that this is a systemic problem that needs to be resolved quickly.
Lifetime National Park Pass for Veterans
All veterans, reservists and guard members are entitled free entry into national parks and other federal facilities. You can still get into many facilities with your ID card, but if you don’t have one, you need to get a pass. The pass they issue now is a lifetime pass. Go to https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/pickup-pass-locations.htm for a list of places you can get a pass. Seniors and disabled can get theirs online for a small fee at https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes.
Buddy To Buddy
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency is another place to call for resources of all kinds. Their number is 1-800-MICH-VET. (800) 642-4838. They also run the Buddy to Buddy program. Buddies are folks who share some of your experiences. You can talk to them about the road ahead of you and about how they handled their challenges. They also help you get connected to the resources you need. Do you think you might be a good buddy? Send an email to MVAA-B2B@michigan.gov to get more information and to learn about an online information session about becoming a mentor.
Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (Part of the PACT ACT)
This law allows certain folks to sue the United States for damage caused by 30 days or more of exposure to Camp Lejeune water. But, if you win, your award must be offset by any payment you receive from the VA, Medicaid or Medicare. So, the rumor of the “giveback” is true, but limited to Camp Lejeune water lawsuits. The giveback includes payments made to the veteran or veteran’s representative. It does not appear to include payments made to surviving spouses or dependents.
* A “Nexus Letter” is a written opinion from an expert that says your current health problem was caused by an event that happened while you were in the military.
** A “Disability Benefits Questionnaire” is a long form that is filled out by an expert and that is used by VA raters to determine if you have a disability, whether it is service connected and, if so, how severe the disability is according to the appropriate rating table.
October 2022
The (PACT) Act expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substance. This historic new law empowers VA to provide generations of Veterans – and their survivors – with the care and benefits they have earned.
Please join staff members of VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System for an important Veteran Town Hall on Thursday, October 20th, at 10:00 a.m. to receive an overview of the PACT Act, how it will help VA serve Veterans, the new and expanded health care and benefits options outlined in the law, and answers questions you may have.
Join Microsoft Teams meeting on your computer, mobile app or room device:
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 222 799 044 915
Passcode: u4xtZ9
Or call in (audio only):
1 872-701-0185
Phone Conference ID: 964 115 080#
Veteran Hiring Event
Hire MI Vet is hosting a veteran hiring event at the Howell Armory on 10 November. 25 Livingston County area employers will be ready to hire veterans on the spot or at least get them through the interview phase. If you are looking for work, this is a great opportunity.
Hire MI Vet would appreciate it if the Howell American Legion would send 7 volunteers to the event to assist veterans find their way around the Armory. Volunteers are needed from 0900 until 1300. The actual hiring event will be from 1000 to 1230.
www.22aday.org
You are encouraged to help place crosses for the Veteran Suicide Awareness Presentation being cosponsored by our American Legion Riders and 222ADay.Org. We place the crosses everyday at 1815. If you know veterans who lost the battle to suicide, you may write their name on one of the crosses.
Please keep your eyes out for folks who seem different from normal (for them). Ask them if they would like any kind of help knowing that if they say yes, your Legion Family can help you help them get the help they need. Suicides don’t happen as much for people who have hope that help is nearby.PAST REPORTS
September 2022
If you have a claim pending, want to know if you are eligible for PACT Act benefits, want to sign up for VA healthcare or have other VA related questions, there will be a unique opportunity to get some answers. The VA and the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency are arranging phone appointments for one on one help. When you register for the event, you will be given an appointment sometime between 1000 and 1500 on 4, 5 or 6 October. You will receive a phone call from someone who will try to answer your questions.
Click this link to request the appointment that works for you: https://book.appointment-plus.com/ck3047g2/#/
Women Veterans Call Center
The Women Veterans Call Center will help you navigate VA, point you in the right direction, and connect you with the Women Veterans Program Manager at your local VA medical center. You can call for yourself or on someone else’s behalf. Just call 855-829-6636.
Suicide Awareness Month
Please keep your eyes out for folks who seem different from normal (for them). Ask them if they would like any kind of help knowing that if they say yes, your Legion Family can help you help them get the help they need. Suicides don’t happen as much for people who have hope that help is nearby.
Veteran Directed Care Program
If a veteran suffers from an issue that makes it so that the veterans needs help with one or more of what they call “activities of daily living” (defined by the VA as “bathing, feeding, dressing, toileting, adjust prosthetic devices, meal preparation, medication management or protection from environmental hazards due to mental or physical incapacity”) the veteran is entitled to some at-home care. In the past, the VA would send somebody. Under the Veteran Directed Care Program, the veteran is given a care budget which they can use to hire their own caregivers (including family members), purchase approved goods and services and do other things to keep them independent.
Have them ask their VA Primary Care Physician or a VA Social Worker for a referral to the Veteran Directed Care program.
August 2022
PACT ACT PASSES:
- You have 10 years from you date of discharge to apply for healthcare benefits instead of 5 years. Combat vets have a year from today, even if you were discharged more than 10 years ago. These are without regard to your financial ability to pay.
- Adds 23 new presumptives – conditions for which all you have to do is prove you have the condition, and you were in country. This list includes 11 respiratory related conditions, along with several forms of cancer, including reproductive cancers, melanoma, pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, and brain cancers such as glioblastoma. Survivors of veterans who died from these diseases may also be eligible for benefits.
- Adds locations where Agent Orange presumptions apply
- Requires the VA to improve its study of toxic exposure and diseases caused by them
- Improves the VA budget so it can build more clinics and do the mandated research
- Improves the processing of all VA related claims by hiring more people, streamlining the process and modifying the way accountability happens
- Provides for retroactive application of benefits for certain conditions denied in the past that are now presumptive.
What you should do
If you don’t already get your healthcare at the VA, apply now. Even if you want to keep your civilian doc, apply now. The VA does work with civilian healthcare providers.
If you applied for any compensation in the past for anything seeming like Gulf War Syndrome or a respiratory disease after serving in the sandbox, file you claim again now.
Meet with your VSO to see if your medical records indicate that you have any presumptive conditions you need to be compensated for.
It will help for your own healthcare, and for compensation and may help your dependents with healthcare and compensation if you register yourself and your next two generations of children at www.birthdefects.org. Similarly, it will help if you make sure you are on the VA’s Agent Orange registry and on the VA’s Burn Pit registry if you served in the sandbox or Vietnam area.
July 2022
Mental Health Hotline: No more messing around with dialing a ten-digit number then waiting through an announcement and then dialing “1” to get mental health help in a hurry. Starting now, you should dial “988” instead. You can use this number for yourself or to get help dealing with a veteran who is experiencing a mental health emergency. Be advised, this number is used by civilians as well, so if you want help for a vet related issue, be sure to say so because they can directly connect you to folks who specialize in helping veterans and their caregivers and families.
Vet Fest Last month I said that VetFest will be in Washtenaw instead of in Livingston. Turns out I was wrong. There will also be the Livingstong County VetFest, run by the same group as last year. The event runs from 1200 to 1600 on 13 August at the Fowlerville Fairgrounds. You do need a ticket which you get online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vet-fest-livingston-county-2022-tickets-348925113407?aff=Website
PACT Act If all goes well, the PACT Act will be law by our August meeting. The new law would do a lot of things for veterans, families and caregivers. Congress finally recognizes that military service comes with toxic exposures that cause long term illness, sometimes death too, both for the servicemembers and for their offspring. It beefs up the process for identifying veterans with toxic exposure, it calls for more studies about how offspring are impacted and to what extent and provides for faster and more complete treatment and compensation. Once it passes, you can see me for more details.
Adaptive Housing needs Help You already know that certain disabled vets are entitled to a grant to fixup their house to make it useful for veterans with their particular disabilities. What you might not know is that the VA is looking for contractors to do those modifications and, surprisingly, it needs veterans with disabilities to use up the grant money that is available for those home remodeling projects. Please spread the word.
Pimp my Ride There is also a similar program to adapt your vehicle to your needs in the context of your disabilities. https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/special-claims/automobile-allowance-adaptive-equipment/
Quickest way to get your DD-214? Call 800 642-4838 and ask them to send it to you. That number goes to the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. They have many electronic DD-214’s on file. One of them might be yours. If you are old, you were told to record your DD-214 with the county clerk’s office. If you took that advice, you can get a copy there.
June 2022
Washtenaw Vet Fest will be like the one we attended last year at the Fowlerville fairgrounds but put on by a different group – Veterans Community Action Team 9 (or VCAT9). 23 July from 1100 to 1500. Ticket required, but free. See https://tinyurl.com/washvet22 for details. The other group’s VetFest will be in Roscommon County this year.
Veteran Hiring Event We will be hosting a hiring event on 20 October 2022. To be successful, we’ll need 15 employers who have open jobs they want to fill with veterans. If you know of an employer that might be interested, please let me know or refer them to me. The other half of the event is helping veterans get ready to be hired.
New Life Insurance Program
In January 2023, VA will launch a new program offering, Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife), which provides guaranteed acceptance whole-life insurance coverage to Veterans ages 80 and under with any level of service-connected disability. Although, some Veterans aged 81 and older may also be eligible. For more information, go to https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/103790/valife-insurance-program-coming-january-2023-veterans-with-service-connection
VA Canteen Offers Discount Eye Wear
Get up to 35% off your next pair of glasses with Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) Rx Eyewear! Veterans enrolled in VA health care, their families, and caretakers have access to discounts on a wide variety of both prescription or regular glasses and sunglasses. Check https://vcsrxeyewear.com for details.
Just Got Back?
If you just got home from service and are wondering about VA benefits, transition assistance and other related services, check out this online resource guide: https://www.va.gov/welcome-kit/?utm_source=footer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=VetResources
This 51 page booklet is not anything you want to read from cover to cover, but it will outline your benefits and some resources available to you. If a topic interests you, there are additional details about it and how to apply for it, etc.
May 2022
Need A Big Turnout Michigan attorney Lisa H Beatty will be here at 1830 on 25 May. She’s coming here on her own time to help you understand the 5 most important documents everyone should have and to answer your questions about living wills and estate planning.
Nine New Presumptives for Sandbox Vets On April 26, VA announced the addition of nine rare respiratory cancers to the list of presumed service-connected disabilities due to exposure to fine particulate matter for Veterans who served any amount of time in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Syria or Uzbekistan during the Persian Gulf War, from September 19, 2001, to the present, or The Southwest Asia theater of operations from August 2, 1990, to the present.
Veterans and survivors who had claims previously denied for any of the below respiratory cancers are encouraged to file a supplemental claim for benefits;
Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx;
Squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea;
Adenocarcinoma of the trachea;
Salivary gland-type tumors of the trachea;
Adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung;
Large cell carcinoma of the lung;
Salivary gland-type tumors of the lung;
Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung and;
Typical and atypical carcinoid of the lung.
Learn Free Job-Ready Skills with Career Forward
Veterans, transitioning service members, military spouses and military caregivers are eligible to participate in Career Forward for free. Learn job-ready skills and start a new career in under six months with help from Google Career Certificates available in data analytics, IT support, project management, or user experience design.
https://www.hiringourheroes.org/career-services/education-networking/career-forward/
Travel Benefit Expanded As of July 2021, all Veterans with a discharge status of honorable or general under honorable conditions are eligible to shop for a wide selection of discounted rates on hotels, air fare, rental cars, vacation packages, cruises and much more on www.AmericanForcesTravel.com.
American Forces Travel is the Department of Defense’s official Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) platform offering bookings for leisure travel. A portion of all bookings go back to support military quality of life programs.
April 2022
Estate Planning
Rain Replay Michigan attorney Lisa H Beatty will be here at 1830 on 25 May. She’s
coming here on her own time to help you understand the 5 most important
documents everyone should have and to answer your questions about living wills and
estate planning. We didn’t have a good turn out last time due to weather and short
notice. Please help get the word out.
Commissary Benefit In 2020, commissary shopping benefits expanded to include
more Veterans:
Veterans with any VA-documented service-connected disabilities; Purple Heart recipients;
Former prisoners of war; and Individuals assessed, approved and designated as primary family caregivers to eligible Veterans under VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. Veterans and designated caregivers are encouraged to check their commissary privilege qualifications. The benefit can be used on line to some extent.
Together We Served: This is a VA website that will help you connect with the people
with whom you served. While it is offered to help you connect with those you survived
with and probably still can relate to today, another reason to be aware of it is in case
you need a buddy statement for your VA compensation claim. The military records
you think are being kept may not be accessible. If you need help proving where you
were, when you were there or what happened while you were there, this website can
help you find people who were there with you. There are over two million veterans
on this site so far. https://join.togetherweserved.com/va
Job Fair Plans: Our plans to hold a job fair are still underway. I believe details will
start coming together yet this month.
March 2022
Need A Big Turnout Michigan attorney Lisa H Beatty will be here at 1830 on 23 March. She’s coming here on her own time to help you understand the 5 most important documents everyone should have and to answer your questions about living wills and estate planning.
Veterans Employment Services (VES) The concept of veterans helping veterans is a trademark of the VES team and one of the keys to its success. Veterans face many challenges when transitioning out of the military – finding meaningful employment should not be one of them.
• Veterans in need of employment assistance should contact the nearest Michigan Works! One-Stop Service Center by calling 800-285-WORKS (9675) or visiting https://www.michiganworks.org/.
• More information about Veterans’ Employment Services is available at https://www.michigan.gov/leo/0,5863,7-336-94422_95539_98962---,00.html.
• Register today and start your job search at Pure Michigan Talent Connect at https://www.mitalent.org/.
Sand Box Presumptive Cancers: If you served in the southwest Asia theater of operations - Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, and the airspace above these locations, you should file a notice of intent to file a claim with the VA if you have one of these cancers:
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx;
- SCC of the trachea;
- Adenocarcinoma of the trachea;
- Salivary gland-type tumors of the trachea;
- Adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung;
- Large cell carcinoma of the lung;
- Salivary gland-type tumors of the lung;
- Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung and;
- Typical and atypical carcinoid of the lung.
February 2022
Benefit Recalculation: It is true that certain benefit ratings are being recalculated. However, the changes will not apply retroactively. Your current rating will not be changed unless you do something like as for a new rating. The changes are based on the science and the data associated with aspects of illnesses as they are becoming better understood. Hearing and PTSD ratings are among those that will change. The changes are only proposed at this point anyway.
Veteran Health Care Reopened: Post 9/11 veterans were given 5 years of VA healthcare when they left active duty. Due to the passage of a slimmed down burn pit bill, all post 9/11 veterans will get one more year of free healthcare at the VA. Those who apply will be screened for all of the known problems associated with burn pits and other toxic exposures they may have experienced down range. Even if you like your private pay healthcare, still sign up and go through the screening.
Post 9/11 Veterans Dying Fast: Post 9/11 veterans are dying at a faster rate than Americans overall. Those who experienced traumatic brain injury are the most at risk. Post 9/11 veterans are committing suicide at double the rate of the American population. Please keep your eye on our post 9/11 brothers and sisters.
Speaking of Veteran Suicide: The VA has a new suicide prevention strategy. You can read about HERE.
Goal 7 of the plan is to provide training to community and clinical service providers on the prevention of suicide and related behaviors. The VA thinks all community-based and clinical suicide prevention professionals whose work brings them into contact with Veterans at risk for suicide should be trained on military culture, how to address suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and how to respond to those who have been affected by suicide. Once this training becomes available, I’ll let you know. We should get this training.
January 2022
From the Veterans Benefits Newsletter: Solid Start
The VA is calling every newly separated service member three times during their first year of separation. From help getting a home loan, to health care, to returning to work, to mental health support – the VA is here for you. It’s your call. Qualified VA representatives will be reaching out to help you better understand the benefits available to you and help you get a solid start on your civilian life. VA is on the line – take the call!
https://benefits.va.gov/transition/solid-start.asp
National Personnel Records Center Update:
Since covid, the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has been running at less than 15% capacity. It increased to 25% in September and is now up to 45%. Due to the lack of personnel, NPRC is processing requests that were made in November of 2019. If you need something from your records in a hurry, go to your e-benefits website and look there. Not signed up yet? Click here:
https://myaccess.dmdc.osd.mil/identitymanagement/registration.do?execution=e1s1
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency may have what you need, including your DD-214. Contact them at 800-642-4838. Also, your DD-214 may be on file in the county you came home to after your service. Check with the register of deeds there.
Free Premium Linked In: LinkedIn offers U.S. veterans a free one-year Premium Careers subscription, including access to LinkedIn Learning.
To be eligible for this offer, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- Be a current or former U.S. military service member (non-US military are not eligible).
- Have not used the LinkedIn veteran promotion previously (one promotion per service member).
- You must not have a current LinkedIn Premium subscription.
https://socialimpact.linkedin.com/programs/veterans/premiumform
VA Response Time Rules Change:
I’ve had a couple people ask what to do when they receive a letter that was dated months ago and says they have 30 days or more to respond. The delay is a dual problem. The company that is contracted by the VA to produce the letters is having difficulty. When the documents finally get to the post office, they are also held up longer because of the post office delivery timeframe. The VA is aware of both issues. They have said they are automatically extending the deadlines for any of the letters it sends by an additional 90 days. When you receive something that requires a response, complete it immediately and send it back as quickly as you reasonably can. Most forms have a “comment” box on them. It’s a good idea to mention the date you received the demand letter and the date of the demand letter in the comments box of your reply form.
