RAO Bulletin Update 1 January 2006 THIS BULLETIN UPDATE CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES: == AOL Advisory [04] ……………………... (Removal from directory) == NDAA Update [09]……………………… (Ready for president’s signature) == SBP Fix Update [06] ……………………. (House would not approve) == DFAS Tax Statements via Mail ………… (Mailing imminent) == CRDP [38] ……………………………… (IU advances to 5 years) == Medicare Rates 2006 [02] ……………..... (Compromise reached) == VA Home Loan [05] ……………………. (Ceiling raised) == VA Gravesite Locator [01] ……………... (1.9 million names added) == VA Claim Error Rate …………………… (Not improving) == Immigrant Sponsor Domicile Rqmt …….. (Overseas residence impact) == Veteran Charities Review ………………. (Vets receive little to none) == Tricare Reserve Select [03] ……………... (8.5% premium increase) == VA CNH………………………………… (Nursing home care) == Veteran Web Links [01] ……………….... (Updated List) == USFSPA Lawsuit [10] ………………….. (NMFA comments) == Travel Discounts for Seniors & Vets …….(Always ask) == BX Rights for Vets ……………………… (Bill introduced) == MWR Discount Broadway Tickets ……... (New program) == VA Health Care Funding [02] …………... (Vet spending spared 1% cut) == Phishing Alert NFCU …………………… (Do not respond) AOL ADVISORY 04: AOL affiliated users still receiving the Bulletin are advised that purging of their email addees from the directory has begun. AOL users listed on my directory are being sent an email advising that I have deleted their email addee and reinstatement will require a confirmation message from them that they are still able to receive the Bulletin or an alternate email addee to send to. Preliminary testing indicated that only 21 addees of 700 AOL tested could receive the Bulletin. AOL policy prohibits the majority of their customers from receiving email like the Bulletin and they apparently will not allow their customers the option of having any say in the matter. In the last six months I have been unable to communicate with the majority of the hundreds of AOL users who have requested to be placed on the directory and the number of inquiries from AOL users already on the directory asking why they no longer receive the Bulletin grows each month. Since 15 DEC I have deleted ~3500 AOL addees, reinstating 71 who confirmed they could still receive the Bulletin. Further indication that the majority of AOL users are not allowed to receive my email. In upcoming weeks deletions will continue for the remaining 80% of the directory that has not been purged. Those being blocked and deleted can always read the latest Bulletin at http://post_119_gulfport_ms.tripod.com/rao1.html if they cannot provide an alternate addee to send to. Recipients of the RAO Bulletin Updates are reminded that if they no longer desire to receive the Bulletin all they need do is click the “UNSUBSCRIBE” button at the end of this or any future Bulletin they receive. No message is needed. Your email addee will be deleted automatically from the directory and a confirmation email will be sent to you noting this. All Bulletin recipients should have both the email addee raoemo@sbcglobal.net & raoemo@mozcom.com entered into their address book to reduce the possibility of it being blocked. [Source: Director, RAO Baguio 31 DEC 05] NDAA UPDATE 09: On 16 DEC, House and Senate negotiators finally reached agreement on the $441.5 billion FY 2006 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The House and Senate approved the Conference Report thus preparing the bill for the President’s signature by the end of the year. The bill contains numerous changes to benefits and programs but unfortunately not all that were sought. The widow’s tax was not eliminated, acceleration of paid up SBP at 30 years was not enacted, and concurrent receipt payment for 100% IU vets was accelerated but not made retroactive to 2005. Final approval of the bill, which has been held up since July, became possible after the President decided to embrace a proposal by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), clarifying U.S. policy on treatment of detainees in the war on terrorism so that inhumane treatment, abuse and humiliation are barred. The White House had threatened to veto the defense bill over McCain’s provision, but overwhelming votes of support for the measure in both the House and Senate led administration officials to drop objections. To view a summary of the Conference Report prepared by the Senate Armed Services Committee, go to: http://www.armed-services.senate.gov/press/conf06press.pdf. [Source: Various 25 DEC 05] SBP FIX UPDATE 06: The House refused to go along with either of the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) fixes that Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) persuaded the Senate to pass, primarily for cost reasons (in combination, the programs would cost about $9 billion over Congress’ 10-year scoring period). So SBP widows will still have to pay the “Widows Tax” (i.e. VA payments deducted from their SBP benefits if the member’s death was service-connected) and retirees who already have paid more than 30 years of SBP premiums will have to wait at least another year to win the same paid-up SBP coverage that post-1978 retirees enjoy. It should be recognized that although the efforts on these widows’ and retirees’ behalf this year were not successful approval of these issues came closer than ever before. Many of the victories on benefit enhancement won in the past required multi-year campaigns and the military fraternal organizations plan to be carrying the fight on these issues again next year. [Source: MOAA Leg Up 21 DEC 05] DFAS TAX STATEMENTS VIA MAIL: Servicemembers, military retirees and annuitants and federal civilian employees paid by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) can expect to receive their 2005 tax statements by mail unless they have elected not to receive a hard copy under the myPay system. In fact, most retirees and annuitants already may have received theirs, with the last hard-copy mailings slated for 31 DEC. Mailing for active-duty Army, Navy and Air Force W-2 forms won't begin until Jan. 24, but servicemembers can access their forms on myPay beginning 21 JAN. W-2 mailings for reservists from the Army, Navy and Air Force will begin 4 JAN, but the forms will be posted online by 31 DEC. Active-duty and Reserve Marines can check their mailboxes after Jan. 12 or access their myPay accounts beginning 10 JAN. Mailing for DoD civilians' W-2s will begin 10 JAN, and the forms will be posted on myPay beginning 9 JAN. An increasingly large percentage of the almost 6 million people DFAS serves now receive their pay and tax statements electronically through myPay. By doing so, customers get their statements quicker and more securely. A state-of-the-art encryption technology incorporated into the myPay system, which users access through a personal identification number, safeguards personal information that's more vulnerable to theft when transmitted by mail. DFAS clients who never have set up their myPay accounts or have forgotten their PIN numbers can set up or get new ones through the myPay Web site https://myPay.dfas.mil [Source: Air Force Retiree News 29 DEC 05++] 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. In accordance with Section 1414 of Title 10, U.S. Code requirements the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) announced the open season election period for those retirees entitled to both Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) and Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay (CRDP). Retirees who fall into this category should have received individual letters from DFAS indicating their election choice and current compensation amount. During the open season, retirees can elect to change from one type of payment to the other. Retirees can receive either CRDP or CRSC, but not both. Therefore, retirees have the right to change the type of payment they receive. To be valid, DFAS must receive an election to change a retiree’s entitlement no later than 31 JAN 06. Elections received after 31 JAN 06 will not be honored. Retirees are not required to make an election. If retirees do not make an election, they will continue to receive their current entitlement for 2006, even though it may not be the greater entitlement. A retiree’s election will remain in effect until the next open season. Those who have questions can reach representatives at DFAS by calling 1-800-472-7098 or (216) 522-5955; or by fax at 1-800-469-6559. You also can write DFAS at: Defense Finance and Accounting Service, U.S. Military Retirement Pay, P.O. Box 7130 , London, KY 40742-7130 Eligible retired members who have not yet done so, must apply for CRSC through their branch of service. Additional information on CRSC, guidance, and addresses are available online on the DFAS Retired Pay's website at http://www.dod.mil/dfas/money/retired/crsc-home.htm. There, you can also find a CRSC application form. Eligibility for CRDP is automatic based on meeting minimum disability rating criteria and does not require an application. [Source: NMFA Government and You News 21 DEC 05 ++] MEDICARE RATES 2006 UPDATE 02: Congress’s compromise budget savings package (S. 1932) - approved in late DEC week by the House and scheduled for a vote in the Senate - struck a compromise that doesn’t make anyone happy. It repeals the proposed 4.4% payment cut requirement to doctors which would have been effective 1 JAN but freezes 2006 Medicare and TRICARE payment rates at 2005 levels. That’s far better than the scheduled cut, but it still amounts to a modest rate reduction, since physicians’ practice costs keep rising every year. On the positive side, the budget package requires a Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to report to Congress on ways to fix the statutory payment-setting formula, which sets reimbursement rates for physicians. TRICARE and Medicare already are two of the lowest-paying programs in the country which discourages providers fro being interested in accepting military patients. The budget package also updated provisions of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 that will effectively raise Medicare Part B premiums for Medicare-eligibles with annual incomes over $80,000, starting in 2007. Currently, Part B premiums are set to cover 25% of the government’s cost per individual to provide Medicare benefits. Under the new law, some higher-income beneficiaries will see their Part B premiums doubled or tripled by 2009, as their premiums will be raised to cover a higher share of the government’s cost, as follows: *Under $80,000: 25% (no change from current law) *$80,001 to $100,000: 35% *$100,001 to $150,000: 50% *$150,001 to $200,000: 65% *Over $200,000: 80% Under the 2003 law, those premium increases were to be phased in over 5 years. The new change shortens the phase-in period to three years, with 30% of the increase coming in 2007, 67% coming in 2008, and the full increase in 2009. Two other provisions of the budget package of interest are: - Cap on Physical Therapy Payments: The new package would implement a $1,500 annual cap on Medicare payments for physical therapy, but directs Medicare to implement a process allowing an exception from the cap if therapy is deemed medically necessary. - Long-Term Care Coverage Under Medicaid: The package tightens rules concerning transfer of assets to qualify for long-term care, and applicants will be required to disclose annuities as assets. People with more than $500,000 equity in a home will not be eligible. [Source: MOAA Leg Up 21 DEC 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 Dec05] 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 http://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. The full text of this story can be found at http://www.navytimes.com/story.php?f=0-NAVYPAPER-1402261.php [Source: Times staff writer Rick Maze 19 Dec 05] IMMIGRANT SPONSOR DOMICILE RQMT: U.S. citizens who reside abroad frequently encounter problems when immigrating their foreign spouse and children to the United States. To initiate the visa process, a U.S. citizen must file a petition with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the regional office having jurisdiction over the place they intend to reside or with the USCIS office connected with the US Consulate or Embassy having jurisdiction over the area where the sponsor is now living. The petitioning process is only the first step. Some overseas offices (i.e. U.S. Embassy Philippines) have refused to accept family immigrant visa petitions or have discouraged overseas filing. If that occurs you can always file in one of the four regional service centers in the U.S. by mail. Addresses can be found at www.murthy.com/ins_sc.html. After the initial visa petition has been approved, the US citizen petitioner commonly experiences difficulties with the affidavit of support domicile requirement. US residency or domicile is necessary to complete the immigrant visa processing. The petitioner must accept legal responsibility for financially supporting his family members. The law requires that they be sponsored by completing and signing a Affidavit of Support document. If the primary sponsor does not have sufficient income, a secondary sponsor will be required to execute an Affidavit of Support. The secondary can be anybody with adequate income who is a US citizen or permanent resident (i.e. green card holder), at least 18 years old, and domiciled in the US or one of its territories. The primary petitioner will still need to file the Affidavit of Support and meet the domicile requirement. US domicile is defined as the place where the petitioner has a residency in the US. Those who have temporary residence overseas for employment purposes and can show they have a domicile in the US will be considered to have retained their domicile in the US. Quailing types of employment or working for the U.S. government; an American institution of research; a corporation engaged in the development of foreign trade with the U.S.; a public international organization in which the U.S. participates by treaty or statute; and authorization to perform ministerial or pastoral functions or being engaged solely as a missionary of a religious denomination having a bona fide organization in the U.S. and is stationed abroad pursuant to that calling. The problem occurs when the petitioner is residing abroad and is not in one of the aforementioned categories. The petitioner must then establish residency in the U.S. in order to satisfy the Affidavit of Support requirement. Of course, one can do this by moving back to the states and establish residency. Other ways to establish residency include: (1) Establishing an address in the U.S. (2) Applying for a social security number. (3) Applying for a drivers license. (4) Setting up a bank account and transferring funds to the U.S. (5) Finding employment in the .S. (6) Voting in a local, state, or national election. (7) Registering one’s children in U.S. schools. (8) Making investments in the U.S. It is not necessary for petitioners to travel to the U.S. ahead of their family to establish domicile/residency. Nor is there any requirement that residency has been established for a specific length of time. Only that sufficient steps have been taken such as indicated above that will convince the USCIS official handling your application of your US domicile. The more steps taken the more likely the Affidavit of support requirement will be met. This is a problematic area of law in which many U.S. citizens living abroad experience difficulties, as there are many unforeseen obstacles. Because of this you may want to seek the services of an immigration lawyer if you anticipate problems in completing the process. [Source: Atty Reeves article 20 MAR 05 & www.rreeves.com & http://uscis.gov] VETERAN CHARITIES REVIEW: Faced with a blizzard of telephone and mail solicitations, Americans donate more than $1 million a day to veterans' groups. Most of the people called will hang up before the pitch is over. But this is a numbers game, and with a relentless telephone campaign, professional fundraisers in 2003 collected almost $1 million for the American Veterans Coalition and three other charities created simultaneously by one individual. But that dialing came at a staggering cost. Under the deal made with the solicitors, fundraisers pocketed 85 cents of every dollar raised. Of the money left over, half was spent on printing and administrative costs, including the rented mailbox that served as the charities' official address. The other half was paid in salaries to the charity’s originator. A computer analysis of hundreds of veterans' charities across the nation showed that, as a group, they lag far behind other nonprofits in the efficiency of their fundraising and the amount of money devoted to charitable services. A handful of veterans' groups spend almost nothing on veterans' causes, diverting 90% or more of their money to administrative and fundraising costs. Scores of others claim hefty spending on charitable programs, but only by including a large portion of the cost of their fundraising drives as charitable expenses. At the Foundation for American Veterans in Michigan, just 6 cents of every dollar raised goes to services for veterans. At the American Ex-Prisoners of War Service Foundation in Tennessee, it's 2 cents. At the American Veterans Relief Foundation in California, not even a penny. But under current laws and court rulings, almost nothing can be done about it. Using financial data provided by GuideStar, a Virginia-based organization that compiles information reported by more than 1 million registered nonprofits, 286 veteran-related charities were analyzed. The list generally excluded military associations, such as the American Legion and VFW posts, as well as museum and memorial funds and charities that raise less than $25,000, the threshold for filing a detailed IRS return. Among the findings it was revealed that Veterans' groups are twice as likely as other charities to use professional solicitors, which typically keep 70 to 90 cents of every dollar they raise. Excluding small charities, U.S. nonprofits report spending about 2% of their budgets on fundraising, according to the IRS. For the veterans' groups reviewed by The Courant, that figure exceeded 17% and for veterans' charities that use professional fundraisers, it's 31%. Likewise, charities nationwide say they spend 82% of their money on charitable causes, rather than fundraising and administrative expenses. For veterans' groups, the figure is 71%. That gap alone amounts to at least $150 million a year in lost charitable spending. Some charities make no effort to mask their pennies-on-the-dollar numbers. In Santa Ana, CA the American Veterans Relief Foundation raised and spent $3.6 million in four years through MAR 05. The foundation has paid out just $21,000 in grants and assistance to veterans and veterans' groups or 58 cents in help for every $100 donation. At the American Veterans Coalition in Washington state veterans didn't see a single penny in 2003. Last year, the group gave $14,500 to established veterans' groups and wrote a $500 check to one veteran's family from the$1.1 million raised. The rest went for fundraising, administrative costs, salaries, and public awareness campaigns. The direct take for veterans was 1.4 cents on the dollar. The Disabled American Veterans' main operation in Cincinnati spent $118 million last year, including $54 million originally listed as fundraising costs. But the group shifted $21 million into program services, counting it as a "public awareness outreach" program to donors, thereby dropping its apparent fundraising costs from 48% of spending to 28%. Still, the DAV's use of in-house fundraising staff allows it to keep a far higher percentage of donations than it would if it relied on professional fundraisers. And while direct-mail solicitations are expensive, their fundraising director said the method makes business sense. The Senate Finance Committee is considering ways to improve oversight of nonprofits, where abuses cost the U.S. Treasury billions annually in unwarranted tax deductions. Although federal officials grant nonprofit status, regulation of charities is mostly left to the states. In the most recent Supreme Court case, the Illinois attorney general brought fraud charges against a fundraiser that pocketed 85 cents of every dollar raised for a veterans' group called Vietnow. The court ruled in 2003 that states can sue if a fundraiser lies to potential donors about how much money is sent to a charity. But the court maintained its ban on laws that arbitrarily limit how much fundraisers can keep. In an effort to empower consumers, several states now publish annual reports of fundraising drives, listing how much was raised for each charity and what percentage was kept by the fundraiser. Some states also have online charity searches that report basic financial information, including pie charts showing how much the charity says it spends on programs and fundraising. For the complete article published in the Hartford Courant on this subject refer to www.courant.com/news/local/hc-vetcharity1110.artnov10,0,2361826.story?page=2&coll=hc-headlines-home [Source: MOAA News Exchange 8 Dec 05] TRICARE RESERVE SELECT UPDATE 03: DoD recently announced the premiums for TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) for calendar year 2006. By law, TRS enrollees must pay a set proportion of the cost of their coverage. Premiums will increase by 8.5%, to $81 per month for servicemember-only coverage and $253 for servicemember and family coverage. TRICARE Reserve Select is offered for purchase by certain members and former members of the National Guard and Reserve who were called or ordered to active duty, under Title 10, in support of a contingency operation on or after September 11, 2001. They receive one year of TRS eligibility for every 90 days of continuous service. Servicemembers and their unit must agree for the member to stay in the Selected Reserve for one or more whole years to qualify. TRS premiums are adjusted January 1st each year. For more information on TRS, go to: http://tricare.osd.mil/reserve/reserveselect/index.cfm. [Source: NMFA E-News 29 Nov 05] VA CNH: The Veteran Health Administration’s (VHA) Community Nursing Home (CNH) program places patients requiring nursing home care in community nursing homes (NH) at VA expense. All VA facilities have CNH capability. VA contracts with NHs which meet Medicare/Medicaid standards and the most recent edition of the Life Safety Code. The contract allows VA to place a patient in a NH when the NH agrees to accept the patient at a previously established price. Patients who require care in NHs because of activities of daily living impairments; medical diagnoses; and/or the inability of the informal and formal care system to provide care at home or in the community comprise the target population for CNH. The population includes patients in need of rehabilitation, special clinical care, and those with behavioral management problems where nursing home care is needed and appropriate mental health interventions can be provided in the NH. Patients should not require hospital based nursing home care. At www.va.gov/sta/guide/division.asp you can determine the locations & phone numbers of all VA medical centers. Contact the one nearest you and request to speak with a Social Worker for assistance if you are interested in this VHA program. [Source: VHA site www1.va.gov/geriatricsshg/docs/ContractNHC.DOC Oct 05] VETERAN WEB LINKS UPDATE 01: Thanks to a few of the Bulletin reader’s verification efforts and input regarding the alphabetical reference list of Veteran National Service links published in the 15 DEC Bulletin it was discovered that a number of them were out of date. The previous list should be replaced with the below corrected list for use the next time you want to research the latest on your veteran related questions: Board of Veterans' Appeals www.va.gov/vbs/bva/ CARES Commission www.va.gov/vbs/bva/ CARES Draft National Plan http://www.va.gov/caresdecision/page.cfm?pg=105 Center for Minority Veterans http://www.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans/ Center for Women Veterans http://www.va.gov/womenvet/ Center for Veterans Enterprise www.vetbiz.gov/default2.htm Clarification on the changes in VA healthcare for Gulf War Veterans www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000016.html Classified Records - American Gulf War Veterans Assn www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum18/HTML/000011.html Compensation Rate Tables, 12-1-03 http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/comp01.htm Department of Veterans Affairs Home Page www.va.gov/ Directory of Veterans Service Organizations http://www.va.gov/vso/ Disability Examination Worksheets Index, Comp www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/exams/index.htm Electronic Code of Federal Regulations www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/ Environmental Agents http://www.va.gov/environagents/ Environmental Agents M10 http://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1002 Establishing Combat Veteran Eligibility http://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=315 Evaluation Protocol for Gulf War & Iraqi Freedom Veterans with Potential Exposure to Depleted Uranium (DU) http://www.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DUHandbook1303122304.DOC Evaluation Protocol For Non-Gulf War Veterans With Potential Exposure To Depleted Uranium (Du) http://www.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DUHANDBOOKNONGW130340304.DOC Fee Basis, Priority For Outpatient Medical Services & Inpatient Hospital Care www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=206 Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependants 2005 www.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf Forms and Records Request www.va.gov/vaforms/ Geriatrics and Extanded Care www.va.gov/geriatricsshg/ Guideline for Chronic Pain and Fatigue MUS-CPG www.oqp.med.va.gov/cpg/cpgn/mus/mus_base.htm Guide to Gulf War Veterans' Health www.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/VHIgulfwar.pdf Gulf War Subject Index www.va.gov/GulfWar/page.cfm?pg=7&template=main&letter=A Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Q&As www.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/GWIllnessesQandAsIB1041.pdf Homeless Veterans www.va.gov/homeless/ HSR&D Home www.hsrd.research.va.gov/ Ionizing Radiation www.va.gov/irad/ Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom Veterans VBA www.vba.va.gov/EFIF/ M10 for spouses and children www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1007 M10 Part III Change 1 www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1008 M21-1 Table of Contents www.warms.vba.va.gov/M21_1.html Mental Health Program Guidelines www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1094 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers www.mirecc.med.va.gov/ MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Centers of Excellence www.va.gov/ms/about.asp My Health e Vet www.myhealth.va.gov/ NASDVA.COM Ë National Association of State Directors www.nasdva.com/ National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention www.nchpdp.med.va.gov/postdeploymentlinks.asp OMI (Office of Medical Inspector www.omi.cio.med.va.gov/ Online VA Form 10-10EZ https://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/ Persian Gulf Registry www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1003 Persian Gulf Registry Referral Centers www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1006 VA Annual Report To Congress, Persian Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Research 1999 www.va.gov/resdev/1999_Gulf_War_Veterans'_Illnesses_Appendices.doc VA Annual Report To Congress, Persian Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Research 2002 www.va.gov/resdev/prt/gulf_war_2002/GulfWarRpt02.pdf Phase I PGR http://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1004 Phase II PGR www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1005 Policy Manual Index www.va.gov/publ/direc/eds/edsmps.htm Project 112 (Including Project SHAD) www.va.gov/shad/ Prosthetics Eligibility www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=337 Public Health and Environmental Hazards Home Page http://www.vethealth.cio.med.va.gov/ Public Health/SARS www.publichealth.va.gov/SARS/ Publications: Manuals www.va.gov/vhapublications/publications.cfm?Pub=4 Publications and Reports www.va.gov/resdev/prt/pubs_individual.cfm?webpage=gulf_war.htm Records Center and Vault Homepage www.aac.va.gov/vault/default.html Records Center and Vault Site Map www.aac.va.gov/vault/sitemap.html Request For And Consent To Release Of Information From Claimant's Records www.forms.va.gov/va/Internet/VARF/getformharness.asp?formName=3288-form.xft Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses April 11, 2002 www.va.gov/rac-gwvi/docs/Minutes_April112002.doc Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses www.va.gov/rac-gwvi/docs/ReportandRecommendations_2004.pdf Research and Development www.appc1.va.gov/resdev/programs/all_programs.cfm The Service Officers Corner www.geocities.com/veteransadvocate Title 38 4.16 Total disability ratings for compensation based on unemployability of the individual. PART 4: schedule FOR RATING DISABILITIES Subpart A: General Policy in Rating http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b7e1c80768900fe79b3126a180a3da6&rgn=div8&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.1.98.11&idno=38 Title 38 Index Parts 0-17 http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=5601440f9a028e2b353f1be27d4535d2&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv1_02.tpl Title 38 Part 18 http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=e7f228f056f66128a3cf40196efa0323&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv2_02.tpl Title 38 Part 3: Adjudication Subpart A Pension, Compensation, and DIC Compensation http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textidx?c=ecfr;sid=0a5cc4e74c654c10874b651cc99ff1b4;rgn=div5;view=text;node=38%3A1.0.1.1.4;idno=38;cc=ecfr Title 38 Pensions, Bonuses & Veterans' Relief (also 3.317 Compensation for certain disabilities due to undiagnosed illnesses found here) http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?type=simple;c=ecfr;cc=ecfr;sid=89bb312d6d613680e34d4df4625d7f3b;region=DIV1;q1=gulf%20war;rgn=div8;view=text;idno=38;node=38%3A1. U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims www.vetapp.gov/ VA Annual Report To Congress, Persian Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Research 1999 www.va.gov/resdev/1999_Gulf_War_Veterans'_Illnesses_Appendices.doc VA Annual Report To Congress, Persian Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Research 2002 www.va.gov/resdev/prt/gulf_war_2002/GulfWarRpt02.pdf VA Fact Sheet www.va.gov/opa/fact/gwfs.html VA Health Care Eligibility www.va.gov/healtheligibility/home/hecmain.asp Veterans Legal and Benefits Information http://valaw.org/ VA Life Insurance Handbook: Chap 3 www.insurance.va.gov/inForceGliSite/GLIhandbook/glibookletch3.htm#310 VA Loan Lending Limits and Jumbo Loans http://valoans.com/va_facts_limits.cfm VA MS Research www.va.gov/ms/about.asp VA National Hepatitis C Program www.hepatitis.va.gov/ VA Office of Research and Development www.va.gov/resdev/ VA WMD EMSHG www.va.gov/emshg/ VA WRIISC-DC www.va.gov/WRIISC-DC/ VAOIG Hotline Telephone Number and Address www.va.gov/oig/hotline/hotline3.htm Vet Center Eligibility - Readjustment Counseling Service www.va.gov/rcs/Eligibility.htm Veterans Benefits Administration Main Web Page www.vba.va.gov/ VHA Forms, Publications, Manuals www.va.gov/vhapublications/ VHA Programs - Clinical Programs & Initiatives www.va.gov/health_benefits/page.cfm?pg=13 VHA Public Health Strategic Health Care Group Home Page www.publichealth.va.gov/ VHI Guide to Gulf War Veteran's Health www.va.gov/vhi_ind_study/gulfwar/istudy/index.asp Vocational Rehabilitation www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/ VONAPP online http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp WARMS - 38 CFR Book C www.warms.vba.va.gov/bookc.html War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center - New Jersey www.wri.med.va.gov/ Welcome to the GI Bill Web Site www.gibill.va.gov/ What VA Social Workers Do www.va.gov/socialwork/page.cfm?pg=3 WRIISC Patient Eligibility www.illegion.org/va1.html [Source: Various 1 JAN 06] USFSPA LAWSUIT UPDATE 10: The National Military Family Association (NMFA) on 5 DEC provided comments concerning the Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act (USFSPA) in a public forum before the Defense Department Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS). Their Deputy Director of Government Relations, discussed NMFA’s belief that the most glaring problem regarding FSPA has consistently been the confusion about what the law actually says regarding the division of military retired pay by state courts versus what servicemembers, spouses, and lawyers think the law says. NMFA stated that several recommendations proposed in the 2001 DoD review of the USFSPA be implemented. These changes require legislation and include: 1) Basing the award amount to the former spouse on the grade and years of service of the member at time of divorce for future divorces; 2) Permitting the designation of multiple SBP beneficiaries for future divorces; 3) Eliminating the 10-year Rule for the direct payment of allocations by DFAS; 4) Permitting SBP premiums to be withheld from the former spouse’s share of retired pay if directed by court order, 5) Permitting a former spouse to waive SBP coverage. NMFA also asked DACOWITS members to encourage DoD to expand its outreach to servicemembers, spouses, and attorneys to increase awareness of the provisions of FSPA and of servicemembers’ and former spouses’ rights, responsibilities, and benefits upon divorce. For the complete statement, visit www.nmfa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=testimonies. For more information on benefits for former spouses of servicemembers and military retirees, go to: www.nmfa.org/site/DocServer/Former_Spouse_Benefits_11-05.pdf?docID=3581. [Source: NMFA E-News 7 Dec 05] TRAVEL DISCOUNTS FOR SENIORS & VETS: Never assume you are not eligible for some type of discount when traveling. Take the position nothing ventured noting gained and always ask when planning your trip or purchasing your tickets. Some advance research on the internet often will give enough details to allow you to ask the right questions or bring the appropriate documentation that will save you money. Most transportation companies have some sort of website that will provide information similar to what appears below: TRAIN: Amtrak travelers 62 years of age and over can receive a 15% discount on the applicable adult rail fare on most Amtrak trains. This discount does not apply to sleeper accommodations, the Auto Train, or weekday Acela Express/Metroliner service. A 10% discount is available to seniors on the North America Rail Pass offered jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada. This Pass provides each holder with 30 consecutive travel days of unlimited rides and stopovers to over 900 destinations throughout the United States and Canada. This is a very affordable way to see both countries. Amtrak also has discounts for children age 2 to 15 (50%), students (15%), military (10%) and veteran’s (15%). Veterans and student discount cards require an annual membership fee (~$20). Check www.amtrak.com for details. BUS: 1. Delta Charter Bus travelers age 50 and over receive 10% off all tours inclusive of daily scheduled casino runs. 2. Gray Line Bus travelers age 50 and over who are AARP receive 10% discount on any half or full day tour at participating locations throughout the US, Canada and Mexico. 3. Greyhound Bus (www.greyhound.com) travelers save 10% by purchasing their ticket online for advertised locations. Seniors age 62 and over may request a 5% discount on unrestricted passenger fares. The Greyhound Senior Club has ended, but current Greyhound Senior Club members are eligible for 10% off of any unrestricted Greyhound passenger fare, food items at Greyhound operated restaurants, Greyhound Charter Services, and 10% to 30% off reservations at Choice Hotels International locations. Greyhound also has discounts for: • Children age 2 to 12 (40%). • Students (15%). Requires purchase of an annual discount card for $20. • Active duty/retired military personnel and their dependent family members (10%) or a a maximum fare of $198 round trip anywhere in the continental United States. • Veteran’s (15%). Requires purchase of an annual ($20) discount card for ~$40. • Patients of U.S. Veterans Administration Hospitals, patients assigned by the U.S. Veterans Administration to Army, Navy, Air Force, or military hospitals, or patients assigned by the U.S. Veterans Administration to civil and state institutions when traveling at their own expense (25%). To qualify, the patient must present a completed original Veterans Administration Request for Reduced Rate Transportation Form (VA-Form 3068) to the ticket agent at time of purchase. No copies, facsimiles, or other forms will be accepted for this discount. [Source: SeniorDiscounts.com Newsletter JUN 05] BX RIGHTS FOR VETS: Rep. Mike Sodrel (R-IN) introduced H.R. 4121 in late OCT which would expand commissary and exchange privileges to allow veterans receiving service connected disability pay, their spouses, and dependent children to use the facilities. The bill was referred to the House Armed Services Committee for consideration. The bill faces an uphill battle. Congress has in the past considered legislation that would expand on-base shopping privileges to veterans who are 100%disabled, but opposition from off-base stores has prevented even this more limited proposal from passing. Anyone interested in tracking this or any other bill can do so at www.govtrack.us. After calling up the web site enter the bill number you want to view and then click “monitor” to receive email updates every time some action is taken on the bill. [Source: NavyTimes Pay & Benefits 28 Nov 05++] MWR DISCOUNT BROADWAY TICKETS: Off Duty Travel and Clear Channel Entertainment have joined forces to offer priority access to Broadway and off-Broadway shows in New York and other select cities for Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) customers. MWR patrons, including those affiliated with the Coast Guard, can visit www.offdutytravel.com for information about the program and click on the "Broadway Shows & Broadway Touring Shows" link. Clear Channel periodically will determine the best shows available and place them on its EventUsher.com system, allowing MWR patrons access to tickets for marquee shows before they become scarce. MWR offices are responsible for distributing tickets, so it's important for MWR patrons to list their location in the system's appropriate field. A $4-per-ticket processing fee will be charged, but shipping is free. A portion of the proceeds will benefit MWR. The July 7 performance in New York of Disney's "Tarzan the Broadway Musical" is the first play offered. [Source: Armed Forces News Issue: 16 DEC 05] VA HEALTH CARE FUNDING UPDATE 02: In a continuing war of words over spending on veterans’ programs, the top Republican Lane Evans (R-IL) on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee accused his Democratic counterpart of trying to scare veterans with predictions of health-care budget cuts. The committee’s ranking Democrat, said House Republicans were preparing a 1% across-the-board cut in federal spending that would amount to giving veterans a lump of coal for Christmas because it would reduce spending on their health care and benefits. However, the Veterans’ Committee chairman, said this was patently false wrong and announced there will be no cuts to veterans’ health care in a statement, issued after he discussed proposed budget cuts with House leaders. If any budget cuts are ordered to pay for hurricane relief there would be an exemption for veterans’ programs. Evans appeared to have been correct. House Republican leaders do intend to ask for a 1% across-the-board cut in federal spending to help pay for hurricane relief but a decision was made to exempt some programs. Veterans’ spending, and probably the defense budget will be spared reductions under the current plan, although leadership aides said that could still change. [Source: NavyTimes Rick maze article 15 Dec 05 ++] PHISHING ALERT NFCU: Fraudulent emails are being circulated claiming to be from Navy Federal Credit Union. Following are two which read: 1. “We at Navy Federal Credit Union, would like to remind you that your Navy Federal Credit Union Account has not been updated to the latest Online Access Agreement for Navy Federal Credit Union Online Services. In order for us, at Navy Federal Credit Union to guarantee your online security, you need to update your account information”. The subject line of this email is: “Important Online Access Agreement Update”. 2. “Dear Customer, We are contacting you to remind you that our Account Review Team identified some unusual activity in your account. In accordance with Federal Credit Union's User Agreement and to ensure that your account has not been compromised, access to your account was limited. Your account access will remain limited until this issue has been resolved. We encourage you to sign on and perform the steps necessary to restore your account access as soon as possible. Allowing your account access to remain limited for an extended period of time may result in further limitations on the use of your account and possible account closure. To view and perform the verification process: Log in to Online Banking Page. Federal Credit Union is committed to maintaining a safe environment for our customers. To protect the security of your account, Federal Credit Union employs some of the most advanced security systems in the world and our anti-fraud teams regularly screen the Union system for unusual activity. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Please understand that this is a security measure meant to help protect you and your account. We apologize for any inconvenience. Sincerely, Federal Credit Union, Online Banking Customer Service” These are phishing attempts. Do not reply or click on any associated links or buttons. You may contact Navy Federal at phishalert@navyfederal.org if you believe that you have received a "phishing" email, rather than a legitimate email from Navy Federal. In the email to Navy Federal's phish alert email address, include a copy of the email in question along with the name of your Internet Service Provider (ISP). As a reminder here are some tips on how to protect yourself from “phishing?”: • If an email looks at all suspicious to you, don’t click on links or provide any information online via emails or by phone. • Beware of an unsolicited email that threatens to close or suspend your accounts or online account access services or requests that you provide personal account information. • Don’t trust a link from an email just because it takes you to a site that looks legitimate. Scammers can copy those easily. • Verify with the company that the email is really from them before submitting any personal information. • Try not to fill out forms in email messages. You can never be sure where the information is going or who sees it along the way. • Email headers can be forged. Be suspicious until you know for sure. If you click on a link from an unsolicited email, make sure there’s an “s” after the http in the address and a lock at the bottom of the page, signifying a secure site that is encrypted. This is no guarantee, however, that the site is legitimate [Source: www.navyfcu.org/news/newsinfo_idtheft.html 15 Dec 05 ++ ] Lt. James "EMO" Tichacek, USN (Ret) Director, Retiree Assistance Office, U.S. Embassy Warden & VITA Baguio City RP PSC 517 Box RCB, FPO AP 96517 Tel: (760) 839-9003 or FAX 1(801) 760-2430; When in RP: (74) 442-7135 or FAX 1(801) 760-2430 Email: raoemo@sbcglobal.net. When in Philippines raoemo@mozcom.com Web: http://post_119_gulfport_ms.tripod.com/rao1.html or http://Wildfleckenveterans.com AL/AMVETS/CORMV/DAV/FRA/NAUS/NCOA/MOAA/USDR/VFW/VVA/CG33/DD890/AD37 member BULLETIN SUBSCRIPTION NOTES: == To subscribe provide your full name plus either the post/branch/chapter number of the fraternal military/government organization you are currently affiliated with (if any) "AND/OR" the city and state/country you reside in so your addee can be properly positioned in the directory for future recovery. NOTE: AOL does not allow the majority of their customers to receive the Bulletin. == To submit a change of email addee provide your old and new email addee plus full name. _____________________________ Unsubscribe: http://ymlp.com/u.php?raoemo+amlg327@yahoo.com Hosting by YourMailingListProvider |