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Yes, The VA Does provide a Survivor Benefit; However, OTHERS ARE GETTING INTO THE ACT
It’s getting worse. Commercial financial firms are now phone soliciting for business using the VA’s survivor benefit to get their foot in the door with you. Be warned.
Originally, we heard about commercial financial firms presenting the VA’s survivor benefit to residents of retirement communities and assisted living facilities. Now these firms are directly contacting people over the phones.
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VA Launches VAntage Point Blog
On November 5, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched a new blog as a means to further open communication between the department and its stakeholders.
The blog, called VAntage Point, contains two primary features: a main column of articles, written daily by VA, and a section of guest pieces submitted by employees and the public. It offers readers an opportunity to comment and participate on all articles.
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Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2010
From 1962 to 1971, the U.S. military sprayed herbicides over Vietnam to strip the thick jungle canopy that could conceal opposition forces, to destroy crops that those forces might depend on, and to clear tall grasses and bushes from the perimeters of U.S. base camps and outlying fire-support bases.
In response to concerns and continuing uncertainty about the long-term health effects of the sprayed herbicides on Vietnam veterans, Veterans and Agent Orange provides a comprehensive evaluation of scientific and medical information regarding the health effects of exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides used in Vietnam. The 2008 report is the eighth volume in this series of biennial updates. It will be of interest to policy makers and physicians in the federal government, veterans and their families, veterans' organizations, researchers, and health professionals.
To view the report, click HERE.
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Agent Orange Legacy
Betty Mekdeci, director of Birth Defect Research and co-chair of the Public Interest Partners of the NIESH (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences). Betty Mekdeci has been a long time advocate for the children of Vietnam veterans for those of you who are not familiar with her work. If you would like to learn more visit her site http://www.birthdefects.org/.
Last week Ms. Mekdeci participated in a conference call on developing the NIESH Strategic Plan. Ms. Mekdeci recently submitted a Visionary Idea entitled "Children’s Centers to Study the Prenatal Effects of Dioxins".
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VA Study Finds Dementia Link
A recent study has linked post-traumatic stress disorder to dementia later in life. Although the findings of the study indicate that combat PTSD is linked to dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The study was conducted by the VA Medical Center in Houston and is published in the September edition of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
THIS IS AN ABSTRACT OF THE STUDY I HAVE A COPY OF THE FULL STUDY.
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Senate Hearing on New Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions
On Thursday, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee held a long-anticipated hearing on the three newly designated Agent Orange Service Connected conditions of Parkinson’s disease, Ischemic Heart Disease and B-cell Leukemias.
The Senators present all praised VA Secretary Shinseki on his decision to expand the presumptive conditions but asked very pointed questions about the process and evidence used to support it. Under current law, Shinseki said, his department is required to grant automatic benefits for diseases scientifically associated with Agent Orange. The Secretary added that existing research “more than satisfies the law's requirements."
Barring anything unforeseen, NAUS estimates that the VA will begin making payments for the three newly designated conditions on October 31. If you have already applied, please be patient. VA cannot act until the mandatory 60 day waiting period closes at the end of October. |
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Tax Burden for North Carolina Retirees
Many people planning to retire use the presence or absence of a state income tax as a litmus test for a retirement destination. This is a serious miscalculation since higher sales and property taxes can more than offset the lack of a state income tax. The lack of a state income tax doesn‘t necessarily ensure a low total tax burden. Following are the taxes you can expect to pay if you retire in North Carolina: 
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Dangerous mosquito-borne disease detected in New Hanover
Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) has been detected in New Hanover County, and county health officials are reminding residents to take precautions against mosquitoes.
That includes using effective insect repellent, installing screens on doors and windows, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and limiting exposure during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes can be most active.
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AS VIETNAM VETERANS – WHAT IMAGE DO WE DISPLAY?
Over the years we, Vietnam Veterans, have been accused of being drug addicts, alcoholics, violent people or homeless ne'er-do-wells. Most of the accusations made are not true – but in some cases they are. The great majority of us now know that drug abuse is not right and we are not involved in it, however, there are those among us who believe that a drink or two will do us no harm.
We consume beer above hard liquor because we feel that beer is safe to drink the wine or hard liquor. We believe that beer has a lower percentage of alcohol in wine or hard liquor but because of that we drink more beer and the risk is the same. In effect one "drink" of beer has the same affect as "one drink" of wine or hard liquor.
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New Program Helps Vets Families
A new VA program called "Families At Ease" attempts to reach new veterans through their concerned family members and provides information and support to help them help their veterans access VA facilities for services and benefits. A call center has been developed to answer calls from family members and friends, as well as veterans. Callers can get information on how to help their vets enroll in VA care. They can also get free telephone-based coaching by a mental health consultant to help the family member talk to a veteran who is reluctant to admit having difficulties. Family members or veterans can reach "Families At Ease" at 888-823-7458 (8 a.m. -5:30 p.m. ET) or by visiting the VA's Families At Ease website
VVA-885 has a similar program in place where we meet face to face with people with problems. Please contact VVA-885 if you need assistance
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TRICARE for Dependants up to Age 26
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) required civilian health plans that provide medical coverage to children to make that coverage available until the child turns 26 years of age. This particular provision of the health reform law became effective Wednesday, September 23.
The PPACA did not give DoD the authority to offer this benefit through TRICARE. There are provisions in the Senate and House versions of the pending National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2011, S. 3454 and H.R. 5136 (respectively), that would extend dependent medical coverage up to age 26 under a premium-based program. |
Court orders VA to act on new Agent Orange findings
An estimated 200,000 Vietnam veterans suffering from three diseases newly associated with exposure to Agent Orange are closer to receiving disability compensation following an appeals court order Aug. 2 directing the Department of Veterans Affairs to publish a final implementing regulation within 30 days.
In response to a lawsuit brought by a coalition of veterans' service organizations, the U.S. Court of Appeals instructed the VA to issue by Sept. 1 a final regulation authorizing payment of claims for ischemic heart disease, Parkinson's disease or B-cell leukemia for any veteran who stepped foot in Vietnam during the war, or their survivors.
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VA Posts Online List of Ships Associated with Presumptive Agent Orange Exposure
September 2, 2011
WASHINGTON – Veterans who served aboard U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships operating on the waters of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, may be eligible to receive Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation for 14 medical conditions associated with presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.
An updated list of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships confirmed to have operated on Vietnam’s inland waterways, docked on shore, or had crewmembers sent ashore, has been posted at http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/ to assist Vietnam Veterans in determining potential eligibility for compensation benefits.
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PTSD Class Action Settled
The Sacramento Bee reports that a federal judge has approved a settlement which compels the Department of Defense to provide lifetime health care and post-exchange privileges to 2,100 veterans who have been medically discharged since 2002 with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The affected veterans had been discharged with disability ratings that were too low to entitle them to such benefits. The settlement provides lifetime disability retirement benefits to 1,029 veterans with PTSD who had been denied aid previously. An additional 1,066 will have their disability benefits increased. Another 2,200 potentially affected veterans did not opt in to the class-action lawsuit, though they might take individual legal action.
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PTSD's Diagnostic Trap
Military history is rich with tales of warriors who return from battle with the horrors of war still raging in their heads. One of the earliest examples was enshrined by Herodotus, who wrote of an Athenian warrior struck blind "without blow of sword or dart" when a soldier standing next to him was killed. The classic term--"shell shock"--dates to World War I; "battle fatigue," "combat exhaustion," and "war stress" were used in World War II.
Modern psychiatry calls these invisible wounds post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). And along with this diagnosis, which became widely known in the wake of the Vietnam War, has come a new sensitivity--among the public, the military, and mental health professionals--to the causes and consequences of being afflicted.
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Nasal Insulin Spray Shows Promise In Treatment of Alzheimer’s
WASHINGTON - A small pilot study led by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) researcher found that a nasal insulin spray improved memory, thinking skills, and functional ability in people with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, there are no effective treatments to delay or prevent Alzheimer’s.
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