VA EXTENDS "AGENT ORANGE" BENEFITS TO MORE VETERANS
VA Press Release
WASHINGTON (Oct. 13, 2009) - Relying on an independent study by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki decided to establish a service-connection for Vietnam Veterans with three specific illnesses based on the latest evidence of an association with the herbicides referred to Agent Orange.
The illnesses affected by the recent decision are B cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia; Parkinson's disease; and ischemic heart disease.
Used in Vietnam to defoliate trees and remove concealment for the enemy, Agent Orange left a legacy of suffering and disability that continues to the present. Between January 1965 and April 1970, an estimated 2.6 million military personnel who served in Vietnam were potentially exposed to sprayed Agent Orange.
In practical terms, Veterans who served in Vietnam during the war and who have a "presumed" illness don't have to prove an association between their illnesses and their military service. This "presumption" simplifies and speeds up the application process for benefits.
The Secretary's decision brings to 15 the number of presumed illnesses recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
"We must do better reviews of illnesses that may be connected to service, and we will," Shinseki added. "Veterans who endure health problems deserve timely decisions based on solid evidence."
Other illnesses previously recognized under VA's "presumption" rule as being caused by exposure to herbicides during the Vietnam War are:
Acute and Subacute Transient Peripheral Neuropathy
AL Amyloidosis
Chloracne
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2)
Hodgkin's Disease
Multiple Myeloma
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
Prostate Cancer
Respiratory Cancers
Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, or Mesothelioma)
Additional information about Agent Orange and VA's services and programs for Veterans exposed to the chemical are available at http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange.
VA HEALTH CARE FUNDING REFORM MAJOR VICTORY FOR VETERANS
DAV Press Release
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 - The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) today applauds President Obama for signing the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, calling it "the most significant legislative victory for veterans in a generation."
"This is a great, historic day for all veterans and their families," said DAV National Commander Roberto "Bobby" Barrera, who was at the signing ceremony in the White House. "Veterans, families, survivors and everyone else who cares about the plight of veterans can rejoice knowing that for the first time ever, the Department of Veterans Affairs' health care system can be assured it will be funded on time and adequately every year."
"We have worked for this for more than two decades as veterans suffered. Approval of advance appropriations is the most significant legislative victory for veterans in a generation," he said. "This legislation will help ensure timely access to medical care for the men and women who have served, are serving and will serve in defense of our nation."
"This long overdue legislation will make a difference for every disabled veteran and every future disabled veteran," said Commander Barrera. "This victory flows from the effective collaboration by veterans organizations in the Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform, The Military Coalition and a dedicated group of former VA officials who joined our cause. Most important, this is happening because veterans across the country, including so many DAV members and supporters, stepped up and called on Congress to put an end to chronic funding lapses occurring for decades. Together, we stood up for veterans, and veterans and their families are going to benefit."
"This historic legislation will ensure an uninterrupted, predicable flow of funds for veterans health care programs even if Congress is unable to complete work on the rest of the federal budget by the start of a fiscal year," said DAV National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson. "With funding assured, VA hospital and clinic directors will no longer have to delay the hiring of new doctors or nurses, or the purchase of new medical equipment, due to Congress' failure to approve a budget on time; something that has occurred in 20 of the past 23 years, including this year. With advance appropriations in place, VA officials will be able to plan ahead how best to provide veterans with the medical care they have earned: when and where they need it."
The Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act authorizes Congress to approve veterans medical care funding one year in advance to better meet the anticipated demand for veterans health care services. The advanced funding will give the Department of Veterans Affairs up to a full year to plan for the most effective and efficient way of delivering medical care. Additionally, this now requires the Government Accountability Office to audit the budget development process to ensure that sufficient funds are included.
These well equipped "offices on wheels" will eliminate long trips some veterans must take to visit our National Service Offices. This means providing better service to more veterans and their families.
VA BENEFITS GUIDE
The Department of Veterans Affairs recently published their Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents for 2008. An easy-to-read reference guide, it provides the most current information about your earned benefits.
Be careful before hitting the print button--it is 153 pages and may take some time to print. However, you may want to hit your "Save to" tab and download it for future reference into a folder of your choice. You can download or print your copy at http://www.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf.
VA INCREASES TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT FOR ELIGIBLE VETERANS
VA Press Release
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake: "Disabled Veterans Earned Increase"
WASHINGTON (January 31, 2008) - Over a million eligible veterans will see their mileage reimbursement more than double starting tomorrow for travel to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities. "This increase helps veterans -- especially those living in rural areas -- offset some of the gasoline costs as they travel to VA's world-class health care," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "Increasing the mileage reimbursement is one more step by VA to help veterans access the health care they deserve. "The 2008 appropriations act provided funding for VA to increase the beneficiary travel mileage reimbursement rate from 11 cents per mile to 28.5 cents per mile. The increase goes into effect on Feb. 1. After little more than a month on the job, Secretary Peake used his authority to establish the first increase in the mileage reimbursementin in 30 years, fulfilling a pledge he made during his Senate confirmation hearing last month. While increasing the payment, VA, as mandated by law, also equally increased the deductible amounts applied to certain mileage reimbursements. The new deductibles are $7.77 for a one way trip, $15.54 for a round trip, with a maximum of $46.62 per calendar month. However, these deductibles can be waived if they cause a financial hardship to the veteran.
