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Veteran's E-News (October 2008) |
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New VA Rules for ALS Victims |
VA Secretary Establishes ALS as a
Presumptive Compensable Illness Cites
Association between Military Service and
Later Development of ALS
WASHINGTON (Sept. 23, 2008) - Veterans
with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
may receive badly-needed support for
themselves and their families after the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
announced today that ALS will become a
presumptively compensable illness for
all veterans with 90 days or more of
continuously active service in the
military. |
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Sorting out Tricare, Social Security and
Medicare |
Q. What would happen if I defer taking my Social
Security benefits until I am 67? Does that keep
me from being able to enroll in Medicare Part B
until I am 67? Do I have to enroll in Social
Security when I am 65 so I can enroll in Part B
and keep Tricare for Life eligibility?
A. The best source for clarification about
Social Security and Medicare rules is the Social
Security Administration. For official Tricare
information, call your Tricare Service Center
and ask for a free Tricare Standard or Tricare
for Life Handbook. If you don’t know how to
contact that office, call the Defense Enrollment
Eligibility Reporting System support office,
toll free, at (800) 538-9552. |
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Jacksonville National Cemetery Dedicated |
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WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) today dedicated its newest national
cemetery in Jacksonville, Fla. The cemetery,
currently being constructed, is expected to
begin burials in January 2009. “A new national
shrine to the veterans of Florida moves forward
today with the dedication of this cemetery
site,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr.
James B. Peake. “VA holds sacred our commitment
to veterans by providing a beautiful final
resting place and lasting tribute to the men and
women who kept their commitment to protect and
defend our nation.”
VA’s Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs
William F. Tuerk, who gave the keynote address,
was joined by local officials in unveiling the
dedication plaque. Military honors were rendered
and the ceremony ended with the playing of
“Taps.” |
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Deadline Nears for Stimulus Checks |
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Those who qualify have until October 15 to file
a 2007 income-tax return or those residents who
still intend to receive an economic stimulus
payment, the Oct. 15 deadline to file a 2007
income tax return is fast approaching. And
according to the Internal Revenue Service, there
were 2,904 potential filers in Leon County in
mid-September who had not submitted tax returns,
which is required to get the stimulus check.
Michael Dobzinski, IRS20spokesman in Florida,
said help is available at local IRS offices and
at the Web site www.irs.gov. The Tallahassee
office is at 227 N. Bronough St. The phone
number is 942-8995. |
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Diabetes and Agent Orange Exposure |
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The occurrence of type two, or adult onset
diabetes in our population is increasing,
especially as we age. The Vietnam Era population
is now reaching their 50’s and beyond, and for
veterans who served in Vietnam, there is a
statistically higher incidence of type two
diabetes. This statistically increased
incurrence has lead the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to declare a link between Vietnam
service and type two diabetes. This means that
if you served in Vietnam and now have type two
diabetes, you can receive service connected
disability compensation and health care for this
condition through the U. S. Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA). The term “service in
Vietnam” means that at some time between January
9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, you were actually in
Vietnam. Service in the waters offshore or in
the air does not qualify you unless during that
time you actually set foot in Vietnam and have
some way to prove it. For most veterans who
served in Vietnam, their service is clearly
shown on their separation papers, the DD-214.
Others may have to request copies of their
personnel records from the military branch they
served in. |
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New Media Policy for Military Funerals |
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Army Secretary Peter Geren has signed a new
media policy for the cemetery that calls for the
creation of an oversight board that will include
representatives from the cemetery, the Army and
the media. Media coverage of funerals at
Arlington National Cemetery became an issue in
April, when the Washington Post ran a column
about how the media was kept so far away from
the funeral of a Marine killed in Iraq that
reporters could not hear the service. |
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VA Changes TBI Compensation Evaluations |
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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
announced changes in the way VA will evaluate
traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and burn scars
for purposes of determinin g the appropriate
level of compensation veterans receive for these
injuries. Two groups of veterans may be affected
by these changes. The first group includes
veterans who will be awarded disability
compensation for TBI and burn injuries in the
future. The second group includes veterans
already receiving compensation for these
injuries whose disabilities are reevaluated
under the new criteria. |
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