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Veterans To Be Notified of Their Eligibility for Non-VA Medical Reimbursement
This week, more than one million veterans will be receiving a notice from the Department of Veterans Affairs with information on whether or not they are eligible for reimbursement of medical costs as outlined in a court ruling last September. According to an article published by MilitaryTimes, this week “[Department] staffers will send letters to tens…
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The President Promises Benefits Deadline Extension and Debt Collections Postponement
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the President has promised to extend the deadlines for veterans’ disability benefits and postpone debt collections. According to an article published by Stars and Stripes, “President Donald Trump promised the Department of Veterans Affairs would extend veterans’ deadlines for disability benefits and postpone any debt collections as the country…
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Number of Military Bases With Suspected PFAS Contamination Increases
According to information gathered from the Department of Defense by an environmental advocacy group, the number of Military bases with known or suspected PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl) contamination continues to increase. An article published by Military.com stated, “According to a report released Thursday by the Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Working Group (EWG), 678 installations are either contaminated…
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Advocates Voice Their Concerns for Veterans Excluded From Stimulus Money
Various advocates and lawmakers have voiced their concerns about disabled veterans who may be left out of receiving direct payments from Congress as part of a sweeping bill to support Americans during the coronavirus pandemic. According to an article Stars and Stripes, “Their concern is for disabled or low-income veterans and surviving family members who receive monthly…
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VA Disability Questionnaire No Longer Public
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has withdrawn then Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) from public view after citing abuse of the system. According to an article published by Yahoo News for Military.com, “DBQs are standardized forms used by clinicians performing disability examinations (also known as Compensation & Pension exams, or C&P exams). A disability examination must usually be completed…
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More than $140M in Benefits Awarded to Blue Water Navy Veterans in 2020
More than $140 million in benefits were awarded to Blue Water Navy Veterans who filed claims in January and February of this year. These numbers are the result of the Department of Veterans Affairs implementing and acting upon the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veteran Act of 2019 that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2020. According to an…
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VA Offers Online Services to Veterans as Offices Close
The Department of Veterans Affairs is expanding its online services to veterans as their regional benefits offices remain closed. According to a statement released on March 31 by VA Secretary Robert Wilkie, the decision to close their offices is part of the “VA’s effort to limit exposure to vulnerable populations like our older veterans and those…
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VA Set to Receive $60 Million From Coronavirus Relief Bill
This Wednesday, the Senate approved a coronavirus relief package for the Department of Veterans Affairs granting $60 million in emergency funding. According to an article published by Stripes.com, “Of that amount, $30 million will go to VA medical services and another $30 million will be dedicated to community care — an account that pays for…
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Military Health Care Reforms Raise Concern
Air Force Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg has stated that ongoing efforts to improve and transform the military health care system are becoming extremely complicated and difficult. Hogg continued by saying that the Defense Health Agency (DHA) is not ready for this transformation. According to an article published by the MilitaryTimes.com, “The Defense Department…
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Veterans Attribute Illnesses to Toxic Substances at K2
Kim Brook, the wife of deceased U.S. Army Lt. Col. Tim Brooks, told members of Congress that she believed her husband’s terminal illness (brain cancer) was due to his exposure to toxic substances at the airbase in Uzbekistan called Karshi-Khanabad, also known as K2. According to an article published by MilitaryTimes.com, Kim was in Washington…
