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RAO Bulletin Update
July 15, 2007
This bulletin contains the following articles:
Editor’s Note 1: The article on “Manila DEERS/RAPIDS Workstation” was sent in error 13 JUL to some of the non-Philippine subscribers. It only applies to veterans residing in the PI and should be disregarded by all others.
Editor’s Note 2: Attached is a listing of veteran legislation with current cosponsor status that has been introduced in the 110th Congress. To see any of these bills passed into law representatives need input from their veteran constituents to instruct them on how to vote.
Shad [04] - (Studies Flawed)
A group of Navy veterans says that findings from a
study of the health effects of at-sea biological and chemical weapons
testing on thousands of sailors 40 years ago are flawed because the study
ignored those with the highest levels of exposure. The $3 million study,
paid for by the Department of Veterans Affairs but conducted by the
Institute of Medicine of the National Academy, took four years to
complete. It was commissioned after years of complaints from veterans that the
tests made them sick. The Institute of Medicine is a private
organization created by the federal government to perform medical tests.
Findings from a medical records survey and questionnaire mailed to more than
6,000 sailors who were aboard 22 Navy ships and Army tugs during the
tests cast doubt on claims that exposure to the tests led to severe
medical problems in ensuing years. The findings, released last month, found
that participants had higher death rates from cardiovascular disease and
had higher self-reported rates of memory loss, attention problems and
neurodegenerative disorders than a group of sailors who did not
participate in Project SHAD, or Shipboard Hazard and Defense. But scientists
were unable to point to medical links between these problems and the
real and simulated chemical and biological weapons used during the tests.
Moreover, since participants also reported higher rates of medically
insignificant symptoms such as earlobe pain, scientists questioned
whether some of the discrepancies were caused by participants’ belief that
something was wrong with them.
However, retired Cmdr. John Alderson, who served as a commanding
officer of the five Army light tugs (numbered 2080, 2081, 2085, 2086 and
2087) that were a central part of the tests, said the study was
incomplete because it failed to include many of the sailors who served on the
tugs, at a test laboratory on Johnston Island ( a small island about
700 miles west of Pearl Harbor) and at a base near Pearl Harbor where
the weapons were mixed. The study’s director William Page confirmed
Alderson’s claims but said he could not be sure what effect the omission had
on the findings because he did not know how many people were excluded
or the severity of the illnesses they reported. Page said, “We got as
many people on the light tugs as possible. They didn’t have complete
rosters. We would have loved to have included the light tug personnel,
but we just couldn’t find all of them”. Alderson estimated that more
than 500 sailors served on the tugs during the experiments. Neither he nor
Page could say how many were included in the study, but Page admitted
that the majority of tug sailors were never contacted. The IOM report
says tug crew members were exposed to a nerve agent, staph bacteria and
bacterial agents that could cause rabbit fever and Q fever. Alderson
said tug crew members were exposed to at least four other biological
weapons not mentioned in the findings, but he said he could not name them
because they are still classified. A second veteran confirmed
Alderson’s account, but asked not to be identified. Although the tugs’ crews
were required to stay inside during the tests, and state-of-the-art paper
filters and specially designed air conditioning systems were used to
protect the crews, the filters sometimes failed after they were soaked
with sea water. Sensors in the boats’ interior spaces periodically
detected trace amounts of biological and chemical agents.
According to Navy officials the SHAD tests, which were classified
until a few years ago, were conducted between 1962 and 1973 to
determine whether Navy crews could be protected from chemical or biological
attacks. Alderson said he thinks the study had a more nefarious purpose:
to determine how effective American chemical and biological weapons
could be against enemy navies. The five tugs were sent to sail in a line
formation that could be as long as 100 miles. Two Marine A-4 Skyhawks
would then drop substances close to the first ship. Scientists would
measure readings on each ship to determine how far weapons clouds would
travel before they dispersed to levels that were ineffective. The larger
ships had simulants blown aft from their bows by giant fans or had them
dropped from passing aircraft which were later found to be toxic.
Alderson said, “One reason they say it took so long to notice problems, is
that most of the skippers are dead from cancer or respiratory illnesses.”
Bernard Edelman, deputy director for policy and government affairs for
the Vietnam Veterans of America, said sailors were given inoculations
but that they were not entered on the sailor’s medical records, meaning
the sailors don’t know what they received. We are still trying to
uncover the facts, he said As Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over til it’s
over.” [Source: NavyTimes Chris Amos article 6 Jul 07 ++]
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DoD Mental Health TF [05] - (Mental Health Shortfalls) The Co-chairs of a recent DoD mental
health task force pulled no punches at a hearing before the House Armed
Services Committee on 12 JUL. Navy Surgeon General VADM Donald Arthur
told the panel that military mental health programs and awareness had
become deemphasized and atrophied over the last three decades in which
the services experienced no sustained combat, and that urgent action is
essential to meet spiraling mental health needs caused by repeated
wartime deployments. "We must give equal attention to mental and physical
health as we train for war," he said. He also stressed the important
role of leadership emphasis and sensitivity to mental health issues in
building members' resilience in the face of stress. Co-chair Dr. Shelley
MacDermid, a Purdue University professor and Director of the Military
Family Research Institute, said the primary need is increased and
permanent funding. The real key is to increase the number of military
mental health professionals and increase Tricare reimbursement to providers
to expand participation by civilian providers. She pointed out that
payments to mental health providers were recently reduced, and that
Tricare pays proportionally even less for mental health than for other
conditions. In many cases, Tricare coverage is limited - not covering
intensive outpatient therapy, for example. She highlighted that coverage
for Guard and Reserve families is a particular problem, and that DoD
needs to improve its coverage to ‘hometown USA’. Assistant Secretary of
Defense (Health Affairs) Dr. S. Ward Cassells also testified at the
hearing and endorsed the task force report, emphasizing that the need is for
family members as well as servicemembers. He told the panel the top
priority for DoD health care is mental health, indicating he expects to
have an action plan by SEP 07. He emphasized the need to attack the
stigma often associated with mental health, particularly for those worried
about how it may affect their security clearances, and leadership
opportunities. The Committee members indicated their strong support, but
requested prioritization of the task force's top 10 issues out of the
seven pages of recommendations and asked for specific funding amounts
needed to address them. [Source: MOAA Leg Up 13 Jul 07 ++]
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DoD Disability Evaluation System [02] - (Pro Bono Effort) Wounded service personnel
who allege that the government is downplaying their injuries and
cheating them out of benefits have some new legal ammunition: three major law
firms offering free legal services. Concerned that injured soldiers
are getting a raw deal upon returning home, three firms — Foley &
Lardner; Atlanta's King & Spalding; and New York's LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene &
MacRae — have offered to do pro bono work on behalf of veterans who are
appealing low disability ratings made by the government. Those ratings
dictate how much money injured veterans are entitled to, along with any
medical and retirement benefits. According to attorneys, numerous
veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center who have served in Iraq and
Afghanistan have claimed that the military is underrating their injuries,
thus shortchanging them of benefits they've earned. Ehren Halse, one
of 15 King & Spalding attorneys, who has spoken with about 10 injured
soldiers in the last week, noted that the bureaucracy and administrative
procedures that involve disability rankings are confusing enough for
attorneys, let alone injured soldiers who may not even be aware of their
rights.
Walter Reed, U.S. Army and U.S. Department of Defense officials
were unavailable for comment.
Discrepancies in the disability rating system came to light about a
year ago, when the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), a nonprofit
organization that guides injured veterans through the medical evaluation
process, started spotting low ratings. The DAV investigation coincided with
recent media reports that exposed poor conditions at Walter Reed,
sparking a congressional investigation. Ronald Smith, deputy general counsel
for DAV who has handled several disability claims on behalf soldiers
said the demand for DAV services has been very high. To date, he knows
of at least 30 cases at Walter Reed in which injured soldiers received
substantially low ratings and are appealing their medical evaluations.
Among those is Fred Ball, an explosion victim with two children who had
a substantial part of his skull blown off in Iraq and a metal fragment
embedded in his brain. According to Smith, the military should have
given Ball a 100% disability rating, entitling him up to $2,471 a month.
Instead, he got a 10% rating, entitling him to $337 a month. He's been
declared unfit for duty, but not hurt enough to receive full benefits
which Smith finds extremely troubling.
Participating attorneys will focus much of their energies on
helping injured soldiers appeal their low disability rankings. They'll
appear with the veterans at formal hearings before what is known as the
Physical Evaluation Board. This is the panel that actually gives out the
ratings based on a medical evaluation by military doctors. If veterans
disagree with the rating, they then request a formal hearing before the
board. Some lawyers also plan to appeal the soldiers' cases directly
to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington, which has
jurisdiction over disability ratings appeals. Among the key arguments that lawyers
plan to make before the court is that the military is unlawfully
operating outside the congressionally mandated Veterans Affairs
disability-rating system, which dictates exactly how much soldiers will be
compensated for their injuries or diseases. Under the existing guidelines, a
20% or lower rating entitles a veteran to one severance check and no
other benefits. Ratings above 30% entitles a veteran and his family with
lifetime benefits. [Source: New York Lawyer Tresa Baldes article 19Jun
07 ++]
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DoD Disability Evaluation System [03] - (NDAA Includes S.1606) A package of improvements
in treatment and benefits for wounded service members — including some
precedent-setting changes in DoD disability policies — was attached 12
JUL to the Senate’s $648 billion NDAA defense policy bill, approved by
a 94-0 vote. The bill S.1606 initially introduced by Sen. Carl Levin
(MI) called the Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act, would make a
variety of changes in current policies, especially in helping troops
whose injuries are so severe that they are unable to continue serving in
the military and cannot get post-service treatment from the Department
of Veterans Affairs. The bill orders a review of all recent disability
discharges where a service member received a lump-sum severance
payment instead of the lifetime disability retired pay that would come from
being rated with a disability of 30% or more. It would also radically
change the entire military review process by assuming that anyone who has
served in the military was physically and mentally fit before entering
service.
The assumption of fitness, which would apply to anyone who has
served at least six months, would prevent the services from deciding that
a service member’s post-deployment problems, especially mental health
issues, were the result of a pre-service condition that does not warrant
severance or disability pay. Anyone medically retired from the
military for combat-related reasons would be eligible for three years of
military health care after discharge, a move aimed at reducing problems
getting post-service treatment. The bill would address concerns that the
military’s process for evaluating service members seems adversarial, and
that the services — especially the Army — seem to consistently assign
lower disability ratings than would be assigned by the VA by ordering
the military to use the VA’s disability ratings schedule unless the
military’s ratings are higher. The House of Representatives also included a
wounded warrior package as part of its version of the defense
authorization bill passed earlier this year, which means congressional
negotiators who meet later this year to work out a compromise bill will face
questions about treatment, medical retirement and other issues. [Source:
NavyTimes Rick Maze article 12 Jul 07 ++]
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Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee (SVAC) - (What it Does) The Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committee (SVAC) was created in 1970 to transfer responsibilities for
veterans from the Finance and Labor committees to a single panel. From
1947 to 1970, matters relating to veterans compensation and veterans
generally were referred to the Committee on Finance, while matters
relating to the vocational rehabilitation, education, medical care, civil
relief, and civilian readjustment of veterans were referred to the
Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. Congressional legislation affecting
veterans changed over the years. For the members of the armed forces and
their families in the nation's early wars -- the Revolutionary War, the
War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War and the Spanish-American
War -- the response of the federal government had been essentially
financial. This was clearly the legislative mission of the Senate Committee
on Pensions which was created as one of the Senate's original standing
committees in 1816 and continued until its termination in the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946.
During World War I the nature of the congressional response to
veterans' needs changed towards a more diversified set of programs. A war
risk insurance program, which was referred to the Senate Finance
Committee, changed the consideration of veterans benefits in the Senate. The
Finance Committee was the Senate standing committee most responsible
for veterans programs from 1917 to 1946. After World War II, the Finance
Committee handled the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, the "GI
Bill of Rights," which extended to servicemen and their families, a
number of benefits including unemployment assistance, education, vocational
training, housing and business loan guarantees, as well as the
traditional medical and pension benefits of previous times. Many experts
believe this law was one of the most important elements in the expansion of
the middle class following World War II. The Veterans Affairs Committee
had nine members in its initial congress, the 92nd Congress (1971-73).
It now has a total of 14 members inclusive of its Chairman. At present
Daniel K. Akaka from Hawaii is Chairman and Larry E. Craig from Idaho
is the Ranking Member.
The Standing Rules of the Senate direct that to this committee
shall be referred all proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials, and other matters relating to the following subjects:
Compensation of veterans.
- Life insurance issued by the Government on account of service in the
Armed Forces.
- National cemeteries.
- Pensions of all wars of the United States, general and special.
- Readjustment of servicemen to civil life.
- Soldiers' and sailors' civil relief.
- Veterans' hospitals, medical care and treatment of veterans.
- Veterans' measures generally.
- Vocational rehabilitation and education of veterans.
The SVAC is an oversight, investigative, and legislative committee. It
solicits and appreciates learning of problems, concerns, and areas of
success that can be applied nationally to help all veterans. Input can
be made at http://veterans.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?pageid=1.
However, if you have a specific problem or need specific help with the VA or
other federal agencies, the Senators from your home state can best
assist you in that regard. Contact either one of your state's two Senators
by referring to
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm.
[Source: http://veterans.senate.gov/public/ Jul 07 ++]
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SVAC [01] - (5 Bills Cleared) The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC) cleared
five bills during a Senate mark-up. The bills now move to the full
Senate for a vote. Three of them should clear easily within a week, while
the other two may require some debate. They are:
- S. 1233 which would open enrollment to new Category 8 veterans who
have been prevented from enrolling since JAN 03. Opponents of the
measure argue that there is not sufficient funding to pay for the numbers of
veterans who would have access to the VA. The DAV, PVA, VFW, and AMVET
veteran organization’s Independent Budget has asked for an additional
$1.3 billion to fund their care.
- S. 1315 which is a large omnibus benefits bill that would improve and
expand VA insurance programs, adaptive housing grants and automobile
assistance, among other enhancements. Critics, however, expressed
concern that the benefits awarded to Filipino veterans would be too generous
with respect to the lower cost-of-living in the Philippines.
- S. 423 which would provide an annual cost-of-living adjustment for
veterans’ benefits should pass easily;
- S. 1163 which would provide benefits to veterans with partial sight
in their second eye should pass easily; and
- S. 479 which would expand programs to deal with suicide prevention
and other mental health problems among veterans should pass easily.
[Source: VFW Washington Weekly 13 Jul 07 ++]
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NDAA 2008 [06] - (Senate Debate Begins) When the Senate returned from its Independence Day
on 9 JUL, it immediately began deliberations on the 2008 NDAA. So far
several very important amendments have been offered to the bill.
These include:
- Amendment 2000 by Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), which would end the
deduction of VA survivor benefits from SBP annuities and would start the
“paid-up” provision of SBP premiums this October instead of next year.
- Amendment 2046 by Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) which is based on her
bill S. 1444 known as the Supply Our Soldiers Act. The amendment would
give deployed and wounded troops a voucher every other month to allow
families and loved ones to be able to send a letter or small package
free of postage.
- Amendment 2018 by Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) to provide .5% pay increase
over the Employment Cost Index (ECI) for the military in each of the
next five years.
- Amendment 2049 by Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) to lower retirement age
for reservists who have served since 9/11.
- An amendment by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI) which would improve the
capacity of VA to care for veterans with Traumatic Brain Injuries, extend
the time from two years to five that a veteran would have to receive
care from the VA upon their release from active duty, address potential
homelessness among newly discharged servicemembers, ensure access to VA
mental health and dental programs and recognize the importance of the
National Guard and Reserve forces in VA’s outreach programs. It also
orders a review of all recent disability discharges where a service member
received a lump-sum severance payment instead of the lifetime
disability retired pay that would come from being rated with a disability of
30% or more, and calls for a review of DOD’s entire disability ratings
system, to include the use of VA standards to make disability
determinations. The Senate has already accepted this amendment and incorporated it
into the bill.
- A joint amendment by Senators Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Hagel (R-NE)
would specify that the percentage increase in retiree TRICARE fees in any
year can't exceed the percentage increase in retired pay.
- An amendment by Sen. Lincoln (D-AR) would authorize 10 years of
post-service benefit use by mobilized Guard and Reserve members (who now
lose all benefits upon separation).
- Amendment 2006 by Sen. Sessions (R-AL) would reimburse up to $300 for
drill-related travel expenses for drill periods conducted outside
commuting distance.
- An amendment by Sen. Landrieu (D-LA) would authorize tax credits for
employers to help offset impacts of mobilizations on their businesses.
Other proposed amendments are:
2014 Hagel: Allow designation of portion of death gratuity
2015 Hagel: Expand family readiness council to include servicemembers
and spouses
2016 Hagel: $25K accession bonus for mental health professionals
2017 Hagel: G/R retirement age reduction proportional to longer service
2019 Levin: Wounded warrior bill passed by SASC
2026 Klobuchar: Allow unlimited sites for family assistance program
(delete max of 6)
2027 Pryor: Authorize R&R for members whose Iraq tours extended to 15
mos
2029 Gregg: Protect child custody for deployees (like House)
2030 Gregg: Ban deployment of both member spouses (like House)
2031 Gregg: Support for children of deployed members
2032 Hagel: Limit to 12-month deployment
2034 Murray: Military family leave program
2035 Murray: Child care
2036 Murray: G/R benefits at discharge
2037 Coleman: Authorize 3% end strength variance (vice 2%) (like House)
2039 Coleman: Reserves eligible for assignment incentive pay
2040 Coleman: 3% end strength variance (dupe?)
2043 Durbin: Incentive programs for nurses
2047 Clinton: Transportation for additional people to burial ceremonies
2050 Chambliss: Report on patient satisfaction survey
2051 Coleman: G/R licensure
2054 Lieberman: Female mental health
2055 Lieberman: Info requirements for separatees
2056 Harkin: Family support for deployed members
2057 Feingold: Cell phone contract termination protection
2059 Cornyn: Cut fed funds to schools denying JROTC access
2060 Sanders: Gulf War Illness
The White House released its Statement of Administration Policy on the
2008 National Defense Authorization Act. The document outlines the
President’s position on several components of the bill and stipulates his
intention to veto potential amendments. Among the provisions that are
not supported by the White House are those relating to the Insurrection
Act and reduced retirement age. Amendments that would likely draw a
veto of the NDAA if passed include those relating to Iran, Guantanamo
Bay, and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. A copy of the
statement can be found at the White House’s Office of Management and Budget
site at www.whitehouse.gov/omb.Veterans are encouraged to let their
elected officials know how they feel about these and any other issues that
affect them. This can be easily done by referring to website www.naus.org
and clicking the CapWiz area, selecting the issue of concern, and
entering their zip code. Once the Senate completes action on the NDAA, the
House and Senate will meet in conference to iron out differences and
submit a single version of HR 1585, the Defense Authorization Act of
2008. [Source: NAUS Weekly Update 13 Jul 77 ++]
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Wounded Warrior Assistance [02] - (Hotline Call Center) The Wounded Soldier and Family
Hotline Call Center received more than 3,000 calls during the three
months since it began operating 19 MAR. The line was established for
soldiers and family members in response to scandals regarding unsatisfactory
treatment and living conditions, and unconscionable delays in
processing for evaluation and compensation for wounds at Walter Reed Army
Medical Center. Col. Ed Mason, director of the hotline, said that when a
caller phones the hot line, the person who answers puts the caller in
direct contact with the agency needed to address the problem. The hot line,
staffed by Army officers and civilians at Human Resources Command in
Alexandria VA, reports its findings to senior Army echelons in order to
avoid the information vacuum that existed before the Walter Reed scandal
broke. The Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline Call Center is at (800)
984-8523. [Source: Armed Forces News Issue 13 Jul 07 ++]
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Reserve Retirement Age [11] - (NDAA amendment) Senator Chambliss introduced S. 648
earlier in this session of the 110th Congress to reduce age 60 as the
age in which members of the Reserve Component are eligible to receive
retirement pay. S.648 as originally introduced would have amended Title
10 to reduce the eligible age for receipt of non-regular military
service retired pay for members of the Ready Reserve in active federal
status or on active duty for significant periods on or after September 11,
2001 (i.e. age to be reduced by three months for each 90 days of being
called to active duty for Title 10 wartime duty or Title 32 response for
a national emergency declared by the President). Under this provision,
the age may not be reduced below 50 years of age. The Senate Armed
Services Committee in its markup of the National Defense Authorization
Act, S. 1547, incorporated most of S. 648 but would credit only qualifying
service after the legislation is enacted, not any active duty service
retroactive to September 11, 2001. To correct this inequity Senator
Chambliss has offered a Senate floor amendment to the Fiscal year 2008
National Defense Authorization Act, SA 2049, to restore the key omitted
language of S. 648 by crediting all qualifying active duty service on or
after 9/11. The National guard Association of the United states
(NGAUS) is asking all concerned to contact their legislators to support this
amendment. This can easily be dne by referrinfg to
www.ngaus.org/content.asp?bid=1805&False and entering your zip cod. [Source: NGAUS Leg
Alert 13 Jul 07 ++]
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VA Cemetery Iowa - ($7.6 Million Grant) Ensuring that Iowa veterans have a final resting
place to honor their service to the nation, the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) announced the award of a $7.6 million grant to establish a
new state veterans’ cemetery in Van Meter. The Iowa Veterans Cemetery,
the first state veterans’ cemetery in Iowa, will be located in Dallas
County near Des Moines. Nearly 70,000 veterans and their families live
within its service area. The grant will pay 100% of allowable costs for
the cemetery’s construction, which is scheduled to begin this fall. It
also covers construction of nearly 10,000 full-casket gravesites, 750
in-ground cremation sites, 768 columbarium niches, a memorial walkway,
a storage building, utilities, landscaping and irrigation. Interments
are expected to begin in the fall of 2008. Keokuk National Cemetery,
operated by VA in the southeastern part of the state, has space
available to accommodate both casketed and cremated remains. VA’s State
Cemetery Grants Program complements VA’s 125 national cemeteries across the
country. The program helps states establish, expand or improve veterans
cemeteries. To date, the VA program has helped establish 66 state
veterans’ cemeteries in 35 states, Saipan and Guam, which provided more
than 22,000 burials in fiscal year 2006. VA has awarded 155 grants
totaling more than $283 million. Information on VA burial benefits can be
obtained from national cemetery offices, from the VA Web site on the
Internet at http://www.cem.va.gov or by calling VA regional offices
toll-free at 1-800-827-1000. Information about Iowa’s state veterans cemetery
can be obtained from the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs at
http://www.iowava.org/asp/cemetaries.asp or (515) 242-5331. [Source:
VA Press Release 12 Jul 07 ++]
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VA Cemetery Wisconsin - ($622,580 Grant) Continuing its mission of providing a final
resting place for Wisconsin veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) has announced the award of a $622,580 grant to the state to expand
the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner. The
grant will pay for the construction of 460 full-casket burial sites, 444
in-ground cremation burial sites, 704 columbarium niches, a memorial
walkway, a storage building, utilities, landscaping and irrigation. The
Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, which began interments in
2000, was also developed through VA’s State Cemetery Grants Program. VA
funded two other state veterans’ cemeteries in Wisconsin: the Central
Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King, and the Southern
Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove. VA’s State Cemetery
Grants Program complements VA’s 125 national cemeteries across the country.
The program helps states establish, expand or improve state veterans
cemeteries. To date, the VA state cemetery program has helped establish
66 veterans’ cemeteries in 35 states, Saipan and Guam, which provided
more than 22,000 burials in 2006. Since the program began in 1980, VA
has awarded 154 grants totaling more than $276 million. Information
about Wisconsin’s veterans cemeteries can be obtained from the Wisconsin
Department of Veterans Affairs at http://dva.state.wi.us/Cemeteries.asp
or 608-261-0179. For more info on VA burial benefits refer to from
national cemetery offices, from the Internet at http://www.cem.va.gov or
by calling VA regional offices at 1(800) 827-1000. [Source: VA News
release 10 Jul 07 ++]
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BRAVE & GIVE Acts (SSA Rating Acceleration) Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD-03) introduced legislation
on 29 JUN that if approved will streamline the process in which
disabled war veterans receive government benefits. The Benefit Rating
Acceleration for Veterans Entitlement Act (H.R.2953), or BRAVE Act will allow
a veteran who receives a 100% disability rating from the VA to receive
Social Security benefits quicker than the prolonged waiting period now
in place. The legislation, currently has 37 cosponsors and has been
referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.. “If you’re a veteran
and you’re deemed 100% disabled ... the Social Security Administration
still makes you go through a lengthy process,” said Pia Carusone, a
spokeswoman for Sarbanes. “If the VA says you’re 100% disabled, the Social
Security needs to agree with that, and expedite the process.”
Additionally, Sarbanes offered an amendment to the Generations
Invigorating Volunteering and Education Act (H.R.2857) or GIVE Act, that
seeks to support our nations veterans and veterans service
organizations. The National Conversation on Veterans and Community Service amendment
was accepted by a unanimous vote in the final mark up of the GIVE Act
and passed by the Education and Labor Committee. The Sarbanes’
amendment would require:
1.) The Corporation for National and Community Service, in
conjunction with Veterans Service Organizations, the Department of Veterans
Affairs, State Veterans Agencies, the Department of Defense and other
organizations deemed appropriate by the Corporation, to initiate a “National
Conversation”. It would identify:
- specific areas of need for veterans.
- how existing volunteer corps and programs could better serve
veterans.
- gaps in service to veterans.
- prospects for better coordination of services.
- prospects for better utilization of veterans as resources and
volunteers.
2.) A report on the results of the conversation, together with a plan
for a pilot program using promising strategies and approaches for
better serving and utilizing the talents of veterans, which would be
transmitted to Congress not later than one year following the date of
enactment of this Act.
3.) Implementation of the pilot program based on the findings of the
report above.
The GIVE Act was voted out of the Education and Labor Committee on 27
JUN by a vote of 46-0 and will reach the House floor for passage in the coming weeks. [Source: Rep. John Sarbanes Press Release 11 Jul 07 ++]
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VA Homeless Vets [05] - (Homeless Grants) Homeless veterans in 37 states will get
more assistance, thanks to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
selection of 92 community organizations to receive funds for transitional
housing this year. VA has identified the public and community non-profit
groups eligible to receive payments for housing and supportive services
to homeless veterans through three VA programs:
- Fifty-three organizations will receive $10 million to provide
about 1,000 transitional housing beds under VA’s per diem program;
- Thirty-six groups will receive $12 million for programs for
homeless veterans who are seriously mentally, women, including women with
children, frail elderly or terminally ill;
- Three organizations will receive about $2 million for various
technical assistance projects.
The grants are part of VA’s continuing efforts to reduce
homelessness among veterans. VA has the largest integrated network of
homeless assistance programs in the country. In many cities and rural areas,
VA social workers and other clinicians working with community and
faith-based partners conduct extensive outreach programs, clinical
assessments, medical treatments, alcohol and drug abuse counseling and
employment assistance. Much work remains to be done, but the partnership effort
is making significant progress. Today, it is estimated that fewer
than 200,000 veterans may be homeless on an average night, which
represents a 20% reduction during the past six years. For more info about VA’s
homeless programs refer to http://www.va.gov/homeless. [Source: VA
News Release 11 Jul 07 ++]
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Tuition Aid for RC - (Summary by State) The federal GI Bill has provided education
benefits to veterans since 1944. Under the current program full-time
servicemembers get up to $37,500 (not including $1,200 they must pay in). It can
be used for up to 10 years after they leave the military. The Reserve
contingent (RC) National Guard and Reserve get $11,124 (with increases
for consecutive service of 90 days or more). It can be used only while
in the Guard and Reserve. A growing number of states are cutting
college tuition for recent veterans in a show of gratitude, but also in some
cases to fill gaps in the federal GI Bill. Though most of the state
laws honor veterans for their sacrifices, some also address disparities
between the treatment of members of the regular military (Army, Navy,
Marines and Air Force) and of RC troops, over whom states have
jurisdiction. Today, every state offers some sort of tuition benefit for members
of its National Guard units. With about 240,000 more Guard members (many
of them college students) deployed to combat zones since 9/11, many
state legislators are looking for ways to help them and other recent
veterans. State benefits typically are available only to those attending
state-supported institutions and who meet certain academic requirements.
Following are highlights of recent developments for the RC:
Alabama - No tuition breaks for veterans, but since 2003, tuition has
been waived for spouses and children of National Guard members called to
active duty in Iraq.
Alaska - A bill enacted this year is designed to ensure that a tuition
waiver program for Guard members is fully funded.
Arizona - A tuition waiver for widows and children under 30 of U.S.
soldiers killed in the line of duty goes into effect Sept. 9. A tuition
proposal this year that would have benefited current or former Guard
members who have received a Purple Heart since 9/11 did not pass.
Arkansas - A 2005 resolution encourages state schools to participate
in a partial tuition waiver for Guard members. Under federal law, state
Guard members can have 75% of their tuition waived at a state-sponsored
institution. Schools that choose to participate cover the remaining
25%.
California - California doesn't reduce or eliminate tuition or fees for
veterans in state-supported colleges. A pending bill would waive
resident fees for Californians after they leave active duty and exhaust
federal GI Bill benefits. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the democratically
controlled Legislature currently are at odds over his proposal for a
$1.7 million college-fees assistance program for National Guard members
to aid recruitment and retention.
Colorado - A law this month makes members of the armed forces and
their dependents eligible for in-state tuition if the member gets stationed
in Colorado . A proposal that did not pass would have allowed schools
to seek reimbursement from the state for refunds given to activated
military personnel.
Connecticut - The state has waived tuition for veterans since 1974;
legislation did not pass this year that would have expanded the benefits
to include fees.
Delaware - No legislation has been introduced or passed that would
waive or reduce tuition for recent veterans enrolled in state-supported
colleges or universities.
Florida - Proposals this year that would have required state
universities and community colleges to waive a percentage of the in-state tuition
rate for veterans did not pass. Last year, Purple Heart veterans
became eligible for tuition waivers.
Georgia - In 2005, the state passed the HERO (Helping Educate
Reservists and their Offspring) Scholarship for Guard and Reservists who, as of
May 3, 2003, served in a combat zone.
Hawaii - Bills to waive tuition for Hawaii National Guard members to
attend state schools have been introduced nearly every year for the last
few years, but none have passed.
Idaho - A 2004 law says Guard members called up for duty beyond
training for 30 days or more will have lost tuition refunded.
Illinois - Veterans have generally been given a free ride at state
schools since 1920, but state funding in recent years has come up short. A
proposal this year would ensure colleges that absorb the cost get
reimbursed by the state.
Indiana - Legislation this year that would have provided free tuition
to state universities for Indiana National Guard members called to
active duty since Sept. 10, 2001, died.
Iowa - The state last year expanded a longstanding War Orphans Fund to
include dependents of soldiers killed in action in a combat zone after
9/11.
Kansas - The state Legislature this year for the first time
appropriated $250,000 for scholarships for Kansans who served in Iraq or
Afghanistan for at least 90 days after 9/11. The Kansas Board of Regents plans
to distribute the funds on a first-come, first-served basis.
Kentucky - Tuition waivers for children and spouses of disabled and
deceased National Guard and armed forces members were changed this year to
increase the age of eligible children from 23 to 26 and to extend
waivers from 36 to 45 months.
Louisiana - No new tuition legislation was introduced in 2007. A 2005
law exempts some Guard members from all or part of tuition imposed by
certain Louisiana public institutions.
Maine - A bill introduced in the 2007 session that would have
established a tuition waiver for veterans did not pass.
Maryland - The Legislature created a scholarship for veterans who
fought in Iraq or Afghanistan since 9/11, and funded it this year at
$500,000. Available to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served
basis, it has been offered to at least 67 veterans and 41 dependents.
Massachusetts - The state waives tuition, but not fees, for all
veterans. Fees were waived for the first time last year for Guard members. A
fee waiver for all veterans was reintroduced this year. Fees can
represent up to 75% of college costs.
Michigan - A pending proposal would waive tuition for recent veterans
and the families of soldiers killed in action. Since 2005, Michigan has
had tuition grants for the children of veterans who are killed, missing
in action or are permanently disabled.
Minnesota - Veterans attending public or private colleges in the state
who served in the armed forces on or after 9/11, and who have exhausted
other federal and state benefits, can be reimbursed $1,000 per
semester up to $10,000 under a law that took effect this month. This also
applies to Minnesota National Guard members with five years or more of
service and surviving spouses and children of those who died serving in the
military on or after 9/11. The state allocated $52,000 to extend
education benefits to spouses, as well as children, of soldiers killed in
action.
Mississippi - A handful of bills were introduced this past session,
which ended in the spring. One passed; it expands tuition assistance for
National Guard members to include room and board. No new funds were
appropriated.
Missouri - In April, lawmakers debated but ultimately failed to approve
a bill that would give combat veterans a 75% reduction in credit-hour
costs. The bill may have failed because of high revenue losses that
state universities likely would see. The University of Missouri, for
example, projected a $1.3 million tuition shortfall if the bill had passed.
The second-largest public university, Missouri State University,
projected an $850,000 tuition shortfall, with no state money earmarked to
make up the difference.
Montana - The state since 1989 allows state colleges and universities
to waive tuition for veterans. That program was expanded in 1997 to
include waivers for National Guard members.
Nebraska - No new legislation regarding tuition assistance for veterans
or Guard members was introduced this year. In 2005, a bill was enacted
that changed the tuition waiver for Guard members from 50% to 100%.
Tuition has long been waived for dependents of veterans killed in combat.
Nevada - Lawmakers in 2005 made permanent 2003 legislation guaranteeing
free tuition at state universities and colleges for Nevada National
Guard members, including recruits. Lawmakers also approved legislation to
reimburse Guard members for textbook expenses.
New Hampshire - A bill effective July 1 establishes a tuition voucher
program for Guard members and changes the source of funding of Guard
tuition assistance from schools to the state.
New Jersey - In January, a law passed that extended eligibility for
tuition to former members of the New Jersey National Guard and increased
the number of tuition-free credits available to Guard members and
dependents. It extends the eligibility to 16 credits per semester and allows
Guard members whose education was interrupted by their duty to continue
to receive the free tuition benefit following discharge for one
semester or a period of time equal to their length of deployment, whichever
is longer. In the event of medical discharge as a result of illness or
combat injury, a Guard member who was enrolled in a degree program can
continue to receive the free tuition benefit through completion or for
five years. Last year, New Jersey prohibited public colleges and
universities from imposing non-resident tuition fees on members of the state
Guard and their surviving children or spouses if the member was killed
in the line of duty.
New Mexico - Legislation that was introduced this year but did not pass
would have extended a scholarship for Vietnam veterans to include
recent veterans. Certain dependents of combat veterans are eligible for
full tuition waivers.
New York - Several bills that would have increased tuition awards for
veterans died in the New York Legislature. Currently, veterans are
eligible for awards of $1,000 per semester for full-time study or $500 per
semester for part-time study.
North Carolina - Lawmakers this year proposed helping National Guard
members pay off their student loans. It would be another expansion of the
state's tuition assistance program for the Guard, following changes in
2005 that raised the maximum tuition payment and provided money for
buying textbooks. The tuition breaks, funded out of the state budget,
help students at public and private colleges. Another recent change in
tuition laws has allowed active-duty military personnel stationed in North
Carolina, and their dependents, to take advantage of in-state tuition
rates at public universities. Lawmakers this year have proposed
expanding that benefit to all Defense Department employees, which would mean
universities would lose revenue.
North Dakota - A 2005 law waives tuition for dependents of deceased
veterans. A bill passed this year extends Guard tuition assistance to
include all accredited post-secondary schools.
Ohio - No tuition-related laws passed recently to benefit recent
veterans; a 2004 law requires public and private colleges to grant leave to
students called to active duty and either refund or offer credit for
tuition paid. Also in 2004, legislators expanded eligibility for a
25-year-old Ohio War Orphans Scholarship Program to include Iraq veterans'
families.
Oklahoma - No tuition assistance is offered to combat veterans. A bill
currently pending would require the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
Education to provide a tuition grant program for National Guard members
taking graduate or professional courses.
Oregon - Under a proposal passed this year and expected to take effect
this fall, resident student-veterans would receive up to $150 a month
for up to 36 months. The aid could be used only after the student had
exhausted federal GI Bill benefits.
Pennsylvania - A state agency extended the eligibility period for the
Armed Forces Loan Forgiveness Program to the end of this year. The
program forgives loans of up to $2,500 for veterans who haven't defaulted
and who were on active duty between 9/11 and Dec. 31, 2007.
Rhode Island - While colleges are given state-appropriated money for
Guard members, there has been little legislative action for combat
veterans or their dependents. In 2005, a bill failed that would have given
military Reserve members the same tuition assistance that is now offered
to Guard members.
South
Carolina - In South Carolina, Gov. Mark Sanford last month signed
into law a bill that will offer members of the National Guard free
tuition at state-supported colleges and universities and some private
institutions. Another bill that would provide tuition assistance for
full-time military veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan was
introduced and is expected to go forward next year. The state also offers free
tuition to the children of veterans who were killed, wounded or are
missing in action. The new National Guard tuition program pays all tuition
and fees up to $18,000. The Legislature appropriated $1.3 million for
tuition grants for that program and another $1.7 million for a program
that pays student loans for Guard members.
South Dakota - No legislation was introduced in 2007 pertaining to
special tuition rates for veterans. But there were several laws passed in
2006 and 2004 that improved educational access for military members and
their families:
Tennessee - The state this year will begin freezing college tuition for
members of the Reserves or the National Guard if they are mobilized
for at least six months of active duty. The law went into effect on June
25. Under this law, if a Reservist or Guard member is enrolled at a
state school at the time their status changes to active duty, all school
fees will be frozen at the rate when they departed school. The
University of Tennessee system this August will increase tuition 6%. Upon their
return, fees would not increase for a time period equal to one year
plus the amount of time served on active duty. The offer is good only for
servicemembers who complete their military obligations under honorable
conditions and who re-enroll in a state school within six months from
release of active duty.
Texas - Congress tweaked its 84-year-old tuition exemption so that
veterans can use both the federal GI Bill and the state exemption in the
same semester.
Utah - A law this year waives undergraduate tuition at state
institutions of higher education for surviving dependents of Utah resident
military members killed while serving in federal active duty.
Vermont - The 2004 Armed Services Scholarship expanded an existing
benefit for children of National Guard members to also include Guard
members, military veterans and spouses and children for both.
Virginia - The state this year created an in-state tuition benefit for
active-duty servicemembers and for activated members of the National
Guard and Reserve who are stationed in Virginia but are not Virginia
residents.
Washington - Colleges are not required to waive tuition, but because
waivers are available, legislation enacted last year directs state
colleges and universities to take steps that would help them identify and
assist veterans who need financial aid. Beginning this month, tuition and
fees will be waived for dependents of combat veterans who are totally
disabled, reported missing or killed in combat.
West Virginia - Beginning this month, tuition is waived for honorably
discharged veterans who earned a Purple Heart. Legislators also passed a
bill that covers tuition costs for active-duty National Guard members
pursuing a master's degree.
Wisconsin - In 2006, Wisconsin passed legislation that waived 100% of
tuition for veterans, up from a 50% waiver, enacted in 2005. But as the
program's costs balloon, some lawmakers want to stop funding graduate
school tuition and create a 10-year limit for claiming benefits.
Wyoming - Since 2006, Wyoming has had free tuition for overseas combat
veterans, as well as widows, and orphans of deceased veterans. The
state reimburses the schools for waiving tuition.
[Source: USA Today article 10 Jul 07 ++]
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Florida Vet Benefits [03] - (4 New Laws) Gov. Charlie Crist on 11 JUL paid
tribute to the military services with the ceremonial signing of four new
laws passed in the Florida 2007 legislative session. Tammy Wise-Thrash
attended the ceremonial signing of the law named for her son, an Army
specialist who was killed in Iraq in 2003. The Robert A. Wise Military
Protection Act increases civil penalties for unauthorized use of photos
or other images of military members on commercial products. After Wise
was killed, his picture was used on anti-war T-shirts, without his
family’s permission. Sen. Jeff Atwater, R-Palm Beach Gardens, said
hucksters have peddled phone cards and other products with photos of service
members, preying on the patriotism of potential purchasers. The bill
provides fines up to $1,000 per item for products depicting service members
without family authorization. Brandon Hensler, a spokesman for the
American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, said there could be First
Amendment problems if the law is selectively enforced. He said a person or
family can protect names and images from commercial exploitation, but
that use of news photos or other information “in the public domain” is
protected in political demonstrations. Other new laws would:
- Extend need-based emergency financial assistance to service members
and dependents for up to 120 days after members leave active duty, to
help with housing and other living expenses as they return to civilian
life.
- Provide a permanent hiring preference for veterans seeking jobs with
state government. Previously, the veterans' preference could be used
only once.
- Provide greater property tax relief for wounded veterans. Under the
new law, a veteran with a combat-related disability would get a tax
reduction in proportion to their disability classification. Rep. Stan
Jordan, R-Jacksonville, said that under his bill, a veteran with a 75%
disability would get a 75% cut in property taxes. The exemption applies only
to veterans over age 65 who were Florida residents when they joined
the service.
[Source: Pensacola News Journal ill Cotterell article 11 Jul 07 ++]
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Vet Initiatives [02] - (4 New Laws) The Indiana Military Family Leave
Act Public Law 151 is taking effect 1 JUL. The act will extend
employment protections to Indiana resident family members in of military
personnel. The law allows a relative of a military member called to active
duty to take up to 10 days of unpaid leave per year from his job. The
leave can be taken prior to deployment, during leave or after a tour of
duty is completed. The law only applies to employers with 50 or more
employees. Employees that are covered under the law must have worked for
the business for 12 months, have worked at least 1,500 hours during the
last year for the company and be a spouse, parent, grandparent or
sibling of the military member, and must give their employers 30 days notice
that they intend to take the leave.
A number of other measures that benefit past and present members
of the Hoosier military will be enacted into law on 1 JUL that will:
- Give National Guard members priority placement in any employment or
training program administered by the Indiana Department of Workforce
Management.
- Enable all males aged 16-26 to register for the Selective Service at
any branch of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). Registering
for the Selective Service entitles young men to various benefits,
including access to student loans and eligibility for state or federal jobs.
Indiana was one of only 12 states not equipped to handle Selective
Service registration at the BMV. As a result, only 77% of qualified 18
year old men in Indiana are currently registered for the Selective
Service. The BMV is required to have this system in place by January 2009.
- Extend the six year time frame that a National Guard member has to
use their scholarship benefits if he or she is deployed into active duty.
- Establish employment qualifications for the Indiana Department of
Veterans’ Affairs.
- Extend eligibility for resident tuition rates at a state college or
university to all active duty soldiers stationed in Indiana and their
dependents.
- Provide for honorary diplomas being awarded to Korea or Vietnam
conflict veterans who were unable to complete their high-school education
because of their involvement. the opportunity.
[Source: Indiana House Democratic Caucus 29 Jun 07 ++]
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LCD Screen Cleaning (Magic Eraser) Last week I woke up from a nap to find my 3 year
old grandson had found a Sharpie Permanent Marker pen on my desk and
with it used my laptop LCD screen for a drawing board. I went to several
places that sell computers and they could not tell me how to remove
these black marks without damaging the screen. I subsequently mentioned
the problem at the doctor’ office and the receptionist told me to try a
Magic Eraser made by Mr. Clean and sold at WalMart. Following the
instructions I wet a small part of the sponge like eraser and using single
straight gentle stokes found to my surprise the black marks
disappeared. I do not recommend this for general LCD cleaning for which there
are many products available. I tried a couple of these more expensive
products and they would not remove the marks. If you experience a
particular difficult mark/stain to remove on your computer or TV LCD screen
you might try a Magic Eraser. [Source: Editor, RAO Bulletin 10 July 07]
back to top Silver Star - (3rdh Highest Valor Award) The Silver Star is the is the fourth highest military
decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United
States Armed Forces and the third highest award given for valor (in the
face of the enemy). Well-known recipients include: Lt. Col. Oliver
North, Generals George S. Patton and Douglas MacArthur, Senators John Kerry
and John McCain. The Silver Star honors service personnel who display
exceptional valor while engaged in military combat operations against an
enemy force. Personnel can also be honored for their service with
friendly foreign troops in combat situations, even if the opposing force is
one that the U.S. is not engaged in military conflict with. It also
can be awarded posthumously. In 1944, four nurses became the first female
recipients of the Silver Star. 1st Lt. Mary Roberts, 2nd Lt. Elaine
Roe, 2nd Lt. Virginia Rourke, and 2nd Lt. Ellen Ainsworth (posthumous)
were cited for their bravery in successfully evacuating the 33rd Field
Hospital at Anzio, Italy on 10 FEB. They remained the sole female
recipients until Leigh Ann Hester was awarded the Silver Star in 2005. Acts
of heroism that earn a Silver Star, though not deserving of a
Distinguished Service Cross or a Medal of Honor, must have been “performed with
marked distinction.”
The Silver Star was first awarded in 1932 to replace the Citation
Star, which had been pinned on the ribbon of a service medal and given
for gallantry from the Spanish-American War to World War I. The U.S.
military then allowed World War I veterans to apply to have the Citation
Star converted to the Silver Star. Despite its name, the medal is
mostly gold. Gold rays emanate from a tiny silver star, encircled by a
golden laurel wreath and then a larger gold star. The pendant hangs from a
ribbon striped in red, white and blue. An inscription on the back reads
"For gallantry in action." The Silver Star is awarded to a recipient in
person, and usually with a ceremony. A commander-in-theater with at
least the rank of three-star general must recognize the recipient for
acts of valor. The next lower in precedence award is the Defense Superior
Service Medal. Any false verbal, written or physical claim to the
Silver Star, by an individual to whom it has not been awarded, is a federal
felony offense punishable by up to a year in jail and up to a $10000
fine. [Source: About.com U.S. Military Rod Powers article Jul 07 ++]
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Okinawa Agent Orange Use - (BVA 1998 Ruling) According to a board ruling uncovered by
Kyodo News the U.S. Board of Veterans’ Appeals found in 1998 that the
hazardous chemical defoliant Agent Orange was most likely used in Okinawa,
and ruled in favor of a former U.S. service member who sought
compensation for prostate cancer he blamed on his work there in the early
1960s. The discovery comes as the Defense Department has still to confirm
whether Agent Orange was stored or used in Okinawa during the Vietnam
War that ended in 1975. In its ruling, issued on 13 JAN 98, the board
concluded that “credible evidence sustains a reasonable probability that
the veteran was exposed to dioxins while serving in Okinawa.” The board
further said it was granting him service-connected disability
compensation “for prostrate cancer as being the result of Agent Orange exposure”
while in Okinawa between 1960 and 1961. It found entirely believable
his testimony about the U.S. military’s mixing, storage and even use of
Agent Orange in Okinawa at a time when Japan’s southernmost prefecture
was still under the control of the United States, which used it as a
strategic transport hub during the Vietnam War.
Agent Orange, a herbicide mixture containing the highly toxic
substance dioxin, was sprayed by U.S. military aircraft over the southern
portion of Vietnam from 1961 to 1971 to clear jungles and deny cover to
communist fighters. It has since been blamed for numerous health
problems, including various types of cancer and birth defects. The former
service member, who worked as a motor transport operator on Okinawa Island
but had never been to Vietnam, said in his testimony that while Agent
Orange was mainly used to defoliate trees and shrubbery in lush war
zones like Vietnam, “in Okinawa, we had other uses for it, particularly
near base camp perimeters.” He said herbicides thought to include Agent
Orange were sprayed from trucks or backpacks along roadsides, used for
landscaping and also taken to the densely forested northern part of
Okinawa Island to clear foliage to facilitate war game maneuvers there.
Subtropical Okinawa’s heavy rainfall, he said, created a demand for
non-water-soluble defoliants such as Agent Orange that would not just wash
away with the next rain. He testified that personnel were not told or
warned about the hazards of the herbicides that they were handling, nor
were they issued any protective clothing”.
As recently as NOV 04, DoD stated that it has been unable to find
any records of Agent Orange being used or stored on Okinawa Island
during the Vietnam War era. The statement came in response to queries made
in JUL 04 by then U.S. Rep. Lane Evans, a ranking Democrat on the House
of Representatives Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, who wrote to then
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld requesting any information on the use
or storage of Agent Orange on Okinawa. That was replied to by Gen.
Richard Myers, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who told Evans
in NOV 04 that “records contain no information linking use or storage of
Agent Orange or other herbicides in Okinawa.” Myers further said there
was “no record of any spills, accidental or otherwise, of Agent
Orange. Therefore, there are no recorded occupational exposures of service
members in Okinawa to Agent Orange or similar herbicides.” The Board of
Veterans’ Appeals ruling said that while the U.S military had been
“generally unable to document the use of herbicides in Okinawa,” experts who
attempted to verify specific dioxin exposure there “do not negate that
possibility.”
Hundreds more former U.S. service members who were stationed in
Okinawa during the Vietnam War have lodged medical compensation claims with
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, citing Agent Orange exposure,
according to information viewable online in the archives of the Board
of Veterans’ Appeals. But most cases have either been denied or sent
for review on the grounds of insufficient evidence linking their
illnesses to Agent Orange exposure. The various documents surface at a time
when Washington and Tokyo are realigning the U.S. military presence in
Japan following years of protests from Okinawans who have long complained
about crime, noise and crowding associated with U.S. bases on the
island since the end of World War II in 1945. U.S. bases occupy about 20
percent of Okinawa’s land area and have also been viewed as being a large
part of the island’s environmental problems. Under the realignment,
about 4,000 hectares of the 7,800-hectare U.S. jungle warfare training
area in northern Okinawa, mentioned as a place where Agent Orange was
sprayed, are due to be handed back to Japan. Kunitoshi Sakurai, president
of Okinawa University who specializes in environmental engineering,
expressed concern over the possibility of residual dioxin there, pointing
out that the northern area is the source of most of Okinawa’s water
supply. [Source: Marine Corp Times 9 Jul 07 ++]
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Identity Theft [08] - (Prevention, Identification & Mitigation) Are you as safe as you think you are? Take
the identity fraud safety test at www.idsafety.net. In 2006 identity
theft affected 8.4 million Americans, resulted in $49.3 billion in
losses, and cost victims an average of $587 in out-of-pocket costs plus 40
hours of their time to resolve. Of identified thieves 53% were known by
their victims. Obtaining your personal information without your
permission is considered identity theft. Use of that data to commit fraud or
theft is considered identity fraud. Months or years and thousands of
dollars are spent each year cleaning up the mess the thieves have made
of good names and credit records. Identity theft results in lose of job
opportunities, loans for education and weddings, housing, cars, or even
arrests for crimes people didn’t commit. Despite the best efforts of
many victims, skilled identity thieves gain access to their data
through:
- Stolen wallets and purses.
- Stealing your mail or diverting your mail to another location.
- Rummaging through your trash, or the trash of businesses, for
personal data in a practice known as “dumpster diving.”
- Fraudulently obtaining your credit report.
- Obtaining information from the businesses in a practice known as
“business record theft” (customer, employee, patient or student; bribing an
employee who has access to your files; or “hacking” into electronic
files).
ATM use can expose users to a practice known as skimming through
equipage designed to obtain your card information. Equipage typically used
is:
- False fronts on terminals with built in magnetic stripe readers.
- Hidden cameras to capture you entering your PIN with the information
being transmitted to a nearby crook. Recent cases have Bluetooth
transmission to a remote receiver
- Sniffing devices installed in ATMs that can capture the credit or
debit card PIN and magnetic stripe information before encryption. These
devices are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and can capture
over 2500 credit card account numbers, expiration dates and CVV codes.
The units which cost about $500 can operate continuously for 40 hours
on a single 3V battery (6000 swipes) and are designed to erase all
info with the press of a button by the user to avoid prosecution.
Phishing is another instrument of identity theft. They scam you, often
through email, by posing as legitimate companies or government agencies
you do business with. Last year 73 million adult email users reported
receiving more than 50 phishing emails during the year. Of these, 11
million reported clicking on the links provided in the messages and 2.42
million reported losing money because of phishing attacks ($929
million). Pay Pal and E bay are the top spoofed sites. Citibank is the
primary bank target for phishing scams. The following guidance can be used
to determine if a message is a phishing action:
-
Does the email ask you to go to a website and verify personal
information? Banks won’t ask you to verify your personal information in
response to an email.
- What is the tone of the mail? Most phish emails convey a sense of
urgency by threatening discontinued service or information loss if you
don’t take immediate action.
- What is the quality of the email? Many phish emails have
misspellings, bad grammar, or poor punctuation.
- Are the links in the email valid? Deceptive links in phishing
emails look like they are to a valid site, but deliver you to a fraudulent
one. Many times you can see if the link is legitimate by just moving
your mouse over the link.
- Is the email personalized with your name and applicable account
information? Many phish emails use generic salutations and generic
information (e.g. Dear Customer or Dear Account Holder) instead of your name.
- What is the sender’s email address? Many phish emails come from an
email address not from the company represented in the email.
- When in doubt type the valid web address of the alleged sender
directly into your web browser. If you suspect an email to be phishing,
don’t click on any links in the email.
With Your Personal Information, Identity Thieves can Counterfeit
checks or credit/debit cards on open accounts, Change the mailing address on
your accounts, Open a new credit card, checking or wireless account,
file for bankruptcy under your name, buy cars by taking out auto loans
in your name, use your identity during an arrest, etc. Risk cannot be
eliminated but it can be minimized by:
- Placing passwords on your credit card, bank and phone accounts.
- Using a Firewall and Virus Protection and Anti-Spyware Software.
- Securing personal information in your home.
- Asking about information security procedures in your workplace.
- Routinely ordering a copy of your credit report from each of the
three major credit bureaus. This can be done by phone at 1-877-322-8228 or
online at www.annualcreditreport.com.
- Knowing when your bills should arrive and following up if they do
not.
- Not giving out personal information on the phone, mail or over the
Internet.
- Guarding your mail and trash from theft.
- Carrying only the identification information and credit and debit
cards that you’ll actually need.
- Giving your SSN only when absolutely necessary.
- Being wary of promotional scams and keeping your purse or wallet in a
safe place at work.
If you are a victim you can receive free and confidential assistance
from trained counselors at 1-866-ID-HOTLINE. Your first 5 steps should
be:
- Notify Credit Bureaus and review your credit reports.
- File a report with your local police or the police in the community
where the identity theft took place.
- Contact the Fraud Department of Creditors.
- File a complaint with the FTC.
- Close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened
fraudulently.
[Source: NCMA World Congress Briefing 22 Apr 07 ++]
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TSGLI [01] - (Pay Out Retroactive) Service members who have suffered serious injuries
resulting from their wartime service are reminded they can get financial
help thanks to two congressionally legislated programs. Congress
established the Traumatic Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) program
in 2005 in response to the experiences of some former and current
military members who found themselves financially strapped after they
suffered severe injuries during the war on terrorism. Coverage applies to
active-component and reserve-component members. This program provides up
to $100,000 per event, depending on [the type of] injury. All service
members covered under the Servicemembers Group Life Insurance program,
whether active duty, reserve or National Guard, were enrolled for
TSGLI coverage on 1 DEC 05. To date, the Army has paid out a total of more
than $126 million under TSGLI, The TSGLI benefit has both retroactive
and prospective aspects. The benefit is provided retroactively for
service members who suffered severe combat-zone-related injuries between 7
OCT 01, and 1 DEC 05. The prospective aspect applies to service members
with injuries received “any time, anywhere” from Dec. 1, 2005, forward.
[Source: TSGLI Army Human Resources Command Chief Col. John Sackett 6
Jul 07 ++]
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CBO Military Compensation Report [01] - (Pay Raise Questioned) The House and Senate
Armed Services Committees have both endorsed a small improvement over the
Pentagon proposed 3% military pay raise for 2008. Both agreed with The
Military Coalition (TMC) that Congress hasn't yet eliminated the pay
gap caused by decades of capping military raises below private sector pay
growth, and bumped the 2008 raise to 3.5%. The House of
Representatives went a step further, approving a plan to reduce the current 3.9%
shortfall by one-half percentage point a year for the next five years.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reported to the Senate Budget
Committee on 29 JUN that the full compensation package for active-duty
enlisted personnel increased by 21% between 2000 and 2006 and that the
military-civilian pay gap is dwindling. This conclusion may be used by DoD
to argue for increases in TRICARE costs, etc. The report also addressed
the possibility of substituting cash for non-cash benefits like
tax-free grocery allowances (while consolidating commissaries and exchanges),
giving a tuition grant of $8,600 a year per student (while closing
domestic schools) and “cafeteria style” health plans for active duty
members’ dependents.
The CBO report questions whether there's any shortfall to fix.
They say their pay comparisons put the average enlisted member in the top
25-30% of equivalent civilian workers' earnings. CBO also cites
various studies that claim average enlisted pay actually amounts to $90,000
to $138,000 a year, once the cost of all military and veterans'
benefits is added in. MOAA contends it is not unreasonable to compare
military people's earnings with their private sector counterparts’, but
hanging your hat on some arbitrary percentile leaves you at the mercy of
whatever assumptions the budget analysts choose to make. Unknown is whether
or not CBO comparisons take into account:
- The fact that large numbers of civilians can't meet mental or moral
or other standards for military entrance?
- The military's up-or-out system that winnows out the less capable
performers over the span of a two or three decade career?
- Comparison of military people to their true equivalents - people who
spend their entire careers with a single company - or does it include
the income-depressing effects of layoffs and other career interruptions
among private sector workers?
If comparisons are going to be made by CBO they should use the
transparency, clarity, and independence provided by the same measure of private
sector pay growth that the government sees fit to use for every other
purpose - the Employment Cost Index (ECI) measured by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics. MOAA tracked military pay basic pay raises vs. ECI
growth year-by-year since 1982, when military pay was last generally
recognized as "reasonably comparable" with the private sector. And by that
objective measure - even giving credit for extra raises "targeted" at
specific grade and years-of-service combinations - cumulative military
raises still lag cumulative ECI growth by 3.9%. As for trying to claim
military pay comparisons should include the cost to the government of
every military benefit, that's pure hogwash. The budgeters like to:
- Add up every nickel of the cost of military and VA health care and
disability compensation, while completely ignoring the cost of those
disabilities to wounded servicemembers and their families.
- Add up the cost of every PCS move, and refuse to recognize that those
reimbursements only cover about 70% of the costs members incur in
complying with government-ordered moves.
- Add up the cost of child care facilities and omit any reference to
the overtime and deployment requirements that forced the troops to use
that care.
Military retirement, health, disability, and other benefits have
nothing whatsoever to do with pay comparability. They're essential offsets
to all of the unquantifiable but extraordinarily arduous demands and
sacrifices inherent in a multi-decade service career. They ought to be
pretty clear to anyone who reads the front page of the morning paper or
the lead story on the evening news. At least most members of 110th
Congress seem to get it, even if the budget analysts don't. [Source: MOAA
Leg Up 6 Jul 07 ++]
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Concurrent Receipt Status - (570,000 Not Yet Eligible) Last month, the Army recognized its
100,000th Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) applicant at an Army
Personnel Command ceremony in Alexandria, VA. The CRSC program, initiated
in 2003, has grown substantially over the past four years and
effectively eliminates the offset for qualifying members with combat or
operations-related disabilities. Members with 50% or greater non-combat
disabilities are in the fourth year of a 10-year phase-in of Concurrent
Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP). Today, a little over 30% of all
disabled retirees are eligible for payment under either the CRSC or CRDP
programs. As of the end of FY2006 54,000 retirees were in receipt of some
amount of CRSC and 199,000 were in receipt of some amount of CRDP.
Disabled vets not yet eligible for concurrent receipt total 432k retirees
(20+ years) with VA rating 10-40% and 138k Chapter 61 retirees less
than 20 years. Both the House and Senate versions of the FY2008 Defense
Authorization Bill contain provisions that would extend eligibility to
some (House) or all (Senate) Chapter 61 retirees with less than 20 years
of service who endured combat-related injuries. [Source: MOAA Leg Up
6 Jul 07 ++]
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SSA Retirement Application - (Applying Online) In a few short months, the first of
America's 77 million baby boomers will start applying for Social Security
retirement benefits. That's about 10,000 boomers every day. If you're
one of them, think about applying online. It's quick, easy and secure.
Just visit www.socialsecurity.gov/applytoretire. Here you can:
- Apply for Retirement/Disability/Spouse’s Benefits
- Restart your incomplete application.
- Check your claim status.
You cannot use this Internet application to:
- Apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. However, you
can begin the process of applying for SSI disability benefits for an
adult or child by completing an online disability report at
www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability/
- Apply for benefits for children.
- Apply for benefits as a surviving spouse.
- Apply for the Lump Sum Death Payment.
- Apply for Medicare coverage only (e.g., you are working and do not
intend to file for monthly retirement or spouse's benefits at this time).
For these non-Internet actions call 1(800) 772-1213 M-F 07-1900. If you
are deaf or hard of hearing call the TTY number 1(800) 325-0778. If
you have previously filed for Social Security disability and have been
denied those benefits within the last 60 days, do not use the Internet
application to file an appeal. If you are not sure whether you are still
within your appeal period, call the 800 number for assistance before
proceeding with your Internet application. If you want to use your local
SSA office to apply at you can choose to have a representative help
you when you do business with Social Security. SSA will work with your
representative, just as they would work with you. If you are acting as
someone's authorized representative to do business with the Social
Security Administration, you must first complete Form SSA-1696-U4
(Appointment of Representative). This can be downloaded at
www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ssa-1696.html. To review a comprehensive explanation of the
'Representative' process, refer to
www.socialsecurity.gov/representation. [Source: NAUS Weekly Update 6 Jul 07 ++]
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VA 2007 Survey - (Starts 8 July) VA has asked VSOs and MSOs to pass the word that
the VHA’s Office of the Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health
(ADUSH) for Policy and Planning will soon be conducting the 2007 update of
their national VHA Survey of Enrollees. The purpose of the survey is
to provide information for its annual projections of enrollment,
utilization, and expenditures. The 15-30 minute telephone survey provides
information on veteran use of health services and is used in projecting the
resources and services needed in developing the healthcare budget. The
survey collects information on a random sample of 42,000 veterans
enrolled in the VA system. Each Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN)
will have approximately 2,000 enrollees surveyed. The survey will
begin on 8 JUL and will continue for 8 weeks. Your support in this survey
will help ensure that VA provides its best care, where it is needed,
when it is needed, and to those who need it. This is NOT a fishing
expedition to get information on specific veterans. Your participation will
benefit ALL veterans. If there is a need to discuss the survey or
there are any questions, contact Anita Taylor or Crystal Elliott at 1(866)
922-7173. Previous survey reports are available at
http://www.va.gov/vhareorg. [Source: NAUS Weekly Update 6 Jul 07 ++]
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Navy Body Modification Policy - (Clarified) The Navy Uniform Matters Office has
clarified what is acceptable for servicemembers regarding body
modification. According to the Navy Uniform Regulations, any mutilation of the
body is prohibited. The Navy Uniform Regulations Manual gives several
examples of mutilation: - forking the tongue;
- enlarged or
stretched holes in the ears;
- foreign objects under the skin that create a
design or pattern;
- intentional scarring;
- intentional burns; and
- dental ornamentation.Body piercings are prohibited while in
uniform, working in any Navy-related capacity or while on any military
property. Women, however, are allowed to wear one ball-studded earring in
each ear.
[Source: NAUS Weekly Update 6 Jul 07 ++]
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Tricare Member Choice Center - (New Program) Express Scripts Inc., the company that
runs the Tricare Mail Order Pharmacy (TMOP), is implementing a new
program for Tricare beneficiaries. Effective 29 AUG the new program will
give Tricare beneficiaries access to a Member Choice Center (MCC), where
live customer service representatives will assist in making the
registration process easier. This new program will also reach out to
physicians to make them aware that prescriptions can be filled through mail
order. Tricare Management Authority will advertise the program to
beneficiaries through various communication materials to include newsletters,
websites, and military base publications. This communication effort
will begin in late August and will run through the year and into early
2008. [Source: NAUS Weekly Update 6 Jul 07 ++]
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Cell Phone Payment Suspension - (90+ Day Deployments) The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee
has approved The Veterans’ Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 (S.1315),
which includes a provision to suspend or terminate cell phone call-plan
payments without penalty for deployed service members. They must be
deployed overseas for 90 days or longer to be eligible. The provision is
needed, says chief sponsor, Sen. Russell Feingold (D-WI) because
deploying service members often have long-term contracts that are expensive to
cancel. In addition to individual plans, the measure also would apply
to group and family plans. It would not affect transfers within the
United States. The bill will now go to the floor for a vote.
[Source: Armed Forces News 6 Jul 07 ++]
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Vet Benefits New York - (New Veteran Measures) The New York Legislature recently passed
several measures to provide assistance to veterans and their families,
according to Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, D-Endwell, chair of the Assembly
Subcommittee on Women Veterans:
- New York Military Family Relief Fund: Provides grants of up to
$2,000 annually to members of the National Guard and their families if their
military pay is 30% less than their civilian pay. Also provides
monetary grants for those who sustained injury or died.
- Veterans' Geriatric Mental Health Act: Creates a demonstration
program for older veterans and provides grants to mental health service
providers. Also, establishes an interagency mental health planning council.
- Veteran Burial Fund: Provides grants to honorably discharged New
York veterans who would like to be buried or interned in their own
communities, rather than in a veterans' cemetery.
- Gold Star Parents Annuity: Awards a $500 annual annuity to gold star
parents of deceased veterans.
- Eligibility for Veterans Homes: expands the eligibility for
admission for veterans' spouses to conform to federal requirements that the
marriage must have lasted for one year, rather than 10 years, prior to the
spouse's application for admission.
The legislation awaits approval by Governor Eliot Spitzer. For
additional info on New York state’s veteran benefits refer to
http://www.veterans.state.ny.us/benefits.htm. To locate a New York VA
office in your area refer to http://www.veterans.state.ny.us/ofcs.htm.
[Source: Press & Sun Bulletin article 2 Jul 07 ++]
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Funeral Honors [02] - (Bugler Ranks Thinning) Every veteran is entitled under federal law
to be laid to rest to the iconic strains of taps. But the number of
military buglers is dwindling at the same time burials are increasing,
forcing national veteran cemeteries, and organizations working with them,
to come up with creative alternatives. South Florida is one of the
busiest veterans cemeteries among 125 nationwide, averaging 73 burials
weekly since it opened 1 APR. Only four buglers are officially on call
there, and three of them also travel and perform with Florida's Army Band.
Buglers, a generic term that encompasses musicians who play several
types of horns including trumpets and cornets, once were a fixture in
military life. But they have become more scarce as their routine duties
were eliminated, so cemetery officials have lined up other options. The
South Florida cemetery honor guards are equipped with a "ceremonial
bugle". This is a $500 nickel-plated faux horn sold by a New York company
that plays taps through a tape recorder hidden inside. It was developed
in response to the bugler shortage and was considered a more respectful
alternative to punching the button of a boom box. The military has
purchased more than 3,500 horns since 2002. The committal shelter at
South Florida, where services are held, also has a tape recorder loaded
with taps that is discreetly lodged in the rafters and can be activated by
remote control.
To fill the bugle gap civilians are stepping forward. Christina
Encinosa, an Episcopal priest at the Church of the Holy Redeemer in Lake
Worth, is part of an organization called Bugles Across America (BAA).
Founded seven years ago by Tom Day, a Chicagoan who taught Army ROTC
high school classes and has been involved in military drum and bugler
corps since childhood, the organization has 5,200 volunteer horn players
nationwide, with 256 in Florida, willing to play gratis at local military
funerals. For additionl info on BAA and to request their services
refer to http://www.buglesacrossamerica.org/volunteer.php. Few honor guard
buglers play an actual field bugle, an instrument with no valves, but
military regulations aren't specific. Day has heard taps played on a
French horn.
Buglers once were part of all Army units, a job that included
clerical duties as well as sounding calls that signaled wake-up time, flag
raisings and lowerings, assemblies and the end of the day. But bugler
positions were eliminated sometime between 1944 and 1950, according to
the U.S. Army Center of Military History in Washington, D.C. Bugle calls
still regulate military life but now, at most bases, they are taped
and played over a speaker system. The Department of Defense estimates
there about 500 buglers in the armed forces today, with most performing in
honor details when possible. They are stretched thin, as the ranks of
World War II soldiers and sailors, who once numbered 16 million, die at
the rate of about 1,200 a day. There were 96,797 deceased interred in
national veterans’ cemeteries last year, according to the federal
Department of Veterans Affairs. This is the most on record since the VA took
over the cemetery administration 34 years ago. [Source: South Florida
Sun-Sentinel Diane Lade article 3 JUL 07 ++]
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Psoriasis - (What it Is) Psoriasis is a common and chronic condition that usually
causes patches of itchy, scaly and sometimes inflamed skin. Although they
can appear anywhere, these patches -- called plaques -- are most
likely to crop up on your knees, elbows, hands, feet, scalp, or back.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the fingernails and
toenails are also affected in about 50% of cases of active psoriasis.
The symptoms of psoriasis can vary a great deal depending on its
severity, ranging from mildly annoying to truly debilitating. While the
itchiness and pain can be unpleasant, some of the worst effects of psoriasis
can be emotional. People with severe psoriasis sometimes are so
overwhelmed by their condition and self-conscious of their appearance that
they feel isolated and depressed. AAD estimates up to seven million
people in the U.S. have psoriasis. That's about 2.6% of the population.
Unfortunately, there isn't a cure. But there are many effective treatments
that can help keep psoriasis under control.
Psoriasis normally is the result of cell turnover. Normally, skin
cells are constantly being formed deep beneath the surface of your
skin. Over about a month, these cells are pushed up to the surface. The
cells eventually die and flake off, revealing new skin cells. In people
with psoriasis, the skin cells grow too quickly. Cell turnover can happen
in a matter of days. Layers of skin build up, forming a whitish, flaky
crust. Blood vessels increase flow in an attempt to nourish this skin,
which leads to redness and swelling. The classic symptoms of psoriasis
are reddened, inflamed skin with a whitish, flaky layer of dead cells
on top. Although psoriasis usually appears as a skin condition, recent
discoveries show that its real cause is a problem with the immune
system. Your body naturally fights infections and heals injuries with blood
cells that battle viruses or bacteria. Normally, these cells go to the
site of infection or injury to help repair wounds and prevent
infection. One byproduct of this normal process is inflammation (redness and
swelling).
For reasons that doctors don't yet understand, the immune systems
of people with psoriasis malfunction. One type of white blood cell -
the B-cell - begins creating antibodies that destroy normal skin cells.
Another type of white blood cell - the T-cell - begins overproducing a
substance called cytokines. This overproduction turns off a signal that
controls the growth of skin cells. Thus, psoriasis is considered an
autoimmune disease - your own immune system malfunctions and attacks
normal body tissues. Other autoimmune diseases include lupus and rheumatoid
arthritis. Psoriasis of the skin or nails may look like a rash or
fungus, but you cannot catch psoriasis from another person, give it to
anyone else, or spread it from one part of your body to another by touch.
Experts now know that if psoriasis runs in your family, your chances of
developing it are higher. There are several different types of
psoriasis. About 90% of all cases of psoriasis are plaque psoriasis, but other
varieties include:
- Guttate psoriasis. This form of psoriasis usually affects children,
teenagers, and young adults. It often appears after a bacterial
infection, such as strep throat. Its typical symptoms are red, scaly,
raindrop-shaped spots on the skin, usually over the abdomen, arms, legs and
scalp. It can often clear up on its own without treatment.
- Pustular psoriasis. The typical symptoms of pustular psoriasis are
pus-filled blisters on the skin. The blisters usually dry up, turn brown,
become scaly and peel off. The lesions usually occur on the hands and
feet.
- Erythrodermic psoriasis. Symptoms include red and scaly skin over
large areas of the body. This condition can evolve from other forms of
psoriasis or be triggered by psoriasis treatment. It can also be triggered
by withdrawal from drugs such as corticosteroids (often taken for
diseases such as asthma).
- Inverse psoriasis. In people with this condition, dry and bright red
patches appear in folds of skin, for instance under the breasts, in the
armpits, or on the genitals. This type of psoriasis can be exacerbated
by obesity.
Psoriasis doesn't have any set way of progressing. It develops
differently depending on the person. Some people may only have occasional
and minor symptoms for their entire lives. Others may have to cope
with severe symptoms on a regular basis. In most people, the symptoms come
and go. Flare-ups might be brought on by some of the conditions
mentioned above, such as dry weather or stress. Untreated, extremely severe
psoriasis can be dangerous. Although it happens very rarely, if lesions
cover enough of the body, the immune system can become overwhelmed.
This increases your risk of developing serious bacterial infections. Be
sure to see your doctor immediately if your psoriasis spreads to cover
large parts of your body or if you show signs of infection, such as
fever. Coping with psoriasis can be exhausting and frustrating. It's
important to try to stay emotionally and physically healthy during treatment.
[Source: WebMD article 26 May 07 ++]
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Travel Immunizations - (What to Get) Travel immunizations and vaccines can ensure
better health on your trip and for years afterward. Even domestic travel
may put you at risk if you go to an area with a high rate of certain
infectious disease such as hepatitis A. Diseases that are rare in this
country are still prevalent elsewhere. Check with your health care
provider well in advance of any extended travel plans to see if any special
immunizations are recommended. If vaccines are required, they can take
as many as four to six weeks to take effect, and some may require more
than one shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
divides vaccines for travel into three categories:
- Routine. These are the vaccines that the CDC and The Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices (AICP) recommend that all adults and
children receive to protect them from infectious diseases here at home. You
can check the schedule for yourself and your family by looking at the
most recently updated schedules available at:
www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/adult-schedule.pdf ; www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/child-schedule-bw-print.pdf ; and
www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/child-schedule.htm#chgs .
- Recommended. These are vaccines that the CDC recommends to protect
you from diseases that could be present in other countries and to
prevent the spread of infectious disease from one country to another. The
recommended immunizations and vaccines vary based on the country, your
travel plans once in that country, and your age and overall health. You
can find a world map with recommended immunizations at
www.cdc.gov/travel/vaccinat.htm.
- Required. International Health Regulations currently require only
two vaccines for travel to specific parts of the world. They are Yellow
fever for travel to certain parts of sub-Saharan Africa and South
America & Meningococcal vaccination required by the government of Saudi
Arabia for annual travel during the period of the Hajj
The CDC generally recognizes that if you are traveling to most
industrialized nations, such as Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and
Europe, your risk of exposure to infectious disease is no greater than it
is here in the U.S. However, for those with certain health conditions,
such as individuals with compromised immune systems, the risk can be
greater no matter where you travel. If you know that you have an
immuno-deficient condition, including HIV/AIDS, discuss your travel plans with
your health care provider. More information about travel vaccines and
compromised immunity.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding also have specific
concerns and different recommendations when it comes to international travel
and immunizations. Pregnant women or breastfeeding moms can find more
information. Or check with your own doctor four to six weeks
prior to traveling. And finally, what you do when you travel can increase
your risk. The following activities can increase your exposure to
disease and local infectious organisms: Visiting rural areas, zoos, farms,
and other animal habitats; Hiking and backpacking; Staying with local
persons; Extended length of stay. [Source: WebMD Medical Reference &
CDC 30 Mar 07 ++]
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SSA Future Benefit Estimate - (Where you stand) : Whether you plan to retire in 5 years or
25, it's good to know what you can expect to receive in Social
Security benefits. You've probably heard that Social Security is in financial
trouble, and the 2006 Social Security Trustees Report says that the
Social Security Trust Fund has declined from 2005. SSA provides three
different types of easy-to-use earnings calculators at
www.ssa.gov/planners/calculators.htm that will provide information based on present
projections which assume the program will remain viable. They can show you
the amount of Social Security benefits you can expect to receive based on
your estimated income and the number of years you plan to work. The
calculators will also show your disability and survivor benefit amounts
if you should become disabled or die. When using the calculators you
should be aware that:
- None of these calculators are linked to your Social Security earnings
record. They use the earnings amounts you enter.
- All the calculators assume you have enough credits to qualify for
benefits. They produce an estimate even if you do not actually have enough
credits. Information on credit requirements can be found at
www.ssa.gov/retire2/credits.htm.
- Calculator estimates will differ from those on your Social Security
Statement if you use different assumptions. For example, if you had
earnings last year, your Social Security Statement benefit estimate assumes
you will have similar earnings for every future year until you turn
62. However, if in using the calculator you indicate you will stop
working before the year you turn 62, the calculator estimates will not
include earnings for the years after you stop working.
This website is also a good place to look for answers to questions
about your annual Social Security statement, and to correct name or address
changes, or incorrect information about your annual earnings. If you
need a benefit estimate on someone else's record, such as your spouse or
parent contact your nearest social security office or call 1(800)
772-1213. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use 1-800-325-0778 .If you
are over age 25 and pay Social Security taxes on your income, you should
receive a statement from the Social Security office every year about
three months before your birthday. This statement includes:
- The adjusted gross income for every year you worked, and
- The current estimated amount of Social Security benefits you will
receive when you retire at three different age levels, starting at age 62.
The longer you continue to work and pay into the Social Security system
the more you can expect to receive in benefits once you retire. Of
course, this assumes that Social Security will continue to pay benefits at
current levels.
[Source: www.ssa.gov/planners/calculators.htm Jun 06]
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Vietnam War Facts - (Stats) 9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the
official Vietnam era from 5 AUG 64 to 7 MAY 75.
- 2,709,918 Americans served in uniform in Vietnam which represented
9.7% of their generation.
- 240 men were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War
- 58,148 were killed in Vietnam. The first man to die was James Davis,
in 1958. He was with the 509th Radio Research Station. Davis Station in
Saigon was named for him.
- 75,000 were severely disabled of which 23,214 100% were disabled
- 5,283 lost limbs & 1,081 sustained multiple amputations
- Average age of men killed: 23.1 years. Of those killed, 61% were
younger than 21, 11,465 of those were younger than 20 years old, and
17,539 were married
- Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old. The oldest man
killed was 62 years old.
- As of 15 JAN 04, there are 1,875 Americans still unaccounted for
from the Vietnam War
- 97% of Vietnam Veterans were honorably discharged
- 91% of Vietnam Veterans say they are glad they served
- 74% say they would serve again, even knowing the outcome
- Vietnam veterans have a lower unemployment rate than the same
non-vet age groups.
- Vietnam veterans’ personal income exceeds that of our non-veteran
age group by more than 18%.
- 87% of Americans hold Vietnam Veterans in high esteem.
- There is no difference in drug usage between Vietnam Veterans and
non-Vietnam Veterans of the same age group (Source: Veterans
Administration Study)
- Vietnam Veterans are less likely to be in prison. Only one-half of
one percent of Vietnam Veterans have been jailed for crimes.
- 85% of Vietnam Veterans made successful transitions to civilian
life.
[Source: NM e-Veterans News 9 Jan 06 - Research accredited to Capt.
Marshal Hanson, USNR (Ret.) & Statistical Source Capt. Scott Beaton]
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Veteran Legislation Status 13 JUL 07 - (Where We Stand)
For a listing of Congressional
bills of interest to the veteran community that have been introduced in
the 110th Congress refer to the Bulletin attachment. By clicking on
the bill number indicated you can access the actual legislative language
of the bill and see if your representative has signed on as a
cosponsor. Support of these bills through cosponsorship by other legislators is
critical if they are ever going to move through the legislative
process for a floor vote to become law. A good indication on that likelihood
is the number of cosponsors who have signed onto the bill. A cosponsor
is a member of Congress who has joined one or more other members in
his/her chamber (i.e. House or Senate) to sponsor a bill or amendment.
The member who introduces the bill is considered the sponsor. Members
subsequently signing on are called cosponsors. Any number of members may
cosponsor a bill in the House or Senate. At http://thomas.loc.gov you
can also review a copy of each bill, determine its current status, the
committee it has been assigned to, and if your legislator is a sponsor
or cosponsor of it. To determine what bills, amendments your
representative has sponsored, cosponsored, or dropped sponsorship on refer to
http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d110/sponlst.html. The key to increasing
cosponsorship on veteran related bills is letting our representatives know
of veteran’s feelings on issues. At the end of some listed bills is a
web link that can be used to do that. Otherwise, you can locate on
http://thomas.loc.gov who your representative is and his/her phone
number, mailing address, or email/website to communicate with a message or
letter of your own making. [Source: RAO Bulletin Attachment 30 Jun 07
++]
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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: 0915-361-3503 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 AL/AMVETS/DAV/FRA/NAUS/NCOA/MOAA/USDR/
VFW/VVA/CG33/DD890/AD37 member |
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