MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

 

 

The blessings of freedom and justice, opportunity and prosperity, so dear to all Americans, were not gained without sacrifice, nor preserved without purpose.

 

These blessings are at the heart of our American celebration of Thanksgiving, a holiday that acknowledges both our colonial roots and the beneficence of the Almighty.  Vital in that history was the sharing of the harvest by American Indians, enabling the preservation of our early settlers during those first winters in the New World.  Sharing one's blessings and giving thanks for the bounties of the harvest, long a part of Native American culture, became part of our American Thanksgiving celebration, as well.  This cherished tradition endured and flourished as our Nation grew and prospered. 

 

Of this rich, new land, Thomas Jefferson once proclaimed to fellow Virginian, James Monroe, "My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!" [Letter, June 17, 1785]

 

The principles and values that define us as Americans found their origins in Jefferson's time and have been sustained since by the vigilance and valor of generation after generation of men and women who, in both peace and war, have safeguarded our way of life.  At the Department of Veterans Affairs, caring for those who, in President Abraham Lincoln's words, "have borne the battle" remains our noble mission.

 

President Lincoln further established the last Thursday of November as a national "day of Thanksgiving" for the benevolence and bounty that has been given to the American people.  On this uniquely American holiday, let us remember our good fortune at living in a land of plenty—safe, secure, and free from tyranny and oppression.

 

Another courageous generation of young Americans serves today as a force for good in some of the most remote and unforgiving places in the world.  Many will observe Thanksgiving and the upcoming Holiday Season without the warmth and companionship of families and friends.  Their missions are difficult and dangerous, and they perform them without hesitation.  In this season of Thanksgiving, let us pray for their well-being and safe return.  As we gather at our own tables on November 28^th, let us not only give thanks for the blessings in our own lives, but give thanks for the men and women who now serve, and for those who have served on Thanksgivings past, ensuring for us and future generations of Americans the "precious blessing" of liberty.

 

"Happy Thanksgiving" to all our Veterans and their families, to the Survivors of the Fallen, and to my VA colleagues across our Department, who serve them so faithfully.  May God continue to bless this great and wonderful country of ours. 

-- Eric K. Shinseki

 

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 Sean Eagan

 Life Member VFW NY Post 53
 American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

VA Call Center Marketing Scam Alert

FRAUD ALERT: Veterans should be aware of a marketing scam targeting callers trying to reach the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Call Center or GI Bill Call Center. A marketing company has established two fraudulent numbers that differ from the two official VA call center numbers by one digit. If the fraudulent number is dialed by mistake, the answering party will offer a gift card and try to obtain personal and financial information, including credit card information, from the caller. The answering party may even transfer the caller to the VA after the caller's information is obtained. Note that VA never asks for credit card information during a telephone exchange. The numbers to be avoided are: 800-872-1000 (the VA National Call Center number is 800-827-1000) 888-442-4511 (the VA GI Bill Call Center number is 888-442-4551) VA has notified law enforcement authorities to address this situation, and will provide additional information and guidance as necessary.

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 Sean Eagan

 Life Member VFW NY Post 53
 American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

VA announces 24 percent drop in Veterans Homelessness

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that a new national report shows a 24 percent reduction in homelessness among Veterans since 2010.

 

The report also showed an 8 percent reduction between January 2012 and January 2013. The decline keeps the Obama administration on track to meet the goal of ending Veterans' homelessness in 2015.

 

"We are on the right track in the fight to end homelessness among Veterans.  While this trend is encouraging news, we know that there is more work to do," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "As President Obama said, we're not going to rest until every Veteran who has fought for America has a home in America.  The results in the latest report are a credit to the effort given by our dedicated staff, and our federal, state, and community partners who are committed to ending Veterans' homelessness."

 

"We're making real and significant progress to reduce homelessness in this country and now is not the time to retreat from doing what we know works," said U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan.  "If we're going to end homelessness as we know it, we need a continued bipartisan commitment from Congress to break the cycle trapping our most vulnerable citizens, especially our Veterans, between living in a shelter or a life on the streets.  I understand these are tough budget times but these are proven strategies that are making a real difference.  We simply can't balance our budget on the backs of those living on the margins."

 

The 2013 Point-in-Time Estimates of Homelessness, prepared by HUD, estimates there were 57,849 homeless Veterans on a single night in January in the United States, an 8 percent decline since 2012 and a 24 percent decline since 2010. 

 

VA has made ending Veterans' homelessness by the end of 2015 a top priority, undertaking an unprecedented campaign to dramatically increase awareness of VA services for homeless Veterans and Veterans at risk of becoming homeless.  While the number of homeless people in the United States dropped by 4 percent since 2012, according to the 2013 report, Veterans' homelessness has shown a more robust decline.  During a period of prolonged economic recovery, the Obama Administration has been able to reduce the number of homeless Veterans by 24 percent, breaking previous patterns of increased homelessness during difficult economies.

 

Earlier this year, HUD and VA also announced the award of nearly $70 million of HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing grants to further assist in addressing the issue of Veterans' homelessness.  The program combines rental assistance from HUD with case management and clinical services provided by VA.  Since 2008, a total of 58,140 vouchers have been awarded and 43,371 formerly homeless Veterans are currently in homes of their own because of the joint HUD-VA program.

 

One of the tools VA uses in its systematic approach to prevent and end Veterans' homelessness is the Supportive Services for Veteran Families grant program.  In July, VA announced the award of nearly $300 million in grants to 319 community agencies to help approximately 120,000 homeless and at-risk Veterans and their families.

 

More recently, VA has announced $8.8 million in grants for 164 projects to acquire vans for homeless providers and to rehabilitate housing, plus $4.9 million in grants for 25 community-based projects to enhance services for Veterans.

 

The grants promote housing stability among homeless and at-risk Veterans and their families.  The grants can have an immediate impact, helping lift Veterans out of homelessness or providing aid in emergencies that put Veterans and their families at risk of homelessness. 

 

More information about VA's homeless programs is available atwww.va.gov/homeless.  Details about the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program are online atwww.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp.

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 Sean Eagan

 Life Member VFW NY Post 53
 American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

21st USAFAD

Corlu Turkey 1990-91

USN Relief Efforts

VA Offers Dental Insurance Program

 

WASHINGTON (Nov. 15, 2013) – VA is partnering with Delta Dental and MetLife to allow eligible Veterans, plus family members receiving care under the Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA), to purchase affordable dental insurance beginning Nov. 15, VA officials announced today.  

 

"VA continues to explore innovative ways to help Veterans get access to the care and services they have earned and deserve," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "This new dental program is another example of VA creating partnerships with the private sector to deliver a range of high-quality care at an affordable cost, for our Nation's Veterans."

 

More than 8 million Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care can choose to purchase one of the offered dental plans.  This three-year pilot has been designed for Veterans with no dental coverage, or those eligible for VA dental care who would like to purchase additional coverage.  Participation will not affect entitlement to VA dental services and treatment. 

 

There are no eligibility limitations based on service-connected disability rating or enrollment priority assignment.  People interested in participating may complete an application online through either Delta Dental, www.deltadentalvadip.org, or MetLife, www.metlife.com/vadip beginning Nov. 15.  Coverage for this new dental insurance will begin Jan. 1, 2014, and will be available throughout the United States and its territories. 

 

Also eligible for the new benefits are nearly 400,000 spouses and dependent children who are reimbursed for most medical expenses under VA's CHAMPVA program.  Generally, CHAMPVA participants are spouses, survivors or dependent children of Veterans officially rated as "permanently and totally" disabled by a service-connected condition.

 

Dental services under the new program vary by plan and include diagnostic, preventive, surgical, emergency and endodontic/restorative treatment.  Enrollment in the VA Dental Insurance Plan (VADIP) is voluntary.  Participants are responsible for all premiums, which range from $8.65 to $52.90 per month for individual plans.  Copayments and other charges may apply.

 

Historically VA's free dental services have gone to Veterans with dental problems connected to a medical condition that's officially certified as "service connected."  Free dental services will continue for those Veterans. 

 

For more information on VADIP, visit www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vadip, or contact Delta Dental at 1-855-370-3303 or MetLife at 1-888-310-1681.

Veterans who are not enrolled in the VA health care system can apply at any time by visiting www.va.gov/healthbenefits/enroll, calling 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or visiting their local VA health care facility.

 

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 Sean Eagan

 Life Member VFW NY Post 53
 American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

Re: We Thank You

Find a Post | Contribute | About Us | Contact Us Unsubscribe | Tell A Friend © 2001 - 2013. All rights reserved. Veterans of Foreign Wars | 406 West 34th Street | Kansas City, MO 64111 Having difficulty seeing the images in this message? View it online.

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 Sean Eagan

 Life Member VFW NY Post 53
 American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

50 Years Ago Today

Veterans Day, 1963.

The Commander in Chief and his son, with the Commandant of the Marine Corps

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 Sean Eagan

 Life Member VFW NY Post 53
 American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

HVAC Hearing Schedule November 11-15

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Chairman Jeff Miller (FL-01) today released the hearing schedule for November 11-15. The following events are open to the press:

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Hearing: "Correcting 'Kerfuffles' – Analyzing Prohibited Practices and Preventable Patient Deaths at Jackson VAMC"

Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations

(10:00 a.m. – 334 Cannon House Office Building and streaming at veterans.house.gov)

 

Hearing: "VA's Independent Living Program-A Program Review"

Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity

(2:00 p.m. – 334 Cannon House Office Building and streaming at veterans.house.gov)

 

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 Sean Eagan

 Life Member VFW NY Post 53
 American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

Backlog of Disability Claims Reduced by 34 Percent since March

93 Percent of Claims Over One Year Old Completed

WASHINGTON (Nov. 7, 2013) –The Department of Veterans Affairs has made
significant progress in reducing the backlog of disability
compensation claims – from 611,000 to 400,835 or 34 percent -- since
peaking in March. Concurrently, VA improved the accuracy of
disability ratings, and provided hundreds of thousands of claims
decisions to Veterans who have waited the longest. "Veterans
shouldn't have to wait for the benefits they've earned," said
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki. "This has never been
acceptable, but we are executing our plans and moving in the right
direction to meet our 2015 goal of eliminating the backlog. We still
have more work to do, but we are making clear progress and no one is
more committed than our VBA employees, more than half of whom are
Veterans themselves." Since the VA launched the initiativeto
eliminate the oldest claims first, claims processors at the 56
regional offices of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) have
been focused on claims that had been waiting longer than one year. As
of Nov. 4, VBA has completed 93 percent of these older claims,
resulting in over 476,000 decisions for Veterans since the initiative
began on April 19. The proportion of claims decisions that resulted
in benefits being granted remained on par with historical
averages—between 65 and 70 percent. At the same time, the accuracy of
rating decisions has improved. The three-month average for decision
accuracy when evaluating a complete claim file is 90 percent -- a 5
percentage point improvement since 2011, and a 7 percentage point
improvement since 2010. The three-month average accuracy for rating
individual medical conditions inside each claim has climbed three
points to 96.7 percent since December 2012. VBA also directed 20
hours of mandatory overtime per month for claims processors, and
worked with the Veterans Health Administration to place VA physicians
in regional offices to review medical evidence to help speed
decisions. Mandatory overtime was halted during the government
shutdown in October, but has been re-established and will continue
through Nov. 23. VBA anticipates mandatory overtime to continue in
2014, based on available funding. Optional overtime for claims
processors will remain in effect. "I am grateful to our employees,
many who have been working long periods of overtime since May, for
their great dedication in helping our Veterans get the benefits
they've earned," said Under Secretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey.
"I talk to them every day and they are committed to building on their
record-breaking progress, helping transform the VA into a paperless
system, and ending the backlog for good." In the coming months, VBA
will continue its effort on further reducing the backlog, focusing on
those claims that have been pending the longest. VBA will also
continue to prioritize disability claims for homeless Veterans, those
experiencing extreme financial hardship, the terminally ill, former
Prisoners of War, Medal of Honor recipients, and Veterans filing Fully
Developed Claims (FDC). Filing an electronic FDC is the quickest way
for Veterans to receive a decision on their compensation claim
(http://www.benefits.va.gov/fdc/). Regardless of the status of their
compensation claims, Veterans who have served in combat since Nov. 11,
1998, are eligible for five years of free medical care from VA for
most conditions. Veterans can learn more about disability and other
Veterans benefits on the joint Department of Defense/VA web portal
eBenefits at www.ebenefits.va.gov.
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Sean Eagan

Life Member VFW NY Post 53
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.
Web: http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog: Cold War Veterans Blog
Email: Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone: 716 720-4000
Network: My Fast Pitch! Profile