Of all that was revealed by a government watchdog this year about how the Department of Veterans Affairs treats Persian Gulf War veterans, the most shocking discovery was that most doctors aren’t trained about illnesses specific to veterans of that era.
Thousands of the 700,000 service members who deployed for Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield suffer from an amalgam of chronic, unexplained illnesses including fibromyalgia, fatigue and gastrointestinal disorders. The VA dedicated a research team to Gulf War illness, and it has initiated dozens of clinical trials, the agency has spent millions of dollars to fund studies, and officials at VA headquarters in Washington are involved in biweekly calls and quarterly meetings on the issue. Dr. Peter Rumm, director of the VA’s pre-9/11 environmental health program, described some of their research as “cutting edge.” But the information gathered by researchers and VA officials isn’t always translated to health care providers who work with veterans.
I know you are getting tired of me sayinbg this but, we need to let your representatives know our thoughts. Those who served in the Gulf War need to recogtnized and care for.

On November 9, 2017, Representative Maxine Waters (CA), introduced H.R. 4369, the Protecting Benefits for Disabled Veterans Act of 2017.  The bill would codify regulations on Individual Unemployability (IU) into federal law. Furthermore, H.R. 4369 would provide additional protections for IU and prohibit the VA from considering the age of the veteran or their eligibility to any retirement benefit, including Social Security, in making such determinations. The DAV supports this legislation in accordance with DAV Resolution No. 034.

In May 2017, the Administration’s budget proposal contained a proposal that would have eliminated eligibility for VA’s IU program for thousands of disabled veterans. If enacted, it would have terminated existing IU ratings for veterans when they reach the age of 62-the minimum retirement age for Social Security benefits–as well as cut off IU benefits for any veteran already in receipt of Social Security retirement benefits. In the face of staunch opposition from DAV and other VSOs, the Administration subsequently backed away from this measure; however, the threat remains that this proposal or something like it could resurface in the future.

As we testified to Congress earlier this year, DAV is vehemently opposed to limiting disability compensation benefits, including IU, due to a veteran’s age. Many disabled veterans may not have income replacement available-especially those who have been on IU for an extended period in advance of reaching retirement age. Cutting off IU eligibility for veterans who turn 62 would compel many disabled veterans to take Social Security benefits early which significantly reduces the value of the benefit. The disabled veterans affected could thus be “doubly” penalized because they cannot work and save for retirement as do many peers of their age.  Eliminating their eligibility for IU would be grossly unfair.

H.R. 4369 would place regulations for eligibility for IU directly into law and protect IU benefits from any ill-conceived cost-saving measures in the future. We are calling on all DAV members and supporters to contact their Representatives and urge them to co-sponsor and support H.R. 4369 to protect veterans and their families now and in the future, from these harmful proposals.

Thank you for standing with us and participating in the DAV Commander’s Action Network.

Click the link below to log in and send your message:
https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/ysKMFHtzI283Ae3HWYoAVQ 

Women who’ve served in the military are more likely to suffer from suicidal thoughts, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and other problems according to a new study looking at the health of female veterans. Female vets report higher rates of cancer, mental illness, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and depression when compared to women with no military experience, the United Health Foundation Health of Women Who Have Served Report found. MOAA teamed with United Health Foundation to produce the report.
More than 8 percent of the female veterans surveyed over a four-year period reported having suicidal thoughts in the past year – nearly twice that of their civilian counterparts. About a third reported arthritis, compared to about 26 percent of civilian women.

The failure again raises problematic questions for lawmakers about how to balance federal costs with government
responsibilities. Critics noted that on the same day lawmakers offered a massive tax reform measure expected to cost $5.8 trillion over 10 years, they could not find a way to cover a small fraction of that total to help sick veterans. “We’re absolutely appalled at Congress’ inability to reach bipartisan support to take care of it’s blue water veterans,” said Mike Little, director of legislative affairs at the Association of the
United States Navy. A plan to extend disability benefits to nearly 100,000 war veterans potentially exposed to Agent Orange on ships off the Vietnam coastline were sidelined 31 OCT over the ongoing dispute about how to pay for it.

Veterans Affairs Secretary Dr. David Shulkin said 6 NOV he’s decided to expand the list of “presumptive” ailments for Agent Orange compensation subject to approval by the Trump administration. Shulkin didn’t disclose the expanded list — “I’m protecting the sanctity of the process” — but stressed, “I have made a decision. I have passed that on in the process that we follow in the federal government.” A VA official later said Shulkin’s recommendations on Agent Orange compensation expansion would go to the White House Office of Management and Budget and other agencies for approval and analysis of the costs. Shulkin said he expected approval “in a matter of a few months.”

Recent incidents regarding the photocopying of military identification cards and common access cards (CAC), by commercial establishments to verify military affiliation or provide government rates for service, have been reported. Personnel are reminded that the photocopying of US Government Identification is a violation of Title 18 (Crimes and Criminal Procedure), US Code Part I (Crimes), Chapter 33 (Emblems, Insignia, And Names), Section 701 (Official badges, identification cards, other insignia) and punishable by both fine and/or imprisonment.
“Whoever manufactures, sells, or possesses any badge, identification card, or other insignia, of the design prescribed by the head of any department or agency of the United States for use by any officer or employee thereof, or any colorable imitation thereof, or photographs, prints, or in any other manner makes or executes any engraving, photograph, print, or impression in the likeness of any such badge, identification card, or other insignia, or any colorable imitation thereof, except as authorized under regulations made pursuant to law, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.”
Many military members, family members and DoD employees are unaware of this law. Please pass this information along to your fellow retirees and veterans. Criminal elements and terrorist organizations place U.S. government identifications as a high value logistical element when planning acts against the U.S. military.

Before you read the following, I would like for you to clear your mind and think – How do I feel after 1 week away from my family?
The top military life concern for military families and active duty service members has shifted from pay and benefits issues to time away from their families. The Blue Star families survey shows the “time away from home” is the top concern for active duty military and their families
This change shows a weariness and a cultural shift in expectations among military families according to Cristin Shifter, the senior adviser for policy and surveys at Blue Star Families.
Multiple deployments is, in my opinion, causing concerns among our deployed military and their families and is one of the leading causes of post traumatic stress disorder. Most will never understand or believe what a combat soldier goes through and that is one reason a combat soldier will talk to another combat soldier before they talk to anyone. A veteran will talk to another veteran before they talk to anyone else as there is a brotherhood/sisterhood there that few will understand.

Tricare users soon will be blocked for more than three weeks from making changes to their plans or primary-care providers due to the systems upcoming shift to a new pair of contractors and region shake-up. The blackout will run from December 1 to December 23 and during that period no changes, including switching from Tricare Prime to Tricare Standard will be made or processed through the Tricare website, by phone, mail, or fax.
Users have until November 20 to make any changes through the website and after that, all changes must be made by phone.
If you have Tricare I suggest that you either go to their website or call Tricare to review your options. You can also go to the DAV magazine as they have an article explaining the changes.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Executive Director Allison Jaslow joined the Women’s Congressional Policy Institute and the bipartisan House Women’s Caucus for their annual Women Veterans Briefing in Washington D.C. Jaslow underscored the need for IAVA’s groundbreaking She Who Borne the Battle campaign. Launched not long after the “Marines United” photo scandal revealed shocking harassment of women troops in the military, IAVA’s #SheWhoBorneTheBattle campaign is anchored by the Deborah Sampson Act and a quest to change the outdated VA motto that excludes women. Jaslow joined Dr. Carolyn Clancy, Executive in Charge of the Veterans Health Administration, Shurhonda Love, Associate National Legislative Director of Disabled American Veterans and Cindy Hall, President of the Women’s Congressional Policy Institute on the panel to discuss the need for increased recognition and improve services for women veterans.
More than 345,000 women have deployed in support of combat since 9/11, women are breaking down barriers in the military, but far too many women veterans still feel invisible.

H.R. 1212 creates two categories of burial benefit: service-connected and non-service connected deaths. Veterans would be eligible for:
$2,000 for a death from service-connected disability; the benefit would be indexed for inflation
$749 for a death in a VA department facility (this amount is currently indexed for inflation)
$749 for a non-service-connected death or veterans with no next of kin; the benefit would be indexed for inflation
In order to be eligible for this benefit the veteran must not have been dishonorably discharged. In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be met:
Veteran died as a result of a service-connected disability
Veteran receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of death
Veteran is entitled to receive VA pension or compensation, but took full military retirement or disability pay
Veteran died while hospitalized by VA or while receiving care under VA contract at a non-VA facility
Veteran died while traveling under authorization and at VA expense to, or from, a specified place for purpose of examination, treatment, or care
Veteran had original or reopened claim for VA compensation or pension pending at the time of death and would have been entitled to benefits from a date prior to the date of death
Veteran died on, or after, October 9, 1996, while a patient at a VA-approved state facility