Congress moved closer 18 SEP to approving help for tens of thousands of veterans exposed to toxic “burn pits” in Iraq and Afghanistan. “It’s very exciting,” Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) told KARE 11. “Today the bill is passing.” The military used jet fuel in open-air burn pits to try to dispose of everything from plastics to medical waste. The resulting smoke and fumes are suspected of causing serious illnesses and death. Klobuchar co-sponsored a bipartisan measure that authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to create a special medical center of excellence to study – and treat – the health effects. ”We need to better understand and address the relationship between burn pit exposure and the health needs of our brave men and women in uniform, and this bill will help accomplish that,” Klobuchar said.
Senate passage of the bill is welcome news for veterans. The American Legion has warned that without quick action to investigate the health impact of toxins released from burn pits, they could be this generation’s Agent Orange. “We don’t want to see a delay like the Vietnam veterans had,” .
Health effects from exposure to chemicals found in burn pits may include cancer, neurological effects, reproductive effects, respiratory toxicity, and cardiovascular toxicity.

The House and Senate have passed their respective versions of the FY 2018 Defense Authorization bill. A conference committee will be appointed to resolve the differences between the two bills. The Senate bill provides for substantial TRICARE fee increases by repealing the so-called grandfather clause that would exclude retirees that retired before January 1, 2018 from scheduled TRICARE fee increases. The Senate bill also increases pharmacy co-pays, provides for a smaller active duty pay increase (2.1% vice 2.4%) and makes further cuts to Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).

Veterans who served in a unit in or near the Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ) anytime between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971 and who have a disease VA recognizes as associated with Agent Orange exposure are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides. These Veterans do not have to show they were exposed to Agent Orange to be eligible for disability compensation for these diseases. VA and the Department of Defense must determine the Veteran’s unit operated in the DMZ area and the Veteran was physically there. (AP) 12/2/16
Camp Casey and other Camps on the DMZ are presumptive sites for exposure to Agent Orange. But, you have to have a disability that is a presumptive to exposure to Agent Orange. Go to the Agent Orange Review and see what diasbilities qualify and if you have one of them then file for it. But, also look at the small print some conditions have a caveate to them. Such as peripheral neuropathy must have been diagnosed within one year of last exposure to Agent Orange. (CP) 12/19/16

The House and Senate have passed their respective versions of the FY 2018 Defense Authorization bill. A conference committee will be appointed to resolve the differences between the two bills. The Senate bill provides for substantial TRICARE fee increases by repealing the so-called grandfather clause that would exclude retirees that retired before January 1, 2018 from scheduled TRICARE fee increases. The Senate bill also increases pharmacy co-pays, provides for a smaller active duty pay increase (2.1% vice 2.4%) and makes further cuts to Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).

When the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C. in 1982, a promise was made to never forget those who served and sacrificed their lives in the Vietnam War. Etched in its black granite walls are the names of 58,318 service members who were killed or remain missing. The Wall honors their courage, sacrifice, and devotion to duty and country. Since its inception, The Wall has become a sacred place for loved ones and visitors to pay their respects. By separating the war from the warrior, The Wall began a process of national healing.
This year marks the 35th Anniversary of The Wall. In commemoration of the Anniversary, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is honored to host the 2017 Reading of the Names of the more than 58,000 service members inscribed on The Wall in Washington, D.C. The Reading of the Names will take place at The Wall for 65 hours over a four-day period beginning with an opening ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 3:00 p.m.

All honorably discharged veterans will have access to the online exchanges as of that date. VetVerify is the first step in the eligibility process. Some veterans will be chosen as “beta testers” and will have access to the online stores before 11 NOV; the earlier veterans complete the verification process, the better their chances of becoming beta testers, according to officials with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, which administers the verification for all the military exchange services. Veterans who register through VetVerify.org will receive notification of their acceptance as eligible online shoppers or, if their records are incomplete, will receive guidance on the steps they can take to update those records.

You may be wondering what action you need to take, if any, to ensure you continue TRICARE coverage in 2018. If you’re currently enrolled in or eligible for TRICARE coverage on Dec. 31, 2017, you’ll transition to your respective TRICARE plan on to enroll in the plan of your choice. All beneficiaries should take action by making sure their information is current in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). If you’ve experienced any changes (for example, marriage, birth, divorce and death), update DEERS as soon as possible to ensure continuous TRICARE coverage.
Beneficiaries enrolled in TRICARE Prime, either stateside or overseas, as of Dec. 31, 2017 will remain enrolled in TRICARE Prime on Jan. 1, 2018. If you have TRICARE Standard or TRICARE Extra as of Dec. 31, 2017, you’ll transition to TRICARE Select. TRICARE Select replaces TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra on Jan. 1, 2018.

“The PenFed Foundation has supported post 9/11 veterans in time of need with emergency financial assistance. Through the new partnership with the DAV, qualifying veterans of all eras who are working with a national service officer and have a VA or military disability rating, or have a pending claim for benefits, are now eligible for a one-time, need-based grant.” This is an excerpt from an article by Charity Edgar

Excerpts for an article in the DAV magazine –
“What’s most important about the annual meeting is the free flowing information and exchange of ideas,” said current national commander of the Commander and Adjutants Association President Danny Oliver.

In my personal opinion, it is important that information from the commanders and adjutants association, as well as the meeting itself, be passed down to the chapters. If you don’t pass it down it does no good for anyone.

On September 8, 2017 U.S Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Congressman Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) and Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help rural veterans get to and from their medical appointments more easily.
The Rural Veterans Transportation Enhancement Act will:
Expand a pilot program that reimburses veterans
and eligible beneficiaries for travelling to
Vet Centers for mental health care and counseling.
Make the Veterans Transportation Service
program, which allows local VA facilities to hire
drivers and purchase vehicles to transport veterans
to their appointments, permanent.
Extend a grant that allows Veterans Service
Organizations and State Veterans Service Agencies
to explore new approaches to provide transportation
or travel assistance.
Expedite the certification process for volunteer
drivers serving veterans through the Veterans Transportation Service program.
This legislation is endorsed by the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Assoiation, and other veteran service organization.