Category Archives: News
Military Tax Relief – H.R.5747 | Special Operations Forces Tax Cut
More special operators could receive a break on taxes next year. The Special Operations Forces Tax Cut Act would grant tax breaks to troops based on their mission, rather than location. The bill would benefit troops who deploy outside of … Continue reading
Agent Orange Thailand update – H.R. 4843:
In January 2018, Representative Bruce Westerman (R-AR) introduced H.R. 4843, a bill that would concede herbicide exposure to all veterans who served at any military installation in Thailand during the Vietnam Era for purposes of determining their eligibility for VA … Continue reading
VA Survivors’ & DEA program – changes effective August 1, 2018:
Effective August 1, 2018, the entitlement available under the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program will be reduced from 45 months to 36 months, but in October, the monthly allowance for eligible recipients will increase. These changes, part of … Continue reading
DoD to bar GI Bill transfer for long-serving troops:
Starting next year, service members who have been in the military for more than 16 years will no longer be able to transfer GI Bill benefits to their dependents — a change to current Pentagon policy that’s garnered mixed reviews … Continue reading
Disabled Vets Space “A” Update – H.R. 936 | Extend Eligibility to 100% Rated Vets:
This bill was referred to the House Armed Service Committee last week. It is a bill that, if passed, would allow veterans with a 100% service connected total and permanent disability to travel on military aircraft in the same manner … Continue reading
GI Bill update ► VA comparison tool:
For any service member or veteran looking to pursue their educational goals through the use of the GI Bill, there is an important tool offered by VA. The GI Bill Comparison Tool allows users to compare different programs and institutions … Continue reading
TRICARE user fees ► under age 65 retirees could see major fee hike:
Some military families would see some co-pays decrease under a Senate proposal to change the Tricare fee structure, but retirees under age 65 would see a major fee hike. Working-age retirees now pay no enrollment fees to join Tricare Select. … Continue reading
Burn Pit Toxic Exposure update ► back in the spotlight:
House lawmakers will take up the issue of burn pits in early JUN with a hearing focused on how much is known about troops health effects after toxic exposure to the waste fires overseas. A series of lawmakers and veterans … Continue reading
•• Isakson, Scott bill to provide equal burial benefits for veterans heads to President’s desk:
U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, applauded Senate passage of the Veterans Cemetery Benefit Correction Act, legislation he introduced along with U.S. Representative Austin Scott, R-Ga.-08, to require the U.S. Department of the … Continue reading
• House passes several veterans bills ahead of Memorial Day:
H.R. 1972, VA Billing Accountability Act, as amended: authorizes VA to waive copayment requirements when the veteran is not billed in a timely manner. H.R. 3642 , Military SAVE Act, as amended: would require VA to carry out a pilot … Continue reading