In November 2017, VA launched Rapid Appeals Modernization Program (RAMP) with the goal of providing eligible Veterans with the earliest possible resolution of their disability compensation claim.
RAMP is voluntary and will provide eligible Veterans the opportunity to enter the new, more efficient review process outlined in the historic Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 (Appeals Modernization Act), before the law becomes effective in February 2019
Under RAMP, Veterans can expect to receive a review of the decision on their claim much faster than if they remain in the legacy appeals process. The program will allow participants the option to have their decisions reviewed in the Higher-Level Review or Supplemental Claim Lane outlined in the Appeals Modernization Act.
You are eligible if you have a disability compensation appeal pending in one of the following legacy appeal stages:
Notice of Disagreement (NOD
Form 9, Appeal to Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board)
Certified to the Board but not yet activated for a Board decision
Remand from the Board to VBA.

Representative Mike Coffman (CO) introduced H.R. 5191, a bill directing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish at least three Alzheimer’s disease research, education, and clinical centers within the Department.

Studies show veterans who experienced brain trauma in the course of their service are at higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.  Likewise, veterans who experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are twice as likely as those without PTSD to develop dementia.

VA’s Geriatric and Mental Illness research, education and clinical centers have become models of innovation which synergize the worlds of research, education and patient care using evidence-based practices to develop new patient care models and clinical treatment protocols for veterans.  These laboratories also often serve to recruit or retain top-flight scarce medical practitioners from leading universities who are then available to treat veterans and educate the next generation of physicians and independent practitioners receiving training within the VA. While these clinical centers conduct geriatric research and education none are focused exclusively on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia although VA does operate centers focused on Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and Multiple Sclerosis.

DAV Resolution 061 calls on VA to support integrated and effective models of care for veterans with dementia.  Creating these new centers will assist VA in determining how best to meet the unique needs of service-disabled veterans with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia and allow researchers and physicians to focus on developing best practices and effective treatments so that these veterans can be cared for with dignity, compassion and respect.

Please use the prepared letter and ask your Representative to cosponsor and pass H.R. 5191. Thank you for your support of America’s disabled veterans.

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This legislation, H.R. 4898, focused on ending homelessness among our nation’s veterans, would extend current authorities that assist veterans and their families with preventing or overcoming issues that may lead to homelessness. Specifically, the bill would extend existing provisions to ensure: • Homeless veterans’ reintegration programs provided by the Department of Labor are available, including child care services that allow veterans responsible for caring for minor dependents to participate. • Referral and counseling services for certain veterans at risk of homelessness; • Treatment and rehabilitation services for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans; • Housing assistance for homeless veterans; • Financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing; • Continuation of the grant program for homeless veterans with special needs; and • Continued authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans.

The Farmer Veteran Opportunity Act of 2018 expands support for veterans in agriculture. Introduced by leaders of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow and Chairman Pat Roberts, the legislation ensures all new veterans are eligible for support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture The bill also makes risk management tools like crop insurance more affordable, expands access to land and capital, and prioritizes training and education opportunities for veterans. Specifically, this legislation:
• Streamlines eligibility requirements to allow all new veterans to n benefit from support.
• Makes risk management tools more affordable and accessible for farmer veterans.
• Improves access to loans and land for veterans starting and expanding their farms.
• Prioritizes veteran farmers in training and education programs to help them start and expand their business

A House committee approved a wide-ranging plan 8 MAY to give veterans more freedom to see doctors outside the Veterans Affairs health system and fix a budget crisis in its troubled Choice private-sector program, a major step toward fulfilling President Donald Trump’s promise to expand private care options. The $51 billion plan includes $5.2 billion to avert a catastrophic shutdown of Choice.
The plan, passed 20-2 by the House Veterans Affairs Committee, would mean that veterans could see private doctors at taxpayer expense when VA medical centers are unable to provide timely treatment or the care is deemed inadequate. Still, it may take years to assess the full impact on veterans who turn to private doctors over governmentrun VA care, due to uncertainty in how the rules will be interpreted and how VA determines what “quality” care is. Separately, the House Appropriations Committee chaired by Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) passed a $194.5 billion funding plan for the VA in the next budget year beginning 1 OCT, an increase of $9 billion from the previous year. The proposal, which includes money for mental health services and a revamp of the VA’s electronic health records, will need to be approved by the full House and Senate.

Military personnel who have trained with heavy weaponry may have been exposed to blasts that cause traumatic brain injury, a newly published study claims. Emerging evidence presented in a May Center for New American Security report suggests that extensive use of shoulder-fired weapons like the Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle, the M72 LAW or the AT4 exposes service members to “overpressure” of the brain, the effect when a blast wave traveling faster than thespeed of sound causes a ripple of the skull, generating additional pressure on the brain.

The first glimpse of the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act includes a directive that the Secretary of the Army, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, to take steps to extend the life of Arlington as an active cemetery by revising interment criteria. The new criteria for in-ground burials must be established by Sept. 30, 2019. The issue is gaining steam because of the limited remaining years for new burials.
For those who want to take a deeper dive into the statutes defining eligibility, check out the following articles:
• Eligibility for interment in Arlington National Cemetery
• Eligibility for inurnment in Arlington National Cemetery
• Eligibility for interment of cremated remains in the Arlington National Cemetery Unmarked Area

Multiple studies and surveys reveal that a significant barrier for veterans seeking VA services is lack of child care.  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is not authorized to provide child care assistance or services, with the exception of a limited number of pilot programs and many veterans with children find it difficult to access to VA health care, mental health services, benefits, training and educational services.

S. 2565- the Veteran Employment and Child Care Access Act of 2018 introduced by Senator Tammy Duckworth (IL), would require the VA Secretary to provide child care assistance to an eligible veteran for any period that the veteran receives training or rehabilitation services under the following VA programs:  job counseling, training, and placement services; therapeutic and rehabilitative activities; homeless veterans reintegration programs; and homeless veterans with children reintegration programs.

In accordance with DAV Resolution No. 001, we support S. 2565 which would provide child care assistance to many service-disabled veterans-vastly improving their ability to successfully complete training, rehabilitative, and education programs.

Please use the prepared electronic letter or draft your own to urge your Senators to support and cosponsor S. 2565-the Veteran Employment and Child Care Access Act of 2018.

Your commitment and advocacy helps make DAV a highly influential and effective organization in Washington.  Thank you for all you do for America’s veterans and their families.

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Please check out these documents to find out if Decision Ready Claims are right for you.

For more information please contact your local OKDAV service officer, a complete list of Oklahoma Service Officers can be found @
http://okdav.org/service-officers/

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