VA convened a workgroup in March consisting of DAV, other stakeholders and VA officials in order to seek common ground on a new framework for appeals. After months of intensive efforts, the workgroup was able to reach consensus on a framework of a new appeals system that could offer veterans quicker decisions, while protecting their rights and prerogatives. The number of appeals awaiting decisions has risen dramatically – to almost 450,000 – and the average time for an appeal decision is between three and five years, a delay that is simply unacceptable.
Before Congress took recess in July, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Congressman Jeff Miller of Florida, introduced H.R.5620, the “VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016” to the Committee. This legislation could significantly improve the ability of veterans to receive more timely and accurate decisions on their claims and appeals for earned benefits. H.R. 5620, which contains the new appeals framework, would make fundamental changes to the appeals process by creating multiple options to appeal or reconsider claims’ decisions, either formally to the Board or informally within the Veterans Benefits
Administration. The central feature of the legislation would provide veterans three options, or “lanes,” to appeal unfavorable claims decisions; and if they were not satisfied with their decisions, they could continue to pursue one of the other two options.
• As long as a veteran continuously pursues a new appeals option within one year of the last decision, they would be able to preserve their earliest effective date.
• This legislation also allows veterans to present new evidence and
• This legislation also allows veterans to have a hearing before the Board or VBA if they so desire.
“If faithfully implemented as designed by the workgroup, and if fully funded by Congress and VA in the years ahead, H.R.5620 would make a marked improvement in the ability of veterans to get timely and accurate decisions on appeals of their claims,” said DAV Washington Headquarters Executive Director Garry Augustine. “We urge the House to swiftly approve this legislation and then work with the Senate to reach agreement on final legislation that
can be sent to the President to sign this year.” [Source: NCOA Advocate | Mary Dever | August 24, 2016 ++]

Calling All Women Who Served in the United States Military! Do you know your Veteran status? Do you have a Veteran ID card? Should you receive any benefits from VA, like the GI Bill? Do you know what health care benefits you have earned? If you do not know the answer to even one of these questions, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has established the Women Veterans Call Center (WVCC) just for you. The WVCC staff is trained to provide women Veterans, their families, and caregivers about VA services and resources. They are ready to respond to your concerns. The call is free, and you can call as often as you like until you have the answers to
your questions. The Call Center is available M-F 08-2000 EST, and on Saturdays from 08-1830 EST. The number is – 1-855-VA-Women
Any women veteran can use the WVCC, even if they are not registered with the VA or enrolled in VA health care and/or receiving care. You do not need to have wartime or combat experience to be considered a Veteran. Women Veterans should enroll for health care benefits to ensure they receive the comprehensive benefits package offered through VA’s national health care system. A review of the 33,000 calls received to date found the most common reasons people call in to the Call Center are to learn about benefits and eligibility and to discuss issues they face like homelessness, maternity care, Military Sexual Trauma, and environmental exposures. At times, there are issues that the Call Center cannot immediately resolve. In those cases, they research the best course of action/ locate the appropriate resources, and call the Veteran back to help her address her issues and concerns

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has once again turned down an effort by Navy veterans to get compensation for possible exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. In a document released 12 August, the VA said it would continue to limit benefits related to Agent Orange exposure to only those veterans who set foot in Vietnam, where the herbicide was sprayed, and to those who were on boats in inland rivers. The VA compensates these veterans for a litany of associated illnesses, including diabetes, various cancers, Parkinson’s disease,
peripheral neuropathy and a type of heart disease.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims last April struck down VA rules that denied compensation for sailors whose ships docked at certain harbors in South Vietnam, including Da Nang. Those ports, the court determined, may have been in the Agent Orange spraying area. The court ordered the VA to review its policy. But on Friday, the VA largely stood by its old policy and once again asserted that there’s no scientific justification or legal requirement for covering veterans who served off the coast. “Environmental health experts in VA’s Veterans Health Administration have reviewed the available scientific information and concluded that it is not sufficient to support a presumption that Blue Water Navy Veterans were exposed to Agent Orange,” the VA said in a fact sheet.

Please Scroll down and look at the bill numbers and ask our Oklahoma elected officials to SUPPORT THEM……PLEASE make YOUR VOICE HEARD….Let them know who elected them…….

When Congress returns to Washington after Labor Day, they will have less than four weeks to deal with unfinished legislative matters prior to the November elections.  There may even be less time if one chamber of Congress decides to leave earlier than currently planned.

With the number of legislative days dwindling, key legislative priorities of the DAV have yet to be passed by Congress.

Women Veterans: DAV’s special report-Women Veterans: The Long Journey Homeidentified gaps in benefits and services across the federal landscape for women service members and veterans.  Congress must act to improve services for women veterans and ensure their unique transition needs are met. Several bills are pending in both the House and Senate to aid women veterans.

Caregivers: Today, only veterans severely injured on or after September 11, 2001 are eligible for comprehensive VA caregiver supports and services.  Congress must pass legislation to expand the eligibility for VA’s Caregiver Support Program to veterans of all eras.

Appeals Reform: Because VA’s inventory of appeals continues to outpace its processing capacity, passing of reform legislation is needed to correct this unacceptable situation and modernize VA’s appeal process.

Several bipartisan legislative measures are awaiting Congressional consideration that would address these problems.  With elected officials now back in your home state, now is the time to call your elected representatives’ district and state offices.

You can find your elected officials’ district telephone numbers by entering your zip code here. Please call them with this message:

Ask for their commitment to pass legislation: 1) to ensure VA meets the unique needs of women veterans, including H.R. 1356 and S. 471; 2) to expand access to VA’s comprehensive caregiver support program, H.R. 2894 and; 3) to modernize VA’s appeal process, H.R. 5620. Also, please press for passage of S. 2921, the Veterans First Act, which contains many of these same provisions.

As always, DAV appreciates your advocacy and participation in the Commander’s Action Network. Your grassroots activism makes DAV more influential in promoting policies and programs to aid injured and ill veterans.

Click the link below to log in and send your message:
https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/7nuSk5zoBvSkxl0PPLOYHQ

Fraud Alert

From State Adjutant

There are two gentleman using first names of Stan and Kevin conducting a fundraiser selling small hunting permit stickers for $5.00; who are falsely stating they are representing/raising money for the DAV. THIS IS NOT an authorized fundraiser for the DAV. They are currently operating in the Tulsa and Wagoner County area. Local authorities in Wagoner County have filed/taken reports on these two individuals and appropriate complaints will be filed by the DAV with the State Attorney General’s Office. Should any member be contacted/solicited by these individuals please contact the State Commander or Adjutant immediately.

According to an August 16 Military Times article by Karen Jowers, plans are progressing to extend online military exchange shopping privileges to all honorably discharged veterans. The Defense Department’s Executive Resale Board voted unanimously August 9 to recommend the policy change, sources said. Extended shopping privileges would apply only to the exchange system’s online stores, and not the brick-and-mortar facilities located on military installations.
The Defense Department’s Executive Resale Board voted unanimously Aug. 9 to recommend the policy change, sources said. Extended shopping privileges would apply only to the exchange system’s online stores — not brick-and-mortar facilities located on military installations

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it is piloting a protocol to implement veterinary health benefits for mobility service dogs approved for Veterans with a chronic impairment that substantially limits mobility associated with mental health disorders.
Service dogs are distinguished from pets and comfort animals because they are specially trained to perform tasks or work for a specific individual with a disability who cannot perform the task or accomplish the work independently. To be eligible for the veterinary health benefit, the service dog must be trained by an organization accredited by Assistance Dogs International in accordance with VA regulations.
The VA veterinary service benefit includes comprehensive wellness and sick care (annual visits for preventive care, maintenance care, immunizations, dental cleanings, screenings, etc.), urgent/emergent care, prescription medications, and care for illnesses or disorders when treatment enables the dog to perform its duties in service to the Veteran

The Internal Revenue Service has launched a new site titled “Information for Veterans.” The page is designed to provide timely, federal tax-related information to veterans about tax credits and benefits, free tax preparation, financial education, and asset-building opportunities available to veterans.
IRS and US Department of Veterans Affairs entered into a Memorandum of Understanding in 2015. The primary focus of the MOU is to provide free tax preparation services to Veterans and their families.
Partnering organizations prepare tax returns free for those whose incomes are low to moderate. Also check out the partner Outreach Corner for links to newsletter articles, podcasts, widgets and other electronic products to help reach out to customers with timely tax news they may need. If you represent a Veteran organization that assists other Veterans, why not look further to see how you can become involved?

Congress stepped this week into a sensitive issue that’s been quietly roiling the already-challenging hiring system for federal jobs. The Senate version of the vast military policy bill that now heads to conference with the House would knock out one of the advantages veterans enjoy when they apply for federal work. They would continue to get a leg up over non-veterans to get a foot in the door. But once they’re in government and want to be considered for another federal post, they would no longer go to the head of the hiring queue.
The change, approved on Tuesday by the Senate as part of its annual defense policy bill, would apply across government and affect thousands of veterans and their close relatives, who also are able to jump the line over non-veterans.