Category: Benefits

From the Desk of the Post Service Officer: VA Benefits Update

By Joseph Mesa


Here’s a VA benefits update courtesy of the Department of Veterans Affairs.


Regarding Burn Pits: VA intends to propose 9 rare respiratory cancers as presumed service-connected conditions. When the proposal becomes final and rule making is complete, VA will conduct outreach to impacted Veterans and survivors to inform them about potential eligibility.  VA intends to focus its rule on the rare respiratory cancers in Veterans who served any amount of time in the Southwest Asia theater of operations and other locations. The Southwest Asia theater of operations refers to Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, and the airspace above these locations.


Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs is proposing changes to the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities specifically pertaining to the respiratory, auditory and mental disorders body systems. The proposed updates to the rating schedule for these conditions will enable VA to incorporate modern medical data and terminology to provide Veterans with more accurate and consistent decisions.


Veterans who currently receive compensation for a service-connected condition in these body systems will not have their disability rating impacted when the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities is updated. Updating the rating schedule allows Veterans to receive decisions based on the most current medical knowledge relating to their condition. By incorporating modern medical data in the assessment of disabilities and how they impact earning capacity, Veterans will receive evaluations which more accurately compensate them for their service-connected disabilities. Proposed updates include:

  • Modernizing the evaluative rating criteria for sleep apnea, using developments in medical knowledge to evaluate it based on its responsiveness to treatment, bringing the rating criteria for sleep apnea more closely in line with the stated purpose of the rating schedule.
  • Evaluating tinnitus (ringing in the ears) as a symptom of the underlying disease which causes it, rather than as a stand-alone disability.
  • Evaluating mental health conditions based on a more robust and holistic approach that assesses how impactful the disability is to cognition, interpersonal relationships, task completion, life activities and self-care. Additionally, the proposed evaluation criteria include a 10% minimum evaluation for having one or more service-connected mental health conditions and will no longer require “total occupational and social impairment” to attain a 100% evaluation.


No change to a veteran’s current rating would occur due to these proposed changes. If the proposed changes are finalized, Veterans who currently receive compensation for a service-connected condition can apply for increased compensation, but no reductions shall be made unless an improvement in the Veteran’s disability is shown to have occurred.


If you need any help with your VA claim or benefits, contact me at [email protected].

Thoughts on Afghanistan

As we approach the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the news coming out of Afghanistan in recent weeks has been tough to watch, especially for our Afghanistan veterans. Here are some poignant words from our comrade, Robert Kettle:

I remember clearly 9/11 and the summer 20 years ago at SIXTH Fleet as we worked through Intelligence reporting and all the chatter about a pending strike.  I remember clearly too the COLE bombing in Aden harbor 11 months before which had us already ramped up as we embarked on the Global War on Terror.  Ten years on I remember clearly our JCS strike group operations in the N. Arabian Sea in support of Op. ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan.  Now twenty years on I look with great sadness on the events of today in Afghanistan but also on so many waypoints along the way that led us to this point.

I reflect on the nature of the history of our involvement in the country and the history of the country itself knowing that unlike, for example, Germany there was no shared threat to bind us together not to mention other challenges in the relationship that meant at some point we would need to leave.

I reflect on lives lost both incountry and out; immediate and long delayed. Of those injured too whether seen or unseen.  Their sacrifice cannot be thought of as being in vain for it was not.

I reflect too on the people of Afghanistan and of the Great Game of an earlier time that played itself out again over the last four decades wondering with this chapter closing what will the next chapter bring.  My wondering is of sadness still.


Regarding support for our Afghan allies, Post 3063 has a track record of backing the Special Immigrant Visa program. In 2020, our post voted to endorse No One Left Behind’s proposed resolution for adoption at the VFW National Convention. We’re happy to report that it was adopted by National last summer. See more about the SIV program and No One Left Behind’s advocacy here.


Veterans who served in Afghanistan may be experiencing a range of challenging emotions related to the U.S withdrawal from the country and unfolding events. Veterans who served during other conflicts may also be feeling strong emotions as they may be reminded of their own deployment experiences. Strategies for managing ongoing distress are available here. Please take care of yourselves and also feel free to reach out to our Post 3063 Service Officer, Joseph Mesa at [email protected].

Get Vaccinated at the VA

Quartermaster Harold Rodenberger receives his COVID-19 Vaccine at the VA Medical Center in Seattle.

Vaccines are now available for eligible veterans at the VA (for more info go here). Quartermaster Harold Rodenberger received his vaccine and here’s a write-up about his experience:

After we became eligible, I spent several days trying (and being disappointed) to get appointments for my wife and myself on the various sites handling vaccination appointments.  


Thursday afternoon I received an email from the VA saying that eligible veterans could call to schedule appointments. It also stated that the VA was proactively calling eligible veterans to schedule appointments. Knowing that at least two of our older members had received unsolicited VA calls and been scheduled for the vaccine, I thought about waiting, but decided to try calling. After spending 37 minutes on hold, I was connected to a helpful clerk who went through the COVID questions, then asked if I wanted to be vaccinated as soon as possible. I responded with a hearty “yes” and she scheduled me for noon yesterday (Friday).


Arriving about fifteen minutes early, I joined the socially distanced line, was tagged with a red ribbon indicating I had been screened, completed the paperwork, received shot number one, waited the required fifteen minutes, and was on my way. I felt relieved that I finally was on track to help defeat this virus by being immunized. Almost danced a jig as I followed the light at the end of the tunnel back to my car.


Now I’m back to trying to schedule a vaccination appointment for my wife. Still the same grind – check the sites to find all appointments taken, wait an hour, check again, ad nauseum.


For non-VA vaccine information, visit the Washington State Department of Health’s website.

Service Officer: Overview of VA Appeals

By Joseph Mesa


Supplemental Claim appeal must add evidence that is new (or not provided to VA previously) and relevant to your case.  It is recommended that this appeal should be file within one year from the date on the decision letter.  Note:  This appeal will not allow a fiduciary claim or a contested claim.


Higher-level reviews (HLRs) consist of de novo reviews of the issue(s) identified by requesters.  De novo review means the adjudicator re-examines and re-adjudicates the claim in question without deference to the prior decision, except for proper favorable findings.


Board of Veterans’ Appeals is appealing to a Veterans Law Judge in Washington, D.C.  A judge who’s an expert in Veterans law will review the case.  This appeal provides the claimant 3 options.


Option 1:  Request a Direct Review – A Veterans Law Judge will review the appeal based on evidence already submitted.  The claimant is not allowed to submit evidence and can’t have a hearing.  This review will take about 1 year for the Board to complete.


Option 2:  Submit more evidence – A claimant is allowed to submit more evidence but must submit this evidence within 90 days of the date VA receive the Decision Review Request.  The evidence submission option will take more than 1 year for the Board to complete


Option 3:  Request a hearing – Claimant request a hearing with a Veterans Law Judge.  Claimant can choose to add new and relevant evidence, either at the hearing or within 90 days after the hearing.  Adding evidence is optional.  The hearing will be transcribed and added to the claimant’s appeal file.  Claimant can choose from 3 different ways to speak with the Veterans Law Judge:  Virtual hearing from claimant’s home; Videoconference hearing at a VA location near claimant; or In-person hearing the Board in Washington, D.C.  The hearing request option will take more than one year for the Board to complete.


If you have any questions about appeals, contact Joseph at [email protected].

King County Veterans Consortium April Virtual Muster Notes

30 April 2020

The KCVC and greater PNW veteran community is truly digging deep to adapt, improvise, and respond to our people during this time.  We thank each and every one of you for your compassion, humor, and hard work to meet our community where they are at.  Here are some quick notes from today’s muster. 

Ryan Mielcarek from KCVC  
Follow up from meeting in March.  Informal volunteer network of cross-sector providers and partners.  There is a community sourced COVID response page on www.thekcvc.org that anyone can update their information with. Lori Tiffin from the YWCA will be taking a leadership role with the Consortium so be looking out for communication from her in the near future.  Thank you Lori!

Veteran Rites
We provide a 12-day ceremony of honor in the wilderness of Eastern WA to bring our people back to their true identity, purpose, and belonging.  We have rescheduled these ceremonies for June and September.  In response to COVID to combat social isolation we have amplified our online veteran circles and programming to twice a week, partnered with Path With Art, and are experimenting with connections that are a safe space in the military family to return to meaningful relationships. This is all suicide prevention and our empowering our people to achieve their highest potential. Check out our events and blog page at www.veteranrites.org/gather and email Ryan directly at [email protected]

Des Moines Vouchers via Dale Bright – 
The City of Des Moines is looking to possibly provide senior veterans with food vouchers that can be used at local restaurants. Win-Win. Send an email to Ryan at [email protected] to learn more about this and if you have vets that may be interested. 

Operation Military Family
If anyone needs assistance or career recovery help, email is [email protected] / www.opmilfam.com. OMF has been serving the community and supporting other non profits with essential needs.  They run an 8-week REBOOT program that brings warriors back to their identity.  They are starting a 12-week accelerator in mid-May for career recovery in response to COVID.

Rosa Jenkins at Emerald Cities
We will be recruiting for another cohort of HVAC trainees later this year to start training in 2021. Please keep us in mind, if you know of service members planning to exit the service this Fall or Winter. Roz Jenkins 360-970-3591. See an eight-minute video about our Opportunity Hub program at https://vimeo.com/368346341

Lynne Varney and Joanne Rodde at VA CBOC
[email protected]; we have a small food pantry at our clinic, if there is a veteran who has immediate need of food and they can get to our clinic, we can provide referrals to food banks and food for a couple of days. Joanne Rodde and I both are social workers at VA CBOCs.  There are 3 Valor CBOCs in the area, Bellevue, Lake City and Federal Way.  We have Primary Care thru VA,. Along with Primary Care Providers and Social Workers , there is a Nutritionist, Pharmacist, Lab, and X-ray.  We are not seeing patients face to face, but are doing phone and video visits.  North Seattle Community Based Outpatient Clinic, 125th Ave NE and Lake City Way 206-384-4382

Kip Swanson at King County Veterans Program. 
KCVP Belltown Office. 206-477-8282.  King County Veterans Program (with info related to remote services)… https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/community-human-services/veterans/programs-services.aspx
Phones are manned and responses are same day or next day for veteran services, including financial support. Working on a lot of food distribution, housing, gas cards, and more.  Leveraging SSVF to house veterans in hotels.

Myra Rintamaki
Red Cross Service To Armed Forces (SAF) Snohomish County. SAF casework for Active Duty Military through the Hero Care Network at the Everett Navy Base. Also Veteran Outreach via Hero’s Café – Lynnwood, Edmonds Got Your Six , and the Hero’s Café Shoreline. Email: [email protected], Cell 206-235-0348

Linh Thai
The Mission Continues – [email protected] (206) 290-6457.  TMC is full of opportunities in the Puget Sound area to combat isolation and for veterans to engage in service.  From book clubs, seed planting, learning gardens, virtual workshops, and partnerships with the National Park Service and more
 
Derrick Gray at SHAG
 [email protected].  I work with elder vets that live in a SHAG community, I am looking for resources such as rental assistance and other VA benefits that most of our elder vets do not know about.

Leonard Muhr (Tools4Troops PBC)
509-607-0146 www.tools4troops.org.  Working with a new veterans farm in EA Washington and other non-profits to get vets the tools they need. Also taking donations.

Dr. Sam Powers at UW Student Veteran Life 
UW is adapting as necessary.  They will stream their Memorial Day service and are utilizing twitch for veteran services and engagement.   
ch.tv/UWStudentveteranlife/
 twitch.tv/UWStudentveteranlife/

Shree Vigil, Shoreline Veteran Center with Compass Housing Alliance
[email protected] (206) 474-1885. Things are going well at Shoreline and creative programming is happening.

Eleanor Trenary
Congresswoman Kim Schrier’s district office: (425) 657-1001. You can also contact me directly at [email protected]. Thank you all for your work!

Jackie DeLaCruz
 Influencing the Outcome: Community Collaboration & Wellness programs. [email protected]  206-265-0667. Doing amazing work up in Alaska and still connected here in the NW. 

Monica McNeal
Non-profits that are seeking funds that are directly helping Veterans with Covid-19 efforts. – Monica.mcneal@outlook,.com.  Check out the Facebook Resource page:  https://www.facebook.com/PNWMilitaryFamilyResources

Heather Bahme
Heather Bahme: WDVA TBI Program Specialist in Eastern Washington and the Region 5 Vet Corps Coordinator [email protected] (509)828-0449

Lori Tiffin and Tina Keys (YWCA)
YWCA SSVF Program in Renton; Lori Tiffin, Program Manager [email protected]; Tina Keys, SSVF Case Manager [email protected]; Kenneth Williams, SSVF Case Manager [email protected]
Elizabeth Porter, SSVF Case Manager [email protected]. YWCA is expanding their services from just veterans connecting their SSVF and VASH so please inquire.
 
Nikkol Wymer at ESD Security. 
They have hired 5000 vets since 2016 and are obviously working double time to meet the demand of veterans and military families in response to COVID.  Thank you Nikkol!

Erle Hunter and Andrea “Dre” Bean at WDVA.  
Housed 8 veterans last month.  Working on planning to reposition 40 set-aside units at the Mark Cooper house.  Please contact Erle at [email protected] to strategize. 
 
Next Muster
We will send out a communication in a couple of weeks on our next rally, which may be more targeted.  If you would like to utilize the platform to engage and educate about your program email Lori Tiffin at [email protected]. 

With deep respect and blessings, 

Ryan Mielcarek