American Legion DSO - District 4 Meeting (March 10, 2024)
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- Mar 14, 2024
- 11 min read
Pandemic-Related Backlog of 600,000 Veterans Records Requests Finally Cleared
Published: Military.com | By Rebecca Kheel | January 25, 2024
A backlog of hundreds of thousands of requests for veterans records from the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis that was caused by limiting in-person work during the COVID-19 pandemic has finally been cleared, the National Archives announced this week.
"Clearing the backlog of record requests at the National Personnel Records Center has been my top priority, and I am proud that we've gotten this done," Archivist of the United States Colleen Shogan said in a statement Wednesday. "I want to recognize the hard work and dedication of the National Archives staff. They have worked overtime and across weekends and holidays to achieve this goal and ensure we meet our obligation to those who've served."
While the National Personnel Records Center, or NPRC, never fully closed down during the pandemic so that it could respond to emergency requests such as for records needed for medical care, it significantly curtailed operations because of building occupancy limits.
The staffing reductions led to a backlog that grew to more than 600,000 requests, making life difficult for veterans who needed hard copies of their records for disability claims, proof of veteran status for other benefits, documentation in lawsuits, personal archives and other uses.
Officials were able to eliminate the backlog through a mix of updating technology, adding staff and contractors, and working longer hours, according to Wednesday's news release.
Lawmakers, who previously expressed immense frustration at the backlog, are also crediting a law passed by Congress in 2022 that authorized $60 million for the National Archives to address the issue and mandated the agency issue a concrete plan to clear the logjam.
"If veterans cannot access their service records, they cannot claim and receive the benefits and care that they've earned through their service," Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., said in a statement Thursday. "That's why I wrote and passed the bipartisan Access for Veterans to Records Act, which required the National Archives to clear out this backlog. This is great progress with more work ahead."
Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., the bill's other lead sponsor, similarly said he was "pleased" the "unacceptable" backlog "has been remediated so veterans can acquire their records in a timely manner."
"I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make certain our veterans have access to the services and benefits they have earned," he said in a statement Thursday.
With the backlog eliminated, veterans can expect routine requests for separation documents to take less than a week to process, while more complex applications could take about 20 days, according to the National Archives news release.
The Archives also said it is continuing to work on digitizing records after entering into multiple agreements with the Department of Veterans Affairs to expedite that process.
"I have worked for the National Archives for 35 years and the pandemic and subsequent backlog presented the greatest challenges of my career, but they also led to many fast-paced, transformative changes, particularly with regard to transitioning NPRC's holdings and processes to an electronic environment," Scott Levins, the center's director, said in a statement. "We are routinely doing things today that were seemingly impossible before the pandemic and which position us for success for years to come."
Together We Served celebrates Veterans by offering a free plaque of their military service
Published: VA|News January 2, 2024 Brian Foster President and Founder, Togetherweserved.com
Since its launch 20 years ago, Togetherweserved.com (TWS)—the leading online community of U.S. Veterans—has provided its 2.3 million members the special opportunity to not only reconnect with the people they served with but to also preserve a detailed record of their military service, including unlimited photographs. This is so their families and future generations will know what they did serving our country.
In keeping with TWS’s commitment to honoring the service of every Veteran, hot off the press is TWS’s brand new Military Service Plaque. It features key service information, period-accurate graphics and a wide choice of era-specific backgrounds in a distinctive and attractive layout. Specially designed in a convenient 11×6.5″ format, each plaque can be easily printed and framed for proud display on any living room or den wall!
How to obtain your free Military Service Plaque
TWS’s new Military Service Plaque is available, completely free of charge, to every Veteran who served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force or U.S. Coast Guard.Click here (https://togetherweserved.com/basicplaque) to claim yours.
Once registered, you simply add your service photo, medals and awards, hashmarks and any proficiency badges earned on your plaque builder page. These then appear “as worn” on uniform. When complete, your full-sized plaque is automatically sent to you as a hi-resolution image file ready to print. If you have any questions or need assistance, TWS’s Veteran-manned help desk is always available, or you can email admin@togetherwesrved.com for a quick response.
Create a memorial plaque for any family member who served
Similarly, Veterans can build a free Military Service Plaque for any family member who served and has passed. If multiple family members served, plaques can be made for each one, creating a special military family legacy.
Future tribute projects
Together We Served is in the process of creating several other variations of its Military Service Plaque and Shadow Box to suit different applications that will become available in 2024. These tributes represent more than 20 years of dedicated work compiling the most accurate historical military service information and highest quality graphics for optimal presentation and authenticity.
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What can VA health care do for you?
Published: VA| December 14, 2023 Veterans Experience Office
What can VA health care do for you?
VA health is a comprehensive health care provider. Veterans may be eligible for free or low-cost health care.
From preventative to specialty care—no one knows Veterans better.
No forms to fill out for appointments! Just show your ID.
VA reimburses eligible Veterans for travel costs!
Veterans Transportation Service provides easy and reliable transportation to VA approved health care appointments.
Be seen in your community if VA care is too far or not available.
Emotional, psychological and whole health care is available.
No insurance checks. What your doctor prescribes is what you get.
Vision care for eligible Veterans: contacts and glasses may be prescribed and provided.
Dental care is available for eligible Veterans.
Prescriptions are filled during your appointment or mailed to you. Easy refill options.
Access to 4,000+ urgent care locations nationwide.
Supplement your private health care—use both!
VA Health & Benefits App for easy scheduling and prescriptions!
Three easy ways to get care now:
Sign up at www.VA.gov/health-care/
Call VA toll-free at 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411)
Visit your nearest VA medical center at www.VA.gov/find-locations
Choosing VA means getting everything you need in one spot. Come see why 90% of patients said they trust VA for their health care. Even if you don’t need this care today, you may need it tomorrow, or the next day, or 30 years from now. And once you’re in, you have access for life.
VA Health Care
Full Health Care Coverage
Did you know VA is a one-stop shop? VA provides all types of specialty medical care needed. From Urology to Cardiology. From Physical therapy to same day surgeries. Choosing VA means getting everything you need in one spot without the hassle of driving to multiple locations or the confusion of disconnected health care offices.
Sign up for VA health care at https://www.va.gov/health-care/ or call us at 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411).
Preventative care
Getting annual exams and recommended preventative services such as blood work and check-ups is an important part of staying healthy. Your VA primary care physician will put you on a customized health care plan designed for you! Which preventive services are recommended for you depends on your age, sex, health status and family history.
No forms
When you check-in and out of VA health care appointments, you’ll see that paper forms are a thing of the past. Just show your VA health card and that’s it. You can even check-in with your phone. We’re here to meet Veterans’ health demands while making it the friendliest care you can get.
Travel Pay
Get paid for traveling to your VA appointment! Veterans who qualify get reimbursed for their travel miles to and from VA approved health care appointments.
Mental Health Support
More than 1.7 million Veterans received mental health services at VA last year. Our services range from peer support and groups with other Veterans to counseling, therapy, or a combination. Our goal is to help you take charge of your treatment and live a full and meaningful life. You aren’t alone and we’re here for you if you need us.
Veterans Canteen Service
Veterans Canteen Service offers great deals exclusive to Veterans. These retail stores and cafés across the country give Veterans a chance to relax, have a snack, meal or coffee, or take advantage of discounted and tax-free products in their convenience-style stores. These canteens are located within VA medical centers so you can stop in before or after an appointment. Another great feature of VA health care.
Vision Care
Did you know VA health care includes vision? If you have VA health care benefits, we’ll cover your routine eye exams, prescribe you glasses if needed, and provide preventive vision testing to check for things like glaucoma.
Pharmacy & Prescriptions
VA Pharmacies offer a broad range of services and are committed to delivering Veterans personalized, proactive, patient-driven health care.
Prescriptions, for eligible Veterans, have a range of co-pay levels, from free to $5, $8, or $11 co-pays for 30-days or less of prescriptions depending on your eligibility group.
Supplement Private Insurance
Did you know that you can supplement your VA health care with your own health coverage? If you have other forms of health care coverage (like a private insurance plan), you can use VA health care benefits along with these plans. Learn more about how VA works with other health insurance.
Dental
VA also provides dental services to eligible Veterans at more than 200 dental clinics across the country.
Urgent Care
Have VA health care but don’t need to use the ER? VA offers urgent care services to eligible Veterans at private in‑network urgent care clinics. Use VA’s urgent care benefit to treat minor injuries and illnesses that are not life-threatening, such as colds, strep throat, sprained muscles, and skin and ear infections. With 4,000 to choose from nationwide, there’s probably one around the corner. Just show your Veteran Health ID Card. Easy!
Telehealth
Meet with VA providers virtually from the comfort of your home using your computer or mobile device. In some cases, VA may even provide you with the equipment needed to access telehealth options.
Newsletter Content
Veterans have a choice when it comes to where they get their health care. Because of your service you are likely eligible for VA health care. When you sign up for VA care you join the largest integrated health care system in our nation with access to experts who understand the Veteran population and their service-connected health issues.
What does VA health care do for you?
Veterans have a unique choice when it comes to where they get their health care. Because of your service you are eligible to apply for VA health care. When you sign up for VA care, you join the largest integrated health care system in our nation with access to experts who understand the Veteran population and service-connected health issues.
Nearly 9 million Veterans get their health care at more than 1,200 VA locations across the country. Most Veterans receive cost-free health care services at VA, including regular checkups with their primary care provider and appointments with specialists (like cardiologists, gynecologists, and mental health providers). You can also access Veterans health care services like home health and geriatric (elder) care, and you can get medical equipment, prosthetics and prescriptions.
Last year, VA delivered more than 116 million health care appointments to Veterans, and 90% say they trust VA to deliver their care. You can hear many of their stories and why they choose to get their care at VA.
Each Veteran’s medical benefits package is unique. Yours will include care and services to help:
Treat illnesses and injuries,
Prevent future health problems,
Improve your ability to function,
And enhance your quality of life.
All Veterans receive coverage for most care and services, and some will qualify for added benefits like dental care.
Additionally, women Veterans can receive primary care, breast and cervical cancer screenings, prenatal care, maternity care coverage and other gender-specific services.
Eligible Veterans—and their family members—may visit VA’s many community-based Vet Centers, which provide no-cost counseling, outreach and referral services to help the whole family adjust to life after deployment. Learn more about eligibility for Vet Center Services.
Sign up for VA health care at https://www.va.gov/health-care/ or call us at 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411) with any questions.
Choosing VA means getting everything you need in one spot. Come see why 90% of patients said they trust VA for their health care.
Even if you don’t need this care today, you may need it tomorrow, or the next day, or 30 years from now. And once you’re in, you have access for life.
Navy Physical Evaluation Board Discharge Claims Readjudication
Published: VA| February 14, 2024 Office of Communication
On Sept. 27, 2022, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia determined Veterans of the United States Navy and Marine Corps whose final Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) occurred between Sept. 12, 2016, and June 11, 2018, and who did not receive a medical retirement through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES), may be entitled to another PEB.
Impacted Veterans will have received a “Notice of Right for Physical Evaluation Board Readjudication” from the Department of Navy. This letter included the Veterans’ original PEB findings and a blank Election of Options (EOO), which can be used to request an additional review of their PEB findings.
It is important to note that, if impacted Veterans desire further review of their PEB findings, they must submit the EOO to the Class Action Review Board (CARB)/PEB by e-mail or U.S. mail before Feb. 26, 2024, or within 240 days of receipt of the notice, whichever comes first.
If the CARB/PEB does not receive a request for further review by an impacted Veteran, it will be presumed that they agree with the original findings and will finalize the case.
For those requesting further review, it is strongly encouraged that you state on your EOO the result that you desire and provide additional medical or non-medical evidence to support your position. Desired results may include but are not limited to: (1) having additional medical conditions found unfitting, (2) being placed on the Temporary or Permanent Disability Retired List, and/or (3) having a medical condition be determined combat-related or incurred in a combat zone. Medical evidence to support your position may include, but is not limited to, treatment notes or a statement/letter from a health care provider. Non-medical evidence may include, but is not limited to, statements or letters from family, friends, or fellow service members about a medical condition. Any medical condition, symptom, or diagnosis that you wish to be found unfitting must have existed at the time you were separated from the Naval service.
Inquiries about the CARB or general information about the CARB may be directed to a CARB Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer at peb_peblo_comms.fct@navy.mil or 202-685-6436.
For class members desiring legal advice or counsel regarding the Torres CARB, a Government attorney is available for advice and counsel, free of charge, through the Department of the Navy’s Office of the Judge Advocate General, Disability Evaluation System Counsel Program (DESCP). The DESCP may be reached at DESCP_TorresUnit@us.navy.mil or (202) 875-1198. For additional information and the latest updates about the CARB please visit the CARB website, or https://www.secnav.navy.mil/mra/CORB/Pages/CARB.aspx.
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