VSO Talk Radio

This episodes’ special guest is—Jack Chamberland, Event Coordinator for "A Salute to Soldiers." Jack is deeply involved with an organization that has made a tremendous impact on our veteran community, America’s VetDogs (AVD). We’re excited to hear about his journey and the incredible work being done by AVD. 

On today's episode, we’ll be discussing the critical role that caregivers play in supporting our veterans. We'll explore VA programs available to caregivers and talk about the challenges they face, from mental health struggles to financial pressures.

This week we discussed the Hero Act, signed into Law by Governor Healey on this week.  It is the most comprehensive veterans’ legislation in over 20 years, which includes more than 30 provisions designed to benefit veterans – including VFW-supported legislation that targets the predatory practices of Claim Sharks.

The deadline to file a Camp Lejeune claim is August 10, 2024. This deadline was established by the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, providing families with a 2-year statute of limitations to file their legal claims.  

Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs).  DBQs help collect necessary medical information to process your disability claims. You can use these forms to submit medical evidence from your health care providers. This information helps to support your claims for disability benefits. 

Karen Smietanski, Assistant Superintendent Veterans Assistance Commission of Kankakee County, IL

VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits provide monthly payments added to the amount of a monthly VA pension for qualified Veterans and survivors. If you need help with daily activities, or you’re housebound, find out if you qualify.

We will discuss a couple of topics that came to us from you, our listeners.  The first topic is Individual Unemployability, a program that allows veterans to receive 100% compensation even if their service-connected disabilities are not rated at that level and BDD Claims also known as Pre-Discharge Claims.

The Massachusetts Senate passed the Hero Act and added a few amendments to enhance the house passed bill.   We discuss the content of the bill and the amendments.    This is one of the largest Veterans enhancement bills in decades. 

The VA is including three new cancer types in the list of presumed service-connected disabilities due to military environmental exposure under the PACT Act.  We also discuss the proposed changes coming to the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities,   specifically pertaining to the respiratory, auditory, and mental disorders body systems.  

You could owe the VA money for different reasons. These are 2 of the most common reasons: Copayments. You received care at a VA health facility and you're in a priority group that requires you to pay copayments. Benefit overpayments. The VA paid you, or your school, more than you were eligible to receive for a VA benefit payment. The VA often refer to this type of debt as an overpayment.

VA's Fiduciary Program was established to protect Veterans and other beneficiaries who, due to injury, disease, or due to age, are unable to manage their financial affairs. VA will only determine an individual to be unable to manage his or her financial affairs after receipt of medical documentation or if a court of competent jurisdiction has already made the determination.

This week as we prepare to honor those lost in war in Memorial Day Observances, We talked with Gold Star Mother Tracy Taylor who lost her son Spc Kenneth J. Iwasinski KIA 10.14.2007.  

My HealtheVet is a web-based personal health record that gives Veterans information and tools to improve their health . Registration is required to have full access to all features like, Secure messaging, Prescription refills and tracking, and more.

Did you know….. If you’re an eligible Veteran, you can get urgent care at VA medical centers and in‑network urgent care providers near you. This week on #VSOTR #VSOTalkRadio we discuss VA Urgent Care Coverage and Getting emergency care at non-VA facilities

VASP is a new, last-resort tool in VA’s comprehensive suite of home retention options for eligible Veterans, active-duty Service members, and surviving spouses with VA-guaranteed home loans who are experiencing severe financial hardship.

VA updates Disability Rating Schedule for digestive system

This week we talk all things VA Burial Benefits  ▪️who is eligible  ▪️what is covered ▪️Monetary Benefits eligibility  ▪️Markers, Medallions and more 

David West is the Veterans Services Officer for Nevada County, CA and he served honorably for five years in the United States Marine Corps.   David is familiar with the struggles that veterans face when transitioning from the military service back to civilian life and uses his own life experiences to connect with the veterans.

If you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, Veteran Readiness and Employment (formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) can help. This program—also known as Chapter 31 or VR&E—helps you explore employment options and address education or training needs

If you’re a Veteran who lives overseas, you remain entitled to the benefits and services you earned through your military service. Most VA benefits are payable regardless of your place of residence or nationality.   

March 29 is National Vietnam War Veterans Day, a day meant to pay tribute to veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were prisoners of war or who were listed as missing in action.  We dedicate this show to all our Vietnam Veterans.   

We discussed the recently announced by the VA that all Veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving in the military – at home or abroad – are now eligible to enroll directly in VA health care.  

We talk with Bill Moore,  President and CEO of Project New Hope, Inc. .  Project New Hope was founded on providing wellness resources for Veterans and their Families. Our no cost retreats have been offering safe and supportive places for our Veterans to begin rebuilding with honor.

Veterans who wish to increase their VA disability benefits can take several different approaches, including filing a claim for an increase in benefits, adding additional service-connected conditions, appealing a rating decision, (which we discussed in Part 4) or seeking individual unemployability benefits.