The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019
Circulars
Circulars: Calendar Year 2019
Updated Guidance for Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act
of 2019
Women veterans measure at center of congressional
controversy advances
The agency that recovers and IDs remains of missing
troops needs more money, partner organizations say
Azellia White, Trailblazer for African American Women in
Aviation, Dies at 106
Wilkie Praises HVAC Leaders’ End-of-Year Suicide
Prevention Goal
Veterans with Gulf War Illness exhibit distinct
respiratory patterns during maximal cardiopulmonary exercise
Montgomery County Man Indicted for Faking a Military
Career and Stealing from the Government: The defendant faked a record as a
decorated Navy SEAL to collect numerous forms of compensation
Acting Secretary of the Army announces proposed changes
to eligibility criteria for burial at Arlington National Cemetery
VA, DoD go LIVE on expanded commissary, exchange and MWR
access
Remember the 27
Remember The 27 Crusaders
To those that don't care about Stolen Valor, what makes
you not care?
VA donation drive collects items for Veterans and
families
#VeteranOfTheDay Navy Veteran Everette R. Johnson
Even if All Goes Right with Overhaul, Veterans Still Face
a Health Records Mess
Last WWII Coast Guard POW Laid to Rest
Community Healing
Ceremony: - Dec. 2, 2019, 4:30-6 p.m.
- Heroes' Chapel, Corporal Michael J. Crescenenz VA
Medical Center, 3900 Woodland Ave., Philadelphia, PA (Philadelphia County)
- The Community Healing Ceremony is a service of reconciliation
for veterans and non-veterans led by VA chaplains, community clergy, and
veterans. The ceremony provides a space to celebrate veterans' moral
sensitivity and moral seriousness, share the truth of their military
experience, and initiate them in a process of transformation.
WILLIAM CURTIS DOTY obituary
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/philly/obituary.aspx?n=william-curtis-doty&pid=194562641&fhid=4589
VA Offers Tips on Coping with PTSD During Holiday Season
Your Holiday Gift to Veterans this Year: Leave Your Fake
Service Dog at Home
Caregivers of Wounded Veterans Need Support, Now More
than Ever
Instead of having homeless veteran's car towed, deputies
help get it repaired for free
Online Health Library Available for Veterans: Veterans
Source for Health Information
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection of the El Paso VA
Health Care System Texas
Alleged Wrongful Death and Deficiencies in Documentation
of a Patient's Do Not Attempt Resuscitation Status at the Baltimore VA Medical
Center Maryland
Veterans need VHIC for in-person Commissary, Military
Exchange, MWR access: Expansion to start Jan. 1, 2020
National Resource Directory includes 14,000 resources for
Veterans, families: NRD staff vets and verifies all resources listed
VA, DoD go LIVE on expanded commissary, exchange and MWR
access
#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Edgar L. Van Nuis
Search Accredited Attorneys, Claims Agents, or Veterans
Service Organizations (VSO) Representatives
The full Procopio decision can be read here:
The entire Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019
can be read here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/299/text
If you have not previously filed a disability claim for a
disease VA now recognizes as associated with Agent Orange, you should file a
claim for these benefits using VA Form 21-526EZ available here: https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-526EZ-ARE.pdf
If you previously filed a disability claim for a disease
VA now recognizes as associated with Agent Orange and the VA finally denied
that claim, you should file a supplemental claim for disability compensation
for that disease using VA Form 20-0995 and on that form, you should check the
box for “compensation” in block 12, and write the following language in box
13A: “I am entitled to disability benefits for [put in name of your Agent
Orange related disease] under the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019
and Procopio.” In block 13B of that
form, you should write the date of the VA decision that denied you benefits for
that disease. If you don’t know the
date, we suggest that you write the following language in block 13B: “See my
claims file for date of denial of my claim for [put in name of your Agent
Orange related disease].” VA Form
20-0995 is available here: https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-20-0995-ARE.pdf
You can find a veterans service organization that will
assist you for free at https://www.benefits.va.gov/vso/varo.asp
The Last Full Measure
VFW Action Corps Weekly November 27, 2019
SULLIVAN-MANCHIN BILL TO ADDRESS VETERANS’ BURN PIT
EXPOSURE
Isakson, Tester Applaud Senate Confirmation of Nominee
for Veterans’ Employment Agency
State Veteran Benefit Finder
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the
following s service member who have been MIA.
Returning home for burial with full military honors is Army Air Forces
Tech. Sgt. Charles G. Ruble, 20, of Parker City, Indiana, was a member of the
99th Troup Carrier Squadron, 441st Troup Carrier Group, serving as an aerial
engineer aboard a C-47A aircraft. On Sept. 17, 1944, his aircraft was carrying
a crew of five and transporting 10 paratroopers, approaching a drop-zone near
Groesbeek, Netherlands. The plane was seen taking direct anti-aircraft fire to
the wing. The paratroopers successfully exited the plane; however, only three
crewmembers survived. The remaining two, including Ruble, could not be
accounted for. Ruble will be buried March 2, 2020, at Arlington National
Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Read about Ruble:
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the
following s service member who have been MIA.
Returning home for burial with full military honors is Navy Fire
Controlman 3rd Class Adolph J. Loebach, 22, of Peru, Illinois, was stationed
aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when
the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma
was hit multiple times which caused it to capsize quickly and caused the deaths
of 429 crewmen, including Loebach. Loebach will be buried Dec. 19, 2019, in
LaSalle, Illinois. Read about Loebach:
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the following
s service member who have been MIA.
Returning home for burial with full military honors is Army Cpl. Gerald
N. Wilson, 19, of Camden, Missouri, was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion,
5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was last seen July 25, 1950,
while participating in the defense of Yongdong, South Korea. His remains could
not be recovered. Wilson will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in
Arlington, Virginia. The date has yet to be determined. Read about Wilson:
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the
following s service member who have been MIA.
Returning home for burial with full military honors is Army Pvt. William
D. Hedtke, 28, of Iola, Wisconsin, was assigned to Battery B, 319th Glider
Artillery Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division. Army officials reported he died of
injuries sustained in a hard glider landing near Groesbeek, Netherlands, during
Operation Market Garden on Sept. 18, 1944. His remains were not recovered after
the war. Hedtke will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington,
Virginia. The date has yet to be determined. Read about Hedtke:
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the
following s service member who have been MIA.
Returning home for burial with full military honors is Navy Fireman
First Class Bethel E. Walters, 25, of Bellevue, Texas, was killed during World
War II. On Dec. 7, 1941, Walters was assigned to the battleship USS West
Virginia, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was
attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS West Virginia sustained multiple torpedo
hits, but timely counter-flooding measures taken by the crew prevented it from
capsizing, and it came to rest on the shallow harbor floor. The attack resulted
in the deaths of 106 crewmen, including Walters. The funeral date and location
have yet to be decided. Read about Walters:
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the
following s service member who have been MIA.
Returning home for burial with full military honors is Navy Fireman 1st
Class Lawrence E. Woods, 28, of Greenwood, Texas, was assigned to the
battleship USS Oklahoma, which capsized after sustaining multiple torpedo hits
as it was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941. The
attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Woods. The
funeral date and location have yet to be decided. Read about Woods:
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the
following s service member who have been MIA.
Returning home for burial with full military honors is Navy Fireman 1st
Class Rex E. Wise, 21, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which
capsized after sustaining multiple torpedo hits as it was moored off Ford
Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941. The attack on the ship
resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Nielsen. Interment services
are pending. Read about Wise:
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection of the Corporal
Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
A Navy and Marine veteran class-action suit could help
vets with 'bad paper' discharges
Veterans with PTSD and TBIs could get help if they were
less-than-honorably discharged.
This class-action lawsuit could help thousands of
veterans diagnosed with PTSD
Class-action suit could remedy ‘bad paper’ discharges for
veterans with PTSD
Disabled Veterans Can Now Fly Space-A
Veteran & Survivor Pension Rates Increase For 2020
If you think you were exposed to toxins during your
service, there's an app for that
Pennsylvania man accused of stolen valor by falsely
claiming to have been Navy SEAL, POW, Silver Star recipient
Loophole allows some colleges to take advantage of
veterans; Carper hopes to close it
Department of State Asks Veterans to Complete Survey on
Transition to Civilian Employment
Supporting Our Heroes During the Holiday Season
A York soldier's mission to save others started when his
friend took his own life
Delaware County honors six special veterans at sixth
annual Freedom Medal Dinner
Compensated Work Therapy helps Veteran land dream job: VA
program takes Veteran from flat on his back to back on his feet
Southeastern Veterans’ Center Holding Weekly Tours For
The Public
Borne The Battle #173: Dan Duitsman – Marine Veteran,
Camp Valor Outdoors
VetResources Facebook Live shares resources for Veterans,
families, caregivers and survivors: Vet Tix, LinkedIn, SVA, TAPS, Red Cross
MVCN, Team RWB share resources
#VeteranOfTheDay Air Force Veteran Mary Lee Burdell
Chalifour
https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/68785/veteranoftheday-air-force-veteran-mary-lee-burdell-chalifour/
VA program helps service members transition to civilian
life: Expiration Term of Service Sponsorship Program shows promising results
https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/68723/va-program-helps-service-members-transition-to-civilian-life/
Why I am Thankful: career Air Force Veteran’s
reflections: “I have the privilege of meeting America’s heroes every day”
VA New England extends a Salute to Service
Richard DeLeon: Return from the Edge
#VeteranOfTheDay Marine Veteran Joseph Vittori
Learn about posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from
Veterans, clinicians, and family members.
PTSD: National Center for PTSD
Would You Know If You Had PTSD? - PTSD Monthly Update,
November 2019
New Sponsor for Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act
In the wake of Rep. Walter B. Jones (S.C.) passing, Rep. John Garamendi (Calif.) has become lead sponsor of FRA-supported Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act (H.R.463). This bill would authorize the retention of the full final month's retired pay by the surviving spouse (or other designated survivor) for the month in which the member was alive for at least 24 hours.
Surviving spouses who are unaware that the Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) should be immediately notified about the death of the military retiree, are surprised to learn of this requirement. Those who had joint bank accounts, which retirement payments were made electronically, gave little if any thought that DFAS could swoop down and recoup any overpayments of retirement pay from such accounts. This action could easily clear the account of any remaining funds whether they were retirement payments or money from other sources. All these proposals go to the Senate for further consideration.
FRA Members are strongly urged to go to the FRA Action Center to weigh in on this issue.
In the wake of Rep. Walter B. Jones (S.C.) passing, Rep. John Garamendi (Calif.) has become lead sponsor of FRA-supported Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act (H.R.463). This bill would authorize the retention of the full final month's retired pay by the surviving spouse (or other designated survivor) for the month in which the member was alive for at least 24 hours.
Surviving spouses who are unaware that the Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) should be immediately notified about the death of the military retiree, are surprised to learn of this requirement. Those who had joint bank accounts, which retirement payments were made electronically, gave little if any thought that DFAS could swoop down and recoup any overpayments of retirement pay from such accounts. This action could easily clear the account of any remaining funds whether they were retirement payments or money from other sources. All these proposals go to the Senate for further consideration.
FRA Members are strongly urged to go to the FRA Action Center to weigh in on this issue.
The Debra Sampson Act Passes the House
The House approved (399-14) the FRA-supported Deborah Sampson Act (H.R.3224), sponsored by Rep. Julia Brownley (Calif.), which will address inequities and barriers that female veterans face when accessing VA care and benefits. The bill is named after a Revolutionary War veteran, Deborah Sampson Gannett, who served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and who was awarded a full military pension for her service.
"Currently, women veterans comprise the fastest growing demographic within the veteran community, yet their invaluable service is often overlooked and forgotten, leading these women to feel invisible. The Deborah Sampson Act recognizes and honors women veterans by ensuring inclusivity and equitable access to resources, benefits, and services," said Rep. Brownley.
"This bill is a result of several roundtables, site visits, and meetings with women veterans across the country to identify issues and barriers they face, and will address many of the inequities and barriers that the Women Veterans Task Force has identified," Rep. Brownley said "The Deborah Sampson Act will build on the work that Congress has done since our nation's founding to recognize women in the military. Our women veterans deserve nothing less." The House also passed eight other veterans bills unanimously that pertain to increase in VA remote health care services, expand GI bill eligibility, and increase oversight of certain VA construction projects.
This issue is listed on the FRA Action Center so FRA members can weigh in on this important legislation.
The House approved (399-14) the FRA-supported Deborah Sampson Act (H.R.3224), sponsored by Rep. Julia Brownley (Calif.), which will address inequities and barriers that female veterans face when accessing VA care and benefits. The bill is named after a Revolutionary War veteran, Deborah Sampson Gannett, who served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and who was awarded a full military pension for her service.
"Currently, women veterans comprise the fastest growing demographic within the veteran community, yet their invaluable service is often overlooked and forgotten, leading these women to feel invisible. The Deborah Sampson Act recognizes and honors women veterans by ensuring inclusivity and equitable access to resources, benefits, and services," said Rep. Brownley.
"This bill is a result of several roundtables, site visits, and meetings with women veterans across the country to identify issues and barriers they face, and will address many of the inequities and barriers that the Women Veterans Task Force has identified," Rep. Brownley said "The Deborah Sampson Act will build on the work that Congress has done since our nation's founding to recognize women in the military. Our women veterans deserve nothing less." The House also passed eight other veterans bills unanimously that pertain to increase in VA remote health care services, expand GI bill eligibility, and increase oversight of certain VA construction projects.
This issue is listed on the FRA Action Center so FRA members can weigh in on this important legislation.
Army Veteran uses VR&E to attend NASA Scholars Program
VA Photos of the Week: November 29, 2019
#VeteranOfTheDay Navy Veteran Jonny Kim
VA helping to end the HIV epidemic, community by
community: Map shows communities highly affected by the HIV epidemic
Veteran, Vet Center outreach specialist gets new home
Explore a career transforming Veterans healthcare at
AMSUS 2019: Discover a VA career in healthcare at the 2019 AMSUS Annual Meeting
in National Harbor, Maryland
#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Orville Joseph Jackson
America’s Legion: The soldiers and veterans on the front
lines of risky psychopharmaceutical treatment
Navy Veteran Thankful for a Family He Never Knew He Had
VA MISSION Act: Answers to questions about VA’s urgent
care benefit
#VeteranOfTheDay Navy Veteran Jason Finan
RAO Bulletin Update 01 December 2019
The Latest Backlog at the VA: Whistleblower Complaints
VHA Did Not Effectively Manage Appeals of Non-VA Care
Claims
VA insists it’s ready for initial EHR deployment at first
go-live site in March
VA Cuts Support to Employee Unions Following Executive
Order
VA announces plans to study military toxic exposures,
connections to veteran illnesses
VA uses innovative means to help reduce diabetic limb
loss
Records Management Center Disclosed Third-Party
Personally Identifiable Information to Privacy Act
Requesters
VA Released Millions of People's Personal Data Despite
Known Risks
House committee advances bill to let VA recommend
marijuana to vets, end weed prohibition: It was the first-ever vote in Congress
to remove marijuana from the federal controlled substances list.
Former Bedford VA Nursing Assistant Sentenced for Making
False Statements: Defendant lied about conducting hourly bed checks of VA
patient who died
Push to limit for-profit college’s access to GI Bill
benefits gets new boost
After Forever GI Bill failures last year led some
veterans to be evicted, VA says it's ready to re-launch
Former VA Secretary Shulkin sounds off! From Congress to
Cannabis
Thousands of student veterans will get less money as part
of Forever GI Bill change
Debt-relief initiative for disabled veterans can resume
after being placed on hiatus shortly after rollout
Here’s how veterans stack up financially, compared to
their non-veteran peers
These States Will Be the Most Popular for Veterans in the
Next 25 Years
Three-digit code could connect veterans at risk of
suicide to life-saving resources
Requests for replacement medals, decorations, and awards
should be made to the veteran’s respective branch of service, with the
exception of Army and Air Force (including Army Air Corps) veterans; requests should
be sent to National Personnel Records Center
(NPRC)
You can request replacement military medals, decorations
and awards via form SF 180, Request Pertaining To Military Records. This form
can be downloaded from
Military Records – How to Replace Lost Military Records
or Perform Historical Research
How To Get A Copy of Your DD Form 214 – The Most
Important Military Document You Will Ever Receive
14 Jobs That Are a Good Fit for Veterans: Military
experience can translate to a number of rewarding civilian careers.
House OKs year-long fellowship program for Gold Star
families
State Veteran Benefit Finder
Bill is introduced to build DC monument for Medal of
Honor recipients
Legislation by Congressman Ruiz Would Give All Disabled
Veterans Lifetime Passes to National Parks
Lawmakers want to require Tricare to cover 3D mammograms
Senate bill could make it easier for troops exposed to
burn pits to claim disabilities
Bill would improve services for veterans who face
violence
Senator Ernst targets veteran 'pension poachers' in new
bill
Congressman Riggleman Introduces Bill to Honor Veteran
Families, Bring Attention to Veteran Suicide
The list of military sites with suspected ‘forever
chemicals’ contamination has grown
Department of Defense Expanding Access to Military
Commissaries, Exchanges and Recreation Facilities
Captain John C. Ensch. USS Midway former aviator and
Hanoi Hilton survivor tells his story at https://youtu.be/bZyP5UXrSpY
‘You will never, ever be forgotten’: Trump’s promise to
US veterans that has been fulfilled
About TheBL
Christmas During the Battle of the Bulge
A new Vietnam War film tells a story of battlefield
heroism, and the desperate fight to see it recognized
Design Approved for Gulf War Memorial on National Mall
Financial Controls and Payments Related to VA-Affiliated
Nonprofit Corporations: Boston VA
Research Institute
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection of the VA Greater Los
Angeles Healthcare System California
Feds Hire Vets: Veteran employment resources
#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Howard Metcalf
This Is the 2020 Veteran Disability Pay Raise
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection of the Sioux Falls VA
Health Care System South Dakota
Gaining insight into Parkinson’s disease: Cleveland-based
research aims to improve walking
Seven confidence boosters for Veterans transitioning to a
civilian career: Connecting with VA resources and caring for yourself can boost
your confidence
Veterans to see virtual hearings at Board of Veterans
Appeals in early 2020
#VeteranOfTheDay Marine Veteran Liam Flynn
The USPS 'Healing PTSD' Stamp Will Raise Money for
Veterans
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