VA BENEFITS FOR FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR! DAN MEYER'S COLUMN, IEF/OIF Programs,

VA BENEFITS FOR FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR! DAN MEYER'S COLUMN

By: Dan Meyer
The office hours for the Lac qui Parle County Veterans Service Office are 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. My office phone number is (320) 598-3445.

VA Benefits for Former Prisoners of War. Former Prisoners of War (POW) are defined as persons who were forcibly detained by an enemy government or hostile force while serving on active duty during a period of war or a comparable situation, and because of their unique circumstances this veteran population is entitled to additional VA services and benefits.

The physical and emotional hardships endured by POWs have life-long effects on their physical, mental and emotional health. Laws that govern POW benefits recognize that military medical records do not cover period of captivity. For many diseases, unless there is evidence of some other cause, VA disability compensation can be paid on the basis of a presumption that a disease present today is associated with the veteran’s captivity or internment.

For POWs detained for 30 days or more, such eligibility covers any of the following illnesses that are found at a compensable level (at least 10 percent disabling): avitaminosis; beriberi; chronic dysentery; cirrhosis of the liver; helminthiasis; irritable bowel syndrome and malnutrition, including associated optic atrophy. Also covered are: pellagra and any other nutritional deficiency; peptic ulcer disease; and peripheral neuropathy, except where directly related to infectious causes.

Several categories of diseases are presumptively associated with captivity without any 30-day limit: psychosis; any anxiety state; dysthymic disorders; cold injury; post-traumatic arthritis; strokes and common heart diseases.

The rate of VA monthly compensation, according to the degree of disability, ranges from $117 to $2,527 per month. Veterans rated as 30 percent or more disabled qualify for additional benefits based upon the number of dependents. Dependent of those rated 100 percent disabled may qualify for educational assistance.

Former POWs receive priority for VA health-care enrollment, even if their illness is not service related. They are also exempt from making means test co-payments for inpatient or outpatient medical care and medications, but do have the same co-payment rules as other veterans for extended care. They can also receive dental care without any length-of-internment requirement.

POW coordinators are assigned to every VA regional office and are able to answer any questions. Regional offices can be reached at 1(800) 827-1000. Medical eligibility questions can be directed to 1(877) 222-8387. Additional information for former POWs is available form the VA’s website at www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/POW/.

In the "Did You Know?" segment. Last week I asked, "Who signed Major Clark Gable's army discharge papers in 1944?" The answer is: President-to-be Ronald Reagan, then a captain. What was the only U.S. battleship to be present at both the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and at the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944? The answer can be found in next week's article.

Until next week, take care and "Fair winds and following seas."



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November 6, 2008 OEF/OIF Programs Update
A VETERAN, A TRIBUTE, DAN MEYER'S COLUMN OEF/OIF Programs Update

By: Dan Meyer
The office hours for the Lac qui Parle County Veterans Service Office are 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. My office phone number is (320) 598-3445.

What is a veteran? A veteran is someone who, at one point in his or her life wrote a blank check Made Payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including their life." That is HONOR! Next time you meet a veteran walking down our city streets, eating lunch at a local restaurant, or in a store shopping, please greet him or her, with a simple "hello," shake their hand, maybe even rendering a friendly node, and tell them "thanks." Believe me, it will make them feel like a million bucks!

OEF/OIF Programs Update - Post Deployment Transition Centers now open. Post Deployment or Seamless Transition Clinics for OEF/OIF veterans are up and running in each of the four medical centers, Minneapolis, Fargo, St. Cloud and Sioux Falls. These clinics were developed to provide easy access for the OEF/OIF population into Veterans Affairs (VA) care.

At the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) the clinic started in April with plans for implementation with a fully dedicated staff and services by October. Plans are for the clinic to be in a new location that will have primary care, mental health, physical therapy, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other specialty staff present or available in the clinic. Our OEF/OIF case managers will also be an integral part of the clinic. An initial comprehensive evaluation will be performed with the veteran when they first come to the clinic to partner with the veteran/family to determine their most important needs and establish a plan of care. Veterans will be followed in this clinic by a dedicated team of providers until it is deemed that they are stable and their issues have been addressed.

After six to 18 months in this clinic they will eventually be transferred to primary care or specialty clinics for follow-up. For a veteran to be seen in Post Deployment Clinic, please call the Primary Care Call Center number at 612-467-1100 and request to be scheduled in a Post Deployment clinic.

At Fargo their clinic is also called the Post Deployment clinic. Providers at the clinic include a doctor, nurse, social worker and psychologist. As in Minneapolis, veterans are connected for different periods of time, depending upon the need. To access the clinic veterans can call the OEF/OIF Program 701-239-3787 or call 701-239-3700, extension 3538 and request a Post Deployment clinic appointment.

Sioux Falls is calling their clinic the OEF/OIF Transition clinic. Their Transition Clinic has a physician’s assistant and a mental health social worker. The OEF/OIF case managers are also involved in the clinic, doing assessments on each veteran. In Sioux Falls every newly enrolled OEF/OIF veteran is being called and offered an appointment in the Transition Clinic.

The St. Cloud clinic is also called OEF/OIF Transition clinic. Their clinic is staffed with mental health and primary care providers. Primary care social workers also staff the clinic and do an assessment on each veteran. Newly enrolled veterans are called to offer an appointment in the Transition Clinic.

In the "Did You Know?" segment. Last week I asked, "What was the only U.S. battleship to be present at both the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and at the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944?" The answer is: The U.S.S. Nevada.

Until next week, take care and "Fair winds and following seas."


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November 17, 2008 - Veteran Pensions -
By: Dan Meyer
The office hours for the Lac qui Parle County Veterans Service Office are 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. My office phone number is (320) 598-3445.

Flash News! Homeless veterans in 35 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico will get more assistance, thanks to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) grants providing $36.7 million to community groups to create 1,526 beds for homeless veterans this year. VA identified public and community non-profit groups eligible to receive payments for housing and supportive services to homeless veterans, including 49 grants for vans that will transport homeless veterans to health care and training programs. Information about VA's homeless programs is available on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Homeless Veterans webpage.

What is VA Pension for veterans? Pension is a benefit paid to wartime veterans with limited income, and who are permanently and totally disabled or age 65 or older.

Who is eligible? Generally, you may be eligible if: (1) you were discharged from service under conditions other than dishonorable, and (2) you served 90 days or more of active duty with at least 1 day during a period of war time*, and (3) your countable family income is below a yearly limit set by law, and (4) you are permanently and totally disabled (not due to your own willful misconduct) or you are age 65 or older.

*Note: Anyone who enlists after September 7, 1980, generally must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which called or ordered to active duty. Service from August 2, 1990 to present is considered to be a period of war (Gulf War) in addition to other periods of war such as World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

How much does VA pay? VA pays you the difference between your countable family income and the yearly income limit (situational income charts are available at my office). The difference is generally paid in 12 equal monthly payments rounded down to the nearest dollar.

If I am already receiving monthly payments or a service-connected disability can I also get VA pension? No, you cannot receive a VA non-service connected pension and service-connected compensation at the same time, however, if you qualify for a pension and are awarded payments, VA will pay you whichever benefit is the greater amount.

How do I apply for veterans non-service connected pension? You can apply by filling out VA Form 21-526, Veteran's Application for Compensation and/or Pension. If available, attach copies of dependency records (marriage & children's birth certificates) and current medical evidence (doctor and hospital reports). You can also apply online through the following VA website at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp. For more information, call toll-free 1-800-827-1000, or visit the web site at www.va.gov.

Remember, to contact your county veterans service officer for information concerning the application process, countable income for veterans pension eligibility, net worth requirements, exclusions to income or deductions to reduce countable income, how VA calculates your pension, and questions concerning Aid and Attendance, and Housebound benefits.

In the "Did You Know?" segment. What was the first war the U. S. took part in that was partially financed with lottery dollars? The answer next can be found in next week's article.

Until next week, take care and "Fair winds and following seas."