On February 8, 2012, AL Amyloidosis (Primary Amyloidosis) was put into the Federal Registry (with effective date of March 9, 2012) as presumptive to herbicide exposure. The rating for this condition will be 100% upon award. Any veteran with this disease who served in-country Vietnam, or on or near the Korean DMZ between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971, or on or near military bases in Thailand during the Vietnam Conflict should consider filing a claim. Veterans who served on ships or planes in the waterways or harbors of Vietnam may also be entitled to benefits if they have…
Concussion injuries include mild traumatic brain injuries and concussive injuries that did not result in a loss of consciousness. The Army’s recent guidance includes medically approved signs, symptoms and treatment and is designed to help veterans understand the specific requirements for consideration and reconsideration of qualifying concussion injuries. The Army encourages veterans who were previously denied the Purple Heart for concussion injuries to resubmit documentation for reconsideration. Veteran inquiries should be routed to Commander, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Attention: Awards and Decorations Branch, 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Fort Knox, KY 40122-5400. This policy is retroactive to September 11, 2001.
U.S. Treasury regulation (31 CFR Part 208) requires that on or after May 1, 2011, all recipients applying for or receiving benefits from a Federal agency by paper check, must be informed by the agency that they are required to receive their payments electronically. Their choices are either via electronic funds transfer or Direct Express ® Debit MasterCard® issued by Comerica Bank. If the claimant does not provide VA with their banking information to allow their federal benefits to be sent directly to their bank, they will receive their initial VA benefit in the form of a paper check, for…
Compensation Service expanded and updated the Intranet ships list website: http://vba.vba.va.gov/bl/21/rating/docs/shiplist.doc located at the Vietnam Era Navy Ship Agent Orange Exposure Development Site under “Rating Job Aids”. (Remember, you have to be inside VA’s firewall to access this website.) The website now includes additional ships based on evidence documenting inland waterway travel, shore/pier docking, or close coastal offshore operations with small boats and/or crew members going ashore. This website serves as a development tool for claims from veterans who served aboard ships operating on the offshore “blue water” of Vietnam. Development procedures are explained in Training Letter (TL) 10-06, Adjudicating…
In a recent New York Times article highlighted the failure of our government to adequately attend to the medical problems of our soldiers who suffered war injuries, physical and mental. This has resulted in thousands of suicides among the returning soldiers. The Times reported that the Department of Veterans Affairs informed the parents of William Hamilton, an Iraq war veteran, that it was not responsible for his death. Mr. Hamilton had been admitted nine times to a V.A. psychiatric ward in Palo Alto. He saw demon women and talked to a man he had killed in Iraq. His parents allege…
The greatest fears of seniors are one, running out of money, and two, ending up in a nursing home. Consequently, they lose their personal independence. Also, the loss of their hard earned savings. The average cost of nursing home care in Maryland is approximately $100,000 to $150,000 per year, dependent on your location, within the state. Unfortunately, most seniors pay for nursing home care utilizing their savings until it’s depleted. Subsequently, they qualify for Medicaid. Therefore, Medicaid will pay the cost of the nursing home, less all the senior’s income. With asset planning, whether in advance or in response to…
We help people navigate thru the Medicaid maze, provide legal and financial solutions, and help you alleviate your frustrations and time involvement. For the FREE GUIDE, to protect yourself, your family, and insure your Quality of Life click on “The Planning Ahead Alzheimer’s Guide” “Caring For Someone With Alzheimer’s Disease” 1. Do you reside in Maryland? Yes No 2. Do you worry about long term care or nursing home costs? Yes No 3. Are you confused about Medicaid or VA benefits? Yes No 4. Is being discharged from the hospital and returning…
Senior Life Care Planning’s Elder Care Coordinators are specialists who help family members find the right sources and services for their aging parents. Additionally, they provide care coordination and advocacy, be it home care, assisted living or nursing home facilities. We help family member’s cope with their burden. Let’s look at a hypothetical example to see how valuable Senior Life Care Planning’s care coordinators can be. Wife is providing extensive care for her housebound husband. Wife has difficulty getting her husband out of bed, bathed and dressed. Additionally, Wife relies on her son who lives nearby to help her manage…
For veterans and the veteran’s surviving spouses who want in-home care or are in an assisted residing facility, help is available. The Veterans Administration has an underused pension called Aid and Attendance. This benefit gives money to those that require help performing regular basis tasks, bathing, feeding, dressing, or going to the bathroom, bedridden, blind, or residing in an assisted living facility or nursing home. However, you have to further qualify for this benefit. Aid and Attendance is available to veterans who served not less than 90 days, with at least one day during World War II, Korea, Vietnam or…
Veterans of the U.S. armed forces who have sustained service-related injuries in the line of duty are eligible to receive disability benefits, which can range from $120 to $3,100 each month. Filing your application for disability benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs quickly is very important, as the process can take months to complete. If your benefits application is denied and you still need help, be aware that you can file an appeal. Contact your local Veterans Affairs office and ask them to send you VA Form 21-526, entitled "Veterans' Application for Compensation and/or Pension." You can locate a…
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