By ROBERT L. HANAFIN, Major, USAF-Retired

We at Veterans Today ask our readers to assist the Pentagon in getting the word out to those who just may qualify for compensation for having been involuntarily STOP LOSSED. Though first informed about how Airmen may benefit, we took the time to look up links for how Army and Marine Corps Veterans can apply. Our understanding is that basically these payments effect only those Veterans kept on active duty beyond their overall service commitment or military retirement. For details read the rest of the story.

ROBERT L. HANAFIN
Major, U.S. Air Force-Retired
GS-14, U.S. Civil Service-Retired

If you're entitled to a VA GI Bill emergency check and you have questions about how to obtain your check, watch this video! Visit https://advancepay.gibill.va.gov/ for further details.

CHAIRMAN BOB FILNER
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

House Passes Historic Bill to Secure Timely Funding for Veterans’ Health Care

Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, October 8, 2009, the House of Representatives approved an amendment to H.R. 1016, a bill to secure timely funding for veterans’ health care delivered through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).  Bob Filner (D-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, announced passage of the bill that would authorize the ‘advance appropriations’ process.  The bill provides Congress greater ability to develop appropriation bills that provide sufficient funding to meet the best estimate of anticipated demand for VA health care services in future years by allowing funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical accounts one year in advance. 

Go to AdvancePay GI Bill site

Information on Emergency Payments for Veterans Awaiting VA Educational Benefits

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has authorized advance payments up to $3,000 for Veterans who applied for VA educational benefits and who have not yet received their monthly education payments.

by Christy Watkins and Mark Woods

Nashville, TN - Sept. 30, 2009)  Nonprofit military organization Operation Troop Aid was surprised with a check for $10,000 after Deadliest Catch cast member Russell Newberry won the Budweiser Celebrity Billiards Shootout on Sept. 25, 2009. 
 
Newberry, a deckhand on the "Time Bandit" and "Wizard" crabbing vessels on Discovery Channel's hit television show, Deadliest Catch, won the $10,000 for Operation Troop Aid.  The veteran pool player entered the tournament through his affiliation with Jamerson Motorsports' marketing efforts.  

Participation in the New Post-9/11 GI Bill Continues to Grow

Over $50 million Already Paid to Schools and Students


WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that it has provided certificates of eligibility to nearly 200,000 applicants for the new Post-9/11 GI Bill.  Over 61,000 payments totaling over $50 million to schools and students have been issued since the August 1, 2009, implementation of the new program.

“Our top priority is providing our students and schools with accurate and timely benefit payments so Veterans can focus all of their energy on studies,” said Under Secretary for Benefits Patrick W. Dunne.

The Senate and House Committees on Veterans Affairs are now considering whether ot not to substantially increase the amount of pensions for disabled veterans very soon here.  The fight from other quarters to keep that amount of money low is aggressive and disciplined.

You need to understand what is happening and be ready to take immediate action. This is going to require you to read the following attached source documents carefully and slowly.  You need to be well armed for the coming fight.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is telling university officials nationwide there will be a six- to eight-week delay in processing payments under the new GI bill, citing a massive backlog of applications.

By Shane Ersland, The Daily Iowan, U. of Iowa

After five years of active duty in the Army and four days into his second year at the University of Iowa, Drew Mangler is unsure how he will pay his rent.

Mangler, like roughly 60 other UI students, applied for financial aid for the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. But, to the veterans' dismay, only three have been processed.

"I worked all summer, so hopefully, that will cover [rent]," he said. "But I'll probably have to get another job."

Veterans groups urge court to force the VA to speed up handling of disability claims and appeals
One judge has said the problem is beyond the court's power to correct, while another has given the two sides until Sept. 1 to mediate the issue.

By Carol J. Williams

Suicides among veterans average 18 a day, by the government's estimation, and a backlog of disability claims for post-traumatic stress disorder and other untreated ailments approaches 1 million.

With a massive military drawdown from Iraq and Afghanistan potentially on the horizon, lawyers for the veterans want a federal appeals court to order the Department of Veterans Affairs to make good on the nation's commitment to take care of those wounded in mind as well as body.

'Our Veterans Deserve Better,' and Lawsuit Shows It 

Written by Rubén Rosario
     
While angry folks with legitimate concerns or hidden agendas were busy shouting at politicians at televised town-hall gatherings this week, a court hearing held on another critical health care debate drew scant attention.

Oral arguments were heard Wednesday before a federal appeals court in California in connection with a 2007 class-action lawsuit filed by two veterans advocacy groups - Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans United for Truth.

Never heard of it?

Veterans Will Now Have Standardized Access to Private, Graduate and Out-of State Schools in California Under Yellow Ribbon Program

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced today a joint solution has been reached between the State of California and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) concerning how tuition and fees are determined. The new definition will allow for standardized application under the new Post 9/11 GI Bill and the accompanying Yellow Ribbon program.

 “The Post-9/11 GI Bill is an important part of fulfilling our promise to the men and women who have served our country so honorably,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said. “This solution will allow all Veterans who want to attend a California school the same benefits as any other Veteran across the nation.”

Colleges and Universities Partner with VA to Improve GI Bill Benefits

WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, President Obama celebrated the beginning of implementation of the Post 9/11 GI Bill. This bill, through its Yellow Ribbon Programs and partnerships with colleges and universities throughout the nation, will provide our service members with the most generous educational benefits package since the original GI Bill of 1944.

Over 3,400 agreements were received from the 1,100 schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon Program, a provision of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, funds tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate.  

George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, 11:20 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello.  Thank you.  Please, have a seat.  Good morning, everybody.

AUDIENCE:  Good morning.

THE PRESIDENT:  It is wonderful to see all of you and wonderful to have one of the best partners that anybody could have in elected office, our Vice President, Joe Biden -- thrilled to have him here.  (Applause.)

I want to thank Staff Sergeant Miller for the gracious introduction.  I want to thank President Merten for his hospitality.  There are a couple of people here who deserve all the credit, because they got a very tough bill done -- and part of the reason they were able to get it done was just because of their extraordinary personal credibility.  These are -- one is new to the Senate and one had been there a while, and yet together they formed an incredibly formidable team.  They're both class acts.  Please give a big round of applause to Virginia's own, John Warner and Jim Webb.  (Applause.)

Some now have HIV, hepatitis after being exposed to infectious body fluids

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - An attorney is preparing to ask the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to pay disability benefits and damages for hospital mistakes that may have exposed veterans to infectious body fluids — a complaint that he said could ultimately multiply into many more such demands.

The attorney, Mike Sheppard of Nashville, said he is preparing to file claims with the VA for about 60 veterans, including three women.

Among them are veterans who have tested positive for HIV and hepatitis and others who suffered emotional distress after the VA provided them with initial positive blood tests for infections that turned out to be wrong.

Sheppard also said other veterans among the roughly 10,000 affected former patients at VA hospitals in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Miami and Augusta, Ga., are likely to seek compensation beyond the VA's offer of free medical care.

by Michael Leon, Staff Writer

One anniversary perhaps more pressing to note is tomorrow's six-month mark of President Obama's administration

Veterans, the activist kind of veterans who fight the war at home for veterans obtaining minimal benefits and medical service, present an anthology of President Obama's meeting the wide array of deep problems.

Veterans are an anthology in that the pressing concerns and life-or-death consequences in the success of reversing how the U.S. Dept of Veterans of Affairs (DVA) conducts its business is about equal to the performance of the Obama administration as a whole.

We are not yet six months into the new administration and most of us reading this column want change now, a reasonable expectation of Obama who campaigned precisely on this promise.

 IS BURNING EVIDENCE ENOUGH?

DOES THE VA BURY THE ASHES?

This morning, an article is running in the New York Times concerning the backlog of disability claims at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs.  The article is here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/13/us/13backlog.html?th&emc=th

CWO3 Tom Barnes, USCG (Ret.)

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES ENHANCEMENT PROJECT CHARTER

1. Project Statement

The Veterans Benefit Enhancement Project is the result of a partnership between the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Washington Department of Veteran’s Affairs (WDVA). Together, the partnership identifies and facilitates claims services to veterans and family members who receive state social and health services.  The project goal is to maximize federal veteran’s benefits for which they may be eligible, thereby reducing reliance on similar services provided by DSHS.

By Pauline Vu

Rolla Riley fought Japanese troops on Iwo Jima during World War II in the same famous battle that saw fellow Marines plant an American flag atop Mount Suribachi.

For many years, the 88-year-old veteran’s only income — Social Security and veteran’s disability benefits — went to pay for nursing home care in Yakima, Wash. The state of Washington’s Medicaid program also picked up the bulk of the tab. 

But now, thanks to a state program that determines if veterans who receive long-term care and other Medicaid benefits actually qualify for certain veteran’s benefits, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pays for Riley’s care. His wife gets more of his money, and the state more of its own.

Quad City Times, CLEVELAND (AP) — John Schupp pulled his car onto a country road lined with half-grown corn. Dark clouds obscured the sun, and he couldn't tell which way pointed east or west. Thunder rumbled in the distance.

He was lost.

But he reminded himself of why he was here — of his self-appointed mission to find the soldiers and bring them back to college. It was his turn now. He pressed down on the gas pedal of his old, gold-colored Honda, remembering a conversation.

Sheena Dooley

Augustana College will begin offering U.S. military veterans a free education this fall.

The school is partnering with the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program to cover the full tuition for any veteran who has served in the military for at least three years since Sept. 10, 2001. They can receive as much as $9,000 a year from Augustana, with a matching contribution from Yellow Ribbon.

Most veterans can receive additional money for room and board, books and other expenses through the GI Bill. Some may also qualify for federal loans with fixed interest rates.

The Yellow Ribbon program is part of the post-9/11 GI Bill approved by Congress in 2008. Originally, the bill provided full tuition for veterans who attended public universities but was eventually expanded to include private schools as well.

For more information on admissions and financial aid, interested veterans can go to www.augustana.edu/admissions.

All students must meet admission requirements, submit an application and complete the financial aid process to qualify.

Joe Codiroli got a check in the mail that he never expected -- and that stimulated an idea for helping wounded military veterans and the families of those who had been killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.

Codiroli, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel in Chesterfield County, was surprised to receive a letter more than a month ago from the federal government informing him that he would receive a $250 payment through the stimulus package adopted by Congress in February. The one-time payment goes to veterans who receive disability or other benefits.

Military Veterans and Active Military Personnel Honored with Apartment Rent Discount Program

Empirian Property Management to offer a 30% rent discount for military veterans and active military personnel.

Montvale, NJ -- Empirian Property Management is proud to offer a rent discount program for military personnel called the Service Appreciation Program. The Service Appreciation Program, which grants up to a 30% discount on monthly rent, is available in over 350 apartment communities across 17 states (For a complete list, visit www.empirianprogram.com) to any military veteran or active member of the military.

“With the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, it’s a honor to be able to show our appreciation for the fine men and women who bravely serve our country,” says Eli Feller, Assistant VP of Acquisitions, “in these challenging financial times, we are grateful to have the opportunity to assist in reducing their largest expense – rent.”

Jacksonville Business Journal-Jacksonville will get nearly $300,000 in grants from the U.S. Department of Labor to provide job training for veterans.

The grants are part of $25 million Labor is awarding under its Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.

The grant to Jacksonville of $298,997 will provide a third year of funding. It is one of four such grants to Florida totaling more than $1 million.

“This funding will help veterans across the country access the resources they need to find good jobs and build a bright future for themselves and their families,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis.

Homeless vets may get occupational, classroom and

KFDA-Amarillo, Texas - Over $400,000 dollars in federal stimulus money is going towards renovations at Amarillo's Thomas E Creek veterans home.

The money will be spent to renovate a 2,367 square foot Community Living Center at the VA Medical Center.  The new facility will allow additional administrative space as well as a patient and family room for families members of veterans.

VA officials say this money will help improve the care provided to our veterans.

Posted by: Jill Jensen

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – There are 1,800 homeless veterans on the streets of the greater metro area on any given day according to the non-profit Heart of America Stand Down Foundation. Tuesday, U.S. Senator Kit Bond today announced that Missouri is receiving federal funds from the Departments of Labor and Housing and Urban Development to help homeless veterans, but none is headed to Kansas City this time around.

“Our nation’s veterans are owed more than a blanket and a hot meal,” said Bond. “As our nation celebrates Independence Day these

By Lake County News Editor-SACRAMENTO – State Sen. Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa) is requesting that some of the funds saved through recent Senate cost-cutting measures be diverted to offset proposed fee increases for veteran residents of California’s veterans homes.

In light of the current state budget crisis, lawmakers are considering legislation to raise the fees veterans pay toward the cost of their care at the homes, enough to relieve the state’s general fund of a $2,750,000 obligation.