Veterans
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“Innovations that will speed, simplify or improve our services to veterans are receiving rigorous tests at VA,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We are committed to harnessing the best technology and the brightest minds in the government and private sector to ensure veterans receive the benefits they have earned.”
One innovation is using a private contractor to assist VA in collecting health care records.
When private medical records support a veteran's application for benefits, a contractor will quickly retrieve the records from the health care provider, scan them into a digital format and send the material to VA through a secure transmission.
This pilot project hopes to validate initial estimates that a specialized contract can yield records required to process veterans' disability compensation claims in seven to 10 days instead of VA's average 40 days.
In addition, the additional contract frees VA staff to focus on core duties to process claims more quickly.
Exploring economical contract support for time savings is one of more than three dozen initiatives supporting VA's claims transformation plan, which aims to ensure that by 2015, veterans' claims are decided within 125 days.
VA officials emphasize that in all cases veterans must sign documents approving the release of their medical records to the department from private health care providers.
The test is expected to involve about 60,000 records requests among regional benefits offices in Phoenix; New York City; St. Louis; Portland, Ore.; Chicago; Anchorage, Alaska; Indianapolis; and Jackson, Miss.
At the conclusion of the test, VA officials will decide whether to cancel, modify or expand any changes in procedures nationwide.
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The potluck will be held at 6 p.m., with the meeting to start at 7 p.m.
The group will meet at its usual location, Saint Mary Immaculate Parish Hall, 801 N. Main St., Lakeport.
Veterans of Vietnam and all eras, their families and friends, and members of the general public are cordially welcome to attend.
Visit VVA Chapter 951's Web site at www.vva951.org .
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WASHINGTON, DC – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is piloting new, personalized Veterans Health Benefits Handbooks.
The handbooks are tailored to provide enrolled veterans with the most relevant health benefits information based on their own specific eligibility. In essence, each handbook will be written for the
individual veteran.
“These handbooks will give veterans everything they need to know and leave out everything that doesn't apply to them,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “Our veterans will now have a comprehensive, easy to understand road map to the medical benefits they earned with their service.”
In addition to highlighting each veteran's specific health benefits, the handbook also provides contact information for the veteran's preferred local facility, ways to schedule personal appointments, guidelines for communicating treatment needs and an explanation of the veteran's responsibilities, such as co-payments when applicable.
“Enhancing access isn't just about expanding the kinds of services VA provides. It also includes making sure we do everything we can to ensure veterans have a clear understanding of the benefits available to them so they can make full use of the services they have earned,” Shinseki said.
The new handbooks will initially be available only to certain veterans in Cleveland and Washington, D.C., areas.
Following the pilot phase, full implementation is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2011 for across
the county.
For additional information, go to www.va.gov/healtheligibility or call VA's toll-free number at 1-877-222-VETS (8387).
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“Home ownership is one of the foundations of the American dream,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “VA is honored to administer a benefit that for two-thirds of a century has profoundly affected the lives of our Veterans, our military cervice members, and their families.”
Since the VA Home Loan program began in 1944 as part of the Montgomery GI Bill, VA has helped veterans by guaranteeing more than 19 million home loans, valued at more than $1 trillion.
During the past four years, the number of veterans VA has helped purchase a home has risen by 63 percent.
VA's foreclosure rate for the last nine quarters and serious delinquency rate for the last six quarters have been the lowest in the housing industry, even when compared to prime loans, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's National Delinquency Survey.
In a time where other no-downpayment programs are virtually non-existent and mortgage credit can be difficult to obtain, veterans and service members have an avenue to obtain financing and take advantage of historically low rates through the VA home loan program.
Most veterans, service members, reservists and National Guard members, as well as some surviving spouses, are eligible for the program, which provides an opportunity for borrowers to qualify for no-downpayment home loans as well as regular and interest-rate-reduction refinance home loans.
VA-guaranteed home loans are made by banks and mortgage lenders, with VA ensuring payment of a portion of the loan if the borrower fails to repay the balance.
A unique aspect of VA's program is a commitment to help borrowers keep their homes if they encounter financial difficulties. During the past decade, VA loan specialists have helped more than 150,000 families hold onto their homes when threatened by foreclosure.
Shinseki attributed the “professionalism and savvy” of VA employees and the “unshakable sense of responsibility” among veterans and military personnel as key factors for maintaining a low foreclosure rate on VA-backed home loans.
VA's loan specialists can intervene on a veteran's behalf with the loan servicer to explore home-retention options, including repayment plans, loan modifications, and forbearance.
When home retention is not an option, VA can help arrange a compromise sale or a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, both of which are less detrimental to borrowers than foreclosure.
More information about VA's Home Loan program is available online at www.homeloans.va.gov or by calling toll-free, 1-877-827-3702.
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The IHS-VA MOU outlines a new plan for enhanced coordination, collaboration and resource-sharing that will draw on the strengths and expertise of the two agencies.
"This memorandum of understanding is a renewal of the important partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Indian Health Service. It represents VA's commitment to American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans through associations with the Indian Health Service and tribal facilities throughout the nation," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.
"The partnership further expands VA's capability to serve those Veterans within their communities and provides increased access for Veterans in extremely rural areas."
The MOU will facilitate greater innovation at the local level between IHS, tribal, urban, and VA programs. While recognizing the importance of a coordinated effort on a national scope, the MOU also emphasizes the necessity and importance of tribal consultation for local adaptation.
This will be accomplished by increasing available services, improving the delivery of care by sharing programs, developing new models of care using the latest technologies, providing culturally competent care for beneficiaries, and increasing the quality of care though training and workforce development.
"This MOU between the IHS and VA provides a firm foundation for collaboration to meet the needs of the AI/AN Veterans who have served our nation," said Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, IHS director. "It is an important step forward in our work to better serve all American Indian and Alaska Native people."
In addition, this agreement will address joint emergency, disaster, and pandemic preparedness and response planning. Implementation Work Groups will be established to address each of the main goals outlined in the MOU. An annual progress report will be produced the VA and the IHS.
The VA and the IHS are now organizing workgroups to make progress on implementing elements in the MOU as soon as possible to benefit veterans.
The MOU expands the partnership initially established through a previous MOU in 2003 that improved communication between the agencies and tribal governments, and developed strategies for sharing information, services and information technology.
The MOU can be viewed at www.ihs.gov/announcements/documents/3-OD-11-0006.pdf.
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During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
He is the son of Gary Dick of Nampa, Idaho, and Janet Bosse of Kelseyville, Calif.
Dick is a 2010 graduate of Nampa Senior High School.
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During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.
He is the son of Christine Brumback of Point Lakeview, Kelseyville, Calif.
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Breakfast will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the VFW Post on Veterans Lane.
Choose from eggs to order, biscuits and gravy, French toast, hash browns, pancakes, breakfast meats, specialty omelets, a hobo special, toast, juice and coffee.
They will introduce their chili and cheese omelet this month.
The cost is $7 for adults, $3.50 for children 8 and under.
For information call 707-994-4748.
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SAN ANTONIO – Air Force Airman Dylan J. Steen-Rasmussen graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Steen-Rasmussen earned distinction as an honor graduate.
He is the son of Cathy Tracy of Clearlake, Calif.
The airman is a 2009 graduate of Lower Lake High School in Lower Lake, Calif.
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