Session Three

Enhanced Eligibility For Health Care Benefits On January 28, 2008, “Public Law 110-181” titled the “National Defense Authorization Act of 2008” was signed into law. Section 1707 amended Title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 1710(e)(3), extending the period of eligibility for health care for veterans who served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998, (commonly referred to as combat veterans or OEF/OIF veterans). http://www4.va.gov/healtheligibility/Library/pubs/CombatVet/CombatVet.pdf

Collaborative ‘Intake Interview Questions’: Congratulations on asking excellent veteran interview questions with Perry and Shenandoah! Thank you, Perry and Shenandoah, for being our demonstration interviewees. At Stacy’s prompting, everyone agreed that we would like to have an intake interview sheet. Reflect back on what we experienced and what we would like to have asked them. Together, let’s develop a comprehensive set of question to interview veterans “head to toe.” Email your questions to me and I will compile an “Intake Interview” form for us. mills.dennis@comcast.net

Ambient Noise: We are aware that there is background noise since Coffee Strong is open for business during our class session. They provide the space to us at no cost and we would have never met Shenandoah, who greatly added to our understanding of veterans’ issues in filing VA claims.

Reading: In preparation for Ken Carpenter’s presentation, read up on Death Indemnity Benefits (DIC) and Accrued Benefits.

Ken Carpenter: February 16th lecture on “Death Indemnity Compensation and Accrued Benefits.” The special guest lecturer will be Ken Carpenter of Topeka, Kansas - an attorney and member of the National Organization of Veterans Advocates (NOVA).

Agent Orange Brief: Vietnam veterans who are interested in participating in this special examination program, known as the Agent Orange Registry, should contact the nearest VA medical center for an examination. Since September 2000, Veterans who served in Korea in 1968 or 1969 are also eligible for the examination. Furthermore, beginning in August 2001, VA has offered the Registry examination to all other U.S. veterans who may have been exposed to dioxin or other toxic substances in a herbicide during the conduct of or as a result of testing, transporting, or spraying of herbicides for military purposes.  Veterans do not have to prove that Agent Orange caused their medical problems to be eligible for compensation. http://www.publichealth.va.gov/docs/agentorange/briefs/A1AOBRIEF82005.pdf

Combat Veteran Eligibility: Combat veterans who were discharged or released from active service on or after January 28, 2003, are now eligible to enroll in the VA health care system for 5 years from the date of discharge or release. http://www4.va.gov/healtheligibility/Library/pubs/CombatVet/CombatVet.pdf

 A Summary of VA Benefits for National Guard and Reserve Personnel  http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1138

Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Hazardous Exposures: Resources and Materials for veterans, the public and health care providers about possible long-term health problems from military service during Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom. http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/oefoif/resources.asp

Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses: Resources and Materials VA has developed newsletters, reports, and other materials for veterans, the public and health care providers about the health effects of Gulf War service.  http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/resources.asp