VFW POST 1260 BEMIDJI, MN SURGEON/SERVICE OFFICER’S REPORT

March-2016

VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic – Bemidji (218) 755-6360 Audiologist appointments must be made through the Fargo VA

Tele Health staff is available

Flu Shots are available on a walk in basis Monday through Friday during the flu season.

New Patient Orientation Group meeting each month check with clinic for time & date

PTSD Group Meeting (Iraq & Afgan Vets) meets twice a month check with clinic for time & date

Pain Group Meeting meets every two weeks on Tuesdays check with clinic for time & dates

Veteran Support Group 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month from 10:00-11:30am at the Bemidji Public

Library Meeting Room. The purpose of this group is to share and provide information through

supporting, encouraging, listening, understanding, and respecting differences. Please call Shari

Kosobuski (612) 360-1432 or the Vet Center at (218) 722-8654 for more information.

Education: http://www.mymilitaryeducation.org

Health Care: 1-877-222-VETS (8387)

VA Inspector General: 1-800-488-8244

Suicide Prev. Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Fargo VA: 1-800-410-9723 or 701-232-3241

Help Line: 1-855-VET-TALK

For more information on veteran benefits, visit the Military.com Benefits Channel or contact the VA.

Some of the following information came from Military.com or MilitaryConnection.com. Some of these topics

may have a full article to read. If you wish to view the full article on Military.com please follow this address

http://www.military.com or contact me at bskipton@att.net. For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit

the Military Advantage blog.

Tips for Filing VA Appeals Once a VA office issues its decision on your claim, you have one year from that date to file an appeal. Read the

decision letter closely: it will tell you why VA made the decision it did. If you disagree with VA's decision for

any reason, you should file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD). If VA included VA Form 21-0958, Notice of

Disagreement, with its decision, you must use that form to file your NOD-- it is mandatory. The NOD is the

start of your appeal. File your appeal right away. When you file your NOD, submit any new evidence you have.

Also, when you file your NOD, state if you want a Decision Review Officer (DRO) review or a traditional

review. For more information, visit the VA VAntage Point Blog.

Credentialing Helps Transfer Military Skills

Many civilian jobs have certain professional and technical standards. Credentials show prospective civilian

employers that your skills are on par with your civilian peers. Employers may choose to hire only employees

who have certain credentials, or to pay those employees more. Federal, state, or local law may require specific

credentials to legally perform some jobs. Obtaining credentials – certifications and licenses – shows that you

meet these standards. For more on credentialing, see this Military.com article.

Take the Fleet Reserve Association Survey

As part of our mission to fight for the concerns of America's service men and women on Capitol Hill, the Fleet

Reserve Association (FRA) is conducting an online survey to determine which military and veterans' benefits

are most important to active duty and Reserve personnel, retirees, veterans and their families. The brief survey

asks current and former members of the uniformed services and their spouses to rate the importance of various

benefits and quality-of-life programs associated with their service to our nation. FRA shares the survey results

with elected officials on Capitol Hill, key committee staff, and leaders within the Departments of Defense,

Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs -- ensuring these crucial decision-makers understand your perspective.

Visit www.fra.org/survey to let FRA know which military and veteran benefits are most important to you.

SBP Annuities Available for Disabled Children

The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2015 now gives retirees the option of having Survivor

Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity payments go directly into a special-needs trust for a disabled child. This irrevocable

decision may be made during the life of the retiree through a written statement that designates future SBP

payments go into the special-needs trust. There must be a written statement requesting the annuity be paid to the

trust along with an attorney certification letter verifying that the trust is a special-needs trust created for the

benefit of the disabled dependent child. Examples of both statements are available on the Air Force Retiree

Services website. For more information, Airmen can call 1-877-353-6807 to contact the SBP or casualty

assistance representative at the nearest Air Force base.

No Co-Pays for RX with the MBA TRICARE Supplement

Doctor and hospital bills are expensive even when you're covered by TRICARE. Help minimize or even

eliminate out-of-pocket expenses with the TRICARE Insurance Supplement Plan.

2016 National Veterans Day Poster Contest

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking artists to submit their entries to the 2016 National Veterans Day

poster contest. Submissions must: (1) be 18" x 24" at 300 dots per inch, scale down submissions to 9"x12"; (2)

represent veterans from all branches of service; (3) reflect the diversity of our Veteran and military population

in terms of race, gender and disability status; and (4) include sufficient information to demonstrate that the

image is the work of the artist and is not copyrighted material. To enter, submit electronic versions as JPG

images or PDF files by email to vetsday@va.gov or send copies of artwork on a CD with artwork files. The

deadline for submissions is Apr. 15, 2016. For more information, contact the Veterans Day Coordinator at

vetsday@va.gov and read the VA VAntage Point Blog.

Fisher Houses Offer Home Away from Home

The Fisher House Foundation supports the construction of homes near military or VA medical centers where

family members can stay -- at no cost -- while supporting a servicemember or veteran receiving treatment.

These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, close to the medical center or

hospital they serve. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a

common kitchen, laundry facilities, a dining room and a living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that

there is never a lodging fee. For more information and to locate a house, visit the Fisher House website.

Helmets to Hardhats

The nonprofit program Helmet to Hardhats helps place veterans seeking careers in the construction industry.

Helmets to Hardhats connects veterans with unions taking applications for apprenticeship openings or building

contractors seeking workers. Currently 1,500 veterans across the United States are creating profiles on the

Helmets to Hardhats website each month and uploading their résumés. Once accepted into an apprenticeship,

veterans go through classroom and on-the-job training under journeymen who have worked in the field for

years. They are paid while attending classes as well as while they are on the job. Some apprentice programs

require people to pay for some classes, but veterans can use G.I. Bill funds to pay for tuition. For more

information, visit the Helmets to Hardhats website.

For more veteran job news, fair listings and resources, visit the Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.

Vets Don’t Need 20% Down with the VA Loan Benefit

Don’t waste this great benefit. Rates are near historic lows but they will rise this year and you don’t have to

pay PMI or have a large down payment. Plus you can get financing up to $417,000. Use your VA Loan Benefit

today.

Entrepreneur Training at FGCU

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is helping veterans by teaching them a specific skill set. FGCU and four

other Florida schools are starting the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program that will be hosted by

Veterans Florida. Veterans who live in Florida and want to start a business can participate. They do not need a

degree. The program will last from March 15 to May 3. Active duty soldiers or soldiers who have served for the

past three years and was honorably discharged, and who lives or plans to relocate to Florida are welcomed to

join the program. They do not need to be students at FGCU. To apply, visit the Veterans Florida

Entrepreneurship Program website where the online application will be available.

DoD Proposes a 1.6% Pay Increase for 2017

A 1.6-percent pay raise for military members was proposed as part of the president's fiscal 2017 budget. But, by

law troops are to supposed to receive a pay raise within 0.5 percent of the civilian sector wages as determined

by the Employment Cost Index. The index for 2017 is projected to be 2.1 percent, according to the

Congressional Budget Office. Some in the House of Representatives are vowing to fight for a larger pay

increase for troops. Read the full story on Military.com.

OpEd: Proposed Large TRICARE Fee Hikes

The president released a FY 2017 budget request on Tuesday that includes $48.8 billion for the DoD Military

Health System but would shift more of the cost burden to military beneficiaries. The president of the Military

Officers Association of America (MOAA), retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, described the TRICARE-

reform plan as "mostly about the fees, with only a few sentences on possible program improvements."

Budget Proposal Includes Retiree Tricare Fee Hikes

The new Defense Department budget proposal for 2017 sent today to Congress drastically increases the cost of

healthcare for military retirees under 65 and reorganizes the current Tricare system, but otherwise includes few

other major military family program reforms. Under the new proposal the primary three Tricare options —

Tricare Prime, Tricare Standard and the services used by retirees — would be combined into two basic plans.

Like the current Tricare Prime and Standard options, the newly minted Tricare Select and Tricare Choice would

continue to offer free services at Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) and require co-pays for services from in-

network civilian providers. Like Tricare Prime, Tricare Select would require users to receive referrals for

specialty care, while Tricare Choice would operate like Tricare Standard, allowing users to self-refer. For more

details, see this Military.com article.

5 Hot Jobs for Former Military Personnel

The U.S. military is arguably the best-trained workforce in the world, and personnel who leave military service

have skills that translate to virtually any career. Here's a look at five popular jobs that give the men and women

who've served our country an opportunity to make a difference and move up. For more details, see this

Military.com article.

DoD Seeks to Delay Matching Retirement Benefit

The U.S. Defense Department's proposed budget for fiscal 2017 seeks to rein in the military's new retirement

system recently passed by Congress by delaying when junior troops can begin receiving matching contributions,

a budget analyst said. In documents released Tuesday as part of the proposed budget for the fiscal year that

begins Oct. 1, the Pentagon indicated it wants to change when service members can begin receiving matching

retirement contributions — from their third year of service to their fifth year of service. For more details, see

this Military.com article.

GI Bill Transfer Update: Questions Answered

So you heard that there are changes underway to transferring the post-9/11 GI Bill. You know what was

proposed, but now you want to know: what actually happened and what does it mean? You're not the only one

asking — we've received tons of questions from users wanting the inside scoop. Here's what you need to know

in this fact sheet.

TRICARE Pharmacy Changes

Several changes to the TRICARE pharmacy benefit took effect on Feb. 1. Copays for drugs filled at retail

pharmacies and TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery increased slightly. Also, TRICARE Over-the-Counter

(OTC) drug coverage became a full and permanent part of the TRICARE benefit, requiring that beneficiaries

pay the usual generic copays. If you get your drugs from a military pharmacy, or use Home Delivery to get a

generic drug, you will still pay $0. To view all the new copays, visit the TRICARE Prescription Costs webpage.

Different OTC drugs will be available as well. For more information about the OTC benefit, visit the TRICARE

Over-the-Counter Drugs webpage.

VA Boosts Budget for Outstanding Health Claims

The Veterans Affairs Department is requesting a budget of $182 billion next year, a nearly $20 billion funding

increase designed in part to tackle outstanding health care claims from veterans. The proposed spending plan

unveiled on Tuesday includes nearly $103.6 billion for mandatory programs such as disability compensation

and pensions, and more than $78 billion in discretionary funding — mostly for health care. For more details, see

this Military.com article.

The Difference Between VA Claims and VA Appeals

What are the differences between a claim and an appeal with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)? You

submit a claim when seeking VA disability benefits (or increased benefits) for one or more medical conditions

you believe are related to military service. These claims can be filed online through eBenefits, submitted by

mail or in person at the nearest VA regional office. The multi-stage appellate process is available to you after

you have already received one or more decisions on your claim, but disagree with some aspect of VA's decision

For more information, read the VA VAntage Point Blog.

Free Learning Courses for Veterans

LinkedIn is now offering service members and veterans one year of access to its professional development site,

Lynda.com, at no cost. This online learning company offers thousands of on-demand courses for users to build

their business, software, technology, creative and other skills. LinkedIn also allows job seekers to create a

public Veterans Employment Center (VEC) profile. The VEC connects transitioning service members, veterans

and their families with employers that have made a commitment to hire them. To create a VEC profile, visit the

Veterans Employment Center webpage and selecting 'job seekers.' For more information, visit the LinkedIn

Veterans webpage at veterans.linkedin.com.

Your VA Loan: Worth Up to $417k Financing

Thinking of buying or refinancing? Rates are on the rise, but qualified borrowers can pay as little as $0 down

with no PMI payments, plus they can get financing up to $417,000. Use your VA Loan Benefit today.

Million Veterans Blood Sample Program

The goal of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Million Veterans Program is to collect blood samples of

at least a million veterans, and use it to research illnesses. The veterans' blood samples could hold the key to

understanding causes and discovering treatments and cures for myriad illnesses. The VA is looking at some

750,000 genetic markers that medical researchers believe could be linked to illnesses that plague veterans,

ranging from cancers to heart disease, kidney disease to post-traumatic stress disorder. Veterans may volunteer

for the project at a number of VA sites across the country. For more information, visit the VA Million Veteran

Program website.

Caregivers Lose Stipends

Due to closer scrutiny by VA, the caregivers of about 7,000 veterans who once were enrolled in VA's

Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers Program no longer are receiving stipends. The program

delivers extra compensation to caregivers of badly wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in the interest of

keeping them out of expensive, long-term treatment facilities. Most of the caregivers are spouses or close family

members of veterans. The program still is growing at a rate of 400 patients a month, but the Department of

Veterans Affairs (VA) has been taking a closer look at the veterans it initially enrolled to see whether they still

meet standards to continue receiving checks. The VA badly underfunded the program and fell behind in

oversight, according to a September 2014 study from the Government Accountability Office. For information

on caregiver support services from VA, visit the Military.com website.

Top 35 Veteran Employers

What makes an employer a top veteran employer? Depending on who you ask and what factors you use, you'll

get a bunch of different answers. We have one list for your perusal: the "35 Most Valuable Employers for

Military," compiled by Civilian Job News. Read more on Military.com.

7 Steps to Landing a Civilian Job

Here are seven steps every veteran can take to find civilian employment: (1) set your goals; (2) collect

intelligence. Ask a few fundamental questions that will help guide your job hunt and search for the answers; (3)

expand your network of contacts; (4) customize your resume for the specific job you are applying for; (5)

strengthen your interview techniques; (6) take the initiative on a job hunt. Never let your potential new

employer take all of the responsibility in communicating; (7) if you lack information or experience and need a

point in the right direction, reach out for help to friendly experts. For more information, visit the Military.com

website.

Save Big on Costs Not Covered by TRICARE

Doctor and hospital bills are expensive even when you're covered by TRICARE. Help minimize or even

eliminate out-of-pocket expenses with the TRICARE Insurance Supplement Plan.

Wounded Warrior Program for Native American Vets

Wounded Warriors Family Support is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide

support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured or killed during combat operations. Wounded

Warriors Family Support has teamed with the Office of Tribal Government Relations at the U.S. Department of

Veterans Affairs on the new Native American Veterans Support, Transition and Resources (NAVSTaR)

program. So far, the organization has provided Ford vehicles to the Blackfeet Nation, Cheyenne River Sioux

Tribe, Fort Belknap Indian Community, Northern Cheyenne Tribe, Oglala Lakota Nation, Standing Rock Sioux

Tribe and Three Affiliated Tribes. For more information, visit the Wounded Warriors Family Support website.

TRICARE Update: Time to Have Your Eyes Checked

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. If you last had an eye examination over a year ago, you are overdue.

Doctors can detect things like diabetes and high cholesterol from annual eye exams, not to mention eye diseases

that have no known symptoms, like glaucoma. TRICARE covers routine eye exams for active duty

servicemembers to maintain fitness for duty. TRICARE also covers vision screening and one routine eye

examination every two years beginning at age three to age six under the Well-Child benefit although active duty

family members (ADFMs) may have an annual eye exam beginning at age three. Your eye exam coverage

depends on who you are, your age and your TRICARE plan. For more information, visit the Eye Exams page on

the TRICARE website.

Vet Jobs: Answering the Big Resume Question

Should veterans list military references? Obviously, providing references to hiring managers speaks to your

credibility at the start of the hiring process and shows that you have faith in your past performance. It also helps

employers know that they can cross-check you work history without issue. But does your military experience

help or hurt? Get the answer on Military.com.

TRICARE Changes OTC Medication Coverage

Effective Feb. 1, 2016, TRICARE is making some changes to its over-the-counter (OTC) drug coverage.

Beneficiaries must pay the usual generic copays for covered OTC drugs. OTC drug coverage will still require a

prescription from their doctor except for Levonorgestrel (the emergency contraceptive used to prevent

pregnancy). Feb. 1 also brings a change to which drugs are available under the OTC benefit. Visit the

TRICARE Pharmacy page for more information on the TRICARE pharmacy benefit. If you have questions

about whether or not one of your drugs is covered, you can always call the TRICARE pharmacy contractor,

Express Scripts, at 1-877-363-1303.

VA E-Claim System Costs Alarm Congress

The cost of VA's electronic claims network, called the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS), is $1

billion so far and soon will reach $1.3 billion, VA conceded last week to the House Veterans Affairs

Committee. That's more than double VA's original estimate of $580 million for VBMS in 2009. Costs are

continuing to grow too because, by design, VBMS gets a software upgrade every three months. And apart from

quarterly upgrades, VA plans for major innovations to the VBMS starting in 2018. For more details, see this

Military Update article.

Study: Toxic Exposures Caused Gulf War Illnesses

New research shows that exposure to pesticides and other toxins caused Gulf War Illness among the 700,000

U.S. troops who fought in the first Gulf War. Researchers concluded that exposure to pesticides and ingestion of

pyridostigmine bromide (PB) (prophylactic pills intended to protect troops against the effects of possible nerve

gas) are "causally associated with GWI and the neurological dysfunction in Gulf War veterans." The research

team also cites multiple studies showing a link between veterans' neurological problems and exposure to the

nerve-gas agents sarin and cyclosarin, as well as to oil well fire emissions. A report of the study is available in

the journal Cortex.

Free Tax Services Available

Servicemembers and their families can obtain free tax consultations and tax-filing software through Military

OneSource. Also, the Department of Defense has teamed up with H&R Block to offer free tax services. Military

OneSource tax consultants are available January through April 15, seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Eastern time at 1-800-342-9647. After April 15, the consultants can be reached weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10

p.m. EST. Other tax experts are available in person at military installations with a Volunteer Income Tax

Assistance (VITA) location. The Military OneSource free tax software is available at VITA locations as well.

Veteran Burial Honors

It is critical for family members who want military funeral honors to tell the funeral director, who can make the

request for them. The honors are not automatic. The family should have access to the veteran's discharge papers

(DD Form 214). Department of Defense (DoD) policy is to provide a minimum of a two-person uniformed

detail, and one servicemember must represent the veteran's branch of service. The core elements include playing

taps, folding the American flag and presenting the flag to the family. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

also offers other benefits, such as headstones. For more information, visit the VA National Cemetery

Administration website.

'Veterans Closet' Needs Volunteers and Items

The Veterans Closet at 388 Forest in Park Forest, IL is seeking items and volunteers. The Closet, the only one

of its kind in the Chicago area, contains gently used items ranging from clothes to furniture and pots and pans,

which any veteran with an ID can take free of charge. Donations of money and gift cards to local grocery or

department stores are also needed and are tax-deductible. The Closet is open on Wednesday, Thursday and the

weekends. For more information, call (312) 798-9564 or follow the Veterans Closet on Facebook.

Service Dogs for Veterans

Salute of Service is a local non-profit organization that helps train service dogs for veterans from any era, with

any disability, free of charge. To date, 30 dogs have graduated from the program. From start to finish, the

training process takes about 4 to 6 months. After that they are able to take certification tests. For more

information, visit the Salute of Service website and follow Salute of Service on Facebook.

Minnesota State Veteran's Benefits

The state of Minnesota provides several veteran benefits. This section offers a brief description of each of the following

benefits.

Housing Benefits

Employment Benefits

Education Benefits

Other State Veteran Benefits

Minnesota Veteran Housing Programs

Minnesota Homeless Veteran Registry

The Registry connects Veterans experiencing homelessness with housing and services in their community. It also helps

programs serving Veterans to coordinate their efforts. Participation is voluntary for Veterans. Anyone can refer a Veteran

to join.

MOVE Program

The Minnesota Operation For Veterans Empowerment (MOVE) program temporarily assists homeless Veterans at the

Union Gospel Mission in St. Paul, MN. Assistance includes one-on-one case management with an MDVA Outreach

Representative and a paid bed at the mission during case management. Veterans work with the case manager to select

the various types of resources needed in order to help empower them to move beyond their current situation.

Minnesota Veterans' Homes

Minnesota Veterans' Homes are located in Fergus Falls, Hastings, Luverne, Minneapolis and Silver Bay.

There is also an Adult Day Center located in the Minneapolis Veterans' Home. The Adult Day Center provides a broad

array of therapeutic health care services – delivered by trained, highly dedicated professionals. It is a Veteran-based

community that allows participants to connect with other Veterans in a safe, comfortable environment. The Adult Day

Center allows participants to achieve the highest attainable level of physical, mental and social well-being – with the

independence of living at home. It also provides much-needed respite – and a full array of support services – for Veterans’

caregivers.

Admission to Minnesota Veterans Homes is available to honorably discharged veterans who entered service from

Minnesota, or are current residents, who served 181 consecutive days on active duty, unless discharged earlier because

of disability incurred in the line of duty. The spouse of an eligible Veteran who is at least 55 years old and meets residency

requirements. The applicant must also be able to demonstrate a medical or clinical need for admission. Residents

contribute to the cost of their care according to their means.

Minnesota Employment Benefits

MN Veterans Preference Act

MN Veterans Preference Act (VPA) grants veterans a limited preference over non-veterans in hiring and promotion for MN

public employment and also provides protection against unfair dismissals and demotions. VPA grants veterans the right to

a hearing, prior to dismissal.

Minnesota Education Benefits

Minnesota GI Bill

The Minnesota GI Bill is available to Minnesota Veterans who served honorably in any branch of the armed forces at any

time; non-veterans who served honorably for a cumulative total of five years or more as a member of the MN National

Guard or any other active or reserve component and had active service after September 11, 2001; or eligible spouses,

surviving spouses, and children of permanently and totally disabled veterans who are eligible for the Federal GI Bill under

Chapters 33 or 35.

Full-time undergraduate or graduate students may be eligible to receive up to $1,000 per semester and part-time students

can receive up to $500 per semester (up to $3,000 per academic year and $10,000 per lifetime).

OJT and Apprenticeship individuals are eligible for up to $2,000 per fiscal year for either program. Approved employers

are eligible to receive $1,000 placement credit payable upon hiring a person under this program and another $1,000 after

12 consecutive months of employment.

Recipients must be a Minnesota resident under the age of 62, and enrolled at a Minnesota institution.

Other Minnesota State Veteran Benefits

Services Program

The Department of Veterans Affairs Services Program provides claims representation and fiduciary guardianship services.

Veterans Claims Advocacy

Staff at our Veterans Claims Offices, located at Fort Snelling and at Fargo/Moorhead, act as advocates for veterans and

their dependents who are trying to get their benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (the VA). The

staff will assist and represent veterans, their dependents, and survivors with applications for compensation, pension,

home loans, educational, and medical treatment. The offices also provide environmental hazards information and

assistance (Agent Orange issues, for example). See your County Veterans Service Officer to request this representation.

Guardianship Division

The Guardianship Division provides financial case management services to incompetent veterans, their dependents, and

survivors, who may be vulnerable to exploitation by others or by their own inabilities to manage their funds.

Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery

The Minnesota State Veterans Cemeteries provide dignified burial services to Minnesota veterans and their eligible

dependents and survivors. They are located 7 miles north of Little Falls, on the banks of the Mississippi River, and in

Preston in southeastern Minnesota. Both cemeteries are managed and maintained by the Minnesota Department of

Veterans Affairs.

Discharge Certificates

Veterans' benefits require that applicants provide a copy of their form DD 214 or discharge record, which is evidence of

their veteran status. This is an important document and must be safeguarded. If you do not have a copy of your DD 214,

contact your County Veterans Service Officer for assistance in obtaining it. If you have a copy of your DD 214 it is

recommended that it be recorded in your county courthouse, or at the very least be sure to keep it in a safe place and

inform a family member or trusted individual of its location.

Bronze Star Grave Markers

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs offers bronze stars to mark the grave site of any veteran buried in the

state, where permitted. Bronze Star Markers are available through your local county veterans service officer.

Visit the Minnesota Department of Veterans Services website for more information about any of these programs.

MilitaryConnection.com LEARN ABOUT CAREERS FOR MILITARY VETERANS, VETERAN

SCHOOLS, NEW GI BILL RESOURCES AND MILITARY LOANS

Providing information on government/federal jobs for Veterans, schools in which to further your education,

Veteran benefits and more is what Military Connection does best. The brave men and women of the U.S.

military, past and present, are who we serve, and as an online directory, we strive to be comprehensive and

specific in the information we provide. This is the perfect place to learn more about military education and

benefits provided to you through the GI Bill, and about employment opportunities that apply to your skill set

and interests. We are here to provide help for Veterans in all aspects of their lives as a way to honor their

service.

DO VIRTUAL REALITY BENEFITS CARRY ANY RISKS?

By Debbie Gregory.

Researchers are exploring how Virtual Reality (VR) can help with everything from

treating PTSD to overcoming addiction.

VR replicates an environment that simulates a physical presence in places in the real

world or an imagined world, allowing interaction in that world. Virtual realities also

artificially create sensory experiences including sight, touch, hearing, and smell.

There is, however, much that we don’t know about how the brain reacts to prolonged

exposure to the new medium.

While the virtual world can help veterans overcome post-traumatic stress

syndrome, there is the risk that overexposure to VR may generate its own trauma.

At the University of Southern California, pioneering VR researcher Albert “Skip”

Rizzo has developed Virtual Iraq and Virtual Afghanistan VR software that is being used

at dozens of VA facilities to help veterans plagued by PTSD.

In 2003, he says, he ran across a battle simulation game that the Army had helped

develop. He knew that exposure therapies had been shown to work for trauma cases.

“I said why not take this and modify this and use it as a virtual Iraq for people that

come

back from the war with PTSD?” Rizzo said.

The idea is to allow patients to gradually confront their trauma through a series of

increasingly intense scenarios in the safety of a clinical setting, so that they can “unlearn

the association between the stimuli and its consequences,” says Rizzo. He developed

three scenarios, a sniper situation, a market place and the convoy on the highway.

“We try to address the trauma and activate a memory, and it’s hard medicine for a hard

problem,” says Rizzo, the director of medical virtual reality at USC’s Institute for

Creative Technologies. “But the point is to learn that the present can’t hurt you. For

anyone saying that we’re re-traumatizing people, we say this is better than having them

see Middle Eastern garb at a Walmart and freaking out.”

VR technology is still in its early days, and therefore so too is any research into what, if

any negative affect it will have on the brain.

ARE FOR-PROFIT COLLEGES THE BEST CHOICE FOR

VETERAN EDUCATION?

By Debbie Gregory.

A number of for-profit colleges have been characterized as preying on those seeing to

use their veteran education benefits. These schools are often guilty of inflated job

promises and under-delivering on education. With more than 1 million veterans and

their families taking advantage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill to attend college, are for-profit

school the best choice?

It’s no secret that the for-profit sector has aggressively aimed its marketing to members

of the military. A 2014 Senate report found that eight for-profit college companies

received $2.9 billion in Post-9/11 GI Bill veteran benefits, approximately one quarter of

all the funds spent on GI Bill benefits in 2012-2013.

Further, due to a loophole in current law, veteran education students are unusually

attractive to for-profit colleges. First, veterans eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits offer

for-profit colleges a guaranteed stream of federal revenue but, unlike the students

attending the colleges with federal student loans, do not present a risk of subsequent

default.

In addition, the Higher Education Act requires that all proprietary (for-profit) colleges

demonstrate compliance with the “90/10 rule” meaning that at least ten percent of

revenues must come from sources other than federal financial aid funds authorized by

Title IV of the Higher Education Act. However, as currently written, federal military

educational benefits including Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits are not counted as federal

financial aid and in fact are counted on the “10” side of the revenue calculation.

What makes for-profit schools so attractive to this audience, given the fact that on

average, for-profit schools cost twice as much as educating veterans at public colleges?

First off, as previously stated, for-profit schools are the ones targeting and courting

these potential students. They make for easy acceptance and easy enrollment in order

to cash in on veteran resources.

Traditional colleges and universities should be doing much more to reach out to help

those who served reach their education goals. These nontraditional students often come

out of the military with unique skill sets. These schools need to let veterans know that

they are not only welcome, but they are accepted and valued. Becoming a “Veteran

Friendly” or Yellow Ribbon School would go a long way to that end.

Also, transition resources should focus on giving advice to those who want to further

their education. Providing more guidance and knowledge on how to make that transition

is crucial: when to apply; what kind of credentials schools are looking for; how to

package yourself as an applicant. If a veteran needs to beef up their academic

credentials, then attending a community college is a great alternative.

The bottom line is that not-for-profit schools need to market their veteran education

value. In the long run, it will greatly benefit the schools , the veterans, and the tax

payers.

VA BUDGET FOR 2017 ADDRESSES INCREASED

CARE AND BENEFITS FOR VETERANS

By Debbie Gregory.

The 2017 VA budget will continue to support the largest transformation in VA history,

expanding access to healthcare and benefits, while attempting to end homelessness

among those who have served.

The budget includes $78.7 billion in discretionary funding, which is earmarked largely for

healthcare, which is almost 5 percent more than the 2016 enacted level.

Healthcare is being provided to over 922,000 veterans who served in Operation

Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn/Operation Inherent

Resolve (OIR) and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel (OFS).

The budget provides for continued implementation of the Veterans Benefits

Administration’s (VBA) robust Transformation Plan, which will continue to improve the

quality and efficiency of claims processing. Additionally, the budget supports increasing

the VBA’s workforce to address staffing needs so it can continue to improve the delivery

of benefits to veterans.

As VBA continues to receive and complete more disability compensation rating claims,

the volume of non-rating claims correspondingly increases. The request for $54 million

for 300 additional full-time equivalent employees (FTE) and claims processing support

will allow VBA to provide more timely actions on non-rating claims.

The budget also proposes a simplified appeals initiative to provide veterans with a

simple, fair, and streamlined appeals process in which they would receive a final appeals

decision within one year from filing an appeal, by 2021. The current appeals process is

complicated and ineffective, and veterans are waiting, on average, about 5 years for a

final decision on an appeal that reaches the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, with thousands

waiting much longer.

The Obama Administration has made the ending of veteran homelessness a national

priority. The new budget requests $1.6 billion for programs to prevent or reduce veteran

homelessness, including: Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) to promote

housing stability; the HUD-VASH program, wherein VA provides case management

services for at-risk veterans and their families, and HUD provides permanent housing

through its Housing Choice Voucher program; and grants/per diem payments that

support temporary housing provided by community-based organizations.

The budget also provides for the MyVA initiative, the Veterans Choice Act and other key

services for veterans.

A GROWING ARMY OF CAREGIVERS

By Debbie Gregory.

Family caregivers provide crucial support in caring for veterans. The Caregivers and

Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act was signed into law in May, 2010. The law

acknowledges the critical role of caregivers for seriously injured post- 9/11 veterans,

and establishes a national program that addresses the wellness and training of family

caregivers.

Due to advances in combat medicine and technology, more troops are surviving injuries

that would have been fatal in past conflicts. But when they return home, they face life

with devastating physical and psychological injuries.

The post-9/11 era produced 1.1 million caregivers, with about 20 percent of them caring

for veterans.

The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act offers caregivers a monthly

stipend, as well as healthcare coverage, training, respite care and mental health

counseling.

Eligibility for the stipend is evaluated annually and ranges from $650 to $2,300 a month,

based on the severity of the injuries and the geographic location of the caregiver and

veteran. It is currently only available to those who care for Post 9/11 veterans. About 20

percent of these veterans have traumatic brain injury, and 64 percent struggle with

mental health or substance abuse.

The VA has since partnered with Easter Seals to provide caregiver training in several

formats: classroom, workbook and online. Overall, about 30,000 caregivers have

received training.

The Elizabeth Dole Foundation commissioned the first evidence-based study focused on

the needs of military caregivers. Hidden Heroes, conducted by the RAND Corporation,

found that almost half of the post-9/11 caregivers are between 18 and 30 years old,

without a lot of financial stability and with no previous training in caregiving. And the

commitment is taking a toll: More than one-third meet the criteria for probable

depression.

“Our nation has a clear responsibility to better support America’s military and veteran

caregivers,” said former Sen. Elizabeth Dole. “This is not a short-term problem in need

of a quick solution. . . . Our nation cannot let these caregivers take on this role alone.”

If you think you fit the criteria for these services, please follow the link to answer some

preliminary questions and download an application at

http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/resources/Caregiver_Eligibility_Check.asp

FACT ACT (H.R. 1927) WILL DELAY JUSTICE,

COMPENSATION, FOR ASBESTOS VICTIMS

By Debbie Gregory.

The House of Representatives has just passed a bill that will bring unnecessary and

unjustified financial hardship to thousands of veterans and their families. The FACT Act

(H.R. 1927) will make it harder for Americans who are sick and dying from asbestos-

triggered disease to obtain compensation from the corporations responsible for their

exposure.

More than 150,000 Americans have been killed by asbestos diseases, many of them

veterans who were exposed to asbestos while they were in uniform. Almost one-third of

the victims of mesothelioma, a rare and incurable cancer caused by asbestos exposure,

are veterans.

The dangers of asbestos have been known since the early 1900s, but asbestos is still

legal and lethal in the U.S., causing devastating illnesses and death for those exposed.

This bill, if passed, would force veterans and others who are sick and dying from

asbestos-triggered diseases to

Lists the last four digits of their Social Security numbers on a public website

Be subjected to new barriers and delays for receiving compensation and justice

Reveal their financial information

Subject themselves to possible blacklisting and discrimination

Publicly list “the name and exposure history of the claimant and the basis for any payment from the trust made to such claimant

Forcing veterans to publicize their work histories, medical conditions, social security

numbers, and information about their children and families is an insult to the men and

women who have honorably served.

If the bill becomes law, it will add significant time and delay in paying claims to our

veterans and their families by putting burdensome and costly reporting requirements on

trusts.

At a time when sick and dying veterans desperately need compensation, this bill

presents a huge hurdle to prevent them from being able to pay medical bills, cover end-

of-life care expenses, and provide for their families.

Members of the House who voted for Rep. Farenthold’s (R-Texas) bill should be

ashamed of themselves for their blatant disregard of America’s heroes.

Military Hero’s

Jason Gagliano

Hometown: Poland, OH

Awarded: Bronze Star

The Story:

Sgt. Gagliano’s unit was conducting a reconnaissance patrol on January 7, 2006, when insurgents attacked using small-arms fire, severely injuring two of the Marines. Gagliano could not pinpoint the exact location of the assault, yet immediately directed his squad to return fire in the direction of the enemies as he threw a smoke grenade to help conceal the group. Another unit member was shot as he attempted to retrieve one of the fallen Marines. Gagliano had one team continue to lay down suppressive fire as he led another team into the street to recover the wounded Marines on three separate occasions. Despite the insurgents’ heavy fire, Gagliano eventually got his team, including the three casualties, to a safer location. He then set up a casualty collection point for the medical evacuation team, and helped direct the aiding Coalition forces to the suspected enemy position. For his efforts, Gagliano received the Bronze Star Medal on September 27, 2006.

Ryan Gallucci

Hometown: North Kingstown, RI

Awarded: Bronze Star

The Story:

Then-Spc. Gallucci and his six-member civil affairs team spent almost a year in Iraq between 2003 and 2004 helping to rebuild the infrastructure and improve the quality of life for the Iraqis. The team worked and lived in towns near the Iranian border, performing tasks such as getting schools and municipal governments up and running, and making sure the teachers and workers were on the payroll. Gallucci was responsible for about $4.7 million in public works projects during his deployment. In a village just outside the city of Khanaqin, Gallucci worked closely with Iraqi contractors to build a water pumping station and three wells, and located generators to help run the pumping station. He and his contractors also laid $20,000 worth of pipe, bringing water to several homes for the first time in 17 years. The team also built a landfill outside Khanaqin, and helped get the landfill workers on the payroll. In September 2005, Gallucci was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his work.

Veterans Administration

http://www.va.gov/

White House Precision Medicine Initiative Summit highlights the role of Veterans

Sec. Bob McDonald and Dr. Mike Gaziano, principal investigator for VA’s Million Veteran Program participated in a panel discussion on Veteran participation in precision medicine initiatives. (VA photo/ Robert Turtil)

Veterans and VA’s Million Veteran Program were featured as part of the discussion at the White House’s Precision

Medicine Initiative Summit on Thursday. In January 2015, President Obama launched the initiative with the bold goal of

accelerating biomedical discovery and to give clinicians new tools, knowledge and therapies to tailor treatments to

individuals.

As a part of the initiative, VA launched the Million Veteran Program (MVP) to learn how genes affect an individual’s health.

The research program aims to improve the health of our Veterans by linking genetic, clinical, lifestyle and military-

exposure information, by learning more about the role of genes in health and disease. To date, more than 450,000

Veterans, including the secretary himself, have voluntarily donated blood samples to what is becoming one of the largest

genetic databases.

“Our Precision Medicine Initiative has been designed to get all these various building blocks brought together so that the

whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” President Obama said. “So that, for example, the VA — which has been

gathering genomic data on a large number of our men and women who have served this country in order to serve them

better within the VA system — can make them connect with researchers at a particular university who are focused on a

particular disease, and can we use big data to accelerate the research process much more rapidly.”

Joining the secretary for a panel discussion was Dr. Mike Gaziano, one of the principal investigators of the Million Veteran

Program, and Jeannette Mezquita, a Navy Veteran who continues to serve in the Navy Reserves. The panel was

moderated by D.J. Patil, the deputy chief technology officer for data policy and the chief data scientist in the Office of

Science and Technology Policy.

Under the care of VA, Mezquita was diagnosed with cancer of the uterus. At the request of multiple VA physicians, she

went for genetic screening to assess her risk for other cancers. The doctors discovered that she has genetic indicators for

high risk of colon cancer.

“For me, finding out, it was a little bit of a shocker, but at the same time it was a blessing because I know that VA does

anything for me to prevent any cancer cells from producing,” said Mezquita. Her VA physicians aggressively monitor her

health and she has regular colonoscopies to get ahead of the disease. “For me the genetics testing has worked wonders,

for my family as well, so I am very grateful for it,” she added.

Because of Veterans’ altruistic nature, they can continue to serve their country, and the next generation of Veterans, by

enrolling in MVP.

“I’ve been working in VA in one capacity or another for 30 years, starting as a medical student, and the first thing you

realize about a Veteran when they come in is that they are hardwired for service, service to others. And if there’s a gene

for service to others, we’ll find it in our Veterans,“ said Dr. Gaziano.

(VA photo/ Robert Turtil)

Someone as high profile as Secretary McDonald, who recently submitted his sample into the program, feels comfortable

that his privacy will be protected. Donated samples are stored in the VA central research database without name,

address, date of birth and or other identifying information. Rather, samples and data are labeled with a code. Researchers

who are approved access to analyze the samples and data do not receive any personal identifiable information of

participating Veterans.

“I’ve been through the entire operation, I’ve looked at the way we protect the data, we protect the biological specimens. I

have no concerns about privacy or anything like that. I think we do a very strong job of doing that,” McDonald said.

Looking forward, McDonald is confident that VA will reach their goal of one million Veteran participants and he hopes that

research will find better ways to provide treatment not only to Veterans, but patients all over the world.

Progress on Veterans Crisis Line improvements already underway

The VA Office of Inspector General’s February 11, 2016 report on the Veteran’s Crisis Line reflects issues found there as

of the end of December 2014. It is important for Veterans and our key stakeholders to know that VA undertook actions to

strengthen Veterans Crisis Line operations long before publication of the inspector general report. The goal is to make the

Veterans Crisis Line nothing short of a world class crisis response center.

Before outlining these actions, I want to reiterate that the Veterans Crisis Line in Canandaigua is staffed by committed,

hard-working employees — many of them Veterans — that save Veteran lives every day. Our work is focused on

providing these committed employees the right tools and capacity to save those Veterans. Since the crisis line began

operations in 2007, our crisis line responders have saved 53,000 Veterans. I am extraordinarily proud of their service and

what they do for Veterans.

Since the crisis line began operations in 2007, our crisis line responders have saved 53,000 Veterans. Getting this right is a top priority. We need to be able to help Veterans when they are most vulnerable, when they are in

crisis. Our commitment is that by the end of this year, every Veteran in crisis will have their call promptly answered by an

experienced responder at the Veterans Crisis Line.

Months ago, we launched a comprehensive plan to strengthen the Veterans Crisis Line.

Since last year the VCL has:

Strengthened leadership by hiring a director with a clinical social work background, a deputy director of business operations with call center management experience, four dedicated staff trainers and six dedicated quality managers.

Improved management work flow data that resulted in providing the most responders at the times when Veterans are most in crisis.

Strengthened staff training for all frontline staff involved in crisis response by implementing comprehensive multi-week training programs for all front line crisis line responders, publishing a new employee handbook and implementing a new training data base.

Strengthened quality assurance by implementing silent monitors at the Crisis Line.

Invested in new technology improvements to include key upgrades to phone systems and equipment to better handle the increased demand at the crisis line, which has seen growth in annual calls from 67,000 in 2008 to 534,000 in 2015.

Expanded and improved capacity by renovating 40 percent of operational work area that resulted in the addition of 45 responder workstations.

These improvements are increasing our capacity to speak with the Veterans that need us most.

Other improvements underway include:

Hiring 68 more crisis line responders.

Strengthening third party contracting management while increasing internal capacity to handle incoming calls.

Continued acquisition over the next several months of state-of-the art technology for phone systems and necessary internal tools.

Continued improvement in work processes to ensure trained VA crisis responders are available to support Veterans that are calling in crisis.

The employees at the Veteran Crisis Line save lives every day. Of all the Veterans we serve, a Veteran in crisis must

know that dedicated, expert VA staff will be there when needed. That is the sacred obligation that prompted the work

begun months ago to strengthen and expand the Veteran’s Crisis Line. We will continue that work until the Veteran’s

Crisis Line is the world class crisis response center Veterans deserve.

The appeals process: Appeals at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals

Editor’s note: This is the third in a continuing series of blogs focusing on appeals.

In my previous two posts, I discussed the difference between a claim and an appeal and the appeals process that occurs

at the VA regional office. If you have not read those posts, I suggest you start with those, as this post builds on those.

There is a perception that a lot of the regional offices’ decisions are appealed to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. This is

not accurate. Historically, only 4 percent of all claims the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) decides are appealed to

the board. The perception probably comes from the increasing number of pending appeals, but that growth is explained

by looking at the math. In the last four years, VBA has completed more claims than ever before in its history. Because

VBA has completed so many more claims, the volume of appeals has also increased, even though the rate of appeals of

VA decisions has remained steady.

If after receiving a statement of the case (SOC) from the regional office you still are not satisfied with the regional office’s

decision, you can file a VA Form 9, Appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, within 60 days from the date the SOC is

mailed.

Appeals at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals

Once the board receives your appeal, it assigns a docket date based on the date VA received your Form 9. This date is

important: under the law, the board must work appeals in docket order. Currently, the median, or middle, docket date of

appeals the board is working is July 2014. Some newer appeals can be pushed to the front of the line: those from older

Veterans and survivors, those who are terminally-ill or those who have documented financial hardship, etc. It’s important

to know that if the board remands (returns) your appeal to the regional office to gather more evidence, you won’t lose your

place on the board’s docket.

Just like in the regional offices, several Veterans service organizations are located at the board. If you choose not to have

a hearing before the board, your representative will write a legal argument on your behalf. The board will consider that

argument when it conducts its own de novo review of your claim. If you choose to have a hearing, your representative will

help you explain your case at that hearing. VA will transcribe the hearing and put it in your file. The board can do one of

three things: grant your appeal, deny your appeal or send (remand) it back to the regional office for more action.

If you disagree with the board’s decision, you may pursue an appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC).

If the CAVC denies your appeal, you can appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. If you lose the

appeal there, you can petition the U.S. Supreme Court for review. The Supreme Court grants review in very few appeals.

Generally, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court review only legal matters in an

appeal, not agency decisions.

In my next piece, we will discuss what happens when the board remands your appeal. But in the meantime, I am happy to

answer questions about the process at the board in the comments section. Since I don’t work at the board, I have asked a

friend who does work there to help me answer your questions. Please remember we cannot answer questions on your

specific appeals.

VA doctor shares PTSD expertise at World Health Organization conference

Dr. Diane Castillo speaks on therapies for disaster-related mental illness

VA clinical psychologist Dr. Diane Castillo was a speaker at the World Health Organization Expert Group Meeting on

Mental Well-being, Disability and Humanitarian Action in Manila, Philippines, in January. Castillo is the treatment core

center director at VA’s VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans based in Waco, Texas.

She was asked to speak at the World Health Organization (WHO) meeting about alleviating PTSD after disasters and

emergencies.

“The VA has been the leader in understanding post traumatic stress disorder within the United States, but we’re also

recognized worldwide as being able to offer information to the world on what kinds of treatments are effective and

available and how these treatments can speak to disaster relief,” Castillo explained. “My invitation was to be able to

provide that information on evidence-based therapies for PTSD and how individuals dealing with disasters throughout the

world could benefit from that.”

Some 15 representatives from academic institutions, United Nations’ agencies, governmental and non-governmental

organizations were invited in their individual capacity to participate in the meeting. The National Center for Neurology and

Psychiatry in Japan, the University of Tokyo and the Tohoku University, in close collaboration with the World Health

Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific and the United Nations University, organized meeting.

According to the WHO, it is estimated globally that one out of four people will experience a mental health condition during

their lifetime. In disaster and humanitarian settings, affected populations frequently experience immense mental and

psychosocial suffering. Although most people are capable of coping with life’s challenges, mental health and psychosocial

support need to be made available for those who require it to support their recovery.

Care and benefits for Veterans strengthened by $182 billion VA budget

The administration’s FY 2017 budget proposes $182.3 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Funding will continue

to support the largest transformation in VA history; expand access to timely, high-quality health care and benefits; and

advance efforts to end homelessness among Veterans. The following fact sheet summarizes the VA’s FY 2017 budget

proposal. The full budget will be posted on va.gov at 1:30 p.m. EST.

Under the President’s leadership, we have turned our economy around and created 14 million jobs. Our unemployment

rate is below five percent for the first time in almost eight years. Nearly 18 million people have gained health coverage as

the Affordable Care Act has taken effect. And we have dramatically cut our deficits by almost three-quarters and set our

nation on a more sustainable fiscal path.

Yet while it is important to take stock of our progress, this budget is not about looking back at the road we have traveled. It

is about looking forward and making sure our economy works for everybody, not just those at the top. It is about choosing

investments that not only make us stronger today, but also reflect the kind of country we aspire to be – the kind of country

we want to pass on to our children and grandchildren.

The budget makes critical investments in our domestic and national security priorities while adhering to the bipartisan

budget agreement signed into law last fall, and it lifts sequestration in future years so that we continue to invest in our

economic future and our national security. It also drives down deficits and maintains our fiscal progress through smart

savings from health care, immigration, and tax reforms.

The budget shows that the President and the administration remain focused on meeting our greatest challenges —

including accelerating the pace of innovation to tackle climate change and find new treatments for devastating diseases;

giving everyone a fair shot at opportunity and economic security; and advancing our national security and global

leadership — not only for the year ahead, but for decades to come.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is charged with fulfilling President Lincoln’s promise “to care for him who shall have

borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan.” To support this mission, the 2017 budget provides $75.2 billion in

discretionary funding for VA, a 5.0 percent increase above the 2016 enacted level. In addition, the budget includes $3.6

billion in estimated medical care collections, for a total discretionary budget authority of $78.7 billion. The budget also

includes $102.5 billion in 2017 and $103.9 billion in 2018 advance appropriations for VA’s mandatory benefits programs.

This funding will provide the resources necessary to fulfill VA’s mission to provide timely, quality health care and services

to veterans. It will allow VA to operate the largest integrated health care system in the country, including nearly 1,300 VA

facilities serving approximately 9 million veterans enrolled to receive care; the tenth largest life insurance provider,

covering both active duty service members and enrolled veterans; a compensation and pension benefits program serving

over 5.0 million veterans and survivors; an education assistance program serving 1.1 million students; a home mortgage

program with a portfolio of over 2 million active loans guaranteed by VA; and the largest national cemetery system, one

which leads the Nation as a high-performing organization, projected to inter 132,093 veterans and family members in

2017.

Respectively Submitted,

Bruce W. Skipton VFW Post 1260 Surgeon/Service Officer