The number of casualties of Bush's "war on terror" is rising daily. Some of the injuries are horrendous and immediate - the rate of brain injuries and injuries resulting in parapalegia are extremely high in this war. Other problems are less obvious and may take a long time to surface: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, vaccine-related chronic illness, chronic illness due to toxic exposures, back injuries, etc. So far, an estimated 23,000 veterans have been sent back to the states for health reasons, be it combat injury or illness of some sort.

Yet, shockingly, the US government is trying to ignore these heroic Americans who, simply by being in these hellish war zones under such circumstances have given above and beyond the call of duty.

Under the guise of "privacy rules," the Pentagon is blocking DAV (Disabled American Veterans) reps from contacting disabled soldiers shipped back from Afghanistan or Iraq. Instead, DAV national service officers (NSOs) must work hard to seek out and identify the wounded. Even when they do, however, the new Bush rules dictate that these veterans or their families must first ASK for help before the DAV can offer it. Trouble is, because the military and the VA have been instructed NOT to tell soldiers/vets of their rights and possible benefits, a high percentage of soldiers do not know that there is any help to ASK for. A vicious Catch-22. Here is a paragraph from the Jan/Feb print edition of DAV magazine:

"Disabled veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are mostly unaware of their rights as veterans and, acting without representation, some have accepted less than their disabilities warranted. Few are aware of free DAV representation that will help them obtain their full and rightful benefits."

The DAV was especially outraged when it discovered that it wasn't even allowed to visit soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital unless the patients were "pre-selected" for them! Incredible!

If you are, or know of, a veteran who may need help, please pass this information on to them! Even if you are not disabled, there are many veterans benefits you may be unaware of that could most certainly help your transition back into civilian life. As I have heard more than one vet say: "It is only the truly persistent who get anywhere with the VA." Here's some advice from the Vietnam Veterans of America: "Do not be discouraged by a VA employee who says you are not entitled to benefits. Put your claim in writing and insist on a written reply from the VA." And, of course, always get NAMES and write down dates and times of calls. Keep ALL correspondance with the VA. NEVER assume they know what they are doing.

It is STRONGLY recommended that any veteran who has been wounded or suspects he may have a service related condition get a DAV rep as soon as they are able to. The VA itself has become a frustrating maze full of dead ends for veterans who don't know much about the system, which, let's face it, is most new vets. It is extremely difficult for veterans to get through the VA system and receive adequate info about benefits, get any timely action on claims, or, in short, get a fair shake.

Here's how the system has been "stacked" under the Bush administration. First, Bush increased money for selected areas, such as hiring new people just to take claims (not to process them). This made it appear that "more veterans are getting help." In reality, once they have filled out their claims, those claims have been sitting in limbo, going nowhere fast - if at all. Why? Because Bush provided no additional money for actual CLAIMS PROCESSORS, (the people who follow through on your claim). It was a slickly designed corporate bottleneck, designed to make it look like something was happening and money was being spent on veterans. In reality, this bottleneck INSURED that the actual outlay of cash for claims would be minimized, not increased. The average waiting time for a disability claim to be made and money to be seen by a vet was, before the Iraq war, about 2 years in most areas of the country. It is considerably longer now.

DAV reps know their way around the maze and keep abreast of all the changes (read manipulations) thrown into the system by the administration. That is why the administration has made it so difficult for the DAV to gain access to new war wounded. To justify this slimey outrage, the VA is calling their blocking of benefit info and aid "preserving veteran privacy." That's sort of like a doctor refusing to tell you what your treatment options are because he's concerned about your "privacy." In short, it's pure bull-sh*t.

The US Active Duty Soldier/Veteran/Reservist/Guardsman RESOURCE GUIDE

Note: resources just for Reservists and Guardsmen resources make up the last section of this guide)

This page will grow as more resources can be added. Please contact us if any of the info leads to a dead end in any way. We have doublechecked the stuff, but we're talking bureaucracy here with some of the material, so ya never know.

If you are not a veteran or solider but know someone who might need this, please pass it on.

RULE NUMBER ONE: BE WELL-ARMED WITH VA FACTS:

Part of the Rumsfeld plan is keeping soldier/veterans so uninformed about VA benefits and services so that they don't even know what questions to ask. Here's how to "counterattack" that assault on your rights: BE INFORMED. It is highly recommended that you start lining up your options BEFORE you have even been processed out of active duty. It is also HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that if you shipped home for health reasons, you get a DAV rep as soon as possible and let them be your "guides" and voice.

DIRECTORY OF VETERANS ASSISTANCE:

***Veterans Benefits News i-monthly newsletter written for VVA Service Reps and other advocates; one-year subscription is $25; to order, call: (800) VVA -1316.

***Veterans Benefits Manual and Supplementwritten for representative; details on filing, presenting claims for full range of VA benefits; offered by National Veterans Legal Services Program; to order, call 202 -265-8305.

***Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations the official set of VA regulations; available from the Government Printing Office; to order, call 202-512-1800.

***Veterans Appeals Reportercontains decisions of Court of Veterans Appeals; published by West Publishing Co.; available at nearest VARO.

(this info courtesy Vietnam Veterans Association)

A one-stop guide to Veterans benefits is offered by the National Veterans Legal Services Program:

VETERANS BENEFITS MANUAL http://www.nvlsp.org/vbm_pubstxt.htm This guide, written for veterans lawyers and reps, costs $125 so would be a good choice for a bunch of guys to go in on to have as a "group resource."
Here's a description: "User-friendly, well-indexed, and packed with practical information, it includes sample forms and briefs, flowcharts, checklists, citations to legal authorities, and other documents designed to streamline the claims process and save you and your veteran client valuable time."

DISABLED AVMERICAN VETERANS
web page: http://www.dav.org

Main National Number for DAV (they will hook you up with your local reps)
877-426-2838
These folks are GREAT. But they are human and stretched thin right now so be patient. If you don't like your rep, ask if someone else can handle your case. This isn't the military! You have a choice.

To write to the DAV:

DAV
3725 Alexandria Pike
Cold Spring, KY 41078

DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
website: http://www1.va.gov/health_benefits/

National number: 1-877-222-VETS

Be patient and BE PERSISTENT! Demand your right to speak to a rep, get their name, record the date and time of the call, and write down the info they give you. It is often WRONG, so keep a paper trail.

READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICE
(202) 273-9116
email vet.center@hq.med.va.gov
Bereavement counseling for family members is now being offered

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION DIRECTORY
http://www.appc1.va.gov/directory/guide/division.asp?divisionId=1

The above is a VERY COMPLETE listing of VA hospitals, outpatient clinics and Vet Centers for every region of the country. If you don't have a computer, log on at a library or recreation center as soon as you get the chance.

GULF WAR II "Mystery Diseases" Resources

If you believe you may be suffering from the effects of the vaccine cocktail you received, here are some resources:

Gulf War Vets
http://www.gulfwarvets.com/index.html
In 10 years of tracking vaccine and toxic-exposure-related illnesses, these folks have a huge database of info

Gulf War Veterans Resource Pages
http://www.gulfweb.org/

Here's a link to "Gulf War II Mystery Disease":
http://www.gulfwarvets.com/news13.htm

RESEARCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON GULF WAR ILLNESSES
http://www1.va.gov/RAC-GWVI/page.cfm?pg=18

These folks are collecting info from vets and physicans on conditions that may fall under the heading of Gulf War illnesses. Also provide info on treatments and ongoing research.

Contact:
RAC-Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses (T-GW)
U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs
2200 S.W. Gage Blvd.
Topeka, KS 66622
E-mail address is:
RAC@med.va.gov

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSPERSON

HOUSE OF REPS
http://www.house.gov/

SENATE
http://www.senate.gov/

BRAIN INJURIES

Doctors report that a disproportionately high percentage of soldiers in Irag and Afghanistan are receiving head injuries (now referred to as brain injury, including concussions). Some of the effects of head injury may not show up for years, as dozens of studies of WWII, Korean, and Vietnam vets have shown. So if you have had even a concussion that did not result in your being shipped home, record the time, circumstances and everything you can recall about the incident for future reference. There is much research evidence now to suggest that even non-life-threatening head injuries can cause an increase in depression. So, if you have had a head injury you may have found yourself experiencing periods of unusually strong depression (being somewhat depressed whilst being stuck in Iraq or Afghanistan is not unusual!).

The first stop contact if you have had a head injury is the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center at Walter Reed Army Medical Center They have a program going on right now that is focused on head injury of any and all kinds among vets. So if you think you are having any head-injury related problems contact them:

Defense and Veterans Head Injury Program at Walter Reed
1-800-870-9244 or (202) 782-6345.

Here is a GREAT resource put together by a caring guy at Walter Reed name David Wulick:

http://www.wramc.amedd.army.mil/departments/surgery/neuro/links.htm

It contains a very complete listing of head injury/neurological resources.

Know someone who was blinded?
BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION:

477 H Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001-2694
Phone: 202-371-8880
email:bva@bva.org

VETERANS WITH SPINAL INJURIES

: United Spinal Association
(formerly Eastern Paralyzed Vets)
these folks are very dedicated and can help point you in the right direction for help

75-20 Astoria Boulevard
Jackson Heights, New York 11370
Phone: (718) 803-3782
Fax: (718) 803-0414
E-mail: info@unitedspinal.org

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)

: Vietnam Veterans Association (they will talk to any veteran of any war about the issue of PTSD)
http://www.vva.org/Benefits/ptsd.htm

NOTE: This page has GREAT info not just on PTSD benefits, but on working your way through the VA maze in general.

RAPE

National Sexual Assault Hotline

PHONE: 1-800-656-HOPE
web site: http://www.rainn.org/counseling.html
My advice is to locate the center in your home state. This will be be "grounding" and you will be able to touch base personally with the people later, when you are back in the States.

The only military resource I could find was the Air Force Rape Crisis Center in Nevada. These people would probably be very helpful, however, and could help you with the specific issues that are involved with the military.

THE RAPE CRISIS CENTER (Air Force)

http://www.therapecrisiscenter.org/military_victims.htm
HOTLINE: 1-702-366-1640

DEPRESSION

The most reassuring thing I can say is that if you are in Iraq and are depressed, that probably just means you are NORMAL. It is a depressing situation, and you are reacting to it as just about anyone in their right mind would. The second most reassuring thing I can say is that it won't last forever. The odds are very much in your favor, as horrific as things can get, that you will come home safely to your loved ones and life will go on. This too, as the saying goes, will pass. Don't do something stupid like klling yourself and make the problem permanent!

Here's an excerpt from "Depression in the Military" put out by Homeland Security, with my comments in brackets:

"As a military member [and thus as a "federal employee"] there is a vast selection of resources available to you. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to active duty, reserve, retired members and their dependents. The EAP is a confidential assessment and short-term counseling and referral service that can be used without a referral. By law all information you share with EAP, psychologists and psychiatrists is confidential unless suicide, imminent harm to another, or child abuse is indicated. [in the firest two cases, you will not be penalized, just placed under medical care - probably shipped to Walter Reed, which beats Iraq even on a bad day. In the case of child abuse, you will probably be required to undergo counseling]. Your command, District Chaplain and medical provider can also assist you in getting help [I'd go with the chaplain, if I were you, but avoid the frothing-at-the-mouth hellfire types!].

EAP has a 24-hour, 365-day-a-year hotline number which employees and their families can call, 800-222-0364.

The Samaritans Hotline- (800) 852-8336

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention- (888) 333-2377

National Foundation for Depressive Illness- (888) 248-4344

Have you been through the system and believe you got a raw deal, or feel that you need outside help with your case?

NATIONAL VETERANS LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM, INC.
: http://www.nvlsp.org/ They do a great deal of pro bono (as in free) work

SUPPORT FOR SOLDIER'S FAMILIES DURING ACTIVE DUTY

The American Legion are the folks to contact if your family is struggling while you are on active duty:

Help for Your Family:
http://www.legion.org/?section=veterans&subsection=ad_fsn&content=ad_fsn
This is a quote from this page:
"What kind of help can be available? Grocery shopping, childcare, lawn care, fixing the family car and countless other challenges to a military spouse. Family members simply call toll-free: 1. Provide details of the need and then let Legion family volunteers take over."

phone: -1-800-504-4098
email: familysupport@legion.org

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IF YOU ARE A DISABLED VET

American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance Program:
http://www.legion.org/?section=community&subsection=com_tfa&content=com_tfa

See also the Red Cross Resource below

THE AMERICAN RED CROSS:

These folks don't just help out in disasters - they are there for soldiers/vets and their families under many circumstances, including emergency financial help: Reservists and National Guard are covered under their kindly umbrella, too.

Emergency Communications Program: http://www.redcross.org/services/afes/0,1082,0_476_,00.html

Emergency Financial Assistance
http://www.redcross.org/services/afes/0,1082,0_477_,00.html

Family counseling Services
http://www.redcross.org/services/afes/0,1082,0_478_,00.html

How to Utilize the American Red Cross during Family Emergencies While a National Guard or Reserve Member is Absent
http://www.redcross.org/static/file_cont1514_lang0_690.pdf

Locate the Red Cross office nearest to your family:
http://www.redcross.org/where/where.html

Red Cross website directory:
http://www.redcross.org/where/chapts.html

American Red Cross National Headquarters
2025 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: (202) 303-4498

FOR HOMELESS VETERANS:

This is an outrageously huge problem, one, alas, that some new vets may also face in the future.

US VETS (name of the organization)

Quote from US Vets website: "If you are a veteran in need of assistance [or know of one] we are the largest provider of housing, counseling, employment and training assistance in the country. Our locations and assistance request form are listed below. If we cannot help you we will refer you to someone who can. Your information will be held in the strictest confidence. "

Call Toll Free 1-877-527-8387

ALSO:
VA Medical Center Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans:
Martinsburg, WV: Homeless Coordinator, (304) 263-0811, Ext. 3469
Admissions Processing, Ext. 3067
Outreach Worker, Ext. 3084

US Vets AmeriCorps Members:
James Brooks, Ext. 3849
Solomon Watts, Ext. 3994
Perry Point, MD: US Vets AmeriCorps Member:
Stephanie Miller, (410) 642-1073, 642-2411

VA Medical Center Homeless Assistance:

Baltimore, MD: (410) 605-7592
Washington, DC: (202) 745-8338
U.S. Vets AmeriCorps Member:
Coco Green, (202)745-8000, Ext.5086

For information on VA Homeless Assistance Programs:

http://www.va.gov/health/homeless/AssistProg.htm

Other US Vets sites:

Houston, Texas: Anthony Love, Director
(713) 791-1414, Ext. 6989
http://www.neosoft.com/~lavetstx/
Ventura, CA: Carolyn Briggs, Director
(805) 658-6131, 658-0180
Long Beach:
Los Angeles, CA: Susan Lux, Director
(310) 348-7600, Ext. 3110

From anyplace in the country, call 800 VET HELP or 888 233-8582! This direct lines are operated by the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans and is manned daily. There is also a message service if the office is closed. NCHV director Linda Boone and her staff are knowledgable about veterans programs across the country and are eager to help. You might also visit NCHV's web site (www.nchv.org) for information on stand downs, conferences and current legislative issues. For additional sites, visit out Veterans Links page

http://www.lavetsdc.org/VetLinks.html

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Got a Substance Abuse Problem? You are NOT Alone. It unfortunately seems to go with the territory - the territory being a war zone.

IN WAR ZONE:

To start an AA or Narcotics Anonymous meeting wherever you may be stationed:

Contact

A.A. World Services, Inc.,
Box 459, Grand Central Station,
New York, NY 10163
Tel. (212) 870-3400.
www.aa.org
AA also gives their support to "AA loners" who need help, no matter where in the world they may be. Same numbers, etc. as above

Also (for European troops in war zone):

WSO-Europe
48 Rue de l'Été/Zomerstraat
B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
Telephone 32-2-646-6012
Fax 32-2-649-9239

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
CONTACT NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
World Service Office in Los Angeles
PO Box 9999
Van Nuys, California 91409 USA
Telephone (818) 773-9999
Fax (818) 700-0700
website: http://www.na.org/contact.htm

It can be assumed they also support "loners."

AA and NA will send you all you need (books, literature, etc.) to get you started.

BACK HOME:

Find the VA Outpatient Clinic Nearest to you:
Got to this site:
http://www.appc1.va.gov/directory/guide/division.asp?divisionId=1
Click on your area, then find link to "Outpatient Clinics"
Call the Clinic and ask if they have an SATP (substance abuse treatment program).

Also/or: Call Alcoholics Anonymous: Find your local contact info in this directory: http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/default/en_contact.cfm?contype=central

slso see AA and Narcotics A. contact info listed

RESERVISTS/NATIONAL GUARD RESOURCES

FOR RESERVISTS: EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS

"Your Rights When Called Up for Active Reserve or National Guard Duty"
http://www.aflcio.org/yourjobeconomy/rights/rightsatwork/reservists.cfm

RETURNING TO WORK (Reservists and Guardsmen)

The National Mental Health Ass. is offering a support service to help returnees make the transition more easily - apparently some problems can emerge, and having someone in your corner with help and reassurance can help a great deal.

National Mental Health Association
2001 N. Beauregard Street, 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone 703/684-7722
Fax 703/684-5968
Mental Health Resource Center 800/969-NMHA
TTY Line 800/433-5959
http://www.nmha.org/reassurance/cominghome/returningtowork.cfm

GUARD/RESERVE: What Happens to Your Healthcare Plan

http://www.nmfa.org/nefe/c5/c5a2.html

quote from this page:

"There also is a health-care program, called TRICARE, for dependents of reservists or guard members who are on active duty for 30 days or more. For more information about TRICARE, visit www.tricare.osd.mil

DEPLOYED RESERVISTS WORKPLACE RIGHTS

http://www.house.gov/carolynmccarthy/DEPLOYEDRESERVISTS.htm

Here's a particularly good piece of info to know!

The Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 (SSCRA)

What is it?

The SSCRA was passed by Congress to protect men and women from worrying about civil lawsuits and pre-existing debts while they were in uniform defending the United States.

Who is covered?

Persons entering or called to active duty military service are protected under the SSCRA, as are reservists and the National Guard. A servicemember may be on active duty in peacetime as well as in time of war or other national crisis. Further, active duty includes training activities such as boot camp. In addition to providing direct relief to military personnel, the SSCRA also provides relief for military dependents who may face such problems as eviction or foreclosure proceedings.

What does it do?

Under the SSCRA, servicemembers may qualify for any or all of the following:

· Reduced interest rate on mortgage payments;

· Reduced interest rate on credit card debt;

· Protection from eviction if rent is less than $1,200;

· Delay of all civil court actions (i.e., bankruptcy, foreclosure or divorce proceedings).

SUMMARY OF VA BENEFITS FOR NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE PERSONNEL

Hard to read PDF file can be (sorta) seen at:

http://www.va.gov/environagents/docs/SVABENEFITS.pdf

A SUMMARY OF VA BENEFITS FOR NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE PERSONNEL

Home Loan Guaranty

VA guarantees loans to purchase a home, manufactured home, certain types of condominiums; or to build, repair, and improve homes. This benefit may be used to refinance an existing home loan. Certain disabled veterans can receive grants to have their home specially adapted to their needs. Native Americans living on Trust Land may qualify for a direct home loan. Basic eligibility requirements are: Selected Reserve or National Guard When eligibility is based on reserve service, the individual must have completed six years of honorable service. If he/she was discharged due to service-connected disability, the required service time could be less.

<,b>Active Duty - When eligibility is based on current active duty service, eligibility begins after 181 days of active service (or 90 days during the Gulf War) unless discharged or separated from a previous qualifying period of active duty service.

Home Loan Guaranty - Certificate of Eligibility

toll-free - 1-888-244-6711 – East of the Mississippi River toll-free - 1-888-487-1970 – West of the Mississippi River

Burial Benefits

Burial benefits for veterans may include a gravesite in any of our 120 national cemeteries with available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a Government headstone or marker, a grave liner for casketed remains, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost to the family. VA can pay a burial allowance of $2000 for veterans who died of service-related causes. For other veterans receiving VA benefits, VA can pay $300 for burial and funeral expenses and a $300 plot allowance. A U.S. flag for burial purposes is issued for individuals who complete at least one enlistment in the Selected Reserve or National Guard, or who was discharged due to service-connected disability or whose death was the result of service. A flag can also be issued for individuals who at the time of death were eligible for retirement pay based on Selected Reserve or national Guard Service, or would have been entitled had the member attained age 60.

Contact VA

Each VA benefit has its own eligibility requirements. For specific information about eligibility call VA at: 1-800-827-1000

Health Benefits 877-222-8387

Education Benefits 888-442-4551

VA Life Insurance 800-669-8477

Office of SGLI 800-419-1473

CHAMPVA 800-733-8387

Environmental Health 800-749-8387

Headstones (status of claims only) 800-697-6947

Telecommunication Device for Deaf (TDD) 800-829-4833

Direct Deposit 877-838-2778

VA Web Site www.va.gov

Apply for Health Benefits https://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/

Apply for Compensation, Pension or Vocational Rehabilitation benefits on line: http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov

Facilities Locator http://www.va.gov/sta/guide/home.asp

Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents (2003 Edition) http://www.va.gov/pubaff/fedben/Fedben.pdf

The Center for Women Veterans http://www.va.gov/womenvet/

Education http://www.gibill.va.gov

Loan Guaranty http://www.homeloans.va.gov

Veterans Service Organizations http://www.va.gov/vso/default.asp

State Veterans Affairs Offices http://www.va.gov/partners/stateoffice/index.htm

For information on reemployment rights and unemployment insurance http:// www.dol.gov

Burial and Memorial Benefits http://www.cem.va.gov/burial.htm

Department of Veterans Affairs To Care for Him Who Shall Have Borne the Battle and For His Widow and His Orphan Abraham Lincoln IB-164 May 2003 Department of Defense Deployment Health Support Directorate

Health Care for Combat Veterans Education and Training

o Eligibility for Reservists/National Guard Members The primary factor in determining basic eligibility to VA benefits is “veteran status,” which is established by active military, naval, or air service and a discharge or release from active service under conditions other than dishonorable. Reservists who served on active duty establish veteran status and may therefore be eligible for VA benefits, depending on the length of active military service and the character of discharge or release. In addition, reservists who are never called to active duty may qualify for some VA benefits.

National Guard members can establish eligibility for nly if the President activated them for VA benefits o federal duty.

Health Care

Generally veterans must be enrolled to receive health care services. Reservists and National Guard members activated for federal duty can qualify for a number of health care services provided by VA. Hospital, outpatient medical, dental, pharmacy and prosthetic services Domiciliary, nursing home, and community-based residential care Sexual trauma counseling Specialized health care for women veterans Health and rehabilitation programs for homeless veterans Readjustment counseling Alcohol and drug dependency treatment Medical evaluation for military service exposure, including Gulf War, Agent Orange, Ionizing Radiation, and certain other environmental hazards.

VA has extended health care benefits for combat veterans. In 1998, VA was authorized to provide a broad range of health care services to U.S. veterans who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations during a period of war after the Persian Gulf War or in combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities after November 11, 1998. Such veterans are eligible for 2 years after leaving the military for VA hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for any illness, even if there is insufficient medical evidence to conclude that their Illness was a result of their combat service.

Under this authority, health care may not be provided for any disability that is found to have resulted from a cause other than the service at issue; for example, conditions existing before military service and conditions that began following military combat, like broken bones occurring after separation from active duty.

Reservists and members of the National Guard who served on active duty in a theater of combat may be eligible for VA health care under this authority.

Veterans with health concerns that may be related to aluation combat are encouraged to seek a medical ev at a local VA medical facility. The families of reservists’ may also be eligible for counseling in the Readjustment Counseling Center Program. Disability Benefits VA administers two disability programs. Both are tax- free.

Compensation: VA pays monthly benefits for disabilities incurred or aggravated during active duty and active duty for training, and for heart attack or stroke incurred during inactive duty for training. Such disabilities are considered “service-connected.” Additional benefits for the member and his/her dependents or survivors may apply.

Pension:

This income-based benefit is paid to veterans with honorable war-time service who are permanently and totally disabled (or age 65 or older). Selected Reserve and National Guard members may be entitled to up to 36 months of benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606). To qualify, the participant must:

have a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve or National Guard (officers must agree to serve six years in addition to the original obligation have completed initial active duty for training meet the requirements to receive a high school diploma or equivalency certificate before applying for benefits, and remain in good standing while serving in a Selected Reserve or National Guard unit. Benefit entitlement ends 10 years from the date of eligibility for the program, or on the date of separation from service. Members whose eligibility began on or after October 1, 1992, have 14 years. If activated under title 10, the eligibility period is extended by the time on active duty plus 4 months. A separate extension applies for each activation. An extension is not available if activated under U.S.C. Title 32. Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service-disabled veterans may qualify for rehabilitation and employment assistance including: job search, vocational evaluation, career exploration, vocational training, education, and rehabilitation services. If enrolled in an education or training program, VA will pay for the participant’s tuition, fees, books, tools, and other program expenses as well as provide a monthly living allowance.

Complete information is available at: http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm

VA Life In surance

National Guard and Reserve Personnel are eligible to receive Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI), Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI), and Family Group Life Insurance (FGLI). They may also be eligible for Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (RH) if called to active duty, injured, and have a service-connected disability.

Additional information may be obtained on-line at http://www.insurance.va.gov/

To add resources or to report faulty links, nonworking numbers, or uncooperative jerks at the end of working numbers, send a note to:

CHERDAV44@aol.com

This guide was compiled by Cheryl Seal and David Adam, who have both worked extensively with veterans. .