Veterans Report - Week of February 06, 2012

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Veterans Report - Week of February 06, 2012

VA Home Loan Program
Last year, VA helped 72,391 veterans and servicemembers who were in default on their mortgage loan retain their homes or avoid foreclosure. For veterans and Servicemembers who have trouble meeting their mortgage obligations or anticipate problems in the near future, VA first recommends contacting their loan servicer. Depending on the situation, VA's loan specialists can intervene on a veteran's behalf to help pursue home-retention options such as repayment plans, forbearances, and loan modifications. Veterans and Servicemembers can also call VA toll-free at (877) 827-3702 to speak with a VA specialist concerning foreclosure avoidance. For more information, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans) VA Home Loan section of the Mililtary.com Money Center.


Report Looks at PTSD TBI Programs
Stars and Stripes reports that a recent Government Accounting Office (GAO) report has found that Department of Defense programs supporting psychological health and traumatic brain injury treatment and research are poorly coordinated, and the department has failed to provide reliable and comprehensive data on how more than $2.7 billion in funds for such programs have been used in recent years. The House Armed Services committee had asked the GAO to determine how much funding had been used to support DOD psychological health and TBI activities in recent years and how those funds had been used. A summary of the January 25, 2012 report is available on the (http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-154) GAO website.
For more articles on military life issues, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


Deal of the Week: KinderCare
KinderCare is offering fee assistance for active duty military families when care at a Child Development Center is not available. (http://www.military.com/discounts/deal- ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get more information.
(http://www.military.com/discounts/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) See all Military Discounts


VA Hospitals Not Following Guidelines
A recent study has found that Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals screen elderly men with limited life expectancies for prostate cancer at surprisingly high rates, even though guidelines recommend against such screening. The study of 622,262 men at 104 VA medical centers was published online in the December 17, 2011 edition of the Journal of General Internal Medicine. An abstract of the study is available on the (http://www.springerlink.com/content/882g8630212qh723/) Journal of General Internal Medicine website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


'Navy Week' Schedule Announced
From Boston to Sacramento, America's Navy will come home to 15 cities across the country in 2012 to show Americans why having a strong Navy is critical to the American way of life and to help commemorate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy's flagship outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence. For more information and the complete 2012 schedule, visit the (http://www.navyweek.org/) Navy Week website. For more information on the Navy's commemoration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812, visit the (http://www.ourflagwasstillthere.org/) Bicentennial of the War of 1812 website.
For more resources on military history, visit the (http://www.military.com/history) Military.com History Center.


VA Medical Centers on Facebook
All 152 VA medical centers are now actively represented on Facebook, the world's largest social networking site. VA currently has over 345,000 combined Facebook followers. The Department plans to continue expanding its Facebook presence while also focusing on bringing Twitter to every VA medical center as well. A directory of VA Social Media sites is available at the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA's) Social Media Directory at (http://www.va.gov/opa/SocialMedia.asp href=) www.va.gov/opa/SocialMedia.asp .
To keep up with the military on social media, visit the (http://www.facebook.com/#!/Militarydotcom) Military.com Facebook page.


Join Us at the Spouse Summit March 2-3
The Military.com Spouse Summit is a first-of-its kind event aimed at informing and empowering military spouses. The Summit brings together Subject Matter Experts to address the most pressing issues facing military families today. Whether it's learning how to overcome obstacles that stand in the way of career or education goals, or how the state of the economy could affect military pay and benefits, the 2012 Spouse Summit will cover the substantive issues which are crucial to maintaining the mental, physical and financial health of our military families. Get more information at (http://spousesummit.com/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) http://spousesummit.com.


Aid and Attendance Rate Increase
The United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs approved a rate increase in the Veterans Administration's (VA) Aid and Attendance Pension rate. The VA (http://www.military.com/benefits/conten ... efits.html) Aid and Attendance Pension provides benefits for veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing and undressing or taking care of the needs of nature. It also encompasses individuals who are blind or in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity and offers eligibility for assisted care in an assisting living facility. For more information, visit VA's (http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/pension/) Veterans Pension Program webpage.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


VA Loan Facts for 2012
VA Home Loans allow qualified buyers the opportunity to purchase a home with no down payment. There are also no monthly mortgage insurance premiums to pay, limitations on buyer's closing costs, and an appraisal that informs the buyer of the property value. For most loans on new houses, construction is inspected at appropriate stages and a 1-year warranty is required from the builder. VA also performs personal loan servicing and offers financial counseling to help veterans having temporary financial difficulties. Although there is no maximum VA loan, lenders generally limit the maximum VA loan to $417,000. (http://www.military.com/money/content/v ... loans.html) See the VA Loan FAQ on Military.com.
(http://www.military.com/money/content/v ... loans.html)
Use your VA Loan in 2012 to buy or refinance with no down payment. (https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... RC=mrvr.nl) Find lenders today.


Detroit to Host Small Business Conference
The National Veterans Small Business Conference is coming to Detroit's Cobo Center June 25-29, 2012. A "VA for Vets" Hiring Fair will be held during the conference for veterans looking for careers in the public and private sectors. The conference is expected to attract thousands of Veterans, business owners and federal employees. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) invites all interested persons and businesses to attend. For more information, visit the National Veterans Small Business Conference website at (http://www.nationalveteransconference.com/) www.nationalveteransconference.com. Registration for the conference began January 27.
For job listings across the nation and civilian job guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Vets Sought in Kansas, Nebraska
The Nebraska Farm Service Agency (FSA) needs help reaching out to U.S. veterans who would like to start or get back into farming as well as any landowner that may be willing to offer ground to help a veteran farm. The goal is to reach a minimum of 100 veterans interested in farming and invite them to two workshops in Kansas and two workshops in Nebraska as well as two farm tours in each state. For more information or to submit the names of prospective veterans and landowners willing to get involved with this project, contact the Nebraska Farm Service Agency State Office at 402-437-5581or your local FSA Office.
For job listings across the nation and civilian job guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


State Veterans Benefits Directory
Each state manages its own benefit programs. The following is a list of links to the websites for each of the individual states that offer veterans benefits. Be sure to take advantage of the benefits you have earned by clicking on the link to your State Department of Veterans Affairs. (http://www.military.com/benefits/conten ... RC=mrvr.nl) See what benefits your state offers.
(http://www.military.com/benefits/conten ... RC=mrvr.nl)
GI Bill Benefits are worth up to $52,500. Don't wait to use the benefits you've earned. (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Find Schools with VA Approved Programs.


Get $250k Protection for $13 a Month
Financially protect your family with $250k of coverage for $13 a month. No War, Aviation or Terrorist Clause -- just low cost live insurance for the military and their families. (http://www.military.com/Finance/aafmaa?ESRC=vr.nl) Give yourself peace of mind by contacting AAFMAA today.
(http://www.military.com/Finance/aafmaa?ESRC=vr.nl)


Top 35 Veteran Employers
We've posted a list of the "35 Top Employers for Military," compiled by Civilian Job News, which took a look at a variety of companies, both large and small, over different industries. Included with each listing below are links to more information about veteran hiring, as well as current Monster.com job postings for those companies. These companies include: Amazon, The Exchange, BNSF Railway, CACI International, Capstone Corporation, CenterPoint Energy, Chesapeak Energy Corporation, Cintas and More. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/co ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get the full list of our top 35 Veteran Employers.
(http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Search for Military-friendly Jobs


VA Acquisitions Internship
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently launched at its Acquisitions Academy a special internship to prepare newly-returned Veterans to become federal contracting specialists. Called "Warriors to Workforce," the internship is a three-year program. Participants will earn the 24 educational credits in business required to become contracting professionals. The program includes courses in leadership, technical acquisition training and on-the-job experience. For more information about VA's Acquisitions Academy, visit the Acquisitions Academy website at (http://www.acquisitionacademy.va.gov/) www.acquisitionacademy.va.gov.
For more tips and guides on government jobs, as well as federal job listings, visit the () Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Veterans Benefit Calculator
The benefits calculator is designed to quickly and easily connect you with your benefits based on your service and duty status. (http://benefits.military.com/reg/Vetera ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get started finding your Federal and State benefits and Special Military Discounts.


VA Eyes Paperless Claims
Stars and Stripes reports that the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA's) top claim processing official recently testified before the House veteran affairs' subcommittee on disability assistance. Tom Murphy, director of compensation service for the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), an agency for the Department of Veterans Affairs, testified that the only way to achieve VA's goal of every disability compensation claim being processed within 125 days and with 98 percent accuracy is to shift to a paperless claims system. And that transformation has begun. Opening statements and a webcast of the January 24, 2012 hearing are available on the (http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/ratin ... st-century) House Committee on Veterans Affairs website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


National Salute to Veteran Patients
The National Salute to Veteran Patients program encourages all Americans to visit and volunteer at VA medical centers and to send letters of thanks or valentines to those who have protected our nation. This year's national salute is Feb. 12-18. Last year, more than 328,000 valentines were received at VA medical centers, and 21,330 people visited nearly 70,000 veteran patients. For more information regarding the National Salute to Veteran Patients and volunteer opportunities at a local VA medical center, visit the VA Voluntary Service webpage at (http://www.volunteer.va.gov/) www.volunteer.va.gov/ .
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


VA to Add Blue Button App
The Veterans Affairs Department (VA) will offer a mobile app for its (http://www.va.gov/bluebutton/) Blue Button feature this year so veterans have more options to view and download their personal health data from the department's patient portal. Blue Button enables veterans to click to download their personal health information from the (https://www.myhealth.va.gov/index.html) MyHealtheVet patient portal to a computer or personal health record, which can be viewed, stored or printed.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Vet Job Corps Plan Announced
The President recently unveiled some of the details of his Vet Job Corps plan, which essentially falls into a three part program which will focus on three areas - hiring police and firefighters, creating a veteran conservation corp, and enhanced small business programs to help vets start their own businesses. The President's plan will be managed by several agencies including the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Dept. of Labor, and the Dept. of the Interior.
Read the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... job-corps/) Military Advantage Blog to learn more.


VA Medical Benefits Updated
The Department of Veterans Affairs has published a regulation officially amending VA's medical benefits package to include up to seven days of medical care for newborns delivered by women veterans who are receiving VA maternity care benefits. Newborn care includes routine post-delivery care and all other medically necessary services that are in accord with generally accepted standards of medical practice. The effective date of the rule is Dec. 19, 2011, but the regulation applies retroactively to newborn care provided to eligible women Veterans on or after May 5, 2011. For more information, contact your women Veterans program managers at your local VA medical center and visit VA's Women Veterans Health Care webpage at (http://www.womenshealth.va.gov/) www.womenshealth.va.gov/.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.