Veterans Report - Week of April 23, 2012

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Veterans Report - Week of April 23, 2012

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VA Policy Shift May Harm Vets
The Department of Veterans Affairs is planning to resume a policy of cutting into the tuition payments from the Post-9/11 GI Bill for veterans with outstanding debts. In a letter sent recently to Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, higher education associations warned that the new policy "violates the faith and intent of the enrollment certification process," in which a veteran enrolls in college under the assumption that the Post-9/11 GI Bill will cover the costs. Two U.S. Senators have also sent a letter to the VA Secretary asking him to reconsider the policy change. The college associations have requested a system in which college officials can check on veterans' benefit eligibility, overpayment amounts and other factors that can affect the amount of aid they receive.
Read the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... hurt-vets/) Military Advantage to learn more.


Military Family Educational Assistance Programs
In addition to the very generous education benefits offered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill, there is a special provision of the program that allows eligible career servicemembers to share their remaining GI Bill (education) (http://www.military.com/education/conte ... RC=mrvr.nl) benefits with immediate family members.
The GI Bill is worth up to $52,500. Connect with schools that may offer (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) VA-approved education programs.


VA Begins Claims Improvements
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that it will initiate the national deployment of claims transformation initiatives at 12 regional offices in the remaining months of fiscal year 2012. During the national deployment, VA will track the transformation plan to reduce the backlog of disability claims and provide Veterans, their families, and survivors with more timely and accurate claims decisions. VA expects to deploy the transformation plan to the remaining 40 regional offices throughout calendar 2013. Veterans filing claims may file online through (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov) eBenefits. They can check the status of their claim with a Premium eBenefits account or contact VA Call Centers for more information at 1-800-827-1000.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Organization Helps Veterans
The mission of VetPower.org is to help Veterans successfully launch their own businesses in growing sectors of our economy such as energy and security. The organization provides veterans with the resources, training, networking, mentorship, and support needed for new business success. For more information, visit the (http://diversity-outreach.com/) VetPower.org website.
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.


Military Appreciation Events at Aberdeen
Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland will continue a longstanding tradition by saluting America's armed services during the week of May 14. Events will include an open house that displays the diverse military missions reflected at APG, a live fire demonstration, luncheons, athletic events and more. Foursomes can sign up for the May 14 tournament by calling 410-278-4794. NY veteran from past or current military service is welcome to attend the luncheon May 15 by calling 410-278-3000 beginning May 1. For information about the activities planned May 16, call 410-278-4500. Visit the (http://www.harfordchamber.org/Calendaro ... vents.html) Harford County Chamber of Commerce website, or call 410-838-2020 to register for the Chamber's Military Appreciation Luncheon May 17. To register for the events for Armed Forces Day, May 19, or for more information, contact Byron Reasin, 410-278-7933/2621.
(http://www.military.com/military-appreciation-month) Learn more about National Military Appreciation Month.


Jobs for Veterans in Missouri
Launched in 2010 by Missouri Governor Nixon, the ?Show-Me Heroes' initiative to help Missouri's Veterans and members of the National Guard & Reserve reconnect with meaningful careers, and to showcase Missouri employers who have pledged to do so. Across Missouri, 1,834 companies have taken the Show-Me Heroes pledge and about 1,500 veterans have been hired by those companies. For more information, visit the State of Missouri's (http://showmeheroes.mo.gov/default.aspx) Show-Me Heroes webpage at or call 1-800-592-6020.
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.


Navy Ships and Agent Orange
Want to do your own research on Navy ships and Agent Orange? You can request from the National Archives information from the series "Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978" (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request. Your request should be sent to Archives II Reference Section, Textual Archives Services Division, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001. Phone: 301/837-3510. Navy deck logs from 1980 and later are still in the custody of the Navy, and requests can be sent to Naval Historical Center, Ships History Branch, 805 Kidder Breese SE, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. 20374-3643.
For more on military history, visit the (http://www.military.com/history) Military.com History Center.


VA Innovation Initiative
Since its launch in mid-2010, the VA Innovation Initiative (VAi2) has managed a dozen competitions targeting topics from backlog to telemedicine to Veteran entrepreneurship. 600 proposals from industry and nearly 20,000 ideas from VA employees have led to an innovations program of 135 projects funded across multiple VA mission areas. To learn about the 2012 Industry Innovation Competition, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs VA Innovation Initiative webpage at (http://www.va.gov/VAi2) www.va.gov/VAi2.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Assisted Living House and VA Benefits
If a home in an assisted living community is what you need, then it's possible that veterans' benefits can help. Homes in assisted living communities are often for sale rather than rent. VA borrowers with assisted living needs may be able to get a VA-guaranteed mortgage to finance a property located in an (http://www.military.com/money/partner/h ... ESRC=vr.nl) assisted living community.


New Army Electronic Warfare Insignia
The Army's newest collar insignia and colors are now available to Electronic Warfare warrant officers and EW noncommissioned officers. The insignia are now available for sale in Army and Air Force Exchange Service Clothing Sales stores. The items may also be purchased through the website of the manufacturer, Ira Green, Inc. If they are temporarily not available in a Clothing Sales store, warrant officer shoulder straps may be purchased from the manufacturer, Vanguard, by calling 800-221-1264. The NCO insignia is expected to be available through the Army supply system between September 2012 and March 2013. (http://images.military.com/media/logos/ ... colors.jpg) Take a look at the new insignia and colors.
For more Army news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


Grant for Colorado Veterans Home
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded more than $2.4 million to make improvements, including energy conservation measures, to the Colorado State Veterans Home at Rifle. VA's grant will cover approximately 65 percent of the project's cost. Colorado operates state Veterans homes in Aurora, Florence, Monte Vista, Rifle and Walsenburg. Information about the facilities is available at the (http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CD ... 1580725162) Colorado State Veterans Homes webpage.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


VA Volunteers Make a Difference
Nearly 87,000 volunteers contributed over 12 million hours of service to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities nationwide in 2011. To become a volunteer, contact your local nearest VA facility or 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.


White House to Honor Vietnam Vets
This May, the White House Office of Public Engagement will host a (http://www.whitehouse.gov/champions) Champions of Change event for Vietnam Veterans to highlight individuals within the veterans community, especially those who served in Vietnam, that have shown continued support for efforts to end veterans homelessness, boost veterans employment, treat problems with substance abuse and develop treatment programs for those dealing with PTSD. To fill out the web form information to nominate someone as a Champion of Change, visit the (http://www.whitehouse.gov/webform/white ... m-veterans) White House website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Legion Institute Available Online
The American Legion Extension Institute, the American Legion's official training program for officers, members, Legion College applicants and those who simply want to expand their knowledge of the nation's largest veterans service organization, is now available online at (http://www.legion.org/alei) www.legion.org/alei. To register and take the course, visit the American Legion Extension Institute webpage at (http://www.legion.org/alei) www.legion.org/alei. The program should take less than two hours to complete. The online course is $4.95 for members of The American Legion and Sons of The American Legion. The registration fee is $9.95 for non-members.


Study Looks at Transition Services
Stars and Stripes reports that researchers at the Center for a New American Security recently issued a critical report on the status of veterans care in America. The report, (http://www.cnas.org/wellafterservice) Veteran Reintegration and American Communities, notes that the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments lack any official process to transition troops from active-duty programs to civilian resources, both in the VA and with other community charities. The report is available on the (http://www.cnas.org/wellafterservice) Center for a New American Security website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Vietnam Vets Sought in Wisconsin
The state Department of Veterans Affairs is urging an estimated 140,000 Vietnam veterans living in Wisconsin to contact their county's Veterans Service Office to determine if they are suffering from diseases linked to possible Agent Orange exposure. To find your County Veterans Service Office in Wisconsin, visit the (http://dva.state.wi.us/cvso.asp) Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs website. The list of diseases linked to Agent Orange exposure can be found at the (http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposure ... seases.asp) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website. Information on health care for veterans exposed to Agent Orange is available on the (http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposure ... atment.asp) VA website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Financial Tips for Newlyweds
Being a newlywed is an exciting time -- nothing is set in stone and a whole life of opportunity awaits you. For precisely this reason, the patterns that we set during this time can set us up for a lifetime of financial success or struggles. Following (http://www.military.com/money/partner/p ... yweds.html) these six financial tips will ensure that you set yourself up for success as a newly-married couple.


Advice for Job Seekers
The American Legion provides for veterans and transitioning servicemembers a valuable job resource ? its (http://www.legion.org/jobfront) Advice for Job Seekers page, which features advice from employment experts on r?m?riting, job searching and managing your online identity in a way to attract prospective employers.
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.


Featured Discount: Mother's Day Gifts
Take care of your Mother's day shopping today. Save with the Military.com shopping channel and make your Mother's day with (http://www.military.com/discounts/categ ... RC=mrvr.nl) flowers, chocolates and more.


Featured Employer: Allstate Is Hiring Military
Allstate is hiring veterans and transitioning servicemembers. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... RC=mrvr.nl) Visit the Allstate Veteran Talent Portal to apply for jobs, translate your military skills and network with other veterans. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... RC=mrvr.nl) Visit the Allstate Veteran Talent Portal Now.


Eye Tremors and Parkinson's
A study supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has found that eye tremors may be linked to Parkinson's Disease. "Eye tremors are pervasive in Parkinson's disease and could be an early warning sign of the neurodegenerative movement disorder, according to the case-control study" conducted by Dr. Mark S. Baron of the Veterans Affairs hospital in Richmond, Virginia. An abstract of the study is available on the (http://archneur.ama-assn.org/cgi/conten ... ol.2012.70) Archives of Neurology website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.