Veterans Report - Week of February 04, 2013

[boardman]

Veterans Report - Week of February 04, 2013

A Look at Glaucoma
Veterans should take action to prevent sight-stealing diseases like glaucoma. Over a million veterans have an eye disease which can threaten their vision, and 285,000 veterans have glaucoma. The Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) is working to address and treat veterans' eye problems. For more information, visit the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) (http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/20130110a.asp) Health Care webpage.
For more updates on veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Tracking Student Veteran Performance
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has teamed up with Student Veterans of America and the National Student Clearinghouse to better track how student veterans are performing. To learn more, visit VA's (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/8523/va ... ion-rates/) VAntage Point Blog.
For more guides on military education benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education Center.


TRICARE RX Co-Pay Increase
On February 1, 2013, many TRICARE beneficiaries saw their out-of-pocket prescription costs go up. The co-pay increases target brand-name formulary and non-formulary medications, while the co-pays for generic medications for both mail order and network pharmacies remain unchanged. In addition, those who get their meds at their local military treatment facility will continue to get their medications with no co-pay. (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... is-friday/) Learn more about the new TRICARE Rx Co-pays.


$400k Coverage: As Low as $26 a Month
Is VGLI too much for your family? Find low cost alternatives designed with your military family in mind. (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid ... =vr0204.nl) Get $400k protection starting at less than $1 a day.


AF Opens Combat Positions to Women
The Department of Defense (DoD) has the rescission the 1994 Direct Ground Combat Definition and Assignment Rule for women and that the Department of Defense plans to remove gender-based barriers to service. While 99 percent of Air Force positions are currently open to women, this means the Air Force can pursue integrating women into the seven remaining Air Force career fields still closed, all associated with special operations. DoD is directing this process to be complete by Jan. 1, 2016. For more information, the Joint Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Women in Service Review Memorandum can be viewed (http://www.defense.gov/news/WISRJointMemo.pdf) online. The Chairman's Women in Service Review Memorandum can be viewed (http://www.defense.gov/news/WISRImpleme ... anMemo.pdf) online.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


Pinkerton Is Hiring Veterans
With a dedicated nationwide support structure and industry leading operational and administrative processes for hiring, clearances, and compliance Pinkerton Government Services, Inc. (PGS) operates in the United States, Italy, Canada, and Belgium. PGS has more than 4,000 security officers, with 90% holding a government security clearance, allowing us to provide thousands of quality security solutions to meet our clients' specific needs. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... RC=mrvr.nl) Learn More.


Veterans Employment Toolkit
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has launched a new website for employers seeking to hire veterans. The Veterans Employment Toolkit website at (http://www.va.gov/vetsinworkplace/) www.va.gov/vetsinworkplace/ aims to help employers, managers and supervisors, human resource professionals, and employee assistance program (EAP) providers relate to and support their employees who are Veterans and members of the Reserve and National Guard. For more information, visit VA's Veterans Employment Toolkit website at (http://www.va.gov/vetsinworkplace/) www.va.gov/vetsinworkplace/.
For more veteran job news, as well as job listings and tips for starting your civilian career, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Understanding VA Minimum Property Requirements
The VA minimum property requirements for mortgages backed through the veterans benefits program can help determine whether the property you're considering qualifies for a VA loan. Many veterans wonder whether the property they are eyeing qualifies for a VA loan. The VA Minimum Property Requirements or MPRs can help. If the home you're thinking of buying meets these guidelines, then it may qualify: (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) Read More.


Free Tax Return Help
The Internal Revenue Service's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program offers free tax help for Veterans. For more information visit the Internal Revenue Service website at (http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax ... Volunteers) www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return ... Volunteers.
For other tax service options, and guides and tips for tax season, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/personal-finance/taxes) Military.com Tax Center.


VA Improves Online Benefits Information
The Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Defense (DoD) just released improvements to the functionality of eBenefits, a joint self-service web portal that provides registered users with secure online information and access to a variety of military and Veterans benefits resources. The latest release allows for easier navigation of the online disability compensation claim submission process. To access eBenefits, Veterans and Servicemembers must obtain a DoD Self-Service Logon (DS Logon), which may be obtained in person at a VA Regional Office, DoD ID Card station or from the eBenefits website at (http://www.ebenefits.va.gov/) www.ebenefits.va.gov . For more information about VA benefits, visit the (http://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/) Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) website and the eBenefits website at (http://www.ebenefits.va.gov) www.ebenefits.va.gov.
For more updates on veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


VA Enhances Blue Button
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released an enhanced VA Blue Button, adding several new categories of information from the VA Electronic Health Record. Blue Button is the personal health record inside the My HealtheVet self-service platform and through My HealtheVet, VA Blue Button enables Veterans to download an electronic file that contains their personal health information. Veterans can now also access VA OpenNotes, which 'opens' clinical notes, allowing Veterans to read their health care team's notes from appointments and hospital stays. These features are available to Veterans who have an upgraded or Premium My HealtheVet account, which is easily obtained at no cost through the My HealtheVet website at (http://www.myhealth.va.gov/) www.myhealth.va.gov.
For more updates on veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Veterans Make the Connection
The Veterans Make the Connection website offers resources and support to help veterans manage the issues they may be facing and find solutions for improving their lives. The website offers resources whether you left the military decades ago or just recently transitioned to civilian life. For more information, visit the (http://maketheconnection.net/veterans?e ... _204323114) Veterans Make the Connection website.
For more updates on veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


New Networking App f or Vets
(http://pos-rep.com) POS-REP short for "position report," is a new social networking mobile app that allows Veterans to locate other Veterans, communicate and find resources in their area. The app, currently in the final stages of Apple approval, was developed an Army Veteran. The free download has multiple features, including Radar, which shows a map of other nearby Veterans and allows users to broadcast their own locations if they choose. There is also Sitrep, which allows Veterans to post status updates and communicate with one another. Learn more about the POS-REP mobile app on its (http://www.facebook.com/posrep) Facebook page, its (https://twitter.com/pos_rep) Twitter feed and on the POS-REP website at (http://pos-rep.com) pos-rep.com.
For more on military apps, visit the (http://www.military.com/topics/best-apps) Military.com Best Apps section.


Navy Launches New Facebook Page
The U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery's Force Master Chief and director of the Hospital Corps has announced the launch of the "Force Master Chief, Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery" Facebook page. Navy Medicine's senior enlisted leader established the new Facebook page in an effort to enhance two-way communication with current, past, and future Navy hospital corpsmen, their families, the Navy community as a whole. Hospital corpsmen (HM) deploy with Sailors and Marines worldwide, in both wartime and peacetime. The new Navy Medicine Force Master Chief Facebook page is accessible on (https://www.facebook.com/USNavyMedicineFORCM) Facebook.
To keep up with the military in the social media world, visit and like the (http://www.facebook.com/Militarydotcom) Military.com Facebook page.


Benefits of a VA Loan in Today's Market
One of the unique benefits afforded to military personnel is access to the Veterans Affairs Home Mortgage Loan program. This program offers tremendous mortgage benefits to active-duty servicemembers, veterans, and some surviving spouses. A VA home loan can be used for a number of purposes, including purchasing or building a new home, refinancing a current mortgage, repairing or improving your existing home, or installing home efficiency measures. (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) See more benefits of a VA Loan in today's market.
(https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... RC=mrvr.nl) Next Step: Search for lenders ready to help you buy or refinance with a VA Loan.


Featured Job: United Health Group
When you work to better people's lives, one of those lives will always be yours. Help us provide the world's best service to those who have served. (http://careers.unitedhealthgroup.com/la ... _northamer) Find Open Positions.


VA Awards Grants
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently awarded 32 grants to VA facilities for projects that will improve emergency health care services for women veterans, expand women's health education programs for VA staff, and offer telehealth programs to female veterans in rural areas. This is the largest number of one-year grants VA has ever awarded for enhancing women's health services. The complete list of grant recipients is available on the (http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2420) Department of Veterans Affairs website. To learn more about VA programs and services for women veterans, visit VA's Women Veterans Outreach website at (http://www.va.gov/womenvet) www.va.gov/womenvet and VA's Women Veterans Healthcare website at (http://www.womenshealth.va.gov) www.womenshealth.va.gov.
For more updates on veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


How to Choose the Perfect Diamond
Expert Advice from Blue Nile. You're in charge -- This is one of life's most important purchases and we want to you to be empowered by your decision. Our education and guidance is unbiased, intimidation-free, and easily guides you through the process of choosing the right diamond and ring setting for her Blue Nile engagement ring. (http://www.military.com/ecomm/articles/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) Learn More.


Sports for Disabled Veterans
Disabled U.S. Navy Veteran and U.S. Paralympian Michael Johnston encourages fellow Veterans to use adaptive sports to get back in the game with a new public service announcement on (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dClU3EP6 ... e=youtu.be) YouTube from VA and U.S. Paralympics. For more information, visit the VA (http://www.va.gov/adaptivesports/va_abo ... ements.asp) Adaptive Sports website.
For more on military-related sports events, visit the (http://www.military.com/off-duty) Military.com Off-duty Center.