RAO BULLETIN 15 November 2017

[boardman]

RAO
BULLETIN
15 November 2017

HTML/PDF Editions



THIS RETIREE ACTIVITIES OFFICE BULLETIN CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES


Pg Article Subject
. * DOD * .

05 == Surface Navy Comprehensive Review ---- (Report To Congress)
06 == Nuclear Weapons Arsenal [03] ---- (Presidents Authority to Use)
06 == SBP DIC Offset [49] ---- (Partial Fix in Proposed NDAA Bill)
07 == SECNAV Retiree Council [07] ---- (Applications for 2019 Membership)
08 == ID Card Copying Restrictions [02] ---- (U.S. Code Violation)
08 == Army Secretary [01] ---- (Mark Esper ACS Confirmation Hearing)
10 == U.S. Overseas Wars ---- (Full Cost Since 2001 Approaching $6 Trillion)
11 == Ground Midcourse Defense System ---- (ICBM Threat Protection)
11 == DoD Fraud, Waste, & Abuse ---- (Reported 01 thru 15 NOV 2017)
13 == POW/MIA Recoveries ---- (Reported 01 thru 15 NOV 2017 | Seven)

. * VA * .

15 == VA Motto ---- (Alleged Sexist, Outdated and Exclusionary)
16 == VA Survey 2017 [01] ---- (WWP Results | Employment & Trust Up)
16 == VA Legal Services ---- (Vet Pro Bono Access)
17 == VA Pension Program [01] ---- (Nursing Home Vets Overpaid ~$7 Million)
18 == VA Physician Workload ---- (Secretary Reduces Administrative Email)
18 == VA BRAC [02] ---- ( AIR Act Moves Forward)
19 == VA Secretary [61] ---- (Agent Orange Presumptive Ailment Expansion)
20 == VA Benefits Advisory Board ---- (Purpose | Review to Find Ways to Simplify)
21 == VA Health Care Access [58] ---- (Latest Battle Centered on VA Programs)
22 == VA Doctors ---- (Unknown How Many Work for VA)
23 == VA Artificial Intelligence ---- (Promises to Transform the Healthcare Sphere)
25 == VA Agent Orange Benefits [03] ---- (No Decision on Expansion)
26 == Gulf War Syndrome [43] ---- (First Direct Biological Evidence)
29 == VA RAMP ---- (Goal To Resolve Vet Benefit Claim Disagreements Sooner)
29 == VA Medical Marijuana [36] ---- (Vets Support Expanding Research)
30 == VA Blue Water Claims [42] ---- (Expansion Proposal Sidelined)
31 == VA Disability Evaluation System [03] ---- Back, Neck, & Joint Ratings
32 == VA Fraud, Waste & Abuse ---- (Reported 01 thru 15 NOV 2017)
33 == VA Compensation & Benefits ---- (Problem Solving Program Q&A -- 21 & 22)
35 == VAMC Bedford NH [01] ---- (Shulkin Call for Hospital Shake Up)
36 == VAMC Beckley WV [02] ---- (Tele-ICU Program Implemented)
37 == VA HCS Ann Harbor MI ---- (Do Not Resuscitate Mix Up)

. * VETS * .

38 == How to Talk to A Vet ---- (Suggestions)
41 == AFRH [09] ---- (Now Accepting Applications for Residency)
42 == Vet Job Hunting [02] ---- (CBP Ranked 3rd Best Place to Work)
42 == Vet EEOICP Eligibility ---- (Veterans Who Built/Supported Nuclear Weapons)
43 == TSGLI [07] ---- (Decision Reversed by ABCMR After 4-yrs)
44 == Women Vet Health Risks ---- (Greater Than Civilians)
45 == Eisenhower Memorial [05] ---- (Work Is Finally Set To Begin)
46 == National Vet/Military Families Month ---- (November Designated)
46 == Worst States for Retirees ---- (6th thru 10th)
48 == Chem-Bio Agent Tests ---- (Army Participants Eligible for Medical Care)
49 == Gulf War Syndrome [44] ---- (Vets Work to Bridge Info Gap)
50 == Obit: Cavazos~Richard E. ---- (31 OCT 2017)
51 == WWII Vets 147 ---- (Roberto E. Rosales | Bataan Death March Survivor)
52 == AFL Q&A 09 ---- (Over 65 VA Individual Unemployability Benefit)
54 == Retiree Appreciation Days ---- (Scheduled As of 15 NOV 2017)
55 == Vet Hiring Fairs ---- (Scheduled As of 15 NOV 2017)
55 == Vet State Benefits & Discounts ---- (Montana NOV 2017)

. * VET LEGISLATION* .

56 == VA Transplant Program [02] ---- (H.R.2601 | VICTOR Act of 2017)
57 == VA Management ---- (H.R.1066 | Passed Bill to Clean Up VA's Management)
58 == VA Telemedicine [01] ---- (H.R.2123 | House VA Committee Passes)
58 == VA Mental Health Care [35] ---- (H.R.918 Passes House)
60 == VA Vet Choice [63] ---- (H.R.4242 On Hold Pending GAO Cost Estimate)
61 == VA Women Vet Programs [31] ---- (H.R.3558 | Privacy & Security Standard)
61 == VA Aid & Attendance [20] ---- (H.R.3122 | Passed by Voice Vote)
62 == HVAC [25] ---- (Newly Passed Bills for Floor Vote)

. * MILITARY* .

62 == PSLF Program ---- (Federal School Loan Pay Off Program in Jeopardy)
63 == Navy Fleet Size [08] ---- (Perry Class Frigate Reactivation Discussions)
64 == Ft. Bliss Medical Care Problems ---- (Demobilization/Redeployment Processing)
66 == USS Lake Champlain (CG-57) [01] ---- (Shoddy Seamanship Blamed)
67 == Navy Fleet Readiness ---- (Nuclear-Powered Attack Sub Maintenance Backlog)
69 == Military Reenlistment [01] ---- (Navy Convening A Continuation Board)
71 == Joint Light Tactical Vehicle ---- (Humvee Replacement)
73 == USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) [08] ---- (Investigation Report Findings)
74 == USS Cole Attack [03] ---- (GTMO Judge Finds USMC General in Contempt)
75 == USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) [05] ---- (Investigation Report Findings)
77 == Bergdahl Court Martial [02] ---- (Sentencing Rational)
78 == Bergdahl Court Martial [03] ---- ( $300k In Back Pay in Limbo)
79 == Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Felix ---- (DI Sentenced to 10 Years)
81 == Overseas Troops ---- (Lance Cpl. James Nemger)

. - * MILITARY HISTORY* .

82 == Nuclear Missile Accident ---- (Details Released After 53 Years)
82 == Operation Torch ---- (75th Anniversary)
85 == A D-Day Victory Story ---- (Actor Charles Durning's Experience)
86 == Operation Crossroads ---- (Bikini Island Radioactivity Lingers After 60-yrs)
88 == Fort Des Moines Museum ---- (JAN Closure Anticipated | Lack of Funds)
89 == Abandoned Military Bases [11] ---- (Hashima Island, Japan)
89 == Insanely Daring Air Raids ---- (No. 10 | Operation Tidal Wave)
90 == Military History Anniversaries ---- (16 thru 30 NOV)
90 == Medal of Honor Citations ---- (Fuqua~Samuel G | WWI & WWII)

. * HEALTH CARE* .

92 == TRICARE Changes 2018 [08] ---- (Drug Cost Hike Advances in Congress)
92== TRICARE Changes 2018 [09] ---- (20 NOV Webiner on Changes)
93 == Diabetes [12] --- (Hypoglycemia | Low Blood Sugar)
94 == Hemorrhoids ---- (We All Have Them)
96 == Hemorrhoids [01] ---- (How can you relieve the symptoms yourself?)
98 == PTSD Sleep Impact ---- (Insomnia & Nightmares)
100 == Alzheimer's [15] ---- (Gates Pledges $50M to Help Fight It)
100 == PTSD [234] ---- (New York Law Approves Medical Marijuana Treatment)
101 == History Of Medicine ---- (Eye Inflammation)
101 == TRICARE Podcast 422 ---- (TRICARE Enrollment Freeze)
102 == TRICARE Podcast 423 ---- (HPV Vaccine | Upcoming Webinar | MilConnect)

. * FINANCIAL * .

104 == IRS Tax Reform 2017 [01] ---- (House Republican Version Released)
105 == IRS Tax Reform 2017 [02] ---- (MOAA's Take on Vet Impact)
106 == IRS Tax Reform 2017 [03] ---- (PVA's Take on Vet Impact)
107 == IRS Tax Reform 2017 [04] ---- (SALT Restoration Rejected)
108 == IRS Tax Reform 2017 [05] ---- (Impact on Active Duty Military)
110 == IRS Tax Reform 2017 [06] ---- (Senate Proposal Released 9 NOV)
111 == Medicare Enrollment [02] ---- ( 7 Things You Need to Know)
113 == TSP [20] ---- (Passed H.R.3031 Gives 401k Federal Holders More Options)
113 == VA Loan ---- (Lender's Abusing Vets | IRRRL Refinancing Downside)
115 == Drug Cost Increases [10] ---- (Authorize Personal Drug Importation)
116 == Drug Cost Increases [11] ---- (Drug Price Relief Act Defeated)
117 == Diamonds ---- (Laboratory-made | Should You Buy One)
118 == Confirm Your Account Scam ----(Amazon)
118 == Disabled Vet Gift Scam ---- (Fake Checks)
120 == Emergency Scams [01] (Military Grandparents)
121 == Fraud Protection Agent Scam ---- (Targeting Veterans)
121 == Tax Burden for Washington Retired Vets ---- (As of NOV 2017)

. * GENERAL INTEREST * .

123 == Notes of Interest ---- (01 thru 15 NOV 2017)
124 == U.S. Naval Academy [03] ---- (Sen. John McCain's Clarion Call)
124 == NFL Anthem Controversy ---- (One of America’s Biggest Industries Black Eye)
125 == Fire Extinguishers ---- (Kiddie Recalls 40 Million | Faulty Handle)
126 == Smartphone [02] ---- (Phubbing | How It Hurts Others)
128 == Refrigerator Tips ---- (16 To Organize and Save Money)
130 == Drones | Aerial [04] ---- (V-Bat | Vertical Take-off & Landing)
131 == Remember When ---- (Nostalgia (6))
132 == Black Days ----- (Every Day of the Week Represented)
132 == DPRK~US War [02] ---- (Only Way to Determine Nuclear Arsenal Extent)
133 == U.S. Embassy Cuba [02] ---- (Cuba Says U.S. Lying About Sonic Attacks)
134 == Test Your Recollection ---- (Nagasaki Atomic Bomb 1945)
134 == Robocalls [02] ---- (Some Tips to Stop Them)
136== Where There's a Will, There's a Way ---- (04)
136 == Costco Secrets [01] ---- (Rotisserie Chicken)
136 == Weird Facts About Your Body ---- (26 thru 37)
137 == Garage Door Billboards ---- (Making Yours Stand Out (13)
138 == Have You Heard? ---- (Walkin | According to some philosophers | Oh My!)

Note:
1. The page number on which an article can be found is provided to the left of each article’s title
2. Numbers contained within brackets [ ] indicate the number of articles written on the subject. To obtain previous articles send a request to raoemo@sbcglobal.net.

. * ATTACHMENTS * .

Attachment - RAO Bulletin NOV 15, 2017
Attachment - Montana Vet State Benefits & Discounts NOV 2017
Attachment - Military History Anniversaries 01 thru 15 NOV
Attachment - Nuclear Missile Accident 1964
Attachment - It's Time to Wake Up
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-o-o-O-o-o-

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**************************

RAO Bulletin Editor/Publisher:
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