SERVING
Those That
SERVED
Did You Know?
Project 112 Compensation
Project 112/SHAD (Shipboard Hazard and Defense) is the name of the program for both shipboard and land-based biological and chemical testing conducted by the U.S. military between 1962 – 1973. VA will provide physical examinations to veterans who participated in the testing. Veterans will receive medical care free of charge for conditions related to exposure.
Veterans may be eligible for disability compensation if they have a service-related disability and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. VA does not presume by regulation that any specific disabilities are related to participation in Project 112/SHAD. Veterans’ claims are decided on a case-by-case basis.
VA presumes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosed in all Veterans with 90 days or more continuous active military service is related to their service, although ALS is not related to Project 112/SHAD. Surviving spouses, dependent children and dependent parents of Veterans who died from health problems related to participation in Project 112/SHAD may be eligible for health care, compensation, education, and home loan benefits. (Take Action)
Income Assistance Programs for Veterans
The five (5) following programs assists homeless veterans with monetary help:
1. Social Security – a monthly benefit program for people age 62 and over.
2. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – a monthly benefit program for disabled people with little to no income.
3. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) – a monthly benefit for people who are disabled.
4. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – a cash benefit and work opportunities program for needy families with children.
5. VA Compensation – A monthly benefit paid to veterans who are disabled by injury or disease that developed or worsened in the line of duty.
Free Passports
Passports are available to family members free of charge for the purpose of visiting their loved one’s grave or memorialization site at the American military cemeteries on foreign soil.
TSA Update
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will offer expedited screening to severely injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces. In addition to offering curb to gate service for our nation's Wounded Warriors, these individuals will also be eligible to move through security checkpoints without having to remove shoes, light outerwear jackets or hats.
You May Be Eligible for Addional Monthly Payments
Did you know you may be eligible for Aid and Attendance monthly pension payments? Payments may be added to your monthly pension amount if you meet one of the following conditions:
- You require the aid of another person in order to perform personal functions required in everyday living, such as bathing, feeding, dressing, attending to the wants of nature, adjusting prosthetic devices, or protecting yourself from the hazards of your daily environment;
- You are bedridden, in that your disability or disabilities requires that you remain in bed apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or treatment;
- You are a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity; or
- Your eyesight is limited to a corrected 5/200 visual acuity or less in both eyes; or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.
The increased monthly payment amount may be added to your monthly pension amount when you are substantially confined to your immediate premises because of permanent disability.
IU Compensation
Did you know an Individual Unemployability (IU) benefit for a veteran’s mental health condition is awarded when a condition prevents the veteran from securing or maintaining gainful employment? IU provides compensation at the 100% disability rate, even if the veteran’s condition is rated lower.
No Forclusures
Did you know the CARES Act has two primary protections for homeowners who have mortgages owned or backed by the federal government? This means any mortgage that came through Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affair (VA) to name a few. For these mortgages, the CARES provides the following: No foreclosures for 60 days after March 18, 2020; and if you experience financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can request a mortgage forbearance for 180 days.
Veterans Engage In Reckless Behavior
Did you know veterans diagnosed with PTSD may engage in reckless or self-destructive behavior such as aggressive driving, excessive alcohol or drug use or self-injurious behavior? This type of behavior is often seen veterans who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Veterans Suffer From Parasomnias
Did you know many veterans suffer from a group of disorders that fall under the category of parasomnias? According to the DSM-V, parasomnias are disorders characterized by abnormal behavioral, experiential, or physiological events occurring in association with sleep, specific sleep stages, or sleep-wake transactions. The most common parasomnias is “non-rapid eye movement” sleep arousal disorders and rapid eye movement sleep disorder. Coupled with PTSD, parasomnias can be potentially harmful to veterans.
Veterans Can Create Their Own Avatar
Did you know VAs Employee Education System (EES) enhances the virtual medical experience by introducing detailed avatars to the VMC? Patients transform these graphical representations into a version of themselves by selecting characteristics to include gender, race, hair color and even clothing. Avatars then navigate the VMC which mimics the appearance of most VA hospitals. Avatars can visit different classes, ask educators questions and even engage in real-time discussions with other avatars in their class. They are also able to access any class in the facility. Other classes include heart disease and hypertension.
Avoid Medicare Part B Penalties
Did you know one way you may not be charged the “late enrollment penalty” for Medicare Part B is to qualify for Medicaid due to having low-income amount? If you do not meet your state’s Medicaid income qualification, then you may be charged the “extra” penalty.
Norfolk Naval Base Contaminated
Did you know various wastes and chemical contamination in soil, sediment and groundwater exist at Norfolk Naval Base, with cleanup activities ongoing? Contaminated groundwater or surface water runoff from the base may reach either Elizabeth River or Willoughby Bay.
Application Change
Did you know the VA health care system has changed its application? VA used to ask for income, assets and non-reimbursed medical and education expenses. VA has revised the application to exclude assets, and now you may elect not to report income if you agree to copays. The change may increase health care benefits to more veterans in need.
Free Microsoft Training
Did you know a Microsoft tech education program that military members and veterans could previously take by leveraging their tuition assistance or GI Bill funds is now offering its program at no cost? The program, Microsoft Software and Systems Academy, or MSSA, will instead be funded entirely by Microsoft. It was previously held primarily in an in-person classroom setting but will now be 100% remote.
Discharge Misunderstanding
Did you know many veterans have a misunderstanding the term “Dishonorable Discharge?” Some veterans believe they have a Dishonorable Discharge when actually they do not. If a veteran was not discharged by a court, the veteran may not have a dishonorable discharge. Non-court discharges are called administrative discharges. In an administrative discharge, there are three characterization options: Honorable; General (Under Honorable Conditions); and Other than Honorable (OTH). To be clear, even though an OTH is a less than honorable discharge, it is not as bad as a dishonorable discharge.