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Did You Know? VA Eliminates Verification Report The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that it is cutting red tape for veterans by eliminating the need for them to complete an annual Eligibility Verification Report (EVR). VA will implement a new process for confirming eligibility for benefits, and staff that had been responsible for processing the old form will instead focus on eliminating the compensation claims backlog. All beneficiaries currently receiving VA pension benefits will receive a letter from VA explaining these changes and providing instructions on how to continue to submit their unreimbursed medical expenses.
Veterans May See Local Doctors A bill sponsored by U.S. Sen. Al Franken and Rep. Tim Walz aimed at tackling the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit-claims backlog passed the House of Representatives last week. The Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act of 2015
is a bipartisan, bicameral bill that allows local doctors to conduct disability medical examinations for veterans seeking
benefits from the VA for the first time. Currently, veterans must visit a VA facility for the examination. Allowing veterans to see a local doctor for their
initial exam is designed to conserve VA resources, cut back on long wait times at VA hospitals, enable quicker diagnoses of
disabilities, and eliminate unnecessary trips to the VA for veterans in rural communities.
Concurrent Retirement & Disability Payments The Concurrent Retirement & Disability Payments (CRDP) is designed
to remove the offset of VA and DoD payments. The program provides a 10-year phase-out of the offset to military retired pay
from receiving VA disability compensation for members who have a combined disability rating of 50 percent or greater.
Members retired under disability provisions must have 20 years of service. Skills Test Waived Thirty-three (33) states agreed to waive the skills test for veterans
and servicemembers who have military training that would entitle them to a commercial driver's license. A provision of the
commercial learner's permit rule gives state driver licensing agencies the authority to substitute two years of commercial
motor vehicle safe-driving experience in the military equivalents of commercial motor vehicles for the skills-test portion
of the commercial driver license. The rule applies to active duty, Reserve, Guard and Coast Guard members, and veterans within
90 days of separation. More states are considering such a waiver. For more information, contact your state's motor vehicle
administration or department of transportation.
Vets4Warriors Since 2005, thousands of service members have found confidential assistance using our Peer Support Line. Who better to understand the challenges of military life than someone who has lived it? Veterans provide support to military members, engaging them in a personal, non-threatening way. Our peer support service is confidential and caller information will not be shared with the military or the VA. Sometimes, the issues will require specific expertise, such as financial resources, legal advice or medical services. Our Veteran Peers will work to find the best options for the caller and help make the connection in their local communities. The Vets4Warriors Peer Support Line is staffed entirely by Veterans with funding from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Army National Guard, the Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve. Call 1-855-838-8255.
There Are Many "How To" Websites That Teach Claim Preparation VA Claim Information is a highly recommended website that guides you through a step-by-step process in making VA claim preparations.
To learn
more about your benefits see your nearest VSO. |
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