Friday, December 13, 2013

Fw: MOPH Weekly Report Region VI 11/27-12/5/13



-
Commander Small

Please see weekly reports generated by Region VI NSOs, 11/27-12/4/2013:

San Diego VARO:
Out of the office 11/23-27/13.
I have stopped my  quest for MOPH space in Central CA, somewhere between Fresno/Clovis area south to Bakersfield, due to budget restraints.
Catching up on things missed while out Thanksgiving week, emails, calls, reviewing appeals, etc.
In the process of reviewing Region VI reports for VCMS and submission to National.
I continue to do sign offs daily and continue training of new NSO and AA in VARO SD location; as well as, checking progress of new hires at VARO Los Angeles and VAMC Sepulveda/Wadsworth.  New hires in Los Angeles area have not been granted access to computers yet and new NSOs are in the process of completing their NVLSP for submission for accreditation.  I have followed-up on the NODs and appeals, as well as responding to phone calls, emails, claim review, etc.
Eddie Kimes, NSO - Las Vegas:
Checked VCMS and SHARE for claim status and awards.  Found award letter in Virtual VA to input Monthly Report.
Filed new claims-service connected increased evaluation and NOD.
Went to Vet Center to meet veteran to file service connected claim, made appointments, answered general questions and veteran consultation purposes.

Joseph Phillips, NSO - VAMC Long Beach, CA:
ALL VSO�s here at Long Beach VAMC to include local chapters have a quarterly meeting with the director of the hospital and other local and hospital agencies.  This meeting had nothing pertinent to veteran�s benefits.  I advised a local non-profit agency, wanting to establish a homeless veterans program on the VA Grant Per Diem Program. I have started to go through all files destroying files without any action in the past four years.  Not all files have a destruction date assigned on the folder.  I continue seeing Vets about a myriad of veteran�s services.  I continue purging files of unnecessary documents to make more room in files drawers.  Inputted award letters into VCMS and updated diary entries.  Any client files that do not have diary entries are being updated when I come across them.
Tony DeVore, NSO - VARO San Diego, CA:
Out of office Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving Holiday, returned to office on 12/02/13.  Have met with a few veterans, submitted documentation in support of pending claims.  Returned several phone calls to veterans.  Currently preparing for two upcoming hearings for this month.  Also doing follow-up on DTA letters and entering Award�s into VCMS.
Arthur Harris, NSO - VARO Oakland, CA:
No report received
Tennell Brady, NSO - VARO Los Angeles, CA:
Conducted several interviews with veteran regarding their claims, responded to numerous calls and submitted claims to the VA.   Continued instructing new employees regarding rules and policies of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, including tutoring during their NVLSP training.   Followed-up with ISO regarding computer access. New employees obtained parking permits, and VA ID cards.   Continued having new employees to sit in on several interviews, and learning the various forms used in the processing of the claim.   Monitored new employees taking final NVLSP examination.
Ron Quinata, NSO - Guam:
11/27-4 hours Administrative per National Commander; 11/28-29 Thanksgiving, Administrative.  Assisted  veterans/dependents and DIC claims.  Entered award letters, BDD claim, Incarcerated veteran, and recurring claims.  Continued administrative work in the office, i.e., several telephone calls, and email responses.  Finally received LexisNexis Books.
Jay Parker, NSO - VARO Phoenix:
Short week due to PTO/Thanksgiving.  Continued writing claims, reviewing decisions, general office duties.
I attended a meeting about the fact that the VA does not send DTA�s when claims are done in VBMS.
Cheryl Paden, NSO - VAMC Tucson:
Submitted claims and additional evidence the VA is requesting for some of my open claims.

Gave paperwork/homework to Veterans, so I can submit FDC claims for them.

I have reviewed decision letters and entered them into VCMS, worked on filing and general office duties.
Continued other normal daily activities, filing, reviewing and responding to emails, telephone calls, etc. 
Raphael Paris, NSO - VARO Honolulu:
Conducted interviews with veterans and family members seeking help for service connection compensation.  Met with veterans to discuss VA award letter for increase compensation.  Submitted FDC claim to VA.  Received correspondence and award letters for both Honolulu and Guam, mailed out letters to Guam.   Returned/received calls from veterans asking for status of claim, also spoke to veterans in reference to VA examinations.
Continue input into VCMS of awards, claims, etc.  General office duties, including making of new files,purging, and following up on pending claims.
Breana King, NSO - VAMC Loma Linda:
Due to the Holiday and a medical appointment,  my office was only opened 2 days this week. During those 2 days I did sign a few new POA�s, and submitted new claims.  I tried to get caught up on all phone calls from the previous week as well as sorting mail and inputting in VCMS.
Michael Mullen, NSO - VAMC La Jolla:
Out for Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday, so Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday have been a rather slow.   I had normal office activities such as, answering calls, returning messages, did not see many clients; however, I submitted new evidence for ongoing claims.   After having the busiest weeks of the year, week before last and last week, I figure this one was slow, because people were still away for the holiday.
Erin Hamlin, NSO - Salt Lake City:
No report for week received.  Notified her Mother passed away Wednesday 12/4/13 late afternoon. 

Fwd: FRA NewsBytes -- 12-13-2013





In this week's edition:
COLA Cut Battle Moves to Senate with Temporary Doc Fix
House Approves 2014 NDAA
HVAC Reviews VA Complex Disability Claims Process
Expedited Airport Security Screening for Service Members Expanded


COLA Cut Battle Moves to Senate with Temporary Doc Fix
 
House and Senate budget negotiators had until December 13, 2013, to agree on budget recommendations. They produced a last-minute two-year budget agreement (H. J. Res 59) that includes a one-percent cut in the annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) for military retirees under age 62 that takes effect December 1, 2015, and will impact 2016 COLA increases. REDUX retirees (those who accepted a retention bonus in exchange for reduced retirement benefits) are excluded from these cuts. The resolution passed the House with a vote of 332-94 and now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

FRA supports reducing the harmful effects of automatic sequestration cuts in the Defense budget to ensure the nation's security and military readiness, but to make those cuts penalize the men and women who have sacrificed and served more than others is simply unfair. While portrayed as a minor change in retired pay, it is actually a substantial cut in benefits over the long term and an egregious breach of faith. An E-7 who retires after 20 years of service will lose $83,000 in benefits by the time he or she reaches the age of 62. FRA believes that military service is unlike any other occupation, and the benefits should reflect that reality. The benefits connected with this service have been earned through 20 or more years of arduous military service.

The COLA cut battle now moves to the Senate, which will take up the measure next week. Members are strongly urged to use the FRA Action Center to ask their Senators to oppose this provision in the budget resolution by going to: http://action.fra.org/action-center/.

To see how your Representative voted on this bill, go to the FRA website (www.fra.org), click "advocacy" and then click "Action Center." Scroll down and click "Bills of Interest," then click "Key Votes" and scroll down to "House Votes." The budget bill is the first one listed; click on it and follow the instructions.

In addition to the COLA provisions, the House approved another last-minute addition to extend the "doc fix" deadline by three months. Without this extension, Medicare/TRICARE physician reimbursements would have been cut by more than 24 percent on January 1, 2014-a move that may have forced many doctors to stop seeing Medicare and TRICARE patients. The budget resolution will also provide $63 billion in sequester relief over two years, split evenly between defense and non-defense programs.


House Approves 2014 NDAA The House approved the final provisions of the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA-H.R. 3304) this week, after agreeing to provisions with the Senate. The Senate is expected to approve a final bill next week that includes:

- Rejecting new and increased TRICARE fees;
- Authorizing a one-time offer to TRICARE Prime beneficiaries who live outside Prime Service Area (PSA) to keep their current health care coverage
- Authorizing a one-percent annual active duty/Reserve pay increase;
- Extending special pays and bonuses that will otherwise expire on Jan. 1, 2014;
- Providing 27 new provisions that provide protections for alleged victims of sexual assault;
- Requiring DoD and VA to implement seamless electronic health care data by Oct. 1, 2016;
- Providing for additional Impact Aid for schools with large military populations; and
- Allowing veterans and service members not in uniform the option to salute during the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Association is disappointed that numerous FRA-supported Senate amendments pertaining to concurrent receipt reform, SBP/DIC offset repeal, an active duty pay increase that keeps pace with civilian pay increases, and other legislative agenda issues were not considered by the Senate. FRA's Legislative Team will continue to work on these and other important issues that impact the membership.


HVAC Reviews VA Complex Disability Claims Process The House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance recently held a hearing examining the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) ability to process complex disability benefits compensation claims. While the VA has made progress in reducing its disability claims backlog over the last several months, concerns remain regarding the department's ability to process complex claims, which can involve multiple medical issues (including traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress, military sexual trauma) and special monthly compensation, with consistent quality and efficiency.

Over the past four years, VA Inspector General (IG) reports have focused on concerns regarding the VA's ability to process these complex claims. For example, of 19 regional offices, more than half saw a decrease in processing accuracy of traumatic brain injury claims. When the IG looked at post traumatic stress claims, half of the offices it inspected could not process 50 percent of the claims correctly upon second inspection. FRA believes that the cost of defending the nation includes treating the nation's wounded warriors in a timely and efficient manner, and welcomes the subcommittee's oversight hearings on this issue.


Expedited Airport Security Screening for Service Members Expanded The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) announced an expansion of the expedited screening benefits to all U.S. Armed Forces service members, including those serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, Reserves and National Guard. As a result of the agreement, these individuals will be able to enjoy the benefits of the program at the 100 participating airports across the country beginning Dec. 20, 2013.

Currently, members of the Armed Forces can utilize expedited security screening at 10 domestic airports by presenting their Common Access Card (CAC). The soon-to-be expanded program for the military will be available at 100 airports, allowing service members to keep their footwear on, as well as light outerwear and belts, and to keep a laptop in its case and their 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels bag in a carryon bag in select screening lanes.

"TSA joins with the American people in showing its appreciation for the service and sacrifices of our men and women in the Armed Forces," said TSA Deputy Administrator John W. Halinski, a 25-year Marine Corps veteran. "Providing expedited screening while on travel is the least we can do for these courageous men and women."

For more information on the program and a list of participating airports go to:
http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/military-members.

________________________________________

NewsBytes is FRA's weekly legislative update. If you received this through a forward and would like to subscribe, please e-mail newsbytes@fra.org with "Subscribe" in the subject line and your name and address in the body. If you are a member of FRA or LA FRA, please include your member number as well. To unsubscribe, please respond to this email with "unsubscribe" in the message line.

If you would like to hear a recorded version of NewsBytes, dial 1-800-FRA-1924 (ext. 112).

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FRA is celebrating its 88th anniversary and is the oldest and largest association representing the interests of current and former Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel. If you are not a member and are eligible, please join FRA at www.fra.org. The larger the membership base, the louder your voice is heard on Capitol Hill!

Fwd: Pact Between U.S. and the Philippines Re: CLARK VETERANS CEMETERY



Please note: forwarded message attached



Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Fwd: RELEASE: House Passes Important VA Health Care Legislation, Votes to Ext...



Please note: forwarded message attached


Fwd: Origin of "God Bless America"





Subject: FW: Origin of "God Bless America"









Read below and click on the link for a fascinating and stirring history of God Bless America, originally tossed out of the song list for Yip Yip Yahank 27 years earlier.  And keep an eye out for a young Ronald Reagan and, for you who remember, actor George Murphy.  I think you’ll be as fascinated as we were.

> The link at the bottom will take you to a video showing the very first public 
singing of "GOD BLESS AMERICA".  But before you watch it, you should 
also know the story behind the first public showing of the 
song.
>
>  The  time was 1940. America was still in a terrible
economic depression. Hitler was taking over Europe and Americans were 
afraid we'd have to go to war. It was a time of hardship and worry for 
most Americans.

This was the era just before TV, when radio shows 
were HUGE, and American families sat around their radios in the evenings, 
listening to their favorite entertainers, and no entertainer of that era 
was bigger than Kate Smith.
>
> Kate was also large; plus size, as we now say, and  the popular phrase still used today
is in deference to her, "It ain't over till the fat lady sings". Kate Smith
might not have made it big in the age  of TV, but with her voice coming
over the radio, she was the biggest star  of her time.

Kate was also  patriotic.  It hurt her to see
Americans so depressed and afraid of  what the next day would bring. She
had hope for America, and faith in her  fellow Americans. She wanted to do
something to cheer them up, so she went  to the famous American
song-writer, Irving  Berlin (who also wrote "White Christmas") and asked
him to write a song  that would make Americans feel good again about their
country.  When  she described what she was looking for, he said he had
just the song for  her.
>
> He  went to his files and found a song that he had written, but never  published, 22
years before - way back in 1917. He gave it to her and she  worked on it with
her studio orchestra.  She and Irving Berlin were not sure how the song
would be  received by the public, but both agreed they would not take any
profits  from God Bless America. Any profits would go to the Boy Scouts of
America.  Over the years, the Boy Scouts have received millions of dollars
in  royalties from this song.
>
> Thisvideo starts out with Kate Smith coming into  the radio studio with the
orchestra and an audience. She introduces the  new song for the very first
time, and starts singing. After the first  couple verses, with her voice in
the background still singing, scenes are  shown from the 1940 movie,
"You're In The Army Now."  At the 4:20  mark of the video you see a
young actor in the movie, sitting in an  office, reading a paper; it's
Ronald Reagan.
>
> To  this day, God Bless America stirs our patriotic
feelings and pride in our  country.  Back in 1940, when Kate
Smith  went looking for a song to raise the spirits of her fellow
Americans, I  doubt whether she realized just how successful the results
would be for  her fellow Americans during those years of hardship and
worry..... and for  many generations of Americans to follow.  Now that
you know the story  of the song, I hope you'll enjoy it and treasure it
even more. 
>
> Many  people don't know there's a lead in to the
song since it usually starts  with "God Bless America....."
So here's the entire song as originally 
sung.

Click  here <http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?feature=player_embedded&v=TnQDW-NMaRs#%21>

Fwd: FW: McKeon Releases FY14 NDAA Summary Fact Sheet




Fw: December7, 2013 PR to be placed on MOPH web site and email blast t o membership