Veterans Benefits Newsletter | February 2020

Blue Water Navy | Finding a New Career | Black History Month | VBA Webcast | Volunteer with DAV

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. February 2020 Veterans Benefits Newsletter Watch Our New Webcast Online  View the latest update from the Under Secretary for Benefits, Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D. Learn about the Veterans Benefits Administration's accomplishments and challenges from the first quarter of 2020, as well as what's to come this year! Eight Ways to Avoid Fraud Scammers use clever schemes to defraud millions of people every year. VA is actively working to protect Veterans, their survivors, and dependents from fraud, but the best line of defense against this criminal activity is you! Learn how to stay a step ahead of scams. Blue Water Navy Benefits As of Jan. 1, 2020, VA extends benefits to Veterans who served offshore of the Republic of Vietnam, or in the Korean Demilitarized Zone during a certain time period, are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides, such as Agent Orange. Learn what the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act means for you. Training for a New Career VA VR&E assists service members and Veterans with service-connected disabilities and an employment barrier prepare for, find, and maintain suitable careers, or maintain a life of independence. Learn how the VR&E program can help you prepare for your future! Keeping Black History Alive Veteran, Norman Smith, shares his passion for recording and preserving history. Smith has researched historical Black figures so that he may inspire others with their stories. His exhibit is currently on display in honor of Black History Month. Going Strong: 100 Year Milestones for DAV  Disabled American Veterans (DAV) has been making strides in protecting the rights and changing needs of Veterans for almost 100 years. In January, DAV staff hosted a surprise party to help local volunteer Harlan Plummer celebrate his 100th birthday in style. Plummer, a retired World War II (WWII), Korea, and Vietnam Veteran has spent an impressive 11,000 lifetime hours volunteering with DAV. With nearly 1,300 chapters and more than 1 million members across the country, DAV offers a wide range of opportunities for you to get involved. Learn more about what DAV has in store for 2020 and find out how you can volunteer your time here! Stay up to date on Veteran employment information Get stats delivered directly to your inbox by subscribing to the VETS monthly Veteran Employment Update or view the latest Veteran unemployment numbers.

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Veterans Benefits Administration · 810 Vermont Avenue, NW · Washington, DC 20420 · 1-800-827-1000

BIG Home Loan Changes, Traveling Vietnam Wall Schedule, Veteran Scam Alert

Electronic Health Record and MISSION Act Updates

#VetResources - for Veterans, their Families, Caregivers, and Survivors Sign up for this Weekly Newsletter   View and ShareBorne the Battle VA Podcast: 2019 Recap Veterans ask, VA answers: Questions on electronic health record modernization Over the next several years, VA will transition to a new electronic health record (EHR), a system used by health care providers to store and track patient data. This transition will begin in spring 2020 at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane, Washington. As VA shifts to the new EHR, the Office of Electronic Health Record Modernization took the chance to answer your most frequently asked questions. LEARN MORE VA MISSION Act Making A Difference for Veterans Since implementing the VA MISSION Act this past June, VA is helping more Veterans access the care and services they need, when and where they need them. Our new network now includes 880,000 community providers across the country, urgent care benefits and the expansion of VA telehealth, bringing care to Veterans in their communities and homes.  LEARN MORE Veterans are twice as likely as non-Veterans to be targets of online scams Unfortunately, former service members are more likely than civilians to be targeted by online scammers while doing these things. Veterans are twice as likely to lose money to fraud because of identity theft, phishing, impostor scams, and investment, loan, or donation deceptions. Learn how to protect your information. LEARN MORE Veterans have options for seeing Vietnam memorial wall Veterans and the general public have several options to see Vietnam memorial walls in 2020 with the release of traveling wall schedules. The Wall That Heals is operated by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, who unveiled the replica on Veterans Day 1996. Since then, more than 600 communities have seen the traveling display. Discuss: What will be OIF/OEF's Vietnam Wall Memorial? LEARN MORE  Your Next VA Home Loan As of Jan. 1, 2020, it is now easier to use the VA home loan benefit to purchase, refinance, or construct a home with no down payment, regardless of the cost of the home. The VA home county loan limits were eliminated as part of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 for Veterans and service members with full entitlement. Discuss: Home Buying Advice with a VA Loan? LEARN MORE Become a Vietnam War Commemoration Partner Organizations who want to thank Vietnam Veterans for their service can join the Vietnam War Commemoration Commemorative Partner Program. Many organizations host events around March 29, which is Vietnam War Veterans Day. The commemoration recognizes all who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of duty location; and their families. LEARN MORE Events 2/5/2020 Veterans Experience Action Center in Montgomery, Alabama Did you know the National Resource Directory has more than 14,000 vetted resources available to you right now?  VAntage Point VA New England's Mountain of Miracles Fisher House program continues rapid expansion VA ranks sixth in new best place to work report Veteran awaiting heart transplant sang to lift others The story of NCA's Presidential Memorial Certificate Study backs long-term benefits of non-drug pain therapy App helps Veterans manage chemotherapy symptoms High school student collects 100 gift bags for homeless Veterans VA observes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day VA News Releases VA announces proposed rule regarding equal treatment of faith-based organizations in VA-supported social service programs VA makes progress on resolution of legacy appeals   Find a VA Facility near you.  FACILITY LOCATOR Not sure where to start?  VA WELCOME KIT   No Veteran Should Be Without a Place to Call Home Free Help for Homeless Veterans Dial 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838) for 24/7 access VA's services for homeless and at-risk Veterans Homeless Veteran Chat Confidential, 24/7 online support for homeless Veterans and friends https://www.va.gov/homeless for more information Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one?  Did you know that VA offers same day services in Primary Care and Mental Health at 172 VA Medical Centers across the country? Make the Connection Resource Locator Contact the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255 and press 1, Chat, or Text 838255.) Also, learn about no-cost PTS treatment programs. Want to receive this newsletter or other VA updates? Disclaimer: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products or services on the part of the VA. Keep updated and let us know how we're doing. You have received this message because you are subscribed to Veterans Affairs. Access your Subscriber Preferences to make changes to your subscription or Unsubscribe. Get this as a forward? Sign Up to receive updates from Veterans Affairs. Having questions or problems? Please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com for assistance. If you are in crisis and need immediate help, please call 1-800-273-8255 and (PRESS 1) or visit http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/. Please remember the only secure way to ask personal questions is at https://iris.custhelp.com. Explore VA benefits at explore.va.gov

Sent to gary.demars1@gmail.com on behalf of US Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, NW · Washington, DC 20420