The Veteran's Newsletter (9/26)

Author

Hagen McMenemy
September 26, 2024

Welcome to the Veteran’s Newsletter!

In today's edition:

  • A new report highlights delays in VA compensation for exposed vets despite PACT Act progress.

  • Lawmakers are pushing for improved reliability of the VA’s crisis line amid sporadic outages.

  • AARP and Blue Star Families are hosting an event to help vets access home adaptation benefits.

  • Vets can now access VA decision letters and other notices via a convenient online portal.

  • VA support and resources for suicide loss survivors.

  • And more…

News of the Week

📰 Top Veteran Stories

A new report by Disabled American Veterans and the Military Officers Association of America reveals that Veterans exposed to environmental hazards often wait an average of 31 years for the VA to recognize their toxic exposure and receive disability compensation. Despite the progress made by the PACT Act—offering expedited claims for millions of Veterans exposed to hazards like burn pits—many veterans continue to struggle with long delays in receiving benefits. 

The report highlights the VA's cumbersome claims process, where Veterans must prove their illnesses are linked to military service, often unaware of their exposure to toxic substances. Recommendations include enacting legislation to create a more efficient framework for establishing presumptive conditions and improving coordination between the VA, DoD, and Congress to expedite claims and healthcare for affected Veterans.

Lawmakers are urging the Department of Veterans Affairs to enhance the reliability of its suicide prevention hotline after a series of outages. Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Sen. Jon Tester has called for a comprehensive review of the Veterans Crisis Line to ensure it remains operational. 

While VA officials report that the outages have affected less than 0.1% of the hotline's call volume, with most issues quickly resolved, the frequency of disruptions is concerning. Dr. Matthew Miller, VA’s executive director of suicide prevention, acknowledged the need for further system improvements, especially given the hotline's critical role in saving Veterans' lives. 

Since the launch of the national 988 suicide intervention number, the Veterans Crisis Line has seen a significant increase in call and text volumes. Lawmakers continue to emphasize the importance of the hotline and encourage Veterans to seek help despite rare technical issues.

📜 VBA Updates

AARP and Blue Star Families are hosting a virtual event at 3 PM ET/noon PT on Sep. 26, 2024, to help Veterans and military families access VA home adaptation benefits. These grants can assist with making homes more accessible for Veterans who have lost mobility, including both recent and older Veterans. 

The event will introduce AARP’s free "Veterans Home Benefits Guide," a resource designed to help Veterans understand how to apply for VA’s $150 million annual home modification grants. A survey revealed that 60% of Veterans 45 and older are unaware of these benefits, and the guide aims to improve awareness and provide practical assistance in applying for grants.

Veterans can now access important VA letters and notices, including documents outlining the evidence needed to support disability claims, through VA.gov. This update expands access to decision letters, notices, and follow-up development letters. 

Accessing these documents online offers several advantages, including faster information retrieval, convenience, and accessible digital storage. Veterans can log into VA.gov and follow simple steps to view or download their decision letters as PDFs. VA remains committed to improving digital services to make managing benefits more accessible for Veterans.

Sponsored by Hill & Ponton, Veteran Benefits Attorneys

In service of our nation, you gave everything you had. You sacrificed your comfort, your peace, and sometimes even your well-being. If the VA denied your rightful benefits, give the team at Hill & Ponton a call today to see how they can help you on your benefits journey.

Use the VA Disability Calculator on the Hill & Ponton website today to calculate your monthly compensation.

⚕️ Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Updates

Losing a loved one to suicide is a profoundly challenging experience, and the VA offers resources to help survivors cope with grief and distress. While each grief journey is unique, survivors are reminded that they are not alone. Suicide is complex, often resulting from multiple factors, which can leave survivors with lingering questions and challenging emotions. 

The VA encourages survivors to seek support, a sign of strength, and provides access to services designed to promote healing and well-being. Additional resources and support can be found online.

Veteran App of the Week

The DAV Events app is designed for Veterans and those attending events hosted by Disabled American Veterans (DAV). It provides users access to event schedules, floorplans, sponsor information, and social media integration. 

The app is handy for Veterans attending DAV-sponsored events. It allows them to easily navigate and stay updated on all aspects of the events. It also offers features like notifications and easy access to event-related content​.

Military Deals of the Week

*We do not explicitly endorse any of these companies as we have not personally purchased from many of them. We are simply sharing online deals that we have found for your convenience.

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: Samuel Woodfill

Samuel Woodfill was born in Jefferson County, IN, on Jan. 6, 1883. Growing up in a rural environment, he became skilled in marksmanship and hunting, abilities that would later serve him well on the battlefield. 

18 Woodfill enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1901, serving in the Philippine-American War, the Alaska-Yukon border dispute, and the Mexican border. His early military career involved stints in conflict zones across the globe, but World War I would define his legacy.

Woodfill’s heroism emerged during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive on Oct. 12, 1918, while leading his company near Cunel, France. As his men advanced through thick fog, they came under intense machine-gun fire. 

While others took cover, Woodfill acted. He advanced alone toward the first machine-gun nest, killing three German soldiers and neutralizing the threat. As his company resumed the advance, a second machine gun opened fire. Again, Woodfill led the charge, capturing three German soldiers after silencing the position. A third machine gun began firing, and once again, Woodfill led the attack.

His rifle jammed during the assault, forcing him to use a nearby pickaxe to kill two enemy soldiers in hand-to-hand combat. Despite the area's thick mustard gas and declining physical state, Woodfill ensured his company could advance by neutralizing all enemy positions. 

His actions were instrumental in the operation's success, earning him the Medal of Honor, the French Croix de Guerre, and other international awards. General John J. Pershing named him one of the most outstanding soldiers in the American Expeditionary Forces.

After the war, Woodfill returned to the United States as a celebrated hero, but like many veterans, he faced challenges transitioning to civilian life. He was promoted to captain in 1919 but soon retired due to the Army’s post-war downsizing. 

Financial struggles marked much of his post-military life, and Woodfill took jobs as a carpenter and security guard during the Great Depression. In 1921, he was chosen as one of the pallbearers for the Unknown Soldier, a mark of his distinguished service.

Though he re-enlisted as a major during World War II, Woodfill did not return to combat. Instead, he worked stateside in training roles. In his later years, he lived a quiet life on a farm in Kentucky, where he attempted to start an orchard, though it never succeeded. 

Despite his hardships, Woodfill remained a national figure, honored for his service and heroism. He passed away on Aug. 10, 1951, and in 1955, his remains were reinterred at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors, solidifying his legacy as one of America's most decorated soldiers.

Samuel Woodfill’s life exemplifies extraordinary courage, resilience, and sacrifice. His heroism in World War I is a testament to the ideals of service and valor in the U.S. military.

Businesses That Support Veterans

Workshops for Warriors is a nonprofit organization founded in 2008 to help veterans, wounded warriors, and transitioning service members build careers in advanced manufacturing.

The organization offers training programs that lead to nationally recognized certifications in fields like welding, machining, and computer-aided design. Workshops for Warriors address the skills gap in manufacturing by providing veterans with the tools and knowledge needed for high-demand, well-paying careers.

Their approach focuses on education and job placement, empowering veterans to find long-term employment in industries where they can utilize their skills. The organization also works to help veterans reintegrate into civilian life by offering structured training that leads directly to career opportunities.

Brand New DD214?

Military Times published a great guide to transitioning from the military to civilian life. It’s a good primer for those who are starting the transition, even if it was sponsored by Navy Federal Credit Union. It’s still decent in our book.

Hill & Ponton’s resource for applying for VA benefits. This page walks you through the basic steps of applying, what forms you need to fill out, and what the process looks like.

If you read through the guide from Hill & Ponton and decide that you need assistance with filing a claim, the VA has a search tool to find a Veteran Service Organization in your area.

HireHeroesUSA is one of the many veteran job boards we found online. It seems to offer a good mix of job types available around the country.

Corporate Gray helps military veterans transition to civilian careers by organizing job fairs, providing a job board for veterans and employers, and offering career resources such as resume writing and interview preparation guides. They also publish "The Military-to-Civilian Transition Guide" and support employers in hiring veterans.

You might be sweating slightly if you’re looking to buy a house in this market. Luckily, the VA has a resource that can help you understand the VA home loan program and give you an advantage when putting in that offer.

Thank You For Your Service!

Not every service member may receive the Medal of Honor or garner widespread recognition, but that doesn't diminish the invaluable contributions each one has made to the sanctity and security of our great nation. 

The saying "freedom isn't free" holds profound truth–it resonates because every individual in the United States relies on the dedication of its military to safeguard the freedoms they enjoy. Each veteran has consciously defended these liberties, symbolizing a collective commitment to the nation's well-being. 

Whether you fought on the front lines or provided crucial support behind the scenes, thank you!

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Until Next Time!

Stay tuned for next week’s edition, where we’ll cover more stories and policy updates and find tools & deals for the veteran community.

Thanks,

The Veterans Newsletter