The Veteran's Newsletter (11/14)

Author

Hagen McMenemy
November 14, 2024

Welcome to the Veteran’s Newsletter!

In today's edition:

  • The VA is expanding presumptive illnesses linked to military service and enhancing telehealth access.

  • Lawmakers want the VA to reform security measures after a massive privacy breach.

  • A Vietnam hero finally receives his Purple Heart after 56 years.

  • ACP provides mentorship to help veterans secure high-paying careers.

  • The VA is removing telehealth co-pays to help rural veterans.

  • The story of an Iraq War veteran.

  • And more…

News of the Week

📰 Top Veteran Stories

The VA has announced plans to designate multiple myeloma and acute and chronic leukemias as service-connected illnesses for veterans exposed to burn pits and airborne pollutants in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and surrounding regions. This update, announced by President Biden on Veterans Day, aligns with the PACT Act and expands upon recent decisions by VA Secretary Denis McDonough to classify bladder and ureter cancers as presumptive conditions. These changes will expedite disability compensation for affected veterans.

Additionally, the VA is advancing efforts to improve healthcare access and affordability by proposing the elimination of copayments for telehealth services provided in VA facilities, enhancing telehealth availability in rural and underserved areas, and enabling emergency telehealth consultations. This initiative supports the VA’s commitment to conveniently meeting veterans’ healthcare needs.

Lawmakers are urging the VA to strengthen safeguards on veterans’ medical and benefits records following a breach in which federal staffers allegedly accessed the records of vice presidential candidates without authorization. 

The Department of Justice is investigating these actions to determine if criminal charges are warranted. In response, VA officials have restricted access to the affected records, increased monitoring, and reminded staff about the importance of veterans' privacy and potential disciplinary consequences for unauthorized access. Lawmakers have requested further information on policy updates to prevent similar incidents in the future.

U.S. Marine Private First Class James Ohlheiser, who was wounded and partially paralyzed in Vietnam in 1968, finally received his Purple Heart on Veterans Day, 56 years after his injury. Due to an administrative oversight, Ohlheiser’s discharge paperwork initially lacked recognition for his National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Purple Heart. 

With assistance from Norman Veterans Home and Senator James Lankford’s office, the records were corrected, and Ohlheiser was honored in a ceremony attended by fellow veterans and family. Expressing his gratitude, Ohlheiser described his country as meaning “damn near everything” to him.

📜 VBA Updates

American Corporate Partners (ACP) is a national nonprofit dedicated to helping post-9/11 veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment through mentorship. The program pairs participants with experienced mentors who guide career advancement, networking, and skill development. 

Since 2010, ACP has supported over 35,000 veterans and military spouses in securing fulfilling careers, with an average starting salary of $90,000. Through ACP’s mentorship, veterans gain valuable insights and connections, empowering them to achieve long-term professional success.

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

The VA plans to eliminate co-pays for telehealth services and provide grants to establish telehealth clinics in rural areas, aiming to expand virtual care access for veterans and reduce their healthcare costs. VA Secretary Denis McDonough highlighted these measures as steps toward ensuring accessible, affordable healthcare for all veterans, calling VA care the best option in America for those who served.

The grant program, part of the VA’s Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations (ATLAS) initiative, would fund nonprofits and private businesses to create telehealth stations equipped with high-speed internet and technology for VA appointments. This support will also include training for on-site personnel to assist veterans with telehealth connections. With telehealth use among veterans rising since 2020, VA leaders are committed to growing virtual care options while maintaining face-to-face care access. No timeline has been given for implementing the new policies.

Veteran App of the Week

The Insight Timer app is a meditation and mindfulness tool that offers a vast library of free resources to support mental well-being. It features guided meditations, music for relaxation, and courses on topics like stress relief and better sleep. 

The app includes a timer for independent meditation, and users can join live events and community groups to enhance their practice. Available on iOS and Android, Insight Timer provides an accessible way to improve mindfulness and mental health, with a premium option offering additional content and offline access.

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: Jason Dunham

Born on November 10, 1981, in Scio, New York, Corporal Jason Lee Dunham grew up in a close-knit family with two brothers and a sister. He graduated from Scio High School in 2000, where he was known for his athleticism and leadership on the basketball court. His sense of duty and desire to serve led him to enlist in the United States Marine Corps shortly after graduation.

Dunham completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and served as a Security Force sentry at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia. In 2003, he transitioned to the infantry and was assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, based in Twentynine Palms, California. By early 2004, he had deployed to Iraq, serving as a squad leader in Al-Karābilah.

On April 14, 2004, during a reconnaissance mission near Karabilah, Iraq, Dunham's squad responded to an attack on their battalion commander's convoy. While stopping vehicles to search for weapons, Dunham approached a white Toyota Land Cruiser. The driver exited and attacked him. During the struggle, the insurgents released a live grenade. 

Demonstrating extraordinary heroism, Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, absorbing the explosion to shield his fellow Marines. This selfless act saved the lives of at least two comrades but inflicted severe injuries on Dunham. He was evacuated to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where he succumbed to his wounds on April 22, 2004.

Corporal Dunham's bravery profoundly impacted the Marine Corps and the nation. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the first Marine to receive this distinction for actions in the Iraq War and the first since the Vietnam War. 

His legacy is honored through various tributes, including naming the USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer commissioned in 2010. Dunham's story inspires service members and civilians, embodying the highest ideals of courage and sacrifice.

Businesses That Support Veterans

Hope For The Warriors is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring a sense of self, family, and hope to post-9/11 service members, veterans, and their families. Through a comprehensive cycle of care, the organization offers programs focusing on health and wellness, building resilience, and fostering a supportive community for veterans. 

Their services include clinical health and wellness support, transition assistance, and recreational activities that help veterans and their families reconnect and thrive in civilian life. By providing holistic care, Hope For The Warriors empowers veterans to regain a sense of purpose and achieve long-term well-being.

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!

To every veteran reading this—your service, dedication, and sacrifice have left a lasting impact on this nation. Though you may not always be in the spotlight, your commitment to protecting our freedoms is deeply respected and appreciated. You’ve shouldered responsibilities that few can fully understand, and because of you, our communities can live with peace and security.

From those on the battlefield to those at the bases that support our troops, you have been pillars upholding our nation's values. We honor your service and the countless ways you’ve strengthened this country through your actions, resilience, and unwavering dedication.

Thank you for all you have done and continue to do—your contributions will never go unnoticed. 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