The Veteran's Newsletter 3/13

Author

Hagen McMenemy
March 13, 2025

Welcome to the Veteran’s Newsletter!

In today's edition:

  • A proposed bill aims to rehire veterans affected by recent federal workforce reductions and require quarterly reports on veteran layoffs.

  • The Supreme Court ruled that the Veterans Court is not required to conduct a detailed benefit-of-the-doubt review in disability claims, affirming a clear-error review standard.

  • Lawmakers are working with the VA to establish guidelines for staffing reductions, ensuring transparency and minimizing the impact on healthcare and benefits.

  • The Veterans Community Support Program provides one-on-one assistance to veterans and their families, helping with employment, financial wellness, healthcare, and more.

  • The Quality of Life Plus Program designs custom mobility and independence-enhancing devices for disabled veterans, partnering with engineering students to develop solutions at no cost.

  • The tale of a Civil War hero.

  • And more…

News of the Week

📰 Top Veteran Stories

U.S. lawmakers introduced the "Protect Veteran Jobs Act," designed to require the federal government to rehire veterans impacted by recent workforce reductions. The bill would mandate the reinstatement of veterans who lost their government jobs during recent layoffs and require quarterly reports detailing the number of veterans affected and reasons for their termination. 

Proponents argue veterans deserve support due to their continued service in government roles. Some veterans have expressed concern over job losses affecting their livelihoods. The bill is intended to ensure that veterans affected by layoffs receive clear explanations and appropriate consideration in employment decisions.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims isn't obligated to specifically reconsider the VA's benefit-of-the-doubt rule in disability cases beyond checking for clear errors. 

Two veterans, Joshua Bufkin and Norman Thornton, argued their disability claims were unfairly denied despite balanced evidence. The court held that decisions about the benefit-of-the-doubt rule are primarily factual and require only a clear-error review rather than a separate legal evaluation. The 7-2 ruling clarified the standard for reviewing VA decisions, affirming that a separate, detailed benefit-of-the-doubt review is not mandated.

Key lawmakers are collaborating with Department of Veterans Affairs leadership to introduce legislation that sets clear guidelines for proposed staffing reductions at the VA. The potential cuts could affect up to 80,000 employees. 

Lawmakers emphasize that any workforce changes must be transparent and carefully coordinated with veterans' groups to avoid negatively impacting healthcare and benefit delivery. While some leaders assure the cuts aim to improve efficiency without harming services, concerns persist regarding the effects on veterans and VA employees. Multiple proposals addressing these concerns have been introduced, though consensus remains unclear.

📜 VBA Updates

The Veterans Community Support (VCS) Program by Your Next Mission offers personalized, one-on-one support to help veterans and their families address various challenges during their transition to civilian life. 

VCS provides comprehensive assistance in employment, financial wellness, education, healthcare, mental health, suicide prevention, homelessness, and VA benefits. Veterans receive prompt outreach, individualized action plans, and ongoing support or referrals to trusted Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) upon enrollment. Testimonials highlight the program's effectiveness in resolving complex issues, improving employment prospects, and supporting overall family well-being.

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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 Quality of Life Plus Program (QL Plus) helps veterans with injuries or disabilities by designing and building personalized devices to enhance mobility, independence, and enjoyment of daily activities at no cost to the veteran. Partnering with engineering students at 25 universities, QL Plus creates custom solutions such as hiking prosthetics, kayak lifts, wheelchair accessories, and more. Veterans collaborate closely with student teams throughout the academic year to design, build, and refine these devices, with all expenses—including travel—fully covered by QL Plus.

Veteran App of the Week

MyFitnessPal is a health and fitness app that helps users track their nutrition, exercise, and overall wellness to support a balanced lifestyle.

The app enables users to monitor their progress, stay accountable, and make informed choices about their diet and exercise routine by offering a comprehensive food diary, calorie tracking, and personalized fitness goals. 

MyFitnessPal empowers veterans to maintain physical health, improve fitness, and develop sustainable habits that enhance overall well-being through its extensive food database, workout logging, and community support.

Veteran App of the Week

Established in Oregon, the Returning Veterans Project (RVP) is a nonprofit organization that provides free, confidential health services to post-9/11 veterans and their families. Since its inception, RVP has focused on offering holistic support, including mental health counseling, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and massage therapy, to facilitate a smoother transition to civilian life. ​

Returning Veterans

RVP collaborates with a network of volunteer providers committed to addressing the unique challenges returning service members face. By offering these essential services at no cost, the organization ensures that veterans receive the care they need without financial burden. Through community outreach and education, RVP strives to raise awareness about veterans' issues and the importance of accessible healthcare.​

Through its unwavering commitment to service, the Returning Veterans Project continues to impact Oregon significantly, ensuring that veterans and their families receive the support and care they deserve.​

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: Walter Thorn

Born on November 18, 1844, in Brooklyn, NY, Walter Thorn grew up amid the escalating tensions that would soon erupt into the American Civil War. Inspired by a strong sense of duty and patriotism from a young age, Thorn enlisted in the Union Army when he was barely an adult, eager to serve his country in its darkest hour.

Initially serving in the 13th and 52nd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiments, Thorn distinguished himself through exemplary discipline and leadership, rapidly earning the trust of his superiors and peers. His dedication eventually led him to receive a commission as a second lieutenant with the 116th United States Colored Troops (USCT). At a time when white officers led African American units, Thorn’s command responsibilities required extraordinary leadership, diplomacy, and courage, qualities he demonstrated consistently in the face of adversity and racial tension.

On Jan. 1, 1865, Lieutenant Thorn displayed remarkable bravery during operations at the Dutch Gap Canal in Virginia—a strategically critical area fiercely contested by Confederate forces. A sizeable explosive mine had been set, and its fuse ignited, designed to disrupt Confederate defenses. However, Thorn discovered at the last moment that a picket guard had inadvertently remained dangerously close to the impending explosion.

Without hesitation and knowing the risk, Thorn climbed onto the exposed bulkhead amid heavy enemy fire, urgently alerting the guard and directing them to safety. His decisive action and disregard for personal danger ensured all members of the guard survived unharmed, escaping just moments before the mine detonated. The U.S. government later recognized this courageous valor when Thorn was awarded the Medal of Honor on December 8, 1898—one of the nation’s highest recognitions for bravery in combat.

Following the end of the Civil War, Thorn continued a life dedicated to public service. Transitioning back to civilian life, he served as Deputy Sheriff. He later became a shore inspector at the Port of New York. He played a key role in maintaining the integrity and security of one of America’s busiest ports. He remained deeply involved with veteran organizations, helping fellow veterans navigate the challenges of post-war civilian life, advocating for veterans' rights, and preserving the memory and dignity of those who served.

Major Walter Thorn passed away on July 20, 1920, leaving a legacy characterized by exceptional bravery, dedicated public service, and unwavering integrity. His actions at the Dutch Gap Canal saved lives and exemplified the selflessness and courage that the Medal of Honor symbolizes.

Interred with honors, Thorn's bravery continues to be recognized and celebrated as a vivid illustration of courage under fire, integrity, and unwavering dedication to duty. Though lesser known, his story symbolizes the profound sacrifices made by countless service members whose acts of heroism have shaped American history and continue to inspire future generations.

Businesses That Support Veterans

Heroic Hearts Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping military veterans struggling with PTSD and mental health challenges by connecting them with psychedelic therapy options, including ayahuasca retreats. Through alternative treatments, Heroic Hearts aims to provide veterans with new pathways to healing when conventional methods fall short.

Beyond individual recovery, Heroic Hearts is committed to driving change. The organization advocates for policy reform, funds research on psychedelic therapy’s effectiveness, and educates the public on its potential benefits for veterans.

This mission offers hope to those in need and challenges the status quo, ensuring that veterans can access every avenue for healing and 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!

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