Welcome to the Veteran’s Newsletter!

In today's edition:

• A new rule expands education benefits for children of fallen service members.

• The American Legion and other veteran organizations are rallying to pass the Dole Act.

• The VA continues to grapple with the fallout from a recent ransomware attack.

• The VA has enhanced its claim status tool.

• New findings from the VA’s Million Veterans program.

• The story of a Vietnam War hero.

• And more…

News of the Week

📰 Top Veteran Stories

New Rule Expands Education Benefits for Children of Fallen Service Members

Starting July 1, a new rule will expand higher education benefits for children of fallen service members, increase the age limit for eligibility, and exempt the aid from previous financial reductions.

Under the FAFSA Simplification Act of 2021, the Education Department will implement changes, including a "special rule" replacing Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants with the maximum Federal Pell Grant for eligible students.

Key Changes

• Expanded Eligibility:

  • Applies to students whose parents died "in the line of duty while serving on active duty" since Sep. 11, 2001.

  • Age limit for eligibility is raised to 33.

• Increased Financial Aid:

  • Eligible students receive the maximum Pell Grant, which is $7,395 for the 2024-2025 school year.

  • This aid is not subject to reductions in the Budget Control Act of 2011, saving students hundreds of dollars annually.

Benefits for More Students

The rule broadens benefits by removing the requirement for service in specific wars. Students who are previously eligible and have received aid will retain their benefits.

How to Apply

Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by June 30. To apply, create a secure account on VA.gov using Login.gov or ID.me. For more information, visit the VA’s education benefits page or call 866-441-6075.

Veteran Service Organizations Rally for Passage of H.R. 8371

In Washington, D.C., on June 25, The American Legion joined other veteran service organizations to advocate for the passage of H.R. 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act.

Chanin Nuntavong, executive director of The American Legion’s Government Affairs Office, emphasized the importance of this bill for rural veterans. Along with former Sen. Dole and representatives from various veteran organizations, Nuntavong highlighted the lifesaving impact of emergency air medical services, such as those that saved Dan McKeaney’s life, which are supported by the bill.

Key provisions of the bill include:

• Home-Based Care Resources: Expands access to home and community-based services at VA medical centers.

• Improving Access to Care: Ensures veterans can seek community care and enhances mental health and substance use disorder treatment programs.

• Honoring the Fallen: Expands education benefits for surviving families and removes penalties for surviving spouses.

• Supporting Homeless Veterans: Increases support for homelessness providers and transportation for veterans.

• Caring for Caregivers: Offers mental health care grants for caregivers and supports advocacy for veteran families.

Nuntavong also advocated for "Gerald’s Law," extending VA burial support to veterans who choose to spend their final days at home.

The education and employment section of H.R. 8371, notably the VET-TEC program, which has equipped veterans with tech sector skills, was also highlighted. Failure to pass the bill would jeopardize these vital programs.

Former Sen. Dole urged Congress to act swiftly, emphasizing the bipartisan sacrifices made to draft the bill and the urgent need for its resources and reforms.

Nuntavong concluded with a clear message: without the passage of H.R. 8371, veterans and their families will face reduced healthcare services and employment opportunities.

As the VA Grapples with Cyberattack Fallout, a Backlog of Payments and Prescriptions Persist

Four months after a ransomware attack on Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, the VA is still dealing with its aftermath. The Feb. 21 cyberattack disrupted operations across hospitals and clinics nationwide, affecting the Defense Department and VA. 

In response, the VA swiftly disconnected its network from the company and reviewed its system for potential breaches. Despite these measures, a significant backlog of claims and invoices for services and prescriptions ensued, particularly impacting the VA's community care and non-network providers.

The attack caused a backlog of over 1 million pharmacy prescriptions and 6 million invoices managed by Optum Public Sector Solutions and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. VA officials announced during a press conference that they aim to clear the backlog of pharmacy prescriptions by August and process payments for those prescriptions by Oct. 1. The VA is also working to restore claims processing for CHAMPVA by July. 

Although some providers faced difficulties due to payment delays, VA Secretary Denis McDonough and other officials assured that there were no known adverse patient events and that care for veterans continued. 

The breach also exposed VA data, but the extent of the extracted information remains unclear. Enhanced monitoring and regular training for VA employees are among the steps being taken to prevent future cyberattacks.

📜 Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA) Updates

VA Enhances Claim Status Tool, Streamlining Access for Veterans

The VA's Claim Status Tool allows veterans to quickly check the status of their VA claim, decision review, or appeal online through VA.gov. This free service is accessible 24/7 from a computer or mobile device, giving veterans the flexibility to monitor their claims at their convenience.

To get started, create a secure account on VA.gov using Login.gov or ID.me. You can also sign in with your existing Login.gov, ID.me, DS Logon, or MyHealtheVet account.

Once logged in, veterans can instantly view their claim status, upload required information, and download decision letters without waiting for manual processing.

New features include:

•     A user-friendly interface for easy navigation

•     Real-time notifications for immediate updates

•     Mobile optimization for managing claims on the go

•     A more precise information presentation for a better understanding

These updates aim to enhance the digital self-service experience, ensuring veterans can efficiently manage their claims and access needed information online.

⚕️ Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Updates

Latest Research Findings from VA’s Million Veteran Program

Brain health significantly impacts a person's quality of life, intertwined with physical and mental health. Research highlights that quality sleep, regular physical activity, and strong social connections positively affect brain health. However, conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and PTSD, which are beyond one's control, also play a role.

The VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) is a national research initiative exploring how genes, lifestyle, military experiences, and exposures influence veterans' health. MVP researchers use data to improve brain health care, finding:

• PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and APOE gene variants increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.

• Type 2 diabetes is linked to dementia in non-Hispanic White and Black populations.

• TBI treatment benefits some veterans even without a formal diagnosis.

• Veterans with TBI have higher rates of other medical issues, especially mental health and neurological conditions.

• Brain structure and function changes may lead to anxiety.

For concerns about these conditions, schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider.

You can join MVP to support healthcare research. MVP supports research in various health areas, with over 1,000,000 veterans contributing to studies on conditions like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, osteoarthritis, tinnitus, mental health (including PTSD and depression), and suicide risk. Each veteran's participation advances personalized health care for veterans and all Americans. 

To learn more or join MVP, visit the MVP website or call 866-441-6075. Participation is open to all veterans, regardless of where they receive their care.

Veteran App of the Week

Medisafe

Medisafe is a medication management app that helps users track their medications, dosages, and schedules. It provides reminders, tracks adherence, alerts users to drug interactions, and offers refill reminders. 

The app supports integration with health apps and devices and allows monitoring of health metrics like blood pressure and glucose levels. It also enables family and caregiver involvement, allowing them to monitor adherence and receive alerts if a dose is missed. Medisafe is user-friendly, customizable, and available for iOS and Android devices, improving medication adherence and safety for users with complex regimens.

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.

• 50% Off: Amazon AWS Training

• 10% Off: Dell

• 30% Off: Birch Matresses

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: Roy P. Benavidez

Roy P. Benavidez was born on Aug. 5, 1935, in Lindenau, TX. He was of Mexican and Yaqui Indian descent. After losing both of his parents by the age of seven, he and his brother were raised by their extended family in El Campo, Texas. Benavidez left school at 15 to work full-time, helping support his family by picking cotton and sugar beets.

Before joining the military, Benavidez worked various jobs, including as a migrant farm worker. He enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard in 1952 and transitioned to active duty in the U.S. Army in 1955. 

He served in Korea and Germany before attending Military Police training and later joining the 82nd Airborne Division. In 1965, Benavidez was sent to Vietnam as an advisor. He stepped on a land mine during his first tour and was told he might never walk again. Defying medical advice, he rehabilitated himself and returned to active duty.

On May 2, 1968, during his second tour in Vietnam, Benavidez undertook a heroic rescue mission near Loc Ninh. Hearing a distress call, he voluntarily boarded a helicopter to assist a surrounded Special Forces team. Despite being severely wounded multiple times, he saved at least eight soldiers over six hours of intense combat. 

He was shot in the leg, face, and head but continued to lead the team, carrying the wounded to safety, calling in airstrikes, and retrieving classified documents from the dead. His actions earned him the Distinguished Service Cross, later upgraded to the Medal of Honor by then-President Ronald Reagan in 1981.

After retiring from the Army in 1976 due to his injuries, Roy Benavidez devoted his life to public speaking and veteran advocacy. He traveled extensively, visiting schools, military bases, and various organizations, where he shared his powerful story of resilience and bravery. His speeches emphasized the vital importance of courage, perseverance, and patriotism, particularly aiming to inspire young people.

In addition to his motivational speaking, Benavidez became a staunch advocate for veterans' rights and benefits. He worked tirelessly to ensure that veterans received the recognition and care they deserved, using his platform to highlight their needs and challenges. 

Roy Benavidez passed away on Nov. 29, 1998, but his legacy of extraordinary heroism and unwavering dedication to his country inspires and impacts many to this day.

Veteran Business of the Week

Fire Department Coffee

Fire Department Coffee, founded in 2016 by firefighter/paramedic and Navy veteran Luke Schneider, is a company based in Rockford, Illinois, that offers a range of high-quality coffee products. The company’s lineup includes standard roasts like Original, Donut Shop, and Espresso, as well as unique spirit-infused varieties such as bourbon, rum, and tequila coffees. Their meticulous roasting process ensures a smooth, balanced flavor in each blend.

Beyond producing great coffee, Fire Department Coffee is committed to supporting the firefighter and first responder communities. They donate a portion of their proceeds to the Fire Department Coffee Foundation, which helps injured or ill first responders. Through this initiative and their active engagement with customers and the community, the company has built a loyal following among coffee lovers and supporters of first responders alike.

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!

Weekly Satisfaction Poll

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