Welcome to the Veteran’s Newsletter!

In today's edition:

• A recent report shows that the VA underpaid millions and sparks calls for improved training and legal support for veterans.

• The founder of a non-profit for helping homeless veterans pleads guilty to money laundering.

• Veterans’ cost-of-living adjustments are expected to drop 3% in 2025.

• An automated VA pharmacy sets a new record with 23 million prescriptions mailed to veterans.

• Early PTSD treatments may lower diabetes risk and mortality in young veterans, according to a new report.

• The tale of one of the most decorated heroes in American military history.

News of the Week

📰 Top Veteran Stories

Report Exposes $84 Million in VA Underpayments, Sparking Calls for Improved Training and Legal Support for Veterans

A recent report has uncovered that the VA underpaid over $84 million to veterans, leading to calls for enhanced employee training. The report, which found that claims processors often failed to follow proper procedures, identified at least $100 million in improper payments between May 2022 and April 2023, with the majority of underpayments affecting veterans rated as 100% disabled.

The surge in claims due to the PACT Act, which expanded VA benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances, has overwhelmed the system, contributing to these errors. Rapid hiring of new claims processors further exacerbated the situation, making it difficult to process complex disability claims accurately.

Veterans' advocates stress the importance of nonprofit legal clinics that specialize in assisting veterans with these complex cases. These clinics provide free legal support, helping veterans appeal wrongful claim denials and secure the benefits they are entitled to. The clinics are especially vital given the challenges posed by the VA's complex regulations and the bureaucratic hurdles veterans face.

The report also noted issues such as unnecessary disability compensation exams, with nearly half deemed unnecessary in a recent study. While the VA is working to address these problems, full resolution remains uncertain. Legal clinics, like the Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic at the University of Florida, continue to play a crucial role in ensuring that veterans receive the benefits they deserve, often handling cases that for-profit law firms might avoid due to their complexity.

Founder of Veterans Nonprofit Pleads Guilty to Federal Money Laundering Charges

James "Billy" Arehart, the founder of a Myrtle Beach-area nonprofit aimed at assisting homeless veterans, pled guilty to federal money laundering charges. He agreed to a plea deal where he admitted to using funds raised for a veterans resource center for personal use, while other charges like mail and wire fraud were dropped. 

Arehart's nonprofit, Providing Hope V, raised over $9 million through raffles, misleading the public about tax deductions for ticket purchases. He used the nonprofit's funds to increase his personal salary and bonuses and now faces up to 10 years in prison, although the government may recommend a lower sentence.

Social Security and Veterans Benefits COLA Projected to Drop Below 3% in 2025

Recipients of Social Security checks and veterans benefits may see a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of less than 3% in 2025, according to the Senior Citizens League, marking the lowest increase since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The group estimates the COLA will be less than 2.6%, significantly lower than the 3.2% adjustment implemented at the start of 2024. This would be the first time the adjustment falls below 3% since early 2020 when it was 1.3%.

The Social Security Administration typically announces the official COLA rate in early October, with the Senior Citizens League’s late-summer estimates historically coming close to the final figure. The COLA is particularly significant for veterans, as Congress links the increase in veterans benefits to the Social Security Administration’s calculations. This adjustment affects payouts for disability compensation, clothing allowances, and dependency benefits, among other VA programs.

For example, a veteran receiving $1,500 per month in disability benefits would see an additional $39 monthly with a 2.6% COLA, compared to the $130 monthly increase they received with the 8.7% adjustment in 2023. The COLA is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. The Senior Citizens League has expressed concern that the government’s failure to return inflation to pre-pandemic levels is putting added financial pressure on seniors and veterans, making this adjustment critical for many households.

📜 VBA Updates

Automated VA Pharmacy Sets Record with Over 23 Million Prescriptions Mailed to Veterans

The VA’s Southwest Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (SW CMOP) in Tucson, AZ, set a new record last year by mailing over 23.2 million prescriptions to veterans across regions from New Mexico to Alaska and even Guam. This year, the facility is on track to surpass that number, potentially reaching 23.8 million prescriptions. Director Michael T. Sutherland attributes this achievement to the hard work of the facility's employees.

VA Secretary Denis McDonough recently visited the Tucson facility, where he observed the operation that fills and mails about 90,000 prescriptions daily. During his visit, he recognized seven employees for their dedication: Lorrena Estillore, Aida Diallo, Jacinda San Nicolas, Dan Duval, Tyree Ross, Samuel Swoopes, and Sonya Vidal.

The SW CMOP is one of seven automated, large-volume mail service pharmacies that collectively handle almost 84% of all VA prescriptions nationwide. The Tucson facility alone mails approximately 56,000 packages each workday, with an average turnaround time of two days. The facility's use of sophisticated automated dispensing systems allows it to operate efficiently, with high accuracy and lower costs compared to local VA pharmacies.

This automation frees up pharmacists at local VA facilities to spend more time counseling patients rather than handling the physical dispensing of medications. Since 2009, the J.D. Power U.S. Pharmacy Study has consistently rated VA’s CMOPs among the best in customer satisfaction.

⚕️ Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Updates

Early PTSD Treatment May Lower Diabetes Risk and Mortality in Younger Veterans, Study Finds

A recent study from the Saint Louis University School of Medicine suggests that early treatment of PTSD in younger veterans may reduce the risk of developing insulin-dependent diabetes and lower their chances of an earlier death. The study, which analyzed Veterans Health Administration records of over 10,000 veterans with both PTSD and Type 2 diabetes (T2D), found that veterans under 50 who no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD had a reduced risk of requiring insulin and fewer microvascular complications, such as kidney disease.

The study specifically examined veterans with a PTSD checklist score of 33 or higher who attended at least nine PTSD treatment sessions within a 15-week period. Those who achieved a score below 33 were no longer considered to have PTSD. These veterans were more likely to engage in healthy behaviors that could mitigate T2D complications, according to the researchers.

For veterans over 50, the study did not clearly establish the same benefits, likely due to the increased number of preexisting health conditions associated with age. The study also highlighted the broader significance of the findings, noting that mental health disorders, like PTSD, are associated with a 20-year shorter life expectancy, partly due to the link between mental illness and poor metabolic health. PTSD, in particular, is linked to a significantly higher risk of developing T2D, worse glycemic control, and increased hospitalization.

The researchers concluded that PTSD is a modifiable risk factor in patients with T2D, and addressing it early can lead to better health outcomes.

Veteran App of the Week

Insomnia Coach

The Insomnia Coach app is a mobile application developed by the VA to help veterans and others manage and overcome insomnia. The app offers a self-guided cognitive behavioral therapy program specifically designed to address sleep issues without the need for medication. 

It includes a personalized sleep diary, tools for tracking sleep habits, educational resources on sleep hygiene, and techniques for reducing anxiety and stress that interfere with sleep. The app aims to improve users' sleep patterns by providing evidence-based strategies and empowering them to take control of their sleep health.

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.

• 10% Off: HexClad Cookware

• 25% Off: Fuse Lenses

• 15% Off: New Balance

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: Hero of the Week: Robert L. Howard

Robert L. Howard was born on July 11, 1939, in Opelika, AL, to a working-class family. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1956 and embarked on what would become one of the most decorated military careers in U.S. history. Initially serving as an infantryman, Howard quickly distinguished himself through his exceptional courage and leadership, leading to his selection for the Special Forces. 

He became a member of the elite Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG), a covert unit conducting secret operations during the Vietnam War.

Howard’s heroism during his service in Vietnam was extraordinary. He was nominated for three separate Medal of Honor awards within just 13 months—an almost unparalleled feat in U.S. military history. His first nomination came from a mission on Nov. 21, 1967. During this operation, Howard led a small team in an assault on an enemy bunker complex near the Laotian border. 

Despite being vastly outnumbered and under intense enemy fire, Howard’s fearless actions—including charging and destroying enemy positions—allowed his team to complete their mission and return safely. This extraordinary bravery earned him the Distinguished Service Cross, as the covert nature of the mission precluded the awarding of the Medal of Honor at the time.

His second Medal of Honor nomination stemmed from a mission in early 1968, where Howard again displayed remarkable valor under fire. On this occasion, his unit was ambushed, and Howard, though seriously wounded, managed to save several of his comrades by pulling them to safety under heavy fire. 

His leadership and courage were critical in ensuring the survival of his team. Like the first instance, this nomination was also downgraded to a Distinguished Service Cross due to the classified nature of the operation.

The third and final nomination occurred on Dec. 30, 1968, during a mission in which Howard was serving as a sergeant first class. His platoon was ambushed by a much larger North Vietnamese force, and Howard was severely wounded in the initial engagement. 

Despite his injuries, Howard crawled through heavy fire to rescue his platoon leader and other comrades, providing first aid and organizing a defense against the enemy. Even after being further injured by an explosion, Howard continued to lead his men, calling in airstrikes and ensuring the successful extraction of his unit. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1971.

After the war, Howard continued his military service, eventually retiring as a colonel after 36 years. He remained dedicated to supporting veterans, working with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and frequently visiting troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Howard passed away on Dec. 23, 2009, from pancreatic cancer, but his legacy as one of the most decorated soldiers in American history endures. His life and service are a powerful testament to the values of courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to duty, and they continue to inspire future generations of soldiers.

Businesses That Support Veterans

Operation First Response

Operation First Response (OFR) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting service members, disabled veterans, first responders, and Gold Star families. Since its founding in 2004, OFR has provided financial assistance to over 33,820 families, covering essential needs such as rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and medical expenses during crises.

OFR works closely with various military and veteran service organizations to identify those in need and provide a comprehensive support network. The organization is committed to offering immediate help from the onset of injury or illness through recovery and during the transition to civilian life. OFR prides itself on efficiency, with over 95% of its funds directly benefiting those in need.

Through this support, OFR aims to ensure that America’s heroes and their families are not left to face financial hardship alone. This vital work is sustained by the generosity of donors, whose contributions empower these heroes and their families to rebuild their lives with hope and dignity.

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