VFW-supported H.R. 4137, Jennifer Kepner HOPE Act, has been introduced. This important legislation would make individuals eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care provided the individual served as a member of the armed forces in support of a contingency operation and was based or stationed at a location where an open air burn pit was in use after Jan. 1, 1990. The eligibility for care would be open even for those who have insufficient medical evidence to conclude that a disease or disability is associated with burn pit exposure.
VA Updates the Schedule for Rating Disabilities
The Department of Veterans Affairs, has updated three portions of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities: infectious diseases, immune disorders, and nutritional deficiencies. VA started to rewrite all of the fifteen regulations in 2017 in order to reflect modern medicine, as the regulations have not been updated since the original code was written in 1945. Any claims in these three areas pending on Aug. 11, 2019, will be considered under both the new and old rating schedule with the more favorable rating result going to the veteran. All claims filed on or after Aug. 11, 2019 will be rated on the new standards.
POW/MIA Update
Army Pfc. Jasper V. Marquez was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Nov. 28, 1950, when enemy forces attacked his unit near the Kunu-ri, North Korea. It was reported that Marquez had died at Hofong Camp while a prisoner of war in January 1951. Interment services are pending.
Army Sgt. Billy J. Maxwell was a member of Heavy Mortar Company, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Nov. 30, 1950, when his unit engaged against enemy forces near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Interment services are pending.
Army Sgt. Walter H. Tobin was a member of Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, 31st Regimental Combat Team. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, 1950. Interment services are pending.
Army Cpl. Jerry M. Garrison was a member of Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, 1950. Interment services are pending.
Army Cpl. Ysabel A. Ortiz was a member of Battery D, 15th Anti-aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, 1950. Interment services are pending.
Army Cpl. Ralph L. Cale was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, 1950. Interment services are pending.
Army Pfc. Wilbur T. Tackett was a member of Battery B, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 31st Regimental Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 6, 1950. Interment services are pending.
Army Pfc. Lawrence E. Worthen was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Sept. 17, 1944. Interment services are pending.
Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Joseph E. Finneran was a bombardier assigned to the 345th Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24D aircraft that Finneran served on crashed as a result of enemy anti-aircraft fire during Operation Tidal Wave. Interment services are pending.
Marine Corps Pvt. Edwin F. Benson was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio. Interment services are pending.
Navy Seaman 2nd Class Hubert P. Hall was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. Interment services are pending.
Navy Fire Controlman 1st Class Robert L. Corn was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. Interment services are pending.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
