Last week, VA published a final rule in the Federal Register that will establish a three-year look-back period when determining eligibility for income-based benefits, including pension with aid and attendance. The new rule goes into effect Oct. 18, 2018. It makes several changes, such as increasing the amount of net worth a veteran can have to qualify for pension, and expanding the definition of custodial care to allow veterans to deduct medical expenses for dementia care and third-party care providers. The rule is intended to limit asset transfers done solely to qualify for governmental assistance. Such transfers may bar the veteran from receiving pension benefits, until the assets are used for their living expenses. There are some protections in place for veterans to transfer funds without a penalty, such as special needs trusts for the benefit of helpless children and helpless adult children, and trusts where the veteran retains control over the funds. Veterans can also reverse the transfer or buy back the asset in order to avoid the penalty. For questions about VA benefits and assistance with filing a claim, contact a professional, accredited and highly trained Service Officer.
VA Releases 2016 Veteran Suicide Data
The newest and most recent data for veteran suicide, which includes suicide data up to 2016, was released Wednesday by VA. While there were no statistically significant differences in veteran suicide from 2015 to 2016, there were some varying trends when comparing 2014, 2015 and 2016. Overall, the average number of deaths by suicide is still roughly 20 veterans per day. This recent release also clarifies that the 20 deaths are not strictly for veterans – it includes veterans, active-duty service members and members of the Guard or Reserve who were never activated. As the number of non-veteran suicide deaths continues to increase within the United States, veteran suicides have remained relatively steady and actually decreased by 202 from 2015 to 2016. The report found a slight increase in death by suicide in veterans ages 18-34. The study’s data also maintains that veterans who do not use VA health care are at increased risk of suicide. The phone number for the Veterans Crisis Line is (800) 273-8255, press 1.
Important Days in October
Oct 8 – Columbus Day
Oct 13 – Navy’s birthday
October 25 – Grenada Campaign (Operation Urgent Fury)
October 26 – National Day of the Deployed
POW/MIA Update
Marine Corps Capt. John A. House, II, 28, of Pelham, N.Y., whose remains were previously identified, was buried Sept. 27, 2018, in Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington, D.C. On June 30, 1967, House was the pilot of a CH-46A Sea Knight helicopter, who, with three other crew members, was attempting to insert eight members of Company A, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, into hostile territory in Thua Thien-Hue Province, Vietnam. As the helicopter approached the landing zone, it was struck by enemy fire from the surrounding tree line, causing the aircraft to crash, killing House.
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. John D. Killen, III, 18, of Davenport, Iowa, whose remains were previously identified, was buried Sept. 27, 2018, in Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington, D.C.
Marine Corps Cpl. Glyn L. Runnels, Jr., 21, of Birmingham, Ala., whose remains were previously identified, was buried Sept. 27, 2018, in Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington, D.C. On June 30, 1967, Runnels was aboard a CH-46A Sea Knight helicopter that was struck by enemy fire attempting to insert eight members of Company A, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, into hostile territory.
U.S. Air Force Reserve Col. Fredric M. Mellor, 30, of Cranston, R.I., whose remains were previously identified, was buried Sept. 28, 2018, in Exeter, R.I. Mellor was assigned to the 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, and on temporary duty with the 15th Reconnaissance Task Force.
Marine Corps Reserve Pfc. Merton R. Riser, 19, of Sanborn, Iowa, whose remains were previously identified, was buried Sept. 28, 2018, in his hometown. Riser was assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force. Riser died on the first day of the battle, Nov. 20, 1943.
Navy Seaman 1st Class Robert V. Young, 23, of Bushnell, Ill., whose remains were previously identified, was buried Sept. 29, 2018, in Bardolph, Ill. Young was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor.
Army Cpl. Edward M. Jones was a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, supporting Republic of Korea Army attacks against units of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces near Hoengsong, South Korea. Interment services are pending.
Army Pfc. John W. Martin was a member of Medical Company, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Interment services are pending.
Naval Reserve Seaman 2nd Class Deward W. Duncan, Jr., was assigned to Aviation, Construction, Ordnance, Repair, Navy Fourteen, Standard Landing Craft Unit 4. Interment services are pending.
Army Pfc. Lewis E. Price was a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division, which moved into the Hürtgen Forest in Germany, to relieve U.S. forces who had been fighting for weeks. Interment services are pending.
Navy Seaman 1st Class Millard Burk was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, on Dec. 7, 1941, when the ship sustained multiple torpedo hits and quickly capsized, resulting in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Burk. Interment services are pending.
Navy Seaman 2nd Class David B. Edmonston was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Navy Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Merle A. Smith was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Navy Fireman 1st Class Claude O. Gowey was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, on Dec. 7, 1941. Interment services are pending.
Navy Storekeeper 2nd Class Gerald L. Clayton was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Navy Musician 2nd Class Francis E. Dick was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Till next week, praying for all veterans.
– Charles Castelluccio
