Their are only a few days left for veterans of the Persian Gulf War to apply for the cash bonus money – $75 for each month with a maximum of $525. If you were a Pennsylvania resident when you were in the Persian Gulf War, between Aug. 2, 1990, to Aug. 31, 1991, you only have until Friday, Aug. 31 to apply. Call (866) 458-9182.
Reports Find Veterans Improperly Denied MST-related PTSD Claims
VA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report Tuesday that investigated denied disability claims for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to military sexual trauma (MST). The findings concluded that the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) processed approximately 12,000 claims annually over the past three years for PTSD related to MST. In FY2017, VBA denied about 5,500 of those claims. The OIG review team sampled 169 denied claims and discovered 82 were incorrectly processed, which indicates an overall adjudication error rate of 49 percent. The incorrectly processed denial error projections were mostly found to be due to evidence submitted, VA not requesting adequate evidence, veterans submitting claims not being contacted by VA’s MST coordinators, and insufficient medical opinions. “The Inspector General’s report is very troubling,” said VFW National Commander B.J. Lawrence in a press statement. “The VA’s own statistics show that suicide rates among military sexual assault victims are a growing problem, yet here we have VBA — which is the key to all things VA — incorrectly processing almost a quarter of all claims. That’s failing our veterans.” Veterans who submitted claims for PTSD related to MST and feel their claims were improperly denied may contact the veterans organization that files their claims for assistance.
Application Opens for 2019 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship
The application process for the 2019 class of VFW-SVA legislative fellows is now open. Ten VFW members who attend schools with an approved Student Veterans of America chapter will be selected for a semester-long program to advocate on policy issues faced by veterans, service members, and their families. The capstone of the program is participation in the 2019 VFW Legislative Conference.
POW/MIA Update
Army Air Forces Sgt. Alfonso O. Duran, 22, a WWII veteran of El Rito, N.M., whose remains were previously accounted for, was buried Aug. 22 in Santa Fe, N.M.
Air Force Col. Richard A. Kibbey, a Vietnam War veteran, was a member of Detachment 5, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. Interment services are pending.
Army Pfc. Kenneth B. Williams, a Korean War veteran, was a member of Heavy Mortar Company, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Interment services are pending.
Army Pvt. William A. Boegli, a WWII veteran, as a member of Company L, 332nd Infantry Regiment, 81st Infantry Division. Interment services are pending.
Army Pfc. Morris R. Worrell, a WWII veteran, was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment. Worrell was among those reported captured after the surrender of Corregidor. Interment services are pending.
Navy Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Eugene K. Eberhardt, a WWII veteran was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, on Dec. 7, 1941. Interment services are pending.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
