A recent Pentagon audit revealed that more than 130,000 veterans who were medically separated as a result of injuries sustained in combat, and received a disability severance, may be entitled to a significant tax refund. Under federal law, disability severance paid as a result of combat injuries is intended to be tax-free. However, from 1991 to 2016, the automated payment system maintained by DOD failed to properly identify those payments as being tax exempt and withheld between 20-25 percent of the payment, resulting in an overpayment of federal income tax. If you feel that you may be entitled to a refund, you can find more information including how to file an amended income tax return through the Internal Revenue Service.
Physical Disability Board of Review
If you are a veteran who was medically separated from service between Sept. 11, 2001, and Dec. 31, 2009, with a rating of 30 percent or less and feel the rating is inaccurate, you now have the ability to file an appeal through the Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR). The result of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2008, the PDBR provides veterans a way to appeal their initial Department of Defense disability ratings, and often results in a medical discharge being upgraded to a medical retirement.
VFW Convention to Host Women Vets Information Fair
The VFW will host a women veterans information fair entitled “Women Veterans: Strong & Growing” during this year’s 119th VFW National Convention. The fair will be held at 2 p.m. July 24. Information pertinent to the veterans’ community with a focus on women veterans will be provided. All veterans are encouraged and welcome to attend. Participants will include the VFW’s Women Veterans Advisory Committee; representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ offices of women’s health, women veterans, research and development, and veteran experience; the Department of Labor; the National Coalition of Homeless Veterans; and congressional staff from the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. There will be a raffle with prizes, as well as other giveaways.
POW/MIA Update
Navy Seaman 1st Class James C. Solomon, 23, a WWII veteran, of Forestburg, Texas, whose identification was previously announced, was buried July 14, in his hometown.
Navy Fireman 2nd Class Lowell E. Valley, 19, a WWII veteran, of Ontonagon, Mich., whose identification was previously announced, was buried July 14 in his hometown.
Army Pfc. Willard Jenkins, a WWII veteran, was a member of Company C, 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division near Nijmegen, Netherlands. Interment services are pending.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
