Beginning Feb. 19, all veterans who disagree with their VA rating decision will have three new options to resolve their benefit dispute: request a higher-level review from a more experienced person, submit a supplemental claim with additional evidence, or appeal directly to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. Over the past two years, the VFW worked closely with VA and other veterans’ organizations to craft this new framework, which was authorized by the VFW-supported Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017. The goal of the new system is to offer veterans greater flexibility and transparency to resolve benefit disputes in a timely manner, instead of waiting years for VA to adjudicate their appeals. For assistance appealing a decision on your benefits claim, contact a highly trained and accredited service officer.
Military Family Housing Horrors
Testimony from three military spouses last Wednesday, before a joint hearing of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel and Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, revealed military family housing horrors ranging from insects and rodents, to asbestos and lead-based paint. Testimony was also given by five company CEOs and/or presidents, who collectively manage some 200,000 family housing units throughout the military, and four assistant DOD, Army, Navy, and Air Force secretaries, who are responsible for installation oversight. To the VFW, the dismissive attitude of housing contractors and installation commanders, who may have thought their days of listening to housing complaints were over when the military signed 50-year contracts with civilian management companies in the mid-1990s, was egregious. It was clear from testimony and ensuing Q&A sessions that all military installation commands must take an active role in contract fulfillment, oversight and customer satisfaction, and families need an effective forum to communicate their issues with housing authorities and installation commanders without fear of retribution. The VFW will continue to monitor this issue to ensure the military and their contractors make good on their pledges to perform and communicate better.
Veterans Groups Say $103 Billion in VA Funding needed For FY 2020
Last week, the three coauthors of The Independent Budget (IB) — The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., Disabled American Veterans, and Paralyzed Veterans of America — released the IB’s fiscal year (FY) 2020 budget recommendations for VA. The IB coauthors recommend a total of $103.3 billion to ensure VA begins to fully and faithfully implement the VA MISSION Act of 2018, make needed improvements, and is able to timely deliver benefits and services to wounded, ill and injured veterans, their families and survivors.
POW/MIA Update
Army Pvt. Winfred L. Reynolds was a member of Medical Company, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was killed on April 26, 1951, while caring for wounded soldiers. Because of ongoing fighting in the area, Reynolds’ remains were unable to be recovered. Interment services are pending.
Army Cpl. Carlos E. Ferguson was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, engaged in combat against the North Korean People’s Army and the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces during the “Battle of the Soyang River.” Ferguson was reported missing in action on May 18, 1951. Interment services are pending.
Army Master Sgt. Charlie J. Mares was a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, engaged in combat against the Korean People’s Army. Mares was reported missing in action following the battle. Interment services are pending.
Army Sgt. George R. Schipani was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. Early in the morning of Nov. 2, 1950, Schipani’s battalion was struck by enemy units of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces. Interment services are pending.
Army Cpl. James C. Rix was a member of Company E, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was killed in action on Nov. 30, 1950, during heavy fighting between the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces and the 7th Cavalry Regiment in South Pyongan Province, North Korea. Interment services are pending.
Army Air Forces Tech. Sgt. Alfred R. Sandini was a member of 22nd Bombardment Squadron, 341st Bombardment Group. On Feb. 15, 1944, the aircraft crashed, near the Do Len Bridge in Thanh Hoa Province. Interment services are pending.
Navy Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class William A. Klasing 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. The battleship sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. Interment services are pending.
Navy Fire Controlman 1st Class Edward J. Shelden was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Navy Seaman 1st Class Kirby R. Stapleton was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Seaman 1st Class John A. Karli was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Navy Seaman 1st Class Kenneth H. Sampson was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Marine Corps Pvt. Waldean Black was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
