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IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Nat’l. Hdqrs., DAV (877) 426-2838

NSO Office, Cleveland (216) 522-3507

NSO Office, Cincinnati (513) 684-2676

Washington Office, DAV (202) 554-3501

Cincinnati HSC,

Sheila Clements (513) 475-6443

Dayton HSC, (937) 268-6511

Michael Muhammad Ext. 2962

Wade Park HSC, (216) 791-3800

Walter Dryja Ext. 3395

Chillicothe HSC (740) 773-1141

James Keller Ext. 7916

Columbus Clinic, (614) 257-5487

Michael Hackworth

Brecksville HSC, (440) 526-3030

Don Branford Ext. 7353

Warren Clinic (330) 392-0311

Youngstown Clinic (330) 70-9200

Ext. 105

Veterans Administration 1-800-827-1000

DATES TO REMEMBER

March 3, 2007 2^nd District Meeting, Dayton VA Hospital, Building 305, Multipurpose room, lunch at 12 noon, meeting to follow 1 p.m., Dayton.

March 11, 2007 4^th District Meeting, The Montfaucton Chapter #27 at 1 p.m., Toledo

March 31, 2007 DAV Commander Morton Testimonial Dinner, Holiday Inn Eastgate, Batavia.

April 2, 2007 Mobile Service Office, Mercer County Chapter #76, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wal-Mart Super Store, 1950 Havemann Rd., Celina

April 9, 2007 Mobile Service Office, Marietta VA CBOC, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Marietta VA CBOC, 418 Colegate Dr., Marietta.

April 14, 2007 1^st District Meeting, 12 noon, to 2 p.m., bring covered dish, St. Timothy Episcopal Church, 8101 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati.

April 15, 2007 8^th District Meeting, Barnesville Senior Center at 1 p.m., Barnesville

April 21, 2007 9^th District Meeting, Meigs Chapter #53, lunch at noon, meeting to begin at 1 p.m.

April 22, 2007 5^th District Meeting, Norwalk American Legion Post, Norwalk at 1 p.m.

April 22, 2007 6^th District Meeting, Trumbull County #11 at 2 p.m., Warren

April 22, 2007 10^th District Meeting, Lunch

At 1 p.m. and meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m., Senior Center in the Lincoln Village Plaza, 4656 W. Broad Street, Columbus.

April 28, 2007 DAVA Commander Brewster Testimonial Dinner, Holiday Inn, 2800 Presidential Drive, Fairborn, Ohio.

April 29, 2007 3^rd District Meeting, Memorial Hall, Lima at 2 p.m.

June 7-11, 2007 DAV Department Convention

The Midwest Hotel, Columbus

August 11-14, 2007 DAV National Convention,

Hilton New Orleans Riverside,

New Orleans, LA

October 19-21, 2007 Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio

March 2-5, 2008 DAV Mid-Winter Conference, Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA

June 5-8, 2008 DAV Department Convention, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio

August 9-12, 2008 DAV National Convention,

Bally’s Hotel, Las Vegas.

October 10-12, 2008 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

June 4-7, 2009 DAV Department Convention,

The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

October 9-11, 2009 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

June 10-13, 2010 DAV Department Convention,

The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

October 8-10, 2010 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

VETERANS ANCILARY BENFITS

Leslie James, NSO

There are several additional benefits available to veterans depending on the severity of their disability. In my opinion, one of the best is Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment. This program helps veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for and find jobs within their physical, mental and emotional capabilities. For veterans whose disabilities are so severe they cannot currently consider employment, VA helps them attain as much independence in daily living as possible. Additional information is available at: http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre.

Eligibility: A veteran must have a VA service-connected disability rated at least 20 percent with an employment handicap, or rated 10 percent with a serious employment handicap, and be discharged or released from military service under other than dishonorable conditions. Service members pending medical separation from active duty may also apply if their disabilities are reasonably expected to be rated at least 20 percent following their discharge.

Services: The VA pays the cost of services and a living allowance to veterans who participate in training. Depending on an individual's needs, services provided by VA may include:

1. An evaluation of talents, skills and interests.

2. Help with resumes and other work readiness assistance.

3. Help finding and keeping a job.

4. Vocational counseling and planning.

5. On-the-job training and work-experience programs.

6. Training, such as certificate, two, or four-year college or technical programs.

7. Supportive rehabilitation services and counseling.

Period of a Rehabilitation Program: Generally, veterans must complete a program within 12 years from their separation from military service or within 12 years from the date VA notifies them that they have a compensable service-connected disability. Depending on the length of program needed, veterans may be provided up to 48 months of full-time services or their part-time equivalent. These limitations may be extended in certain circumstances. One of the best things about Vocational Rehabilitation is that it can be used more than once. For example, if a veteran has successfully completed a program and fifteen years after completion of this program, the veteran’s disability has increased in severity, they may re-apply and receive additional training or schooling to overcome their employment impairment or handicap.

Work-Study: Veterans training at the three-quarter or full-time rate may participate in VA's work-study program. Participants may provide VA outreach services, prepare and process VA paperwork, and work at a VA medical facility or perform other VA-approved activities. A portion of the work-study allowance equal to 40 percent of the total may be paid in advance.

Veteran’s who have severe service-connected disabilities may be entitled to Specially Adapted Housing Grants (SAH) or Home Adaptation Grant. These grants help build a new specially adapted home or buy one and modify it to meet their disability-related requirements.

$50,000 Grant (SAH): VA may approve a grant of not more than 50 percent of the cost of building, buying, or adapting existing homes or paying to reduce indebtedness on a previously owned home that is being adapted, up to a maximum of $50,000. In certain instances, the full grant amount may be applied toward remodeling costs. Veterans must be determined eligible to receive compensation for permanent and total service-connected disability due to one of the following:

1. Loss or loss of use of both lower extremities, such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair.

2. Loss or loss of use of both upper extremities at or above the elbow.

3. Blindness in both eyes, having only light perception, plus loss or loss of use of one lower extremity.

4. Loss or loss of use of one lower extremity together with (a) residuals of organic disease or injury, or (b) the loss or loss of use of one upper extremity which so affects the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the use of braces, canes, crutches or a wheelchair.

$10,000 Grant: VA may approve a grant for the cost, up to a maximum of $10,000, for necessary adaptations to a veteran's residence or to help veterans acquire a residence already adapted with special features for their disability. To be eligible for this grant, veterans must be entitled to compensation for permanent and total service-connected disability due to:

1. Blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less.

2. Or anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands.

Recently, significant changes were made to enhance these programs.

· Public Law 109-233 provides that eligible veterans or active duty service members can now use this benefit up to three times as long as the aggregate amount of assistance does not exceed the maximum amounts allowable for either the Special Adapted Housing Grant or the Home Adaptation Grant.

· This benefit extends to previous grant recipients; however, they cannot obtain a subsequent grant(s) to pay for adaptations made prior to June 15, 2006, or to reduce an existing mortgage principal balance for properties acquired prior to June 15, 2006.

· This law also authorizes the VA to provide Special Adapted Housing assistance to veterans temporarily residing in a home owned by a family member up to $14,000 for the SAH grant or $2,000 for the Home Adaptation Grant. The balance of the maximum $50,000 or the $10,000 grant could then be used later for the veteran’s permanent home. Regrettably, this feature of the new law does not apply to active duty personnel and no temporary assistance can be provided after June 15, 2011.

· For more information you can contact this office or call the VA at 1-800-729-5772.

Supplemental Financing: Veterans with available loan guaranty entitlement may also obtain a guaranteed loan or a direct loan from VA to supplement the grant to acquire a specially adapted home. Amounts with a guaranteed loan from a private lender will vary, but the maximum direct loan from VA is $33,000.

One of the most overlooked housing benefits is the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations Grant. (HISA) The VA can provide up to $4,100 for service-connected veterans and up to $1,200 for non service-connected veterans to make home improvements necessary for the continuation of treatment or for disability access to the home and essential lavatory and sanitary facilities. It doesn’t matter if the service-connected disability is the cause for these improvements. For example, if a veteran is service-connected at zero percent for hearing loss and suffers a stroke and the stroke is not service-connected and the veteran needs a wheelchair ramp or the sinks in the bathroom need to be lowered they may qualify for the $4,100 grant. If the same veteran is not service-connected for any disability and suffers a stroke and needs the same assistance, they may qualify for the $1,200 grant. To apply for this benefit the veteran needs to contact the prosthetic representative at the nearest VA health care facility.

For the visually impaired the VA offers different services for Blind Veterans. Blind veterans may be eligible for services at a VA medical center or for admission to a VA blind rehabilitation center. In addition, blind veterans enrolled in the VA health care system may receive:

1. A total health and benefits review.

2. Adjustment to blindness training.

3. Home improvements and structural alterations.

4. Specially adapted housing and adaptations.

5. Automobile grant.

6. Low-vision aids and training in their use.

7. Electronic and mechanical aids for the blind, including adaptive computers and computer-assisted devices such as reading machines and electronic travel aids.

8. Guide dogs, including cost of training the veteran to use the dog.

9. Talking books, tapes and Braille literature.

One of the most used benefits is the Automobile Grant and Adaptive Equipment benefit. Veterans and service members may be eligible for a one-time payment of not more than $11,000 toward the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance if they have service-connected loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, or permanent impairment of vision of both eyes to a certain degree. The most important thing to remember when using this benefit is that the veteran must not purchase the vehicle before the VA approves this grant. To apply for this benefit, the veteran needs to submit VA Form 21-4502 to the VA. The application will be forwarded to the rating board and rating decision will be made either granting or denying the benefit. If it is granted the VA will authorize the form and mail it back to the veteran. The veteran can take the form to the automobile dealership and they will complete their portion of the form and mail it back to the VA. The VA will then reimburse the Dealership and not the veteran.

To be eligible for adaptive equipment, veterans must have service-connected loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, permanent impairment of vision of both eyes to a certain degree, or ankylosis (immobility) of one or both knees or one or both hips. The adaptive equipment grant can be used for repair, replacement, or reinstallation required because of disability, and for the safe operation of a vehicle purchased with VA assistance. The main difference between this grant and the automobile grant is the adaptive grant can be used more than once in a lifetime. It can be used twice within a four-year period. An advantage to both these grants is that if a piece of equipment that is paid for by the VA needs repaired, the VA will pay for the cost of the repair.

Clothing Allowance: Any veteran who is service-connected for a disability for which he or she uses a prosthetic or orthopedic appliances may receive an annual clothing allowance.

The clothing allowance also is available to any veteran whose service-connected skin condition requires prescribed medication that irreparably damages his or her outer garments. All a veteran needs to do to apply for this benefit is to complete VA Form 21-8678 and mail it to the Prosthetic division of the nearest VA health care facility. This benefit is usually paid during the last pay cycle in August. If a veteran wants to apply for this benefit for 2007, the application must be received prior to August 1, 2007. This year the amount of the clothing allowance is $662.00

For military retirees there are two types of concurrent receipt benefits available.

Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) and Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments.

The Department of Defense provides tax-free monthly compensation to military retirees of all services with military or VA-rated disabilities resulting directly from: training that simulates war, an instrumentality of war, hazardous service or armed conflict. The payments are designed to compensate veterans for the reduction in military retired pay required because of receipt of VA disability compensation. CRSC equals the amount of VA disability compensation offset from retired pay based on those disabilities determined to be combat related.

CRSC is unlike Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments, which restore retired pay on a graduated 10-year schedule for retirees with a 50 to 90 percent VA-rated disability. Concurrent Retirement payments increase 10 percent per year through 2013. Retirees who qualify for both CRSC and Concurrent Retirement may elect only one. DoD will pay whichever brings the highest dollar amount.

Eligibility: To apply, applicants must meet all four of the following criteria and have at least one rated VA disability determined to have been combat related:

1. Served 20 or more years on active duty, or a reservist age 60 or older with 20 or more creditable years.

2. Are in a retired status.

3. Are receiving retired pay (must be offset by VA payments).

4. And have at least a 10 percent VA disability rating.

Applicants must submit documentation to establish their qualifying disability such as copies of the most recent and complete retirement DD-214, any DD-215s, medical records showing the origin and cause of the disability, and the first and last VA rating decisions. Any other supporting evidence may also be helpful to prove a claim.

Finally, children of Vietnam veterans born with certain birth defects may be eligible for a monthly monetary allowance, health care specific to the disability, and vocational training if reasonably feasible.

The law defines “child” as the natural child of a Vietnam veteran, regardless of age or marital status. The child must have been conceived after the date on which the veteran first entered the Republic of Vietnam. Questions about benefits for children with birth defects may be e-mailed to: birthdefect@vba.va.gov.

Children of Vietnam or Korean Veterans Born with Spina Bifida: Biological children of male and female veterans who served in Vietnam at any time during the period beginning Jan. 9, 1962, and ending May 7, 1975, or who served in or near the Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ) during the period beginning Sept. 1, 1967, and ending Aug. 31, 1971, may be eligible for certain benefits.

A monetary allowance is paid at one of three disability levels based on the neurological manifestations that define the severity of disability: impairment of the functioning of extremities, impairment of bowel or bladder function, and impairment of intellectual functioning. Effective Dec. 1, 2005, the allowances are:

	Level I	Level II	Level III
Monthly Rate	$254	$879	$1,500

Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Born with Certain Birth Defects: Biological children of women veterans who served in Vietnam at any time during the period beginning on Feb. 28, 1961, and ending on May 7, 1975, may be eligible for certain benefits because of birth defects associated with a mother's service in Vietnam and that resulted in a permanent physical or mental disability. The covered birth defects do not include conditions due to family disorders, birth-related injuries, or fetal or neonatal infirmities with well-established causes.

A monetary allowance is paid at one of four disability levels based on the child's degree of permanent disability. Effective Dec. 1, 2005, the allowances are:

	Level I	Level II	Level III	Level IV
Monthly Rate	$116	$254	$879	$1,500

Vocational Training: VA provides vocational counseling, rehabilitation, education and training to help these children prepare for and attain suitable employment.

To qualify, an applicant must be a child with a VA monthly allowance for spina bifida or another covered birth defect and for whom VA has determined that achievement of a

vocational goal is reasonably feasible. A child may not begin vocational training before their 18th birthday or the date they complete secondary schooling, whichever comes first. Depending on need and eligibility, a child may be provided up to 48 months of full-time

training.

As always, if anyone has any questions they can contact and NSO at 216-522-3507.

Leslie A. James

National Service Officer

DAVA COMMANDER’S TESTIMONIAL

You are invited to attend Commander’s Marcella Brewster’s Testimonial Dinner on April 28, 2007. The social hour will begin at 6 p.m. and dinner will begin at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, Fairborn, Ohio, 2800 Presidential Drive. You can make room reservations at (937) 426-7800, please make sure you tell the hotel you are with the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary.

Dinner will be buffet style at a cost of $30.00 for adults and $20.00 for children 12 and under.

Please send check for dinner to:

DAVA Unit #9

ATTN: Carol Duley, Treasurer

1233 Creighton Ave.

Dayton, Ohio 45420

Cut off date for dinner is April 19, 2007.

VA MEDICAL CENTERS

Sally Brandt, 2^nd Jr. Vice Cmdr., DAVA

On the gift list from the VA Medical Centers they are in need of playing cards.

If we the DAV/DAVA would bring 2 to 3 decks to cards to each monthly meeting, then bring them all to the State Convention June 7 thru 11, 2007 we would be able to divide them up for all our hospitals in Ohio.

Please help our veterans who have given all for us, to have something to occupy their time.

Remember AMERICAN HERO’S ARE OUR FAMILIES!

NOTES FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT

Frank Williams, State Adjutant

POOR IS THE NATION THAT HAS NO HEROES. POORER STILL IS

THE NATION THAT HAS HEROES, BUT FORGETS THEM.

There are over 3 million Disabled Veterans in America and many more are joining our ranks every day as they return from Iraq and Afghanistan. Currently aver 500,.000 claims filed by these Disabled American Veterans are “in review” at the Department of Veterans Affairs. How many will die before ever hearing about their claim?

Our brave men and women who suffer injuries while serving our country need to know that they will come home to find that America not only cherishes their service, but also honors them with the best medical care, vocational rehabilitation and fast processing of their claims for VA compensation.

It is paramount that substantial measures be taken immediately to fix the backlog in VA claims processing by providing adequate staffing levels and resources.

· Congress should authorize 10,675 total full time employees for VA Compensation & Pension Service for fiscal year 2008.

· VA must provide comprehensive training programs to enable claims processors to make accurate decisions.

· VA must be held accountable for accurate and timely claims decisions.

A LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO VA’S FUNDING PROBLEM IS NEEDED NOW!!!

Year after year the VA is faced with funding shortfalls, mainly due to discretionary rather than assured funding practices by Congress. Look at the most recent fiasco where the VA funding was not resolved until more than one-third of the way through the new fiscal year due to inaction by the 109^th Congress. It is imperative that Congress remove the VA from the vagaries of the discretionary appropriations process to insure that funding for VA Health Care is made available on the first day of each fiscal year.

The VA Health Care System is a critical national resource for all sick and disabled veterans, including our newest generation of men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. As the 110^th Congress considers the financial needs of VA for fiscal year 2008, they should take pause and consider how much is at stake and take the right action on behalf of American Veterans who have sacrificed so much to keep America free.

Is it not strange that we have 3 million disabled veterans and there is not enough funding to support their needs, yet there is enough funding to support the needs of over 11 million illegal aliens, and enough funding to not only support their medical needs but to feed, clothe, educate and house them???

If we can afford to fight a war, then we certainly can afford to care for those who fight the war!! You cannot separate one from the other. Always remember FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!!!

MILITARY INJURY RELIEF FUND – OHIO TAX INITIATIVE

There is a new way, for anyone that wishes, to donate money to a wounded in action or family of killed in action service member as part of filing your Ohio income tax.

When filing your taxes you can mark a check in Block 27 if you are getting money back, to donate to injured veterans. You simply write in how much you want to donate. If you are not getting money back you may still donate by writing check made out to Military Injury Relief Fund.

Service member must have been a resident of Ohio at the time of the injury to be eligible. Beneficiaries include OIF/OED veterans only. Each family or veteran will receive the same amount of money – there is not a tiered system providing more money based on injury etc.

Veterans have to apply for this at a Veterans Service Organization.

This money is taxable and they will be distributing it on July 1^st.

VA MARKS 20^th ANNIVERSARY OF SERVICE TO HOMELESS VETERANS SECRETARY NICHOLSON ANNOUNCES $24 MILLION FOR HOMELESS PROGRAMS

WASHINGTON – On the eve of the 20^th anniversary of its first program targeted specifically at the needs and problems of homeless veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced a $24 million spending package – the largest one-time designation in its history – for programs benefiting homeless veterans.

“Over the past two decades, we have worked hard to construct bridges leading from the darkened alleys of homelessness to the bright avenues of mainstream society,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. “This would not be possible without the efforts from faith-based and community service providers who have partnered with VA throughout the years.”

In events today at Veterans Village in San Diego marking VA’s first homeless program, Nicholson announced the Department was committing $10 million to support about 1,000 new transitional housing beds nationwide, $12 million for seriously mentally ill veterans, terminally ill veterans and similarly vulnerable groups, and $2 million for other programs.

Twenty years ago, VA began its national effort to eradicate chronic homelessness by providing $5 million for a pilot program to support contract residential care and to create domiciliary care for homeless veterans.

Today, VA supports more than 15,000 beds in transitional housing facilities or on VA residential treatment programs. The Department has become the largest federal provider of direct assistance to the homeless, including outreach and case management, treatment, rehabilitation, transitional residential care, therapeutic work and assistance with permanent housing. VA supports special programs for the treatment and rehabilitation of those suffering from mental illness and addictive disorders.

Since 1988, VA has supported more than 1,500 Stan Downs across the nation. Stand Downs give homeless veterans a temporary refuge where they can obtain food, shelter, clothing and a range of community and VA assistance.

“Our goal is to return to communities sober citizens, gainfully employed, living independently with restored dignity,” said Nicholson. “But the tremendous work done across the nation, as great as it is, is not enough as long as one veteran is homeless.”

VA proposes to spend more than $265 million on specialized homeless assistance in FY 2007.

VA operates the nation’s largest integrated health care system, with 155 hospitals, more than 800 clinics, about 130 nursing homes and 45 domiciliaries, treating about 1 million patients each week.

HHS OFFICE OF DISABILITY LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

The new website provides comprehensive yet easy-to-access information supporting the seven domains; housing, education, information technology, transportation, health, employment, and community integration; identified by the President’s New Freedom Initiative – plus, information on advocacy, entitlements, and emergency preparedness.

The redesign of the content according to the seven domains of the President’s New Freedom Initiative has shaped the user interface into a better organized database where information can be accessed easily and precisely.

In addition, the OD website features information on the Americans with Disabilities Act and a number of fact sheets and reports supporting several of OD’s initiatives, such as the Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Improve the Health and Wellness of Person’s with Disabilities; Caregiving Initiative; Physical Fitness for Youth with Disabilities, and Infants and Young Children with Hearing Loss. The restructured OD website also fully ensures compliance with Section 508 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Please visit the new site at www.hhs.gov/od

Information Bulletin

IMPORTANT NUMBERS