November 2023 Member Meeting

• The VA added 5 million veterans to the Legacy Memorial List from private cemeteries if the VA provided a Headstone, Marker or Medallion.
  • Try it, search for a known veterans name etc. 
  • You can add comments, photos, stories etc.
    • www.Va.gov/remember

• Ensure your get your deserved NJ State Medal
  • NJ Distinguished Service Medal
  • NJ Meritorious Service Medal
  • NJ Korean Service Medal
  • NJ Vietnam Service Medal
  • NJ POW-MIA Medal
  • NJ Desert Storm Medal
  • NJ Global War on Terrorism Medal
• Easy form

• https://www.nj.gov/military/veterans/services/awards/

• Ensure your spouse, power of attorney, friends have your VA.Gov sign on and password  to obtain your records if needed

• Last, if you receive a “Duty to Assist Error “on any of your appeals give me a call… the process is confusing.
  • They may need Private medical or even military records they could not find, or are missing an exam result so will be scheduling a session.

October 2023 Member Meeting

·      “Make sure your spouse has access to “your” VA.gov logon, DD214 and all your disability letters”

·      Also ensure the veteran’s death certificate includes a service related clause as cause of death if appropriate

Oct 7 2023 VFW Post 1838 Meeting VSO Notes

1. How to file a claim and a simple checklist (numerous requests)
   1. https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/        (VA process)                                
   1. https://www.va.gov/files/2023-01/disability-rating-qsg.pdf      (1 page checklist )          
2. (Welcome kit) is informative as is its home page with many pdf downloads.
   1. https://www.va.gov/welcome-kit

·       For Veterans

•  Apply for VA health care (PDF)
  •  Get started with mental health services (PDF)
  •  Get started with health services for women Veterans (PDF)
  •  Understanding community care (PDF)
  •  Accessing urgent care (PDF)
  •  Apply for a disability rating (PDF)
  •  Get started with VA pension and fiduciary benefits (PDF)
  •  Apply for education benefits (PDF)
  •  Apply for burial in a VA national cemetery and for memorial products (PDF)
  •  Understanding the modernized decision review process (PDF)
  •  Get started with services for aging Veterans (PDF)
  •  Get started with Veteran state benefits and services (PDF)
  •  Get started with Vet Center services (PDF)
  •  Get started with food and nutrition services (PDF)
  •  Get started with Whole Health services (PDF)
  •  Get started with Veteran-Owned Small Business support (PDF)
  •  Get started with services for LGBTQ+ Veterans (PDF)

·       For family members

•  Get started with caregiver benefits (PDF)
  •  Apply for survivor benefits (PDF)
• End of life benefits
  • https://www.va.gov/initiatives/end-of-life-benefits/

o Benefits for your spouse, dependents and survivors

o Advance Care Planning

o Burial and memorial benefits

“Make sure your spouse has access to “your” VA.gov logon and all your disability letters”

4.     Call the VA for veteran if spouse dies and for spouse if veteran dies…

·       “Save the extra payments until you receive the letter!!!”

o The best way to contact the VA about your loved one’s death is through the national call center at 1-800-827-1000. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern time. 

§  Choose option 4 for spouse death and opt 5 for vets death, Select compensation, enter SS# and speak with a rep