Newsletter

Bob Hogan, Director Betty McDonough, Principal Clerk

Office address:     Human Services Building, 61 Center Street, Burlington, MA
Mailing address:   Town Hall, 29 Center Street, Burlington, MA 01803
Tel: 781-270-1960    Fax: 781-270-1605    E-mail: veterans@burlmass.org

It was recently reported that Veterans awarded post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) ratings in the last five years by the VA are subject to reevaluation. As of this past Veterans Day, November 11, 2005, the VA has canceled the yearlong review, stating that the problems were clerical errors and not widespread fraud.

The review of PTSD cases was recently released, part of a 200-page report on variances in VA disability compensation across the nation. Many PTSD cases lacking documents to verify veteran-reported evidence contained in that study are at risk. The VA had announced that it would review documents of 72,000 PTSD cases - those awarded 100% disability ratings from 1 OCT 99 through 30 SEP 04. Over those five years, the number of vets given compensation for PTSD jumped 80%, from 120,000 cases in fiscal 1999 to 216,000 now. According to VA spokesman Scott Hogenson the planned review of the 72,000 cases likely won't begin until January. He commented that everybody talks about how PTSD is a very subjective diagnosis but this is not about diagnosis. This is about collecting the empirical paperwork that says.

David Autry, a spokesperson for the DAV said that at least one veteran killed himself when he heard about the government’s review. According to Secretary of Veterans Affairs, James Nicholson, that in the absence of evidence of fraud, we are not going to put our veterans through the anxiety of a review.

The Burlington Office of Veterans Services wants to remind veterans about our Web Page, (www.veteransinfo.net) which Burlington veterans can access and utilize. By going onto the site, you will have access to all the information any veteran or active duty member of the military, reserves and National Guard could want. There is complete coverage of all federal benefits through the Veterans Administration, as well as all the state benefits from the Massachusetts Office of Veterans Services. Tricare has its own site here, and there are links to many active duty branches of service, as well as veterans sites.

The link will have the newsletter, monthly history articles and updated press releases. With this new technology, it is important that we keep up with it, in order to provide as much information as is possible.

The Department of Veterans Services has created a new Internet Web site with the latest information about benefits for the surviving spouses and dependants of military personnel who died on active duty and for survivors and dependants of veterans who died after leaving the military.

The site also has information from other federal agencies and organizations that offer benefits and services to survivors and dependants. The new website can found at www.vba.va.gov/survivors or by clicking on the “Survivors benefits” button on the left panel of www.vba.va.gov.

The Burlington Office of Veterans Services is looking for anyone who attended Burlington High School but left before graduating and then entered the military. This is for all veterans, World War – 2, Korea, Vietnam, Cold War, etc. who left school early and did not graduate. Operation Recognition is a program where we can present the veteran with a high school diploma, regardless of any college degrees they may have. Ten diplomas were given out in 1998 to living and deceased BHS graduates. Families of deceased veterans may apply on behalf of their deceased loved ones. If you know of any such veteran, living in Burlington or not, call the office at 781-270-1959.

Retirees have a chance to enroll in the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) or increase their rate of participation during the SBP Open Enrollment Period (open season from October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2006). This is a good news/bad news story. The good news is that this law is also replacing the two tier SBP annuity for spouses/former spouses of 55% of elected base amount before the age of 62 and 35% of the base after age 62. The law is phasing in a 55% benefit regardless of age of the annuitant.

The bad news is there is a cost that some may consider too expensive. For more information on your particular situation, contact the Retirement Service Officer in NY at 845-938-4217.

The Defense Department is again sending letters to thousands of Gulf War veterans exposed to low levels of chemical agents contained in munitions destroyed at the weapons depot in Khamisiyah, Iraq, in March 1991. A study recently released by the Institute of Medicine concluded that veterans possibly exposed in that area appear to have a higher risk fro brain cancer death than veterans who were not exposed. However, the study’s authors said more research is needed to confirm their findings. This is the third letter sent to Gulf War Veterans updating them of possible exposure., once in 1997 and again in 2000.

VA Warns of Prescription Fraud

The Burlington Office of Veterans Services has received notice of a scam targeting veterans regarding their prescription medications. The VA says veterans are receiving calls from a company identifying itself as the “Patient Care Group.” This company is claiming that the veteran’s prescriptions are now being dispensed through them and if they wanted to continue to receive their medication, they would need to provide a credit card number.

The VA stresses that it has not changed the process of receiving and dispensing prescriptions and warns that “Patient Care Group” is a fraud. Veterans should not give their credit card number to anyone making any claims about VA Health care.

Starting November 15, 2005, everyone with Medicare can enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan. The coverage can provide savings on brand name and generic drug costs through Medicare starting January 1, 2006.

Veterans can use both the VA and Medicare to cover their prescription drugs, but a single prescription cannot be covered by both plans at once. If a prescription is filled by a Medicare drug plan, it will not go to the VA for any additional payment.

For most people, joining a Medicare prescription drug plan now means they will pay a lower monthly premium and not face a premium penalty if they want to join later. Veterans who are eligible for Medicare and who are enrolled in the VA health care system, however, are not subject to the higher premium if they decide to join a Medicare drug plan at a later date.

The VA is continuously improving it’s business practices. The VA is committed to providing veterans with high quality medical care and pharmacy service while maintaining maximum security of our confidential information.

Veterans can now receive their billing statements in “LARGE PRINT”. To take advantage of this new feature simply call the Agent cashier or accounts Receivable Clerk at your local VA Hospital. The Bedford VA Hospital telephone number is 781-275-7500.

For Military Retirees, Captain Arlene Love, with the Military Retirees Activity Office at Hanscom Air Force Base can answer your questions about Tricare For Life. There have been a lot of changes with Champva and Tricare, and Captain Love is available to answer all your questions. Also, you may wish to ask her to place your name on a mailing list. For more information on military retiree benefits, contact Captain Love, at Hanscom AFB, by calling 781-377-2476.

VA Warns of Prescription Fraud

Page Revised: December 29, 2005