We start the year with the annual listing of agencies available to the veterans on the island. • Office of Veteran Affairs, Romy Castillo, 3367 Kuhio Hwy, 246-1163 • Office of Veteran Services, Tony Elliot, 3215 Kapule Hwy, 241-3348 •
We start the year with the annual listing of agencies available to the veterans on the island.
• Office of Veteran Affairs, Romy Castillo, 3367 Kuhio Hwy, 246-1163
• Office of Veteran Services, Tony Elliot, 3215 Kapule Hwy, 241-3348
• Kaua‘i Community Based Outpatient Clinic, 3367 Kuhio Hwy, 246-0497
• Workforce Development Division, Eric Nordmeier, 3100 Kuhio Hwy, Suite C-9, 274-3056
• Base Exchange, Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), 335-4350
• Military ID cards, PMRF, 335-4493 and the Veteran Center, Aida Cruz, 3215 Kapule Highway, 246-1135
VA Benefits
Veterans are encouraged to seek counseling for possible benefits due or to determine whether they are eligible for medical care. A document necessary in determining eligibility for benefits is the Form 214.
There are veterans who are unaware of what is available. Many have health issues or need medical care. There are those who are unaware of their eligibility or on how to go about getting them.
The Veterans Administration (VA) had established a listing of presumptive illnesses that provide a direct link to where and when a veteran served. An example is the Vietnam veterans who had survived or died from prostate cancer. Some had no clue that it was most likely related to their service in country. Contact numbers are listed above.
Enrollment of Category
8 veterans
The VA announced plans to re-open enrollment in its health care system by July 2009 to some 265,000 veterans whose incomes exceed the current VA means and geographic means test income thresholds by 10 percent or less. Funds were provided in the fiscal year 2009 budget and the VA’s computer systems are being modified to accommodate the changes. The means test amount varies depending on the number of dependents starting at about $29,000 annual income.
Financial hardships and medical care
Veterans who are struggling financially due to a job loss or decreased income may be able to relieve the costs of health care with the VA. A veteran whose previous income was ruled too high for VA health care may reapply if the past year or current year’s income is projected to fall below the federal income thresholds.
Veterans who recently returned from a combat zone are entitled to five years of free VA care. The five year “clock” begins on their discharge from military service
Gulf War syndrome
Gulf war syndrome is real and afflicts about 25 percent of those who served in the 1991 conflict. Scientific research indicated that Gulf War illness is a result of exposures to chemicals during the Gulf War deployment. The major problems are with muscles, bones and joints, ankles, knees and lower back. This is in addition to the multitude of other symptoms to include depression, tiredness, memory loss, headaches and rashes.
According to VA Secretary James Peake, the VA will continue to provide the care and benefits for the Gulf War veterans even though the conditions have not been scientifically recognized as a specific disease or injury.
PTSD and the
Purple Heart
The Pentagon has decided that it will not award the Purple Heart to war veterans who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) because it s not a physical wound. Some Iraq and Afghanistan veterans believed the award would honor their sacrifice and help remove the stigma associated with that condition.
Non-compensable disability
When applying for military benefits, the VA may determine that an injury, illness or medical condition is service connected, but has assigned a disability rating for that condition as less than 10 percent. There is no compensation for such disability. The veteran is still entitled to medical care at VA medical facility for that service connected condition. An example is hearing loss which may be recognized as a disability without compensation. The veteran is entitled to receive hearing aids at the expense of the VA. Veterans with a 10 percent VA disability rating for any condition are also eligible for hearing aids.
Understanding TRICARE
The TRICARE health system is for active duty, retired military personnel to include the Guard, the Reserves and their families. The VA health care system is for veterans only. Military retirees can qualify for both.
TRICARE for life was established in 2002 as a supplement to Medicare for the military retirees and their families. The program pays nearly all medical costs not covered by Medicare. This is similar to a medical plan provided to civilian retirees. TRICARE is a fulfillment of that promise for life time medical coverage to the career servicemen and women who dedicated their lives in service to our country.
Paid up SBP dispute
In October 2008, the Survivor Benefit Program (SBP) was changed and all retirees at least 70 years of age and had paid 360 months of premiums would no longer have to make monthly payments. The Retiree Account Statement (RAS) was amended and now tracks the number of months paid. Most retirees saw the counter for the first time in the recent RAS statements.
The Defense Finance and Accounting Office (DFAS) acknowledge that the some records may have undercounted the length of time. Retirees can file a dispute before June 30 by completing a DD Form 2656-11 or contacting the DFAS at 800-321-1080.
Women veterans
Women veterans are one of the fastest growing segments of the veteran population. There are approximately 1.8 million women veterans and constitutes nearly eight percent of the total veteran population.
The VA does have women’s program managers and coordinators to assist them in their health and benefit issues. For more information, contact Lynn Alward-Bingman at 635-2991.
Military retirement
pay and taxes
Military pay and Social Security are subject to federal taxes. States are generally free from federal control in deciding how to tax pensions. In a Supreme Court decision, a state cannot give favorable tax treatment for those on state pensions and those in receipt of federal pensions. A later decision provided for the same favorable tax treatment for military retirement pay.
In Hawai‘i, military retired compensation is not taxable. Hawai‘i is also one of 26 states that have full exclusion for those in receipt of Social Security retirement benefits.
• Johnny Rabasa, a Hanama‘ulu resident and Kaua‘i High School graduate, served for 30 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a command sergeant major. He served in Vietnam. He also retired from the U.S. Postal Service, was postmaster at the Kaumakani post office, and worked at the Lihu‘e post office. He writes this monthly column exclusively for The Garden Island.
