VA Health Care and the Affordable Health Care Act The Affordable Care Act requires U.S. taxpayers to verify they meet minimum essential health coverage requirements on their annual federal tax form. Veterans and their beneficiaries enrolled in the VA Medical
VA Health Care and the Affordable Health Care Act
The Affordable Care Act requires U.S. taxpayers to verify they meet minimum essential health coverage requirements on their annual federal tax form. Veterans and their beneficiaries enrolled in the VA Medical Care Program, CHAMPVA or Spina Bifida Health Care Program meet these minimum requirements.
To be of assistance in proving acceptable coverage under the ACA, the VA is mailing IRS Form 1095B to these individuals as proof that they meet acceptable medical care coverage requirements. Submit the form to the IRS along with the annual tax return.
Vehicle registration exemption for certain 100 percent disabled veterans
Effective 1 January 2016, all VA rated 100 percent disabled veterans residing in the State of Hawaii who are also in receipt of disability retirement pay from any branch of the uniformed armed forces are exempt from payment of all annual vehicle registration fees. This exemption does not extend to vehicles used for commercial purposes, nor to more than one vehicle owned per veteran.
Chemical exposure in drinking water at MCB Camp Lejeune
The VA has begun the process of amending its regulations to establish presumptions of service connection for certain conditions believe to have resulted from exposure to contaminated drinking water at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
Until now, VA has only provided VA healthcare for eligible veterans and civilian health care reimbursement for family members who were stationed or resided aboard Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between Aug. 1, 1953 and Dec. 31, 1987. With this amendment, veterans may now file claims for VA disability compensation if diagnosed with any of the following conditions: Kidney cancer, liver cancer, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, scleroderma, Parkinson’s disease, Aplastic anemia/myelodysplastic syndromes
VA will continue to work to evaluate the body of scientific knowledge and research related to exposure to these chemicals and the subsequent development of other diseases.
Anyone who lived or worked aboard Camp Lejeune before 1987 should register for notifications regarding Camp Lejeune Historic Drinking Water at https://clnr.hqi.usmc.mil/clwater. Info: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune/index.asp.
The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration
The Kauai Veterans Council is seeking individuals, local businesses, veterans’ groups and other nongovernmental organizations to join them in thanking and honoring Kauai’s estimated 1,000 Vietnam-era Veterans and their families. Over the next three years, volunteers are needed to coordinate, plan and conduct events and activities that recognize and honor the service, valor and sacrifice made by our nation’s 7.2 million living Vietnam veterans and their families.
Anyone interested in joining the Kauai Commemorative Committee is encouraged to attend the Kauai Veterans Council meetings held at 5 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the Kauai Veterans Center. POC: Wilbert Pereira, Chairman Kauai Chapter of the VVOA.
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Tony Elliott is with the Kauai Office of Veterans’ Services. He can be reached at 241-3348.
