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Veteran's Voice — June 27, 2024
The VA recently announced that male breast cancer, urethral cancer, and cancer of the paraurethral glands are now presumptive diseases under the PACT Act. Several other additions and expansions are also being implemented, and several subtractions as well. Bottom line, if you think you are sick from toxic exposure during your military service, monitor announcements from the VA, and stay connected with your VSO if you have used one to file a claim.
Overview of VA Benefits and Services workshop coming in July and August The world of veteran benefits, programs, and eligibility can be vague and overwhelming. To help, there is a 45-minute virtual Overview of VA Benefits and Services workshop available online. Upcoming dates are July 9th and 23rd; and August 13th and 27th. All sessions start at 2 p.m. Eastern Time, and you must sign up prior at https://bit.ly/4cu3t2x
National Resource Directory for military and veterans
The NRD is a federal government website and database of validated resources that support recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration for service members, veterans, family members, and caregivers. You can find the directory at https://bit.ly/45ARMoh
VA Home Loans and Real Estate commissions In March, the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) settled a class-action lawsuit that requires NAR to change, really lower, its brokerage fee rules. Before that settlement takes effect, the VA has announced an update to enable eligible Veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses who use their VA home loan benefits to pay for certain real estate buyer-broker fees when purchasing a home beginning Aug. 10, 2024. To give credit when due, I have to say I am impressed with the VA being so proactive, before the fact, in this instance. For more information see https://bit.ly/3VQ4yvV
Military appreciation
BJ’s Wholesale Club is offering a special membership to military and veterans. A one-year membership is $25, regularly $55, plus you get a $10 “Welcome Bonus” to spend within the first 30 days of your membership. For details see https://bit.ly/4evtvEq
Sick Contractors and Burn Pits
I have to say this is a tough story. We never had a war before, like Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, where so many contractors were engaged in the combat theater, and so many veterans who later worked overseas as contractors. Since they served on many of the same installations as the military, many contractors received exposure to the same toxic elements from burn pits and other causes. Unfortunately, these former contractors are not covered by the VA’s PACT Act. Even if you are a veteran, if you were not exposed as a part of your military service, your only option is to file essentially a “workers comp” type of insurance claim under a World War II-era law called the Defense Base Act. The Act, administered by the Department of Labor, requires contracting companies to carry insurance for their workers’ war zone injuries or illnesses. Unfortunately, this is turning out to be a long, tough, demoralizing process for many. For more information see https://bit.ly/3VSdn8s
Veterans service event July 2
The Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS) will host a Summer VetFest/PACT Act event on Tuesday, July 2 from 1-4 p.m. in the Pegasus Ballroom,in the University of Central Florida’s (UCF) Student Union Building (12715 Pegasus Drive, Orlando 32816).
Parking will be made available in parking garage H. VA shuttles will be available onsite to chauffeur guests to and from the parking garage. Public bus transportation thru Lynx will also be made available for free to any Veteran traveling to or from the event (riders must present the event flyer to be eligible for free transportation to and from the event).
Veterans Benefit Claims Assistance, Eligibility and Enrollment Services, toxic exposure screenings, outreach tables with free giveaways and more will be available to all who attend. For planning purposes, event organizers kindly request your RSVP here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LVX977L The PACT Act Summer VetFest is just one component of the VA’s nationwide PACT Act Veteran outreach campaign.
