Readers of Tom Philpott’s Military Update column sound off

Allowance Rate Shaped By Your Housing 'Profile'

Why does Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-6 with dependents at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., rise by only $8 with the BAH rates for 2009?

We go from $1390 to $1398 a month while the E-7 with dependents sees a rate increase of $41 to reach $1518 and the E-5’s new allowance is $1329, up $107? The people above us get $41 more and below us get $107?

I don’t get it.

GREGORY HUGHES
Technical Sergeant, USAF
Via e-mail

BAH rates at every grade are adjusted based on changes in rental costs locally for the type and size of housing deemed appropriate for a member’s rank and family status.

BAH for E-5 with dependents, for example, is tied to local rent for two-bedroom townhouses.  Married E-6s are assumed to live in three-bedroom townhouses.  BAH for an E-7 with dependents is set to based on rent for three-bedroom townhouses plus a differential -- 36 percent of the difference between the next lower housing profile (three-bedroom townhouse) and next higher profile (a three-bedroom detached home).

BAH program officials give a fully explanation online at:

http://perdiem.hqda.pentagon.mil/perdiem/BAH-Primer.pdf

-- Tom Philpott

 

More Vets Deserve Disability Reform

I read your article on how the VA-DoD pilot of disability system reforms is resulting in higher ratings and faster pay.  I am glad DoD has finally recognized that the VA program was designed primarily to assist veterans during their time of need for injuries sustained while serving this country unselfishly. The prevailing opinion amongst many veterans is that the entire VA adjudication process is adversarial, designed to thwart and deny veterans claims at any cost.

I have spoken with many veterans about this program to address concerns before separation and to assist with filing claims. Most of them felt the VA did nothing to assist the claims process. Those of us who got out of the military before this pilot began received little to no help with claim initiation. 

I retired from the Army in 1998 after 24 years of honorable service. There was no help provided for numerous claims filed. The greatest challenges are proving service connection and getting VA to accept responsibility for and assistance with injuries or conditions listed in official medical records.

Many veterans are extremely upset with the Department of Veterans Affairs’ lack of assistance during the separation process which surely could have helped with claims. Many were left behind before DoD finally figured out that help was needed before separation -- not after -- when proving a claim becomes an insurmountable challenge.  Maybe we paid the price for those coming behind us to get VA to be more proactive.

The National Archives, which is charged with maintaining military records, is also to blame for the lack of evidence most veterans have to prove their claims.  Veterans who didn’t get the assistance earlier now need the help being offered to new veterans.

BRIAN H. WAYMAN
Hill Air Force Base, Utah

 

Correction: Dual GI Bill Benefits

I gave an incorrect answer last week to E. Coleman regarding eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits after full use of education benefits earned during an earlier period of service.

I wrote that the law doesn’t allow, in effect, “a doubling of education benefits by granting new benefits to persons who already have exhausted an earlier GI Bill program.” Wrong!

Said Keith Wilson, director of education service for the Veterans Benefits Administration: “A different period of service can qualify a person for different benefits. Anyone eligible for more than one [GI Bill] benefit is eligible for up to 48 months of benefits.”

Thus a veteran who used 36 months of earlier education benefit could still be in line for an additional 12 months under the Post-9/11 GI Bill for qualifying service after 9/11. – Tom Philpott

 

Who’s Eligible for VA Travel

Regarding the article about the increase mileage reimbursements for travel to VA health facilities, could you please identify the eligibility requirements?

DENNIS KRIPPNER
Via e-mail

 

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides the following on what veterans typically are eligible for VA mileage reimbursement:

-- Veterans with service-connected disability ratings of 30 percent or higher for travel related to any medical condition

-- Veterans rated less than 30 percent for travel related to their service-connected condition

-- Veterans receiving VA pension benefits for all conditions.

-- Veterans with annual income below the maximum applicable annual rate of pension for all conditions

-- Veterans who can present clear evidence that they are unable to defray the cost of travel

-- Veterans traveling in relation to a Compensation and Pension Examination.

-- Veterans in an authorized Vocational Rehabilitation Program for all conditions

-- Certain veterans in certain emergency situations

-- Certain non-veterans when related to care of a veteran (attendants and donors).  – T. P.

 

Mileage to a Point

I went to the same VA Medical Center I always go to for primary care yesterday.  I submitted my travel claim as always. This time was different!

I was told that since there is a small outpatient clinic five miles down the road I should have used it. I was told that from now on I could only be reimbursed for the travel mileage to the closer location.

Never mind that I am a 90 percent disabled veteran with only one kidney and often require other types of care at the same time!

Isn't it funny though that this comes about just after Congress mandated increases in travel reimburse because the VA wouldn't do it on there own?

What happens in Jan ‘09 when the deductible is further reduced? What will they dream up then?

SCOTT E.
Frederick, Md.

Letters may be edited for clarity or length.  Write to Military Forum, P.O. Box 231111, Centreville, VA  20120-1111, send e-mail to militaryforum@aol.com or visit www.militaryupdate.com.