Print & Post: Week of December 21, 2009
Learn to Avoid Voc-Rehab Denials
The appeals cases of disabled veterans who struggled with Voc Rehab in the past can help veterans avoid denials. Research gives veterans invaluable examples of the blocking and tackling used by Voc Rehab and the problems other veterans have encountered. (http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,205647,00.html) Read Ben Krause's article at Military.com
Pay Statements Available
Air Force retirees with a myPay online account can now download their annual account statements. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 1099R forms for retirees and annuitants are also now available. Retirees and annuitants who rely on the U.S. Postal Service for DFAS correspondence can expect to see their account statements and tax forms starting in mid-December. DFAS officials plan on mailing the documents Dec. 16 ? 31. The 1099R and account statement will be together in one envelope. Statements and forms are mailed to the address on file with DFAS. Retirees with questions about account statements or tax forms should call the DFAS Contact Center at 800-321-1080.
To learn more about military taxes, visit the Military.com (http://www.military.com/Finance/Taxes/0,13397,82,00.html) Tax Center.
Albuquerque Receives VA Award
A Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) research facility in Albuquerque, N.M. is the recipient of the 2009 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation's highest award for organizational excellence. The 2009 Baldrige award went to VA's Clinical Research Pharmacy Coordinating Center. This is only the second time that the award has gone to a federal agency. As part of the VA Research and Development Program, the Center manages the devices and pharmaceuticals that are used in research trials conducted within the VA health care system. In the last three years, the Coordinating Center supported studies involving 90,000 patients per year across the country. The center manufactures drugs, placebos and devices, distributing them throughout the VA system to various clinical trial sites.
Twitter in Nebraska, Iowa
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care officials in Nebraska and Western Iowa are informing veterans and family members about benefits eligibility and services through a new Twitter account. The new, official (http://www.twitter.com/VANWIHCS) VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System page is now online. The social media site allows veterans or family members to ask questions about VA services or benefits that others may be interested in but did not know where to look for answers.
Get more of the latest (http://www.military.com/news/stories/veteran-benefits-news.html) Veteran Benefits news on Military.com
Get the Top Gift Card Tips
The Federal Trade Commission advises servicemembers and their families, as well as Defense Department civilians and contractors to think before they buy holiday gift cards this season, and buy from sources they know and trust. (http://www.military.com/holidays/military-families/gift-card-tips.html?ESRC=vr.nl) Get more information on how to spot scams and get the best gift cards for your family members.
Fighting the Battle Within
The consequences of untreated behavioral health problems like PTSD can be grave. Compared to civilians, veterans living with PTSD are two times more likely to divorce, three times more likely to be unemployed and four times more likely to commit suicide. Learn how you or someone you care about can get help.
(http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,207493,00.html) Read the Full Article at Military.com
Cross Goes Back to Court
Deal of the Week: Free Trial of RUNNER's WORLD
Come Run With Us At RUNNERS WORLD. Get a risk-free taste of the practical advice that's made RUNNER'S WORLD the single best source for all the things that you love about Running.
You're a runner. Whether you run for your health, to lose weight, or the sheer joy of hitting the road, running is an important part of who you are, and no one makes it easier to get more out of your passion for running than RUNNER'S WORLD. Let us prove it. Come join us for a 2 month free trial-run and see what a difference RUNNER'S WORLD can make in your body, your running and your life. The best part is, by subscribing to this special offer, you will get (https://secure.rodale.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/OaeEntryPage?storeId=10057&keycode=I91DA001&jspStoreDir=oae&mktOfferId=RWD16846&cm_mmc=Military-_-Product-_-Veterans%20Report-_-December%20Subscription%20Offer%2012%20Issues%20for%2012%20Link%201) 12 issues of RUNNER'S WORLD for only $12!
Featured Job: Security Clearances Wanted
Did you know when leaving the military, you can re-activate your clearance for up to 24 months without having to start the process over again? Don't let your security clearance go to waste and use it find the hottest jobs in the industry. (http://www.military.com/clearance?ESRC=vr.nl) Search security clearance jobs on Military.com.
Last Minute Military Gifts for the Holidays
You still have time to shop online for everyone in your Military family. Visit the Military.com (http://www.military.com/Deals/Home/0,13401,,00.htm?ESRC=vr.nl) Holiday Gift guide to find Challenge Coins, iPods, Flip Camcorders, back packs, Desert Boots, and more.
VA Releases Report Card
For the second consecutive year, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released a "hospital report card." Some of the marked improvements that VA showed in 2009 include: (1) smoking cessation counseling provided to 89 percent of Veteran patients, a 6 percent improvement from 2008; and (2) among all ages at risk, 94 percent of veterans received a pneumonia immunization, a 4 percent improvement. The report notes there is more to be done for women veterans. VA's 2008 and 2009 hospital report cards are available on the (http://www.va.gov/health/HospitalReportCard.asp) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website.
Vet Employment Council to Publish Plan
The Department of Labor announced that Interagency Council on Veterans Employment recently held its first meeting to discuss ways of expanding the participation of veterans in the nation's federal workforce. The council's goal is to transform the federal government into a model of veterans' employment. A draft strategic plan was discussed, which the council agreed to publish in January 2010. Additionally, the council agreed to use the fiscal year 2008 Report on the Hiring of Veterans in the Federal Government as a baseline by which to measure progress. A veterans' employment office is required to be set up in most federal agencies by March, 2010. The council's next meeting is scheduled for March 2010.
To access the largest veteran job board in the world, visit the Military.com (http://www.military.com/Careers/Home/0,13373,,00.htm) Career Center and find military friendly employers.
CLEP Your Way to a Degree
Although you have surely heard of CLEP tests, you may not know that these credit-by-exam tests are widely accepted by colleges and universities. In addition, by passing these examinations you can earn one-third or more of the credits you need for a college degree. If you haven't started taking your CLEP exams yet, then contact your education service or Navy College office to find out you can get started. If you have already taken your CLEP exams, then the next step is search for military-friendly schools that are VA-approved and experienced with the CLEP and other credit-by exam tests. (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=vr.nl) Search for schools now.
(http://www.military.com/timesaving-programs/use-clep-program-to-reach-your-goals?ESRC=mr.nl) Get more information on CLEP.
The appeals cases of disabled veterans who struggled with Voc Rehab in the past can help veterans avoid denials. Research gives veterans invaluable examples of the blocking and tackling used by Voc Rehab and the problems other veterans have encountered. (http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,205647,00.html) Read Ben Krause's article at Military.com
Pay Statements Available
Air Force retirees with a myPay online account can now download their annual account statements. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 1099R forms for retirees and annuitants are also now available. Retirees and annuitants who rely on the U.S. Postal Service for DFAS correspondence can expect to see their account statements and tax forms starting in mid-December. DFAS officials plan on mailing the documents Dec. 16 ? 31. The 1099R and account statement will be together in one envelope. Statements and forms are mailed to the address on file with DFAS. Retirees with questions about account statements or tax forms should call the DFAS Contact Center at 800-321-1080.
To learn more about military taxes, visit the Military.com (http://www.military.com/Finance/Taxes/0,13397,82,00.html) Tax Center.
Albuquerque Receives VA Award
A Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) research facility in Albuquerque, N.M. is the recipient of the 2009 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation's highest award for organizational excellence. The 2009 Baldrige award went to VA's Clinical Research Pharmacy Coordinating Center. This is only the second time that the award has gone to a federal agency. As part of the VA Research and Development Program, the Center manages the devices and pharmaceuticals that are used in research trials conducted within the VA health care system. In the last three years, the Coordinating Center supported studies involving 90,000 patients per year across the country. The center manufactures drugs, placebos and devices, distributing them throughout the VA system to various clinical trial sites.
Twitter in Nebraska, Iowa
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care officials in Nebraska and Western Iowa are informing veterans and family members about benefits eligibility and services through a new Twitter account. The new, official (http://www.twitter.com/VANWIHCS) VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System page is now online. The social media site allows veterans or family members to ask questions about VA services or benefits that others may be interested in but did not know where to look for answers.
Get more of the latest (http://www.military.com/news/stories/veteran-benefits-news.html) Veteran Benefits news on Military.com
Get the Top Gift Card Tips
The Federal Trade Commission advises servicemembers and their families, as well as Defense Department civilians and contractors to think before they buy holiday gift cards this season, and buy from sources they know and trust. (http://www.military.com/holidays/military-families/gift-card-tips.html?ESRC=vr.nl) Get more information on how to spot scams and get the best gift cards for your family members.
Fighting the Battle Within
The consequences of untreated behavioral health problems like PTSD can be grave. Compared to civilians, veterans living with PTSD are two times more likely to divorce, three times more likely to be unemployed and four times more likely to commit suicide. Learn how you or someone you care about can get help.
(http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,207493,00.html) Read the Full Article at Military.com
Cross Goes Back to Court
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently heard arguments in the Mount Soledad cross case. The range of legal issues includes the history of the cross, the intent of Congress in taking the land in 2006 from the city of San Diego and the appropriate legal precedents to use in deciding the matter. There is no timeline for a decision in the current case, but it is likely that the loser will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. For more information on the Mount Soledad cross, visit the (http://www.soledadmemorial.com/) Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial website.
To learn more about the military legal matters, visit (http://www.military.com/benefits/military-legal-matters) http://www.military.com/benefits/military-legal-matters.
Deal of the Week: Free Trial of RUNNER's WORLD
Come Run With Us At RUNNERS WORLD. Get a risk-free taste of the practical advice that's made RUNNER'S WORLD the single best source for all the things that you love about Running.
You're a runner. Whether you run for your health, to lose weight, or the sheer joy of hitting the road, running is an important part of who you are, and no one makes it easier to get more out of your passion for running than RUNNER'S WORLD. Let us prove it. Come join us for a 2 month free trial-run and see what a difference RUNNER'S WORLD can make in your body, your running and your life. The best part is, by subscribing to this special offer, you will get (https://secure.rodale.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/OaeEntryPage?storeId=10057&keycode=I91DA001&jspStoreDir=oae&mktOfferId=RWD16846&cm_mmc=Military-_-Product-_-Veterans%20Report-_-December%20Subscription%20Offer%2012%20Issues%20for%2012%20Link%201) 12 issues of RUNNER'S WORLD for only $12!
Featured Job: Security Clearances Wanted
Did you know when leaving the military, you can re-activate your clearance for up to 24 months without having to start the process over again? Don't let your security clearance go to waste and use it find the hottest jobs in the industry. (http://www.military.com/clearance?ESRC=vr.nl) Search security clearance jobs on Military.com.
Last Minute Military Gifts for the Holidays
You still have time to shop online for everyone in your Military family. Visit the Military.com (http://www.military.com/Deals/Home/0,13401,,00.htm?ESRC=vr.nl) Holiday Gift guide to find Challenge Coins, iPods, Flip Camcorders, back packs, Desert Boots, and more.
VA Releases Report Card
For the second consecutive year, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released a "hospital report card." Some of the marked improvements that VA showed in 2009 include: (1) smoking cessation counseling provided to 89 percent of Veteran patients, a 6 percent improvement from 2008; and (2) among all ages at risk, 94 percent of veterans received a pneumonia immunization, a 4 percent improvement. The report notes there is more to be done for women veterans. VA's 2008 and 2009 hospital report cards are available on the (http://www.va.gov/health/HospitalReportCard.asp) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website.
Vet Employment Council to Publish Plan
The Department of Labor announced that Interagency Council on Veterans Employment recently held its first meeting to discuss ways of expanding the participation of veterans in the nation's federal workforce. The council's goal is to transform the federal government into a model of veterans' employment. A draft strategic plan was discussed, which the council agreed to publish in January 2010. Additionally, the council agreed to use the fiscal year 2008 Report on the Hiring of Veterans in the Federal Government as a baseline by which to measure progress. A veterans' employment office is required to be set up in most federal agencies by March, 2010. The council's next meeting is scheduled for March 2010.
To access the largest veteran job board in the world, visit the Military.com (http://www.military.com/Careers/Home/0,13373,,00.htm) Career Center and find military friendly employers.
CLEP Your Way to a Degree
Although you have surely heard of CLEP tests, you may not know that these credit-by-exam tests are widely accepted by colleges and universities. In addition, by passing these examinations you can earn one-third or more of the credits you need for a college degree. If you haven't started taking your CLEP exams yet, then contact your education service or Navy College office to find out you can get started. If you have already taken your CLEP exams, then the next step is search for military-friendly schools that are VA-approved and experienced with the CLEP and other credit-by exam tests. (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=vr.nl) Search for schools now.
(http://www.military.com/timesaving-programs/use-clep-program-to-reach-your-goals?ESRC=mr.nl) Get more information on CLEP.
