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Old 04-26-2002, 08:49 AM
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Default Latest News on Veterans Legislation

Gimpy

Registered to :Aug 23, 2001
Messages :70
From :Tampa, FL
Posted 18-01-2002 at 14:20
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Listed below is the memorandum from National Disabled Veterans of America office in Washington that outlines the latest legislation passed by Congress. Some really good things were accomplished---however, the House of Representatives has failed (miserably I might add) to give it's approval for passage of "Con-current Receipt" once again. The "spinless" Senate has "con-curred" with the House and will fail to challenge their decision. Same old---same old!

I TOLD you it would be this way, didn't I??

***START***

January 9, 2002


The Senate and House have adjourned for the year. They will begin the second session of the 107th Congress on January 23, 2002. Just prior to adjournment, Congress approved and sent to the President a number of bills, including a multi-provisional measure the "Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001" affecting a wide range of veterans' benefits and services.

VETERANS EDUCATION AND BENEFITS EXPANSION ACT OF 2001
H.R. 1291, PUBLIC LAW 107-103, ENACTED DECEMBER 27, 2001

Among its several provisions, H.R. 1291 authorizes more than $3 billion over five years to expand and increase educational, housing, burial, and disability benefits:

? Increases Montgomery GI Bill education benefits from the current $672 per month to $800 per month beginning January 1, 2002; $900 per month on October 1, 2002; and $985 per month on October 1, 2003
? Increases Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance from $588 to $670 per month, effective January 1, 2002
? Repeals the estate limitation for mentally incompetent veterans
? Expands bases to presume permanent and total disability for purposes of entitlement to nonservice-connected pension
? Provides a nonservice-connected pension for low-income veterans aged 65 or older without necessity to show permanent and total disability
? Increases home loan guaranty amount for construction and purchase of homes from the current $50,750 to $60,000
? Extends to December 31, 2005, VA's direct home loan program for Native Americans living on trust lands
? Increases burial benefits for service-connected veterans from $1,500 to $2,000, effective September 11, 2001, and increases burial plot allowance from $150 to $300, effective December 1, 2001
? Authorizes bronze markers for the marked graves of veterans buried in private cemeteries who die on or after the date of enactment of this law
? Includes ambiguously defined illnesses, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia, in the list of presumptively service-connected diseases associated with Gulf War veterans
? Extends until September 30, 2011, the period to presume service connection for disabilities related to service in the Persian Gulf
? Increases the grant for specially adapted housing for severely disabled veterans from $43,000 to $48,000, and increases the amount for less severely disabled veterans from $8,250 to $9,250
? Increases the automobile and adaptive equipment grant for severely disabled veterans from $8,000 to $9,000
? Replaces the 30-year presumptive period for service-connected benefits for respiratory cancer associated with herbicide exposure with an open-ended presumptive period
? Restores the presumption that Vietnam veterans were exposed to herbicides

HOMELESS VETERANS COMPREHENSIVE ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2001
H.R. 2716, PUBLIC LAW 107-95, ENACTED DECEMBER 21, 2001

Public Law 107-95 includes a number of provisions to achieve a national goal of ending homelessness among veterans, among which are the following:

? Improves laws relating to homeless veterans and consolidates them under a new chapter in title 38, United States Code
? Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to dedicate one full-time employee to oversee and coordinate homeless veterans' programs at each of the 20 regional offices with the largest homeless population
? Increases per diem payments to community providers for care of homeless veterans
? Authorizes appropriations for the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program
? Provides for coordination among agencies providing services to homeless veterans
? Requires a demonstration program for referral and counseling of veterans at risk of becoming homeless
? Establishes a grant program for homeless veterans with special needs
? Authorizes limited dental care for veterans in VA homeless programs
? Requires VA primary health care facilities to develop plans to provide mental health services and treatment for substance use disorders to homeless veterans
? Requires Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists and Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVERs) to coordinate employment services with entities receiving financial assistance under homeless veterans' reintegration programs
? Requires specified numbers of rental vouchers for the HUD VA-Supported Housing Program to be set aside for homeless veterans


DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2001
H.R. 3447, PASSED BY CONGRESS 12/20/01, AWAITING PRESIDENT'S SIGNATURE

? Enhances the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain qualified nurses for the Veterans Health Administration
? Authorizes consideration of regional differences in the cost of living for income determinations for medical care purposes
? Requires VA to maintain specialized medical programs
? Provides service dogs to veterans with certain disabilities
? Provides chiropractic care and services to veterans
? Authorizes major medical facility construction

VETERANS' COMPENSATION RATE AMENDMENTS OF 2001
H.R. 2540, PUBLIC LAW 107-94, ENACTED DECEMBER 21, 2001

Public Law 107-94 provides a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 2.6 percent for compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, and the clothing allowance, effective December 1, 2001.

H.R. 1696, PUBLIC LAW 107-11, ENACTED MAY 28, 2001

Public Law 107-11 expedites construction of the long-awaited World War II Memorial in the District of Columbia.

VETERANS' SURVIVOR BENEFITS IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2001
H.R. 801, PUBLIC LAW 107-14, ENACTED JUNE 5, 2001

? Expands health care insurance under CHAMPVA to survivors of veterans who died of service-connected disabilities
? Expands Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) Program to cover spouses and children of veterans
? Provides for retroactive applicability of increase in the maximum SGLI benefits for members of the uniformed services who died in the performance of duty on or after October 1, 2000

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002
S. 1438, PUBLIC LAW 107-107, ENACTED DECEMBER 28, 2001

This year, the Senate included a provision for concurrent receipt in the National Defense Authorization Act. Concurrent receipt would end the unfair requirement that military retirement pay must be reduced by an amount equivalent to the recipient's VA disability compensation. Veterans were pleased that the Senate appeared sincere in ending the longstanding injustice. However, it appears the Senate's support of concurrent receipt was not firm as the Senate receded to the House version of the amendment.

The House version requires offsetting legislation. To become effective, money must be taken from some other government program to cover the cost of concurrent receipt. In essence, the House provision, by itself, does nothing to authorize concurrent receipt, and continues the unfair offset between retirement pay and VA disability compensation.

Special compensation for severely disabled retirees was slightly enhanced. Eligibility will be extended to 60 percent disabled military longevity retirees who were so rated within four years of retirement from Armed Forces on February 1, 2002. Payments to retirees who are 80 to 100 percent disabled will be increased by $25 on January 1, 2003. Another $25 increase will become effective October 1, 2004, for retirees who are 70 to 100 percent disabled.

CONCLUSION

Clearly, the first session of the 107th Congress was productive concerning veterans' issues. Though many benefits were enhanced, it was deeply disappointing that the ban against concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability compensation will continue. Sadly, those who dutifully served our nation and democracy will not be rightfully compensated for injuries and sickness sustained while on active duty.

When the 107th Congress reconvenes on January 23rd, DAV will be prepared to again vigorously pursue and fight for enactment of legislation seeking justice for our disabled military retirees. DAV National Commander George H. Steese, Jr., will present DAV's legislative agenda to a joint session of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees on Wednesday, February 27, 2002. I hope that all of you who are able to attend will do so, and that you will also provide your support to our efforts on Capitol Hill.

My staff and I would like to thank all who participated in grassroots efforts on behalf of America's veterans this past year. Without your efforts, many veterans would not have benefits that are essential to their well being.

***END***





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Gimpy RIVERENE**MUD-GRUNT "I ain't no fortunate son"


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Drywall

Registered to :Aug 22, 2001
Messages :182
From :Mn
Posted 18-01-2002 at 14:49
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How you been "cuz"

Luckily, for me, I don't have to rely on the VA for anything (yet). But I do contribute to the DAV every chance I get. It's good to see that my little contribution is helping out in some small way. I will continue to do so in the future as long as I am able.

Are you sure about the home loan numbers? They seem awful low. Unless I mis-understand. Could it be that the amounts you listed are an amount of increase over the current amount?

So how is Fla. It was 10 below zero up here this AM. Stay warm.


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Gimpy

Registered to :Aug 23, 2001
Messages :70
From :Tampa, FL
Posted 19-01-2002 at 10:50
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Hey there yourself "cuz"!

I'm doin pretty good. Had some health probelms shortly after the move down here---but, doin much better now.

Goin up to about 78 degrees today---I might just walk out to the boat dock and knock a few holes in the bay with my trusty ole rod & reel!

I'm not sure about the question you had regarding VA home loans? I just copied the memo from the DAV. You might get the answer to your question by going to their web site.

Anyway, like you said, it's good to have those folks watchin our backs for us---HUH?

Take care,




-----------------
Gimpy RIVERENE**MUD-GRUNT "I ain't no fortunate son"


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larrysearight

Registered to :Aug 22, 2001
Messages :93
From :Simi Valley, CA.
Posted 19-01-2002 at 11:11
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Gimpy,

Thanks for the info. Every little bit helps I way I look at it.

Drywall, your Lake City, MN correct, -10 below to cold for me. Used to put up with those winters (Winona, MN) I'm on the left coast mid 60's maybe in low 70's today.
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Old 06-15-2002, 09:15 PM
judyvillecco judyvillecco is offline
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Cool Legislation

Thanks for the update
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