HOW SHOULD WE DO IT? By Keith A. Robinson, Department Commander Much of our contact with disabled veterans and their families come in our everyday community activities. Sure, we have Chapter meetings and do volunteer work at the VA, but most of our comrades and their families are not usually found in these places. So, we have to be visible and known in the community at large, including the veteran community. Visibility can be easy. Wear your DAV cap to veteran events. Wear a DAV ball cap at other times. Wear a DAV jacket or shirt. Have a DAV decal on your car, or better yet, get a DAV license plate. At work, maybe wear a DAV lapel pin. All these things identify you as a DAV member, and hopefully the go-to person for information about veteran benefits. You do not have to be an expert to help a veteran or family member call one of our National Service Offices, you just need the phone number. Each Chapter should already have a Service Officer appointed by the Commander. If your Chapter does not already have one, you should consider having one. The Service Officer in each Chapter is a person who is a local contact within each Chapter who can give general information to veterans and their families, and then help contact our NSO's. I know that VA benefits are very confusing to everyone ( including the VA). We have excellent NSO's, who will take the time to explain and file claims for every benefit a veteran or a dependent is eligible for. Locally, each Chapter can participate in various veterans and community information events which are usually designed to provide a place where people can come to see what is available to assist them. The list of these type of events is endless. They include church and civic organization's events, town and county fairs, veterans and VA open houses, etc. All we have to do is show up. Basic benefit material is provided by our National Headquarters at no charge. So order the material and get it out there. I am not asking anyone to do anything that I would not do. We have already participated in an event just outside Ft. Drum near Watertown. Our NSO Supervisor, Scott Stamper, informed us at National Convention that he had received a call about this event for military personnel, veterans and their families just before he left the office to go to Chicago, and we were invited to help out. Needless to say, as soon as I got home, I got on the phone and mustered up some help. In addition to Scott Stamper, NSO Supervisor and Wess Spencer, NSO Assistant Supervisor, both from our Buffalo NSO Office, myself and my wife, Carrie, PDC Chet Wisnesky and his wife Diane, currently DAVA Department of New York Commander, PDC Nick Luciani and his wife, Kathy, Department of New York Senior Vice Commander Ted Barbuto and his wife, Debbie, DAVA Department of NY PSC all showed up to help out. We were glad we went. Our table was mobbed. Everyone we spoke to had a problem with a service connected disability or had a family member who was having a problem. We had may people sign up for further contact and spoke with many more about what could be done to access VA benefits. We also were able to spend time with the other exhibitors to tell them about the DAV. Many did not know the DAV existed, including service connected disabled veterans. We gave out information, including membership applications. This was an information only event, no claims were taken. It was easy because we were there and interested in helping out. The DAV is unique in that we have a fleet of Mobile Service Offices staffed by our NSO's, which tour New York State twice a year, once in the fall and again in the spring. I am pleased to announce the Fall 2006 schedule. VARO New York region: NSO Supervisor William Gibney from our Albany NSO office: Monday 10/30 @ Malone; Tuesday 10/31 @ Plattsburg; Wednesday 11/01 @ Schroon Lake; Thursday 11/02 @ Oneonta and Friday 11/03 @ Fonda. NSO Howard Lam from our New York NSO office: Monday 11/06 @ Kingston; Tuesday 11/07 @ Castle Point; Wednesday and Thursday 11/08 & 11/9 @ Goshen and Friday 11/10 @ Binghamton. For further information, and to volunteer, call Jeff Hall, NSO Supervisor, New York Office (212) 807-3157 or Fax (212) 807-4016. VARO Buffalo region: NSO Assistant Supervisor Wess Spencer from our Buffalo office and NSO Howard Lam from our New York office: Monday 11/13 @ Rochester; Tuesday and Wednesday 11/14 & 11/15 @ Bath; Thursday 11/16 @ Jamestown and Friday 11/17 @ Arcade. Remember, the DAV National Office will be sending a letter to all of our New York members in the postal zip codes near these locations. However, it would help if you all would remind your members and the Auxiliary of the van's schedule in your area. If you have a newsletter, put a notice in there also. Please do not forget all the other veterans and families in your communities that are not members, they will not receive a letter. So pass your letter on, even photocopy it to hand out to others. Spread the word. Remember, this is not only each Chapter's opportunity to help out, but also to recruit new members and connect or reconnect with current members. Invite them to your Chapter meeting. If you have a newsletter, bring extra copies and give them out. Realize that this is your DAV in your area. Your Chapter is what you make it. It is easy and simple, we all just need to spend a little bit of time to do it. If they are able, I would also ask that all our PDC's try to assist with these DAV Mobile Service Office visits in any way they can. Please contact the local Chapters in the areas the vans will be in to encourage them to participate, then try to show up at the location to help out. You will be glad you did. Best of luck to all and good hunting (for membership). SUBWAY SERIES? By Sidney Siller Sr., PDC, Department Adjutant In the next few weeks, we will see played out on major league ballfields a spectacle that ignites the spirit of athletic competition that is unique to our State of New York; a possible Subway Series. As the world turns, and as the years turn into decades, and decades into eras, and eras into centuries, the one thing that seems to endure is the "Fall Classic." The World Series as we know it, was shortened from nine games to the best of four out of seven about 80 or 90 years ago. When some of us were growing up in New York, we had three teams, the New York Yankees; the New York Giants; and the Brooklyn Dodgers. We generally had one or the other, and sometimes two of the three teams in the Annual World Series. But, unfortunately, the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Walter O'Malley, persuaded Horace Stoneham, the owner of the New York Giants, to move to California along with the Dodgers. This occurred in 1957. Sad to say, New York was never the same. Shortly thereafter, Mayor Robert Wagner and his friend Bill Shea were the catalyctic agents in arranging for the New York Metropolitans to become a National League team in Queens. So, now New York has two teams, one in each major league. Attention, competition and achievements affect baseball organizations; teams; governments and businesses as much as physical and moral health affects each one of us as individuals. Now that the Department of New York is in it's 86th year, we are cognizant that each calendar year affects the number of our active Chapters; and the need to continually strive towards fulfilling the "Strategic Plan," that is the mission of the Disabled American Veterans. Just like baseball, we have to put out the best team we can muster to operate our Department of New York, and execute the mission of the Disabled American Veterans. We consider our DAV New York to be the finest Department in the premier veteran organizations in the world. Although it is no recommendation to praise yourself, it is also true that confidence is important. We are truly excellent. We are proficient; gracious; and generous. In the long baseball year, it requires great teamwork and chemistry to win the Pennant and the World Series. At this writing, the Mets and the Yankees have clinched their Eastern Divisions; we hope they will meet in what would be another reincarnation of the "Subway Series." Just as in winning baseball championships, DAV New York has a great team; great chemistry; and a continuous winning record. Let's all work together to fulfill the DAV mission, and root for both of the New York team's - your's might be the winner. Go New York! OPEN LETTER FROM WILLIAM F. GIBNEY, NSO A recent U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims' (CVAC) benchmark decision concluded that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been illegally denying disability benefits and health care to ailing Vietnam veterans exposed to herbicides (e.g. Agent Orange). In Hass v. Nicholson it was determined the VA's interpretation of the law, in which offshore veterans are denied the presumption of a service-connected disability because they did not actually set foot in Vietnam, was in error because the law does not specifically limit applying the presumption solely to veterans who served on the ground in Vietnam. Thus, Vietnam veterans who served aboard ships off shore of Vietnam and who were exposed to toxic agents in the water and on their vessels are eligible for service connected benefits from the VA (Hass v. Nicholson_Vet. App._No. 04-0491, slip op. [Aug. 16, 2006]). Veterans who were previously denied service connection for a presumptive disability regarding this type of exposure should reopen their claim with the VA. Those who have a presumptive disability and served in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia or on Navy ships off the coast of Vietnam should apply immediately for service connection. We would urge all service officers to be proactive in advising claimants and all veterans in your respective areas of this significant development in addition to helping them file their claims. If you have questions, please feel free to contact this office. William F. Gibney, Supervisor Disabled American Veterans National Service Office Stratton VA Medical Center (272K3) 113 Holland Avenue Albany, NY 12208 DoD ANNOUNCES COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF MILITARY AWARDSNews Release from the U.S. DoD September 8, 2006 The Department of Defense has begun a comprehensive review of military awards and decorations in order to ensure policies are consistent with the evolving nature of warfare.This comprehensive review will lead to an administrative revision of the Department of Defense Instruction 1348.33-M, the Manual of Military Decorations and Awards.A working group consisting of representatives from each Service, the Joint Staff and the Institute of Heraldry will form the core of the comprehensive review effort.This comprehensive review of military awards is expected to continue over the next six to eight months and will involve but not be limited to the following:-Honor and Valor awards with particular focus on clarity of criteria and processes.-The "V" device and the Purple Heart medals in eliminating disparate qualification criteria among the military services.-Expeditionary medals in regard to how the theatre of operations is defined.-Iraqi and Afghanistan campaign medals with regard to subsequent awards of these campaign medals, with a goal of appropriately recognizing service over multiple tours in those theatres of operations."The evolving nature of warfare demands that we review policies; for example, in the case of expeditionary medals, we must review how we define the operating "box" - whether it is the theater of direct action, or whether is might extend far beyond" said David Chu, under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness. "For example, we must consider whether air support originating at great distances or different continents indeed represents expeditionary service for purposes of those awards.""When it comes to valor awards, we must clarify criteria, including a review of boundaries that increasingly extend far beyond a particular combat zone, yet involve direct threats to American lives" said Chu. VA NEW YORK HOSPITALS TREA Leg Up August 18, 2006 Secretary Nicholson announced that the VA will keep both the Manhattan and the Brooklyn VA medical centers open and will make major renovations and improvements at the St. Albans VA Medical Center in Queens. There has been an ongoing 2 year analysis studying if the centers should be consolidated. The decision was based both for the convenience of the veterans and the VA's desire to continue retain its close ties with NYU's Medical School and the medical school of the State University of New York. The Secretary also said he wanted to personally thank the local advisory panels for the Manhattan/Brooklyn study and the St. Albans study, along with many others, including the New York congressional delegation, veterans groups, city and state leaders, other stakeholders and VA employees which have guided VA in these decisions. DISABLED VET JOBS From NavyTimes by Karen Jowers, August 6, 2006 Disabled veterans are participating in a new virtual program that not only pays them for training on their home computers, but places them in jobs that allow them to work from home. The veterans are earning in the range of $15 to $22 an hour, with benefits, working from home in the information industry. They are trained for jobs such as market researchers, data managers, hot-line responders, Web site order processors, help-desk managers, customer care and service coordinators, administration and billing clerks. Training consists of 15-weeks 600-hour program of web based, on-line classroom and practical training. Students report in to the virtual classroom each morning, and as the instructor presents the material, he or she will stop if any of the students have a question. The training, accredited by Northern Virginia Community College, pays $11 an hour for a total of $6,600. At the conclusion of the training program, each veteran trainee will have a thoroughunderstanding of a very complex, VOIP predictive dialing web-based system that is utilized world-wide. About 100 veterans who have completed the training so far have all been placed in jobs with companies such as The Home Depot, FedEx, JetBlue, Dell Computer, and financial services company PNC. The program is provided by the nonprofit Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation. To qualify, a veteran must have a disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and a copy of his or her DD-214. A Purple Heart award is not required. Those involved in the program range from veterans of the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, to the Korean War, age 19 to 74. To complete the training, a high-speed Internet connection is needed. According to Ken Smith, the program director for the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, they are preparing to train another 350 veterans who have applied from all over the country. Those interested should call (800)720-9596 or go online at ksmith@purpleheartfoundation.or. Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID), chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, praised the program in a 27 JUL press conference. He said that when private-sector programs are combined with government programs and opportunities we can be all that we need to be for our veterans. AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS Department of Veterans Affairs website, August 8, 2006 The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is developing a nationwide registry of living veterans who have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This effort is directed by the Epidemiologic Research and Information Center (ERIC) at the VA Medical Center in Durham NC, with cooperation from the VA Medical Center in Lexington KY. The ALS Association (ALSA) is advising the study leaders. All living veterans who have been diagnosed with ALS are encouraged to participate in this research registry which will help the VA to understand patterns of ALS among veterans and provide a valuable data for future studies. Specific objectives for the Veterans' ALS Registry include the following: - To identify as completely as possible all veterans with ALS, and continue to enroll newly diagnosed individuals; - To collect data, including DNA samples, which will be available for approved studies examining the causes of ALS; - To provide a way for the VA to inform veterans with ALS about research studies for which they may be eligible. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks the brain cells that control muscle movement. As these cells die, the affected muscles weaken and then shrink, leading to progressive paralysis. There are no known cures for this disease. It is a non-contagious, adult-onset disease and is rare among individuals under 45 years of age. Any living veteran who has been diagnosed by a physician as having ALS is eligible to enroll. For veterans who may not be able to contact the VA on their own, family members or friends are encouraged to contact VA researchers on the veteran's behalf. As of August 6th, 1600 veterans have enrolled. Veterans who qualify for the registry will be asked to complete a brief telephone interview, including basic questions about their disease and military history. A brief follow-up interview with registry enrollees on a biannual basis will follow to assess health and functional status. The VA may contact registry participants about future ALS studies in which they may be able to participate. VA study coordinators may be reached by calling at 1(877) 342-5257, email to the study coordinator Barbara Norman at ALS@mva.gov, or writing to ALS REGISTRY (152), VAMC, 508 Fulton Street, Durham NC 27705. Additional information about the registry can be found on http://www.va.gov/durham/alsregistry.asp. CAPTIONED TELEPHONE Paul Hart Message, August 15, 2006 Captioned Telephone (CapTel) service is available in the vast majority of states, for the hearing impaired. This is a new telephone technology that allows people to receive word-for-word captions of their telephone conversations. It is similar in concept to Captioned Television, where spoken words appearas written text for viewers to read. The CapTel phone looks and works like any traditional phone, with callers talking and listening to each other, but with one very significant difference of captions being provided live for every phone call. The captions are displayed on the phone's built-in screen so the user can read the words whilelistening to the voice of the other party. Thus, if the CapTel phone user has difficulty hearing what the caller says, he can read the captions for clarification. In many states, CapTel equipment is provided free or at a reduced rate to people with hearing loss. You can check the specifics of your state at www.captionedtelephone.com/availability.phtml. This will be available in New York State January 2007. There is no cost for using the CapTel captioning service which is provided free as part of your state's relay service. Veterans and retired federal (civilian & military) employees can qualify for a free CapTel phone if they:- Have a hearing loss; and- Complete an application form available at http://www.captionedtelephone.com/Federal_CapTel_Vet_App.pdf; and - Submit official verification of their retirement status (i.e. DD-214, SF50 or other official verification) Signed applications should be mailed to: Sprint-Federal Relay, Attn: Free CapTel Phone, 401Ninth St., NW, Ste 400, Washington DC or via Fax to (202) 585-1841. Federally recognized U.S. Tribal members are also eligible. For additional information refer to http://www.captionedtelephone.com. HIRING HEROS by Samantha L. Quigley American Forces Press ServiceWASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2006 - Severely injured servicemembers and their spouses are seeing doors open to meaningful civilian careers, thanks to a partnership between the Defense Department and the private sector.The Office of the Secretary of Defense, DoD's Military Severely Injured Center and Military.com - a private organization that provides information and serves as a networking hub for current and former military people, defense workers and their families - are co-sponsors of "Hiring Heroes."Hiring Heroes helps connect servicemembers with DoD and other federal agencies, as well as civilian companies, with significant positions to fill. But it's not just a career fair, Mark Smith, chief of the Recruiting Assistance Division of the Defense Department's Civilian Personnel Management Service, said."We don't want them just coming in and getting interviews," Smith said. "We want them to be prepared for an interview, know how to dress for the interview, know how to present a resume, and then basically, hopefully, get a job from that."The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, another troop-support organization, inspired Smith to create Hiring Heroes. He met Roger Chapin, the coalition's founder, at a luncheon and discovered the coalition, a private entity, was already working to help wounded servicemembers transition into civilian careers.At that point, he realized the Defense Department needed to step up to the plate. "It's great (that private organizations are) doing it - but DoD has got to do something too," Smith said.He was pleasantly surprised to find that Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld already had budgeted to develop the Military Severely Injured Center, he said."Rumsfeld had something going that was really good, and ... now it's a combined effort," Smith said. "We now support the Military Severely Injured Center, and we put our Hiring Heroes directly with them. So it's a partnership."Hiring Heroes held its first job fair at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here in April 2004, he said. Since then, more than 800 injured servicemembers and their spouses have attended events at Brooke Army Medical Center, Texas; Fort Bragg, N.C.; and most recently, at Fort Gordon, Ga.DoD alone has made more than 70 job offers, and civilian employers may have extended many more offers, he said."I'll be honest ... I'm biased. I want them in DoD, but I understand that's not always going to happen in all cases," Smith said. "As long as we get them a job, I'm OK with that, but we would love to keep them in the DoD family if we possibly can."The next event will be held at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio Sept. 18 and 19. For more information about this event or other upcoming Hiring Heroes events, contact Karen Hannah, the Hiring Heroes program manager, at 1-888-363-4872 or by emailing her at karen.hannah@cpms.osd.mil. AMERICAN VETERANS DISABLED FOR LIFE COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT September 20, 2006 - Once again, Congress is prepared to adjourn sine die without addressing H.R. 1951, the "American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act." The Senate bill, S. 633, passed on May 25, 2006. It has been held since then, pending House action. If Congress adjourns sine die, this legislation will terminate with the end of the 109th Congress. This legislation provides for the minting and sale of special coins to commemorate living disabled American veterans and authorizes special surcharges on these coins to be contributed to the fund for construction of a memorial to disabled veterans on grounds near the Nation's Capitol in accordance with legislation already enacted. We express our pride, patriotism, values, and national identity through memorials that signify and define who we are as a nation, and it is important that we maintain public recognition and awareness of the extraordinary sacrifices disabled veterans had made on behalf of their fellow citizens and our country. The coins will be minted starting in 2010, the same year that the groundbreaking and dedication of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial will take place. Let your representative know that we need him or her to cosponsor this legislation. As always, thank you for your support. MILITARY LEGISLATION STATUS UPDATE From http://thomas.loc.gov & USDR Action Alerts, September 1-15, 2006 Following is current status on some Congressional bills of interest to the military community. Support of these bills through cosponsorship by other legislators is critical if they are ever going to move through the legislative process for a floor vote. At http://thomas.loc.gov you can determine the current status of each bill and if your legislator is a sponsor of the bill you are concerned with. The key to increasing cosponsorship is letting your representative know of your feelings on these issues. At the end of most of the below listed bills is a web link that can be used to do that: H.R.303: The "Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2005" To amend title 10, United States Code, to permit certain additional retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability to receive both disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for their disability and either retired pay by reason of their years of military service or Combat-Related Special Compensation and to eliminate the phase-in period under current law with respect to such concurrent receipt. Rep Charles Dent [PA-15] & Rep Carolyn Maloney [NY-14] have signed on to support the bill giving it a total of 239 sponsors. There are no related bills. To support this bill and/or contact your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7728776. H.R.602: The "Keep Our Promise to America's Military Retirees Act" to restore health care coverage to retired members of the uniformed services and their eligible dependents. House version of S.407. Rep Harold Ford [TN-09] has signed on to support the bill giving it a total of 250 sponsors. H.R.808: The "Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act" to amend title 10, United States Code, to repeal the offset from surviving spouse annuities under the military Survivor Benefit Plan for amounts paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC). A motion was filed to discharge the Rules Committee from consideration of H.RES 271 on 16 NOV 05. This resolution provides for the consideration of H.R.808 and requires 218 signatures for further action. Rep Barbara Cubin [WY] & Rep James Clyburn [SC-6] have signed on to support the bill giving it a total of 209 sponsors. There are no related bills. To support this bill and/or contact your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7683586. To support the discharge petition and/or contact your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/alert/?alertid=8248891&type=CO. H.R.916: The "Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2005" To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to repeal the Medicare outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps. Referred to the House Subcommittee on Health 14 MAR 05. House version of S.438. Rep Louie Gohmert [TX-01] has signed on to support the bill giving it a total of 258 sponsors. To support this bill and/or contact your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=7103976 & http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=7103896. H.R.968: To amend title 10, United States Code, to change the effective date for paid-up coverage under the military Survivor Benefit Plan from October 1, 2008, to October 1, 2005. Rep Robert Cramer [AL-5], Rep Dan Boren [OK-2] & Rep Rob Simmons [CT-2] have signed on to support the bill giving it a total of 146 sponsors. There are no related bills. To support this bill and/or contact your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7683511. H.R.994: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow Federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis and to allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums. Rep Solomon Ortiz [TX-27], Rep Deborah Pryce [OH-15] & Rep J.D. Hayworth [AZ-5] have signed on to support the bill giving it a total of 338 sponsors. This is the House version of S.484. To support this bill and/or send a message to your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7761876. H.R.995: The "Combat Military Medically Retired Veteran's Fairness Act of 2005" to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the payment of Combat-Related Special Compensation under that title to members of the Armed Forces retired for disability with less than 20 years of active military service who were awarded the Purple Heart. No new sponsors were added to this bill which has a total of 31. There are no related bills. To support this bill and/or send a message to your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7683281. H.R.1366: The Combat-Related Special Compensation Act of 2005 to amend title 10, United States Code, to expand eligibility for Combat-Related Special Compensation paid by the uniformed services in order to permit certain additional retired members who have a service-connected disability to receive both disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for that disability and Combat-Related Special Compensation by reason of that disability. No new sponsors were added to this bill which has a total of 51. S.2385 is a related bill. To support this bill send a message to your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7718711. To support Sen. Reid"s amendment to the 2007 NDAA bill S.2766 send a message to your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=8371516&type=ML. H.R.2076: The "Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2005" To amend title 10, United States Code, to permit certain retired members of the uniformed services who have a service-connected disability to receive both disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for their disability and either retired pay by reason of their years of military service or Combat-Related Special Compensation. No new sponsors were added to this bill which has a total of 28. Related bills are H.R.303, S.558, S.845. To support this bill and/or send a message to your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7728776. H.R.2356: The "Preserving Patient Access to Physicians Act of 2005" to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reform the Medicare physician payment update system through repeal of the sustainable growth rate (SGR) payment update system. Rep Rush Holt [NJ-12] & Rep Katherine Harris [FL-13] have signed on to support the bill giving it a total of 175 sponsors.. S.1081is a related bill. To support this bill and/or send a message to your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7742321. H.R.2962: The "Atomic Veterans Relief Act" to amend title 38, United States Code, to revise the eligibility criteria for presumption of service-connection of certain diseases and disabilities for veterans exposed to ionizing radiation during military service, and for other purposes. Rep Nick Rahal [WV-3] has signed on to support the bill giving it a total of 53 sponsors. There are no other related bills. To support this bill and/or send a message to your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7784066. H.R.4259: The "Veterans Right to Know Act" to establish a Commission to investigate chemical or biological warfare tests or projects, especially such projects carried out between 1954 and 1973, placing particular emphasis on actions or conditions associated with such projects that could have contributed to health risks or been harmful to any United States civilian personnel or member of the United States Armed Forces who participated in such a project or who was otherwise potentially exposed to any biological or chemical agent, simulant, tracer, decontaminant, or herbicide as a result of such projects; and to submit a report to Congress of its findings and recommendations. Rep Henry Waxman [CA-30], Rep Robert Wexler [FL-19] & Rep Lynn Woolsey [CA-6] have signed on to support the bill giving it a total of 43 sponsors. There are no other related bills. Referred to the House Subcommittee on Military Personnel 30 NOV 05. H.R.4914: The "Veterans' Choice of Representation Act" to amend title 38, United States Code, to remove certain limitations on attorney representation of claimants for veterans benefits in administrative proceedings before the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. No new sponsors were added to this bill which has a total of 8. There are no other related bills. To support this bill and/or send a message to your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=8835676. H.R.4949: The "Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act" to amend title 10, United States Code, to prohibit increases in fees for military health care. Rep Rush Holt [NJ-12] has signed on to support the bill giving it a total of 161 sponsors. There are no other related bills. To support this bill and/or send a message to your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=8591231. H.R.4992: The "Veterans Medicare Assistance Act of 2006" to provide for Medicare reimbursement for health care services provided to Medicare-eligible veterans in facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Rep Mark Souder [IN-3] & Rep Frank LoBiondo [NJ-2] have signed on to support the bill giving it a total of 22 sponsors. There are no other related bills. To support this bill and/or send a message to your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/index_frame.dbq?url=http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=8670886. H.R.5881: The "Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act" to amend title 10, United States Code, to eliminate the offset between military retired pay and veterans service-connected disability compensation for certain retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability, and for other purposes. Introduced 26 JUL 06 by Rep Marshall, Jim (GA-03) the bill has no cosponsors. There are no other related bills. To support this bill and/or send a message to your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/index_frame.dbq?url=http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=8969606&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]. S.185: The "Military Retiree Survivor Benefit Equity Act of 2005" to amend title 10, United States Code, to repeal the requirement for the reduction of certain Survivor Benefit Plan annuities by the amount of dependency and indemnity compensation and to modify the effective date for paid-up coverage under the Survivor Benefit Plan. No new sponsors were added to this bill which has a total of 35. There are no other related bills. To support this bill and/or send a message to your Senator refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7709421. S.407: The "Keep Our Promise to America's Military Retirees Act" to restore health care coverage to retired members of the uniformed services and their eligible dependents. Sen Robert Menendez [NJ] has signed on to support the bill giving it a total of 15. A related bill is H.R.602. To support this bill and/or send a message to your Senator refer to http://mrgrg-ms.org/fax-it.html. S.484: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow Federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis and to allow a deduction for Tricare supplemental premiums. No new sponsors were added to this bill which has a total of 63. A related bill is H.R.994. To support this bill and/or send a message to your Senator refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7787396. S.2147: The "Multiple Sclerosis" bill to extend the 7 year time period during which a veteran's multiple sclerosis is to be considered to have been incurred in, or aggravated by, military service during a period of war. Referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs 20 DEC 05. The bill has no cosponsors and there is no related legislation in the House. S.2617: The "Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act" to amend title 10, United States Code, to limit increases in the costs to retired members of the Armed Forces of health care services under the TRICARE program, and for other purposes. No new sponsors were added to this bill which has a total of 9. There are no other related bills. To support this bill and/or send a message to your Senator refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=8675066&type=CO. S.2658: The "National Defense Enhancement and National Guard Empowerment Act of 2006" to amend title 10, United States Code, to enhance the national defense through empowerment of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and the enhancement of the functions of the National Guard Bureau, and for other purposes. No new sponsors were added to this bill which has a total of 39. A related bill is H.R.5200. To support this bill send a preformatted or edited message to your Senator by using the ""Write to Congress"" feature refer to www.ngaus.org. S.2694: The "Veterans' Choice of Representation and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2006" to amend title 38, United States Code, to remove certain limitation on attorney representation of claimants for veterans" benefits in administrative proceedings before the DVA, and for other purposes. This bill was passed/agreed to in Senate 3 AUG 06 by unanimous consent and referred to House Committee after being Received from Senate. To support this bill and/or send a message to your Senator refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=8835631. Note: Congress is back in session. Be sure you are registered to vote and make your vote count. DAVNY Home Page / Hot Topics / Action Line / Join the DAV / Administration / Newsletter Newsletter Archive / Chapters / Events / DAV License Plates / Links of Interest / Send Us E-Mail / Page Last Reviewed/Modified: