Veterans' News You Can Use

Compiled by the Veteran Journal Staff

Disabled Military Retirees May Receive Compensation

Under the new requirements of the 2003 National Defense Authorization Act, some military retirees will soon be able to receive monthly payments for service-related health problems.

Combat-Related Special Compensation allows some disabled military retirees to collect monetary compensation for both their military service and their service related disability. Those qualifying may include larger numbers than the term “combat related” implies.

According to the legislation, “combat-related” disabilities refer to:

Anyone who is a 20-year military retiree with at least a 60 percent combined disability rating whose injuries are a “direct result of armed conflict;”

A result of “hazardous” military service;

Were incurred while serving in “conditions simulating war;” or

Are injuries incurred “through an instrumentality of war.”

Automatic qualifiers include any military retirees with at least 20 years of service who are rated at least 10 percent disabled by injuries related to the award of a Purple Heart.

Those who apply and are approved will begin receiving payments about 60 days after approval. Payments are retroactive to June 1, 2003 for those whose disability occurred before that date.

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Minutewoman Statue Dedicated

The New Jersey Advisory Committee for Women Veterans dedicated the Minutewoman Monument at the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery on June 6.

This monument honors all past, present and future women veterans from the state of New Jersey. Retired Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught, United States Air Force, President of the Board of Directors of the Women in Military Service for America Foundation, served as keynote speaker.

The New Jersey Advisory Committee for Women Veterans meets monthly at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park.

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VA Grave Marker Application Revised

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has revised its application form to make requesting a VA grave marker easier.

The new form, Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker (VA Form 40-1330), includes updated information about changes that expand eligibility for a government marker. The VA has also introduced a toll-free fax service for submitting applications that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The application form on the website, www.cem.va.gov can be submitted by either fax or mail.

Questions about a headstone or marker application can be directed to the VA’s Memorial Programs Service, Applicant Assistance Unit, at 1-800-697-6947.

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VA RX Program Announced

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced a program to fill prescriptions written by non-VA physicians for some veterans waiting to see a VA doctor.  

To be eligible, veterans must have enrolled in VA’s health care system and requested their first primary care appointment before July 25, 2003.  Also, they must have been waiting more than 30 days on Sept. 22, 2003, when the benefit went into effect.  

Veterans will be charged a VA co-payment of $7 if the medicine isn’t for a condition related to their military service.  This benefit does not apply to veterans who have seen a VA primary care provider or those waiting for appointments with specialists or follow-up appointments. The VA will mail instructions to eligible veterans.

For more information, call the toll-free number on VA health benefits:  1-877-222-8387.