Benefits

LVMAC Tidbit: Park Service Offers Free Lifetime Access Passes to Disabled Veterans

Veterans with a service-connected disability rating can enter federal parks for free with a Lifetime National Parks Access Pass, which is not not hard to get.  Those with a disability rating of 10 per cent or higher are eligible.  Good for entry into over 400 national parks and  2,000 recreation sites across the country, the Lifetime Access Pass is the National Park Service’s  way of saying thank you to our veterans for their service and sacrifices. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: An Often Overlooked Benefit — VA Eyecare

It is often forgotten — despite eye care being, amazingly, the Veteran Health Administration’s third busiest program — that if you are enrolled in VA healthcare, you are eligible for diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic eye care services, regardless of your priority group.  You may also be eligible to receive eyeglasses and medically necessary contact lenses, if the ophthalmologist/ optometrist determines the need. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: TRICARE Open Season Extended

Verbatim from the TRICARE.mil website

Missed TRICARE Open Season?  There’s Still Time to Act!

12/11/2018

If you missed TRICARE Open Season, you still have time to enroll. For this year only, you can enroll in or change your TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select plan through Dec. 31, 2018 for coverage starting on Jan. 1, 2019. You may also change your type of enrollment, like switching from individual to family coverage. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: New VA Schedule for Rating Hemic and Lymphatic Systems Meant to Ensure Consistent Decisons

VA LogoToday the the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it had updated portions, of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD or Rating Schedule), effective December 9, 2018,  which evaluate the hematologic and lymphatic systems.

One diagnostic code was removed, nine were added, and several were restructured.  The complete list of updates to the rating schedule are now available online. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer: Having the Courage to Do the “Write” Thing for the Blue Water Navy Act

LVMAC Poster Art 2005As has been reported, the Blue Water Navy’s Agent Orange bill continues to be stalled in the Senate despite years of effort to correct a poor decision made by the the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 2002 (a reversal of policy) and its obfuscating subsequently.  This year, the House finally got the the gumption to act and unanimously passed H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2018, in July to end the injustice of denying Vietnam, Korean DMZ, and Thailand veterans who suffer from life-threatening health conditions related to exposure to Agent Orange the care and benefits they deserve.

Our senators have yet to prove themselves equally concerned and courageous. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: A Post-9/11 Vet Article on Depleted Uranium

Depleted uranium (DU) has 60 percent of the radioactivity of natural uranium.  It is a byproduct of creating the enriched product for nuclear reactors and weapons.  Because of its density, easy availability, and relatively low cost, the U.S. military found it to be useful in manufacturing tank armor and some bullets to penetrate enemy armored vehicles. The large-scale use of DU for this purpose began during the Gulf War and has continued. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago