Veterans Report - January 12, 2015

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Veterans Report - January 12, 2015

Legion Town Hall Meeting in Florida
The American Legion is planning a town hall meeting next week in Madeira Beach, Fla., to discuss the quality of health care at local Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities. The Legion will also set up a Veterans Benefits Center. The town hall meeting, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. On Jan. 12, will be at American Legion Post 273 on 600 American Legion Dr. In Madeira Beach. The event is free and open to the public. The Veterans Benefits Center will be in the JC Cobb Conference Room, Room 100, at the C.W. Bill Young VAMC, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., Bay Pines, and operate Jan. 14-15 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


VA to Use IBM's Watson to Help Physicians
The Department of Veterans Affairs is using IBM's Watson technology in a pilot to assist physicians in helping accelerate the process of evidence-based medical decision making. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) will also work with Watson for a clinical focus supporting veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Watson will be studied to see how it can help VHA clinicians quickly make sense of an overwhelming amount of data. Watson is able to distill evidence and knowledge within seconds. Available now as a cloud service, (https://ibm.biz/watsondiscoveryadvisor) IBM's Watson Discovery Advisor can reduce the time physicians need to test hypotheses and formulate conclusions that can advance their work. This could be a game changer for VHA clinicians, especially those who treat PTSD patients and must make sense of massive amounts of data to draw conclusions and make diagnoses.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog. For mental health guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... d-wellness) Military.com Mental Health and Wellness section.


Law Clinic Sets Record Helping Vets
A Delaware-based free veterans' law clinic recovered $1.76 million in medical disability benefits on behalf of 35 veteran clients in 2014. The total represents the highest dollar amount recovered by the clinic, based at the Widener University School of Law Wilmington campus, since 1997 when it began representing disabled veterans and their dependents with claims pending before VA. The clinic specializes in representing veterans' cases on appeal from VA Regional Offices throughout the U.S. To the Board of Veterans Appeals and the Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims. More than half of all clinic clients live in Delaware. Others hail from Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Maryland. For more information, visit the (http://law.widener.edu/Academics/Clinic ... linic.aspx) Veterans Law Clinic website.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Tax Credit in New York
Under a new law in the State of New York businesses can receive a tax credit for hiring and employing a qualified veteran. The credit is equal to 10 percent of the total amount of wages paid to the qualified veteran during their first full year of employment. If the veteran is disabled, the credit amount is increased to 15 percent. The law was created to encourage more New York businesses to hire veterans. For more details, see (http://www.wbng.com/news/local/New-Law- ... 72921.html) this article.
For more veteran job news, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Get the Most From Social Security
Have you missed your annual Social Security benefit statement since mailings stopped back in 2011? If so, Social Security has decided to send out paper statements again to those sixty and older. But, if you set up an online "my Social Security" account, you still will not get the statement in the mail. You can obtain your Social Security statement online anytime at the Social Security website at ssa.gov at (http://ssa.gov/) ssa.gov. Your health and that of your spouse, earnings history and income requirements all play roles in deciding when you should begin collecting Social Security benefits. It may pay to delay. By waiting, you can receive delayed retirement credits that will bump up your Social Security benefits -- and those of a surviving spouse -- roughly 8 percent per year between your normal retirement age and 70. For more information, visit the Social Security website.
For more on social security, see (http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... rview.html) this Military.com section.


New Vet Jobs Program in Illinois
The State of Illinois has begun a new veterans employment program. Military veterans looking for new jobs or careers can get a helping hand from the Illinois Department of Employment Security with an in-service for veterans on the second Friday of each month, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The venue is Senior Services Plus, located at 2603 N. Rodgers Ave., Alton, Illinois. For more information, call 618-465-3298, ext. 100 or visit the Senior Services Plus website at (http://www.seniorservicesplus.org) www.seniorservicesplus.org. Walk-ins are welcome to use this free service. Appointments are available by calling Lee Russell at 618-259-9500, ext. 360. Bring a copy of your resume for review.
For more veteran job news, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


VA Seeking Contractors
The Veterans Benefits Administration is seeking contractors develop new or tailor existing IT ALPs to meet veteran employment needs by facilitating appropriate IT certifications. The result of this certification/training will be employment in the IT field with a prospective career path. For more information, visit the (https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity ... e&_cview=0) FedBizOps.gov website.
For more veteran job news, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Building Homes for Heroes
Building Homes for Heroes(R) is committed to rebuilding lives and supporting the men and women who were injured while serving the country during the time of the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan. The organization builds or modifies homes, and gifts them, mortgage-free, to veterans and their families. To further assist veterans, the organization has added programs, including financial planning services, family funding, and emergency support. For more information, visit the Building Homes for Heroes website at (http://buildinghomesforheroes.org/) buildinghomesforheroes.org.
For more news related to wounded warriors, visit the (http://www.military.com/topics/wounded-warriors) Military.com Wounded Warriors page.


Retirees: Eliminate Out of Pocket Costs with MBA Tricare Supplement
Doctor and hospital bills are expensive even when you're covered by TRICARE. Help minimize or even eliminate out-of-pocket expenses with the (http://offers.military.com/v/tricare-mb ... rvr0112.nl) MBA-sponsored TRICARE Insurance Supplement Plan.


Veterans: Search Jobs at Hertz
Whether you are looking for an entry level position or a management role, Hertz can provide the opportunities to grow, learn, and be challenged as well as provide you with the tools to succeed. Come back and join a team that appreciates all that you have done for your country and is ready to help you use your skills to better your life. (http://www.military.com/veteran-employe ... =vr0112.nl) Learn more.


Sponsored Discount: Near or Far, Stay Connected. Military Families Save Extra 10% on Select PCs & Tablets
Because Dell appreciates everything you do for us, they would like to invite you to take advantage of exclusive military discounts on Dell PCs featuring 4th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) processors, electronics and so much more. (http://adfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/12309 ... 551-0?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]) Whether you're at home or abroad, Soldiers save big with Dell.


New Vet License Plates in Minnesota
Female veterans can now purchase license plates in Minnesota honoring their service. The newly designed (http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/01/0 ... -veterans/) Women Veterans' License Plate bears the inscription "Woman Veteran." Any woman wanting a plate should bring her discharge papers to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and request one. Motorcycle and disabled plates also are available. Estimated costs for the application and fees are $20.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


$1 Mil Coverage from just $1.50 a Day
Protection for less. Get $1,000,000 Coverage from only $1.50 a Day. (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid ... rvr0112.nl) Could your family survive if something happened to you?


Congressman Seeks Pay and Compensation Reforms
Third-term Republican congressman from Nevada Joe Heck vows to take a "practical, non-parochial" approach in tackling two far different yet still critical priorities for the military while serving as the new chairman of the House armed services' personnel subcommittee. One will be to review, perhaps reshape, and then shepherd into law long-awaited recommendations of the (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015 ... efits.html) Military Compensation and Retirement Reform Commission, which is to deliver its report by Feb. 1. The other will be to find ways to improve DoD efficiency beforeconsidering more proposals to cap annual pay raises, dampen housing allowances or boost patient out-of-pocket costs under TRICARE, the health insurance program for military families and retirees. Read this week's (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... on-reforms) Military Update for the full article.


Transferring VA Education Benefits
Education benefits may be transferred with the Post-9/11 GI Bill under certain criteria. If you have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001, and are still on active duty, or if you are an honorably discharged veteran or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days, you may be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The transferability option under the Post-9/11 GI Bill allows servicemembers to transfer all or some unused benefits to their spouse or dependent children. Family members must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System and be eligible for benefits at the time of transfer to receive the education benefits. For more information, visit the (http://www.military.com/education/gi-bi ... sheet.html) Military.com website.


K9s for Warriors
K9s For Warriors is dedicated to providing service dogs to warriors suffering from post-traumatic stress and/or traumatic brain injury as a result of their military service (post 9/11). Their goal is to give a new "leash" on life to both rescue dogs and to military vets who were injured -- helping them live with independence and dignity. For more information, visit the (http://www.k9sforwarriors.org/) K9s for Warriors website and watch the video on the (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hooplaha/ ... 18522.html) Huffington Post website. Follow K9s for Warriors on (https://www.facebook.com/K9sforWarriors) Facebook.


Military.com Spouse Experience: San Antonio
This event is an opportunity for all military spouses to get together, learn from each other, share the joys and challenges of military life, and laugh at the inevitable and incredible "oops" moments that all milspouses have. (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-milita ... rvr0112.nl) Register today.


Talent Sought for Honor Garden Gigs
The Veterans Association of North County in Oceanside, Calif. is looking for entertainers to perform at events to raise money for the completion of its Veterans Honor Garden, which will be located at 1617 Mission Ave. The Honor Garden Gigs, as they are called, are planned for the first Thursday of each month starting in February and will be open to the public. Gigs are slated to include music, dance, comedy and other programs. The committee needs entertainers who are willing to donate their talent or provide it at low cost. If you can perform, call Joe Ashby at (760) 630-0740; email (mailto:jjashby@sbcglobal.net) jjashby@sbcglobal.net. The organization's goal is to serve an estimated 80,000 area veterans from all branches of the military along with active duty Marines based at Camp Pendleton. For more information, visit the Veterans Association of North County website at (http://www.vancnorthcounty.org/) www.vancnorthcounty.org.
For more on military-related entertainment news, visit the (http://www.military.com/off-duty) Military.com Off-duty section.


2015 Rates are Still Low -- Use Your VA Loan Now
Now is the time to use your VA Loan. Rates are near historic lows and you don't have to pay PMI or have a large down payment. Plus you can get financing up to $417,000. (https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... rvr0112.nl) Use your VA Loan Benefit today.
(http://www.military.com/money/va-loans?ESRC=mrvr0112.nl) Want more information about this great benefit?