Veterans Report - Week of August 13, 2012

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Veterans Report - Week of August 13, 2012

Vet Virtual Career Fair Aug 21
Military.com and Monster are hosting a Veterans Virtual Career Fair on August 21st. It's free to join and you'll be able to communicate and engage with exhibitors and attendees in a collaborative virtual environment. Fast Track Your Military Experience to a Civilian Career. (http://www.veteransvirtualcareerfair.co ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get more details and register for the event now.
(http://www.military.com/career-expo/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) View a full calendar of Military Career Expos.
(http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Visit the Military.com Veteran Career Center to search for jobs and get tips on your career and job search.
(http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/sk ... RC=mrvr.nl) Translate your military skills, experience and training to find career opportunities that best align with your capabilities.


New VA Med Center in Las Vegas
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently opened a new Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Las Vegas. The new $600 million facility will have 90 inpatient beds, a 120-bed community living center (skilled nursing home care facility), and an ambulatory care center. The medical center began taking patients Aug.14. The new outpatient mental health clinic will provide specialized treatment programs for general mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, gambling addiction, and other unique services such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for the treatment of traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and other conditions. For more information, visit the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System website at (http://www.lasvegas.va.gov/) www.lasvegas.va.gov/.
For job listings across the nation and civilian job guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Gulf War Veteran Care
In support of care and services to the Veterans of the first Gulf War, VA has led efforts to better understand and characterize Gulf War veterans' illnesses (GWVI) and to improve treatment. VA has supported research and followed initiatives outlined in the 2011 (http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/2011 ... Report.pdf) GWVI Task Force Report. These include the evaluation of a clinical care model specifically for Gulf War veterans and of enhanced education for health care providers about Gulf War Veterans' concerns. Also, a (http://www.va.gov/RAC-GWVI/VA_draft_strategic_plan.pdf) VA Gulf War Research Strategic Plan has been developed to address effective treatment for the symptoms experienced by some Gulf War Veterans and to guide efforts toward improvements in diagnosis. For more information on Gulf War Veterans' illnesses, visit VA's (http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar) Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses webpage.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Veteran Health Care Explained
Visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... ESRC=vr.nl) Benefits Channel on Military.com to get information on VA healthcare enrollment, Agent Orange, the VA family caregiver program, outpatient dental care, TBI resources, veteran's medical benefits packages and more.


$400k Coverage for Less than VGLI
VGLI too expensive? Get $400k ASMBA coverage starting at $29.04 a month. Customize a plan for your level of need. (http://www.military.com/insurance/asmba?ESRC=vr0813.nl) Get covered now.


Deal of the Week: Sandals for Military
Sandals Resorts is offering a 10% year-round discount to any existing promotional rate for all U.S. and Canada Military personnel to include Active or spouse, Retired, Reserves, U.S. National Guard, U.S. Veterans, U.S. Department of Defense and Canada Department of National Defense. (http://www.military.com/discounts/deal- ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get this deal.

(http://www.military.com/discounts/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) View all Military Deals and Discounts


VA Loan Limits for High-Cost Counties
The VA loan guaranty program does not impose a maximum amount that an eligible veteran may borrow using a VA loan but limits the maximum guaranty amount to $417,000 for 2012. However, if you live in a high-cost county the maximum changes. (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get a full chart to determine the VA's maximum guaranty in your county.
(http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/ ... RC=mrvr.nl)
(https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... rvr0813.nl) Next Step: Search for lenders ready to help you use your VA Loan Benefit.
(https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... rvr0813.nl)


VA to Expand Burial Options
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that it is moving forward with a plan to provide burial services for veterans in rural areas where there are no available VA national cemeteries, state Veterans cemeteries or tribal Veterans cemeteries. Under the Rural Initiative plan, VA will build small National Veterans Burial Grounds within existing public or private cemeteries in rural areas where the unserved veteran population is 25,000 or less within a 75-mile radius. VA plans to open eight National Veterans Burial Grounds that will serve veterans in the areas of Fargo, N.D.; Rhinelander, Wis.; Cheyenne, Wyo.; Laurel, Mont.; Idaho Falls, Idaho; Cedar City, Utah; Calais, Maine; and Elko, Nev. For more information, visit the National Cemetery Administration Rural Initiative webpage at (http://www.cem.va.gov/features.asp) www.cem.va.gov/features.asp.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Featured Employer: AT&T Wants Military Talent
AT&T is hiring veterans and transitioning servicemembers. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... ESRC=mr.nl) Visit the AT&T Veteran Talent Portal to apply for jobs, translate your military skills and network with other veterans. In the military, you contributed to a disciplined, motivated and successful team. You'll be right at home with AT&T. We continuously recognize the contributions of our armed forces. In every area of AT&T, you'll find retired military and active reservists who made the transition to civilian life. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... ESRC=mr.nl) Visit the AT&T Veteran Talent Portal Now.


VA Health Care Eligibility
Eligibility for VA health care is dependent upon a number of variables, which may influence the final determination of the services for which you qualify. These factors include the nature of a veteran's discharge from military service (e.g., honorable, other than honorable, dishonorable), length of service, VA adjudicated disabilities (commonly referred to as service-connected disabilities), income level, and available VA resources among others. (http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get a full summary of eligibility on Military.com.


Camp Lejeune Vets Get Help
President Obama has signed into law legislation to extend medical care for Veterans and their families who were stationed at (http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposure ... /index.asp) Camp Lejeune. Eligible veterans will receive extended care now for 15 illnesses caused by exposure to toxins in the base water. For more read (http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,248599,00.html) Tom Philpott's latest Military Update.


VA Loan Foreclosure Facts
It is no coincidence VA loans have the lowest foreclosure rate in the country. Free mortgage counseling and the VA guarantee help make veterans' mortgages less vulnerable in tough financial climates. A foreclosure can happen when a borrower defaults or cannot repay a mortgage debt, and the lender chooses to take possession of the property to recover some of the loss. View a (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) quick Q and A that helps you understand your options and the consequences of foreclosure.


VA Claims Program
Participation in the Department of Veterans Affairs (http://benefits.va.gov/transformation/fastclaims/) Fully Developed Claims (FDC) Program is completely optional, and allows for faster claims processing, while preserving a veteran's right to appeal a decision. Claims are considered to be "fully developed" when veterans submit all available supporting evidence, such as private treatment records and notice of Federal treatment records, to VA at the time they first file a formal claim and certify they have no more evidence to submit. The FDC forms (http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-526EZ-ARE.pdf) VBA-21-526EZ and (http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-527EZ-ARE.pdf) VBA-21-527EZ include more information. For more information, visit VA's (http://benefits.va.gov/transformation/fastclaims/) Fully Developed Claims program webpage.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


'Coaching Into Care' for Families
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) now offers a free Telephone Call Center, "Coaching Into Care," which provides assistance to family members and friends trying to encourage their veteran to seek health care for possible readjustment and mental health issues. The service offers free coaching to callers, with no limit to the number of calls they can make. The Telephone Call Center is available toll-free at 1-888-823-7458, 7 a.m. 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, visit VA's Coaching Into Care webpage at (http://www.mirecc.va.gov/coaching/) www.mirecc.va.gov/coaching/. If a veteran is experiencing an acute crisis, callers should contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 for immediate help.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Deal of the Week: GovX Exclusive Discounts
Up to 70% off on Lifestyle products, Golf Clubs, Apparel, Sunglasses and more on GovX.com! Free Sign Up for Former/Retired Military and Government. (https://www.govx.com/milcom/?utm_source ... tarycom_v1) Start saving today.


Vet Unemployment Rate Falls
New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans is falling. Read the analysis by the Department of Veterans Affairs on (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/7817/po ... t-in-july/) VA's VAntage Point Blog.
For job listings across the nation and civilian job guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Last Chances to See Twilight Tattoo
The yearly performances of the Twilight Tattoo are scheduled for every Wednesday night for the remainder of August only. The time-honored tradition takes place at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va. The performances are free and open to the public. For more information and schedule details, visit the U.S. Army Military District of Washington's (http://twilight.mdw.army.mil/) Twilight Tattoo website.
For more military-related entertainment news, visit the (http://www.military.com/entertainment) Military.com Off-duty section.


Report Suggests Freezing Military Raises
The RAND Corporation recently issued a research report for the Office of the Secretary of Defense after it was asked to determine if it would be appropriate to slow the rate of increase in military basic pay. The report suggests that DoD should begin to curb the growth in military pay and offered three possibilities to accomplish this slow down: 1) A one-time increase in pay set at half a percent below the Employment Cost Index, 2) A single-year pay freeze (no pay rate increases for one year) or 3) A four-year series of smaller raises set at the ECI minus half a percentage point. For more details, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... pay-freeze) Military Advantage Blog.


New Grants to Train Veterans
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is devoting $2.3 million to helping train new physician assistants, focusing on veterans who want civilian jobs in healthcare. The grants, awarded to 12 institutions, support educational programs that train PAs to practice in primary care settings, and help individuals who will teach primary care in PA training programs, preparing trainees to enter practice in primary care settings. A listing of the grants is available on the (http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/ ... 0802a.html) Health and Human Services website.
For job listings across the nation and civilian job guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Veteran's Retraining Program
Unemployed veterans between 35 and 60 years old have an opportunity to begin a new career in one of more than 211 high-demand occupations by applying for enrollment in the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP). VRAP offers up to 12 months of educational assistance to veterans enrolled in a VA-approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school. Eligible VRAP applicants must be unemployed at the time of application and have other than dishonorable discharges, among other requirements. For more information, visit Military.com's Vow to Hire Heroes Act 2011-- (http://www.military.com/education/gi-bi ... -bill.html) Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) factsheet.
For job listings across the nation and civilian job guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.