Monday, February 16, 2009
Retreats for Military Families
Colorado troop-support group, Project Sanctuary, is promising a week-long retreat full of fun and relaxation for 80 deserving military families this year. Project Sanctuary will give military families a five-night, all-expenses-paid, therapeutic retreat in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The retreats will be co-hosted by the YMCA of the Rockies at the Snow Mountain Ranch near Winter Park, Colo. Eight retreats are planned for this year, and 10 to 12 families will go together on each retreat. Snow Mountain Ranch allows each family to have its own cabin and then join the group at least daily in a lodge that houses the staff and volunteers. The lodge is the central meeting point for the entire retreat. Program officials take retreat applications on a first-come, first-served basis. All servicemembers are considered, but servicemembers who recently have returned from deployment are ideal candidates. Families may apply for a retreat by filling out an application at the Project Sanctuary website.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
VA Disability Compensation
What is VA Disability Compensation?
Who Is Eligible?
How Much Does VA Pay?
How Can You Apply?
What Is VA Disability Compensation?
Disability compensation is a benefit paid to a veteran because of injuries or diseases that happened while on active duty, or were made worse by active military service. It is also paid to certain veterans disabled from VA health care. The benefits are tax-free.
Who Is Eligible?
You may be eligible for disability compensation if you have a service-related disability and you were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
How Much Does VA Pay?
The amount of basic benefit paid ranges, depending on how disabled you are.
Note: You may be paid additional amounts, in certain instances, if:
you have very severe disabilities or loss of limb(s)
you have a spouse, child(ren), or dependent parent(s)
you have a seriously disabled spouse
Please see the Compensation Rate Tables for specific percentages of disability and the rates paid.
How Can You Apply?
You can apply by filling out VA Form 21-526, Veterans Application for Compensation and/or Pension. If you have any of the following material, please attach it to your application:
Discharge or separation papers (DD214 or equivalent)
Dependency records (marriage & children's birth certificates)
Medical evidence (doctor & hospital reports)
You can also apply online through our web site at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp.
Who Is Eligible?
How Much Does VA Pay?
How Can You Apply?
What Is VA Disability Compensation?
Disability compensation is a benefit paid to a veteran because of injuries or diseases that happened while on active duty, or were made worse by active military service. It is also paid to certain veterans disabled from VA health care. The benefits are tax-free.
Who Is Eligible?
You may be eligible for disability compensation if you have a service-related disability and you were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
How Much Does VA Pay?
The amount of basic benefit paid ranges, depending on how disabled you are.
Note: You may be paid additional amounts, in certain instances, if:
you have very severe disabilities or loss of limb(s)
you have a spouse, child(ren), or dependent parent(s)
you have a seriously disabled spouse
Please see the Compensation Rate Tables for specific percentages of disability and the rates paid.
How Can You Apply?
You can apply by filling out VA Form 21-526, Veterans Application for Compensation and/or Pension. If you have any of the following material, please attach it to your application:
Discharge or separation papers (DD214 or equivalent)
Dependency records (marriage & children's birth certificates)
Medical evidence (doctor & hospital reports)
You can also apply online through our web site at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Veterans Compensation Benefits Rate Tables - Effective 12/1/08
Basic Rates - 10%-100% Combined Degree Only
Rates (No Dependents): 10% - 20%
Without Children With Children
30% - 60% 30% - 60%
70% - 100% 70% - 100%
10% - 20% (No Dependents)
Percentage Rate
10% $123
20% $243
30% - 60% Without Children
Dependent Status 30% 40% 50% 60%
Veteran Alone $376 $541 $770 $974
Veteran with Spouse Only $421 $601 $845 $1064
Veteran with Spouse & One Parent $457 $649 $905 $1136
Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents $493 $697 $965 $1208
Veteran with One Parent $412 $589 $830 $1046
Veteran with Two Parents $448 $637 $890 $1118
Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) $40 $54 $68 $81
70% - 100% Without Children
Dependent Status 70% 80% 90% 100%
Veteran Alone $1,228 $1,427 $1,604 $2,673
Veteran with Spouse Only $1,333 $1,547 $1,739 $2,823
Veteran with Spouse & One Parent $1,417 $1,643 $1,847 $2,943
Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents$1,501 $1,739 $1,955 $3,063
Veteran with One Parent $1,312 $1,523 $1,712 $2,793
Veteran with Two Parents $1,396 $1,619 $1,820 $2,913
Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) $95 $108 $122 $136
30% - 60% With Children
Dependent Status 30% 40% 50% 60%
Veteran with Spouse & Child $453 $644 $899 $1129
Veteran with Child Only $406 $581 $820 $1034
Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child$489 $692 $959 $1201
Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child$525 $740 $1019 $1,273
Veteran with One Parent and Child $442 $629 $880 $1106
Veteran with Two Parents and Child $478 $677 $940 $1178
Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 $22 $30 $37 $45
Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 (see footnote a) $72 $96 $120 $144
Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) $40 $54 $68 $81
70% - 100% With Children
Dependent Status 70% 80% 90% 100%
Veteran with Spouse & Child $1,409 $1,634 $1,837 $2,932
Veteran with Child Only $1,298 $1,507 $1,694 $2,774
Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child$1,493 $1,730 $1,945 $3,052
Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child $1,577 $1,826 $2,053 $3,172
Veteran with One Parent and Child $1,382 $1,603 $1,802 $2,894
Veteran with Two Parents and Child $1,466 $1,699 $1,910 $3,014
Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 $52 $60 $67 $75
Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 (see footnote a) $168 $192 $216 $240
Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) $95 $108 $122 $136
FOOTNOTES:
Rates for each school child are shown separately. They are not included with any other compensation rates. All other entries on this chart reflecting a rate for children show the rate payable for children under 18 or helpless. To find the amount payable to a 70% disabled veteran with a spouse and four children, one of whom is over 18 and attending school, take the 70% rate for a veteran with a spouse and 3 children, $ 1,513, and add the rate for one school child, $168. The total amount payable is $1,681.
Where the veteran has a spouse who is determined to require A/A, add the figure shown as "additional for A/A spouse" to the amount shown for the proper dependency code. For example, veteran has A/A spouse and 2 minor children and is 70% disabled. Add $95, additional for A/A spouse, to the rate for a 70% veteran with dependency code 12, $1,461. The total amount payable is $ 1,556.
Rates (No Dependents): 10% - 20%
Without Children With Children
30% - 60% 30% - 60%
70% - 100% 70% - 100%
10% - 20% (No Dependents)
Percentage Rate
10% $123
20% $243
30% - 60% Without Children
Dependent Status 30% 40% 50% 60%
Veteran Alone $376 $541 $770 $974
Veteran with Spouse Only $421 $601 $845 $1064
Veteran with Spouse & One Parent $457 $649 $905 $1136
Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents $493 $697 $965 $1208
Veteran with One Parent $412 $589 $830 $1046
Veteran with Two Parents $448 $637 $890 $1118
Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) $40 $54 $68 $81
70% - 100% Without Children
Dependent Status 70% 80% 90% 100%
Veteran Alone $1,228 $1,427 $1,604 $2,673
Veteran with Spouse Only $1,333 $1,547 $1,739 $2,823
Veteran with Spouse & One Parent $1,417 $1,643 $1,847 $2,943
Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents$1,501 $1,739 $1,955 $3,063
Veteran with One Parent $1,312 $1,523 $1,712 $2,793
Veteran with Two Parents $1,396 $1,619 $1,820 $2,913
Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) $95 $108 $122 $136
30% - 60% With Children
Dependent Status 30% 40% 50% 60%
Veteran with Spouse & Child $453 $644 $899 $1129
Veteran with Child Only $406 $581 $820 $1034
Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child$489 $692 $959 $1201
Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child$525 $740 $1019 $1,273
Veteran with One Parent and Child $442 $629 $880 $1106
Veteran with Two Parents and Child $478 $677 $940 $1178
Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 $22 $30 $37 $45
Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 (see footnote a) $72 $96 $120 $144
Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) $40 $54 $68 $81
70% - 100% With Children
Dependent Status 70% 80% 90% 100%
Veteran with Spouse & Child $1,409 $1,634 $1,837 $2,932
Veteran with Child Only $1,298 $1,507 $1,694 $2,774
Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child$1,493 $1,730 $1,945 $3,052
Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child $1,577 $1,826 $2,053 $3,172
Veteran with One Parent and Child $1,382 $1,603 $1,802 $2,894
Veteran with Two Parents and Child $1,466 $1,699 $1,910 $3,014
Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 $52 $60 $67 $75
Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 (see footnote a) $168 $192 $216 $240
Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) $95 $108 $122 $136
FOOTNOTES:
Rates for each school child are shown separately. They are not included with any other compensation rates. All other entries on this chart reflecting a rate for children show the rate payable for children under 18 or helpless. To find the amount payable to a 70% disabled veteran with a spouse and four children, one of whom is over 18 and attending school, take the 70% rate for a veteran with a spouse and 3 children, $ 1,513, and add the rate for one school child, $168. The total amount payable is $1,681.
Where the veteran has a spouse who is determined to require A/A, add the figure shown as "additional for A/A spouse" to the amount shown for the proper dependency code. For example, veteran has A/A spouse and 2 minor children and is 70% disabled. Add $95, additional for A/A spouse, to the rate for a 70% veteran with dependency code 12, $1,461. The total amount payable is $ 1,556.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event that threatened or caused grave physical harm. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat.
People suffering from PTSD have severe ongoing thoughts and memories of the traumatic event and feel emotionally disconnected, particularly with family and friends. They may have difficulty sleeping, feel detached from the world, or startle easily.
PTSD is a condition distinct from traumatic stress, which has less intensity and duration, and combat stress reaction, which is transitory. PTSD has also been recognized in the past as railway spine, shell shock, traumatic war neurosis, or post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS).
Specialist
Consult a Primary Care Physician first
Helpful Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-traumatic_stress_disorder
http://nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml
People suffering from PTSD have severe ongoing thoughts and memories of the traumatic event and feel emotionally disconnected, particularly with family and friends. They may have difficulty sleeping, feel detached from the world, or startle easily.
PTSD is a condition distinct from traumatic stress, which has less intensity and duration, and combat stress reaction, which is transitory. PTSD has also been recognized in the past as railway spine, shell shock, traumatic war neurosis, or post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS).
Specialist
Consult a Primary Care Physician first
Helpful Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-traumatic_stress_disorder
http://nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Live Interview with Thomas A. Mengesha, author of the Service Member's Guide to Deployment
For those of you around the world that missed it, you may listen to the full interview (1 hour) of CPT Tom "The Adjutant" Mengesha as he shares his experience being deployed to the Iraq theater of operations! You will also learn about his new book, The Service Member's Guide to Deployment, What every Soldier, Sailor, Airmen and Marine should know prior to being deployed. Copyright 2009
This interview was first aired live on February 6, 2009 on The Paul Lawrence Van Show.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
On February 6, 2009 @ 7:00 pm U.S. EST tune in for a Live Web Interview with Thomas A. Mengesha, author of The Service Member's Guide to Deployment...
On February 6th, 2009 at 7:00 pm EST, CPT Tom "The Adjutant" Mengesha, an Iraq war veteran, shares his desert experience and new book with you! Tom is the author of the highly acclaimed book: The Service Member's Guide to Deployment; What every Soldier, Sailor, Airmen and Marine should know prior to being deployed.
This accomplished lawyer and professional soldier shares his savvy business insight so you can learn how to take it to the bank. Tom will give a live, world-wide interview. This interview will be held on the world-wide-web (Internet). Anyone and everyone from around the world will be able to tune in. Listeners will also be able to call in and ask questions live on the air.
Log on to BlogTalkRadio or call in with your questions at (646) 595-4797 on February 6, 2009 @ 7:00 pm U.S. EST .
Please help spread the word to everyone!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The 44th President of The United States and new Commander-in-Chief, President Barack Husain Obama
The 44th President of the United States, Barack Husain Obama was sworn in today marking a historic event. President Obama became the first African-American President. Mr. President, I salute you sir! May God bless you and your family.
Thomas A. Mengesha
Captain, USAR
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)