MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

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Susanna Matthews
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MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR November 2018 DID YOU KNOW THAT ONLY 25% OF OUR NORTH CAROLINA VETERANS ARE RECEIVING DISABILITY COMPENSATION BENEFITS?

In that role, I oversee the strategic and operational elements of administering non-medical VA benefits and services to North Carolina Veterans and their families.

As nearly a tenth of the state population, our Veterans, active duty members and their families are extremely important to the fabric of our society.

Did you know, however, that only 25% of our North Carolina Veterans are receiving disability compensation benefits?

1 MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR November 2018 DID YOU KNOW THAT ONLY 25% OF OUR NORTH CAROLINA VETERANS ARE RECEIVING DISABILITY COMPENSATION BENEFITS? WE CAN AND MUST IMPROVE Friends, Welcome to our first edition of our local newsletter, Boots 2 Benefits. I am the Director of the Winston- Salem Regional Benefit Office. In that role, I oversee the strategic and operational elements of administering non-medical VA benefits and services to North Carolina Veterans and their families. North Carolina is home to at least 775,000 Veterans and 129,000 active duty personnel. As nearly a tenth of the state population, our Veterans, active duty members and their families are extremely important to the fabric of our society. Their backgrounds from all over the world inject a vibrant culture throughout the state. Did you know, however, that only 25% of our North Carolina Veterans are receiving disability compensation benefits? We can and must improve the effectiveness of informing Veterans and their family members about the full range of available benefits that Department of Veterans Affairs potentially can offer. Our dedicated and capable employees within the Department of Veteran Affairs Winston-Regional Office are making huge strides and differences in the lives of our Veterans. We are committed to increasing the number of Veterans receiving the benefits that they have earned. Please help us spread the word! We urge you to share this Newsletter with your employees, other individuals and/or organizations. Warm Regards, Mark M. Bilosz, Director 1 P age

"To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan " by serving and honoring the men and women who are America s Veterans. Abraham Lincoln WHO ARE WE? The U.S.

2 "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan " by serving and honoring the men and women who are America s Veterans. Abraham Lincoln WHO ARE WE? The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is three distinct organizations: VA Healthcare Administration (VHA), VA Benefits Administration (VBA), and VA National Cemeteries. There is a distinction between Veterans Hospital Administration and Veterans Benefits Administration, which many Veterans are not aware of. Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) is responsible for initial Veteran registration, eligibility determination and administration of VA's five key lines of non-medical benefits. Major benefits to Service-members, Veterans and their families include: Compensation and Pension Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Home Loan Guarantee Insurance Education VBA is undergoing a major transformation that is a people-centric, resultsoriented and forward-looking integration of solutions that will ensure total lifelong engagement with Service-members, Veterans and their families. The Winston-Salem Regional Office is a Veterans Benefits Administration Office. 2 P age

3 What is Disability Compensation? In this issue, we will focus on two of the five key non-medical benefits, Disability Compensation and Pension and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VRE), that we provide at the Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits Administration. Disability Compensation Disability compensation is a monthly tax-free benefit paid to Veterans who are at least 10% disabled because of injuries or diseases that were incurred in or aggravated during active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training. A disability can apply to physical conditions, such condition such as a chronic knee condition, as well as a mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Compensation may also be paid for disabilities that are considered related or secondary to disabilities occurring in service and for disabilities presumed * to be related to circumstances of military service, even though they may arise after service. Veterans who served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War Example An individual enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 10, 1988 and served for a period of 3 years. He was honorably discharged on June 9, During his active duty, he fell from a bunk and injured his back. Based on his active service, he is entitled to serviceconnected benefits for the residuals of his back injury. How to Apply Apply online using ebenefits, OR Work with an accredited representative or agent, OR Go to a VA regional office and have a VA employee assist you. If you have dependents, an additional allowance may be added if your combined disability is rated 30% or greater. Your compensation may be offset if you receive military retirement pay, disability severance, or separation incentive payments. Presumed Disability* Under certain circumstances, VA may conclude that certain current disabilities were caused by service, even if there is no specific evidence proving this in your particular claim. The cause of a disability is presumed for the following Veterans who have certain diseases. Former prisoners of war Veterans who have certain chronic or tropical diseases that become evident within a specific period of time after discharge from service Veterans who were exposed to ionizing radiation, mustard gas, or Lewisite while in service 3 P age

4 The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program is authorized by Congress. It is sometimes referred to as the Chapter 31 program. The VR&E program assists Veterans with service-connected disabilities and an employment handicap and Service-members who are in the process of transitioning from military to civilian employment prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. For Veterans and Service-members with serviceconnected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, VR&E offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.. What is Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VRE)? WHO IS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE VRE SERVICE? Active Duty Service-members are entitled if they: Expect to receive an honorable or other than dishonorable discharge upon separation from active duty. Obtain a VA memorandum rating of 20% or more. Participate in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) or are certified by the military as having a severe injury or illness that may prevent them from performing their military duties. Service-members who are participating in IDES are presumed entitled. This provision will expire September Are determined by VR&E to need rehabilitation services because of an employment handicap. Veterans are entitled if they: Have received or will receive an honorable or other than dishonorable discharge. Have a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% with a serious employment handicap or 20% or more with an employment handicap. Are determined by VR&E to need rehabilitation services because of an employment handicap. BASIC PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY The law generally provides for a 12-year basic period of eligibility in which VR&E services may be used. The 12-year period begins on the latter of these dates: Date of separation from active military duty. Date the Veteran was first notified of a service-connected disability rating. 4 P age

5 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Can I obtain VRE services if I have a service-connected disability rating of less than 20%? Yes, you can obtain such services if you are a Veteran with a rating of 10% and are found to have a serious employment handicap (SEH). You may also qualify without a VA rating if you are a severely ill or injured Service-member who has been referred to a military Physical Evaluation Board or is currently participating in the DoD/VA Integrated Disability Evaluation System process. What does a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) do? A VRC evaluates your interests, aptitudes, and abilities. A VRC also determines if you are entitled to VR&E services and, if you are, helps you establish a rehabilitation plan to find appropriate work or achieve more independence in daily living. Based on your skills and interests, a VRC will explore career possibilities with you, such as returning to your previous job, training for a new job, or starting your own business. I ntegrity C ommitment A dvocacy R espect E xcellence "I CARE" What is the difference between VBA (Veteran Benefits Administration) and VHA (Veterans Healthcare Administration)? Many veterans may not be aware of the distinction between the two administrations, simply put, the VBA provides financial assistance to the veteran whereas the VHA provides healthcare benefits. 5 P age

Contact Information Our office is centrally located in Winston-Salem, NC and we have a Public Contact Team that is dedicated to assist walk-in Veterans and/or their families during the week.

6 Contact Information Our office is centrally located in Winston-Salem, NC and we have a Public Contact Team that is dedicated to assist walk-in Veterans and/or their families during the week. We are available to answer claim-related and general benefit questions Monday through Thursday, 8am to 4pm and Friday, 9am to 4pm. We have also expanded our availability by taking walk-in interviews at the Kernersville Health Care Center, Wednesday, 8:30am to 4pm and Friday, 12 noon to 4pm. In addition, our website (shown below) shows upcoming outreach events available to Veterans and their families. Winston Salem Regional Benefit Office Federal Building, 251 N. Main Street Winston-Salem NC Phone: Unsubscribe 6 P age

Veterans Benefits Administration

Veterans Benefits Administration Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Service 1 VR&E Program Mission The mission of Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) is to help Veterans with service-connected disabilities and an