Last Updated: 1 Jul '05
HOME PAGE   OFFICERS    EVENT CALENDAR    DEPT. NEWS     POST NEWS     MEMBERSHIP     LINKS



SERVICE OFFICER NEWS 'n NOTES


This page contains information forwarded to the Department from a variety of sources, not just from our Department Service Officer and his assistants.

Where possible, we cite the date and source; in any case, you should consider this information as "unofficial" and verify it through other sources.


CLICK HERE
No.
Date
Title / Summary
June '05VA Foreign Medical Program - includes Dept. of Mexico
June '05Healthcare for Vets in Panama
19 March '04No Cost Medical Attention in Mexico for Service Connected Disabilities
16 March '04On Line  BENEFITS  MANUAL
20 Oct '03Agent Orange exposure tied to Chronic lymphocytic leukemia ("CLL")
13 Oct '02Veterans State Tax Break
   
   





















 
Friday March 19, 2004
Source: David Lord, Dept. Service Officer

Medical treatment U.S. Veterans, No Cost

This is the best news for Veterans and their Dependants living in Mexico, or while here on visits each year. All Service connected Disabled Veterans and their Dependants have the opportunity to use medical benefits here in Mexico, with a selected number of Doctors that are specalist in all fields of medicine. The need for a program allowing Treatment for those qualified by the V.A., eliminates the trip to the U.S., and eliminates the waiting time for appointments at the V.A.( we have over 300,000 waiting up to one year ) for service connected medical attention.

I am Very Proud of the U.S. Consul for their Service to Veterans living in Mexico . John S. Tavenner, Consul Chief -American Citizen Services, at the direction of Concul General Salmon has been instrumental to this effort.

Kelly Trainor, our Consul Agent in Puerto Vallarta , has invited me to participate in the April 1st Medical Matters open Forum. I ask all Veterans who have medical needs to bring dd214, V.A. Card, or proof of U.S. Military Service. Veterans wanting to file for Pension or Compensation will be afforded a sign up sheet for schedualed appointment where the particular need can be addressed in a confidential manner. Remember All Veterans qualify for a non-service connected pension, if 65 or older, have Low income , and more than 90 days of Military Service during a period of war. Peace time Veteerans are qualified with 2 years of service.  
TOP  OF  PAGE






Posting #2:

Agent Orange exposure tied to Chronic lymphocytic leukemia ("CLL")


 Date: Oct 20, '02
From: Legion HQ

WASHINGTON (Oct. 20, 2003) - Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or CLL, has been officially added to the list of diseases for which Vietnam War veterans can receive free-of-charge health care and disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

American Legion National Commander John Brieden praised VA's publishing of a final rule Thursday in the Federal Register that codifies VA Secretary Anthony Principi's January announcement that the government will extend benefits to Vietnam veterans suffering from CLL.

"The Institute of Medicine found a link between CLL and exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange, and that finding is a sound basis on which to award just compensation and VA health care to Vietnam veterans suffering from the disease," Brieden said. "Secretary Principi did the right thing by deciding to award these benefits back in January.

"The government still must carry out a large-scale study of the health and herbicide exposures of Vietnam veterans. The American Legion and Columbia University broke ground with a joint study conducted in the 1980s and a recent follow-up study. But the government must plan and fund a more comprehensive study because, obviously, the health of many Vietnam veterans shows the long-lasting effects of their wartime experiences. Certain veterans' illnesses are related to exposure to Agent Orange or to some other hazardous conditions of battle. By doing a study, the government can determine what exactly is making them sick and grant them long-overdue health care and disability compensation."

The 2.8 million-member American Legion is the nation's largest veterans organization.

Veterans seeking more information about how to obtain benefits under the new regulation may call (800) 433-3318 to locate the nearest American Legion service officer.
TOP  OF  PAGE

Posting #1: Veterans state tax break
Date: 13 Oct '02
From: John Mann
Retired military veterans and their surviving spouses are now exempt from paying state taxes on their pensions, but area lawmakers say many are not signing up for the tax break. Veterans must contact the appropriate federal agency to have withholding of state taxes stopped on their pension. Retired members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force - both active-duty and Reserve - should write to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service-Cleveland Center/ROCAD, P.O. Box 99191, Cleveland, Ohio, 44199 or call 800-321-1080.

TOP  OF  PAGE

TOP  OF  PAGE




Sources:
Doug Haggan: Doug is the Secretary of FODPAL (Foreign and Outlying Departments and Posts of the American Legion)

David Lord: David is the Department Service Officer; he is a member of Post MX-14 Banderas Bay.

John Mann: John is a former Department Service Officer; he is a member of Post GT-02 and lives in Guatemala City.

Clarence Bacon: P.N.C. Clarence Bacon was National Commander in 1984-85; he lives just outside of Baltimore, Maryland.