COOK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS VOL.2, ED.4 TH M ONTHLY N EWSLETTER FEBRUARY 17 , 2017 MESSAGE FROM COOK COUNTY VETERANS AFFAIRS Dear Veterans: INSIDE THIS EDITION: This newsletter contains information on the following Veteran-related issues: Past CAMP LEJEUNE: PAST WATER water contamination at Camp Lejeune; online shopping at military exchanges; pre- CONTAMINATION .................................2 need eligibility for interment in VA National Cemeteries; MyVA transformation DOD TO OPEN AAFES ONLINE EXCHANGE update; Gulf War veterans resources; proving military service; and the Cook County SHOPPING TO VETERANS ........................3 Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH) is seeking applications for VA NATIONAL CEMETERIES OFFERING PRE- transportation related projects. NEED ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION ...........4 Veterans Affairs will co-sponsor several tax exemption workshops for disabled MYVA TRANSFORMATION UPDATE BY VA veterans. These workshops will be held in the suburbs throughout the County SECRETARY ROBERT MCDONALD ..........5-6 and in the city of Chicago. More information about locations of the scheduled GULF WAR VETERANS: VA BENEFITS AND workshops is attached to end of this newsletter. COMPENSATION ...................................7 Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) Chicago HQ Office has relocated HOW TO PROVE MILITARY SERVICE: from the Thompson Center to the George Dunne Cook County Office at 69 W. th OFFICIAL MILITARY DOCUMENTS, FORMS, Washington Street effective February 14 (all phone numbers remain the same). AND OTHER WAYS TO PROVE SERVICE ...8-9 February is African American History month and we celebrate and honor our African American Veterans who leave a legacy of exceptional service. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND th Veterans Affairs will host a Women Veterans Workshop on March 14 , titled HIGHWAYS SEEKING APPLICATIONS ........10 “Resources for Women Veterans.” This workshop is open to veterans and dep- UPCOMING: COOK COUNTY VETERAN'S endents. The workshop will be at the Cook County Law Library, Daley Center. BENEFITS AND RESOURCE EVENTS ..........10 Seating is limited; please RSVP by March 7th. See inserts for more information. Cook County Veterans Affairs encourages you to share this information with other veterans and their dependents, and to use this newsletter as a reference tool for upcoming veteran activities, events, and workshops. Please visit the Cook County Veterans Affairs website at www.cookcountyil.gov/agency/veterans-affairs. Bill Browne, Director Cook County Veterans Affairs As we celebrate the 26th Anniversary of Operation Desert Storm, we have many THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Cook County employee-veterans who served and we want to say thank you for your WAS CREATED BY COOK COUNTY BOARD service. Visit http://benefits.va.gov/PERSONA/veteran-gulfwar.asp for PRESIDENT TONI PRECKWINKLE IN information on Gulf War Veterans benefits and resources. DECEMBER 2012 TO SERVE THE COUNTY’S EMPLOYEE VETERANS AND VETERANS WHO LIVE IN COOK COUNTY THROUGH OUTREACH AND SUPPORT SERVICES. QUESTIONS/COMMENTS: BILL BROWNE: 312-603-6423 AUDREY MOLLO: 312-603-2221 COOK COUNTY VETERANS AFFAIRS EMAIL: [email protected] COOK COUNTY VETERANS AFFAIRS WEBSITE: WWW.COOKCOUNTYIL.GOV/AGENCY/VETERANS-AFFAIRS/ PAGE 2 VETERANS ADVISORY NEWS CAMP LEJEUNE: PAST WATER CONTAMINATION http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune/ From the 1950s through the 1980s, people living or working at the U.S.M.C. Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, were potentially exposed to drinking water contaminated with industrial solvents, benzene, and other chemicals. Learn about research on past chemical contamination. Disability Compensation: VA has established a presumptive service connection for Veterans, Reservists, and National Guard members exposed to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune from 08/01/1953 through 12/31/1987 who later developed one of the following eight diseases: 1 - Adult Leukemia; 2 - Aplastic Anemia and other Myelodysplastic Syndrome; 3 - Bladder Cancer; 4 - Kidney Cancer; 5 - Liver Cancer; 6 - Multiple Myeloma; 7 - Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma; 8 - Parkinson's Disease These conditions show sufficient scientific and medical evidence to support the creation of presumptions; however, VA continues to review relevant information as it is available (final rule). The rule becomes effective either 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, or following conclusion of the 60-day Congressional Review, whichever is later. Veterans experiencing health conditions that may be related to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune should contact their primary care provider and file a claim. VA decides disability compensation on a case-by-case basis. Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 - Veterans’ Health Care: In accordance with the 2012 Camp Lejeune health care law, VA provides cost-free health care for certain conditions to Veterans who served at least 30 days of active duty at Camp Lejeune from January 1, 1957 and December 31, 1987. Qualifying health conditions include: • Esophageal cancer • Lung cancer • Breast Cancer • Bladder Cancer • Kidney Cander • Leukemia • Multiple Myeloma • Myelodysplastic • Renal Toxicity • Female Infertility • Hepatic Steatosis Syndroms • Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma • Miscarriage • Neurobehavioral Effects • Scleroderma Veterans eligible for health care under the 2012 Camp Lejeune health care law may enroll in VA health care and receive medical services for the 15 covered health conditions at no cost (including co-payment). Not yet enrolled in VA health care? Apply online or call (877) 222-8387 and inform VA staff that you served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days during the covered time period. Family Member Health Care Reimbursement: Family members of veterans who resided at Camp Lejeune during the qualifying period are eligible for reimbursement of out-of-pocket medical expenses related to the 15 covered health conditions. VA can only pay treatment costs that remain after payment from your other health plans. Apply online for reimbursement or call (866) 372-1144 for help. What type of evidence can I submit with my application? Documentation showing (1) dependent relationship to Veteran who served at Camp Lejeune (marriage license, birth certificate); (2) you lived on base 30 days or more between 8/1/1953 - 12/31/1987 (orders, base housing records); (3) paid health care for a condition respective to the following date ranges; (3a) lived on Camp Lejeune between 1/1/1957 - 12/31/1987 to be reimbursed for care received on or after 8/6/2012; (3b) lived on Camp Lejeune between 8/1/1953 - 12/31/1956 to be reimbursed for care received on or after 12/16/2014. When evidence is not submitted, VA will use all relevant evidence from internal sources and the Department of Defense (DoD); be aware it may take longer to review your application. To read the entire article Camp Lejeune: Past Water Contamination, please visit the following link: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune/ VETERANS ADVISORY NEWS PAGE 3 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO OPEN ONLINE EXCHANGE SHOPPING TO VETERANS https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1049558/dod-opens-online-exchange-shopping-to-veterans The Defense Department (DoD) announced today that veterans will soon be able to shop online at military exchanges. The policy change will extend limited online military exchange shopping privileges to all honorably discharged veterans of the military, DoD officials said in a news release. The shopping benefit will be effective this Veterans Day, November 11, 2017. While shopping privileges exclude the purchase of uniforms, alcohol and tobacco products, it includes the Exchange Services’ dynamic online retail environment known so well to service members and their families, the release said. The change follows careful analysis, coordination and strong public support, officials said in the release. “We are excited to provide these benefits to honorably discharged veterans to recognize their service and welcome them home to their military family,” said Peter Levine, performing the duties for the Under-Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. “In addition, this initiative represents a low-risk, low-cost opportunity to help fund morale, welfare and recreation programs in support of service members’ and their families’ quality of life. And it’s just the right thing to do,” Levine added. The online benefit will also strengthen the exchanges’ online businesses to better serve current patrons. Inclusion of honorably discharged veterans would conservatively double the exchanges’ online presence, according to DoD officials, thereby improving the experience for all patrons through improved vendor terms, more competitive merchandise assortments and improved efficiencies. “As a nation, we are grateful for the contributions of our service members,” Levine said. “Offering this lifetime online benefit is one small, tangible way the nation can say, ‘Thank you’ to those who served with honor.” PAGE 4 THE VETERANS ADVISORY VA NATIONAL CEMETERIES NOW OFFERING PRE-NEED ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATIONS http://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/pressreleases/VA_National_Cemeteries_Now_Offering_Pre_Need_Eligibility_Determinations.asp The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it now provides eligibility determinations for interment in a VA national cemetery prior to the time of need. Through the Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility Program, upon request, individuals can learn if they