Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 10/23/2008

Dear Sgt. Shaft:

I was retired with permanent disability from active-duty Army on Aug. 27 with 40 percent with 20 good years with the National Guard and 10 years active-duty Army and Marines.

When should I start receiving my retirement check from the Army? I also applied for a disability check from the Department of Veterans Affairs. I checked on the status of the VA application and was informed that it may take up to a year. The VA representative also said I would not get my Army retirement check — but VA has not even approved me. Is this true? I will be homeless if I don't get a check until VA approves or disapproves.

Thanks,
SSG S

Dear Sarge:

My VA sources tell me that if you are entitled to retirement pay after your most recent separation, this payment would not be suspended in lieu of potential VA benefits. If you do not receive expected military-retirement pay, you should contact the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. My sources added that you do not currently meet the requirements for concurrent receipt of military-retired pay and VA pay.

VA is developing your claim for benefits, which was received on Sept. 5.

Shaft Notes
The Sarge is looking forward to joining his fellow Marines at Mack's Marines Operation Glory to the Corps luncheon commemorating the 233rd birthday of the Marine Corps on Nov. 7 at the Marine Barracks, Eighth and I streets Southeast. The commandant is the invited guest of honor. Brigadier Gen. Michael R. Regner, legislative assistant to the commandant, and Gen. James L. Jones, 32nd commandant and former Supreme Allied Commander Europe, also are scheduled to attend.

The price for the luncheon is $50, $20 for active-duty personnel.

As in the past, doors open at 11 a.m. for libations, with seating for the program and meal at 11:45 a.m. The maximum number of seats on a first come-first served basis is 120, so when your payment is received, you're confirmed.

Please respond by e-mail to BHefti@vsadc.com. Parking will be available either on Eighth Street or under the freeway, as in the past. Handicapped parking is also available on request.

Once again, area veterans will receive a free lunch or dinner entree at McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants and M&S Grills on Nov. 9 in tribute to Veterans Day. Veterans should show proper identification (VA card, VFW card, veterans ID, discharge papers, et cetera.)

Reservations are strongly encouraged. Veterans can go to www.McCormickandSchmicks.com for a list of participating restaurants or contact one of the restaurants.

In a show of thanks to our nation's veterans, Bill McCormick and Doug Schmick are offering to serve those who have served. Last year, the company served nearly 18,000 vets nationwide. The McCormick & Schmick's annual veterans program began as a small effort in just one restaurant in 1999. It has expanded nationwide.

Congratulations to the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington, D.C. (DCVAMC) for recently receiving the 28th Olin E. Teague Award, presented by Secretary of Veterans Affairs James B. Peake at a ceremony held at the National Guard Association Hall of States in the District.

The secretary recognized the hospital's Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Task Force for its work improving the quality of life for war-injured veterans. The team identified opportunities for improved case management of OEF/OIF veterans and designed a health care structure that assigns one case manager to each OEF/OIF veteran currently enrolled at DCVAMC (more than 7,400). This model is considered a "best practice" throughout the Veterans Health Administration.

The Olin E. Teague Award was established by VA to honor the late Olin E. Teague, whose leadership in Congress as chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs provided vital support for the agency's mission of serving America's veterans. The award recognizes an employee or team within VA whose achievements have been extraordinarily beneficial to the rehabilitation of war-injured veterans.

Patient feedback has been excellent. Donald Lange, who served in Afghanistan, says, "The best thing about having a case manager is having one person who knows about you, your medications and your appointments and who can speak to others in the hospital and makes sure all your treatments and medications are compatible."

Brian Isenhour, who regularly receives polytrauma treatment at the VA Medical Center, was happy to learn that DCVAMC was recognized with the Teague Award. He says the medical center's OEF/OIF Task Force "deserves this recognition because the team not only helps the veteran, but also helps the veteran's family."

The Sarge salutes Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, Hawaii Democrat and chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, who recently issued a statement regarding legislation to provide recognition to Filipino World War II veterans who served under U.S. military command. Mr. Akaka vowed to renew his advocacy in the new Congress next year after efforts to bring the legislation to final passage last week were obstructed in the Senate.

Mr. Akaka said: "The record is clear on the Filipino veterans of World War II. They are not foreigners who fought for a foreign government. They were citizens of the Philippines — then a U.S. possession — who fought under the command of the U.S. military. After World War II, Gen. Omar Bradley and the U.S. government recognized them as U.S. veterans. Tragically, less than a year after they helped us win the war, they lost their veteran status by an act of Congress. This was a shameful act against our brothers in arms — who fought side-by-side with America's greatest generation and risked their lives to rescue American prisoners of war."

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-257-5446 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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