Spring Banner Newsletter 2023

B UCKEYE B ANNER

President’s Report

The last time I was writing an article it was snowing but now summer weather is finally here with lots of sun and nice warm temperatures. I would much rather have it this way. Hope you get out and enjoy the sun.

The Buckeye wheelchair games were held in person this year, after a two-year hiatus thanks to Covid, at Spire Institute in Geneva Ohio on April 21st and 22nd . We had 60 athletes sign up to compete in this year’s game. It was great seeing everyone face-toface after the two years off. I heard nothing but comments on how the games went so smoothly even after not doing it for a couple years. I personally thank all the sponsors, members, staff, VA employees and especially the volunteers that make this event possible. Next year’s games are already in the plans and will be held on April 19-20, 2024. If you didn’t get a chance to attend this year start your plans for next year and will look forward to seeing all of you there.

Our Annual Golf Outing fundraiser is set to be played on September 18, 2023 at the Medina Country Club. Medina Country Club is located at 5588 Wedgewood Road in Medina, Ohio.

Members can volunteer to be at different holes on the course thanking all the participants for supporting our chapter. We will be looking into getting raffle prizes and hole sponsors. If you know anyone that gulfs, please let them know about our event and see if you can sign them up. All the information is on the chapter website at www.buckeyepva.org . Flyers for the event can be requested by calling the office.

So you see there is always something that you are members can do to help the chapter in different ways. Your concerns, issues, or ideas of how we can make our chapter better are always welcome. Please either contact the chapter office, stop by the VA chapter office on the 6th floor or email me at carlh@buckeyepva.org with your ideas and concerns.

Sincerely,

Carl Harris

Executive Director’s Report

I'm happy to report that the 12th Annual Buckeye Wheelchair Games held at SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio was a success! We had 60 athletes who competed in events from track, field, swimming, weight lifting, boccia, bowling, air guns, billiards, table tennis and archery. And this year, we were thrilled to introduce disc golf. We were also privileged to have our slalom course designed by famed bioengineer, Rory Cooper. Mr. Cooper founded the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL,) which strives to improve the mobility and function of people with disabilities through advanced engineering. It was also exciting to

have the local media cover our event with articles in the Star Beacon, and a feature on Spectrum News 1 tv.

BPVA has many more exciting events coming up and we hope you will join us!

Until next time, Jennifer

McCarty

Hello Buckeye PVA members and supporters!

National Director’s Message

National Directors Report

77th

Government Relations Director

Hello everyone, You know it's spring time when everyone is planting their flowers and preparing their gardens. Spring is also the time when we observe Memorial Day. It's the last Monday in May. It honors men women who died while serving in the U.S. military. It originally was called Decoration Day. Memorial Day was declared a National Holiday through an act of Congress in 1971, and its roots date back to the civil war era, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Unlike Veterans Day, Memorial Day honors all military members who have died while serving in the U.S. forces. This year's Memorial Day will be celebrated May 29th, so make sure you find a Memorial Day event to pay tribute to those service men and women that

Doug Beckley

by Doug Beckley National Director

By Milton Young

paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Update on are Capitol Hill visits to our Congressional leaders we had an opportunity to visit with all 17 of our Congressional leaders or a member of their staff to discuss our policy priorities and issues that impact veterans that live with disabilities. All the meetings were positive. I've attached copies of the April and May Washington update. Have a great spring and summer. Be safe!

Sincerely yours, Milton

Young

MS Coordinator’s

Report

With the start of Spring comes the build up towards the National Veterans Wheelchair

By Josh Maley

ed to all of the registered participants in the Disc Golf exhibition.

Thank you to all of the Volunteers, VA staff

National Director’s Message

Senior Benefits Advocate Report

Military Discharges and Upgrades

There are several types of military discharges that are given upon completion of service. You can find the discharge you received located on your DD-214. There are basically two main categories for enlisted personnel, which are administrative separations and punitive discharges. A punitive discharge will have an impact on a veteran’s ability to receive veterans benefits and obtain government employment. Now let’s go through the most common types of discharges and provide a brief summary.

Administrative Separations

Honorable Discharge

If a service member received a good or excellent rating for their service time by meeting or exceeding standards for performance and personal conduct, they can receive an honorable discharge.

General Discharge

A service member may receive a general discharge under honorable conditions if their performance is satisfactory, but the individual failed to meet all expectations of conduct. This discharge may also be given to a member who leaves the military before the end of their commitment. Veterans may not be eligible for certain veterans’ benefits under a general discharge, including the GI Bill.

Other Than Honorable Conditions (OTH) Discharge

An Other Than Honorable Conditions (OTH) discharge is the most severe kind you can get without a court martial. Disciplinary issues, lapses in military good order, or failing a drug test can lead to an OTH Discharge. Veterans who receive an OTH discharge cannot re-enlist in the armed forces except under very rare circumstances. Most veterans’ benefits will also be barred under these discharges.

By Aaron Stevens

by Doug Beckley National Director

Punitive Separations

For most veterans, their character of discharge has little effect on their lives after service. However, if you received a Punitive Separation, this will not be the case. There are two kinds of punitive separations

a military service member can receive:

Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD)

Dishonorable Discharge

Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD)

Only enlisted members can receive a Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD), and only through a court-martial due to punishment for bad conduct. Almost all veterans’ benefits are forfeited if discharged due to bad conduct.

Dishonorable Discharge

If the military considers a service member’s actions to be reprehensible, the general courtmartial can determine if a dishonorable discharge is in order. Murder and sexual assault are examples of situations that would result in a dishonorable discharge. Military members who receive a dishonorable discharge forfeit all military and veterans’ benefits and may have a difficult time finding work in the civilian sector.

Other Separations

Medical Discharge

A service member may receive a medical discharge or separation if a medical or mental condition prevents them from continuing to serve. Two medical review boards determine medical discharges: the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) and the Medical Evaluation Board (or MEB). A medical discharge is a military administrative discharge that typically is not viewed negatively on an individual’s record, depending on the conditions and circumstances. If you receive a Medical Discharge, you can

still be eligible for most entitlements given to veterans.

How to Upgrade a Military Discharge

In some situations, you may be eligible to apply to have your military discharge upgraded to a higher rating. Veterans who believe the character of their discharge from service was unjust or erroneous, can apply for an upgrade. The Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs both operate an online tool to facilitate the application process found at https://www.va.gov/dischargeupgrade-instructions/.

If you are within 15 years of your discharge, you will need to apply to the Discharge Review Board (DRB) on a DD-293. The DRB can upgrade the character of discharge on your DD214. However, DRB’s are not able to overturn a court-martial’s decision. To connect with one of the Discharge Review Boards, please see the following web address:

https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-

center/vso/boards-for-correction-of-militaryrecords.

You may also apply for an upgrade through the Service Board for Correction of Military/ Naval Records (BCM/NR). You must apply within 3 years of discovering the “error or injustice” that you are asking the Board to fix. The Board can choose to disregard this deadline “in the interest of justice,” so you should not let it stop you from applying. At this point you may submit a new DD Form 149 to your respective BCM/NR and apply for reconsideration of your case. BCMRs are more powerful than DRBs. They can upgrade any character of discharge and change any reason for discharge.

As always, contact your local PVA National Service Officer with any questions.

Thank you,

Aaron Stevens

Congratulations Robert Thomas

Buckeye Chapter would like to enthusiastically congratulate one of our very own, Robert Thomas, on his election to become the new Paralyzed Veterans of America National President and Chairman Of The Board! Robert was elected by his peers at the PVA National Convention this passed May in Omaha, NE. Congratulations Robert!

“

My inspiration to serve stems from PVA’s past and present leadership.”

- Robert Thomas

LARRY BOSTIC

I have been attending activities with the Veterans Affairs Recreation Therapy and the Buckeye Paralyzed Veterans of America now for about 2 1/2 - 3 years. Myself and my wife Cristy have made lifestyle changes by participating in all the activities that the VA and BPVA provide. I recently went to the Buckeye Wheelchair games, and won 7 medals total, in Air Rifle, Bowling, Billiards, Field Activities and weightlifting. The VA and BPVA go to National Wheelchair games like Colorado in the winter and this year, Portland, OR in July, 2023. I have to admit that my success is a representation of the staff that work for the VA and BPVA. Cristy and I enjoy serving meals with the BPVA on the first weekend of the month for those that are confined to the Cleveland VA at the Spinal Cord Unit and Sears Tower. It honestly is more of an honor to help those that are in a difficult position and maybe a few words, or some fast-food will give someone a smile. I would encourage anyone that wants to become involved in sports, volunteering or just have camaraderie with others that are going through the same thing you are or did. I can't thank the VA and BPVA staff any more than just saying that they are doing what Abraham Lincoln stated, "...to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan." Louis Stokes VA Spinal Cord Unit and BPVA personify this crede.

Larry R. Bostic Jr.

TIFFANEY DAVISON

I am a female veteran of the U.S. Army that happens to go by the name of Tiffaney (with the E because I am extra!), I was first. introduced to and informed about the Buckeye PVA in 2017 which at that time I became an associate member. However, I was not aware that I was eligible to become a chapter member, that knowledge came later in 2022. Once I became a chapter member, I started to receive different publications and emails from the PVA at the national level. It was during my reading of those publications that I discovered that a pilot program was being launched through the national PVA for veteran self-employment. They were selecting just 12 members from the members that applied and that it was open to PVA chapter members nationwide. I was one of the twelve members to be selected from the seventy- two members that had applied to attend this program of eight weeks. So, after attending the eight weekly sessions each member had the opportunity to pitch their business idea to a five -person panel and the two top scoring business pitch ideas would receive a $2500.00 grant each to test their idea. The winners were a man who was a gunsmith in Virginia and the other member was a woman who designed and started adaptive clothing line called Handi No Cap for people with disabilities in Ohio. That female member just happens to be a member of the Buckeye PVA and she is me, Tiffaney!

Tiffaney C. Davison

Mileage Reimbursement

Who is eligible to participate in the program? Must be a BPVA Member in good standing for a minimum of 90 days to participate. The Committee has the option to make exceptions for extenuating circumstances.

What is the acceptable time period before the program becomes available for use?

The BPVA member must be hospitalized for a minimum of one week.

What is the acceptable distance for mileage reimbursement?

The mileage reimbursement will be given to visitors for travel to a VA hospital in the State of Ohio for the well being of members who are hospitalized. Beginning and ending travel must be in the State of Ohio.

How much is the reimbursement?

Reimbursement will be at a rate of .20 per mile. Mileage will be determined via MapQuest based on the submission of the visitor of the beginning and ending address. Chapter will reimburse up to 2 trips per month with a $2,000 cap per year.

Reimbursement request containing the name of the member, name and address of the visitor, the date of visitation and the origin of the trip must be submitted by the 20th of the following month, with payment at the end of month. Request for reimbursement will only be valid for one calendar month following travel.

How will reimbursement be paid?

Reimbursements will be via check.

What locations are included in the program?

Reimbursement will be for Ohio VA hospitals only.

Emergency Assistance Program

Paralyzed Veterans of America, Buckeye Chapter has available an Emergency Assistance Program.

This program helps members of the Buckeye Chapter who may find themselves in financial distress causing possible eviction from their homes, disconnection of utilities or the inability to pay for food.

Members must be in good standing for a minimum of 90 days prior to qualifying for consideration. Application for help is limited to twice

VA Emergency Care

In most instances, Veterans are eligible to receive VA authorized emergency care at an inwork facility if the VA is notified of the emergency event within 72 hrs. Veterans do not need to check with the VA before going to an emergency department in the community or calling an ambulance and, during an emergency, veterans are encouraged to seek medical attention without delay.

To simplify and streamline this emergency care notification pro-

yearly or up to a maximum of $500 per year. This is a confidential process. Payments must be made directly to the vendor. Please contact the Chapter office for more details. (800) 248-2548 or (216) 731-1017.

cess, VA established a national emergency care contact center. This center allows community providers to report instances of a Veteran presenting to a community emergency department and offers simplified access to VA for care coordination, eligibility determination, and payment authorization information.

The person notifying the VA should be prepared to supply case-specific information, as seen below.

For more information please visit: https://www.va.gov/vaforms/ medical/pdf/10-10143g_NonVA_Hospital_Emergency_No tification_Fill.pdf

For information about care coordination, documentation submission, eligibility, claims and payments visit: https://www.va.gov/ COMMUNITYCARE/ providers/ info_EmergencyCare.asp

Paralyzed Veterans of America

Vehicle Donation Program

PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA BUCKEYE CHAPTER

2775 Bishop Road Suite B

Willoughby Hills, OH 44092