Benefits Corner

Oct. 26, 2018 – The Board of Veterans’ Appeals is joining the Department of Defense’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP), a program connecting military spouses with more than 390 affiliated employers who have committed to recruit, hire, promote and retain military spouses in portable careers. For more information on the MSEP, visit https:// msepjobs.militaryonesource.mil. To speak to a SECO career coach, call 800-342-9647.

Nov. 28, 2018 – Due to technological difficulties with implementing the Forever GI Bill, an interim policy has been developed which will end December 1, 2019, at which time, a new IT solution will be in use. Under the interim policy, VBA will correct retroactively any underpayments and will not collect any overpayments. Learn more: https://go.usa.gov/xmTQy.

Dec. 11, 2018 – As part of its effort to update the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) for the first time since 1945, VA has updated the rating schedule for hematologic and lymphatic systems, effective December 9, 2018. Claims pending prior to December 9, 2018, will be considered under both the old and new rating criteria, and whichever criteria is more favorable to a veteran will be applied. View the complete list of updates: https:// www.benefits.va.gov/WARMS/bookc.asp.

Dec. 26, 2018 – The VA has temporarily suspended discharges and decreases in level of support from its Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers due to concerns expressed by veterans, caregivers and advocates about inconsistent application of eligibility requirements. For more information on the VA caregiver program, visit https://www.caregiver.va.gov.

Jan. 11, 2019 – The 2019 National Defense Authorization Act allows veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability rating to travel space available on military aircraft. Dependents of disabled veterans are not eligible. Find out more: https://www.military.com/militaryadvantage/2019/01/07/ disabled-veterans-can-now-fly-space.html.

Jan. 28, 2019 – The Department of Defense has selected Priceline to manage a new exclusive discount travel website, American Forces Travel. The site is available to active-duty military, National Guard members, Reservists, retirees and family members, 100 percent disabled veterans, and civilian Defense Department employees. Discounts have been negotiated specifically for military personnel. Visit: https://www.americanforcestravel.com.

Feb. 1, 2019 – The Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act allows veteran small business owners to acquire surplus federal equipment. Contact a State Agency Surplus Property representative to get started: https://go.usa.gov/xmTEX.

March 1, 2019 – Purple Heart recipients who submit initial disability compensation claims on or after April 1, 2019, will now receive priority consideration for claims. Purple Heart recipients are already treated on a priority basis at VA medical centers, and are exempt from co-payments for their VA medical care.

April 2, 2019 – VA’s Veteran Canteen Service (VCS) has launched ShopVCS.com, an online shopping site exclusively available to veterans enrolled in VA, their families and VA employees. Registration is free and proceeds from purchases support programs including Women Veterans Programs, Homeless Veterans programs and more. Sign up at https://shopvcs.com.

April 9, 2019 – To support former Guard and Reserve members, their families and their health care providers, VA has developed a toolkit that presents a variety of resources including online suicide prevention training, mobile apps that help manage daily stressors and supportive services for family members. Download the toolkit: https://go.usa.gov/xmTUE.

April 12, 2019 – Soldiers with over 16 years of service who want to transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill to a dependent must do so before July 12 due to a new policy. Prior to this, there were no restrictions on when a soldier could transfer their education benefits. These rules do not apply to Purple Heart recipients.

April 13, 2019 – Work is expected to begin next year on a longplanned expansion of Arlington National Cemetery, adding 37 acres of burial space and extending the cemetery’s active life.

Jan. 7, 2019 – As of January 1, ODVA is now accepting loan applications up to a maximum of $484,350, an increase from $453,100 in 2018. Learn more: http://www.orvethomeloans.com.

Feb. 12, 2019 – Eagle Point National Cemetery will be adding nine acres to the cemetery’s current 43, providing for at least 11,000 more gravesites, and allowing the cemetery to operate for approximately 40 more years. Visit: https://www.cem.va.gov/ CEM/cems/nchp/eaglepoint.asp.