trolling down the river what’s inside t
TRANSCRIPT
President’sReport
3
Executive Director’s Report
4
Service Officer’s Report
5
Sports & Recreation6
WashingtonUpdate
8
9-Month Drawing Winners
9
VA News11
InsideWhat’s
continued on page 6
Vol. LXV, #7 The NewsleTTer of The New eNglaNd ChapTer paralyzed VeTeraNs of ameriCaJuly 2015
a member ChapTer of The paralyzed VeTeraNs of ameriCa – CharTered by The CoNgress of The uNiTed sTaTes
CORD WORDWORDCORD Article and pictures submitted by Lori Chase
The New England Paralyzed Veterans
Bass Trail held their 16th Annual Dis-
abled Bass Tournament on June 6th on
the scenic Charles River. These tournaments are
held at no cost to all participants and supported
through fundraising, donations and sponsors.
We were hosted by the Newton Yacht Club,
Commodore Dane Grasso and the members
who gave new meaning to the word hospitality.
They could not do enough to welcome us to
their club and make our day memorable. This
began with breakfast, fellowship, and lunch
provided to all on site, including their award
winning clam chowdah. They also provided us
with a Pontoon Boat and Captain for our bank/
pontoon division. We sincerely, cannot thank
them enough for their support of the BASS
TRAIL!
Mother Nature was indecisive as usual, the skies
were threatening, overcast and with a few sprin-
kles in the morning, however the sun shone in
intervals in the afternoon, with moderate temps.
As we know, in New England if you don’t like
the weather, just wait and it will change. How-
ever, there was no deterrent to any of our anglers
or boat captains who travelled from MA and as
far away as NH. No one missed the boat on this
day. We were fortunate to have had at least 6
new boat captains, who joined us from word of
mouth of attendees and networking at sports-
man’s shows. This tournament held a few new
anglers and several returning for their second
year, as well as our “old timers.” Returning this
year, was Dan Kenney, of GOFISHDAN.COM
and THENEWENGLANDFISHINGAND-
OUTDOOREXPO.COM Dan is a longtime
supporter and friend of the trail, he provided us
with video footage which can be viewed on his
site as well as on the NEPVABASSTRAILFA-
CEBOOK page. We will wait with baited breath
for Hollywood to contact us.
The Boston Coast Guard, who we met at the
NEWENGLANDSALTWATERSHOW.COM
was on board with us for their first year support-
ing the trail, and as most, has been hooked and
will most likely return next year. John Worrall,
TROLLING DOWN THE RIVER
AEBA Boat Captain Roger Winn (left) and Angler Steve
Carpenter show off their catch at the 16th Annual
NEPVA Bass Tournament on the Charles River.
Cord Word July 2015
www.nepva.org
PARALYZED VETERANS of AMERICA
NEW ENGLAND CHAPTERNEPVA ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
1600 PROVIDENCE HIGHWAY-SUITE 143WALPOLE, MA 02081
TEL: (508) 660-1181, 1-(800) 660-1181FAX: (508) 668-9412; e-mail: [email protected]
web: www.nepva.orgOffice Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:30pm
NEPVA OFFICERSPresident, Craig CascellaVice President, Wayne RossSecretary, Peter MooreTreasurer, Charles SchenaNational Director, Neal Williams
EXECUTIVE BOARD John BrakoBrad CarlsonWalter FarringtonMike Guilbault Jim WallackNeal Williams
Cord Word is published twelve times a year by the New England Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America, 1600 Providence Hwy., Suite 143, Walpole, MA 02081 in the interest of Chapter members. Membership in NEPVA entitles you to a free subscription to Cord Word. Articles published in Cord Word do not necessarily reflect the views of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, New England Chapter. NEPVA neither endorses nor guarantees any of the products or services advertised herein. Postmaster: send changes of address to NEPVA, 1600 Providence Hwy., Suite 143, Walpole, MA 02081
Monthly meetings are held every first Wednesday of the month at the NEPVA office in Walpole, Ma. The executive board meets at 10:30 a.m. Followed by the regular membership meeting at 1:00 p.m.
PROGRAM DIRECTORSDevelopment Director, Craig CascellaMembership Officer, Craig CascellaMS Liaison, John BrakoCommunity Outreach, Mike GuilbaultNEPVA Peer Mentor Rep., Mike GuilbaultScholarship Chairman, Craig CascellaSports Director, Brad CarlsonAssistant Sports Director, Mike GuilbaultBass Trail Liaison, Jim WallackWomen Veterans’ Liaison, Debra FreedVolunteer Chairman, Judy Goldstein
Hospital Liaisons Brockton, MA VAMC, Mike GuilbaultWest Roxbury, MA VAMC, Craig CascellaNorthampton, MA VAMC, Tim KellyProvidence, RI VAMC, Craig CascellaManchester, NH VAMC, Walter Farrington West Haven, CT VAMC, VacantWhite River Jct, VT VAMC, Craig CascellaTogus, ME VAMC, Neal Williams
STAFFExecutive Director, Debra FreedCord Word Editor, Judy GoldsteinGovernment Relations Director, Debra FreedAdministrative Assistant, Judy GoldsteinBookkeeper, Jeri FarinellaCord Word Design & Web Master, Harley Freedman
2
of our Chapter Members
John D. Barton
Royce D. Robertson
Harris Ullian
We deeply regret the passing
NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICEPARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA
BOSTON VA REGIONAL OFFICEJ.F.K. FEDERAL BUILDING - Room - 1575 C
BOSTON, MA 02203TEL: (617) 303-1395 & 1-800-795-3607
Fax: (617) 723-7467Eastern Region Director, Joseph E. Badzmierowski
Senior Secretary, Ann Marie Wallace
PVA NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICETOGUS, VARO, 1 VA CENTER
BLDG 248, ROOM 112AUGUSTA, ME 04330
Serving maine, new HampSHire and vermont
TEL:(207) 621-7394, FAX: (207) 621-4829TOLL FREE: 866-795-1911
Senior National Service Officer, John StansburySecretary, Violet Bates
PVA NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICEBROCKTON VAMC
940 BELMONT ST., BLDG. 3 ROOM 207BROCKTON, MA 02301
TEL: (774) 826-2219FAX: (774) 826-3167
National Service Officer III, Heather CherniackEast-North Area Manager
July 2015Cord Word
www.nepva.org 3
By Craig C. Cascella NEPVA President
President’s Report
Well, it finally appears the warm weather has
arrived, better late than never. It seems like it
has taken forever to arrive but maybe we will be
lucky and it will stay around a bit longer than usual before
the colder months return.
I’d like to thank our members who had taken the time to
nominate Chapter Officers and Board members for the next
fiscal year. I hope that our membership will also take a few
minutes of their time to cast their vote for said positions
when the time comes to do so.
On June 26, I will have attended a VISN-1 SCI Team meet-
ing. SCI related staff from all of the VAMC’s in the New
England region and local NSO’s will be in attendance. In the
next newsletter, I’ll pass along any pertinent updates from the
meeting.
A company has donated slide boards
to PVA which are then going to be
distributed to SCI centers in each
of the respective PVA Chapter ar-
eas. Each Chapter will receive ten
slide boards to either be distributed
to veterans in need of them or to be
used in their VA PT/OT clinic. I hope
to distribute them to the local SCI Center
when they arrive at the Chapter office.
As always, feel free to visit NEPVA’s web site (www.nepva.
org), PVA’s web site (www.pva.org), and the VA’s web site
(www.va.gov) for up to date and recent news. If you have any
questions, comments, or concerns please contact our office or
your local NSO.
It’s more than just a car.It’s a difference you can make by donating your ve-hicle to Paralyzed Veterans of America. Scheduling a pickup is FREE. Regardless of the condition, all donat-ed vehicles will be sold at auction and proceeds will benefit Paralyzed Veterans of America. Through your vehicle donation, you’ll make a difference to veterans suffering from spinal cord injury or disease. You may even earn a tax break, too!
One Car One Difference is IAA’s public awarenesscampaign promoting the benefits of vehicle donation.© 2013 Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. All rights reserved.
Donate today!Call or visit us online to donate your vehicle today:
855-744-0782
wheelshelpingwarriors.org
I am a donated vehicle.I am a new beginningfor america’s veterans.
“
”
Cord Word July 2015
www.nepva.org4
Executive Director’s Report
continued on page 14
continued on page 12
By Debra FreedExecutive Director
June
It really is amazing how fast a
month can go. One day it’s the
1st and before you know it, it’s
gone. Being busy might have
something to do with it. June was such
a month. Starting the weekend of June
6th, the Chapter held its annual Bass
Tournament on the Charles River at the
Newton Yacht Club. There were 21 an-
glers and 19 boats. Many thanks must
go to the American Eagle Bass Associa-
tion and the great volunteers that help.
The 9th Annual Billiards Tournament
was also slated for June 6th & 7th but
is postponed until August 8th & 9th. It
will be at Break-Away Billiards in Clin-
ton, MA. The weekend of June 13th, it
was also just as busy. Mr. Paul Kenney
assisted the Chapter by covering a table
at the Annual ALS Seminar in New
Hampshire where our very own NSO
John Stansbury was asked to speak. I
continue to forget to put things in my
calendar and triple booked the week-
end. The Women Veterans Conference,
the 41st Annual Wommanahaug Pow
Wow and the fact that we had tickets to
the new movie Jurassic World. Well, my
commitment to the Women Veterans
Conference came first, the Pow Wow
second and so I did not get to see Juras-
sic World.
On June 13th, I attended the 7th An-
nual Women Veterans Conference.
This event was held at the Best West-
ern Conference Center in Marlboro,
MA. Secretary Franciso Urena and
Lt. Gov. Polito were also on hand to
speak. Secretary Urena introduced the
keynote speaker. Betty Moseley-Brown,
is the Associate Director of the U.S.
Department of Veterans’ Center for
Women Veterans based in Washing-
ton, D.C. She is also a former Marine.
Ms. Mosely-Brown stated that it was
really important for women veterans to
reflect: “If you can’t remember where
you’ve been, and you’re not sure where
you are, then how in the world are you
going to know where you are going
to go.” She shared lunch with several
women veterans getting their stories
and sharing hers. She had no problem
with speaking to any
woman veteran
who wanted a
word with her.
She was also
very gra-
cious about
stopping and
taking photos.
That Saturday, Ms. Joyce
Goode & Chapter Board Member
Mike Guilbault covered the booth I set
up at the Pow Wow the night before.
On Sunday the 14th,
I covered the booth
– yes, I did get to see
Jurassic World while in
Dallas so all worked
out well. Mike Guil-
bault lives nearby and
stopped by to visit.
Also, Mr. Bruce Peirce
& Mr. Jim Delalio
It’s All In How You Look At ItBy Debra A. Freed
The title of this article is borrowed from the title of a book I’m reading. It
was written by Patricia Mitchell. Ms. Mitchell’s book is about “keeping
perspectives on life’s ups and downs.” There will be changes coming to
the President’s, Vice President’s & Treasurer’s positions for the 2016 fiscal year.
Many of you know that Chapter elections will soon be upon you. All Chapter
members will be receiving a ballot listing each member who has chosen to accept
their nomination for the position or positions they were nominated for.
While we only received a minimal number of nominations, I was extremely
humbled by the number of folks who nominated me for Chapter President. I have
never made it a secret that I harbor an ambition to be the first female President for
July 2015Cord Word
www.nepva.org 5continued on page 10
By Michael KruseSenior NSO, Buffalo, NY
Service Officer’s ReportVA Burial and Survivor Benefits
There are many survivor and burial benefits available
for veterans and dependents. The benefits range
from providing military funeral honors, gravesite
headstone or markers, obtaining gravesites in national cem-
eteries with available space, opening, and closing of graves
and perpetual care, to name a few. Compensation may be
available to veterans’ widows, and dependents.
This article will cover varieties of common programs and VA
applications to complete for VA burial and survivor ben-
efits. Each benefit requires different eligibility requirements
considered and weighed by the Department of Veterans
Affairs (DVA). For example, the DVA verifies veterans’ dates
of military service, character of discharges, valid life insur-
ance policies, causes of death, or any contributing factors to a
veteran’s early demise.
The Department of Defense (DOD) provides military
honors for veterans in commemorating those who served
our great nation. Public Law 106-65 mandates that veterans
who qualify receive military funeral honor ceremonies that
include presenting and folding the U.S. flag and the playing
of Taps. Contact your local funeral home to arrange military
funeral honors.
U.S. flags are offered to drape veterans’ caskets or to ac-
company urns for eligible veterans discharged from military
service under conditions other than dishonorable. Funeral di-
rectors and VA Regional Offices along with local post offices
can provide burial flags. Funeral directors can help in obtain-
ing burial flags. Generally, flags are offered to a next-of-kin as
keepsakes, after its use during funeral services. When there
is no next-of-kin, the VA will furnish flags to friends making
requests for them. Requests can be made by applying for flags
by completing VA Form 27-2008 (Application for United
States Flag for Burial Purposes).
Government headstones or markers are provided for un-
marked graves of any deceased eligible veteran in cemeteries
worldwide no matter the date of death and at no cost to ap-
plicants. The request for this task is performed by completing
VA Form 40-1330 (Application for Standard Government
Headstone or Market).
Eligible veterans who died on or after November 1, 1990,
and whose graves are marked with privately purchased head-
stones can qualify for headstones or markers in supplement-
ing graves. A medallion can be affixed to privately purchased
headstones by completing VA Form 40-1330M (Claim for
Government Medallion for Placement in a Private Cemetery).
Presidential Memorial Certificates can be requested for
veterans who were discharged under honorable conditions.
These certificates are engraved paper certificates signed by
the current president of the United States honoring deceased
veterans. This request can be made by completing VA Form
40-0247 (Presidential Memorial Certificate Request Form).
Burial Allowances are reimbursements (Partial) of eligible
veteran’s funeral and burial expenses. When causes of deaths
are not related to military service, reimbursements are labeled
as two separate payments:
1. Funeral and burial expense allowance
2. Internment or plot allowances.
Non-Service-Related Deaths – Deaths on or after October
1, 2011. The VA will pay maximum $700 toward funeral
and burial expenses (If veterans are hospitalized in a VA
hospital at time of death), or $300 toward funeral and burial
expenses (Veterans not hospitalized by the VA at time of
death). $700 plot-internment allowances are offered for vet-
erans not buried in national cemeteries.
Service-Related Deaths – The VA will pay maximum
$2,000 for funeral and burial expenses for deaths occurring
on or after September 11, 2011.
Family members can apply for these benefits by completing
VA Form 21-530 (Application for Burial Benefits). Ensure to
attach copies of military discharge papers, death certificates,
burial and, funeral receipts. The receipts should show that
Cord Word July 2015
www.nepva.org
Bass Trailcontinued from page 1
6
Sports & Recreation
founder of 45 NORTH.com, non profit camp and retreat for Veterans in Pitts-
burgh, NH, was also seeking “the Big One.” Karen Butler, MS. WHEELCHAIR
MASSACHUSETTS, longtime participant of the trail who has been battling MS
for 18 years, was on shore providing advocacy and education. Another tribute to
the trail are the lasting friendships created at these tournaments. Sharon Gravlin,
widow of longtime boat captain Doug Gravlin, who passed away last November af-
ter years of battling cancer, attended the tournament. Sharon reports, as do many,
the trail is “family.” Phil Paquette, longtime die hard angler who has also battled
serious illness for years, rendering this the first year he fished out of the pontoon
boat, has stated, “As long as I’m alive, I will not miss a tournament.” We were able
to provide him with support from Zack Robbins, 15 year old volunteer of years,
whose dad is one of our anglers, and winner this year.
And the winners are; 1st place: Jerry Ramasci and John Grogan 10.51
2nd place: Rob Ramasci and Joel Robbins 9.72
3rd place: Mark Burgess and Jamie Boulanger 9.06
Lunker: Ken Wood and Paul Reed 3.37
These tournaments would not be possible without the support of numerous
volunteers. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank
Ray Brunelle for participating with and organizing the support of the
Nam Knights Club. They provide physical assistance to maneuver in and out of the
boats with their skilled techniques, smiles, camaraderie and laughs on the docks.
Thank You, we could not do this without you!
Thank you to the NEPVA BASS
TRAIL Board of Directors:
Tiny Lafontaine, Bob(Soupy)
Campbell, Tom Lee, Laurie Campbell,
NEPVA BOD Jim Wallack, Colin
Richards, and Lori Chase. NEPVA
BOD members, participating were:
Wayne Ross, Mike Guilbault, Peter
Moore and Jim Wallack.
WE WOULD LIkE TO THANk OUR SPONSORS
GOFISHDAN.com
Sugarfree Productions LLC
Fishbanditclothing.com
Marsh Post 442
Newton Yacht Club
GE Employee’s Good Neighbor Community Fund
Woburn Supervisors & Patrolman’s Unions
Winchester Cooperative Bank
Northern Bass Supply
Reading Co-op Bank
Comfort Seating
TFO Rods
Campbell Post 101
Nam Knights
Larry’s Woodcraft
Quantum Wheel Chair
T & J Alves (Above l. to r.): Nam Knight Ray Brunelle with first time volunteer Jason Castillo and his son. (Top l. to r.): NEPVA Vice President Wayne Ross with Boater Chip Servant.
July 2015Cord Word
www.nepva.org 7
(Top left): Tiny Lafontaine accepts a donation from the Marsh Post 442 American Legion. (shown l to r) Frank Fitz, Tiny, Bob “Soupy” Campbell, and Dane Graso; (Top center): Boat Captain Josh Reece and NEPVA BOD member Peter Moore; (Top right): Alex O’Brien with AEBA Boater John Peterson.(Center left): Lunker winners Ken Wood and Paul Reed; (Center right): Ms. Wheelchair Massachu-setts Karen Butler (center) with (l. to r.) Tiny, Tom Lee and Mel from Fishbanditclothing.com.(Above): Nam Knights assist disabled anglers. Bass boat out on the Charles.(Right): The Nam Knights were on hand once again to assist with loading and unloading participants.
Cord Word July 2015
www.nepva.org8continued on next page
Washington Update Produced by PVAGovernment Relations Department
VA Appropriations Bills Approved
In late April, the House of Representatives approved H.R.
2029, the “FY 2016 Military Construction and Veterans
Affairs Appropriations Act.” While the full Senate has yet
to take up the bill, the Senate Committee on Appropriations
approved its version of the bill in May prior to the Memorial
Day recess. Both bills provide significantly less resources for
VA than what the Administration requested—approximately
$1.4 billion less in the House version and approximately $850
million less in the Senate version.
PVA and the co-authors of The Independent Budget have ex-
pressed serious concerns with both bills. The rationale of the
leadership in the House and Senate for reducing the request
for the VA is more about political philosophy than about
unnecessary resources. Most of the reductions are targeted at
freezing pay for VA employees and further reducing bonuses
(a step that has already been announced by VA). Unfortu-
nately, Congress seems intent on punishing the VA at every
turn, and this reflects another step in that direction.
Reducing the funding for VA programs below the level re-
quested by the Administration ignores the concerns that Sec-
retary Bob McDonald and Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson
have repeatedly expressed about managing to budget, not to
need (a problem that the VA and Congress have fostered for
far too long). Moreover, the appropria-
tions bills are significantly less than the
recommendations of The Independent
Budget.
PVA and our partners in the veterans
service organization community has
essentially called on members of Con-
gress to oppose the appropriations bills
until sufficient funding is restored to
fully meet the health care and benefits
needs of veterans. For more informa-
tion about The Independent Budget
recommendations for funding the VA,
visit www.independentbudget.org.
PVA National President Testifies
On May 20, 2015, PVA National President Al
Kovach, Jr., testified before a joint hearing of
the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’
Affairs. This hearing was rescheduled from March. Presi-
dent Kovach focused his remarks on expanding the VA’s
Comprehensive Family Caregiver Program to veterans of all
generations and on the ongoing problems with the construc-
tion project in Denver, Colorado. Additionally, there were a
number of questions targeted at the ongoing implementation
of the “Choice” program established by P.L. 113-146, the
“Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act.”
During the hearing, Senate VA Committee Chairman John-
ny Isakson (R-GA) expressed significant interest in passing
legislation to eliminate the inequity in the Family Caregiver
Program. This issue is the top legislative priority for PVA for
this Congress. No reasonable justification can be given as to
why veterans who incurred a catastrophic disability prior to
September 11, 2001, should be denied access to the Family
Caregiver Program. Moreover, no group of veterans under-
stands the importance of caregivers more than PVA’s mem-
bers.
President Kovach’s full written statement can be viewed at
www.pva.org.
House VA Subcommittee on Health Reviews Non-VA Purchasing
On June 3, 2015, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs,
Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled “Assessing
VA’s Ability to Promptly Pay Non-VA Providers.” Witnesses
told Subcommittee members about the egregious delays in
payments to non-VA providers, as well as hundreds of lost records. The
representative testifying on behalf of the Acadian Ambulance Service said
there were more than $30 million in outstanding payments that are over
90 days past due. They later found that 768 claims had gone missing. The
company sent their claims via certified mail and VA had confirmed receipt.
In response, the company is then forced to bill the veteran. The president
July 2015Cord Word
www.nepva.org 9
FOR SALE
Nuprodx Multichair 3000 TX Travel Bath Chair-Never Used.
Complies with FAA requirements for carry-on luggage.
$1,200.00
APT 5 Active Passive Leg Trainer in perfect condition $1,800.00
Cash Only. Available for pick up in Waltham, MA
Call the NEPVA office
FREE TO MEMBER
for contact info on these itemsCALL THE NEPVA OFFICE
Power WheelchairExcellent Condition
Needs batteriesPick up in Warwick, RI
Hoveround Power Wheelchair(Teknique GT)
About 5 years old, used one year; mayneed batteries; for average size person;
headrest, joystick.Available in Ashland.
Portable Shower with electricpump and shower head; for use inside or outside. Brand new.
Pick up in Needham, MA
OurNine Month Drawing
JUne winners
$50Paul Nyerick
Granby, CT
$25Nancy Vandal
Southbridge, MA
$25Mike Savicki
Cornelius, NC
The NEPVA Rollers Bowling Team posed for a group photo on June 2
at Westgate Lanes in Brockton, MA at their end of season celebration.
of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association testified that his
association had $34 million in past-due invoices from VA, some up to three
years old. The VA’s representative accepted responsibility for the delays and
explained a major factor in the causing the delays is volume. VA had a 34
percent increase in claims from January 2015 to April 2015, compared to the
same four months in 2014. To address the problem, VA plans to increase the
number of full-time employees in centers with high turnover and claim vol-
ume, as well as create a centralized call center. As of March, VA owed $878
million in delayed payments to non-VA providers.
Cord Word July 2015
www.nepva.org
continued from page 5Service Officer’s Report
10
funeral bills are paid in full.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a paid
benefit to any eligible survivor of military veterans, and active
duty service members who lost their lives in the line of duty.
This benefit entails completing VA Form 21-534 (Application
for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, Death Pen-
sion, and Accrued Benefits by a Surviving Spouse or Child).
Gravesites located in VA National Cemeteries cannot be
reserved in advance. Veterans should always advise fam-
ily members of their wishes for burials and where discharge
papers are located. Veterans discharge papers prove important
in establishing eligibility to these important benefits.
Families can contact funeral homes to assist them in mak-
ing burial arrangements at national cemeteries. Veterans may
make pre-need arrangements with funeral homes. Veterans
and family members who require further assistance with
these benefits should contact a local Paralyzed Veterans of
America National Service Officer.
July 2015Cord Word
www.nepva.org 11continued on page 12
VA NEWS
The Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) today published
a new regulation that expands
eligibility for some benefits for a select
group of Air Force Veterans and Air
Force Reserve personnel who were
exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange
through regular and repeated contact
with contaminated C-123 aircraft that
had been used in Vietnam as part of
Operation Ranch Hand (ORH).
VA published this regulation as an
interim final rule so that it could im-
mediately begin providing benefits
to eligible Air Force veterans and Air
Force Reserve personnel who submit a
disability compensation claim for any
of the 14 medical conditions that have
been determined by VA to be related to
exposure to Agent Orange.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert
A. McDonald made the decision to
expand benefits following receipt of a
2015 report by the National Academy
of Sciences Institute of Medicine (IOM)
on Post-Vietnam Dioxin Exposure in
Agent Orange-Contaminated C-123
Aircraft. This VA-requested report
found evidence that as many as 1,500 to
2,100 Air Force and Air Force Reserve
personnel who served as flight, medical
and ground maintenance crew members
on ORH C-123 aircraft previously used
to spray Agent Orange in Vietnam were
exposed to the herbicide.
“Opening up eligibility for this deserv-
ing group of Air Force veterans and
reservists is the right thing to do,” said
Secretary McDonald. “We thank the
IOM for its thorough review that pro-
vided the supporting evidence needed
to ensure we can now fully compensate
any former crew member who develops
an Agent Orange-related disability.”
Under this new rule, Air Force and
Air Force Reserve flight, medical and
ground maintenance crewmembers
who served on the contaminated ORH
C-123s are presumed to have been ex-
posed to herbicides during their service,
thus making it easier for them to estab-
lish entitlement for some VA benefits if
they develop an Agent Orange-related
presumptive condition. In addition, for
affected Air Force Reserve crew mem-
bers, VA will presume that their Agent
Orange-related condition had its onset
during their Reserve training. This
change ensures that these reservists are
eligible for VA disability compensa-
tion and medical care for any Agent
Orange-related presumptive condition,
and that their surviving dependents are
eligible for dependency and indemnity
compensation and burial benefits.
The interim final rule can be found
on the Federal Register: www.federal-
register.gov/public-inspection. VA will
immediately begin processing claims
and issuing benefits to eligible Air Force
crew members.
VA encourages reservists who were as-
signed to flight, ground or medical crew
duties at Lockbourne/Rickenbacker Air
Force Base in Ohio (906th and 907th
Tactical Air Groups or 355th and 356th
Tactical Airlift Squadron), Westover Air
Force Base in Massachusetts (731st Tac-
tical Air Squadron and 74th Aeromedi-
cal Evacuation Squadron) or Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, International Airport
( 758th Airlift Squadron) during the
period 1969 to 1986, and developed an
Agent Orange-related disability to file
a disability compensation claim online
through the joint VA-Department of
Defense web portal, eBenefits (https://
www.ebenefits.va.gov/).
VA also has identified several active
duty locations where ORH C-123
aircraft may have been used following
their service in Vietnam. Active duty
personnel who served in a regular USAF
unit location where a contaminated
C-123 was assigned and who had regu-
lar and repeated contact with the air-
craft through flight, ground or medical
duties during the period 1969 to 1986,
and who develop an Agent Orange-
related disability, also are encouraged to
apply for benefits. For more information
on applying for these benefits, including
the affected units, Air Force Specialty
Codes and dates of service for affected
crew members, and a listing of Agent
Orange-related conditions, visit www.
benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/
claims-postservice-agent_orange.asp.
In order to avoid unnecessary delay
of benefits, claimants should annotate
“(C-123)” after each Agent Orange
related disability in Part II, Block 14 of
VA Form 21-526 or Section I, Block 11
of VA
VA Expands Disability Benefits for Air Force Personnel Exposed to Contaminated C-123 Aircraft
Cord Word July 2015
www.nepva.org12
continued from page 4Exec. Director continued from page 11
VA News
stopped by with veterans from the
Brockton & West Roxbury VAs. The
Chapter sponsors lunch for veterans
and their care-takers.
The National Veterans Wheelchair
Games took place in Dallas, TX from
June 21st through June 26th. There
were nine long term care athletes and
eleven out-patient athletes plus the VA
Staff, volunteers and family members
who dedicated a week of their lives to
the athletes who participated. See the
August issue for awards and photos.
“(Ride-Away) knew what to do. Dave made all the phone calls to the VA... saving me $25,000!”
Steve poses here with his Ride-Away Sales Consultant, Dave Qualey, of the Londonderry, NH facility.
-Steve Hodgkins Malden, MA
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Form VA Form 21-526EZ when filing on eBenefits. Example: Diabetes (C-123).
If claimants have any of the following documents, they should be attached to their
application:
• Discharge,separationpapers,(DD214orequivalent)
• USAFForm2096(unitwhereassignedatthetimeofthetrainingaction)
• USAFForm5(aircraftflightduties)
• USAFForm781(aircraftmaintenanceduties)
• Dependencyrecords(marriage&children’sbirthcertificates)
• Medicalevidence(doctor&hospitalreports)
VA will process all claims related to C-123 exposure at the St. Paul, Minnesota,
VA Regional Office. Claims not filed through eBenefits should be mailed to the
following address (or faxed to 608-373-6694):
Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
Attention: C123 Claims
PO Box 5088
Janesville, WI 53547-5088
Individuals with specific benefit questions related to herbicide exposure on C-123s
may call VA’s special C-123 Hotline at 1-800-749-8387 (available 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
EST) or e-mail [email protected].
July 2015Cord Word
www.nepva.org 13
Cord Word July 2015
www.nepva.org14
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continued from page 4How you look at it
the New England Chapter. While I continue to harbor that
ambition, it doesn’t seem to be the right time. However, as
the title states: it’s all in how you look at it. It is also a great
time to reflect – where do I want to go?
Yes, I get to travel around New England as well as around
the country for various Chapter events. I get to meet a lot of
great people, veterans and those who serve veterans. And yes,
I receive a decent salary as well as expenses for said travel.
The Executive Director’s position shares the seat of power
with the chapter president. I am currently responsible for
the office, the office staff, the drivers, the vehicles, and the
Chapter finances. There are a total of seven employees that
I work with. So, the question becomes: Would I be better
suited as a Chapter President than I am Executive Director?
Again, it is all in how you look at it. I ask that you look at it
from my perspective. For the record, I am not 100% service
connected so yes, I like getting a paycheck. Yes, I pay taxes
on that money –my way of paying back a bit of what I have
gotten and continue to get over the years.
A Chapter President is con-
sidered a volunteer and while
expenses are covered and there
might be a small stipend, I
believe I make out better where I
am. There is one thing I haven’t
mentioned – politics – some-
thing I don’t feel I am ready
for. Will I get to stay Executive
Director when a new President
is elected? I remain hopeful that
I have proven my worth over the
last several years and hope to be
around for several more years.
So, when you see the resumes
in the August newsletter and
you receive your ballot please,
please be sure to vote for the
best candidate and get your
ballot back as soon as possible. I
believe the last date ballots will
be accepted will be September
1st. The future of the Chapter,
your Chapter definitely depends
on how you look at it now and
in the future.
July 2015Cord Word
www.nepva.org 15
Enjoyboth hands on the wheel !
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tel: 508 660-1181 800 660-1181fax: 508 668-9412
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:30pm
New England Summer Sports Clinic Providence, RI – July 20-24
NEPVA Billiards Tournament August 8-9, Break-Away Billiards, Clinton, MA
Bass TrailSeptember 11-13 – Lake Winnipesaukee TournamentOctober 3-5 – Camp Pine Tree, Rome, Maine
Shooting Events8/21 – Monument Beach Club in Bourne 9/5 – Bellingham Police Range9/18 – Shawmee Rod and Gun Club9/24 – Pembroke Old Colony10/2 – Bass River Rod and Gun ClubContact [email protected]
Mark Your Calendar