Health Benefits for Service Members
and Their Families: Determining
What Services our Nation's Heroes Can
Access When They Return Home
July 18, 2012
1:00 – 2:30 EST
www.mentalhealthamerica.net
Today’s Speakers
Kristina Kaufmann
Code of Support Foundation
Suey Lee
Disabled American Veterans
Kristina Kaufmann
Code of Support Foundation
Suey Lee
Disabled American Veterans
Connecting Service Members to Care
• Benefits
• Services
• Challenges
LEST WE FORGET
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“If you are able, save for them
a place inside of you and save a
backward glance when you are
leaving for the places they can
never go”
Maj. Michael O’Connell, KIA
3/24/70. Dak To, VN
Suey M. Lee
Transition Service Officer
Disabled American Veterans
 DAV TAP Office
 MCAS Miramar
 Area 5
 MCCS Library
 Bldg. 5305
 Mitscher/Miramar Way
 Phone: (858) 689-9637
 FAX:
(858) 689-9942
What is the DAV?
We are a non-profit veterans service organization
headquartered in Kentucky, with our legislative
branch in Washington, D.C.
Our services are at no cost to the Veteran. This
also means that appeals for denial of service
connection are free-of-charge to the veteran.
Our service officers are available in all VA
Regional Offices, most VA Medical Centers and
Transition Service Offices at major military
facilities.
We have over 91 years of experience dealing with
veterans issues.
Voluntary Service
Veterans
Helping
Veterans
Become a volunteer - help our brothers in arms
Free Services Provided By
Disabled American Veterans
Review of service medical records to identify potential
service connectable conditions
Assistance with forms completion
File pre-sep claims/original claims under stated guidelines
Representation during claims adjudication process
Representation during possible appeals process
What is a Service Connection?
It is a diagnosed illness or injury, that is physical or
mental, that leaves a residual impairment.
Surgeries, broken or fractured bones, cuts/lacerations
that leave a visible scar.
Conditions that are chronic in nature,( i.e persists
for 6 months or longer).
Certain diseases and conditions
CONDITIONS THAT MAY WARRANT
SERVICE CONNECTED BENEFITS
PSYCHIATRIC (Depression, PTSD, Anxiety)
MUSCULOSKELETAL (Fractures, Arthritis, Instability)
SKIN (Psoriasis, Urticaria, Dermatitis, Skin Cancer)
Other conditions affecting the following body systems:
CARDIOVASCULAR
RESPIRATORY
ENDOCRINE (Thyroid Conditions, Diabetes)
SPECIAL SENSES (Diseases of the eyes, ears, nose and
throat)
REPRODUCTIVE
GENITOURINARY
DIGESTIVE (GERD, Peptic Ulcers, Irritable Bowel)
Conditions that are usually NOT
service connectable
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Conditions that YOU don’t document
Adjustment or personality disorders
PPD converters, drug sensitivities, seasonal allergies
Elective Surgeries such as vasectomies, tubal ligations and
rhinoplasties
Bumps, bruises, sprains, pains, shin splints
Minor hearing loss, loss of visual acuity(minor eyesight
loss)
Routine Dental work
VA Benefit Programs
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Compensation
Vocational Rehabilitation
Education
Home Loan Guaranty
Medical & Dental
Insurance
Burial
Survivors
Where Service Connection can make a
difference…
Federal Benefits
Compensation, tax free monthly payment for the residuals of a
service connected disability 10% and above.
Medical Care/Women’s Clinic
Federal Employment Preference
Education benefits/ Vocational Rehab
VA Home Loan Guarantee/Waiver of funding fee
Life insurance (SGLI/VGLI)
Veteran’s Preference Points
National Park Pass ( Golden Access Passport)
Where Service Connection can make a difference…
State and Local benefits
Go to www.va,gov // partners // state benefits
Hunting / Fishing Licenses
Access to State Parks
Adaptive Living Changes
Property Taxes
State/Local Income Taxes
Fee-Basis Care
Employment Preferences
Real Estate Property Tax Exemption
Benefits vary by state
DAV WEBSITE
www.dav.org
Go to Legislation
----- Legislative Action Center
---------- Take Action
Resources
• Veteran support & resources - www.maketheconnection.net
• Guide to VA Mental Health Resources for Veterans and Families http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/Guide_to_VA_Mental_Health_Srvcs_FIN
AL12-20-10.pdf
• Code of Support Foundation – www.codeofsupport.org
• Disabled American Veterans - http://dav.org/
• MHA Webinar Recordings http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/action/policy-issues-a-z/recordedpresentations/webinars-and-presentations
Contact Information
Kristy Kaufmann
kristina.kaufmann@codeofsupport.org
Suey Lee
SLee@davmail.org
Sarah Steverman
ssteverman@mentalhealthamerica.net