Doc's
Veterans Information Site


 

Researchers Link Agent Orange to Prostate Cancer
May 15, 2013
U.S. researchers say they found a link between the herbicide Agent Orange used heavily
during the Vietnam War and aggressive prostate cancer.
The study, published online ahead of the print edition of the journal Cancer, found Agent Orange exposure
was linked with a 52 percent increase in overall risk of prostate cancer detection by biopsy. Exposure to the
herbicide did not confer an increase in risk of low-grade prostate cancer, but it was linked with a 75 percent
increase in risk of the aggressive prostate cancer, the study said.
In addition, Agent Orange exposure was associated with more than a two-fold increase in the most lethal cancers.

Healthcare for Iraq/Afghan Veterans: Iraq and Afghanistan veterans discharged from active duty on or after
January 28, 2003, may be eligible for five years of medical care. The Department of Veterans Affairs is trying to reach
out to eligible veterans who served “in a theater of combat operations” to let them know that they may be eligible for
complete health care coverage for five years post service. To determine eligibility, visit the Veterans
Health Administration website at: http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/resources/eligibility_check.asp. The VHA website
provides comprehensive health benefits and includes a link to their fully developed Veterans Health Benefits Guide.
For more information, visit www.va.gov or call 1-877-222-VETS (8387), 8 a.m.-8 p.m. EST.
 


 

Transferring your military license to a Wisconsin commercial driver license (CDL)
If you have a military license issued by any military facility that allows you to operate a military commercial
vehicle, there is the possibility that you can use it to obtain a Wisconsin commercial driver license (CDL).
This process allows you to obtain a CDL by waiving the knowledge and skills exams due to your experience
and training with these vehicles in the military. You must be a Wisconsin resident in order to be eligible for
this waiver. This waiver does not cover the Hazardous Materials or School Bus endorsements.
 
 

VA Extends Presumptive Period for Undiagnosed Illnesses
On October 16, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published final regulations extending the deadline for
the presumptive period for undiagnosed illnesses for Gulf War veterans until December 31, 2016.
This is great news for the estimated 250,000 Gulf War veterans who remain without treatments.

Purple Heart Pass
Starting early 2013, Purple Heart recipients will be able to visit museums and attractions in Milwaukee County for free.
A Purple Heart Pass will be available for any veteran living in Wisconsin who received a Purple Heart.
The pass will provide the Purple Heart recipient and one guest free admission to the Milwaukee Public Museum, Discovery World, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee County Zoo, Harley-Davidson Museum, Mitchell Park Conservatory (The Domes) and Boerner Botanical Gardens.
Plans are still being worked out for the Purple Heart Pass, which is scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1.
Veterans can apply for them starting in December through the Milwaukee County
Veterans Service Office, showing verification of their Purple Heart and Wisconsin residency.
Please Contact to get on the list and receive the application
Jim Duff
Director
Milwaukee County Veterans Service Office
James.Duff@milwcnty.com
 
 

 Homeless Veterans & Families Benefits

Assistance for Veterans' Dependents
The Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA) (also known as the Chapter 35 benefit program)
provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. Under the program, the dependent
can receive up to 45 months of educational benefits, which may be used for degree or certificate programs, apprenticeship,
or on-the-job training. Also included under the program are correspondence courses for the spouse of the veteran.
For more information, visit VA's Survivor and Dependents Assistance (DEA) webpage.
 
 
 

 Veterans Benefits Explained - You May Be Eligible


Veterans Wisconsin Education Portal
 


HUD Veteran Resource Center


Veterans Employment Information

ENTITLEMENT TO Dependency ad Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1318.
Although the Veteran’s death may not be due to service-related conditions, Dependency and
Indemnity Compensation benefits may be payable as if the cause of death were service connected if
the cause of the veteran’s death was not due to willful misconduct and the veteran was continuously rated
totally disabled by reason of service connected disabilities for a period of 10 years or more immediately preceding death;
or for five years if the total evaluation was continuously in effect from the date of discharge from military service;
or for one year if the veteran was a former POW who died after September 30, 1999.
 
 

MILITARY FUNERAL HONORS DIRECTORY
SERVICE POINTS OF CONTACT
    Once the family of an eligible veteran has requested Military Funeral Honors, you can use this directory
to locate a military point of contact to help you arrange for the funeral honors detail.

 Social Security Benefits For Wounded Warriors
 



CLICK HERE TO READ THE VETERANS QUARTERLY
 

Obtaining Veteran Service Documents
Army veterans and family members are eligible to receive service-related documents for free through official sources.
Soldiers who separated in October, 2002 or later can submit a signed Standard Form 180/Request Pertaining to
Military Records (www.archives.gov/research/order/standard-form-180.PDF) to the U.S. Army Human Resources Command,
ATTN: AHRC-PDR-V/ Department 420, 1600 Spearhead Division Ave., Fort Knox, KY 40122-5402. Soldiers who separated
prior to October, 2002 should submit a signed SF 180 to the National Archives and Records Administration's National
Personnel Records Center, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63132-1002, or telephone the NPRC at 314-801-0800.
National Guard Soldiers should contact their State Adjutant General at their state's address found at
www.nationalguard.mil/resources/states.aspx. Veterans can also access their information directly at eBenefits at www.ebenefits.va.gov .
For more information, telephone the Army Human Resource Command at 1-888-ARMYHRC (276-9472).
 

Wisconsin
New WDVA offices located at 201 W. Washington St., Madison, WI.
Phone number is still 1-800-WIS-VETS.

MILITARY FUNERAL HONORS
Family members of the deceased veteran should first notify their funeral director of their desire to have military funeral honors rendered.
(There is no cost to the veteran's family to have military funeral honors provided by WDVA or the military.)
The family should provide the funeral director with the following information, if available:

•Name of deceased, date of birth, Social Security number, form DD-214 (discharge), or any other proof of veteran status or eligibility for burial honors.
•Branch of service and type of service (active, reserve, National Guard, retired).
The funeral director or family member, if not using a funeral director, should then contact:

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs
Attn: Military Funeral Honors Program
21731 Spring St.
Union Grove, WI  53182
Phone: (262) 878-5673
Toll Free Phone: (877) 944-6667
Fax: (262) 878-5677
Toll Free Fax: (866) 454-0356
Email: honors@dva.state.wi.us
 
 
 


COMING SOON
CLICK ON THE HANDBOOK FOR MORE INFO

Update your VA information Online

 Military / Veterans Financial Field Mannual
 BBB Military Line

Milwaukee Vet Center
5401 N. 76th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53218
Phone:  414.536.1301
La Crosse Vet Center
20 Copeland Ave.
La Crosse, WI  54601
Phone:  608.782.4403
Green Bay Vet Center
1600 S. Ashland Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54304
Phone:  920.435.5650
Madison Vet Center
706 Williamson St.
Madison, WI 53703
Phone:  608.264.5342

VIETNAM VETS INFORMATION
For the purposes of VA compensation benefits, Veterans who served anywhere in Vietnam between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975
are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides, as specified in the Agent Orange Act of 1991. These Veterans do not need to show that they were exposed to
Agent Orange or other herbicides in order to get disability compensation for diseases related to Agent Orange exposure.

Service in Vietnam means service on land in Vietnam or on the inland waterways of Vietnam.
This includes Veterans who either set foot in Vietnam (This includes brief visits ashore, such as when a ship docked to the shore of
Vietnam or when a ship operated in Vietnam’s close coastal waters for extended periods and crew members went ashore, or smaller vessels from
the ship went ashore with supplies or personnel. The Veteran further must provide a statement of personally going ashore.) or
served on a ship while it operated on the inland waterways of Vietnam.

Blue Water Veterans are not presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides unless they set foot in Vietnam or served
aboard ships that operated on the inland waterways of Vietnam anytime between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975.  Check VA's list of
U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships that operated in Vietnam.  Evidence confirmed through military records must show that the Veteran was aboard one of these ships.

Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides during military service may be eligible for a variety of VA
benefits, including an Agent Orange Registry health exam, health care, and disability compensation for diseases associated with exposure.
Their dependents and survivors also may be eligible for benefits.  Learn more about benefits related to Agent Orange exposure.

The VA can help determine eligible service in Vietnam after you file a claim for disability compensation, survivors' benefits, or benefits for children with birth defects.

Veterans may be eligible for an Agent Orange Registry health exam.  You don't have to file a disability compensation claim to receive the exam.
Contact your local VA Environmental Health Coordinator about getting an Agent Orange Registry health exam.
Self-Help Guide to Service-Connected Disability Compensation for Exposure to Agent Orange for Veterans and
Their Families published in June 2011.  You may also want to visit the VA website on Military Exposures.
 
 

National Personnel Records Center Has Moved
New Address
National Personnel Records Center
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138-1002

 
 


 

 DD-214

Post-9/11 Military Disability Ratings Could Be Increased for Vets
Veterans discharged between Sept. 11, 2001, and Dec. 31, 2009, with disability ratings of 20% or
lower, are being urged to apply for a review of their military medical disability rating.
  Currently, only 3,000 out of 77,000 eligible veterans have applied for the review, with half receiving upgrades to 30% or
more, which would make them eligible for a military medical retirement, retiree pay, access to military healthcare and other benefits.
If you know a Post-9/11 veteran who was separated with a low disability rating, tell him or her to go online to www.health.mil
Click the “About MHS” link atop the page, and then click the “Physical Disability Board of Review” link.  They'll thank you for it later.

Rules Ease for Undiagnosed Gulf War Illnesses
Veterans of the Persian Gulf War with undiagnosed illnesses now have an additional five years to qualify for VA benefits.
A recent change in VA regulations affects veterans of the conflict in Southwest Asia.
Many have attributed a range of undiagnosed or poorly understood medical problems to their military services, with
chemical weapons, environmental hazards and vaccinations among the possible causes.
At issue is the eligibility to claim VA disability compensation based upon those undiagnosed illnesses, and the ability of survivors
to qualify for VA’s Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.  Under long-standing VA rules, any undiagnosed illnesses used to establish eligibility
for VA benefits must become apparent by Dec. 31 2011.  The new change pushes the date back to Dec. 31, 2016


Click on the booklets  to download them

Veterans Job Bank

Hero 2 Hired (Vets Jobs Site)


My Next Move for Veterans is an easy-to-use online tool that allows veterans to enter information
about their experience and skills in the field, and match it with civilian careers that put that experience to use.
The site also includes information about salaries, apprenticeships, and other related education and training programs.


The Veteran Gold Card provides post-9/11 veterans with extra support as they transition out of the military.
Once a veteran has downloaded the Veteran Gold Card, he or she can access six months of  Free personalized case
management, assessments and counseling at the roughly 3,000 One-Stop Career Centers located across the country.

Veterans GI Bill
 Agent Orange Vietnam Ship List
 VA Regional Benefits Offices
 VA Hospitals and Clinics
 VA Vet Centers
 VA Cemeteries
 State Veterans Affairs Offices
 Veterans Survivors Benefits
 Veterans Home Loans
 Download Needed VA Forms
 Women Veterans
 Military Services


 



Priority 7-8 Veterans (Have No Service Connected Disability)
Inpatient Co-Payments - $10 day + $1132 for first 90 days  $566 after 90 days (Based on 365 day period)
Outpatient Co-Payments - $15 primary Care - $50 Speciality Care
Xrays-Lab-Immunizations - No Co-Payment
$9 for 30 day supply of VA Prescriptions
 
 


 
 
 



 

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