VA "Aid and Attendance" Payments an Under-Used Benefit

ATLANTA - There is an under-used, special monthly pension benefit available to Georgia's wartime veterans and surviving spouses of deceased wartime veterans incapable of self support and in need of regular personal assistance.

"Many wartime veterans and surviving spouses whose incomes are above the federally mandated limit for a basic VA pension may still be eligible for pension at the higher housebound or Aid and Attendance rate," points out Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Pete Wheeler. "Although this is not a new program, not everyone is aware of his or her potential eligibility."

The Aid and Attendance pension benefit may be available to any wartime veterans and surviving spouses who have in-home care or who live in nursing-homes or assisted-living facilities.

"Especially helpful if they have large medical expenses that they may not receive reimbursement," noted Commissioner Wheeler.

For a wartime veteran or surviving spouse to qualify for this special monthly pension, the veteran must have served at least 90 days of active military service, one day of which was during a period of war, and be discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

Commissioner Wheeler encourages those veterans or spouses who feel they may be eligible to contact the department's field office nearest to where they live for more information and assistance on how to go abotu filing for this benefit.

Contact information for the Newnan Field Office is:

22 E. Broad St.
Room 119
Newnan, GA 30264

Phone: 770-254-7260
Fax: 770-254-7339
E-mail: kmills@vs.state.ga.us

VA Continues Notification Process for Veterans Affected by Reprocessing Issues

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced 3,174 Veterans have already been notified of the results of testing they underwent recently, that testing was conducted because of improperly reprocessed endoscopy equipment that may have been used in their care. These Veterans, in the Tennessee, Georgia and South Florida areas were among 10,555 Veterans sent letters offering free testing.

VA patients, who believe that they may have been exposed to cross contamination, were patients that received endoscopic procedures at the VA’s Murfreesboro, TN, facility from April 2003 to December 2008 and the VA’s Augusta, GA, hospital from January 2008 to November 2008 and the VA’s Miami hospital from May 2004 to March 2009.

As of April 1, 2009, 17 veterans have tested positive for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or the Human Immunodeficiency (HIV) Virus. Five Veterans tested positive for Hepatitis B virus; eleven for Hepatitis C; and one for HIV. Of the positive test results, eleven were tested at VA’s Murfreesboro, TN facility, and six were tested at VA’s Augusta, GA, hospital. These results do not indicate that there is any relationship between these patients’ conditions and the endoscopy procedures they underwent. However, VA is conducting an epidemiologic investigation to look into the possibility of such a relationship.

While reviews indicate that the transmission of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C virus as a result of endoscopy procedures is extremely small and that transmission of HIV through endoscopy has never been reported, VA will appropriately counsel and care for these patients, no matter what the source of their infections may be.

"Secretary Shinseki has demanded that all Veterans enrolled with VA get the best health care available anywhere," said Michael J. Kussman, MD, MS, MACP, VA’s Under Secretary for Health. "We have an obligation to provide those who have served and sacrificed for our Nation the care they deserve."

VA is continuing the process of testing and counseling Veterans who may be affected by this issue. The Department has added additional personnel at its Murfreesboro, Augusta and Miami hospitals to ensure that affected Veterans receive prompt testing and appropriate counseling. It is attempting to locate individuals whose letters have been returned as undeliverable, and to reach out to homeless Veterans with no known address. Affected Veterans are notified about their test results as soon as their results are verified.

"The VA prides itself on being accountable and we are extremely concerned about this matter and as a result we have initiated an investigation," said Kussman. "Additionally, we are making sure to take corrective measures to ensure Veterans have the information and the care necessary to deal with this unacceptable development."

VA is committed to reducing and preventing inadvertent harm to our patients as a result of their care. The Department is a leader in the health care industry in developing and nurturing a culture of safety at all its facilities. Patient safety managers at all 153 VA hospitals lead VA’s 280,000 employees in efforts to reduce and eliminate harm.

VA patients and their families may call 1-877-575-7256, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for additional information.

Open Registration for the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program (GMSP)

Department of Driver Services (DDS) Announces Open Registration for the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program (GMSP)

Department of Driver Services (DDS) announced today that the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program (GMSP) is expanding the number of its classes and registration has begun! New riders and riders needing to refresh skills can now register at www.dds.ga.gov/training for any of the courses scheduled throughout the state.

Since January of 2008, the GMSP has added twelve new training sites bringing the total number of locations offering training to 31. "The demand for motorcycle safety training is stronger than ever, and DDS is very pleased to offer our customers more classes throughout the state," said DDS Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier.

More information about the GMSP and its courses, including statewide locations, is available online at www.dds.ga.gov/training.

For more information call 770-918-6200 or visit www.dds.ga.gov/training.

VA Soon to Offer Medallions for Veterans' Grave Markers

The Department of Veterans Affairs is in the preliminary stages of designing a medallion (IAW Public Law 110-57, December 2007) to be affixed to an existing privately-purchased headstone or marker to signify the deceased's status as a veteran. VA estimates the new medallion will be available in the summer of 2009. If requested, this new product can be furnished in lieu of the traditional headstone or marker. This benefit is only applicable if the grave is marked with a privately-purchased headstone or marker. In these instances, eligible veterans are entitled to either a traditional Government-furnished headstone or marker, or the new medallion, but not both.

SOURCE: www.cem.va.gov/hm/hmtype.asp

Apr 17 - Southern Pride Band

Come see the Southern Pride band at the Coweta Veterans Club Friday night, April 17th. Just $5 cover to hear great music! Band starts @ 8:00 pm.

National Guard Sendoff on April 13th

On April 13, Georgia National Guard's 48th Infantry Brigade Bravo Company Second Battalion will leave Newnan on the first leg of their deployment to Afghanistan.

The community is encouraged to show support by lining the streets of Newnan to see them off.

The company will travel to Camp Shelby, Miss., on April 13. The brigade will remain in Mississippi until the end of May/beginning of June, at which time they will deploy to Afghanistan.

Approximately 130 soldiers are attached to the local brigade, which is based in Newnan at the Jackson-Pless National Guard Armory next to Newnan High School. Their mission abroad during the year-long tour will be to train and mentor the Afghan National Army.

Roughly half of the 130 soldiers went with the brigade to Iraq in 2005.

According to Newnan Police Chief Douglas L. "Buster" Meadows, the unit is scheduled to depart the armory at 10 a.m. -- though that time is subject to change -- and the route will take them to the Court Square and up Bullsboro Drive to I-85 Exit 47. Organizers are hoping to raise the large Newnan Fire Department flag in downtown for the unit to travel under on their way out of town.

The soldiers will be escorted southbound on Interstate 85 all the way to the Meriwether County line where a new escort will pick up the transport.

"Come out and show your support," said Meadows. "Let them know that you're thinking about them."

Meadows invites the community to unite in a show of patriotism. Supporters are encouraged to wear red, white and blue and wave American Flags. Meadows hopes to have people lined all the way out Bullsboro Drive.

Downtown Newnan merchants have been invited to show support by displaying yellow ribbons in their storefronts.

"The community showing support reminds the soldiers that the sacrifices they make for the country have not gone unnoticed and the community supports their efforts," said First Lt. Jason Rich, who is among those deploying. "When a town comes out and rallies around a deploying unit, it is an awe-inspiring sight for a young soldier who is being thrust into the unknown. It is a bit of comfort in an uncertain time."

Local volunteers are building a Web site for the deploying unit so the public can track changes, receive updates, show support and purchase merchandise.

T-shirts, magnets and other unit paraphernalia will be available from the Web site, and the net proceeds will go to support the troops and their families. Web site organizers hope to build the site up as time passes to allow area residents and churches to adopt soldiers online as a way to provide ongoing support.

The Web site is www.bravo2-121.com . Check online for the latest updates to the Newnan send-off.

Veterans Donate to Welcome House

The Coweta Veteran's Club annual golf tournament, held this fall, was successful in raising $4,000 in support of Community Welcome House.

The club, consisting of the members of the American Legion Post 57 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2667, has sponsored the event for four years.

Proceeds are part of the club's community outreach charity donations. "We live here and want to be a serving spirit to our city and county." said Chairman Dick Dennis. "While our principal effort is to help veterans and families of veterans, we feel that Welcome House touches the lives of everyone. We sincerely appreciate the support of the players and our business partners who make our tournament successful."

Welcome House Director Linda Kirkpatrick received the donation. "The Veterans' Club serves as a great example of caring organizations, who unselfishly give of themselves to help the spouses and children who are victims of abuse and neglect," said Kirkpatrick.

"We sincerely hope that this donation will make Christmas a little brighter for all the residents of Welcome House," said Dennis.