Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 +---------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | NN NN AAAA MM MM VV VV EEEEEEE TTTTTTTT | | NNN NN AA AA MMM MMM VV VV EE TT | | NN N NN AA AA MM M M MM VV VV EE TT | | NN N NN AA AA MM M MM VV VV EE TT | | NN N NN AAAAAAAA MM MM VV VV EEEEE TT | | NN N NN AA AA MM MM VV VV EE TT | | NN NNN AA AA MM MM V V EE TT | | NN NN AA AA MM MM VVV EEEEEEE TT | | | | The International Newsletter for Vietnam Veterans | +---------------------------------------------------------------+ Editor in Chief: Todd Looney Assistant Editor: G. Joseph Peck | NAM VET is a special )| electronic newsletter dedicated to _+|__|_ * VIETNAM |--- --| VETERANS * around the ------------------------=========================== world and \_______________________________________________) provided as a ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ service to participants in the International Vietnam Veterans Echo Con- ference (IVVEC) available on many FidoNet (tm) bulletin boards throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, and Canada. _ Not all of the articles appearing in here | are written by participants in the IVVEC, but NAM VET | is very much an electronic newsletter by, -----/_\----- of, and for Vietnam veterans, their -O==============< : >==============O- friends, wives, and lovers. ( ) (...) ( ) If you are a veteran or anyone else wishing to express yourself concerning our Nation's Vietnam or other related experience, you are invited to submit material for publication to the Vietnam Veterans Valhalla (*DOWN*), VETLink #1 (321/203), or to any BBS carrying IVVEC whose sysop can forward your work from there. NAM VET is published | monthly by Vietnam Veterans Valhalla and/or VETLink #1. | The views expressed are not necessarily those of the NAM VET, | its staff, or any of its volunteers. |____====________ The newsletter is ||__________}____)==================|) made up of =============---------------------===_____ articles and items /| | | | |\\from other newsletters \________|__________|_________|_________|/ and a variety of \\(O)___(O)___(O)___(O)___(O)___(O)// other sources We are not responsible for the content of this information nor are any of the above-mentioned parties. ____________ ======= _________________/|_____... | | " === |_______________| |-----::: |._ - " ) |_|___| Duplication and/or distribution is / / |___| permitted for noncommercial purposes only For other /_/use, contact: Todd Looney at (408) 947-7668 - or - G. Joseph Peck at (413) 442-1660 ================================================================= T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S 1. EDITORIALS Energy??? ............................................... 1 TWENTY TWO YEARS LATER .................................. 3 2. Missing!!! They haven't forgotten US!!! ............................ 7 Two Kinds of American Hero .............................. 8 He tackled a giant ...................................... 10 3. Remember Them!!! Imprisoned Vets' Benefits ............................... 15 A visit or note once in awhile? ......................... 17 4. Hearts n' Minds A Letter Home ........................................... 18 Finally Here!!! ......................................... 19 Welcome Home Bobbie ..................................... 20 5. G.I. NEWS Claiming your VA Benefits ............................... 22 VA Eligibility Criteria ................................. 39 Your Veteran Data Record ................................ 43 6. Battlin' City Hall!!! On the line! ............................................ 44 7. -- MEMORIES -- Lefty does Pleiku!!! .................................... 51 The Wall... A Poem ...................................... 53 VIETNAM VETERAN ......................................... 54 Hyupppp Two....Three... ................................. 55 Where are the answers? .................................. 56 8. SPECIAL NOTICES! Where's NAM VET going? .................................. 57 9. MOVING WALL SCHEDULE 1989 Schedule of the Mini-Wall .......................... 59 10. Subscribe Now! Subscribe to Nam Vet .................................... 60 11. IVVEC NODELIST Parameters of VIETNAM_VETS echoconference... ............ 61 Some Gave All... ........................................ 69 NAM VET Newsletter Page i Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 ================================================================= E D I T O R I A L S ================================================================= "ENERGY???" Editorial by: G. Joseph Peck Assistant Editor - NAM VET SysOp - VETLink #1 FidoNet 1:321/203 AlterNet 7:46/203 (413) 443-6313 "Ya mean I gotta do an EDITORIAL, TOO!@? Sheesh! I just got done with the August edition of NAM VET and had to do about a zillion mad-minutes here tryin' to get information in for the September issue that our veterans will be able to use. There comes a time, o' critic-on-my-shoulder, when this guy just simply runs out of things to write about; when, no matter HOW close, goin' just one step more seems a little beyond my capacity. I'm plain emptied out of energy!!!" And the "critic-on-my-shoulder" reminded me that many of YOU went far, far beyond what you thought you could endure; you persisted and carried on so that you and your fellow veterans could reach a safe AO, could win a battle that looked almost lost. Who am "I" to say "I just got no more energy!"??? Besides, an issue of NAM VET wouldn't really be complete without an editorial from Todd or myself. Energy... good topic to write about. Seems so hard to find as I'm inputting this, yet I know its there. And as I'm thinking about THIS issue of NAM VET, maybe that's what the whole THEME is for September: ENERGY and the things we can do with it. Gunpowder... My American Heritage Collegiate Dictionary defines it as "n. Any of various explosive powders used to propel projectiles from guns; especially a black explosive mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur." You and I and many like us didn't need a dictionary to tell us what it is/was - we learned from firsthand experiences. I'm pretty sure many of you still remember the odor that permeates your nostrils after you've fired a round or two... What would have happened if you or I would have broken open one of our rounds, sprinkled the gunpowder all 'round our perimeter, and ignited it? Don't have to tell me... I've seen it happen. A harmless puff of smoke that had no real effect, did no real damage to anything. Figuratively speaking, a lot like the fragmented energies you and I and thousands of other veterans have expended in the past - in achieving anything that proud veterans do. But you and I know, too, that if we take that same amount of gunpowder, gather it all together, put it in a shell and close it up, then put that shell in a rifle chamber - then there's going NAM VET Newsletter Page 1 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 to be some REAL effect on whatever we're aiming at, some REAL FORCE to be reckoned with on the other side of the projectile. Figuratively speaking, a lot like the concentrated energies of the many veteran groups I've been involved with and read about - in achieving anything that proud veterans do. With only ONE veteran quoting Title 38 USC or any of the many other state and federal regulations, not too much is accomplished either for that veteran and his/her family. When hundreds, thousands, and even millions, quote - the government listens!! One of the real good benefits of joining a veterans organization of YOUR choice - even if only to send in the membership dues. YOUR voice adds to the aggregate strength of the US Veteran and that STRENGTH is greater than the sum of all the individuals taken separately! Is there a service you and/or your family need? How about a benefit that you KNOW you and/or your brother/sister veteran are entitled to - yet denied? Someone that you know of needs help with getting his/her discharge upgraded? There's a Veterans' Service Officer (most are veterans like you and I) in your town (or should be) or a veterans' group nearby that can and will help you through the labyrinth of regulations, forms and procedures that must be followed to achieve your objective. There's a STRENGTH and a POWER in a veterans' group that has achieved so much for all of us - from the early days of our country 'til even now. And speaking of the "early days of our country"... a woman once asked Thomas Edison, "What is electricity?" Edison answered, "Madam, electricity IS... use it!" Whether it's Title 38 USC, education, compensation for injuries received while in military service, pension, wheelchair access to otherwise public places, or just plain being with your fellow veterans and sharing common experiences --- nothin' does it like the concentrated energies of a group of like-minded veterans... especially those who remember the words of Thomas Jefferson: "Eternal vigilance is the PRICE of liberty!" 'til next month... Show a brother or sister veteran that YOU care!!!! Ci'ao for Ni'ao -Joe- NAM VET Newsletter Page 2 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 Twenty Two Years Later By: Martin H. Kroll, Sr. Sysop - Fort Mountain BBS Chatsworth, Georgia 404 695 8703 It came as no surprise to anyone when I enlisted in the Army on May 1, l966. My family has had a long history of military service with members in every war and every branch of service. Although I never knew my ancestors from my mother's side of the family, I have heard stories of my Grandfather's service in the Spanish-American War. His children also served in the Military. My father's family immigrated to this country in the early 1900's and being a very proud family it was a necessity for all of the boys to "do their duty." And they did it very well and were danged well proud of it! My father was the only one not able to serve in the Military as he had a bad heart. I have the letters from the Government and my father to this day showing that my father practically "begged" to be allowed to serve in some sort of capacity during World War II and was denied. Unfortunately, I never got to see Dad as he died in December of 1947 while my mother was still carrying me. I had every reason to be patriotic when I joined the Army in 1966. My older brother John (whom I hadn't heard from in over a month) had been drafted at about the same time.....Shucks, I thought that he was still going to Concord College up in W.Va... Now talk about being a small world, I was sent to Fort Gordon, Ga. for basic training and as I was walking on the Post one weekend I "bumped" right into my own brother! What a reunion. It was in the works for him to attend Officer Candidate School and he was very excited... I hadn't applied as I just wanted to get on with business... I would be attending Clerk Typist School and then on to a nice tour of duty in Germany. So I thought. I had made very high scores on all the tests and the recruiter assured me of my place in the Army. Sometime in late May or June of 1966 our Company Commander called us into formation one morning and informed us of the bombing of Hanoi and the escalation of the action in Viet Nam... We shouldn't be surprised if our schools and duty assignments were changed. And they were for me. After basic training I was sent on to the "Driver's School" at Fort Jackson, South Carolina to learn how to drive all sorts of Military Vehicles under any conditions that you could imagine. In October of '66 I boarded that plane that would deliver me to Viet Nam and change my life forever. I served in Nam for a year with the 62nd TC, otherwise known as the "Orient Express". It was our job to deliver artillery rounds, mogas, ammunition, and other "goodies" to our units stretching from Tay Ninh over by the Cambodian Border to Xuan Loc over on the other side of the country and south into the Delta region. We also ran many convoys to Quan Loi and An Loc.... We travelled with and supported such units as the First Infantry (Big Red One), 4th Infantry, 25th Infantry, 11th Armored Cav, and even the 173rd Airborne on a few occasions. I can't even remember the names of the many Artillery units that we visited at their fire base camps. "Big Red One" and the 11th Armored Cav were our partners for the large part of my tour NAM VET Newsletter Page 3 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 though. There has always been a rivalry between the different branches of service and it was in Nam that I learned about the rivalry between the units. Always trying to outdo each other and always "The Baddest". There is no need for me to try and say that the "Orient Express" compared with "Special Forces" because everyone would recognize crap for what it is, but I will say that we didn't get many volunteers to pull a trailer-load of artillery rounds or a tanker-load of mogas (airplane fuel). Heck, we didn't even get any volunteers to "ride shotgun". Big Red One were our buddies and so was the 11th Cav as it was immediately evident that we all needed each other and there was no rivalry there. We all did our jobs and we all saw our fair share of the action and then when the opportunity presented itself we partied like crazy. As this is an "introductory" article it is not my intention to go into great detail about my tour in Nam... That can come later. It is my intention though to present a series of articles about how we were treated when we came home, how some of us have managed to overcome many of our problems related to service in Viet Nam, and what we can all do to help those more unfortunate ones that are still struggling. I have seen most of it first hand and believe me I know that it is no fun to be discriminated against, spit upon, called "baby killers", relegated to the trash heap of life, and largely forgotten by our Government and the VA. Many of us began seeing the discrimination even before getting out of the Army. It came from some of the "die-hard" lifers who served in Korea but didn't go to Nam and had no respect for us at all. I saw it from a First Sergeant King who came close to ruining my career when I went to Germany for an eleven month stay before getting out of the Army. He tried his best to break me and came darn near it. I finally went into a violent rage and was put under armed guard for the night. Fortunately, my brother was then a Captain stationed only 11 kilos away and I had a friend to contact him and he contacted the Inspector General who had me immediately removed from the company and saved me from a court martial. We had other soldiers in that unit to "crack" under the whip before I did though. To make a long story short, I ended up traveling Germany for the rest of my tour with the "V Corps Escape & Evasion Training Road Show". As soon as I was released from active duty with an honorable discharge I went about trying to resume my life. I tried very hard for awhile to get ahead but it seemed like everywhere I turned there were stumbling blocks. I had been introduced to pot, opium, and speed while in Nam and I was determined to put it all behind me and forget about it. It just didn't work that way for me though. I got married, applied to the VA for treatment for this strange skin ailment that I had and also to put it on record for my back injury in case I ever needed it. I was given a 0% disability status for my back injury which meant that I would draw no compensation but it would be on my record just in case. I was satisfied with that portion of the claim. The VA denied any treatment for my "skin ailment" saying that there was no proof that it was service connected although my medical records show that the first treatment in my life that I ever sought for this was in Viet Nam. It would be later that I would find out about Agent Orange. At this point I knew only that a lot of Veterans had a strange skin ailment. Musta been jungle rot or somethin! My NAM VET Newsletter Page 4 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 family doctor said that it was "some sort of allergy" and prescribed creams and other medicines for me. I looked like a "splotched up" set of cammies on my upper body and my ankles and feet and legs would take spells of rawness and then go away. The itching and bumps were constantly with me and still remain with the rash to this day. I filed for an appeal only to never hear from the VA about it again. When I learned of the Agent Orange suit, I added my name to the list and waited and waited to never hear anything from them again except a verification letter that my name had been added. Bluntly, I could not afford to keep going from Doctor to Doctor trying to find out about my skin ailment so I just said to heck with it, it's uncomfortable and doesn't seem to be killing me so I will just learn to live with it. The first three years of my marriage were pretty bumpy and we had all sorts of hard luck and I reverted to my "escape" that I had learned about in Nam. Pot in the beginning, and then some of the other exotics. I have no earthly idea why my wife stayed with me except to say that we must have truly loved each other. I would stay gone night after night and I was very fortunate to have not ended up dead or in jail. I knew that I was doing wrong but with the outbursts of rage coming from within me I just couldn't stop for several years. I settled down and went straight several times before I finally had it beat. My wife finally had reached her point and I was faced with making the decision of continuing like I was "on my own" or fulfilling my Fatherly duties to my children and proving my love for her and the kids. I chose the latter and have never looked back since that day. I want you to understand though that this is a special woman who would listen to me when I had to have someone to talk to. We are still happily married today. About 1982 our 12 year old son's health began going down hill very fast. None of the Doctors could tell us what was wrong because they didn't know. They would just say that he was anemic and lacking iron but we knew better. He was a skeleton compared to what he had been, having constant diarrhea and headaches. His fingernails and toenails were brittle and cracking all over the place and his fingers and toes had become "clubbed" on the ends and very tender. His tongue was dry and cracked and there were other abnormal symptoms. But the doctors insisted that it was only anemia and iron deficiency. We placed him in a clinic in Chattanooga for a series of tests only to come up emptyhanded. Then in the Dalton, GA hospital to come up emptyhanded again. Blood and Feces was sent to a center in New York to reveal nothing. My wife continued to pour through medical encyclopedias and one night she said "I found it!" I read it and we took it to our family doctor. Celiac Disease....a disorder of the stomach and intestines caused by an intolerance to certain foods. We then placed him in the children's hospital at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. After a week it was confirmed... this is something that he must live with and there is no treatment except for a special diet consisting of foods that contain no wheat products or Gluten. If you are not familiar with just how many food products this covers then you cannot imagine what he goes through. He is now nineteen and doing well although he still has a few problems from it. I wondered if this could have been caused from Agent Orange. NAM VET Newsletter Page 5 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 My wife had Cancer of the Cervix. I wondered if that could have been caused by Agent Orange. I am convinced that my skin conditions were caused by Agent Orange. I stood and watched them spray it on the jungle adjoining the back of our compound! I even took pictures with my 35mm camera of them spraying! Unfortunately, those pictures were destroyed in a fire that completely wiped out our mobile home in 1972. We had lived in it for six days. I had some pictures from Nam still in the trunk of our car and some of them were in a box in the mobile home. I still have a few pictures that are partially burnt around the edges but not those that could be all important to me. In the 22 years since I have returned from Viet Nam I have had many sleepless nights. I have laid awake wondering what I would do if I were to be told that I had Cancer caused by Agent Orange. Some of those thoughts were not pleasant when coupled with the denials from the Government and the VA. I have had nightmares and dreams that put me back in Nam just like so many other Veterans. I have had many outbursts of rage. I have it whipped now though! I just want to say that I am proud that I served my country even though it was in a controversial war. I did my duty when it was my turn. Why have I and so many others been ignored and pushed aside? I do feel fortunate to have come home alive. Let us not forget that many did not make it home. I feel fortunate that I returned with all my limbs intact. Many did not. I feel fortunate to have overcome many of my problems but it bothers me to know that many haven't. Yes, twenty two years later I am finally coming out of the shadows. I am stronger now and better equipped to cope with it. I want the respect that is rightfully deserved of Viet Nam Veterans. I want answers to our questions and I want solutions to our health care problems.....not denials and being ignored. The numbers are growing every day. Armed with information and the knowledge by the public at large that Viet Nam Veterans got screwed, we can turn things around twenty two years later.... NAM VET Newsletter Page 6 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 ================================================================= M i s s i n g ! ! ! ================================================================= W W M M W W M M M M W W \ / M M M M OOOO W W W --*-- M M M IIII O O W W W W / \ M M II O O W W W W M M II O O W W M M II O O II PPPPPP O O ..... II AA PP PP OOOO . '' '' .. IIII A A PP PP ..' '.. A A PPPPPPP ..' ''. A A PP ..' '. AAAAAA PP .' ''. A A PP .' '. A A .' .:::::.. '. .' .::::::::::. ' .' .::::::::::::::. '. .' __ .::::::::::::::::;:... '. .' _- -_ .:::::::::::::::::::::::. '. .' _-_ _ _ -_ ::::::::::::::::::::::::' '. .. _- -!!___!!!-_:::::::::::::::::::::::. .. .' ==_ _- _= .:::::::::::::::::::::::: ', . =-_= _= = :::::::::::::::::::::::: . .' =-_ =_- = ::::::::::::::::::::::: '. .' = - -_ =_:::::::::::::::::::::. '. .' -_ -_- .:::::::::::::::::::;;;. '. .' _-_ ..::::::::::::::::::::::::; '. . _ _ .:;:::::::::::::::::::::;, . ' _ .:::::::::::::::::::::::::. '. Y .'.....::::::::::::::::::::::::::;' '. N ::::::::::::::::::::::::' `''' ': O `::::::::::::::::::::::: \v/ \ / :'E `:::::::::::::::::::::: =========================== :' U `:::::::::::::::::::::. /^\ \ :'T `:::::::::::::::::::: .: A `:::::::::::::::::: .:'T `::::::::::::::::::. .;' R `:::::::::::::::::. .;' T `::::::::::::::::. .;' E `:::::::::gjp::: .:' O `:::::::::::::...........'' G N O T F O R " Bring them home --- NOW !!! " NAM VET Newsletter Page 7 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 Two Kinds of American Hero From: The Wall Street Journal July 5, 1989 By: Stephen T. Banko, III Decorated Vietnam veteran from Buffalo, New York As reprinted in VVA 351's 8/89 Chapter Newsletter Input by: VETLink #1 FidoNet 1:321/203 AlterNet 7:46/203 (413) 443-6313 The final democracy of death has provided 2 departed souls with eternal equality in recent months. One was the world's oldest Yippie, Abbie Hoffman. The other was Col. James Nicholas Rowe, who spent five years in a North Vietnamese prison camp. Mr. Hoffman died by his own hand and attracted a ream of newsprint attention and miles of videotaped eulogies on television stations across the country. The media's fascination with Mr. Hoffman was a result, no doubt, of Mr. Hoffman's fascination with the media. And when he died of a drug overdose earlier this year, he was recalled by Mike Royko of the Chicago Tribune as a loveable guy, something akin to a playful puppy who is nice to pet but still does dirt on your best Oriental rug. Mr. Royko said that Mr. Hoffman was just having a little fun with America, just joshing and tweaking the country's collective nose with his outrageous behavior. Mr. Royko said the nation would sorely miss Abbie. But now every nose in America in those crazy days needed tweaking. A lot of 17, 18 and 19 year old noses needed wiping and other Americans went to Vietnam to take care of that chore. One of them was Col. Rowe. In pre-60's America, Col. Rowe might have been considered a hero. He graduated from West Point, became one of the nation's elite Special Forces and went to Vietnam as an adviser in 1963. He was in Vietnam for 3 months when he was captured by the Viet Cong after a ferocious firefight. He spent the next 5 years i prison camps, coping with starvation, disease, torture and thirst - 23 of those months in complete isolation in a box with a 21-inch screen, Col. Rowe was confined in a bamboo cage, three feet by four feet by six feet. Delicacies were the meat he could capture in the form of rats and snakes that ventured too close to his cage. Three of his comrades died of starvation while in captivity. But worse than the physical isolation of the prison routine was the emotional isolation inflicted by Col. Rowe's captors. They showed him newspaper photographs of teenagers burning the American flag in the shadow of the Washington Monument and college campuses sporting the flag of the Viet Cong. He escaped three times, only to be recaptured. After each failed attempt, he was severely beaten in retribution. Finally, NAM VET Newsletter Page 8 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 on his way to his own execution on New Years Eve, 1968, Col. Rowe escaped when the execution detail was surprised by a flight of American helicopters. Nick Rowe was an intense, soft-spoken man of firm convictions. None of those convictions were stronger than his love of his country. His years of captivity and deprivation had not robbed him of his sense of humor. In 1983, speaking at a Vietnam veterans luncheon in Buffalo, NY, Col. Rowe was served rice. "Could I speak with the man responsible for today's menu?" he asked, flashing his Texas grin. "I want to know if he worked a POW camp in Phuoc Long." Col. Rowe's speech that day never made the nightly news. Perhaps it was his subject matter. For he spoke not of hate of war or killing, but of love: love of his country, love of God, and love of his comrades-in-arms. He spoke in hushed tones about suffering and the price of his love. He spoke with a deep conviction and quiet confidence that radiated through the packed room. Anyone there that day in 1983 knew he was in the company of a true hero; not the comic book, hyperbolized heroism of Rambo and Norris and Schwartzenegger, but heroism in the tradition of real people with real feelings and real courage. On April 21, the Philippine communists did what Vietnamese communists had been unable to do: They killed Nick Rowe, assassinating him as he drove to work, still on active duty. Abby Hoffman and Nick Rowe, two men on two different paths; one to fame and fortune and the other to duty and sacrifice. One death stylized in print and videotape, the other death commemorated by the mournful notes of "Taps" at Arlington National Cemetery. It's strange how we pick our heroes. NAM VET Newsletter Page 9 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 Scott Barnes & BOHICA "253 pages of text - about another 350 in documents. Hmmm... must have SOMETHING to say. Think I'll read it." After I'd finished, I really have some questions. If YOU read it, maybe you, too, will. Input by: VETLink #1 FidoNet 1:321/203 AlterNet 7:46/203 (413) 443-6313 Introduction to BOHICA - a true account of one man's battle to expose the most heinous cover-up of the Vietnam Saga! BOHICA By Scott Barnes with Melva Libb ISBN 0-938936-61-1 : $19.95 INTRODUCTION by Dennis W. Bartow, Publisher - The Bohica Corp. Most decent Americans would not want to believe this story; frankly, neither did I. However, as I researched Scott Barnes' story, the facts seemed to be overwhelmingly in his favor. BOHICA, code name for OPERATION GRAND EAGLE in October of 1981, was a government-sanctioned mission to scout for our POWs in Southeast Asia. Until recently, our government denied that there was ever such a mission. Bill Paul in an August 1986 WALL STREET JOURNAL article confirmed that a government-sponsored operation did occur. BOHICA is told by the only American survivor of this mission, Scott Barnes. He and another CIA agent - M. J. B., or Michael J. Baldwin, alias Jerry Daniels, actually saw and photographed two caucasian males under heavy guard and heard them speak English with a long-range listening device, in 1981. After dividing more than 400 exposures taken of these presumed POW's, Jerry Daniels left to hand-deliver his to the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok. Six months later, he died mysteriously in Thailand of carbon monoxide poisoning in his apartment there. Scott mailed his, as he was directed, to Daniel C. Arnold, CIA. He was later told that all the negatives had accidentally been destroyed in processing. His paid, round trip ticket back to the United States had been canceled by persons unknown and he had to pay a large sum out of his own pocket to get home. He was detained and searched three times. Back in America, Scott tried to reach his former contacts involved with this mission. Suddenly, no one knew him. Those who did claimed he was crazy, and since 1981, Scott Barnes has been harassed, threatened, called a flake and a liar, lost employment, and spent his meager financial resources on phone calls and travel to search desperately for someone to believe him. Not surprisingly, his family suffered also, and he eventually lost them in his obsessive quest for something to be done about our POWs. The only supposed "evidence" against Scott was based on a 1983 SOLDIER OF FORTUNE article, which branded him a "flake" but NAM VET Newsletter Page 10 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 offered no real evidence, only third-hand disinformation. Scott tells his side of that article in BOHICA. Interestingly, some of the people who claimed not to know Scott have been included in documents in this book, i.e., personally signed business cards, photographs, and letters. Even some people in the media were either deliberately duped, or did not research his story completely. Some claimed that his numerous exams; polygraph, psychological, and sodium amytal (truth serum) were scams; when, in fact, they were all administered by recognized experts in their respective fields, and all chosen by other parties; including Ted Koppel and ABC NIGHTLINE. Each of these experts proclaimed their belief that he was telling the truth. FACT 1 - At the request of Ted Koppel and ABC NIGHTLINE, Dr. Chris Gugas, world-reknowned polygrapher who has conducted over 30,000 such tests, many for the government, tested Scott seven or eight times and was so convinced that he was telling the truth, that he became involved in the POW/MIA problem. FACT 2 - Dr. Frederick Hacker of Beverly Hills, California, who has examined Patty Hearst and others, also tested Scott at the request of the NIGHTLINE program. He told Bill Redecker, who was then employed with NIGHTLINE, that Scott was not crazy or a liar. He said he believed Scott was telling the truth. FACT 3 - Dr. Robert Crummie administered an excessive dose of truth serum in the presence of BBS producer David Taylor, who filmed the entire episode. This event was also documented by two U.S. Federal Court reporters on behalf of Judge Boyle, and that film is now being used as evidence by attorney Mark Waple in his case for the Smith/McIntyre lawsuit against the United States Government for failing to do something to rescue the POWs in Southeast Asia. FACT 4 - After the Carter Administration declared all of our POWs to be dead, with the exception of Captain (now Colonel) Shelton, Bobby Garwood came home in 1979. He was never debriefed even though he told our government that there were other American POWs still in Southeast Asia. He was labeled a traitor, and fined for the exact amount of money that our government owed him for the years he was held captive. FACT 5 - Bobby Garwood told of a cistern in Hanoi where he saw a dozen or more American POWs bathing. Our government claimed there was no such place. Several U.S. congressmen went to Hanoi and walked away from their Vietnamese guides and found the cistern Garwood described in the presence of an ABC News 20/20 camera crew. The DIA now admits the cistern does exist. FACT 6 - A top secret CIA report states that Colonel Shelton was rescued by friendly indigenous personnel, but that he was recaptured on the way to freedom. FACT 7 - The bones which have been returned to our country and alleged to be those of POWs have been examined by forensic anthropologist Dr. Michael Charney and found not to be those the Pentagon claimed. These and other events are documented in BOHICA. It is such a tragic and complicated situation, but there are too many deceptive events and unanswered or ignored problems in this POW/MIA situation. We purposely chose a woman with no military background to write Scott Barnes' story. Melva Libb is a lay minister in the United Church of Christ, and has written curricula for church schools and other projects. She has spent a full year transcribing tapes, documents and videos, plus hours NAM VET Newsletter Page 11 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 talking to Scott to record his story. Based on my experiences as a book publisher and as a military officer (13 years in the U.S. Army Special Forces, 101st Airborne Div., and Psychological Operations), I came to the conclusion that with all the names, phone numbers, knowledge of events and connections that Scott Barnes has had plus documents of the same, it is crucial his story be made public. At no point did we find solid evidence to discredit him, rather the evidence continues to confirm his story through events revealed in the media this past year. Scott Barnes is no hero and never claimed to be, but it seems to those of us who have worked closely with him that even a flake or an opportunist would have quit long ago after six years of seeing no fame or fortune for his efforts. Quite to the contrary, Scott has lost much personally, and even turned down money offered in efforts to quiet him. It seems logical, in fact, to assume that only a man who had actually witnessed something so horrible, something indelibly printed in his memory, could continue in the face of so many trials, to persist in his quest for his story to be believed and acted upon by this great nation. Thus, our decision to publish BOHICA. In spite of the fact that efforts to hush and discredit Scott Barnes continue, a new wave of activities has begun. Numerous highly respected United States' citizens intend to restore his credibility. Some of their letters of recommendation and commendation are included in this book. New information confirming various previously debunked details of Scott's testimony has been uncovered. Several seemingly unrelated lawsuits have been filed - unrelated until the names of the people accused in these suits are recognized as those connected with the BOHICA mission. Scott Barnes' account of BOHICA is now being heard and believed. On November 13, 1986, along with seven other highly respected participants, Scott was a speaker at the MIA/POW symposium, MISSING BUT NOT FORGOTTEN, held at Colorado State University. (Document 6) Robert Smith, Vietnam Veteran and congressman from New Hampshire, said on that day: "In countless numbers of DIA folders in the Pentagon today, if you've flunked the polygraph you're a fabricator - that's a big word for liar. But if you don't flunk it, and you pass it like Scott Barnes did, seven or eight times... Well... polygraphs aren't all that credible." Dr. Chris Gugas, former Marine and CIA man who polygraphed Scott for ABC, admitted he first became intensely interested in the POW issue because of the results of the polygraph tests he administered to Scott. At the Colorado State Symposium, Dr. Gugas said in part, "What Scott Barnes did not tell you is that he lost his wife; he lost his car; he lost his furniture. He's lost any chance of getting a job in his particular area. Many of us that know him have checked him out. His credentials are impeccable. ... Here's a young man - I guess he's probably thirty-two - thirty-three - who out of his heart went over to try to do a job at the government's request, did the job, came back and was inundated with all types of hearsay and incompetency and was called crazy." Colonel Earl Hopper, who introduced each of the speakers, said of Scott, "Scott Barnes has been polygraphed seven or eight times, and he has passed every polygraph test. But he's gone a step farther. In December of last year, he took a sodium amytal truth serum test to prove again he was telling the truth. He has NAM VET Newsletter Page 12 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 an incredible story." Evidently the CIA files on Scott contain information they don't want even him to know about. His 1982 request for copies was met with a mostly deleted copy. His subsequent inquiries were delayed until early 1987, then refused. (Document 9 - A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H for history of Scott's request.) The basis of the refusal was referred to as (j)(1) and (k)(1) on a sheet of "Explanation of Exemptions." As a result of his appeal, the CIA has recently informed him his request will be referred to either the Deputy Director or the Senior Official of the CIA. To the many who are supporting Scott in his efforts to make the truth known about POWs and his involvement in the BOHICA mission, this reluctance to comply shows that somebody has something to hide and the referral to higher ups indicates the importance the CIA places upon keeping Scott's records secret from even Scott himself. Scott's resume includes a list of the organizations to which he belongs: (Document 10,11 - A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q.) If he is such an undesirable character, wouldn't he have been asked to resign or sever relationships from one, several - all? Yet not one has asked that he step down. On January 3, 1987, someone in government evidently thought Scott had important and credible information to share. He was subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury in Oklahoma City and deluged with phone calls from U.S. federal officials. (Appendix 12) The man responsible for the SOLDIER OF FORTUNE magazine article which has damaged Scott's credibility more than any other piece of false information has been busily trying to stop Scott from making mention of his wife, a Drug Enforcement agent, in this book. This publisher, as well as Scott has received numerous warnings. Finally Scott phoned the Drug Enforcement Agency to complain about these threats and to ask whether the man's wife was still in DEA employ. As a result, Frank Panessa, Senior Inspector for DEA Internal Security from the Office of Professional Responsibility, flew to California to meet with Scott and listen to his story. "These past few years you've been trying to make a point and no one would believe you. I believe you," he told Scott in a March 1987 phone conversation. "Every time you've approached the government they've said you're a flake. I know there's substance to the story you're telling and I would like you to tell me the story so I can pursue it." This was the breakthrough Scott had been looking for for nearly six years - someone with high official government responsibility to hear him out. David Taylor, Executive Producer for BBS (Document 13) in the United States was told by Mr. Panessa that someone involved with the BOHICA operation - "a very credible witness" - supports what Scott is saying. The opinion of many, who have voluntarily given hours and prayers to help Scott regain his credibility and discover why government officials refuse to acknowledge OPERATION GRAND EAGLE, is that Scott had no idea what he was really involved in. As this book goes to print White House Chief of Staff Howard Baker's aide called David Taylor to ask about OPERATION GRAND EAGLE, code named BOHICA. Evidently even the President has now begun to sit up and take notice. As Dr. Chris Gugas admits about himself and others, "Scott woke people up." Scott has received a letter dated May 27, 1987, from the U.S. NAM VET Newsletter Page 13 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 Strategic Institute of Washington, D.C. (The director of this institute is Richard Allen; the president, General Holloway; the vice president, Admiral Moorer), stating, "Please find enclosed President Reagan's new Central American policy doctrine. Please review at your earliest convenience for the crisis currently in Central America and forward a response back to us immediately." Regarding this request, Scott comments, "It's uncanny I have been asked to respond to a secret operation at the request of an institute for strategic studies, intelligence and counterintelligence." Scott Barnes' story is full of unanswered questions. Why does the government harass and seek to discredit the first American who, on a government-sponsored mission, did see and photograph two Caucasians who have now been confirmed to be Americans? What was the real purpose of BOHICA? Was its major purpose to VERIFY or DISCOUNT the hundreds of reports the U.S. government has received that POWs still exist in Southeast Asia? Was the reconnaissance team expected to actually find POWs? Who gave the order to kill the two men who were sighted and why? Did those who gave the order believe these men in captivity were PRISONERS OF WAR OR DRUG SMUGGLERS FOR OUR GOVERNMENT who got caught? Read the account of Scott Barnes' knowledge and experience, examine the documents and photographs and draw your own conclusion. We believe it to be one of the most heinous cover-ups in the annals of American history. Dennis W. Bartow Publisher NAM VET Newsletter Page 14 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 ================================================================= R e m e m b e r T h e m ! ! ! ================================================================= Imprisoned Vets' Benefits From: The VVA VETERAN March 1989 Input by: VETLink #1 FidoNet 1:321/203 AlterNet 7:46/203 (413) 443-6313 When Lionel "Pete" Vaillancourt first began visiting the state penitentiary in New Hampshire two and a half years ago, five or six veterans would show up to meet with him. Now 25 to 30 inmates regularly attend his bimonthly meetings. Vaillancourt, a state service officer for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), said many incarcerated veterans ask educated questions and are motivated to learn about veterans' benefits in order to help their families. "A lot of them realize they made a mistake, but why should their families suffer?" he asked. Inmates with 60 to 70 percent service-connected disabilities often are surprised when their disability benefits from the Veterans Administration are reduced to what those on the outside with 10 percent service-connected disabilities receive, Vaillancourt said in an interview from his Manchester, New Hampshire office. "By knowing the law," Vaillancourt said, "you can get some of those entitlements for the family members." "I think the basic misconception is (that) all benefits are lost," said Wes Riker, deputy national service officer for the American Veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam (AMVETS). "Just because a veteran is incarcerated doesn't mean he's not eligible for any benefits," said Riker, who used to work in the Florida prison system for AMVETS. Riker said AMVETS helps incarcerated veterans get medical attention, fill out claims work, and prepare for release, which includes pulling together a variety of "loose ends" like arranging for a change of address and assisting them with forms. According to VA spokesperson Bonner Day, "Our policy is that if you are in prison or on parole, you may still be entitled to benefits from the VA," such as disability compensation, educational benefits, and burial benefits. Incarcerated veterans whose disabilities are 20 percent or more service-connected are eligible to receive payment at the rate of those who are 10 percent disabled and not in prison. Inmates with up to 20 percent service-connected disabilities receive half of the 10 percent disabled rate, or $73 a month. In some cases, Day said, the difference in the benefits they would receive if they were not incarcerated can be sent to their families. The number of inmates in federal and state prisons who are veterans of military service could number as high as 50,000, though nobody really knows for sure. Similarly, few veterans' organizations know how many of their members are behind bars, NAM VET Newsletter Page 15 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 except for the Vietnam Veterans of America, which has 3,000 incarcerated members. "I think most of the vets who are in prison do have contact with one of the service organizations," Riker said. "There's always more I feel should be done, but you're always restricted by money, manpower, etc.," Riker admitted. "I think anyone in this business would always feel there's more that should be done." Vaillancourt said, "I feel that the VFW is doing a lot for our incarcerated vets. We have not forgotten (them)." "For me, it's fruitful. I enjoy doing it," he said. "I've been very gratified to see some of these guys come out and be productive citizens." To show their appreciation for Vaillancourt's time and effort, inmates at the New Hampshire penitentiary made him a plaque in the prison woodworking shop. Vaillancourt said he cherishes this homemade plaque more than he would any plaque bought in a store. NAM VET Newsletter Page 16 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX \ \ \ \ \XXXX XXXXX XXXXX.::::::::::::::.XXXXX INCARCERATED XXXX XXXXX XXXXX --------- XXXXX \ \ \ \ \ \ \XXXX XXXXX .XXXXX W W I I XXXXX. VETERANS \ \XXXX XXXXX ::XXXXX --------- XXXXX::. \ \ \ \ XXXX XXXXX :::XXXXX ------------- XXXXX:::. XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX K O R E A XXXXX:::: XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX ------------- XXXXX:::: XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX ------------- XXXXX:::: XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX V I E T N A M XXXXX:::: XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX ------------- XXXXX:::: XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX::::::::::::::::XXXXX:::: XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX::::::::::::::::XXXXX:::: XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX::' `::XXXXX:::: XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX:: ::XXXXX:::: XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX `..........''`XXXXX:::: XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX .:(O) . (O):. XXXXX:::' XXXX XXXXX ::' XXXXX .. XXXXX:: XXXX XXXXX .:' XXXXX . .. XXXXX: XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX . .. ` XXXXX XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX ' '.. ` XXXXX. XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX" ' ` XXXXX . XXXX XXXXX ``. XXXXX ' . . . ` XXXXX '. ........., XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX'' ..''.'''. XXXXX .' '.XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX" ':.:'' XXXXX .'' .:::'XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX:.. .:XXXXX.'' .::::' .XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX '.. ..:' XXXXX ..:' . .:::'XXXX XXXXX ....::'XXXXX ':::::;' XXXXX .:''. .:::' XXXX XXXXX .:::::' XXXXX .: XXXXX :'. ..:... XXXX XXXXX.::' :: XXXXX: PREPARED TO XXXXX .'' ''.. XXXX XXXXX::' :: XXXXX`: FIGHT XXXXX.' '.XXXX XXXXX' :: XXXXX ``. XXXXX XXXX XXXXX '' XXXXX PREPARED TO XXXXX XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX DIE ...'XXXXX XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX `...' XXXXX XXXX XXXXX `..' XXXXX .' XXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX /\ .' .' XXXX XXXXX /\ \ . . XXXX XXXXX / \ \...' `. .' XXXX XXXXX / NOT PREPARED TO BE DESERTED XXXX XXXXX / .'.' . .`.' XXXX XXXXX / ~ | : : : . XXXX XXXXX / |`. : : . .__________ XXXX XXXXX / ~ ~ ||.` ` : || \ / XXXX XXXXX / WRITE OR VISIT AN INCARCERATED VETERAN SOON ! XXXX XXXXX / ~ || . .'. / / XXXX XXXXX/ ~ ~ ~|| ||/ / XXXX XXXXX ~ ~ ~ || || / XXXX XXXXX || || / XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX \_________XXXXX________|| XgjpX XXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXX NAM VET Newsletter Page 17 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 ================================================================= H e a r t s n ' M i n d s ================================================================= "A Letter Home" by: G. Joseph Peck VETLink #1 FidoNet 1:321/203 AlterNet 7:46/203 (413) 443-6313 Dear Mom Remember how relieved we were when I wrote from my base camp in 'Nam about how easy it was going to be to see the enemy because we were spraying the area with that reddish-brown stuff that came in the orange-striped drums? Were we ever fooled when we thought I got home safely!!! Just a few lines to let you know that the operation went okay. The tumors in my legs and spine were benign. The VA doctors here don't really seem as bad as I thought they would be and they think that after a hip replacement like I just had I should be up and around in a few weeks. The "jungle rot" that I thought was liver spots or a fungus, though, turned out to be skin cancer and it looks like we've got a few more things to do. Did you hear about Times Beach, Mo? A flood not too long ago forced the evacuation of the whole town. While Federal Agencies (EPA) were checking to see if it was safe for the townspeople to return to their homes they found extremely high levels of the same contaminant that was in those orange-striped, Agent Orange, drums: Dioxin (TCCD) - which has been termed the most deadly chemical known to man and used to be manufactured in nearby Verona, MO by Hoffman-Taff, Inc. The EPA, reportedly headed by people who have all worked as lawyers and publicists for chemical manufacturers and other environmental polluters, bought the entire town on Feb. 22, 1983 for $33 million - less than 4 months after the flood!!! Love Canal; Three Mile Island; Dow Chemical in India... and the list goes on and on, Mom. Fast, efficient, expeditious settlements for any alleged damages. How long have WE, as Vietnam veterans, asked for settlement? The first dollars from the fund created so long ago have yet to be seen! Could you say a prayer, Mom, for Tracy and our new son? Let's all hope that he survives longer than our daughter did. Hope to be home soon. Take care of yourself. I'll write more later. Luv ya' Your son . . . The ex-G.I. NAM VET Newsletter Page 18 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 It's finally here - a patch which acknowledges the other side of the Vietnam Veteran: His wife! Hardly needing any explanation, it is multicolor with Red, White, Blue, Green and Gold for the Map of Vietnam. While the text drawing below doesn't really do it justice, I think if you run it out on your printer, you'll sorta get the idea of how special this unique patch is. They are available for $5 each from VETLink #1 - Dept. 65 P O Box 2056 Pittsfield, MASSACHUSETTS 01202 (Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery) @@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@ @@@@@ @@@@@ @@@@@@@@ @@@@ @@@ @@@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@@@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@ V I E T N A M V E T S W I F E @@@ @@@ @@@ @@@ :@@@@@@@@@@@: :@@@@@@@@@@@: @@@ @@@ @.............@ @.............@ @@@ @@@ @...............@ @...............@ @@@ @@@ @.................@ @.................@ @@@ @@@ (...................@@...................) @@@ @@@ @............. ..............@ @@@ @@@ @.............. MAP OF USA ..............@ @@@ @@@ @................. .................@ @@@ @@@ @................. WITH .................@ @@@ @@@ @.............. ...............@ @@@ @@@ @............... MAP OF ...............@ @@@ @@@ (........ .......) @@@ @@@ @...... VIET NAM SUPERIMPOSED ......@ @@@ @@@ @........ .........@ @@@ @@@ @.......... OVER IT ............@ @@@ @@@ I @ ............................ @ N @@@ @@@ @............................@ @@@ @@@ @..........................@ A @@@ @@@ S @........................@ @@@ @@@ @....................@ M @@@ @@@ T @..................@ @@@ @@@ @................@ @@@ @@@ A @............@ Y @@@ @@@ @..........@ @@@ @@@ N @......@ M @@@ @@@ @..@ @@@ @@@ D @@ @@@ @@@ @@@ @@@ B Y @@@ @@@ @@@ @@@ @@@ @@@ @@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ (c) 1988 VVA Chapter #65 Pittsfield, MA NAM VET Newsletter Page 19 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 "Welcome Home Bobbie..." Submitted by: Bob Johnstone CHRONIC FATIGUE ECHO, INFO FidoNet 1:103/227 714-952-2110 This story depicts the feelings of pain and frustration that many Vets felt upon returning home from the Vietnam and other confrontations. The story was written by a fifteen year old high school student in 1981. The basic premise of the character was taken from the author's own experiences with his brother who was a soldier in Vietnam. It was written as a school essay assignment on the subject of why Americans should be proud of the men and woman who have served in the service of this country up to and including those who have been held hostage in Iran. Welcome Home Bobbie - by Todd V. When Bob Walker was a child he would spend hour after hour playing in the woods that surrounded the neighborhood where he lived. He would pretend that he was tracking grizzly or he would practice the bird calls that his grandfather had taught him. As a teen he would go hunting for squirrel and rabbit with his father and brother. The forest brought endless hours of careless pleasure to young Bobbie Walker. Times have changed; Bob no longer takes leisurely walks through the trees. In fact, he can't even step into the familiar forest of his childhood without habitually scanning the brush in search of thin hidden trip-wires that would send a sharpened shaft of bamboo hissing toward his heart. Even the simple sound of a brittle twig of a dead tree being snapped by the breeze provokes an instant bellyflop to the hard forest floor as he waits for the rainstorm of metal that never comes. Bob's father tries in vain to get him to go squirrel hunting, like old times, but Bob no longer finds pleasure in hunting. Not after looking down the barrel of an M-16 and seeing another human being through the sights. There was a time, before the war, when Bob had many friends. He was known as the life of the party, the class clown. He had the kind of laugh that was always contagious and a trusting aura about him that allowed others to confide in him with complete confidence. Lately, Bob seems almost--afraid--to get close to anyone. You have to wonder if his fear is due to the fact that he witnessed so many of his buddies die on a field of red, their bodies invaded by sniper bullets. Even children bring back haunting memories of the land called Vietnam. Memories of how the Viet Cong would booby trap the Vietnamese children with explosives. Memories of fellow soldiers whose last thoughts were of the faces of those giggling kids seconds before both were ripped apart by the force of the blast. Crowds cheer and ticker tape spirals down from tall buildings. The Americans who were held hostage in Iran have been returned to NAM VET Newsletter Page 20 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 the open arms of their motherland and her relieved children. Bob sits alone in the dark, the glow of the television illuminating a sullen face. His thoughts are forced back to that big day when he finally made it back to what was home. There were no marching bands or spirited crowds of well wishers waiting to shake his hand. Just a small, fragile looking old woman showed up to welcome him home. She slowly walked up to him. Bob gave her a sad, grateful smile..... ..... She spit on him..... After suffering from the effects of my service in the 50's in Korea, I have been motivated to spend almost 40 years in research and practice in the field of Hypnotherapy. My goal has been to develop more effective techniques than were currently available. To be able to mentally process the experiences and emotions of those who suffer from Grief, Guilt, Frustration, Anger, Depression, and any other uncomfortable or overwhelming emotions that have scarred or even incapacitated many Veterans, because their experiences in combat. Over the last 17 years, I have had some dramatic breakthroughs in the field of therapy, to the extent that these techniques I developed, now help everyone. Because of my experiences, I am motivated to help others with their emotional problems. In order to make it affordable for all, I am teaching others to use their own mind, in a manner that is much more effective, dealing with emotions, in a way that is so effective that most people, even therapists, would not believe possible. Virtually teaching the individuals mind to become their own therapist. Because in many cases, emotional problems have even incapacitated Veterans and others to the extent that they may be unable to work, I now teach these mental processing techniques to Veterans or Others for a donation and many times at no charge. The individual simply donates whatever they feel it is worth to them or whatever they can afford, as most feel it is worth more than they can pay. I guarantee, you will receive more benefits, than you would think possible. That you will feel better, regardless of the cause of your emotions. Because of past experience, I am so sure this will help you, that I would even refund any donation you might make. If you know of any Veteran or ANYONE else, that needs help relieving emotions or effects of emotional trauma, give them a copy of this message... All they need to do, is call my office and say that they have read this message... Nadine will make a private appointment for them. From their very FIRST SESSION, they will experience some benefits... At each successive appointment, they will experience even more, until they can handle their own feelings, themselves. Have them call: Dr Bob Johnstone or Nadine Johnstone at 714- 828-4270. NAM VET Newsletter Page 21 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 ================================================================= G . I . N E W S ================================================================= HOW TO CLAIM YOUR VA BENEFITS From: The American Legion Magazine July, 1989 P. 24 Input by: VETLink #1 FidoNet 1:321/203 AlterNet 7:46/203 (413) 443-6313 (NOTE: As Assistant Editor of NAM VET, I am deeply grateful to The American Legion for making available to each of its members the following information regarding VA and other veteran benefits. I was so impressed with the article and the condensed information it contained, I felt the IDEAL place for it would be in THIS issue of NAM VET - the waning days of summer, the preparations for fall and winter, and the concentration of our efforts for NEXT YEAR!) Millions of veterans have earned a variety of VA and other federal benefits for themselves and their dependents because of their honorable service to our country. By using this compendium, veterans can determine what benefits they are entitled to and how to claim them. As a veteran who honorably served the United States, you have earned benefits administered by VA and other government agencies. The benefits outlined on the following pages are a grateful nation's repayment to you and your family for the sacrifices you made while defending our country. ELIGIBILITY Eligibility requirements vary with the type of benefit sought. Some benefits require a certain number of active service days, others require a service-connected disability, but nearly all require that the veteran received a discharge which is other than dishonorable. Veterans with dishonorable or bad conduct discharges are usually barred from receiving benefits; however, they may apply for a discharge review by writing to the appropriate branch of service, or contacting a VA Benefits Counselor or American Legion Service Officer. Most VA benefits are not available to people originally enlisting in the military after Sept. 7, 1980, and to all other people entering the military after Oct. 16, 1981, who do not complete two years' active duty or serve the full period for which they were originally obligated. This provision does not apply to veterans with service-connected disabilities or those who were discharged for disability or hardship near the end of their enlistment. It also doesn't apply to insurance benefits. Veterans in prison or parolees may be entitled to certain VA benefits as well. For information, contact the nearest VA office or prison officials. WHERE TO APPLY You may apply for VA benefits at a VA regional office or VA medical center. Legion Service Officers also can assist you in applying for benefits. Many veterans' benefits administered by NAM VET Newsletter Page 22 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 the Department of Labor can be obtained by applying at state employment offices. BENEFITS PROGRAMS COMPENSATION ELIGIBILITY: Veterans disabled by injury or disease while on active duty who received a discharge other than dishonorable; and former prisoners of war incarcerated at least 30 days who are entitled to a presumption of service connection for disabilities resulting from certain diseases, including psychosis and anxiety, if manifested to a degree of 10 percent at any time after active service. BENEFIT: Monthly compensation payments based on percentage of disability, as follows: - 10 percent disability, $73 - 20 percent disability, $138 - 30 percent disability, $210 - 40 percent disability, $300 - 50 percent disability, $426 - 60 percent disability, $537 - 70 percent disability, $678 - 80 percent disability, $784 - 90 percent disability, $883 - total disability, $1,468 An eligible veteran may receive up to $4,195 per month for certain severe disabilities. Veterans with disabilities rated 30 percent or more are entitled to additional allowances for dependents and a special allowance for a spouse who needs aid or attendance of another person. A 24-hour, VA toll-free telephone number offers assistance to former prisoners of war. For assistance, call 1-800-821-8139. DISABLED BENEFITS AUTOMOBILES OR OTHER CONVEYANCES ELIGIBILITY: Veterans and current military personnel with service-connected loss of the use of one or both hands or feet, or permanent vision impairment of both eyes. Veterans entitled to compensation for ankylosis of one or both knees or hips also qualify to receive adaptive equipment. BENEFIT: The VA will pay up to $5,500 toward the purchase of an automobile on a one-term basis and will also pay for adaptive equipment, its repair, replacement or re-installation. BLIND AIDS AND SERVICES ELIGIBILITY: Veterans service-connected for blindness or entitled to VA compensation for any service-connected disability; veterans eligible for medical services; and veterans with corrected vision of 20/200 or worse in the better eye, or field defects of 20 degrees or less. BENEFIT: Adjustment to blindness training, home alterations for the blind, low-vision aids, mechanical aids, guide dogs, talking books, tapes and Braille literature. A total health and benefit review also is provided annually. CLOTHING ALLOWANCE ELIGIBILITY: Veterans with a service-connected disability who wear orthopedic or prosthetic appliances that wear out or tear clothing. BENEFIT: An annual clothing allowance of $395. NAM VET Newsletter Page 23 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 $38,000 GRANT FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOMES ELIGIBILITY: Veterans entitled to compensation for permanent and total service-connected disability because of the loss of use of both legs, or disability which includes blindness in both eyes with only light perception and loss of the use of one leg; or loss of the use of one leg and residuals of organic disease or injury, or the loss of the use of an arm which affects balance or propulsion and requires braces, canes, crutches or a wheelchair. BENEFIT: A grant of not more than 50 percent up to $38,000 of the cost of building, buying or remodeling an adapted home, or paying loans on such homes. $6,500 GRANT FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOMES ELIGIBILITY: Veterans must be entitled to compensation for permanent and total service-connected disability because of blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less, or loss of the use of both hands. BENEFIT: A grant of up to $6,500 for the purchase of a specially adapted home or to adapt a home for the veteran's disability. EDUCATION BENEFITS MONTGOMERY GI BILL ELIGIBILITY: Persons entering the military after June 30, 1985, will have their pay reduced $100 per month for the first 12 months of their service, unless they elect in writing not to participate. Servicemen and women eligible for post-Korean Conflict GI Bill benefits as of Dec. 31, 1989, who served three years of continuous active duty after June 30, 1985, or those who served two years' active duty followed by four years' satisfactory participation in the Selected reserve after June 30, 1985, may also be eligible, but will not have their pay reduced. They must have been on active duty on Oct. 19, 1984, and serve continuously without a break in service through the individual's qualifying period. Officers receiving their commissions after Dec. 31, 1976, are not eligible. Those persons seeking Montgomery GI Bill benefits must fulfill a minimal service obligation or be discharged for a service-connected disability, hardship or pre-existing medical condition. A secondary school diploma and honorable discharge are required. Eligibility for this program ends 10 years after the most recent discharge. BENEFIT: Benefits are paid for attendance at institutions of higher learning, non-college degree programs, apprenticeships, on- the-job training, correspondence training and cooperative courses. Length of active duty determines the amount of the benefit. Active duty for three years, or two years' active duty and four years in the Selected Reserve or National Guard will entitle servicemen and women to a basic benefit of $300 a month for 36 months. Persons who serve at least two years of continuous active duty, but less than three years, will be entitled to $250 a month. A discretionary kicker of up to an additional $400 also is available. Those who serve an additional five years' active duty or two years' active duty and four years in the Selected Reserve may receive a supplemental monthly benefit of up to an additional $300, with a discretionary kicker of up to $300 more for 36 months. MONTGOMERY GI BILL FOR SELECTED RESERVES NAM VET Newsletter Page 24 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 ELIGIBILITY: Members of the Selected Reserve, including the National Guard, who after June 30, 1985, enlist, re-enlist or extend an enlistment for six years or more; and those serving as Reserve officers who agree to serve in the Selected Reserve for not less than six years in addition to any other period of obligated Selected Reserve service after June 30, 1985. To receive benefits, they must complete Initial Active Duty Training and 180 days in the Selected Reserve/National Guard; have a high school diploma or equivalent, but not have a bachelor's degree; and continue to participate satisfactorily in the Selected Reserve/National Guard. BENEFIT: An eligible Reservist is entitled to a maximum of 36 months of educational assistance at the monthly rate of $140 for full-time, $105 for three-quarter time; and $70 for half-time training. Eligibility will end 10 years from the date eligibility began or the date of separation from the Selected Reserve. Assistance is payable for an undergraduate degree and non-college degree programs at an institution of higher learning. NON-CONTRIBUTORY GI BILL ELIGIBILITY: Veterans who served on active duty for more than 180 continuous days after Jan. 31, 1955, and before Jan. 1, 1977, and who received a discharge other than dishonorable; veterans discharged for service-connected disabilities; and those who continue to serve on active duty are eligible. The Non- Contributory GI Bill ends Dec. 31, 1985. BENEFIT: Veterans are entitled to educational assistance of 1- 1/2 months for every month in the service, to a maximum of 45 months. Educational courses covered under the GI Bill include college or university, cooperative programs with businesses, farm cooperative training, apprenticeships or other on-the-job training, correspondence training, high school training, elementary education, tutorial assistance and work-study programs. SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR UNEMPLOYABLE VETERANS ELIGIBILITY: Veterans awarded 100 percent disability because of unemployability. This program extends to Jan. 31, 1992. BENEFIT: Veterans may participate in a rehabilitation services and training program and receive assistance in obtaining employment. Once the veteran is employed, his or her unemployment rating will remain the same until the veteran has worked continuously for 12 months. SPECIAL TRAINING FOR VETERANS RECEIVING PENSIONS ELIGIBILITY: Veterans receiving a VA pension from Feb. 1, 1985, through Jan. 31, 1992 may be eligible for vocational training based on a VA evaluation of their ability to benefit from such training. Veterans less than 50 years old who receive pensions must participate in the evaluation. Veterans 50 years old or older who receive a pension, or those awarded a pension before Feb. 1, 1985, may apply for an evaluation. BENEFIT: Veterans may receive up to 24 months of vocational training. Program participants may also receive up to 18 months of employment counseling, job search and work-adjustment services. If the pension is terminated by reason of income from work or training, the veteran shall retain eligibility for VA medical care based on prior receipt of pension for three years. VETERANS' EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM NAM VET Newsletter Page 25 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 ELIGIBILITY: Veterans who began active duty after Dec. 31. 1976, and received a discharge other than dishonorable or continue to serve on active duty but have completed their obligated period of service, or serve six years, whichever comes first, and who contributed $25 to $100 per month from their military pay for the program, up to a maximum of $2,700. No one on active duty was allowed to enroll in this program after March 31, 1987. BENEFIT: The government matches, $2 for every $1 contributed by participants. In turn, participants receive monthly payments for the months they contributed, or for 36 months, whichever is less. The amount of payments is determined by dividing the number of months that benefits will be paid into the participant's fun total. Participants may leave VEAP after any 12-consecutive-month period of participation and will receive a refund of their contributions. Participants have 10 years from the date of their most recent discharge to use the benefits. VETERANS' JOB TRAINING ELIGIBILITY: Veterans who served honorably during the Korean War or during the Vietnam era for at least 181 days; veterans who were discharged for a service-connected disability; or are entitled to disability compensation. Veterans must be unemployed for at least 10 of the 15 weeks immediately preceding the application. To be eligible, veterans must train in an occupation in a growth industry or an occupation requiring use of a new technological skills, or a job for which demand for labor exceeds supply. Training will not be funded for seasonal or temporary jobs, jobs that pay commission or for political, religious or federal employment. The program must require at least six months' training. Payments for a job training program cannot be made on an application received by VA after Sept. 30, 1989, or if the training doesn't begin until after March 31, 1990. BENEFIT: 50 percent of the veteran's starting wage up to $10,000 is payable to employers of veterans participating in approved programs. Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated either at 30 percent or more, or at 10 percent or 20 percent, if the veteran has a serious employment handicap, are entitled to a maximum 15 months' training. Other veterans receive up to nine months' training. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION ELIGIBILITY: Veterans entitled to compensation for a service- connected disability suffered on active duty on or after Sept. 16, 1940, who received a discharge other than dishonorable; and those who are hospitalized awaiting separation for disability. Eligibility includes veterans who would receive compensation except for receipt of military retirement or severance pay. VA must determine the veteran needs vocational rehabilitation to overcome an impairment to obtain or retain employment, and the service-connected disability must contribute to the veteran's unemployability. Veterans' eligibility ends 12 years from the date they were notified of their entitlement to VA compensation. BENEFIT: Eligible disabled veterans may receive up to four years or more of full-time training. Veterans may enroll in trade, business and technical schools or colleges, or train on the job, either in special rehabilitation facilities or at home. After training, VA shall assist the veteran in finding a job. VA HOME LOANS NAM VET Newsletter Page 26 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 ELIGIBILITY: Veterans who received a discharge other than dishonorable and served on active duty for at least 90 days during wartime or 181 days in peacetime before May 8, 1975, unless they received an earlier discharge because of a service-connected disability. POST-VIETNAM ELIGIBILITY: Veterans who enlisted before Sept. 8, 1980, or whose service as an officer began before Oct. 17, 1981, must have 181 continuous days of active duty which occurred after May 7, 1975, and received a discharge other than dishonorable or received an earlier discharge for service-connected disabilities. Veterans who enlisted after Sept. 7, 1981, or whose service as an officer began after Oct. 16, 1981, must have completed 24 continuous months of active duty or the full time (at least 181 days) for which they were called to active duty. Also eligible are veterans who completed at least 181 days of active duty and received a hardship discharge, those who received certain other discharges for the convenience of the government, those with compensable service-connected disability, or those who were discharged for a service-connected disability with less than 181 days of service. Military personnel currently on active duty are eligible. Also eligible are unmarried surviving spouses of veterans who served anytime since Sept. 16, 1940, and who died because of a service- connected disability; and spouses of service personnel listed as missing in action or prisoners of war for at least 90 days. When a veteran sells a home financed with a VA loan and the purchaser assumes the veteran's loan, the veteran may be released from liability to the government, provided the loan is current, the purchaser is rated a good risk by the VA and will assume all the veteran's liabilities. This release of liability does not mean veterans can have their VA home loan entitlement restored, unless the purchaser is an eligible veteran and agrees to turn over his eligibility to the seller. Usually, the VA restores entitlement only when it is no longer liable to the lender on the guaranty and when a veteran buyer uses his or her own VA entitlement to buy the home instead of the seller's. Since March 1, 1988, the VA must make a release-from-liability determination in every case involving the assumption of VA-guaranteed loans. The person who assumes a VA loan must pay a fee to VA equal to one-half percent of the loan balance. If a person disposes of property secured by a VA loan without first notifying the holder of the loan, the holder may demand immediate and full payment of the amount owing on the loan. Veterans may obtain their Certificates of Eligibility for a VA home loan by sending VA Form 26-1880, "Request for Determination of Eligibility and Available Loan Guaranty Entitlement," along with required supporting documents to a VA regional office nearest them. BENEFIT: A VA home loan requires no down payments, and interest rates often may be less than conventional loans. There are no maximum loan amounts. VA guarantees 50 percent of loans up to $45,000 and 40 percent of loans more than $45,000 with a maximum guarantee of $36,000, but not less than $22,500. Loans may be used to buy, build, improve, repair or refinance homes, manufactured homes or condominiums. VA loans also may be used to equip a home with solar heating or cooling, or other energy- conserving measures. Veterans ineligible for a VA loan may be able to obtain a loan from the Federal Housing Administration. NAM VET Newsletter Page 27 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 INSURANCE SERVICE-DISABLED VETERANS INSURANCE ELIGIBILITY: Veterans separated from service on or after April 25, 1951, who are granted a service-connected disability but are in otherwise good health may apply for service-disabled veterans insurance within one year from the date VA notified the veteran of the service-connected disability rating. BENEFIT: Life insurance of up to $10,000 at standard rates. MODIFIED LIFE ELIGIBILITY: Effective May 1, 1965, a Modified Life at age 65 insurance plan became available to National Service Life Insurance policyholders. BENEFIT: The low premiums remain constant throughout the premium-paying period, but the face value reduces by 50 percent at age 65. If the policyholder desires, the reduced amount may be replaced with a Special Ordinary Life insurance plan. On July 1, 1972, a Modified Life at age 70 plan also became available. Similar to the age 65 plan, the face value of this policy doesn't reduce until age 70. DIVIDENDS ELIGIBILITY: Policyholders of U.S. Government Life Insurance plans, Veterans Special Life Insurance plans and some National Service Life Insurance plans may receive dividends. No application is necessary because the dividends are paid automatically on the anniversary date of the policy. Dividends are not paid to Service Disabled policyholders and certain National Service Life Insurance policyholders. SERVICEMEN'S GROUP LIFE INSURANCE ELIGIBILITY: All members of the armed services, including cadets and midshipmen of the service academies are automatically insured for $50,000 unless they state in writing that they do not wish to participate, or they wish lower coverage. Full-time SGLI coverage is also provided to volunteers in the Ready Reserves, persons eligible for assignment to the Retired Reserve and who have completed at least 20 years of creditable retirement service. Part-time coverage may be provided to Reservists who do not qualify for full-time coverage. VETERANS GROUP LIFE INSURANCE ELIGIBILITY: Persons released from active duty on or after Aug. 1, 1974; Reservists who, while on active or inactive duty for training less than 31 days who suffer an injury or disability which renders them uninsurable at standard premium rates; and members of the Ready Reserves and Inactive National Guard. Military members on active duty can convert their SGLI insurance to VGLI following discharge. BENEFIT: VGLI coverage may be in the amounts of $50,000, $40,000, $30,000, $20,000 and $10,000, but not more than the amount of SGLI carried when discharged. VETERANS MORTGAGE LIFE INSURANCE ELIGIBILITY: For veterans who have been awarded specially adapted housing grants, VMLI insurance is automatic unless declined in writing. Premiums are deducted from VA benefit payments or paid direct if the veteran does not draw compensation. Premiums will continue until the mortgage has been liquidated, the NAM VET Newsletter Page 28 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 home sold or until the coverage terminated when the veteran reaches age 70 or dies. BENEFIT: A group mortgage life insurance plan of up to $40,000. PENSIONS ELIGIBILITY: Wartime veterans with limited income who receive a discharge other than dishonorable and who served at least 90 days' service or were discharged earlier because of a service-connected disability; veterans who are totally and permanently disabled as long as the disability didn't result from willful misconduct; and veterans who are 65 years old or older and not working. Eligible veterans must have served during the Mexican Border Period, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam era. Veterans with estates that can provide adequate support are not eligible for VA pensions. Under the old pension law before July 1, 1960, pension is not payable to a veteran or surviving spouse whose annual income exceeds $6,435 for a veteran or surviving spouse with no dependents, and $9,279 for a veteran or surviving spouse with dependents. The income of the veteran's spouse is not countable. Under the Section 306 pension before Dec. 31, 1978, pension is not payable to a veteran or surviving spouse whose annual income exceeds $7,351 for a veteran or surviving spouse with no dependents, and $9,885 for a veteran or surviving spouse with dependents. The income of the veteran's spouse is countable in certain instances. Under the improved pension plan, pension is not payable to a veteran or surviving spouse whose annual income exceeds $6,463 and $8,466 for a veteran or surviving spouse with dependents. The incomes of the spouse and children are countable. The income limits are increased yearly based on the Consumer Price Index. Pensioners entitled to benefits as of Dec. 31, 1978, who do not elect to receive a pension under the improved pension program continue to receive pension benefits at the old rate as long as they remain permanently and totally disabled, don't lose a dependent or their incomes do not exceed the adjusted income limitation. When a veteran without a spouse or a child is furnished domiciliary care by VA, the pension is reduced to an amount not in excess of $60 per month after two full months of care. If furnished hospital or nursing home care, the reduction will be after three full months of care, unless the hospital or nursing home care is continued to provide the veteran with rehabilitation. Under the improved and section 306 pension plans, the pension is reduced to $60 per month after two full calendar months of domiciliary care, and after three full calendar months of hospital or nursing care. Under the old pension plan, the pension is reduced to $30 or 50 percent of the pension, whichever is greater, after six full months of domiciliary, hospital or nursing care. IMPROVED PENSION RATES Effective Dec. 1, 1988, the improved pension program awards eligible veterans annual payments based on the following scale: Veterans without dependent spouse or child, $6,463. Veterans with one dependent, $8,466. Veterans in need of regular aid and attendance without dependents, $10,338. Veterans in need of regular aid and attendance with one NAM VET Newsletter Page 29 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 dependent, $12,341. Veterans permanently housebound without dependents, $7,899. Veterans permanently housebound with one dependent, $9,902. Two veterans married to one another, $8,466. For veterans of World War I and the Mexican Border Period, add $1,461 to the applicable annual rate. For each additional dependent, add $1,098. DEATH BENEFITS SERVICE-CONNECTED VETERANS BURIAL ALLOWANCE ELIGIBILITY: Veterans who died as a result of service-connected disabilities. BENEFIT: An amount not exceeding $1,500 will be paid for veterans' funeral and burial expenses. VA will also pay the cost of transporting the remains of deceased, service-connected disabled veterans to the national cemetery nearest their home. NON-SERVICE-CONNECTED BURIAL AND PLOT ALLOWANCES ELIGIBILITY: Veterans entitled to pensions or compensation, or veterans who died while hospitalized or domiciled in a VA facility or another facility at VA's expense. Indigent veterans whose remains are unclaimed also may be eligible for a burial or plot allowance. Claims must be filed within two years of burial or cremation. BENEFIT: A payment not to exceed $300 for burial expenses. An additional payment not exceeding $150 for a plot or interment also will be paid when the veteran is not buried in a national cemetery or other cemeteries under federal government jurisdiction. BURIAL IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES ELIGIBILITY: Military members who died on active duty and veterans who were discharged or separated from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable are eligible to be buried in national cemeteries. Veterans who entered active duty as enlisted personnel after Sept. 7. 1980, and all veterans who entered active duty after Oct. 16, 1981, must serve at least 24 months of active duty or the period they were called to active duty, or have a hardship discharge or a service-connected disability. Burial in a national cemetery also is available to eligible spouses, unmarried widows or widowers, minor children and in some cases unmarried adult children. Applications for burial should be made only at the time of death of the veteran or that of an eligible dependent. Ordinarily this is done by the attending funeral director. Burial in Arlington National Cemetery, which is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Army, is limited to specific categories of military personnel and veterans, except in the case of cremated remains to be placed in the columbarium. For information about burial in the Arlington National Cemetery, write the Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA 22211, or call 1-202-695-3253. BURIAL FLAGS An American flag is available to drape the casket of an eligible veteran. After the funeral ceremonies, the flag is given to the next of kin or a friend. VA also issues flags for veterans who are missing in action and presumed dead. Apply at any VA regional office or local post offices. NAM VET Newsletter Page 30 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 HEADSTONES OR GRAVE MARKERS ELIGIBILITY: See eligibility for burial in national cemeteries. BENEFIT: The government will furnish a free headstone for any eligible veteran buried in private or national cemeteries. Headstones in national cemeteries are also available for immediate family members of veterans. The applicant must pay the cost of placing the marker in a private cemetery. HEADSTONE OR GRAVE MARKER MONETARY ALLOWANCE ELIGIBILITY: The deceased must have been buried on or after Oct. 18, 1978. A claim must be filed within two years from the date of burial, purchase of the headstone, or additional engraving, whichever is later. The claim must be accompanied by a receipt. BENEFIT: VA pays an amount not to exceed the average actual cost of a government headstone or marker as partial reimbursement for the cost incurred by the person acquiring a non-government headstone or marker for placement in a cemetery other than a national cemetery, or for additional engraving of the veteran's data on existing monuments. The amount, which changes yearly, is currently $80. MEMORIAL MARKERS AND MEMORIAL PLOTS ELIGIBILITY: A memorial headstone or marker may be furnished on application by next of kin to commemorate any eligible veteran, including a person who died in active military service, whose remains have not been recovered or identified, were buried at sea, donated to science or were cremated and the ashes scattered without interment. BENEFIT: A memorial may be erected in a private cemetery in a plot provided by the applicant or in a memorial section of a national cemetery. PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL CERTIFICATES Presidential Memorial Certificates are available to the next of kin of deceased eligible veterans or persons who were military members at time of death. Eligible recipients include widow, widower, oldest child, parent, oldest sibling or friend. Notice of a veteran's death is normally received by a VA regional office and the office identifies the next of kin from the veteran's records, and requests a certificate from the National Cemetery System, Washington, D.C. SURVIVORS' BENEFITS DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION ELIGIBILITY: DIC payments are authorized to surviving spouses, unmarried children under 18, helpless children, children between the ages 18 and 23 attending a VA-approved school and some parents of service personnel, or veterans who died because of a service- connected disability or while on active or inactive duty for training. Also eligible are spouses of veterans who died because of a non-service-connected reason, if they were continuously rated totally disabled for 10 or more years, or five or more years from military discharge. If death occurs after service, the veteran must have received an other than dishonorable discharge for family members to qualify for compensation, and the death cannot be the result of willful misconduct. BENEFIT: Monthly DIC payments based on the military pay grade of the veteran are: NAM VET Newsletter Page 31 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 PAY MONTHLY PAY MONTHLY GRADE RATES GRADE RATES ----- ------- ----- ------- E-1 $539 W-4 $773 E-2 $555 O-1 $682 E-3 $570 O-2 $704 E-4 $606 O-3 $754 E-5 $622 O-4 $797 E-6 $636 O-5 $879 E-7 $667 O-6 $991 E-8 $704 O-7 $1,071 E-9^ $735 O-8 $1,174 W-1 $682 O-9 $1,259 W-2 $709 O-10^ $1,381 W-3 $730 ^ There are special rates for certain persons in these categories. REINSTATED ENTITLEMENT PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS ELIGIBILITY: Survivors of deceased veterans who died of service- connected causes before Aug. 13, 1981. The benefits are similar to the benefits for students and surviving spouses with children between the ages of 16 and 18 which were eliminated from the Social Security Act. The amount of benefits is based on information obtained from the Social Security Administration. DEATH COMPENSATION RELATING TO DEATHS BEFORE JAN. 1, 1957 ELIGIBILITY: Surviving spouses, unmarried children under 18, certain helpless children, and children between 18 and 23 who are attending a VA-approved school, and dependent parents of servicemen and women or veterans who died before Jan. 1, 1957, from a service-connected cause that was not willful misconduct. BENEFIT: Monthly payments. However, survivors may opt for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation payments which generally pay greater rates, especially for surviving spouses and children. NON-SERVICE-CONNECTED DEATH PENSION ELIGIBILITY: The veteran must have had 90 days wartime service unless discharged for a service-connected disability and have received a discharge other than dishonorable. If the death occurred in military service but not in the line of duty, benefits may be payable if the veteran completed at least two years of honorable active service. Surviving spouses and unmarried children under 18, or up to 23 if attending a VA-approved school, of deceased veterans with wartime or conflict service may be eligible for a pension based on need and income. Qualified children who become permanently incapable of self- support because of a physical or mental defect before becoming 18 years old may receive a pension as long as the condition exists, or until they marry. Also, a surviving spouse who is a patient in a nursing home or determined to need regular aid and attendance of another person or is permanently housebound may be entitled to higher benefits. Pensions are not payable to those with estates large enough to support the survivors. BENEFIT: The death pension is generally payable monthly, and annual payments are reduced by the amount of annual, countable income of the surviving spouse and dependent children. The annual NAM VET Newsletter Page 32 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 payments range from $4,331 for a surviving spouse without dependent children to $8,267 for a surviving spouse in need of regular aid and attendance with one dependent child. For each additional child, another $1,098 is added to the annual payment. SURVIVORS' AND DEPENDENTS' EDUCATION ELIGIBILITY: Generally, survivors of deceased veterans, spouses of living veterans and children of either, attending school between the ages of 18 and 26, when the veteran dies or suffers permanent and total disability which was the result of military service after April 21, 1898, are eligible. Spouses and children of servicemen who were missing in action, captured, forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign power for more than 90 days also are eligible. The period of eligibility extends to 10 years from the date the veteran was first found to have a service-connected, total disability, or from the date of the service-connected death of the veteran, whichever is later. Eligibility ends on a child's 26th birthday. BENEFIT: In addition to educational assistance granted to family members of veterans, disabled children of veterans may receive special vocational or restorative courses and counseling from VA. HEALTH CARE AGENT ORANGE AND NUCLEAR EXPOSURE TREATMENT ELIGIBILITY: Veterans who served in Vietnam from Aug. 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975, who suffer from ailments related to dioxin or herbicides used in Vietnam. Also, veterans who were exposed to ionizing radiation while on active duty during a test of a nuclear device or during the American occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki, Japan, during Sept. 11, 1945, to July 1, 1946. BENEFIT: Veterans are given a comprehensive medical examination which assists in detecting any illnesses or injuries. The findings of these examinations are entered into a registry for future reference. Medical care is provided for conditions related to exposure. ALCOHOL AND DRUG DEPENDENCE TREATMENT ELIGIBILITY: See requirements from hospital and outpatient care, veteran eligibility categories A, B and C. BENEFIT: After hospitalization for drug and alcohol treatment, the VA may authorize outpatient treatment or pay for the services of a halfway house. BENEFICIARY TRAVEL ELIGIBILITY: Veterans with a 30 percent or more service- connected disability; veterans with less than 30 percent disability traveling in connection with treatment of a service- connected condition; veterans receiving VA pensions; veterans with annual incomes less than or equal to the maximum base VA pension rate; and veterans traveling in connection with a compensation or pension examination. BENEFIT: The VA will pay for travel in an emergency when a delay would have been hazardous to the patient's health or when transportation such as ambulances or wheelchairs are needed by the patient. Also, veterans may receive reimbursement for travel from one VA facility to another. Other travel payments are subject to a monthly deductible cap of $18. DOMICILIARY CARE NAM VET Newsletter Page 33 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 ELIGIBILITY: Veterans with service-connected disabilities who have no adequate means of support, are unable to earn a living and meet certain other requirements. Veterans with non-service- connected disabilities who are unable to earn a living but do not require hospitalization are also eligible, if they are unable to defray the cost and meet other requirements. BENEFITS: Care is provided on a non-bedridden, self-care basis for veterans disabled from age or disease who do not require hospitalization and do not need the skilled services of nursing homes. HOSPITALIZATION ELIGIBILITY: Category A veterans SHALL receive VA hospital care; Category B veterans MAY receive treatment if space and resources are available; and Category C veterans MAY receive treatment if they agree to pay a deductible, and if space and resources are available (see (following) Categories of Veterans). BENEFIT: Hospital care at VA facilities or facilities approved by VA. Treatments include surgical and dental services, examinations and diagnostic services. NURSING-HOME CARE ELIGIBILITY: See requirements for hospitalization. Admission to private nursing homes at VA expense is available to service- connected, disabled veterans; and non-service-connected veterans whose income exceeds a certain amount, if they agree to make copayments. Normally, VA-authorized care may not be provided for more than six months, except for veterans who need nursing home care for a service-connected disability or veterans who are hospitalized primarily for treatment of a service-connected disability; military personnel who need extended nursing-home care; and veterans who are discharged from a VA medical center and receive VA home health-care services. BENEFIT: Skilled or intermediate-type nursing care and related medical care for convalescents or veterans who are not acutely ill and do not need hospital care. Veterans with service-connected disabilities are given first priority. MEDICAL CARE FOR DEPENDENTS AND SURVIVORS ELIGIBILITY: The Civilian Health and Medical Care Program of the VA (CHAMPVA) is available to dependents and survivors of certain veterans as long as they aren't eligible for CHAMPUS, the Civilian Health and Medical Care Program of the Uniformed Services. Eligible are the spouse and children of veterans with total, permanent service-connected disabilities; the spouse and children of veterans who died because of a service-connected disability; and surviving spouse and children of veterans who died on active duty and not because of willful misconduct. BENEFIT: Normally, care related to CHAMPVA will be at non-VA facilities, but VA facilities may be used when equipped to handle the care and when the use of the facilities does not interfere with veterans' treatment. Apply to CHAMPVA Registration Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1055 Clermont St., Denver, CO 80220. MEDICAL CARE FOR MERCHANT SEAMEN ELIGIBILITY: Certain Merchant Marine seamen who served in active, ocean-going service from Dec. 7, 1941, to Aug. 15, 1945, are considered veterans and may be eligible to receive VA health NAM VET Newsletter Page 34 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 care. In addition, Civil Service crew-members aboard U.S. Army Transport Service and Naval Transportation Service vessels i ocean-going service or ice vessels in ocean-going service or foreign waters also may be eligible to receive VA health care. Individuals should present their DD-214, discharge certificate or other proof of service at any VA health-care facility when applying. See requirements for hospitalization. OUTPATIENT MEDICAL TREATMENT ELIGIBILITY: Outpatient medical treatment WILL be furnished, without limitation, to veterans with service-connected disabilities; for any disability of a veteran with a combined service-connected disability rating of 50 percent or more and veterans who suffered an injury as a result of VA hospitalization; and any veteran in a VA-approved vocational rehabilitation program. Outpatient treatment for non-service-connected conditions is also available to any veteran on a pre- or post- hospital care or ambulatory care basis to prevent the need for hospitalization if the veteran is rated 30 or 40 percent service- connected and to any veteran whose annual income does not exceed the maximum applicable rate of pension for a veteran in need of regular aid and attendance. The veteran's income level must be lower than that level which will qualify him or her for Category A hospital care. Outpatient medical service MAY be furnished, without limitation, to any veteran who is a former prisoner of war; World War I or Mexican Border Period veterans; veterans receiving aid and attendance of housebound pension benefits; veterans on a pre- or post-hospital care or ambulatory-care basis to prevent the need for hospitalization, including veterans exposed to a toxic substance in a herbicide or defoliant used in Vietnam and those exposed to radiation because of participation in nuclear tests or while serving with occupation forces in Hiroshima or Nagasaki before July 1, 1946. Also eligible are Category A, B or C Veterans, however, non-service-connected Category C veterans must agree to pay the applicable copayment to be eligible for outpatient care. BENEFITS: Outpatient care includes medical examinations, medicine and medical services such as rehabilitation, consultation, professional counseling, training and mental-health services. OUTPATIENT DENTAL CARE ELIGIBILITY: Veterans with dental conditions which are service- connected and compensable; and veterans needing one-time treatment of dental conditions or disabilities which are not compensable but existed at time of discharge for at least 180 days. The veterans must apply to VA for outpatient dental care within 90 days following separation. Ineligible are veterans in this category whose separation documents indicate that dental examinations and treatment were completed by military dentists 90 days before separation. Also eligible are veterans who need care for service- connected, non-compensable dental conditions resulting from combat wounds or service injuries; and former prisoners of war with service-connected, non-compensable dental conditions. Complete dental care is available for prisoners of war for more than 90 days and veterans who are receiving disability compensation at the 100 percent rate for service-connected conditions. Outpatient care also is available for veterans with non-service-connected NAM VET Newsletter Page 35 Volume 3, Number 9 September 4, 1989 dental conditions which the VA determines are associated with a service-connected medical problem; disabled veterans participating in rehabilitation programs and Spanish-American War veterans. Non-service-connected veterans whose incomes exceed the income threshold applicable to hospital-care eligibility may be authorized dental treatment only if they agree to pay a copayment. BENEFIT: Outpatient dental care includes examinations and diagnostic, surgical, restorative and preventative dental care. PROSTHETIC APPLIANCES ELIGIBILITY: Veterans are eligible based on a VA determination of feasibility and medical need when they are receiving hospital, outpatient, domiciliary or nursing-home care. VET CENTERS ELIGIBILITY: Veterans who served on active duty during the Vietnam era may be provided counseling for readjustment to civilian life. Services include individual counseling, Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder counseling. Group counseling, family counseling and employment counseling. OTHER FEDERAL BENEFITS FEDERAL HOUSING ADMINISTRATION HOME MORTGAGE ELIGIBILITY: Veterans on active duty who originally enlisted before Sept. 7, 1980, or who were on active duty before Oct. 14, 1982 and who served at least 90 days and who received a discharge other than dishonorable; veterans who enlisted after Sept. 7, 1980, or who were on active duty after Oct. 14, 1982, must have served at least 24 months unless discharged for hardship or disability. BENEFIT: Home loans that require a smaller down payment than other FHA programs. The Department of Housing and Urban Development administers that program. EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY: Vietnam-era veterans, veterans with more than 30 percent disability and those whose discharge from active duty was because of service-connected conditions. BENEFIT: The affirmative action federal law prohibits employers with federal contracts or subcontracts of $10,000 or more from employment discrimination against Vietnam-era veterans and special disabled veterans. Under the Labor Department program, contractors are required to take positive steps to hire and recruit Vietnam and disabled veterans. Vietnam veterans are covered by this program through 1991. DISABLED VETERANS OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR JOBS ELIGIBILITY: Available to all disabled veterans, especially disabled Vietnam veterans. BENEFIT: The program provides states with funds to help disabled veterans find jobs, an