Veterans Newsletter. January VA News

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1 Veterans Newsletter January 2018 The purpose of this newsletter is to inform veterans of the various programs, workshops and services available to the veteran community, along with items of interest. Each issue will strive to keep veterans apprised of any changes in state and federal veterans programs, along with events occurring locally. Your feedback on what you would like to see covered will always be welcomed. VA News Combat Compensation Restores VA Pay Offset Veterans Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) is designed to restore military retirement pay that has been offset by Veterans Affairs compensation when evidence exists to confirm the associated disabilities are combat related. Combat related disabilities are those incurred with documented proof: - In the performance of duty under conditions simulating war (exercises, field training, etc.) - While engaged in hazardous service (flight, diving, parachute duty) - Through an instrumentality of war (combat vehicles, weapons, Agent Orange) - As a result of armed combat There are a few prerequisites to consider before submitting an application. To meet the basic eligibility criteria to be considered for CRSC, veterans must: - Be in a retired status - Be entitled to retired pay that is offset by VA disability payments - Have at least a 10 percent VA disability rating

2 Please note that if you waive your military retirement for civil service credit, you are not eligible for CRSC. The Forever GI Bill The Forever GI Bill has replaced the former Post 9/11 GI Bill, and will increase veterans benefits by more than $3 billion over the next decade. One important change, reserved for those who become eligible after January 1, 2018, is the removal of the 15 year limit on using their GI Bill benefits, which offers them more flexibility. Additionally, the Forever GI Bill boosts education assistance for National Guard and Reserve troops, Purple Heart recipients and for the dependents of fallen troops. Higher Disability Ratings for Service Connected Injuries Many veterans file claims for disabilities that, while chronic, are worse on some days than on others. So, while on a typical day a veteran with a disability may experience pain in the 3 or 4 out of 10 range, on another day when the veteran experiences a flare up of his condition, he may experience 10/10 pain. Not observing the impact of a flare up on the veteran s functionality could result in a drastically lower rating for the veteran s disability. Now the VA must ensure that Compensation and Pension (C&P) examiners do not overlook flare ups and pain when assessing a disabled veteran. VA Medical Appointment Scheduling You can now manage your primary care and certain specialty care Department of Veterans Affairs appointments online at participating VA facilities. You will need a Premium My Health evet Account to use online scheduling. If you do not have a Premium Account, visit MyHealtheVet or contact the MyHealtheVet Coordinator at your nearest VA facility.

3 Other Veteran Related News Defense Finance and Accounting Service Retirees must keep the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) informed whenever changes happen that could affect retired pay. Life changing events such as marriages, divorces, births, etc., must be reported directly to the Retired and Annuitant Pay section as soon as possible. By keeping information current in mypay and submitting the appropriate paperwork when a life changing event occurs, retirees will help DFAS improve the service it provides. Life changing events can be reported by mail at: Defense Finance and Accounting Service U.S. Military Retired Pay 8899 E. 56 th Street Indianapolis, IN Events can also be reported by fax number at , or by calling Career Search Advice Take That Phone Screen Interview Seriously By Rob Riggins The first step in your interviewing path to a new job is typically a phone screen interview, before an in person interview is scheduled. That saves everyone time. What many job seekers don t realize is that their casual preparation and responses to phone screen interviews may sabotage their chances to land prime job opportunities. For that reason, it s always a smart idea for job seekers to err on the side of seeming too professional rather than too casual when interacting with prospective

4 employers. Consider these strategies to ensure you make the most of each phone screen interviewing opportunity. Research Find and analyze some basics about the company. How it was founded, the contracts it supports, various locales where it does business and other basic information are easily found with simple web searches. Connect Check your social media profiles and talk to your contacts to see who in your network already works at the company, or if anyone can provide an introduction or referral for you. You are seeking information to make you a better candidate than your competition. Meet Their Needs Yes, you want to know about the job for which you re being considered, but there won t be any job if you can t convince the recruiter or hiring manager that you ll fill the company s needs. This is not the time to ask about benefits or what the employer may offer you, unless the employer brings it up. Instead focus on what you offer the employer, and how you solve their problems. Learn About the Interviewer It s always helpful to know something about the background of the person interviewing you. Check LinkedIn and conduct Google searches. Colleges, professional positions and even service organizations can offer you an easy way to connect with the interviewer.

5 Dress for an Interview No, you needn t wear a three piece suit but you should dress professionally even if the interview is on the telephone. Wearing professional clothing impacts you psychologically. When you dress professionally you act more professionally. Choose a quiet location for the interview You don t want to be distracted by a dog barking or a garbage truck rattling when you answer questions. If you will interview via Skype make sure you know what is in the background. You don t want an interviewer to see a toddler in diapers running around behind you. Smile Even if the interview is by telephone, smile. It will reflect in your voice. No one wants to hire someone who sounds gloomy, troubled, or unsure. Converse Yes, you are going to answer and ask questions. And you likely are nervous, but you don t want to sound like a hostile witness in a court of law. Practice you answers so that you can convey them in a friendly upbeat tone. Finally, ask about next steps It s frustrating to end an interview and wonder when you might know the outcome. If the interviewer doesn t share next steps in the process, ask about it by saying something like, would you please share your next steps in the process and when do you hope to make a hiring decision?

6 Significant days and observances for the United States Armed Forces in January January 1, 1776 During the American Revolution, George Washington unveiled the Grand Union Flag, the first national flag in America January 3, 1777 During the American Revolution, General George Washington defeated the British at Princeton and drove them back to New Brunswick January 28, 1915 The U.S. Coast Guard was created by an Act of Congress January 21, 1954 The USS Nautilus, the world s first nuclear powered submarine, was launched at Groton, Connecticut January 16, 1991 The war against Iraq began as Allied aircraft conducted a major raid against Iraq air defenses. The air raid on Baghdad was broadcast live to a global audience by CNN correspondents as Operation Desert Shield became Desert Storm

7 We are here for you! We view this newsletter as a way to talk to veterans and find out what their needs are. I, along with the other members of the Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Vets program, are here for you. If you would like more information on the veteran services available at our Workforce Center, please contact one of us: Dave Alred DAlred@arapahoegov.com Sarah Norway SNorway@arapahoegov.com Chris Perry CPerry3@arapahoegov.com