1. Health Benefits for Service Members and Their Families: Determining What Services our Nation's Heroes Can Access When They Return Home July 18, 2012 1:00 – 2:30 EST www.mentalhealthamerica.net

2. Today’s Speakers Kristina Kaufmann Code of Support Foundation Suey Lee Disabled American Veterans

3. Kristina Kaufmann Code of Support Foundation Suey Lee Disabled American Veterans

5. Connecting Service Members to Care Benefits Services Challenges

6. LEST WE FORGET “ If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save a backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can never go ” “ If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save a backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can never go ” Maj. Michael O ’ Connell, KIA 3/24/70. Dak To, VN Maj. Michael O ’ Connell, KIA 3/24/70. Dak To, VN

8. Suey M. Lee Transition Service Officer Disabled American Veterans DAV TAP Office DAV TAP Office MCAS Miramar MCAS Miramar Area 5 Area 5 MCCS Library MCCS Library Bldg. 5305 Bldg. 5305 Mitscher/Miramar Way Mitscher/Miramar Way Phone: (858) 689-9637 Phone: (858) 689-9637 FAX: (858) 689-9942 FAX: (858) 689-9942

9. What is the DAV? We are a non-profit veterans service organization headquartered in Kentucky, with our legislative branch in Washington, D.C. Our services are at no cost to the Veteran. This also means that appeals for denial of service connection are free-of-charge to the veteran. Our service officers are available in all VA Regional Offices, most VA Medical Centers and Transition Service Offices at major military facilities. We have over 91 years of experience dealing with veterans issues.

11. Voluntary Service Become a volunteer - help our brothers in arms Veterans Helping Veterans

13. Free Services Provided By Disabled American Veterans Review of service medical records to identify potential service connectable conditions Assistance with forms completion File pre-sep claims/original claims under stated guidelines Representation during claims adjudication process Representation during possible appeals process

14. What is a Service Connection? It is a diagnosed illness or injury, that is physical or mental, that leaves a residual impairment. Surgeries, broken or fractured bones, cuts/lacerations that leave a visible scar. Conditions that are chronic in nature,( i.e persists for 6 months or longer). Certain diseases and conditions

15. PSYCHIATRIC (Depression, PTSD, Anxiety) MUSCULOSKELETAL (Fractures, Arthritis, Instability) SKIN (Psoriasis, Urticaria, Dermatitis, Skin Cancer) Other conditions affecting the following body systems: CARDIOVASCULAR RESPIRATORY ENDOCRINE (Thyroid Conditions, Diabetes) SPECIAL SENSES (Diseases of the eyes, ears, nose and throat) REPRODUCTIVE GENITOURINARY DIGESTIVE (GERD, Peptic Ulcers, Irritable Bowel) CONDITIONS THAT MAY WARRANT SERVICE CONNECTED BENEFITS

16. Conditions that are usually NOT service connectable Conditions that YOU don ’ t document Conditions that YOU don ’ t document Adjustment or personality disorders Adjustment or personality disorders PPD converters, drug sensitivities, seasonal allergies PPD converters, drug sensitivities, seasonal allergies Elective Surgeries such as vasectomies, tubal ligations and rhinoplasties Elective Surgeries such as vasectomies, tubal ligations and rhinoplasties Bumps, bruises, sprains, pains, shin splints Bumps, bruises, sprains, pains, shin splints Minor hearing loss, loss of visual acuity(minor eyesight loss) Minor hearing loss, loss of visual acuity(minor eyesight loss) Routine Dental work Routine Dental work

17. VA Benefit Programs 4 Compensation 4 Vocational Rehabilitation 4 Education 4 Home Loan Guaranty 4 Medical & Dental 4 Insurance 4 Burial 4 Survivors

18. Where Service Connection can make a difference… Federal Benefits Compensation, tax free monthly payment for the residuals of a service connected disability 10% and above. Medical Care/Women ’ s Clinic Federal Employment Preference Education benefits/ Vocational Rehab VA Home Loan Guarantee/Waiver of funding fee Life insurance (SGLI/VGLI) Veteran ’ s Preference Points National Park Pass ( Golden Access Passport)

19. Where Service Connection can make a difference… State and Local benefits Go to www.va,gov // partners // state benefits Hunting / Fishing Licenses Access to State Parks Adaptive Living Changes Property Taxes State/Local Income Taxes Fee-Basis Care Employment Preferences Real Estate Property Tax Exemption Benefits vary by state

20. DAV WEBSITE www.dav.org Go to Legislation ----- Legislative Action Center ---------- Take Action

23. Resources Veteran support & resources - www.maketheconnection.net www.maketheconnection.net Guide to VA Mental Health Resources for Veterans and Families - http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/Guide_to_VA_Mental_Health_Srvcs_FIN AL12-20-10.pdf http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/Guide_to_VA_Mental_Health_Srvcs_FIN AL12-20-10.pdf Code of Support Foundation – www.codeofsupport.org www.codeofsupport.org Disabled American Veterans - http://dav.org/ http://dav.org/ MHA Webinar Recordings - http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/action/policy-issues-a-z/recorded- presentations/webinars-and-presentations http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/action/policy-issues-a-z/recorded- presentations/webinars-and-presentations

24. Contact Information Kristy Kaufmann kristina.kaufmann@codeofsupport.org Suey Lee SLee@davmail.org Sarah Steverman ssteverman@mentalhealthamerica.net