SERVING
Those That
SERVED
Wounded Veterans Tax
Did you know the unofficial term for a federal policy that prohibits certain injured veterans from receiving both their full retirement pay and disability compensation is called the “wounded veterans tax?” It’s an issue that currently affects around 50,000 veterans, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, costing them each about $1,900 per month.
Military Mondays
Did you know the Houston SPCA recently announced the launch of Military Mondays? This new initiative is designed to thank and support our nation’s heroes through the gift of pet companionship. Beginning Memorial Day, May 26, 2025, all active duty service members and veterans with a valid military ID or valid veteran ID will receive $10 off all pet adoptions every Monday.
Billions Spent On Recruiting
Did you know the U.S. military spent more than $6 billion over the past three years to recruit and retain active duty service members? In what has been a growing campaign to counter enlistment shortfalls, the financial incentives to reenlist in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines increased dramatically from 2022 through last year.
Personality Type Drawn To Military Service
Did you know many research studies indicates that individuals with Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) are drawn to military careers or settings where discipline and order are paramount? However, severe OCPD traits can create interpersonal and performance challenges when adaptability and flexibility are needed.
VA Finds Errors In Calculations
Did you know the VA found more errors in an automatic calculator that may have been used as far back as 2017 to determine veterans monthly disability check? Veterans may have received lower monthly disability payments than they should have due to errors made by a computer used by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to calculate the amount they should be paid, a federal watchdog found. Veterans may have been short-changed anywhere from $132.74 to $4,170.59 in their monthly disability checks.
Thousands of VA Employees Quit
Did you know the Federal News Network (FNN) reported that over 14,000 VA employees in health care positions applied to leave their jobs through separation incentives offered by the federal government? However, veterans have expressed concerns that job cuts will compromise their ability to access benefits due to the reduced staffing levels.
Fast Track To 100%
Did you know that some conditions, like certain cancers, automatically qualify for a 100% rating during treatment? This automatic qualification can expedite the process of receiving benefits, providing much-needed support during challenging times.
WeSalute Program
Did you know veterans enrolled in the WeSalute program at participating Burger King locations offer 10% off your entire order? It is reported that few locations advertise this offering, which is why you must ask when ordering and show your veteran ID. This franchise also conducts an annual fundraiser to support Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) programs. Since 2007, Burger King franchisees have raised more than $7.8 million.
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Positive Screen Evaluation
Did you know VA data show its contractors administered about 50,500 joint separation health assessments between May 2023 and April 2024 to active duty service members being evaluated for disability benefits? Of those exams, about 67 percent of active duty service members had at least one positive mental health screen. A positive screen indicates elevated risk for the specific mental health condition being assessed and can indicate a need for further evaluation or intervention.
SSR & CSI Pay Eliminated
Did you know the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is eliminating a pay bump for thousands of its employees? The now canceled pay boost was designed to help recruit and retain human resources staff at the VA. VA leadership, in a memo sent Wednesday (June 11, 2025), told employees that it is eliminating a Special Salary Rate (SSR) and Critical Skills Incentive (CSIs) approved in 2023, which increased pay for human resources officials by about 15%. The VA created the Special Salary Rate under the PACT Act, which expanded eligibility for VA health and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances or hazards during their military service.
Provide HBOT To Veterans
Did you know H.R. 1336 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury? The bill also would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to update its report on HBOT therapy. Finally, the bill would extend a statutory limitation on pension payments to veterans in Medicaid nursing homes through October 2034.
Never Too Late To Apply for VA Benefits
Did you know it is never too late for veterans to apply for VA benefits? There is no universal deadline to apply for most VA benefits. But, there are exceptions. For instance, the Post-9/11 GI Bill & Montgomery GI Bill typically must be used within 15 years of discharge.
Needs-Based Benefit
Did you know the Veterans Aid and Attendance (A&A) Pension Program is a needs-based benefit provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)? It's an additional monthly payment added to a veteran’s or surviving spouse’s VA Pension to help cover the cost of care for those who need assistance with daily living activities.
Largest Air Force Base
Did You Know that Eglin Air Force Base is the largest Air Force Base in the world by land? Located in the Florida Panhandle near Valparaiso, Eglin AFB covers 724 square miles. The Mission of Eglin AFB is weapons testing, special operations support, and advanced flight training.
Affects Veterans At High Rates
Did you know malignant mesothelioma affects veterans at significantly higher rates than the general population, primarily due to asbestos exposure during their military service? Asbestos was widely used on military installations from the 1930s to the late 1970s.
Scammers Pretending To Be VA Representatives
Did you know scammers are pretending to be representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) saying you owe money due to a benefits overpayment? Some scammers might even use names, seals, and logos that look or sound like legitimate organizations to trick you into paying them for help that the VA offers for free.
PFAS Affected Millions of Veterans
Did you know PFAS exposure has affected millions of veterans across the nation? The Environmental Working Group shared that up to 720 military sites have known or suspected cases of PFAS contamination. Given the number of contaminated military installations and the millions who were assigned to them, veterans are particularly susceptible to developing PFAS-related illnesses.
VA Presumes Certain Skin Conditions Are Service-Connected
Did you know the VA presumes certain skin conditions are service-connected for specific groups of veterans? For instance, Vietnam veterans may qualify for chloracne or porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) if symptoms appear within one year of exposure to Agent Orange. Gulf War Veterans may qualify for: chronic dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis