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Open Letter to All Active Duty Military Personnel - (04/11/06)

This is an open letter to all who are serving on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States: The U S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pays disability compensation under two basic conditions: 1.injury incurred while on active duty (and not the result of willful misconduct) 2.A pre existing condition that was aggravated beyond the realm of normal progression. YOUR INJURY NEED NOT BE COMBAT RELATED. If something happens to you while you are on active duty, DOCUMENT IT !!  If you are treated in the field, at an aid station, dispensary, or where ever, make sure everything becomes a part of your record ( keep your own notes if you can) . You should note what happened, when did it happen, how did it happen, where did it happen , who treated you, and who witnessed the incident. Something else you need to pay attention to: YOUR HEARING. During your separation exam you will probably be talking with a doctor or medical professional, and odds are that will be your hearing test ! If you cannot hear or have difficulty hearing the doctor, you best start making with the “huh’s ? ” at that time , because if you don’t, the doctor will probably note “hearing normal”. Also on the subject hearing, some military occupations( such as cooks, clerks and other occupations) are not “inherent” to the acoustic trauma of combat participation, however, anyone who has “been there-done that” will tell you that there are times when every breathing body must grab a gun and defend the fort. If you find yourself to be in one of those situations, DOCUMENT THE INCIDENT(s). One of the most important segments of the separation process is TAP (Transition Assistance Program) and D/TAP (Disabled Transition Assistance Program). Regardless of how long have been away from home, family, etc., DON’T BE IN A HURRY TO GET THROUGH THIS PROCESS . TAP&D/TAP are designed to assist you with the transition back to civilian life. The transition services may include counseling on such topics as education ( GI Bill), Guard/Reserve affiliation, job search and career change, health care coverage, relocation assistance. During this process you may be asked if you want to file a claim for service connected disability AND (depending on where you are separated) you may be given a VA compensation exam. When you are this far into getting out, you should know if you have any health problems (physical /mental) that need to be addressed. VA Form 21-526 is the application form you will be completing. If you are given a compensation exam at your separation point, when you get back to Wisconsin, contact your County Veterans Service Officer. He or she will assist you in getting your file transferred to the Milwaukee VA Regional Office. What happens if you are not offered compensation exam at separation ? You have one year( the presumptive period) from your last day of active duty to file a claim for what you believe to be a service related condition, and have it retroactive to your last day of active duty.   You need to make sure your medical AND personal records are accurate AND complete. Some of the money you receive ( regular pay, combat , eminent danger, flight, deployment, other hazardous duty pay, etc) is taxable, some is not. LES statements support your pay status. Know where they are at tax time. I am not a tax expert, but experience tells me you will definitely need a competent tax person when that time arrives. The same applies if you receive lump sum disability severance payments or separation bonus. Regarding dependants-if your family status has been changed by marriage, divorce, birth, adoption or death while you were on active duty, and this activity took place outside Wisconsin ( or your home state of record) , you should try leave with at least one or more certified copies of a supporting document(certificate). Probably more important if the activity took place outside the continental United States. If the document has been recorded somewhere, make a note of it. Health Care: Active duty personnel (and dependants) are wards of the Department of Defense until mid night on your last day of active duty. At one second past midnight, you are on your own, and former active duty personnel attain “veteran “ status ( this is subject to change if you are a military career retiree, maintaining reserve status or area being medically retired). Dependant health care may be your responsibility. Depending on your military status after separation, dependent health care may or may not continue . If you and your family are planning on relocating in an area away from your point of separation, either immediately or at a later date, family health history/records as well as school/education information are things that need to be looked into ( and don’t plan on doing this things “tomorrow morning” just before you get on the plane or get in the car. If you are returning to Wisconsin, and even if you are not applying for a state or federal veterans benefit program, find the time to present your dd214 (report of separation or release from active duty) to the County Veterans Service Office and have it recorded with the County Register of Deeds Office.There is a County Veterans Service Officer in every Wisconsin county and you can locate yours by calling 1-800-947-8387, or visit our website www.wicvso.org Some military publications have been spreading horror stories about stolen identities based on unauthorized persons having access to information on your dd214. In Wisconsin, your dd214 is a CONFIDENTIAL and protected document. In some other states, it is a matter of public record. You can check your state by visiting the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers web site www.nacvso.org and click on dd214 security. Other than honorable discharge: Other than honorable discharges or other than RE-1 reenlistments codes DO NOT automatically upgrade within 6 month after discharge or anytime in your lifetime. It is up to you to petition the service branch for a change. Awards and decorations: Are a matter of personal preference, and your medals, ribbons and skill badges should be noted on your dd214. Before you sign your dd214, read it over carefully and have any errors corrected BEFORE you sign. Six years later and somewhere in the middle of Wyoming is a tough time to discover an error or omission, but it can be done, but doing now eliminates the crap and hassle of doing later. Jim R Riesenberg Veterans Service Officer