rapidfire
VA Claim Aid Mission: Transition
F
iling a VA claim is an impor- tant part of transitioning from the military. Even if a transition- ing servicemember does not require the financial compensation provided by the VA for disabling conditions, there are other reasons to pursue a VA claim. For example, a VA disability rating can pro- vide post-service job seekers with hiring preference as well as tax benefits. The VA does not have a deadline for filing a disability claim, so even if you have been out of the military for decades, you still can submit one. In order for the VA to grant a claim, a veteran must have a current disability and be able to dem- onstrate that the disability might be at- tributed to an in-service event. There are many ways to go about making this con- nection, so it is always a good idea to con- sult with a veterans service officer (VSO).
In the past two years, MOAA’s VSOs
have filed over 200 claims for veterans and transitioning servicemembers. Al- though MOAA currently is only able to represent clients in the Washington, D.C., area, VSO program volunteers are able to provide information and answer questions for veterans no matter where they live. Email VA disability claim- related questions to
vso@moaa.org or call MOAA’s Member Service Center at (800) 234-MOAA (6622). MOAA also provides free webinars on topics related to VA claims. The next webinar is scheduled for April 20 and will cover appealing unfavorable VA decisions. Please check
www.moaa.org/ events for registration details. — Aniela Szymanski, Esq.,
deputy director, Transition Center Veteran and Survivor Services
Family Matters
Discover helpful resources for military spouses and children.
In January, DoD an- nounced the launch of
www.militarychil
dcare.com, a source of comprehensive information for military-operated
or military-approved child care programs for military families, DoD civilians, and gov- ernment contractors. Currently, the program is available at 13 instal- lations, including five pilot locations, and is expected to be available worldwide by Septem- ber. Website users can create an online profile in order to search for facility-based or in- home child care options and submit requests for care. For more infor- mation, visit www
.militarychildcare.com.
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