U.S. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. 26th District of Texas

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Veterans

I have talked to many veterans in North Texas and across the nation, and they have told me about several topics that concern them. I would like to address a few of those topics, including health care, the recent GI bill, and contact information for resources that are available.

Congress Passes Major Update to Veterans Educational Benefits

I believe that those who serve our country in the Armed Forces should be rewarded with the educational benefits they have earned. I am proud to have been a part of the first major increase in veterans educational benefits since the Montgomery G.I. Bill was enacted in 1985. Since the late 1990's, the MGIB benefits have covered more than 100% of the average price for tuition, fees, room, and board at public two-year institutions. This update, titled the Post-9/11 GI Bill, will take effect On August 1, 2009 and will cover 100% of the most expensive 4-year public university. In addition, the new GI Bill will ensure that veterans can transfer their earned educational benefits to their spouse and dependents.

For eligibility requirements or more information please click here

Health Care
As a physician, I know that health care is one of the most important issues veterans must deal with, and I believe our nation’s veterans deserve the best health care we can provide. The Dallas VA Medical Center serves the veterans of North Texas, and in May, the VA’s Community Based Outpatient Clinic Program opened a new facility in Denton. The opening ceremony for the Denton facility was held on May 30, 2008, and I was honored to participate in this event. The Denton Primary Care Clinic is located at 2223 Colorado Boulevard and is a wonderful addition to the area which I am certain will save many veterans time and traveling costs. Additionally, the VA recently awarded a lease for a new Outpatient Clinic in Fort Worth. I will provide more information on this new clinic as I receive it. There are currently 10 major VA medical centers in Texas which, along with dozens of outpatient clinics, handled nearly 55,000 inpatient admissions and nearly 4 million outpatient visits in 2007. I am committed to providing veterans with every resource necessary to ensure their continued health, and I am proud of Texas’ VA system and their dedication to quality care.

Contact Information
There are several outlets available to service members returning home. Below I have listed a variety of resources. You may, as always, feel free to contact my Texas offices if you need further assistance.

Department of Veterans Affairs
• Website: http://www.va.gov/

VA Services for Returning Vets
• Email: freedom@vba.va.gov

Veterans Crisis Hotline
• 1-800-273-TALK (Counselors are available 24/7)

Toll Free VA Contact Numbers
• VA Benefits: 1-800-827-1000
• Insurance: 1-800-669-8477
• Education (GI Bill): 1-888-442-4551
• Health care benefits: 1-877-222-8387
• Income Verification and Means Testing: 1-800-929-8387

Local VA Offices
• Dallas County: 214-819-1885
• Denton County: 972-434-8813
• Tarrant County: 817-531-5645
• Regional Office: 1-800-827-1000

My offices in Texas
• Lewisville: 972-434-9700
• Fort Worth: 817-531-8454

The following websites also offer many resources for veterans:

House Veterans Affairs Committee
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The American Legion
Disabled American Veterans
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Military Order of the Purple Heart
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Vietnam War Veterans Memorial
The Women's Memorial

Congress Passes Enhanced Benefits for Veterans
Expansion includes extension of enrollment for free VA health care for Combat Veterans

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2008, signed by President Bush on January 28, 2008, extends the period of enhanced VA health care eligibility provided a veteran who served in a theater of combat operations after November 11,1998. This includes combat veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom, OEF-Afghanistan Theater; and Operation Iraqi Freedom OIF-Iraq Theater veterans.

Under the "Combat Veteran" authority, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides cost-free health care services and nursing home care for conditions possibly related to military service and enrollment in Priority Group 6, unless the veteran is eligible for enrollment in a higher priority of care.

This new benefit applies to OEF/OIF veterans, currently enrolled veterans and new enrollees who were discharged from active duty on or after January 28, 2003 and is good for five years after discharge. Additionally, veterans discharged from active duty before January 28, 2003, who apply for enrollment on or after January 28, 2008, are eligible for the enhanced benefit until January 27, 2011.

Who's eligible: Veterans, including activated Reservists and members of the National Guard, are eligible if they served on active duty in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998, and have an honorable discharge.

Health benefits include cost-free VA health care and medications provided for conditions potentially related to combat service.

Additional benefits for all military members, who are eligible veterans, also include the following:

Expansion of Dental Eligibility: Veterans who served on active duty 90 days or more are eligible to receive one-time VA dental benefits if they make an application to VA within 180 days post discharge from active duty and if their discharge forms (DD Forms 214) does not indicate necessary dental treatment had been provided with 90 days of release from active duty. This basically doubles the time for members to receive their benefits.
Beneficiary Travel Benefits: On Feb. 1, 2008, beneficiary travel reimbursement rate is increased to 28.5 cents per mile for travel to or from a VA or VA-approved non-VA facility for the purpose of examination, treatment or care. The deductible for travel is $7.77 one way or $15.54 for a round-trip, with a monthly cap of $46.62 after which travel payments are free of deductibles.

Visit http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/ for eligibility requirements and directions to sign up for coverage.

Concerns about Identity theft

The Veterans Affairs Department says veterans need not contact financial institutions or cancel credit cards or bank accounts. Here is how veterans can protect themselves:

Be vigilant. Carefully monitor bank and credit card statements. Report unusual activity immediately to the financial institution involved and contact the Federal Trade Commission.

If you detect suspicious or unusual activity, do the following:

1. Contact the fraud department of one of the three major credit bureaus:

Equifax: (800) 525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian: (888) EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion: (800) 680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

2. Close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.

3. File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.

4. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by using its identity theft hot line, (877) 438-4338; go to www.consumer.gov/idtheft, or write to Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20580.

For more information, visit the Veterans Affairs Department's special Web site, www.firstgov.gov, or call (800) FED-INFO (333-4636).

SOURCE: Department of Veterans Affairs