State and Federal Benefit Updates

Online VA scheduling now available through My HealtheVet

Nov. 14, 2017 — Veterans can now manage primary care and certain specialty care VA appointments online at participating VA facilities with a Premium My HealtheVet account. If you are eligible to use online scheduling, you will see a “Schedule a VA Appointment” option when you log in to your Premium My HealtheVet account.

Army to provide medical care to volunteers who participated in chemical and biological testing

Nov. 21, 2017 — Veterans may be eligible to receive medical care if they participated in chemical or biological substance testing from 1942 to 1975 and have an injury or disease that they believe was proximately caused by their participation. Eligible veterans are encouraged to go to armymedicine.health.mil/Pages/cbtp.aspx or call 1-800-984-8523.

SORCC hiring 250 new employees

Jan. 5, 2018 — Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinic in White City is hiring 250 new employees, including 100 focused on mental health care. The VA also plans to grow its mental health teams in Grants Pass and Klamath Falls.

VA releases directive regarding medical marijuana use

Jan. 9, 2018 — A new guidance released by the federal VA directs VA clinical staff and pharmacists to discuss how veterans’ use of medical marijuana could interact with other medications or aspects of their care. VA providers are still not permitted to refer veterans to state-approved medical marijuana programs.

New online tool provides customized instructions for discharge upgrade

Jan. 25, 2018 — The VA has partnered with the Department of Defense to launch an online tool providing customized steps tailored to individual veterans attempting to upgrade their discharge. Visit vets.gov/ discharge-upgrade-instructions.

VA launches welcome kit for all veterans

Feb. 1, 2018 — To solve the question of “Where do I start?” the VA has released a new welcome kit to help veterans use their earned benefits and services. Find it at www.vets.gov/welcome-to-va.

VA ID Card launched; sign up online

Feb. 2, 2018 — Veterans can now apply for the Veterans Identification Card (VIC) to use as proof of military service. To apply, visit vets.gov, sign in and establish an ID.me account. Then request to “Apply for the Veteran ID Card.”

VA now offers adoption reimbursement

March 5, 2018 — Veterans with a serviceconnected disability that results in infertility may now have their adoption expenses reimbured by the VA. The application for reimbursement must be submitted no later than two years after the adoption is final or, in the case of adoption of a foreign child, no later than two years from the date a certificate of U.S. citizenship is issued. Application can be made online. Visit va.gov and use VA Form 10152.

VA launches nationwide outreach campaign in tribal communities

March 8, 2018 — The VA kicked off a nationwide campaign, titled “Your Service. Our Mission: Bringing Benefits Home” March 21. The campaign brings veteran disability enrollment claim events to tribal communities in 11 states including Oregon. To learn more, visit www.va.gov/ TRIBALGOVERNMENT/locations.asp.

Veterans can now use My HealtheVet to access benefits tools on vets.gov

March 14, 2018 — Veterans can now visit vets.gov and sign in with their My HealtheVet credentials. From there, they can access all of the services that vets.gov provides.

New web tool helps veterans track benefits appeals

March 21, 2018 — The VA and U.S. Digital Service launched an improved Appeals Status tool to help veterans track the progress of their benefits claims appeals. The tool is available at www.vets.gov/ disability-benefits/claims-appeal.

VA partners with Library of Congress to promote ‘Braille and Talking Book Program for Veterans’

April 5, 2018 — The Braille and Talking Book Program offers books in Braille or audio format either mailed to your door or downloadable digitally. Interested veterans may apply with this form: www.loc.gov/nls/ pdf/application.pdf.