President’sReport

3

Executive Director’s Report

4

Service Officer’s Report

5

Sports & Recreation6

WashingtonUpdate

8

9-Month Drawing Winners

9

VA News11

InsideWhat’s

continued on page 6

Vol. LXV, #7 The NewsleTTer of The New eNglaNd ChapTer paralyzed VeTeraNs of ameriCaJuly 2015

a member ChapTer of The paralyzed VeTeraNs of ameriCa – CharTered by The CoNgress of The uNiTed sTaTes

CORD WORDWORDCORD Article and pictures submitted by Lori Chase

The New England Paralyzed Veterans

Bass Trail held their 16th Annual Dis-

abled Bass Tournament on June 6th on

the scenic Charles River. These tournaments are

held at no cost to all participants and supported

through fundraising, donations and sponsors.

We were hosted by the Newton Yacht Club,

Commodore Dane Grasso and the members

who gave new meaning to the word hospitality.

They could not do enough to welcome us to

their club and make our day memorable. This

began with breakfast, fellowship, and lunch

provided to all on site, including their award

winning clam chowdah. They also provided us

with a Pontoon Boat and Captain for our bank/

pontoon division. We sincerely, cannot thank

them enough for their support of the BASS

TRAIL!

Mother Nature was indecisive as usual, the skies

were threatening, overcast and with a few sprin-

kles in the morning, however the sun shone in

intervals in the afternoon, with moderate temps.

As we know, in New England if you don’t like

the weather, just wait and it will change. How-

ever, there was no deterrent to any of our anglers

or boat captains who travelled from MA and as

far away as NH. No one missed the boat on this

day. We were fortunate to have had at least 6

new boat captains, who joined us from word of

mouth of attendees and networking at sports-

man’s shows. This tournament held a few new

anglers and several returning for their second

year, as well as our “old timers.” Returning this

year, was Dan Kenney, of GOFISHDAN.COM

and THENEWENGLANDFISHINGAND-

OUTDOOREXPO.COM Dan is a longtime

supporter and friend of the trail, he provided us

with video footage which can be viewed on his

site as well as on the NEPVABASSTRAILFA-

CEBOOK page. We will wait with baited breath

for Hollywood to contact us.

The Boston Coast Guard, who we met at the

NEWENGLANDSALTWATERSHOW.COM

was on board with us for their first year support-

ing the trail, and as most, has been hooked and

will most likely return next year. John Worrall,

TROLLING DOWN THE RIVER

AEBA Boat Captain Roger Winn (left) and Angler Steve

Carpenter show off their catch at the 16th Annual

NEPVA Bass Tournament on the Charles River.

Cord Word July 2015

www.nepva.org

PARALYZED VETERANS of AMERICA

NEW ENGLAND CHAPTERNEPVA ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

1600 PROVIDENCE HIGHWAY-SUITE 143WALPOLE, MA 02081

TEL: (508) 660-1181, 1-(800) 660-1181FAX: (508) 668-9412; e-mail: info@nepva.org

web: www.nepva.orgOffice Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:30pm

NEPVA OFFICERSPresident, Craig CascellaVice President, Wayne RossSecretary, Peter MooreTreasurer, Charles SchenaNational Director, Neal Williams

EXECUTIVE BOARD John BrakoBrad CarlsonWalter FarringtonMike Guilbault Jim WallackNeal Williams

Cord Word is published twelve times a year by the New England Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America, 1600 Providence Hwy., Suite 143, Walpole, MA 02081 in the interest of Chapter members. Membership in NEPVA entitles you to a free subscription to Cord Word. Articles published in Cord Word do not necessarily reflect the views of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, New England Chapter. NEPVA neither endorses nor guarantees any of the products or services advertised herein. Postmaster: send changes of address to NEPVA, 1600 Providence Hwy., Suite 143, Walpole, MA 02081

Monthly meetings are held every first Wednesday of the month at the NEPVA office in Walpole, Ma. The executive board meets at 10:30 a.m. Followed by the regular membership meeting at 1:00 p.m.

PROGRAM DIRECTORSDevelopment Director, Craig CascellaMembership Officer, Craig CascellaMS Liaison, John BrakoCommunity Outreach, Mike GuilbaultNEPVA Peer Mentor Rep., Mike GuilbaultScholarship Chairman, Craig CascellaSports Director, Brad CarlsonAssistant Sports Director, Mike GuilbaultBass Trail Liaison, Jim WallackWomen Veterans’ Liaison, Debra FreedVolunteer Chairman, Judy Goldstein

Hospital Liaisons Brockton, MA VAMC, Mike GuilbaultWest Roxbury, MA VAMC, Craig CascellaNorthampton, MA VAMC, Tim KellyProvidence, RI VAMC, Craig CascellaManchester, NH VAMC, Walter Farrington West Haven, CT VAMC, VacantWhite River Jct, VT VAMC, Craig CascellaTogus, ME VAMC, Neal Williams

STAFFExecutive Director, Debra FreedCord Word Editor, Judy GoldsteinGovernment Relations Director, Debra FreedAdministrative Assistant, Judy GoldsteinBookkeeper, Jeri FarinellaCord Word Design & Web Master, Harley Freedman

2

of our Chapter Members

John D. Barton

Royce D. Robertson

Harris Ullian

We deeply regret the passing

NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICEPARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA

BOSTON VA REGIONAL OFFICEJ.F.K. FEDERAL BUILDING - Room - 1575 C

BOSTON, MA 02203TEL: (617) 303-1395 & 1-800-795-3607

Fax: (617) 723-7467Eastern Region Director, Joseph E. Badzmierowski

Senior Secretary, Ann Marie Wallace

PVA NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICETOGUS, VARO, 1 VA CENTER

BLDG 248, ROOM 112AUGUSTA, ME 04330

Serving maine, new HampSHire and vermont

TEL:(207) 621-7394, FAX: (207) 621-4829TOLL FREE: 866-795-1911

Senior National Service Officer, John StansburySecretary, Violet Bates

PVA NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICEBROCKTON VAMC

940 BELMONT ST., BLDG. 3 ROOM 207BROCKTON, MA 02301

TEL: (774) 826-2219FAX: (774) 826-3167

National Service Officer III, Heather CherniackEast-North Area Manager

July 2015Cord Word

www.nepva.org 3

By Craig C. Cascella NEPVA President

President’s Report

Well, it finally appears the warm weather has

arrived, better late than never. It seems like it

has taken forever to arrive but maybe we will be

lucky and it will stay around a bit longer than usual before

the colder months return.

I’d like to thank our members who had taken the time to

nominate Chapter Officers and Board members for the next

fiscal year. I hope that our membership will also take a few

minutes of their time to cast their vote for said positions

when the time comes to do so.

On June 26, I will have attended a VISN-1 SCI Team meet-

ing. SCI related staff from all of the VAMC’s in the New

England region and local NSO’s will be in attendance. In the

next newsletter, I’ll pass along any pertinent updates from the

meeting.

A company has donated slide boards

to PVA which are then going to be

distributed to SCI centers in each

of the respective PVA Chapter ar-

eas. Each Chapter will receive ten

slide boards to either be distributed

to veterans in need of them or to be

used in their VA PT/OT clinic. I hope

to distribute them to the local SCI Center

when they arrive at the Chapter office.

As always, feel free to visit NEPVA’s web site (www.nepva.

org), PVA’s web site (www.pva.org), and the VA’s web site

(www.va.gov) for up to date and recent news. If you have any

questions, comments, or concerns please contact our office or

your local NSO.

It’s more than just a car.It’s a difference you can make by donating your ve-hicle to Paralyzed Veterans of America. Scheduling a pickup is FREE. Regardless of the condition, all donat-ed vehicles will be sold at auction and proceeds will benefit Paralyzed Veterans of America. Through your vehicle donation, you’ll make a difference to veterans suffering from spinal cord injury or disease. You may even earn a tax break, too!

One Car One Difference is IAA’s public awarenesscampaign promoting the benefits of vehicle donation.© 2013 Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. All rights reserved.

Donate today!Call or visit us online to donate your vehicle today:

855-744-0782

wheelshelpingwarriors.org

I am a donated vehicle.I am a new beginningfor america’s veterans.

“

”

Cord Word July 2015

www.nepva.org4

Executive Director’s Report

continued on page 14

continued on page 12

By Debra FreedExecutive Director

June

It really is amazing how fast a

month can go. One day it’s the

1st and before you know it, it’s

gone. Being busy might have

something to do with it. June was such

a month. Starting the weekend of June

6th, the Chapter held its annual Bass

Tournament on the Charles River at the

Newton Yacht Club. There were 21 an-

glers and 19 boats. Many thanks must

go to the American Eagle Bass Associa-

tion and the great volunteers that help.

The 9th Annual Billiards Tournament

was also slated for June 6th & 7th but

is postponed until August 8th & 9th. It

will be at Break-Away Billiards in Clin-

ton, MA. The weekend of June 13th, it

was also just as busy. Mr. Paul Kenney

assisted the Chapter by covering a table

at the Annual ALS Seminar in New

Hampshire where our very own NSO

John Stansbury was asked to speak. I

continue to forget to put things in my

calendar and triple booked the week-

end. The Women Veterans Conference,

the 41st Annual Wommanahaug Pow

Wow and the fact that we had tickets to

the new movie Jurassic World. Well, my

commitment to the Women Veterans

Conference came first, the Pow Wow

second and so I did not get to see Juras-

sic World.

On June 13th, I attended the 7th An-

nual Women Veterans Conference.

This event was held at the Best West-

ern Conference Center in Marlboro,

MA. Secretary Franciso Urena and

Lt. Gov. Polito were also on hand to

speak. Secretary Urena introduced the

keynote speaker. Betty Moseley-Brown,

is the Associate Director of the U.S.

Department of Veterans’ Center for

Women Veterans based in Washing-

ton, D.C. She is also a former Marine.

Ms. Mosely-Brown stated that it was

really important for women veterans to

reflect: “If you can’t remember where

you’ve been, and you’re not sure where

you are, then how in the world are you

going to know where you are going

to go.” She shared lunch with several

women veterans getting their stories

and sharing hers. She had no problem

with speaking to any

woman veteran

who wanted a

word with her.

She was also

very gra-

cious about

stopping and

taking photos.

That Saturday, Ms. Joyce

Goode & Chapter Board Member

Mike Guilbault covered the booth I set

up at the Pow Wow the night before.

On Sunday the 14th,

I covered the booth

– yes, I did get to see

Jurassic World while in

Dallas so all worked

out well. Mike Guil-

bault lives nearby and

stopped by to visit.

Also, Mr. Bruce Peirce

& Mr. Jim Delalio

It’s All In How You Look At ItBy Debra A. Freed

The title of this article is borrowed from the title of a book I’m reading. It

was written by Patricia Mitchell. Ms. Mitchell’s book is about “keeping

perspectives on life’s ups and downs.” There will be changes coming to

the President’s, Vice President’s & Treasurer’s positions for the 2016 fiscal year.

Many of you know that Chapter elections will soon be upon you. All Chapter

members will be receiving a ballot listing each member who has chosen to accept

their nomination for the position or positions they were nominated for.

While we only received a minimal number of nominations, I was extremely

humbled by the number of folks who nominated me for Chapter President. I have

never made it a secret that I harbor an ambition to be the first female President for

July 2015Cord Word

www.nepva.org 5continued on page 10

By Michael KruseSenior NSO, Buffalo, NY

Service Officer’s ReportVA Burial and Survivor Benefits

There are many survivor and burial benefits available

for veterans and dependents. The benefits range

from providing military funeral honors, gravesite

headstone or markers, obtaining gravesites in national cem-

eteries with available space, opening, and closing of graves

and perpetual care, to name a few. Compensation may be

available to veterans’ widows, and dependents.

This article will cover varieties of common programs and VA

applications to complete for VA burial and survivor ben-

efits. Each benefit requires different eligibility requirements

considered and weighed by the Department of Veterans

Affairs (DVA). For example, the DVA verifies veterans’ dates

of military service, character of discharges, valid life insur-

ance policies, causes of death, or any contributing factors to a

veteran’s early demise.

The Department of Defense (DOD) provides military

honors for veterans in commemorating those who served

our great nation. Public Law 106-65 mandates that veterans

who qualify receive military funeral honor ceremonies that

include presenting and folding the U.S. flag and the playing

of Taps. Contact your local funeral home to arrange military

funeral honors.

U.S. flags are offered to drape veterans’ caskets or to ac-

company urns for eligible veterans discharged from military

service under conditions other than dishonorable. Funeral di-

rectors and VA Regional Offices along with local post offices

can provide burial flags. Funeral directors can help in obtain-

ing burial flags. Generally, flags are offered to a next-of-kin as

keepsakes, after its use during funeral services. When there

is no next-of-kin, the VA will furnish flags to friends making

requests for them. Requests can be made by applying for flags

by completing VA Form 27-2008 (Application for United

States Flag for Burial Purposes).

Government headstones or markers are provided for un-

marked graves of any deceased eligible veteran in cemeteries

worldwide no matter the date of death and at no cost to ap-

plicants. The request for this task is performed by completing

VA Form 40-1330 (Application for Standard Government

Headstone or Market).

Eligible veterans who died on or after November 1, 1990,

and whose graves are marked with privately purchased head-

stones can qualify for headstones or markers in supplement-

ing graves. A medallion can be affixed to privately purchased

headstones by completing VA Form 40-1330M (Claim for

Government Medallion for Placement in a Private Cemetery).

Presidential Memorial Certificates can be requested for

veterans who were discharged under honorable conditions.

These certificates are engraved paper certificates signed by

the current president of the United States honoring deceased

veterans. This request can be made by completing VA Form

40-0247 (Presidential Memorial Certificate Request Form).

Burial Allowances are reimbursements (Partial) of eligible

veteran’s funeral and burial expenses. When causes of deaths

are not related to military service, reimbursements are labeled

as two separate payments:

1. Funeral and burial expense allowance

2. Internment or plot allowances.

Non-Service-Related Deaths – Deaths on or after October

1, 2011. The VA will pay maximum $700 toward funeral

and burial expenses (If veterans are hospitalized in a VA

hospital at time of death), or $300 toward funeral and burial

expenses (Veterans not hospitalized by the VA at time of

death). $700 plot-internment allowances are offered for vet-

erans not buried in national cemeteries.

Service-Related Deaths – The VA will pay maximum

$2,000 for funeral and burial expenses for deaths occurring

on or after September 11, 2011.

Family members can apply for these benefits by completing

VA Form 21-530 (Application for Burial Benefits). Ensure to

attach copies of military discharge papers, death certificates,

burial and, funeral receipts. The receipts should show that

Cord Word July 2015

www.nepva.org

Bass Trailcontinued from page 1

6

Sports & Recreation

founder of 45 NORTH.com, non profit camp and retreat for Veterans in Pitts-

burgh, NH, was also seeking “the Big One.” Karen Butler, MS. WHEELCHAIR

MASSACHUSETTS, longtime participant of the trail who has been battling MS

for 18 years, was on shore providing advocacy and education. Another tribute to

the trail are the lasting friendships created at these tournaments. Sharon Gravlin,

widow of longtime boat captain Doug Gravlin, who passed away last November af-

ter years of battling cancer, attended the tournament. Sharon reports, as do many,

the trail is “family.” Phil Paquette, longtime die hard angler who has also battled

serious illness for years, rendering this the first year he fished out of the pontoon

boat, has stated, “As long as I’m alive, I will not miss a tournament.” We were able

to provide him with support from Zack Robbins, 15 year old volunteer of years,

whose dad is one of our anglers, and winner this year.

And the winners are; 1st place: Jerry Ramasci and John Grogan 10.51

2nd place: Rob Ramasci and Joel Robbins 9.72

3rd place: Mark Burgess and Jamie Boulanger 9.06

Lunker: Ken Wood and Paul Reed 3.37

These tournaments would not be possible without the support of numerous

volunteers. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank

Ray Brunelle for participating with and organizing the support of the

Nam Knights Club. They provide physical assistance to maneuver in and out of the

boats with their skilled techniques, smiles, camaraderie and laughs on the docks.

Thank You, we could not do this without you!

Thank you to the NEPVA BASS

TRAIL Board of Directors:

Tiny Lafontaine, Bob(Soupy)

Campbell, Tom Lee, Laurie Campbell,

NEPVA BOD Jim Wallack, Colin

Richards, and Lori Chase. NEPVA

BOD members, participating were:

Wayne Ross, Mike Guilbault, Peter

Moore and Jim Wallack.

WE WOULD LIkE TO THANk OUR SPONSORS

GOFISHDAN.com

Sugarfree Productions LLC

Fishbanditclothing.com

Marsh Post 442

Newton Yacht Club

GE Employee’s Good Neighbor Community Fund

Woburn Supervisors & Patrolman’s Unions

Winchester Cooperative Bank

Northern Bass Supply

Reading Co-op Bank

Comfort Seating

TFO Rods

Campbell Post 101

Nam Knights

Larry’s Woodcraft

Quantum Wheel Chair

T & J Alves (Above l. to r.): Nam Knight Ray Brunelle with first time volunteer Jason Castillo and his son. (Top l. to r.): NEPVA Vice President Wayne Ross with Boater Chip Servant.

July 2015Cord Word

www.nepva.org 7

(Top left): Tiny Lafontaine accepts a donation from the Marsh Post 442 American Legion. (shown l to r) Frank Fitz, Tiny, Bob “Soupy” Campbell, and Dane Graso; (Top center): Boat Captain Josh Reece and NEPVA BOD member Peter Moore; (Top right): Alex O’Brien with AEBA Boater John Peterson.(Center left): Lunker winners Ken Wood and Paul Reed; (Center right): Ms. Wheelchair Massachu-setts Karen Butler (center) with (l. to r.) Tiny, Tom Lee and Mel from Fishbanditclothing.com.(Above): Nam Knights assist disabled anglers. Bass boat out on the Charles.(Right): The Nam Knights were on hand once again to assist with loading and unloading participants.

Cord Word July 2015

www.nepva.org8continued on next page

Washington Update Produced by PVAGovernment Relations Department

VA Appropriations Bills Approved

In late April, the House of Representatives approved H.R.

2029, the “FY 2016 Military Construction and Veterans

Affairs Appropriations Act.” While the full Senate has yet

to take up the bill, the Senate Committee on Appropriations

approved its version of the bill in May prior to the Memorial

Day recess. Both bills provide significantly less resources for

VA than what the Administration requested—approximately

$1.4 billion less in the House version and approximately $850

million less in the Senate version.

PVA and the co-authors of The Independent Budget have ex-

pressed serious concerns with both bills. The rationale of the

leadership in the House and Senate for reducing the request

for the VA is more about political philosophy than about

unnecessary resources. Most of the reductions are targeted at

freezing pay for VA employees and further reducing bonuses

(a step that has already been announced by VA). Unfortu-

nately, Congress seems intent on punishing the VA at every

turn, and this reflects another step in that direction.

Reducing the funding for VA programs below the level re-

quested by the Administration ignores the concerns that Sec-

retary Bob McDonald and Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson

have repeatedly expressed about managing to budget, not to

need (a problem that the VA and Congress have fostered for

far too long). Moreover, the appropria-

tions bills are significantly less than the

recommendations of The Independent

Budget.

PVA and our partners in the veterans

service organization community has

essentially called on members of Con-

gress to oppose the appropriations bills

until sufficient funding is restored to

fully meet the health care and benefits

needs of veterans. For more informa-

tion about The Independent Budget

recommendations for funding the VA,

visit www.independentbudget.org.

PVA National President Testifies

On May 20, 2015, PVA National President Al

Kovach, Jr., testified before a joint hearing of

the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’

Affairs. This hearing was rescheduled from March. Presi-

dent Kovach focused his remarks on expanding the VA’s

Comprehensive Family Caregiver Program to veterans of all

generations and on the ongoing problems with the construc-

tion project in Denver, Colorado. Additionally, there were a

number of questions targeted at the ongoing implementation

of the “Choice” program established by P.L. 113-146, the

“Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act.”

During the hearing, Senate VA Committee Chairman John-

ny Isakson (R-GA) expressed significant interest in passing

legislation to eliminate the inequity in the Family Caregiver

Program. This issue is the top legislative priority for PVA for

this Congress. No reasonable justification can be given as to

why veterans who incurred a catastrophic disability prior to

September 11, 2001, should be denied access to the Family

Caregiver Program. Moreover, no group of veterans under-

stands the importance of caregivers more than PVA’s mem-

bers.

President Kovach’s full written statement can be viewed at

www.pva.org.

House VA Subcommittee on Health Reviews Non-VA Purchasing

On June 3, 2015, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs,

Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled “Assessing

VA’s Ability to Promptly Pay Non-VA Providers.” Witnesses

told Subcommittee members about the egregious delays in

payments to non-VA providers, as well as hundreds of lost records. The

representative testifying on behalf of the Acadian Ambulance Service said

there were more than $30 million in outstanding payments that are over

90 days past due. They later found that 768 claims had gone missing. The

company sent their claims via certified mail and VA had confirmed receipt.

In response, the company is then forced to bill the veteran. The president

July 2015Cord Word

www.nepva.org 9

FOR SALE

Nuprodx Multichair 3000 TX Travel Bath Chair-Never Used.

Complies with FAA requirements for carry-on luggage.

$1,200.00

APT 5 Active Passive Leg Trainer in perfect condition $1,800.00

Cash Only. Available for pick up in Waltham, MA

Call the NEPVA office

FREE TO MEMBER

for contact info on these itemsCALL THE NEPVA OFFICE

Power WheelchairExcellent Condition

Needs batteriesPick up in Warwick, RI

Hoveround Power Wheelchair(Teknique GT)

About 5 years old, used one year; mayneed batteries; for average size person;

headrest, joystick.Available in Ashland.

Portable Shower with electricpump and shower head; for use inside or outside. Brand new.

Pick up in Needham, MA

OurNine Month Drawing

JUne winners

$50Paul Nyerick

Granby, CT

$25Nancy Vandal

Southbridge, MA

$25Mike Savicki

Cornelius, NC

The NEPVA Rollers Bowling Team posed for a group photo on June 2

at Westgate Lanes in Brockton, MA at their end of season celebration.

of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association testified that his

association had $34 million in past-due invoices from VA, some up to three

years old. The VA’s representative accepted responsibility for the delays and

explained a major factor in the causing the delays is volume. VA had a 34

percent increase in claims from January 2015 to April 2015, compared to the

same four months in 2014. To address the problem, VA plans to increase the

number of full-time employees in centers with high turnover and claim vol-

ume, as well as create a centralized call center. As of March, VA owed $878

million in delayed payments to non-VA providers.

Cord Word July 2015

www.nepva.org

continued from page 5Service Officer’s Report

10

funeral bills are paid in full.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a paid

benefit to any eligible survivor of military veterans, and active

duty service members who lost their lives in the line of duty.

This benefit entails completing VA Form 21-534 (Application

for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, Death Pen-

sion, and Accrued Benefits by a Surviving Spouse or Child).

Gravesites located in VA National Cemeteries cannot be

reserved in advance. Veterans should always advise fam-

ily members of their wishes for burials and where discharge

papers are located. Veterans discharge papers prove important

in establishing eligibility to these important benefits.

Families can contact funeral homes to assist them in mak-

ing burial arrangements at national cemeteries. Veterans may

make pre-need arrangements with funeral homes. Veterans

and family members who require further assistance with

these benefits should contact a local Paralyzed Veterans of

America National Service Officer.

July 2015Cord Word

www.nepva.org 11continued on page 12

VA NEWS

The Department of Veterans

Affairs (VA) today published

a new regulation that expands

eligibility for some benefits for a select

group of Air Force Veterans and Air

Force Reserve personnel who were

exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange

through regular and repeated contact

with contaminated C-123 aircraft that

had been used in Vietnam as part of

Operation Ranch Hand (ORH).

VA published this regulation as an

interim final rule so that it could im-

mediately begin providing benefits

to eligible Air Force veterans and Air

Force Reserve personnel who submit a

disability compensation claim for any

of the 14 medical conditions that have

been determined by VA to be related to

exposure to Agent Orange.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert

A. McDonald made the decision to

expand benefits following receipt of a

2015 report by the National Academy

of Sciences Institute of Medicine (IOM)

on Post-Vietnam Dioxin Exposure in

Agent Orange-Contaminated C-123

Aircraft. This VA-requested report

found evidence that as many as 1,500 to

2,100 Air Force and Air Force Reserve

personnel who served as flight, medical

and ground maintenance crew members

on ORH C-123 aircraft previously used

to spray Agent Orange in Vietnam were

exposed to the herbicide.

“Opening up eligibility for this deserv-

ing group of Air Force veterans and

reservists is the right thing to do,” said

Secretary McDonald. “We thank the

IOM for its thorough review that pro-

vided the supporting evidence needed

to ensure we can now fully compensate

any former crew member who develops

an Agent Orange-related disability.”

Under this new rule, Air Force and

Air Force Reserve flight, medical and

ground maintenance crewmembers

who served on the contaminated ORH

C-123s are presumed to have been ex-

posed to herbicides during their service,

thus making it easier for them to estab-

lish entitlement for some VA benefits if

they develop an Agent Orange-related

presumptive condition. In addition, for

affected Air Force Reserve crew mem-

bers, VA will presume that their Agent

Orange-related condition had its onset

during their Reserve training. This

change ensures that these reservists are

eligible for VA disability compensa-

tion and medical care for any Agent

Orange-related presumptive condition,

and that their surviving dependents are

eligible for dependency and indemnity

compensation and burial benefits.

The interim final rule can be found

on the Federal Register: www.federal-

register.gov/public-inspection. VA will

immediately begin processing claims

and issuing benefits to eligible Air Force

crew members.

VA encourages reservists who were as-

signed to flight, ground or medical crew

duties at Lockbourne/Rickenbacker Air

Force Base in Ohio (906th and 907th

Tactical Air Groups or 355th and 356th

Tactical Airlift Squadron), Westover Air

Force Base in Massachusetts (731st Tac-

tical Air Squadron and 74th Aeromedi-

cal Evacuation Squadron) or Pittsburgh,

Pennsylvania, International Airport

( 758th Airlift Squadron) during the

period 1969 to 1986, and developed an

Agent Orange-related disability to file

a disability compensation claim online

through the joint VA-Department of

Defense web portal, eBenefits (https://

www.ebenefits.va.gov/).

VA also has identified several active

duty locations where ORH C-123

aircraft may have been used following

their service in Vietnam. Active duty

personnel who served in a regular USAF

unit location where a contaminated

C-123 was assigned and who had regu-

lar and repeated contact with the air-

craft through flight, ground or medical

duties during the period 1969 to 1986,

and who develop an Agent Orange-

related disability, also are encouraged to

apply for benefits. For more information

on applying for these benefits, including

the affected units, Air Force Specialty

Codes and dates of service for affected

crew members, and a listing of Agent

Orange-related conditions, visit www.

benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/

claims-postservice-agent_orange.asp.

In order to avoid unnecessary delay

of benefits, claimants should annotate

“(C-123)” after each Agent Orange

related disability in Part II, Block 14 of

VA Form 21-526 or Section I, Block 11

of VA

VA Expands Disability Benefits for Air Force Personnel Exposed to Contaminated C-123 Aircraft

Cord Word July 2015

www.nepva.org12

continued from page 4Exec. Director continued from page 11

VA News

stopped by with veterans from the

Brockton & West Roxbury VAs. The

Chapter sponsors lunch for veterans

and their care-takers.

The National Veterans Wheelchair

Games took place in Dallas, TX from

June 21st through June 26th. There

were nine long term care athletes and

eleven out-patient athletes plus the VA

Staff, volunteers and family members

who dedicated a week of their lives to

the athletes who participated. See the

August issue for awards and photos.

“(Ride-Away) knew what to do. Dave made all the phone calls to the VA... saving me $25,000!”

Steve poses here with his Ride-Away Sales Consultant, Dave Qualey, of the Londonderry, NH facility.

-Steve Hodgkins Malden, MA

It’s no wonder why Ride-Away customers remain so loyal — Superior Support! Ride-Away — America’s #1 provider of modified vehicles for people with disabilities.

• VetsMobileOps Program• VA assistance support• All vehicle trade-ins accepted• 24/7 Roadside assistance• QAP Certified factory trained technicians

888-Ride-Away (888-743-3292)

www.Ride-Away.com

Form VA Form 21-526EZ when filing on eBenefits. Example: Diabetes (C-123).

If claimants have any of the following documents, they should be attached to their

application:

• Discharge,separationpapers,(DD214orequivalent)

• USAFForm2096(unitwhereassignedatthetimeofthetrainingaction)

• USAFForm5(aircraftflightduties)

• USAFForm781(aircraftmaintenanceduties)

• Dependencyrecords(marriage&children’sbirthcertificates)

• Medicalevidence(doctor&hospitalreports)

VA will process all claims related to C-123 exposure at the St. Paul, Minnesota,

VA Regional Office. Claims not filed through eBenefits should be mailed to the

following address (or faxed to 608-373-6694):

Department of Veterans Affairs

Claims Intake Center

Attention: C123 Claims

PO Box 5088

Janesville, WI 53547-5088

Individuals with specific benefit questions related to herbicide exposure on C-123s

may call VA’s special C-123 Hotline at 1-800-749-8387 (available 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.

EST) or e-mail VSCC123.VAVBASPL@va.gov.

July 2015Cord Word

www.nepva.org 13

Cord Word July 2015

www.nepva.org14

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www.amemobility.com1551 Fall River Avenue, Seekonk, MA 02771

*Please call for details and qualifi cations

1-800-311-2849

If you can’t come to uswe’ll come to you

LIFETIMEWARRANTY(Call or visit us for

more information)

continued from page 4How you look at it

the New England Chapter. While I continue to harbor that

ambition, it doesn’t seem to be the right time. However, as

the title states: it’s all in how you look at it. It is also a great

time to reflect – where do I want to go?

Yes, I get to travel around New England as well as around

the country for various Chapter events. I get to meet a lot of

great people, veterans and those who serve veterans. And yes,

I receive a decent salary as well as expenses for said travel.

The Executive Director’s position shares the seat of power

with the chapter president. I am currently responsible for

the office, the office staff, the drivers, the vehicles, and the

Chapter finances. There are a total of seven employees that

I work with. So, the question becomes: Would I be better

suited as a Chapter President than I am Executive Director?

Again, it is all in how you look at it. I ask that you look at it

from my perspective. For the record, I am not 100% service

connected so yes, I like getting a paycheck. Yes, I pay taxes

on that money –my way of paying back a bit of what I have

gotten and continue to get over the years.

A Chapter President is con-

sidered a volunteer and while

expenses are covered and there

might be a small stipend, I

believe I make out better where I

am. There is one thing I haven’t

mentioned – politics – some-

thing I don’t feel I am ready

for. Will I get to stay Executive

Director when a new President

is elected? I remain hopeful that

I have proven my worth over the

last several years and hope to be

around for several more years.

So, when you see the resumes

in the August newsletter and

you receive your ballot please,

please be sure to vote for the

best candidate and get your

ballot back as soon as possible. I

believe the last date ballots will

be accepted will be September

1st. The future of the Chapter,

your Chapter definitely depends

on how you look at it now and

in the future.

July 2015Cord Word

www.nepva.org 15

Enjoyboth hands on the wheel !

KEMPF is a NMEDA member.

Visit: www.kempf-usa.com to find videos and com-ments from users and to request a quotation.

Call Toll-free: 1-888-4-KEMPF-US (453-6738) for a free DVD and free brochure.

DARIOS is VA accepted.KEMPF features nationwide free at-home pick-up and delivery and at-home service.

Digital Accelerator Ringoptimized for speed

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Leominster, MA

Permit No. 17

New England PVA1600 Providence Highway, Suite 143Walpole, MA 02081

tel: 508 660-1181 800 660-1181fax: 508 668-9412

Email: info@nepva.org

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:30pm

New England Summer Sports Clinic Providence, RI – July 20-24

NEPVA Billiards Tournament August 8-9, Break-Away Billiards, Clinton, MA

Bass TrailSeptember 11-13 – Lake Winnipesaukee TournamentOctober 3-5 – Camp Pine Tree, Rome, Maine

Shooting Events8/21 – Monument Beach Club in Bourne 9/5 – Bellingham Police Range9/18 – Shawmee Rod and Gun Club9/24 – Pembroke Old Colony10/2 – Bass River Rod and Gun ClubContact Joan.Lynch@va.gov

Mark Your Calendar