THE NEWSLETTER OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHAPTER PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA November 2013 Vol. LXIII, #11 A MEMBER CHAPTER OF THE PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA – CHARTERED BY THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES C ORD W ORD W ORD C ORD President’s Report 3 Executive Director’s Report 4 Service Officer’s Report 5 Sports & Recreation 8 PVA News 10 Washington Update 12 Inside What’s continued on page 6 O n a damp fall evening, approximately 130 guests assembled at the Holiday Inn in Mansfield, MA for the NEPVA Annual Banquet on October 4, 2013. Upon their arrival, members, friends and family, along with VA staff gathered and mingled in the cock- tail lounge while meatballs, scallops wrapped in bacon and stuffed mushrooms were being passed around. This year’s banquet again featured a four course dinner with a choice of entrée (filet mignon, stuffed chicken breast, grilled salmon or a vegetarian meal), and awards. Music was provided for the evening by DJ Scott Arrington of Murray Hill talent. As in the past, the lounge area and banquet hall were beautifully decorated with balloons, and colorful centerpieces in an array of fall colors. Decorations, as always, were provided by Bal- loons over Boston. Keeping with tradition, ladies were again presented with a long stem red rose as they approached the banquet hall. Upon entering the banquet hall, everyone was seated and enjoyed their fresh fruit cup followed by salad. After salads were served, NEPVA President Craig Cascella came forward to the microphone to welcome everyone and introduce some honored guests. As in past years, NEPVA was honored to have several officials from the VA Boston Healthcare System in attendance as well as PVA Service Office staff (see a list of our special guests on page 6). Craig then introduced NEPVA officers, Board members and staff. Fol- lowing the welcome remarks and introductions, everyone was served dinner. After guests finished their entrees, the awards portion of the evening began and President Craig Cascella returned to the podium. He spoke briefly about New England PVA, its his- tory, and accomplishments. Following Craig’s introductory remarks, the awards ceremony began with recognition of Louise Milligan, who retired after 35 years of service to SCI veterans. Craig presented her with a plaque in appreciation for her many years of service. Carrying on an annual tradition, Craig then pre- sented the Pierik awards to two nurses. The award was founded many years ago by retiring Chief of Nurs- ing Madeline Pierik, who donated a sum of money to be used for recognition of 2013 NEPVA Annual Banquet Attending the NEPVA Banquet were: (l to r) VABHS Director Vincent Ng; VABHS Associate Director Dr. Susan MacKenzie; NEPVA President Craig Cascella; Chief of SCI, VISN I Dr. Sunil Sabharwal; Dr. Elsa Aguilera and her husband Albert Engelhart.
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The NewsleTTer of The New eNglaNd ChapTer paralyzed VeTeraNs of ameriCaNovember 2013 Vol. LXIII, #11
a member ChapTer of The paralyzed VeTeraNs of ameriCa – CharTered by The CoNgress of The uNiTed sTaTes
CORD WORDWORDCORD
President’sReport
3
Executive Director’s Report
4
Service Officer’sReport
5
Sports & Recreation8
PVA News10
Washington Update
12
InsideWhat’s
continued on page 6
On a damp fall evening, approximately
130 guests assembled at the Holiday
Inn in Mansfield, MA for the NEPVA
Annual Banquet on October 4, 2013. Upon
their arrival, members, friends and family, along
with VA staff gathered and mingled in the cock-
tail lounge while meatballs, scallops wrapped in
bacon and stuffed mushrooms were being passed
around. This year’s banquet again featured a
four course dinner with a choice of entrée (filet
mignon, stuffed chicken breast, grilled salmon
or a vegetarian meal), and awards. Music was
provided for the evening by DJ Scott Arrington
of Murray Hill talent.
As in the past, the lounge area and banquet hall
were beautifully decorated with balloons, and
colorful centerpieces in an array of fall colors.
Decorations, as always, were provided by Bal-
loons over Boston. Keeping with tradition, ladies
were again presented with a long stem red rose as
they approached the banquet hall.
Upon entering the banquet hall, everyone was
seated and enjoyed their fresh fruit cup followed
by salad. After salads were served, NEPVA
President Craig Cascella came forward to the
microphone to welcome everyone and introduce
some honored guests. As in past years, NEPVA
was honored to have several officials from the
VA Boston Healthcare System in attendance as
well as PVA Service Office staff (see a list of our
special guests on page 6). Craig then introduced
NEPVA officers, Board members and staff. Fol-
lowing the welcome remarks and introductions,
everyone was served dinner.
After guests finished their entrees, the awards
portion of the evening began and President
Craig Cascella returned to the podium. He
spoke briefly about New England PVA, its his-
tory, and accomplishments. Following Craig’s
introductory remarks, the awards ceremony
began with recognition of Louise Milligan, who
retired after 35 years of service to SCI veterans.
Craig presented her with a
plaque in appreciation for
her many years of service.
Carrying on an annual
tradition, Craig then pre-
sented the Pierik awards to
two nurses. The award was
founded many years ago
by retiring Chief of Nurs-
ing Madeline Pierik, who
donated a sum of money to
be used for recognition of
2013 NEPVA Annual Banquet
Attending the NEPVA Banquet were: (l to r)
VABHS Director Vincent Ng; VABHS Associate
Director Dr. Susan MacKenzie; NEPVA
President Craig Cascella; Chief of SCI, VISN I Dr.
Sunil Sabharwal; Dr. Elsa Aguilera and her husband
Albert Engelhart.
Cord Word November 2013
www.nepva.org
PARALYZED VETERANS of AMERICA
NEW ENGLAND CHAPTERNEPVA ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
1600 PROVIDENCE HIGHWAY-SUITE 143WALPOLE, MA 02081
NEPVA OFFICERSPresident, Craig CascellaVice President, Wayne RossSecretary, Peter MooreTreasurer, Charles SchenaNational Director, Craig Cascella
EXECUTIVE BOARD John BrakoBrad CarlsonWalter FarringtonMike GuilbaultDustin Soroka 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, Dustin Soroka
STAFFExecutive Director, Debra FreedCord Word Editor, Judy GoldsteinGovernment Relations Director, Debra FreedAdministrative Assistant, Judy GoldsteinBookkeeper, Jeri FarinellaCord Word Design & Web Master, Harley Freedman
2
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
940 BELMONT ST., BLDG. 3 ROOM 207BROCKTON, MA 02301
TEL: (774) 826-2219FAX: (774) 826-3167
National Service Officer II, Heather Cherniack
$50Thomas Bird
Oregon City, OR
$25Wayne RossScituate, MA
$25Timothy Kelly
South Hadley, MA
OurNine Month Drawing– October Winners –
November 2013Cord Word
www.nepva.org 3
By Craig C. Cascella NEPVA President
President’s Report
IN REMEMBRANCE
We deeply regret the passing of our Chapter Members & Friends:
and extend our heartfelt sympathyto family and friends.
Bruce W. Bohnwagner
Wendy Glidden,PVA Secretary III
Kevin J. Walsh
…of the 33 PVA Chapters, NEPVA
is the largest donor towards
spinal cord injury and disease
research being conducted at the
(Yale) research facility.
Hello members and friends.
I hope all of you had a very
enjoyable summer and as the
weather is now changing, I hope all of
you have an enjoyable Fall & Winter
as well. While I could absolutely live
in a summer-like climate year round,
some of our members love the winter,
and especially many of the sports and
recreation programs the Chapter offers.
Please browse our newsletter and web
site for upcoming activities you may
want to consider participating in.
By the time you receive this issue of our
newsletter, Chapter members & I will
have visited the Yale Center for Neu-
roscience and Regeneration Research,
located on the campus of the West
Haven, CT VAMC. It is the 25th anni-
versary for the Center for Neuroscience
and Regeneration Research and proudly
a Collaboration of the Paralyzed Veter-
ans of America with Yale University. As
you may know, of the 33 PVA Chapters,
NEPVA is the largest donor towards
spinal cord injury and disease research
being conducted at the research facility.
There is a great deal for veterans that
travel by rail, as the Amtrak Downeas-
ter is saluting our Troops and Veterans
with $11 Fares. The Northern New
England Passenger Rail Authority
(NNEPRA), today announced that
starting on Veterans Day, Monday,
November 11th, the Amtrak Downeas-
ter will begin offering $11 one-way fares
to active duty military personnel and
veterans
on the
11th day
of each
month.
This
offer is
valid for
active
duty mil-
itary per-
sonnel and veterans only. Reservations
must be made three (3) days in advance
of travel. Please reference promotion
code v159 when making the required
reservation. In addition, active duty
U.S. military personnel, their spouses
and their dependents are eligible for a
10 percent discount off most Amtrak
rail fares. Amtrak offers other discounts
that can be found at Amtrak.com.
“We are dedicated to making a dif-
ference for our active duty military
and veterans, and hope that this dis-
count will make a well-deserved trip
on the Downeaster a reality”, said
Natalie Bogart, Marketing Director of
NNEPRA.
The Northern New
England Passenger
Rail Authority
(NNEPRA)
is a public
transporta-
tion author-
ity created
in 1995 by the
Maine State Leg-
islature to develop and
provide passenger rail service between
Maine and
Boston and points
within Maine.
NNEPRA’S mis-
sion is to develop
and manage a
quality passenger
rail system that
meets the trans-
portation needs
of our customers,
delivers value, and enhances economic
development within the region we serve.
In other local news, the Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded
a final grant totaling $419,557 to the
State of Maine. The grant is for Federal
assistance toward the cost of renovating
the heating/ventilation/air conditioning
system, rooms, and windows at the State
Veterans Home in Scarborough, Maine.
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.
Cord Word November 2013
www.nepva.org4
By Debra FreedExecutive Director
Executive Director’s Report
continued on page 10
There has been a lot going on.
While the weather is chang-
ing and the holidays will soon
be upon us, some things remain con-
stant. Before I go on, we are all aware
that several PVA members have passed
away in recent months. No one is more
important to us than any other. In the
past two weeks, PVA unexpectedly lost
Wendy Glidden, a dedicated secretary
at the Togus PVA Service Office, and
Bruce “Skip” Bohnwagner, a long time
Chapter member, American Wheelchair
Bowling member, and friend. Ms. Glid-
den was diagnosed with lung cancer a
little more than two months ago, but
became ill and passed unexpectedly.
Another constant is fundraising, which
is ongoing. While our members are
all aware-- or should be aware by now,
the Chapter does not receive any local,
state, or federal money. While our
Chapter works well with the VA system
throughout New England, we do not
receive any funding from the VA.
So, how do we raise funding for our
operations? We have a professional
telemarketer. What people don’t under-
stand is even though it seems they are
getting the lion’s share, they are also
doing all the work, have all the respon-
sibility, and all of the expenses that go
with this type of program. It is one of
the most efficient and important forms
of donations we receive.
Our other fundraising programs include
what some of our sports programs do.
The Bass Trail, for example, solicits
donations from various sports/fishing
venues. The Billiards Program also
solicits contributions from various busi-
nesses, and the venue hosting the event
donates the table time for the entire
tournament.
Most of the fundraising work is done
by the Board of Directors, myself, and
those who participate in the various
sports programs. In addition, it is not
unheard of to hear from a member who
offers to either volunteer or provide
information on a potential funding
opportunity, which is vital to our orga-
nization.
It is my pleasure and
honor to con-
gratulate our
member, Mr.
Joe Stalaboin
for working
with his com-
pany, DePuy
Synthes, a Johnson
& Johnson Company, to
create the first (and hopefully annual)
Harvest Car Show to Benefit New Eng-
land Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Joe and I have been working on this for
over 6 months. He wanted us to be the
first recipients of their fundraiser which
was co-sponsored by the Johnson &
Johnson Companies Veterans Leader-
ship Council and the Alliance for Dis-
ability Leadership. Held on Saturday,
October 12 in Raynham, MA, the car
show had 104 car entries, including
classics from the 50’s to the 80’s and
antiques as old as 1910. Seven vendors
set up booths, alongside our NEPVA
table that sold some of the gear we are
currently advertising on our chapter
website. Two car dealerships – Route
How We Make A Difference: One Volunteer at a Time
Left: Wayne Ross poses in front of a 1910 Oakland Model 24 Roadster at the Harvest Car Show to Benefit New England PVA. Right: Attending the Harvest Car Show were: (l to r) Judy Goldstein, Wayne Ross, Debra Freed and Car Show organizer Joe Stalaboin, who is also an NEPVA member.
November 2013Cord Word
www.nepva.org 5
Service Officer’s Report
continued on page 10
VA 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 marker’s, 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 benefits.
Each benefit requires different eligibility requirements con-
sidered and weighed by the Department of Veterans Affairs
(DVA). For example, the DVA verifies veterans’ dates of mili-
tary service, character of discharges, valid life insurance poli-
cies, 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 accom-
pany urns for eligible veterans discharged from military
service under conditions other than dishonorable. Funeral
directors and VA Regional Offices along with local post
offices can provide burial flags. Funeral directors can help
in obtaining 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 (Applica-
tion for United States Flag for Burial Purposes).
Government headstones or markers are provided for
unmarked graves of any deceased eligible veteran in cemeter-
ies worldwide no matter the date of death and at no cost to
applicants. The request for this task is performed by complet-
ing 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 vet-
erans’ 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 veterans 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
funeral bills are paid in full.
By Michael J. KruseSenior National Service Officer, Buffalo, NY
Cord Word November 2013
www.nepva.org
banquetcontinued from page 1
6
outstanding SCI nurses from the West
Roxbury VA SCI unit and the Brockton
VA Long Term Care unit. This year’s
winners were: Jennifer Leonard, LPN
from the VABHS Brockton Campus
and Alicia Sullivan, RN from the
VABHS West Roxbury Campus. In
presenting the Pierik awards, Craig read
statements from each facility as to why
each recipient was deserving of this
award. The two recipients were awarded
silver bowls with the engraving, “For
Outstanding Care and Devotion To
SCI Patients.”
Following the awards presentations,
chocolate cake and coffee were served.
As the early birds departed, the dance
music got going and out on the dance
floor, Mike Guilbault showed everyone
his expertise in wheelchair dancing.
Surrounded by dancers, Mike became
the center of attention as he balanced
on his back wheels alone and demon-
strated the true meaning of rock and
roll.
Once again, dedicated VA staff mem-
bers made sure that the patients enjoyed
their night out.
We hope to see everyone, and
some new faces as well, at
next year’s banquet. Check
future issues of Cord Word for
the date.
NEPVA wishes to thank our special guests
for joining us at the NEPVA Banquet.
Mr. Vincent Ng
Director, VA Boston Healthcare System
Dr. Michael Charness
Chief of Staff, VA Boston Healthcare System
Dr. Susan MacKenzie
Associate Director, VA Boston Healthcare System
Dr. Sunil Sabharwal
Chief of SCI & SCI Care Line VISN-1
Sandra Sousa
Associate Director, VA Boston Healthcare System
Ms. Cecilia McVey
Chief of Nursing Service, VA Boston Healthcare System
Joan Clifford
Associate Chief of Nursing, VA Boston Healthcare
System
Ralph Marche - Chief Voluntary Service
Ms. Leslie Pierson
Health System Specialist to the Chief of Staff Provi-
dence VAMC
Joe Badzmierowski
PVA Eastern Region Director
Heather Cherniak
PVA National Service Officer II
Ann Marie Wallace
Secretary PVA Regional Office Boston
Ms. Bonnie Russell
Nurse Manager, SCI Unit A-2 West Roxbury VAMC
Ron Martin
Nurse Manager, SCI LTC Unit Bldg. 8 Brockton VAMC
The Pierik Awards for outstand-ing SCI nursing care were presented to (top) Jennifer Leonard, LPN of the VABHS Brockton Campus; and (bottom) Alicia Sullivan, RN of the VABHS West Roxbury Campus.
Dr. Sunil Sabharwal congratulates Louise Milligan after she received an award of appreciation for her 35 years of service to SCI veterans.
PIERIK AWARDS
November 2013Cord Word
www.nepva.org 7
Phot
os: H
arle
y Fr
eedm
an
See all the banquet photos at www.nepva.org
Cord Word November 2013
www.nepva.org8
By Brad Carlson Sports Director
Sports & Recreation
For those of you familiar with
those words, you must have
attended one of many shoot-
ing events over the past few months.
Unfortunately they are finished for the
year. It seems to me that each year each
club works harder and harder to make
their event better than it was the year
before. The volunteers at all of these
shoots are top notch. They cannot
do enough to make sure you have an
enjoyable day at their club. Whether
you like to try out some real cool older
weapons or some high power scoped
rifles for long range shooting, they have
them. Do you like to shoot at targets
that blow up and really let you and
everyone know that you’re a good shot?
Then you’re at the right place. How
about just shooting at an array of dif-
ferent targets from beer cans to water-
melons; that’s right, you are at the right
place. I guess the bottom line is each
one of these clubs had something for
everyone including a lot of knowledge
from the range staff. If you happened to
miss out this year, don’t worry because
we will do it all over again next year.
I have to give a big shout out and thank
you to Mr. Dick Hurley for all of his
hard work at these events and especially
for keeping everyone safe out there on
the firing line. A special “Thank You”
to the following clubs for a great few
months: Bellingham Police Dept.,
Seekonk Rod and Gun Club, Shawmee
Gun Club, Monument Sportsmanship
Club, and Bass River Rod and Gun
Club. We will see you next year!
In next
month’s arti-
cle, I will men-
tion all of the
winter events
coming up,
which there
are plenty of.
Since some
of the information is not complete at
this time, please look forward to next
month’s article and take note of the
dates.
Don’t forget about The New England
Winter Sports Clinic which is held
every year at Mount Sunapee. As you
know this is the premier event during
the winter and you don’t want to miss
out on this one! The registration dead-
line is December 1st and I recommend
getting it in sooner as this is a sell out
every year (see the Chapter web site for
more information).
Last on the list- I have heard that there
is an interest out there to put Power
Soccer into our programs and I would
love to get more feedback from every-
one interested. We are DEFINITELY
going to form our first ever Football
team early next year. Everyone inter-
ested should contact me. For both of
these new sports please send an e-mail
directly to me (becarlson66@hotmail.
com). Your input is crucial for these
sports to take place.
Have a great Thanksgiving and remem-
ber that there is plenty to do so get out
there and do it!
“ALL CLEAR ON THE FIRING LINE”
2014 Winter Sports Clinic for Disabled VeteransThe VA New England Healthcare System invites you to participate in the 2014 Winter Sports Clinic at Mount Sunapee January 13th through the 17th, 2014. This event promotes rehabilitation by instructing physically chal-lenged veterans in adaptive Alpine skiing and will provide an introduction to other adaptive activities and sports.
Applications and additional information are available at the website: www.nehsa.org or by calling the NEPVA office.
Veterans can apply to participate by completing all elements of the registra-tion packet. Only fully complete applications received by December 1, 2013 will be accepted. Mail your complete application to:
Ralph Marche (135)VA Boston Healthcare System150 S. Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02130
November 2013Cord Word
www.nepva.org 9
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www.nepva.org10
PVA NEWS
continued from page 4
Executive Director’s Report
44 Hyundai of Raynham and Mas-
tria Motor Group of Raynham made
generous donations to NEPVA. Other
sponsors included: Alan M. Walker
Insurance of Taunton, Metro Ford
of Raynham, Walmart ((Raynham),
Lowes (Raynham) and CruisinBruce.
com.
Many thanks go to Joe and his col-
leagues; also, to Dave Anderson and
his Air Force Junior ROTC group from
Taunton High School. They really
were a huge help. Before I forget, many
thanks need to go to our Admin Assis-
tant Judy Goldstein and our new Vice
President Wayne Ross for coming out
and supporting the event. While fortu-
nately it didn’t rain, it was very breezy
and got a bit chilly when the cloud
cover arrived.
Dependency and Indemnity Compen-
sation (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
Pension, and Accrued Benefits by a Sur-
viving Spouse or Child).
Gravesites located in VA National Cem-
eteries cannot be reserved in advance.
Veterans should always advise family
members of their wishes for burials and
where discharge papers are located.
Veterans discharge papers prove impor-
tant in establishing eligibility to these
important benefits.
Families can contact funeral homes to
assist them in making burial arrange-
ments 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.
continued from page 5Service Officer’s Report
The numbers are not all in quite yet
and it was never discussed what the
financial goal was, but we do know that
thanks to Joe, the many outstanding
volunteers and especially all the dif-
ferent car entrants, the Chapter will
receive over $4000.00!
In other news, by the time this comes
out, I will have gone on vacation and
returned to attend the 25th Anni-
versary of the Yale University Center
for Neuroscience and Regeneration
Research based at the West Haven VA
and supported by PVA. I look forward
to reporting on this in my next article.
In addition, I will attend the Women
Veterans Appreciation on November
7th and the Veterans Day Ceremony at
the State House on November 11th.
Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) has secured over $1 billion in new
and current benefits claims for veterans and their survivors during fiscal year 2013. The
$1 billion consists of compensation, pension and survivor payments paid to Paralyzed
Veterans’ clients.“What’s remarkable about this achievement is not simply the $1 bil-
lion milestone. What’s amazing is we hit this target with far fewer field staff working on very
complex claims, and doing so with a high level of accuracy,” said Sherman Gillums, associate
executive director of Veterans Benefits at Paralyzed Veterans of America. “Because Paralyzed
Veterans specializes in assisting and developing claims for the most severely disabled veterans,
our work requires a very high level of detail, competence in interpreting medical evidence and
more extensive knowledge of complex regulations than needed for typical claims.”
Paralyzed Veterans of America provides free, comprehensive benefits assistance and advocacy
to all veterans and their families through its National Service Officers who are located across
the country. Services range from bedside visits, to guidance in the VA claims process, to legal
representation for appealing denied claims.
“While the money is an obvious quantitative measure to be celebrated, it’s really the impact
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Cord Word November 2013
www.nepva.org12
Washington Update Produced by PVAGovernment Relations Department
The Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) currently provides
caregiver support services
to all veterans and their caregivers
through the Program of General Sup-
port Services as required by Public Law
111-163, “The Caregivers and Veterans
Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010.”
Under this law, the VA is also required
to provide additional caregiver support
services to veterans with a service-
connected injury that was incurred
after September 11, 2001, through the
Program of Comprehensive Assistance
for Family Caregivers. The VA recently
provided Congress with a report evalu-
ating the feasibility of expanding this
program based on the current status of
VA caregiver support services.
Veterans and caregivers eligible to
receive services through the Program
of Comprehensive Assistance for
Family Caregivers have access to ben-
efits that include health care coverage
through the VA’s Civilian Health and
Medical Program of Veterans Affairs
(CHAMPVA), a monthly stipend based
on the care provided, and payment
for travel and lodging when partici-
pating in medical appointments with
a veteran. As the law only provides
these benefits to service-connected,
severely disabled veterans injured after
September 11, 2001 (9/11), veterans
who would otherwise be eligible for
the program but injured prior to 9/11,
do not have access to the same support
services.
PVA has testified before Congress
that the majority of PVA members are
excluded from these VA caregiver ben-
efits because of the arbitrary selection
of the September 11, 2001 date. Addi-
tionally, the law does not provide these
comprehensive caregiver services to vet-
erans with serious illnesses or diseases,
even if they are service-connected, such
as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In the
report evaluating the feasibility of the
comprehensive caregiver program, VA
recognizes this fact, and states that,
“Expansion of the Program of Compre-
hensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
would remedy the inequity created by
the current statutory requirements, and
would further recognize the sacrifice of
our veterans from all eras and the needs
of their family caregivers.”
VA further reports that while it is fea-
sible for the Veterans Health Admin-
istration to expand the eligibility for
the comprehensive caregiver program,
at this time it cannot recommend such
an expansion without the guarantee
of more resources to provide services
to the newly enrolled veterans. The
VA projects that the cost of expanding
eligibility for the Program of Compre-
hensive Assistance for Family Caregiv-
ers would be substantially greater than
the current program with eligibility
constraints. The VA concludes that it
would need more resources from Con-
gress to make certain that an expansion
would not jeopardize its overall health
care resources.
It is the position of PVA that no reason-
able justification can be provided as to
why pre-9/11 veterans with a service-
connected injury or illness should
be excluded from the comprehensive
caregiver program. This issue is a top
priority for PVA. Legislation staff will
continue to work with Congress and
VA to determine the resources needed
to expand the Program of Comprehen-
sive Assistance for Family Caregivers to
eligible veterans of all eras. Expanding
eligibility for this program will ensure
that all service-connected, catastrophi-
cally disabled veterans receive adequate
caregiver support services.
VA Evaluates Expansion of Eligibility for Family Caregiver Assistance
Expansion of the Program
of Comprehensive Assis-
tance for Family Caregiv-
ers would remedy the
inequity created by the
current statutory require-
ments, and would further
recognize the sacrifice of
our veterans from all eras
and the needs of their
family caregivers.
November 2013Cord Word
www.nepva.org 13
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Cord Word November 2013
www.nepva.org14
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