October 2010

VETERAN BENEFITS, NEWS

     Periodically we receive questions in regard to the VA Medical System, if enrolled what are you covered for, etc. This month we will be beginning a series on the coverage provided once you are enrolled into the system. We begin this month with a description of the "Priority Groups":
     "Upon receipt of a completed application, the Veteran's eligibility will be verified. Based on his/her specific eligibility status, he/she will be assigned to one of the following Priority Groups. The Priority Groups range from 1 through 8 with Priority Group 1 being the highest priority and Priority 8 the lowest."
■■PRIORITY GROUP 1
     ►Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 50%or more disabling.
     ►Veterans determined by VA to be unemployable due to VA service-connected conditions.
■■PRIORITY GROUP 2
     ►Veterans with VA service connected disabilities rated 30% or 40% disabling.
■■PRIORITY GROUP 3
     ►Veterans who are former POWs
     ►Veterans awarded the Purple Heart Medal
     ►Veterans whose discharge was for a disability that was incurred or aggravated in the line or duty.
     ►Veterans whose discharge was for a disability that was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
     ►Veterans with VA service connected disabilities rated 10% or 20% disabling.
     ►Veterans awarded special eligibility classification under Title 38, U.S.C., 1151, "benefits for individuals disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation"
■■PRIORITY GROUP 4
     ►Veterans who are receiving VA aid and attendance or housebound benefits.
     ►Veterans who have been determined by VA to be catastrophically disabled.
■■PRIORITY GROUP 5
     ►Non Service connected Veterans and noncompensable service connected Veterans rated 0% disabled whose annual income and net worth are below the established VA Means Test thresholds.
     ►Veterans receiving VA pension benefits.
     ►Veterans eligible for Medicaid benefits.
■■PRIORITY GROUP 6
     ►World War I Veterans
     ►Compensable 0% service-connected Veterans
     ►Veterans exposed to ionizing radiation during atmospheric testing or during the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
     ►Project 112/SHAD participants.

                  Continued on page eight.........................

VETERAN LEGISLATION/NEWS

UPDATE ON VETERANS FUNDING TO CDVA

     Last month Pete Conaty, Veteran Advocate, explained the problem of the reduction in funding for the CA Department of Veterans Affairs, specifically in the area of the Governor's "Operation Welcome Home" program. We do have good news to report from Pete:
     "After the joint Budget Conference Committee cut the Governor's budget for Operation Welcome Home funding, county veterans service offices and veterans service organizations, I devised a plan to work to reinstate the funding.
     My plan included getting the major veterans organizations, county boards of supervisors, and legislators in support of the funding. Nineteen county Boards of Supervisors sent letters of support. Seventy-five legislators signed onto a letter requesting the full amount be put back in the budget. We worked hard following the lead of the Governor's office and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
     The plan culminated in a Capitol press conference on August 5th with all veterans organizations calling for the funding to be restored in the budget.
     We convinced the four Republican members on the Joint Budget Conference Committee to request that the committee re-open the issue.
     As a result, with the help and support of so many, funding was increased for CDVA's veterans services from $2.6 million to $7.6 million, which includes funding for county veterans' service offices and veterans service organizations to work in support of Operation Welcome Home.     Thanks Pete! Good Job!

CA LEGISLATION

The budget such as it is, has been completed. The Governor has signed all of the bills he is going to sign for this year. There weren't too many bills dealing with Veteran issues. Here is one for this time, will update more next month.
►►►AB 2314 - Block - Property tax exemption: disabled veterans: procedure.
Existing law establishes a property tax exemption for disabled veterans. Existing law provides that for property for which the disabled veterans' exemption would have been available but for the taxpayer's failure to receive a timely disability rating from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA), there shall be canceled or refunded any taxes, including any interest and penalties thereon, levied on that portion of the assessed value of the property that would have been exempt under a timely and appropriate claim, provided that the claimant meets specified conditions. These conditions are that (1) the claimant had an application pending with the USDVA and subsequently received a rating that qualifies the claimant for the disabled veterans' exemption, and continued on page seven....................

THE CAPITAL VETERAN..........OCTOBER, 2010........Page 4

ACTIVITIES/EVENTS COMING UP

CPR/AED TRAINING CLASS

DATE: Saturday, October 30, 2010
TIME: Begins at 10AM - Training is approximately 5-6 hours. We will have a break at lunch time.
WHERE: VVA500 Hall
COST: $10. payable at the door, this covers official certification and instruction book. If you do not want certification, you may attend and just take notes.
DEADLINE FOR RSVP: Saturday, October 23. Sign up at the Gen. Meeting, call, or e-mail so the books, etc. can be ordered. Those who signed up at the last meeting, need to confirm. The chapter recently purchased a defibrillator for the Office/Hall. But, in order to set it up and use it, we must have the classes. Come and learn how to save a life.
The maximum size of the class is 20, so sign up quickly!

"THE VIETNAM EXPERIENCE" IN PETALUMA

DATE: Saturday, November 6, 2010
TIME: Early morning departure yet to be decided.
WHERE: Meet at VVA500 Hall for transportation to Petaluma.
COST: Museum entrance is free to Veterans.
DEADLINE FOR RSVP: October 29. Those who signed up at the last meeting, please confirm. This promises to be a great exhibit, enjoy it together. And Grace, who now lives in Petaluma is anxious to see you all.

NOVEMBER MEANS VETERANS DAY

Since we are getting really close to November, here are activities that will be happening on or about Veterans Day, so you can mark your calendars and plan ahead.

DATE: Saturday, November 6, 2010
EVENT: 8th Annual Hispanic Veteran's Recognition
This event is becoming one of the premier events of Veteran Day celebrations. hosted by the American GI Forum. Each event honors outstanding military personnel from WWII, Korea, Vietnam and now Iraq. It is a dinner/dance affair.
WHERE: Elks Club at Florin and Riverside Dr.
TIME: Usually around 6PM. More info. to come on that.
COST: $40. per person. For tickets and information, call 916-564-4445 or e-mail: agif-sacramento@prodigy.net.

DATE: Sunday, November 7, 2010
EVENT: Vettes for Vets Car Show - Sponsored by the CA Automobile Museum. Open to all year Corvettes. Proceeds go to various Veteran Organizations. Food and drink available for purchase. Fallen Warrior Memorial on display, Veteran organization tables, Continued in next column........

                           VVA500 HALL SCHEDULE
►►Office hours are: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri. 10-4PM.
                                           Wednesdays - Noon - 5:30+
►►Wednesdays - 4:30PM - Group for those spouses or significant others, relatives of those who have PTSD. Call to confirm.
►►Thursdays 1-4PM - File Claims or develop your claim for filing. Call for an appointment.

        Of course you are always open to come into the Hall on the days that we are open to work on puzzles, play games, watch TV, movies, do some volunteer work, etc. You don't have to make an appointment or have any special activity. Grab your friends and just come on in. Evenings can be open for movies, games upon request at this time. We have been thinking about Bingo. Interested? Call the office.

     Any questions about any of the activities, office number to call is 916-481-6020.

NOVEMBER EVENTS, CONTINUED......

Vettes for Vets Car Show, cont. - Huey Helicopter will also be there.
WHERE: CA Automobile Museum - 2200 Front St. - Sacramento
TIME: Gates open at 9:00AM
COST: Spectators are free. Car entries are $10.00 . Free entrance for Veterans to the Museum itself on the 6th as well as Veterans Day on the 11th. For information: call Bob at 916-216-1494, or go to: www.CalAutoMuseum.org.

DATE: Wednesday - November 10, 2010
EVENT: Marine Corps Birthday Ball, hosted by the W. H. Nichols Detachment, Marine Corps League - Folsom - Live Band Dancing
WHERE: Folsom Community Center
TIME: 5pm no host cocktails, 7pm dinner,
COST: $35. per person
MORE INFO AND TICKETS: 916-984-8455

DATE: Thursday, November 11, 2010
EVENT: Folsom Veterans Day Parade - hosted by the City of Folsom. THIS IS THE PARADE THIS YEAR THAT VVA500 WILL PARTICIPATE IN.
WHERE: Parade begins at the old Mervyns Parking Lot and ends at the Folsom Community Center where participants are fed.
TIME: The parade itself begins at 9AM - More information to come for assembly time. Stay tuned.

DATE: Thursday, November 11, 2010
EVENT: Elk Grove Veterans Day Parade - hosted by the City of Elk Grove.
WHERE: Parade begins at the Elk Grove Community Center, wends it's way to the Park where the participants are fed.
TIME: Parade itself begins at 11:00AM. Entries must be assembled by 10:15AM.
More events on Page seven.......

PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION, CONT.

(2) the claimant subsequently files an appropriate claim for the exemption the later of 30 days of receipt of the disability rating from the USDVA or on or before the next following lien date.
This bill would make these provisions applicable to property for which the disabled veterans' exemption would have been available but the taxpayer had not yet received a disability rating fro the USDVA that qualifies the claimant for the exemption. The bill would delete the first condition described above requiring the claimant to have had an application pending with the
USDVA and subsequently have received a qualifying rating. The Bill would also change the timeframe for which a claimant may file an appropriate claim for the exemption to 90 days of receipt of the disability rating or on or before the next following lien date.
►►Chapter Note: You must be totally disabled to take advantage of this benefit.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

     Chapter 500 awarded four scholarships this year. One for $1,000. for the Sarah Bonnifield Memorial Scholarship and three $500. scholarships in memory of all of the fallen brothers and sisters lost in the Vietnam War. One of the requirements to be awarded $500. was that the student must complete a substantial paragraph on his or her educational goals. We are publishing those paragraphs in our newsletters.
     This month we are publishing the second of our $500. scholarship winners educational goals. Michelle Schmidt, a previous winner of VVA500 scholarships, is attending CA State University Sacramento.
     "My educational goal is to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from California State University Sacramento. I am entering my senior year this fall with a GPA of 3.686. In addition to being a diligent student, I have also been active in the Accounting Society and the honorary accounting fraternity Beta Alpha Psi. It is a difficult job market and the accounting firms have more students applying than positions available. The two accounting organizations have given me many opportunities to interact with the accounting firms and to obtain leadership experience, both of which are important in obtaining a future job. My positions have included Secretary, VP of Membership and President of the Accounting Society and then Membership Director, Fundraising Director, and this fall the VP of Social Activities in Beta Alpha Psi.
     I have explored the various opportunities available in accounting, taxation, and auditing by participating in the accounting organizations and by having a small tax practice. In order to gain some practical experience and earn money towards fees and books, I registered for a tax course recognized by the California Tax Education Council. I passed the exam, and was licensed and bonded. My fledgling practice has seventeen clients and is geared towards pick up and delivery to seniors.
                   Continued in the next column.....................

SCHMIDT SCHOLARSHIP ENTRY, CONTINUED

     I cater to elderly and disabled individuals since they often need help finding their information and some are no longer able to drive. Four of my seniors are veterans from WWII, Korea or Vietnam and I have one veteran who served in the military of the United Kingdom.
     My career goal is to obtain a position in an accounting firm and pass the CPA exam in order to become a licensed CPA. I have applied for a tax internship with an accounting firm for which I will actually receive at least three semester hours of credit this fall in addition to practical experience. I love working with numbers and helping people, I think I have found a good match. Thank you for your service in the military and your continued service to veterans and their families."
     Congratulations Michelle! We wish you success in achieving your very worthy goals.
     Thanks again to our judges, Paul Copsey, Jurita Kilborn, and Marty Snezek for reviewing and choosing our scholarship winners.

MORE NOVEMBER ACTIVITIES

DATE: Thursday, November 11
EVENT: Free Pancake Breakfast provided by Assemblyman Ted Gaines.
WHERE: Roseville Veterans Memorial Hall - 110 Park Drive
TIME: 8:30am to 10am.

DATE: Thursday, November 11
EVENT: 5th Annual Veterans Day Celebration
WHERE: Sacramento VA Medical Center - Mather
TIME: 10am

DATE: Thursday, November 11
EVENT: Roseville Veterans Day Ceremony - Lunch provided afterward by VFW Post 1487
WHERE: Roseville Veterans Memorial Hall - 110 Park Drive
TIME: 11am

DATE: Thursday, November 11
EVENT: Sacramento Youth Symphony's Premier Orchestra Veterans Day Concert
WHERE: Sacramento Memorial Auditorium - 1515 J Street
TIME: 6pm
COST: FREE - VVA500 has 20 tickets, first come, first served.

DATE: Thursday, November 11
EVENT: Vietnam Veterans of Ca/Sacramento Veterans Resource Center Fundraiser for their programs.Entertainment/Appetizers
WHERE: Radisson Hotel - 500 Leisure Lane - Sacramento
TIME: 6pm-10:30pm
COST: 3 tiers per person: $50, $75, and $100.
TICKETS AND INFO: 916-393-1690

PRIORITY GROUP 7, continued

     ►Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998, as follows:
           • Veterans discharged from active duty on or after January 28, 2003, who were enrolled as of January 28, 2008, and Veterans who apply for enrollment after January 28, 2008. for five years post discharge.
           •Veterans discharged from active duty before January 28, 2003, who apply for enrollment after January 28, 2008, until January 27, 2011.
■■PRIORITY GROUP 8 - (Means Testing)
     ►Veterans with income and/or net worth above the VA national income thresholds and income below the geographic income thresholds who agree to pay copays.
     •Subpriority a: Noncompensable 0% service connected Veterans enrolled as of January 16, 2003, and who have remained enrolled since that date.
     •Subpriority c: Non service connected Veterans enrolled as of January 16, 2003, and who have remained enrolled since that date.
     •Subpriority e: Noncompensable 0% service connected Veterans applying for enrollment after January 16, 2003.
     •Subpriority g: Non service connected Veterans applying for enrollment after January 16, 2003.
    Chapter Note: So what are the income limits to qualify? Keep in mind, there are several additions and subtractions required to come up with the final totals, but the basics are: In Sacramento & Placer County, for a family of four, the limit is $72,600., for the Veteran only, $40,650., for the Veteran +1, $46,500. and so on. Obviously the more dependents the higher limit allowed. Yolo County is similar, just a little less allowed. Nevada County, mostly a couple of thousand less is allowed.
     So, if you are a Veteran and fit into one of the Priority Groups, check into getting enrolled if you haven't done so yet. Next month we will start to detail the benefits covered by being enrolled.

                 JANNIE IS IN DOGGIE HEAVEN FOR SURE
     For some of you old timers, we wanted to report that Jannie, Past President Karen's Service Dog has passed away. We remember Jannie coming to some of the meetings back when we met at the Roseville Hall. She was a sweet dog and kept Karen going in the right direction and out of trouble for several years. Jannie enjoyed pizza time and those special doggie biscuits that Ted used to bring for her. We who knew her will miss her.
     Physicians and mental health professionals are beginning to realize how important animals can be not only as service dogs, such as Jannie, but as companions for those suffering with mental issues or recovering from injuries. So while the dogs and other pets serve their humans well, we might take a look at how to repay them. We received this in the office, but don't know who the author is but check out "A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS"...... in the next column....and then take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters.

PTSD AND DEMENTIA???

from Military.com

A new study has linked post-traumatic stress disorder to dementia later in life. While the findings of the study do not prove that PTSD causes dementia, they did show that combat PTSD is linked to dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The study was conducted by the VA Medical Center in Houston and is published in the September edition of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The following are some details of the study:

The objectives of the study were to explore the association between post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dementia in older veterans. The participants in the study were veterans aged 65 and older who had a diagnosis of PTSD or who were recipients of a Purple Heart (PH) and a comparison group of the same age with no PTSD diagnosis or a PH. They were divided into four groups: those with PTSD and no PH, those with a PH and no PTSD, those with PTSD and a PH and those without PTSD or PH.

The results were: The PTSD and no PH group had a significantly higher incidence and prevalence of dementia than the groups without PTSD or without a PH. The prevalence and incidence of a dementia diagnosis remained two times as high in the PTSD group without a PH as in the no PTSD, no PH group after adjusting for the confounding factors. There were no statistically significant differences between the other groups. The conclusion to this is: The incidence and prevalence of dementia is greater in veterans with PTSD. It is unclear whether this is due to a common risk factor underlying PTSD and dementia or to PTSD being a risk factor for dementia. Regardless, this study suggests that veterans with PTSD should be screened more closely for dementia. Because PTSD is common in veterans, this association has important implications for veteran care.

THE PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. My live is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please rake care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

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BACK TO VVA500

PLEASE PATRONIZE OUR ADVERTISERS

SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS, ONE CARE PACKAGE AT A TIME. THE DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM, CALIFORNIA CHAPTER IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION (501c 3)FORMED SOLELY TO SUPPORT OUR TROOPS ACTIVELY SERVING OUR COUNTRY TO KEEP AMERICA SAFE.

ACTION BUYS MILITARY ITEMS!

Sea Kayaking is a great, low-stress, outdoor recreation. After kayaking on the East Coast for many years, Steve Keller, Chapter 500 member, and wife Mary, discovered Penguin Paddlers, right in their town of Rocklin. The owner of Penguin Paddlers is a USAF Pararescue Veteran. Penguin Paddlers has an active, friendly club, with the average age in the 60's. They have local and road trips, with clinics and demonstrations. So it's an ideal recreation for VVA members. You can ask Steve at t meeting, or contact him at 916-791-6705, or e-mail: doublekayak@yahoo.com. The Penguin website is: www.penguinpaddlers.com.

                                    CHAPTER INFORMATION
OFFICERS: President: Gregory C. McNeill
Vice President: Jim Singleton
Secretary: Ted Adams
Treasurer: Jerry Quint - is also Alternate State Delegate
BOARD MEMBERS: Monty Montoya, Marty Snezek, Karen Winnett                 State Delegate: Gregory McNeill
AVVA REPRESENTATIVE: Vacant at this time.
ADDRESS: Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., Chapter 500
                                            P.O. Box 255484
                                           Sacramento, CA 95865
TELEPHONE:                 916-481-6020 FAX: 916-481-2609
E-MAIL:                          vva500@sbcglobal.net
CHAPTER WEBSITE: www.norcaltrav.com/vva500.htm
FOR INFORMATION: Call or e-mail, Executive Director,
                                           Mary Lou McNeill
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS: Mail to Chapter address or e-mail information. Please send pictures in jpeg form.
VVA Chapter 500 is a non-profit organization, #68-0208305, CT#75945, United Way #12583. All donations to support our projects such as our Scholarship Fund, Helping Hands Fund, Events for Veterans, and Honor Guard will be gratefully appreciated. You may earmark your donation to the project you wish to support.
VVA500 HALL PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 4441 Auburn Blvd., Suite J
Hall is located at the corner of Auburn Blvd. and Orange Grove Ave. There are several ways of reaching the hall, Auburn Blvd. exits off I-80, Madison exit to Auburn Blvd., Watt Ave. to Auburn Blvd. When you get to the complex, the Hall is on the far end off Auburn Blvd.. Just look for the flag pole in the back corner.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
♫♫♫Karen Anne Winnett - Marines♫♫♫Bill Wagner - Army♫♫♫Jim Morris - Army♫♫♫Douglas Wright - Army♫♫♫David Kruger - Air Force♫♫♫Sheryl Schmidt - Air Force♫♫♫Kenneth Crouse - Marines♫♫♫Michael Kunda - Air Force♫♫♫Robert Kinzel - Marines♫♫♫Bob Jordan - Army♫♫♫Mac Henderson - Navy♫♫♫Dennis Brazeal - Army♫♫♫James Leiser - Air Force ♫♫♫William Calhoun - Marines♫♫♫Fred Buchman - Marines♫♫♫Eddie Riddle - ♫♫♫Wendy Harper - AVVA♫♫♫Danny Lee Wallace - Army♫♫♫Chet Fong - Navy♫♫♫Lorna Griess - Army♫♫♫Doug Haney - Army♫♫♫Robert Miller - Army♫♫♫Lem Murray - Marines♫♫♫David Silguero - Army ♫♫♫Danny Wallace - Army♫♫♫Ed Hocking - Army♫♫♫Sandra Moreno - Army-AVVA♫♫♫

NOTICE REGARDING FUTURE NEWSLETTERS

We are currently updating our membership list for addresses, e-mails, phone numbers and past dues. Please let us know if there are any changes. If your dues are past due, this will be the last newsletter you will receive. This will also hold true for those who have been receiving complimentary newsletters and have received a letter asking you to join as a VVA or AVVA member.

Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.
Sacramento Valley's Chapter 500
P.O. Box 255484
Sacramento, CA 95865
916-481-6020 - vva500@sbcglobal.net

         ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED