operations enduring freedom/ 

GW iraqi freedom review GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR 

www.va.gov/Environagents/ 

Information for Veterans Who Served in Iraq and Afghanistan and Their Families 

Vol. 5, No. 2 

PEAKE TAKES ACTIONS TO SUPPORT 

NEW COMBAT VETERANS 

Dr. James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans 

Affairs (VA), has emphasized outreach to 

new veterans as a focus during the current 

conflicts since assuming office. VA’s recent 

efforts include appointment of a panel of 

national suicide experts with the goal of 

reducing veteran suicides. This follows the 

establishment of a VA suicide hotline in 

2007 in order to ensure veterans with mental 

health crises have immediate access to trained 

coordinators twenty-four hours a day. More 

recently, VA announced that it is contacting nearly 570,000 

recent combat veterans to ensure they know about VA 

medical services and other benefits. In addition, Secretary 

Peake will continue the program of sending letters to all 

who have been released from active duty and are eligible 

for VA benefits (including those who continue to serve in 

the Reserves or National Guard). Included in the letter 

from Secretary Peake is a statement regarding enhanced 

eligibility for combat veterans and contact information for 

those seeking additional information. 

Secretary Peake stressed his commitment to easing the 

transition of our current generation of returning, combat 

experienced men and women and of “the opportunity 

to look to the future of this newest generation of combat 

veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan – getting it 

right for them and for their families.” “We will reach out and 

touch every veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and 

Operation Iraqi Freedom to let them know we are here for 

them,” said Dr. Peake. 

“VA is committed to getting these veterans the help they 

need and deserve.” Secretary Peake continued, “You need to 

know that I believe deeply in the mission; and that I believe 

in you. I know quite a number of you already. I’ve seen the 

ethic, the caring, the compassion, and the technical skills.” 

Dr. Peake, a combat veteran of the Vietnam War and 

former Army Surgeon General, was sworn in by President 

George W. Bush as the Nation’s sixth Secretary of 

Veterans Affairs. (Continued on page 2) 

Dr. James B. Peake 

Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

June 2008 

FIVE YEARS OF VA HEALTH CARE 

FOR COMBAT VETERANS 

Peake: Honoring Commitment 

to Newest Combat Veterans 

Military veterans who served in combat 

since November 11, 1998, including veterans 

of Iraq and Afghanistan, are now eligible 

for enhanced enrollment opportunities that 

provide cost-free medical care from the 

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for 

conditions potentially related to service in 

the theater of combat operations for a 5-year 

post-discharge period. This measure increases a 2-year 

limit that has been in effect for nearly a decade. 

“By their service and their sacrifice, America’s newest 

combat veterans have earned this special eligibility period 

for VA’s world-class health care,” said Secretary of Veterans 

Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. (Continued on page 2) 

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 

IOM Report on PTSD Released ..............................................2 

What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You; How the VA Picks Up 

on Hidden Conditions ..............................................................3 

VA Needs More Volunteer Drivers...........................................4 

Federal Student Aid’s Office of the Ombudsman....................4 

FAFSA Facts 

Application Deadlines 

What’s New?............................................................................5 

One-Stop Career Centers 

Transition Assistance Program for Veterans (TAP) 

HireVetsFirst: DOL’s Transition Program 

SBA’s Patriot Express Loans 

VA Home Loan Guaranty 

Education Benefits for Returning Operation Enduring 

Freedom / Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans 

How to Apply for Disability Compensation from VA.................5 

New Disability Compensation Rates for 2008 

About the OEF/OIF/GWOT Review.........................................6 

Where to Get Help and Additional Information........................7 

Address Changes ....................................................................7 

Department of Veterans Affairs 

OT 
 

(Peake Sworn in as VA Secretary, page 1) 

“Dr. Peake takes office at a critical moment in the history 

of this Department,” said President Bush. “Our Nation is at 

war – and many new veterans are leaving the battlefield and 

entering the VA system. This system provides our veterans 

with the finest care.” 

A native of St. Louis and graduate of the U.S. Military 

Academy at West Point, Peake attended medical school 

after serving in Vietnam, where he earned the Silver Star 

and Purple Heart. 

Peake, who retired in 2004 as a three-star general, is a boardcertified thoracic surgeon. His commands included the 

U.S. Army Medical Command, headquartered at Ft. Sam 

Houston, TX; Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, 

WA; the 44th Medical Brigade at Fort Bragg, NC; and the 

18th Medical Command in Seoul, South Korea. 

As Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Peake assumes 

leadership of the second largest Cabinet department, with 

about 250,000 employees and a budget last year exceeding 

$82 billion. 

(Five Years of VA Health Care, page 1) 

The 5-year post-discharge period has no effect upon 

veterans with medical conditions VA determines 

are related to their military service. Veterans may 

apply at any time after their discharges from the 

military — even decades later — for medical care for 

service-connected health problems. 

The new provision, part of the National Defense 

Authorization Act of 2008 signed by President Bush on 

January 28, 2008, applies to care in a VA hospital, outpatient 

clinic or nursing home. It also extends the application 

period for VA dental benefits for veterans who were not 

provided necessary dental care prior to their discharges 

— previously limited to 90 days after discharge for most 

veterans — to 180 days. 

Combat veterans who were discharged between 

November 11, 1998 and January 16, 2003, and who never 

enrolled in VA’s health care system, may apply for this 

enhanced enrollment opportunity through January 27, 2011. 

This 5-year post-discharge period is also open to 

activated Reservists and members of the National Guard 

if they served in a theater of combat operations after 

November 11, 1998, and were discharged under other than 

dishonorable conditions. 

Veterans who take advantage of this 5-year post-discharge 

period will continue to receive care after five years, 

although certain veterans may have to pay copayments 

for medical problems unrelated to their military service. 

Copayments currently range from $8 for a 30-day supply 

of prescription medicine to $1,024 for the first 90 days 

of inpatient care each year. For additional information, 

please call toll-free 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or visit us 

online at www.va.gov/healtheligibility. 

IOM REPORT ON PTSD RELEASED 

Military service in a war zone may 

have an increased chance of developing 

post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), 

other anxiety disorders, and depression, 

according to Gulf War and Health: Volume 

6. Physiologic, Psychologic, and Psychosocial 

Effects of Deployment-Related Stress, a report from t h e 

Institute of Medicine. Serving in a war also increases the 

chances of alcohol abuse, accidental death, and suicide 

within the first few years after leaving the war zone, and 

marital and family conflict, including domestic violence, 

said the committee that wrote the report. The new report 

was requested by the Department of Veterans Affairs, which 

asked for a comprehensive analysis of the scientific and 

medical evidence that connect deployment-related stress and 

long-term health problems, with a special focus on veterans 

of the 1991 Gulf War. The report documented a wide range 

of Gulf War stressors, including Scud missile and artillery 

attack; contact with enemy prisoners of war or dead animals; 

direct combat duty; seeing someone killed or wounded; worry 

about chemical weapon attacks; separation from family; 

sexual assault; having a combat related injury; and the length 

of deployment. 

The report indicates that chronic pain; chronic fatigue 

syndrome; drug abuse; fibromyalgia; gastrointestinal symptoms; 

incarceration; skin diseases; and unexplained illnesses also may 

be associated with the stresses of being in a war, but the evidence 

to support these links is weaker. For other health problems 

and adverse effects reviewed, the scientific data are lacking 

or contradictory; the IOM committee could not decide if links 

between these ailments and deployment-related stress exist. 

Although the report cannot offer definitive answers about 

the connections between many health problems and the 

stressors of war, it is clear that veterans who were deployed 

to war zones self-report more medical conditions and poorer 

health than veterans who were not deployed. Those who 

were deployed and have PTSD, in particular, tend to report 

more symptoms and poorer health, the committee found. 

PTSD often occurs together with other anxiety disorders, 

depression, and substance abuse; severity is associated 

with increased combat exposure. 

A problem for obtaining better evidence that would 

give answers relates to pre- and post-deployment health 

screenings of physical, mental, and emotional status. The 

www.va.gov/Environagents/ 2 
 

 

Committee said that the Department of Defense (DoD) 

should conduct comprehensive, standardized evaluations 

of service members’ medical conditions, psychiatric 

symptoms and diagnoses, and psychosocial status and 

trauma history before and after they deploy to war 

zones. Such screenings would provide baseline data for 

comparisons and information to determine the long-term 

consequences of deployment-related stress. In addition, 

screenings would help identify at-risk personnel who 

might benefit from targeted intervention programs during 

deployment — such as marital counseling or therapy for 

psychiatric or other disorders — and help DoD and VA 

choose which intervention programs to implement for 

veterans adjusting to post-deployment life. 

Copies of Gulf War and Health, Volume 6: 

Physiologic, Psychologic, and Psychosocial Effects of 

Deployment-Related Stress are available from the National 

Academies Press at 202-334-3313 or 1-800-624-6242 or 

online at www.nap.edu. 

WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW CAN HURT YOU; How the VA Picks Up on Hidden Conditions 

HARRIET KATZ ZEINER, PhD, Clinical Neuropsychologist, Neuropsychological Assessment Clinic, Palo Alto VA Healthcare System 

If you come into VA for any reason, to get your blood pressure • Headaches • Irritability • Feeling checked, to get new eyeglasses, or have a sprained ankle • Dizziness • Sleep problems on guard looked at, you are going to be asked some unusual questions. constantly • Memory problems • Feeling numb “Unusual,” in the sense that they are not about what you came to • Having • Balance problems • Startling easily VA to have checked. What are these unusual questions? nightmares • Ringing in the ears 

• During your military deployment, did you have any
 

injuries from a fall, a blast or a vehicle crash?
 

• Did you ever feel dazed, or confused, or “see stars”? Some of these could be the result of a head injury. Or, they could 

be the result of unusual and sometimes horrific experiences that • Have you had any nightmares about your happen to people in war, such as seeing others killed or hurt, deployment time? being exposed to constant bombardment, or living in a state of • Are you easily startled, or watchful, or guarded? constant vigilance. That’s what PTSD is – beyond-the-normalIf the answer is “yes” to any of these, then your doctor will range-of-experiences that keep a person in a state of constant 

schedule you for a screening for either brain injury or post readiness to survive if they are in a life threatening situation. But 

traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). sometimes the state of readiness does not turn off. And being 

constantly on guard to protect yourself and your loved ones from 

So what are these conditions? They are potentially common harm is draining when there is no threat. PTSD is being ready 

occurrences for people who have been in combat zones. It may to protect yourself on the battlefield- when in fact you are at the 

surprise you to know that someone could have a mild traumatic mall, or the dining room table with your family. 

brain injury (TBI) or PTSD, and not know it. You would notice the 

symptoms, even if you didn’t know what caused it. You might The symptoms of both mild brain injury and PTSD can seem the 

notice the effects on your social life, your work or at school. Or, same, they cannot be separated out as to which is which except 

a family member may notice the symptoms and tell you that you by a longer examination by a psychologist. 

seem “different.” So, if you have any of these symptoms, why should you care 

What are the symptoms related to a head injury, and how did which they are, TBI or PTSD? Well, you should care, because 

they happen? Well, if you fell, were hit in head or were exposed both mild TBI and PTSD are treatable, but the treatments 

to (that is, you were close to or near) a blast in the form of a are different. 

bomb, an improvised explosive device (IED), a Rocket-Propelled Neither you, nor members of your family who see you in Grenade (RPG), a land mine, a grenade – any explosive device distress, have to continue suffering from these symptoms. They – then you might have suffered a brain injury, but not be aware are treatable, and the effects of these acquired injuries can be of it. That is because there are invisible pressure waves, energy reduced. If you have not come in to VA and been asked the waves that move through the body, through body armor, clothing, “unusual” questions, but you think you might answer “yes” to any and have the potential to cause little tears or tiny bubbles in soft of them, contact your local VA facility by calling 1-800- 827- 1000 tissue, like brain tissue. or by contacting the Polytrauma Call Center at 1-888 -827- 4824 

and help will be on the way. Additional information is available What you would be aware of is that you might have come back www.polytrauma.va.gov/. from deployment with any of the following: 

3	 www.va.gov/Environagents/ 
 

VA NEEDS MORE VOLUNTEER DRIVERS 

Help Wanted: Department of Veterans 

Affairs (VA) has immediate openings 

for volunteer drivers to transport 

veterans to medical appointments. 

Successful candidates must pass a 

medical exam, have a valid driver’s license, a 

safe driving record, and carry current auto insurance. Full 

and part-time volunteer positions available at VA medical 

centers nationwide. Schedule: Monday through Friday. Hours: 

Flexible. Benefits: the satisfaction of helping the Nation’s 

veterans in need. 

This longtime program, a collaborative effort between 

VA and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) that 

offers transportation to veterans in need, is now trying to 

deal with an aging driver population. The VA Volunteer 

Transportation Network (VTN) is looking for additional 

volunteer drivers to sustain its program of providing free 

rides to veterans needing transportation to their medical 

appointments at VA medical centers and clinics. Although 

there are 9,059 volunteer drivers, the program faces an aging 

driver population and must recruit younger volunteers to 

continue this service. 

The program has been around since 1987, when Congress 

reduced funding for VA’s Beneficiary Travel program. 

The DAV decided to initiate a nationwide volunteer-based 

transportation network, in concert with VA’s Voluntary 

Service Office, to provide transportation to eligible veterans. 

Had the DAV not taken on the mission of providing this 

service, many veterans probably would have forgone the 

medical care they are entitled to receive. The veterans who 

use the VTN service are typically too ill to drive themselves, 

do not have family members available to drive them to their 

appointments, or have no other means of transportation. 

VA establishes policy for volunteer participation in the 

program. Those interested in becoming volunteer drivers 

must complete a VA volunteer application, and pass a 

physical examination and health screening administered at 

a VA medical center. Once determined to be physically fit to 

safely transport passengers, volunteers must provide proof of 

a safe driving record, a valid driver’s license, current motor 

vehicle insurance, or personal insurance, and be willing to 

participate in all related training provided by VA. 

This program has been successful thanks to the selflessness 

of veteran volunteers, who are willing to give some of their 

time to serve veterans. 

Interested in becoming a volunteer driver? Contact the 

Voluntary Service department at your nearest VA medical 

center, or visit the VA Voluntary Service Web site at 

www.va.gov/volunteer. 

FEDERAL STUDENT AID’S OFFICE OF 

THE OMBUDSMAN 

Federal Student Aid’s Office of the Ombudsman’s focus 

has been on getting materials to our veterans interested in 

going to college. However, it’s just as important to provide 

them with information around what to do if they are having 

problems with their student loans. Attached is a brochure 

from the Ombudsman’s office, explaining how they can 

assist with student loan issues. 

Please complete an online assistance request through 

www.ombudsman.ed.gov if you are having issues with 

your student loans. 

This is the most efficient way to request help. The online 

form creates a case and ensures that the file is assigned to a 

case specialist quickly. You can also request assistance and 

information by calling 1-877-557-2575. 

FAFSA Facts 

(This information is provided by the Department of Education) 

Why Fill out a FAFSA? 

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the 

first step in the financial aid process. Use it to apply for Federal 

student aid, such as Pell Grants, student loans, and Federal 

work-study. In addition, most states and schools use FAFSA 

information to award their financial aid. For instructions 

on how to complete the FAFSA online or on paper, go to 

Completing the FAFSA at www.FederalStudentAid. 

ed.gov/completefafsa. 

Application Deadlines 

It is important to note the type of deadline you are up against. 

Ask your school about their definition of an application 

deadline, whether it is the receipt date and time or the 

process date and time of the application. 

The Department of Education considers an application’s 

receipt date and time to be when the application or correction 

has been successfully submitted. The last page of the online 

process is therefore called the confirmation page. It displays 

a confirmation number that contains the exact date and 

time (Central Standard Time) the form was received. It is 

recommended you print this for your records. 

State and School Deadlines 

The deadlines for your state or schools may be different from 

the Federal deadlines, and you may be required to complete 

additional forms. 

State Student Financial Aid Deadlines: 

www.fafsa.ed.gov/state_deadlines 

School Student Financial Aid Deadlines: 

www.fafsa.ed.gov/college_deadlines 

www.va.gov/Environagents/ 4 
 

 

 

Federal Deadlines 

Federal Student Aid Deadlines: www.fafsa.ed.gov/federal_aid 

For 2008–09 deadlines, consult the Web site listed above. 

For additional information, please go to 

www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov 

or call 1-800-4-FED-AID. 

WHAT’S NEW? 

The Review continues its newest feature, “What’s New?,” 

highlighting programs, benefits, and services provided by 

VA and other agencies. Information from previous issues is 

provided for reference due to the interest voiced by readers. 

One-Stop Career Centers 

Veterans can find the services they need at a convenient 

One-Stop Career Center. Work with a Veterans’ 

Employment Specialist to find jobs, acquire skills and 

education, plan your career, attend workshops, and take 

advantage of other resources. Information for the One-Stop 

Career Center near you is available on the Internet at 

www.hirevetsfirst.gov/onestop_vet.asp or by telephone 

toll free at 1-877-US2-JOBS (1-877-872-5627). 

Transition Assistance Program for Veterans (TAP) 

The Department of Labor’s TAP Web site provides career 

information for active duty service members, National 

Guard, Reserves, and spouses of service members 

separating or retiring from the military. 

The Web site provides tools and information to use 

during transition from military life to civilian life. Those 

interested in more information may visit the Web site at 

www.dol.gov/vets/programs/tap/main.htm. 

HireVetsFirst: Department of Labor’s (DOL) 

Transition Program 

Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) is 

the DOL agency responsible for helping veterans make 

the transition from the military to good civilian jobs and 

for protecting their employment rights and benefits. 

Facts regarding current programs maybe obtained at the 

DOL Web site at www.dol.gov/vets/programs/fact/ 

Employment_Services_fs01.htm. 

Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 

Patriot Express Loans 

Patriot Express is open to veterans, Reservists and 

National Guard members, current spouses of eligible 

personnel, the surviving spouses of service members who 

die on active duty, or spouses of veterans who die from a 

service-connected disability. 

More information about the SBA program is available at 

www.sba.gov/patriotexpress or contact the SBA Answer 

Desk 1-800-U-ASK-SBA (1-800-827-5722). Email may 

be sent to: answerdesk@sba.gov. 

VA Home Loan Guaranty 

A VA-guaranteed home loan offers a number of safeguards 

and advantages. For example, the interest rate is competitive 

with conventional rates with little or no down payment 

required. VA-guaranteed loans are made by private 

lenders, such as banks, savings and loan associations, and 

mortgage companies, but guaranteed by VA. As with any 

loan, you must apply directly to the lender. Your real estate 

broker can assist you in finding a lender. 

You can apply by requesting your lender to obtain a 

certificate for you through VA’s secure Web site. For more 

information, including eligibility requirements, go to 

www.homeloans.va.gov or toll free at 1-888-244-6711. 

Education Benefits for Returning Operation Enduring 

Freedom / Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans 

Requests for education benefits from OEF/OIF veterans 

are receiving priority review and processing at VA in order 

to expedite opportunities to this deserving group. VA’s 

Education Service administers education programs that 

provide benefits to qualified veterans, service members, 

Reservists and dependents. 

Information about educational programs and the 

applications process is available on the Internet at 

www.gibill.va.gov or by calling 1-888-GIBILL1. 

Current programs include: 

• Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB-AD) 

• Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) 

• Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) 

• Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational
 

Assistance Program (DEA)
 

• Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) 

HOW TO APPLY FOR DISABILITY COMPENSATION 

FROM VA 

Like other veterans, Operation Enduring Freedom / Operation 

Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) War veterans with service-connected 

illnesses or injuries are eligible for monthly payments, 

called disability compensation. The disability must have 

been incurred or aggravated during active military service. 

Furthermore, the military service of the veteran must have 

been terminated through separation or discharge under 

conditions that were other than dishonorable. 

Disability compensation varies according to the degree of 

disability and the number of dependents. Benefits are not 

subject to Federal or state income tax. Receipt of military 

5	 www.va.gov/Environagents/ 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

retirement pay, disability severance pay, and separation 

incentive payments, known as Special Separation Benefits 

(SSB) and Voluntary Separation Incentives (VSI), also 

affects the amount of VA compensation paid. 

Disability ratings range from 0 to 100 percent (in 

increments of 10 percent). For example, in 2008, a veteran 

with a disability rating of 10 percent receives $117 per 

month; a veteran with disability rating of 50 percent gets 

$728 per month; and a veteran with no dependents who 

is totally disabled and evaluated at 100 percent receives 

$2,527 monthly. 

Veterans with disability ratings between 30 and 100 

percent also are eligible for monthly allowances for each 

dependent. (The amount depends on the disability rating). 

A veteran who is in need of regular aid and attendance 

of another person (including the veteran’s spouse), or who 

is permanently housebound may be entitled to additional 

benefits. VA must make that determination before the 

veteran can get these benefits. 

Must Apply To Be Considered 

Veterans must apply separately for disability 

compensation. It is not provided automatically; nor does 

participation in a health registry substitute for filing a 

claim. VA veterans service representatives (VSR) can 

provide the necessary application and assist veterans 

who need help in completing it. VSRs are located at all 

VA Regional Offices and in most VA medical centers. 

For help in locating a VSR near you, call the following 

toll-free telephone number: 1-800-827-1000. 

New Disability Compensation Rates for 2008 

Percent Disabled No Dependents Veteran & Spouse 

10% $117 ------

20% $230 ------

30% $356 $398 

40% $512 $568 

50% $728 $799 

60% $921 $1,006 

70% $1,161 $1,260 

80% $1,349 $1,462 

90% $1,517 $1,644 

100% $2,527 $2,669 

Other Benefits 

In addition to the compensation program described above, 

individual veterans may be eligible for the full range of 

other benefits offered by VA, including education and 

training, vocational rehabilitation, home loan guarantees, 

life insurance, pension, burial benefits, and more. 

To learn more about VA’s programs, OEF / OIF veterans 

and other interested parties can visit the VA home page 

www.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000. 

For additional information on other benefits programs, 

please check online at 

www.vba.va.gov/benefit_facts/index.htm. 

ABOUT THE OEF/OIF/GWOT REVIEW 

Welcome to the ninth issue of the “operations 

enduring freedom/iraqi freedom review” 

newsletter. Earlier issues are dated December 2003, 

June 2004, February 2005, September 2005, February 

2006, April 2007, July 2007, and October 2007. VA’s 

Environmental Agents Service (EAS) publishes the 

“Review” to provide information about the concerns 

of combat veterans, specifically the Global War on 

Terror Heroes, who served in Operation Enduring 

Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom 

(primarily in Iraq), their families, and others 

interested in possible long-term health consequences 

of military service in Southwest Asia. The “Review” 

describes actions by VA and others to respond to these 

concerns. For past and current issues of the “Review” 

and additional information, see our Web site at 

www.va.gov/EnvironAgents. 

Beginning with Volume 4, Number 1 of the Review, 

audio files of news “pod casts” items will be available 

at our Web site at www.va.gov/EnvironAgents; click 

on “Operation OEF/OIF.” 

We encourage your comments or questions concerning 

the content of the “Review.” Please send suggestions and 

ideas for future issues of the newsletter to: Environmental 

Agents Service (131), VA Central Office, 810 Vermont 

Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20420. 

Requests for additional copies of this or future issues 

also should be sent to the above address. A limited 

supply of the prior issues is available. Please specify the 

Effective 12/1/2007. quantity and issue date requested. 

www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/rates/comp01.htm#BM01 

www.va.gov/Environagents/ 6 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due to a high volume of requests, this information has been updated 

and repeated from earlier editions of the Review). 

Active duty military personnel with questions or concerns 

about service in Southwest Asia (including Operations 

Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Enduring Freedom, and 

Iraqi Freedom) - contact your commanding officer or call 

the Department of Defense (DoD) Deployment Health 

Clinical Center (1-800-796-9699) for information. DoD 

also offers the “Direct Veterans Hotline,” with the 

toll-free number 1-800-497-6261. 

OEF and OIF veterans with concerns about their health 

should contact their nearest VA medical center. The 

telephone number can be found in your local telephone 

directory under Department of Veterans Affairs in the 

“U.S. Government” listings. Medical care is available, 

and a Gulf War Registry examination for OEF and OIF 

veterans is also available on request. 

OEF and OIF veterans in need of marital/family 

counseling should contact the nearest VA medical 

center or VA Vet Center, also listed in your phonebook 

under Department of Veterans Affairs in the “U.S. 

Government” listings. For additional information about 

these programs, call 1-800-749-8387. The Vet Centers 

welcome home and honor war veterans by providing 

quality readjustment services in a caring manner and 

by assisting them and their family members toward a 

successful post-war adjustment in their communities. 

OEF and OIF veterans seeking disability compensation 

for illnesses incurred in or aggravated by military 

service can contact a Veterans Benefits Counselor at 

the nearest VA regional office or health care facility at 

1-800-827-1000. You can also start a claim online at 

www.va.gov. 

(Continued on page 8) 

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/ operations enduring freedom

iraqi freedom review 

Information for Veterans Who 

Served in Iraq and Afghanistan 

and Their Families 

June 2008 

County Veterans Service Officers also can be of great help 

to many military veterans seeking benefits they earned 

through their service to the Nation. 

For additional Federal benefit information, see 

VA’s Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents 

booklet. It is updated annually to reflect changes in 

law and policies. It is available for purchase from the 

U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent 

of Documents, Washington, DC 20402, Web site: 

http://bookstore.gpo.gov/actions/GetPublication.do 

?stocknumber=051-000-00233-4. VA’s World Wide 

Web pages are updated throughout the year to present 

the most current information. The VA home page 

(www.VA.gov) contains links to selections on 

compensation and pension benefits, health care benefits 

and services, burial and memorial benefits, and more. 

(Where to Get Help and Additional Information, from Page 7) 

OEF and OIF Veterans interested in learning additional 

information about the wide range of benefit programs 

administered by VA should contact a Veterans 

Benefits Counselor at the nearest VA regional office 

or health care facility at 1-800- 827-1000, or visit 

www.vba.va.gov. 

Representatives of veterans service organizations, 

like the American Legion (1-800-433-3318), 

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States 

(1-800-VFW-1899), and Disabled American Veterans 

(1-877-426-2838), are very helpful to veterans 

seeking disability compensation. (These organizations 

are cited as examples. There are many other excellent 

organizations. VA does not endorse or recommend any 

one group over another.)