OPERATIONS IRAQI FREEDOM / 

ENDURING FREEDOM REVIEW 

GLOBAL 

WAR 

ON 

TERROR

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

Vol. 4, No. 2 July 2007 

PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE PROPOSES IMPROVED 

SERVICES FOR GWOT VETERANS 

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson recently served 

as chair of the Presidential Task Force on Returning Global 

War on Terror Heroes and submitted the group’s report to 

the White House on April 19, 2007. The recommendations 

outlined in the report focus on the needs of service members 

returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and have been accepted 

by the President as submitted by the Secretary on April 23, 

2007. “The Federal government must be responsive and 

efficient in delivering our benefits and services to these 

heroes,” Nicholson said during a speech to the National 

Press Club. “They should not have to fight bureaucratic 

red tape for benefits earned by their courageous service.” 

Secretary Nicholson’s Task Force Report identifies many 

needs voiced by recently returning veterans, ranging from 

more timely receipt of benefits and better information to more 

streamlined processes. The Task Force Report announces 

steps to improve veterans’ access to services and programs, 

bringing together top officials from the Departments and 

Agencies that each have a role in delivering services to 

U.S. veterans: Defense, Veterans Affairs, Labor, Health 

and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, 

and Education, as well as the Office of Management and 

Budget, the Small Business Administration and Office of 

Personnel Management. 

The Task Force report, outlining recommendations to improve 

deliveryofFederalservicestoreturningmilitarymenandwomen, 

is available on VA’s web site at www.va.gov/taskforce/. 

VA VET CENTERS COMING TO 23 MORE COMMUNITIES 

The Department ofVeteransAffairs’(VA)Vet Center program, 

which provides a wide range of readjustment counseling and 

outreach services to combat veterans, is expanding into 23 new 

communities across the nation in the next two years. These 

facilities are an important resource for veterans returning from 

the Global War on Terror and their families. 

“Our Vet Centers lead the world in helping combat veterans 

successfully readjust to life at home,” said Secretary of 

Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. “It’s an important service 

which combat veterans have earned. VA continues to 

expand into more communities with our Vet Centers to 

bring our services closer to the veterans who need them.” 

New Vet Centers will be located in Montgomery, Ala.; 

Fayetteville, Ark.; Modesto, Calif.; Grand Junction, Colo.; 

Orlando, Fort Myers, and Gainesville, Fla.; Macon, Ga.; 

Manhattan, Kan.; Baton Rouge, La.; Cape Cod, Mass.; 

Saginaw and Iron Mountain, Mich.; Berlin, N.H.; Las 

Cruces, N.M.; Binghamton, Middletown, Nassau County 

and Watertown, N.Y.; Toledo, Ohio; Du Bois, Penn.; 

Killeen, Texas; and Everett, Wash. 

All Vet Centers are community-based. They provide 

counseling on mental health and employment, plus 

services on family issues, education, bereavement and 

outreach, to combat veterans and their families. They are 

staffed by small teams of counselors, outreach specialists 

and other specialists, many of whom are combat veterans 

themselves. 

The Vet Center program was established by Congress in 

1979 in recognition that a significant number of Vietnam 

veterans were still experiencing readjustment problems. 

Today, all veterans who served in combat are eligible for 

care at a VA Vet Center at no cost, as are their families for 

(Continued on page 2) 

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 

VA’s Kussman Sworn in as Under Secretary for Health, Harvey 

Confirmed by Senate ......................................................................... 2 

New VA Advisory Panel to Improve Services for Returning Combat 

Veterans ............................................................................................. 2 

Nicholson Announces 100 New Patient Advocates for Wounded 

Veterans and 100 New Outreach Workers for Latest Combat Vets ... 2 

DoD Mental Health Self-Assessment Program Available for Service 

Members and Families: New Enhancements Launch in 2007........... 3 

What’s New ............................................................................................. 3 

About the OIF/OEF/GWOT/Review ................................................... 7 

How to Apply for Disability Compensation from VA ............................ 7 

Compensation for Disabled Military Retirees ..................................... 8 

Address Changes ............................................................................................. 9 

Where to Get Help ............................................................................. 9 

More than 16,00 Veterans to Benefit from $27 Million in Job Training 

Grants ................................................................................................ 10 

VA Opening 38 New Clinics World-Class Helath Care Brought 

Closer to More Veterans .................................................................... 10 

Department of Veterans Affairs 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Continued from page 1) 

military-related issues. Also eligible are veterans who were 

sexually assaulted or harassed while on active duty and the 

families of service members who die on active duty. 

VA maintains Vet Centers in all 50 states, the District of 

Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

VA’S KUSSMAN SWORN IN AS UNDER SECRETARY 

FOR HEALTH, HARVEY CONFIRMED BY SENATE 

The U.S. Senate confirmed appointments on May 25, 2007, 

of two experienced veterans’ advocates to top jobs at the 

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) where they will serve 

as VA’s senior physician and chief of congressional affairs. 

Dr. Michael J. Kussman was sworn in July 9, 2007 as Under 

Secretary for Health, and Thomas E. Harvey was confirmed as 

Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs. 

“The continued service of these two dedicated public servants 

will significantly advance the interests of America’s veterans,” 

said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. “Their 

confirmations are good news for veterans and their families.” 

Dr. Kussman, a native of Troy, N.Y., joined VA in 2000. 

Among his VA positions, he has served as Principal Deputy 

Under Secretary for Health and since August 2006 as 

Acting Under Secretary for Health. 

A graduate of Boston University Medical School, he is a 

retired Army brigadier general who spent more than 25 years 

on active duty. He commanded the Walter Reed Health Care 

System and the European Regional Medical Command. 

Mr. Harvey, who holds a law degree from the University 

of Notre Dame, commanded an airborne infantry company 

during the Vietnam War. He holds the Silver Star and the 

Purple Heart. 

He was Deputy Administrator of VA’s predecessor 

organization, the Veterans Administration, from 1986 

to 1989. A former chief counsel and staff director for 

the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, he has also 

been General Counsel for the U.S. Information Agency, 

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisitions 

and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for 

Logistics. 

NEW VA ADVISORY PANEL TO IMPROVE SERVICES 

FOR RETURNING COMBAT VETERANS 

The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced the 

formation of a formal, 17-person committee that will advise 

the Secretary regarding ways to improve VA programs 

serving veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation 

Enduring Freedom (OEF), and their families. The Secretary’s 

announcement about the Department of Veterans Affairs 

(VA) panel, called the Advisory Committee on OIF/OEF 

Veterans and Families, comes on the heels of his presentation 

of recommendations from a presidential task force to improve 

services to the nation’s newest generation of combat veterans. 

“This panel will report directly to me,” Nicholson said. “I am 

askingfortheirideasandinputonhowVAcanconsistentlyensure 

world-class service to America’s newest generation of heroes, 

particularly severely disabled veterans and their families.” 

“Anumber of panels already have been asking tough questions 

about our programs for veterans transitioning to civilian life,” 

Nicholson added. “This committee, to be chaired by retired 

Lt. Gen. David Barno, consists of OIF and OEF wounded 

veterans, family members, survivors, leaders of the major 

veterans organizations and long-time veterans advocates.” 

“This group of people have experienced war and our system of 

care and can advise me from first-hand experience on how we 

are doing and what we need to do better,” Nicholson added. 

The new OIF/OEF advisory committee will discuss its 

general work program, future meeting dates, and plans for 

site visits to VA facilities around the country. The schedule 

includes briefings by senior officials of VA’s key programs, 

comments by members of the public who register in 

advance with the committee, discussions about “seamless 

transition” goals and procedures affecting combat veterans 

moving from the military to civilian life. 

Members of the VA Advisory Committee on OIF/OEF 

Veterans and Families are: Lt. Gen. Barno of Washington, 

D.C.; Dawn Halfaker of Washington, D.C.; Lonnie Moore 

of San Diego; Jack L. Tilley of Riverview, Fla.; Gary 

Wilson of Carlsbad, Calif.; Liza Biggers of New York City; 

Pam Estes of Dayton, Md.; Caroline Maney of Shalimar, 

Fla.; Kimberly Hazelgrove of Lorton, Va.; Michael Ayoub 

of Ashburn, Va.; Rocky McPherson of Tallahassee, Fla.; 

John Sommer of Annandale, Va.; Dennis Donovan of 

Atlanta; Frances Hackett of South Plainfield, N.J.; Paul F. 

Livengood of Manassas, Va.; Tim McClain of Alexandria, 

Va.; and Chris Yoder of Baltimore, MD. 

People seeking more information or who wish to address the 

Committee may do so via email to OIFOEF@va.gov or in 

writing to: Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont 

Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420, Attn: Advisory 

Committee on OIF OEF Veterans and Families (008A). 

NICHOLSON ANNOUNCES 100 NEW PATIENT 

ADVOCATES FOR WOUNDED VETERANS AND 100 NEW 

OUTREACH WORKERS FOR LATEST COMBAT VETS 

Continuing the strong support of the Department of Veterans 

Affairs(VA)inmeetingtheneedsofreturningcombatveterans, 

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson announced the 

Department is immediately hiring 100 new patient advocates 

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to help severely injured veterans and their families navigate 

VA’s systems for health care and financial benefits. 

“Even in a system like VA’s, that now has over one million 

patient visits a week and is rated by many as ‘the best 

health care system in the country,’ even one veteran not 

receiving world-class care is unacceptable,” Nicholson 

told a meeting of senior leaders of the American Legion. 

The VA Secretary said the 100 new patient advocates will 

be veterans of the combat theaters in Iraq or Afghanistan. 

Their job will be to ensure a smooth transition for wounded 

service members to VA health care facilities throughout the 

nation, while also cutting through red tape for other benefits. 

In addition, Nicholson also announced that VA will hire 100 

new employees to provide readjustment counseling at the 

Department’s community-based Vet Centers. VA also recently 

hired 100 newVet Center employees, who are combat veterans, 

to conduct outreach to veterans of the Global War on Terror. 

DOD MENTAL HEALTH SELF-ASSESSMENT 

PROGRAM AVAILABLE FOR SERVICE MEMBERS AND 

FAMILIES: NEW ENHANCEMENTS LAUNCH IN 2007 

Available for Service Members and Families: New 

Enhancements Launch in 2007 

The Mental Health Self-Assessment Program (MHSAP) 

offers service personnel and their family members the 

opportunity to take anonymous, mental health and alcohol 

screenings both online and through special events held at 

installations. The online program is available 24/7 at 

www.MilitaryMentalHealth.organdinstallationsinterested 

in conducting mental health and alcohol education events can 

register for materials free of charge. 

MHSAP is offered to more than 1.5 million military families 

affected by deployment in all branches, including the National 

Guard and Reserve. It is designed to help families and service 

personnel identify their own symptoms and to think about 

seeking assistance before a problem becomes serious. The 

tests available address depression, bipolar disorder, generalized 

anxiety disorder, postraumatic stress disorder and alcohol use. 

After an individual completes a self-assessment, he or she is 

given referral information including services provided through 

the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. 

The Mental Health Self-Assessment Program is an extension 

of the DoD’s ongoing efforts to reach service members and 

their families and provide them with the information they need 

about the resources available to them. Unlike the mandatory 

post-deployment health surveys, this program is voluntary, 

anonymous and is accessible any time. It will serve troops 

that develop symptoms later, or who want to test themselves 

anonymouslybeforeseekinghelp. Itisalsoforfamilymembers, 

who otherwise do not have a self-assessment mechanism. 

Launched in 2006, the program is being expanded in 2007 

to provide more services for families concerned about 

themselves or their children. 

The enhancements include: 

Customizable Referrals 

Individual military bases and National Guard units will be 

able to add customized referrals to the online screening, 

linking individuals with local services in addition to DoD 

and VA mental health services. 

Telephone Self-Assessment 

There will be a new interactive telephone self-assessment 

program that addresses depression and alcohol problems 

for those military families and service members who do 

not have easy access to the Internet. A toll-free number, 

1-877-877-3647 will connect callers to the anonymous 

self-assessment. Callers will receive immediate results 

and phone numbers where they can call for treatment or 

educational resources. 

A Pilot Spanish Language Version of the Program 

Spanish language materials will be available for in-person 

self-assessment, online screening and the new telephone 

component. 

The Mental Health Self-Assessment Program TM is offered 

through the nonprofit Screening for Mental Health, and is 

funded by the DoD, Force Health Protection and Readiness, 

Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Health Affairs. 

Information on how to participate in the program is 

available by calling SMH at 781-239-0071, emailing 

Military@MentalHealthScreening.org or going online 

at www.MentalHealthScreening.org/Military. 

Key Information 

Online screening: www.MilitaryMentalHealth.org 

Telephone screening: 1-877-877-3647 

Register for in-person materials for bases/installations or 

customize an online screening: 

www.MentalHealthScreening.org/Military 

WHAT’S NEW? 

The Review begins a new feature with this edition, “What’s 

New?” Programs, benefits, and services provided by VAand 

other Federal agencies will be highlighted. Information in 

this edition includes: 

▪	 HireVetsFirst: Department of Labor’s Transition

Program 

▪	 Small Business Administration’s Patriot Express

Loans 

▪	 VA Home Loan Guaranty

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▪	 Education Benefits for Returning OIF OEF

Veterans 

▪	 Federal Student Aid

For additional information on other benefits programs, please 

check online at www.vba.va.gov/benefit_facts/index.htm

HireVetsFirst: Department of Labor’s Transition

Program 

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) makes many 

programs and opportunities available to qualified veterans, 

reservists, and service members. These include educational 

opportunities, career counseling and placement assistance, 

as well as information resources, at DOL, VA, and other 

locations. 

Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) is the 

U.S. DOL agency responsible for helping veterans make 

the transition from the military to good civilian jobs and for 

protecting their employment rights and benefits. 

Opportunities offered by the U.S. DOL, both through VETS 

and other programs, will be featured in this and upcoming 

issues of the Review. Facts regarding current programs may 

be obtained at the U.S. DOL web site at www.dol.gov/vets/ 

programs/fact/Employment_Services_fs01.htm. Location 

specific office information is available on the Internet at 

www.dol.gov/dol/location.htm. 

For more information about U.S. DOL employment and 

training programs for veterans, contact the VETS office 

nearest you, listed in the phone book in the United States 

Government under the Labor Department or visit: 

www.dol.gov/vets/aboutvets/contacts/main.htm. 

The following information is taken from DOL’s current 

“VETS Fact Sheet 1” at www.dol.gov/vets/programs/ 

fact/Employment_Services_fs01.htm. Updates will be 

posted in future issues: 

Employment Services for Veterans 

The Department of Labor’s VETS program, through 

cooperative efforts with, and grants to, each state, offers 

employment and training services to eligible veterans 

through two principal programs: Disabled Veterans’ 

Outreach Program (DVOP) Disabled Veterans’ Outreach 

Program (DVOP) and Local Veterans’ Employment 

Representatives Program. Information is available 

on the Internet at www.dol.gov/vets/programs/fact/ 

Employment_Services_fs01.htm#DVOP#DVOP. 

DVOP specialists develop job and training opportunities for 

veterans, with special emphasis on veterans with serviceconnected disabilities in order to make them competitive in 

the labor market. DVOP specialists work with employers, 

veterans’ organizations, the VA and U.S. Department 

of Defense, and community-based organizations to link 

veterans with appropriate jobs and training opportunities. 

The U.S. DOL provides grant funds to each state’s 

employment service to maintain DVOP specialist positions 

in the state. DVOP specialists are employees of the state 

and are generally located in state employment service 

offices. About one-quarter are stationed full-or part-time 

in locations other than employment service offices. 

To contact a DVOP specialist, call or visit the nearest State 

Employment Service (sometimes known as Job Service) 

agency listed in the State Government section of your 

phone book. 

Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives (LVERs) 

are state employees located in state employment service 

local offices to provide assistance to veterans. Assistance 

includes career counseling, testing, and identifying training 

and employment opportunities. LVERs also monitor 

federal department and agency vacancies listed at local 

state employment service offices. 

Small Business Administration’s Patriot Express

Loans 

With nearly a quarter of newly discharged veterans 

considering starting their own businesses, Secretary of 

Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson praised a new Small 

Business Administration venture to make business 

ownership easier for all veterans. 

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has unveiled 

a program called “Patriot Express” that offers a wide 

variety of assistance to veterans interested in setting up or 

expanding their own small businesses. 

“America’s veterans are a great resource for the private 

sector,” Nicholson said. “I commend Administrator 

Steve Preston of the Small Business Administration for 

his initiative in helping veterans transition back into the 

private sector.” 

Assistance under the new SBA program for veterans ranges 

from help writing a business plan and managing a business, 

to obtaining financing and learning how to export goods. 

Participants may also qualify for loans between 2.25 

percent and 4.75 percent over the prime interest rate. 

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 serviceconnected disability. 

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Expanding veterans’ eligibility to SBA’s Patriot Express 

programwasa keyrecommendationofapresidentialtask force 

on the needs of returning veterans that Nicholson chaired. 

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. 

When the loan is approved, VA will guarantee part of it. 

The amount of VA’s guaranty usually depends on the size 

of the loan. This guaranty protects the lender against loss 

up to the amount guaranteed by VA. This gives veterans a 

big advantage when they apply. 

A VA-guaranteed loan can be used to: 

▪ buy a home, a manufactured home, or a condominium 

▪ buy a lot for a manufactured home 

▪ build, repair, or improve a home (including energy 

efficient improvements) 

▪ refinance an existing loan 

Generally, the following persons are eligible: 

• veterans who were discharged since 9/16/40, under 

other than dishonorable conditions 

• military personnel on active duty who have served a 

minimum period 

• certain Reservists and National Guard members 

• surviving spouses of certain deceased veterans 

You can apply by requesting your lender to obtain a 

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

information, go to www.homeloans.va.gov or toll free at 

1-888-244-6711. 

Education Benefitsfor Returning OIF/OEFVeterans

Requests for education benefits from OIF/OEF 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. 

This listing will be updated in future issues of the Review. 

Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB-AD)

The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of education 

benefits to qualified veterans. This benefit may be used for 

degreeandcertificateprograms,flighttraining,apprenticeship/ 

on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, 

deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under 

certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 

years following your release from active duty. This program 

is also commonly known as “Chapter 30”. 

Some service members may contribute up to an additional 

$600 to the GI Bill to receive increased monthly benefits. 

For an additional $600 contribution, you may receive up to 

$5400 in additional GI Bill benefits. The increased benefit 

is only payable after leaving active duty, and the additional 

contribution must be made while on active duty. For more 

information contact your personnel or payroll office. 

Additional information is available at our web site: 

www.gibill.va.gov. 

Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)

The MGIB-SR program may be available to you if you are 

a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve 

includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force 

Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, 

and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. 

This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, 

flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and 

correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher 

courses may be approved under certain circumstances. 

Additional information is available at our web site: 

www.gibill.va.gov. 

Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) 

REAP was established as a part of the Ronald W. Reagan 

National Defense Authorization Act of 2005. It is a U.S. 

Department of Defense education benefit program designed 

to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve 

components who were called or ordered to active duty in 

response to a war or national emergency (contingency 

operation) as declared by the President or Congress. This 

program makes certain Reservists who were activated for 

at least 90 days after September 11, 2001, either eligible for 

education benefits or eligible for increased benefits. 

Additional information is available at our web site: 

www.gibill.va.gov. 

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Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational

Assistance Program (DEA)

DEA provides education and training opportunities to 

the eligible dependents (usually children and spouses) of 

veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a 

service-related condition, or who died while on active duty 

or as a result of a service-related condition. The program 

offers up to forty five months of education benefits. These 

benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, 

apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a 

spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, 

deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under 

certain circumstances. 

Section 301 of Public Law 109-461 adds a new category to 

the definition of “eligible person” for DEA benefits. The 

new category includes the spouse or child of a veteran who 

fulfills all of the following requirements: 

▪ VA determines has a service-connected permanent and 

total disability; and 

▪ at the time of VA’s determination is a member of 

the Armed Forces who is hospitalized or receiving 

outpatient medical care, services, or treatment; and 

▪ is likely to be discharged or released from service for 

this service-connected disability. 

Persons eligible under this new provision may be eligible 

for DEAbenefits effective December 23, 2006, the effective 

date of the law.
 

Additional information is available at our web site: 

www.gibill.va.gov 

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) 

VEAP is available if you first entered active duty between 

January 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985, and you elected to make 

contributions from your military pay to participate in this 

education benefit program. Your contributions are matched 

on a $2 for $1 basis by the Government. This benefit may 

be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, 

apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence 

courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may 

be approved under certain circumstances. 

Additional information is available at our web site: 

www.gibill.va.gov 

Federal Student Aid 

Veterans may also be eligible for Federal student Aid 

programs administered by the U.S. Department of 

Education. For in-depth information about the Federal 

student aid programs, please visit the Department of 

Education’s website at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov. 

Some frequently asked questions and answers regarding 

Federal student aide programs are listed below: 

I am an older student. Am I eligible to receive 

financial assistance?

Age is not a factor in determining eligibility for the federal 

student aid programs. Check out federal student aid 

eligibility criteria at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov. 

Can I use my Montgomery GI Bill and still get

federal student aid at the same time?

Yes. When you complete your Free Application for 

Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you will be asked what you 

will be receiving in veterans educational benefits, which 

the Montgomery GI Bill falls under. Your school will take 

into consideration the amount you list on the application, 

along with any other financial assistance you are eligible to 

receive, in preparing your financial aid package. 

Should I pay for help to fill out my FAFSA?

Various Web sites do offer help filing the FAFSA for a fee. 

These sites are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. 

Department of Education. We urge you not to pay these sites 

for assistance that we provide for free. If you apply using 

FAFSA on the Web at www.FAFSA.ed.gov, you get online 

instructions for each question, and you can “chat” live online 

with a customer service representative. Another source of 

free help is our online guide, Completing the FAFSA, at 

www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov/completefafsa. 

Whether you apply online or use the paper FAFSA, you can 

get free help by calling the Federal Student Aid Information 

Center at the telephone number(s) listed below or by 

contacting the financial aid administrator at your college. 

Federal Student Aid Information Center: 

1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)

(TTY 1-800-730-8913) 

Is there money available for graduate school?

Federal Student Aid has aid for graduate school, mostly in 

the form of loans. Here are some other places you should 

consider looking for funding: 

▪ your school; most graduate schools offer teaching 

assistantships, fellowships, or other aid 

▪ your state education agency, which you can find online 

at www.ed.gov/Programs/bastmp/SHEA.htm 

▪ the reference section of your school or public library 

▪ the Internet (there is a free scholarship search at 

www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov)
	

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▪ foundations, religious organizations, community 

organizations, local businesses, and civic groups 

▪ organizations (including professional associations) 

related to your field of interest 

▪ ethnicity-based organizations 

▪ your employer 

▪ your		 state vocational rehabilitation agency (if 

appropriate); a list of state agencies is at www.ed.gov/ 

about/offices/list/osers/rsa/index.html. 

ABOUT THE OIF/OEF/GWOT REVIEW 

Welcome to the seventh issue of the “Operations Iraqi 

Freedom/Enduring Freedom Review” newsletter. Earlier 

issues are dated December 2003, June 2004, February 

2005, September 2005, February 2006, and April 2007. 

VA’s Environmental Agents Service (EAS) publishes the 

“Review” to provide information about the concerns of 

certain veterans, specifically the Global War on Terror 

Heroes, who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom (primarily 

in Iraq), and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, 

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 items will be available at our web site at 

www.va.gov/EnvironAgents, click on “Operation OIF/OEF”. 

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 and/or future issues 

also should be sent to the above address. A limited supply 

of the prior issues is available. Please specify the quantity 

and issue date requested. 

Questions about the Gulf War Registry examination, 

which is open for OIF veterans, should be directed to 

the Environmental Health Coordinator or Environmental 

Health Clinician at the nearest VA medical facility. The 

telephone number can be found in the local telephone 

directory under the “U.S. Government” listings. Assistance 

is also available from the toll-free VA Gulf War Helpline: 

1-800-749-8387. VA benefit offices also have a great deal 

of information about VA benefit programs. The national 

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

HOW TO APPLY FOR DISABILITY COMPENSATION 

FROM VA 

Like other veterans, OIF/OEF War veterans with serviceconnected 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 from military service 

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 

retirement pay, disability severance pay, and separation 

incentive payments, known as SSB and VSI (Special 

Separation Benefits and Voluntary Separation Incentives), 

also affects the amount of VA compensation paid. 

Disability ratings range from 0 to 100 percent (in increments 

of 10 percent). For example, in 2007, a veteran with a 

disability rating of 10 percent receives $115 per month; a 

veteran with disability rating of 50 percent gets $712 per 

month; and a veteran who is totally disabled and evaluated 

at 100 percent receives $2,471 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). 

Aveteran who either 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, in most 

VA medical centers, and at most VA clinics. For help in 

locating a VSR near you, call the following toll-free 

telephone number: 1-800-827-1000. 

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. 

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To learn more about VA’s programs, OIF and OEF 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. 

Disability Compensation Rates for 2007

Percent Disabled No Dependents Veteran & Spouse 

10% $115 ------

20% $225 ------

30% $348 $389 

40% $501 $556 

50% $712 $781 

60% $901 $984 

70% $1,135 $1,232 

80% $1,319 $1,430 

90% $1,483 $1,608 

100% $2,471 $2,610 

These rates became effective December 1, 2006 and were 

established by Congress. Veterans with disability ratings of 

at least 30 percent are eligible for additional allowances for 

dependents. Dependents include spouses, minor children, 

children between ages 18 and 23 who are attending school, 

childrenwhoarepermanentlyincapableofself-supportbecause 

of disabilities arising before age 18, and dependent parents. 

The additional amount depends on the disability rating. 

Veterans with certain severe disabilities also may be 

eligible for additional special monthly compensation. For 

additional rate information, see compensation rate tables 

online at www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/comp01.htm. 

COMPENSATION FOR DISABLED MILITARY RETIREES 

This is a summary of information published previously in the 

Review.Itispresentedagainduetotheinterestvoicedbyreaders. 

Additional information and application materials are available 

at: http://www.defenselink.mil/prhome/mppcrsc.html.

The Department of Defense has two programs designed to 

reduce the reduction in retired pay due to receipt of Veteran 

Administration compensation, for certain disabled retirees. 

Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) pays 

added benefits to retirees who receive VA disability 

compensation for combat-related disabilities and have 20 

years of service. 

Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP) 

provides a 10-year phase-out of the offset to military retired pay 

duetoreceiptofVAdisabilitycompensationformemberswhose 

combined disability rating is 50% or greater. Members retired 

under disability provisions must have 20 years of service. 

Combat Related Special Compensation I (CRSC) 

▪ Effective June 1, 2003, CRSC is payable to eligible 

retirees if they have combat-related condition(s) with a 

combined evaluation of at least 60 percent or conditions 

for which a Purple Heart was awarded. 

▪ Guard and reserve retirees qualify for CRSC only if 

they performed duty equivalent to 20 full calendar 

years of service. 

Combat Related Special Compensation II 

▪ Effective January 1, 2004, CRSC is payable to eligible 

retirees who have a combat-related VA disability rating 

of 10 percent or more. 

▪ Guard and reservists need to have 20 years of qualifying 

service (supported by documentation from the 

applicable branch such as a 20-year letter, retirement 

orders, or a statement of service) to be eligible. 

▪ Qualified reservists will not receive CRSC until they 

begin to receive retired pay at age 60. 

▪ Combat Related Special Compensation Benefits 

• CRSC is not retired pay. 

• CRSC is tax exempt. 

• CRSC is not subject to garnishment for child support 

or alimony. 

Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay (CRDP)

Effective January 1, 2004, CRDP is payable to eligible 

retirees with a VA rating decision establishing serviceconnected disability of 50 percent or higher. 

• Retirees with 20 or more years of active duty service, 

including service in the Guard and reserves, are eligible 

if they have a “20-year letter”. 

• Qualified reservists will not receive CRDP until they 

begin to receive retired pay at age 60. 

• Eligibility is automatic for any month in which the 

retiree is entitled to a service-connected combined 

evaluation of 50 percent or higher. 

• CRDP is a phased-in restoration of retired pay withheld 

from a retiree’s account due to their receipt of VA 

compensation. 

• CRDP is retired pay. 

• CRDP is taxable. 

• CRDP is subject to garnishment for child support or 

alimony. 

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Veterans must apply to their own branch of Service for 

Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) benefits. 

Applicants are urged to contact their own branch of Service 

for additional information. 

AIR FORCE 

HQ Air Force Personnel Center 

https://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil 

1.800.616.3775 toll-free (Select option 5, then option 1) or 

210.565.1600 

ARMY 

Army Human Resources Command 

www.hrc.army.mil/site/crsc/index.html

1.866.281.3254 toll-free 

COAST GUARD

Coast Guard Personnel Command (adm-1) 

www.uscg.mil/hq/cgpc/adm/adm1.htm 

1.866.307.1336 toll-free 

NAVY AND MARINE CORPS

Naval Council of Personnel Boards 

www.hq.navy.mil/ncpb/CRSCB/combatrelated.htm

1-877.366.2772 toll-free (prerecorded) 

ADDRESS CHANGES 

If this newsletter has your old address, please use this form 

to update our mailing list. Send the completed form to the 

OIF/OEF Review, Corporate Franchise Data Center, Austin 

Campus (200/397A), 1615 Woodward Street, Austin, TX 

78772-0001. If you have access to the OIF/OEF Review 

via the VA Web site www.va.gov/EnvironAgents and wish 

to discontinue receiving a copy by mail, please complete 

the form provided and return it to the Austin Automation 

Center. If you are receiving more than one copy of the 

newsletter, please let us know. Write to the address above. 

Please provide your name, address, and last four digits of 

your Social Security number. Thank you. 

Check or circle the language that describes your situation. 

Name of Newsletter ________________________________ 

Check or circle the language that describes your situation. 

_______ My address has changed, and I would like to 

continue to receive the newsletter. 

_______ I am receiving more than one copy, but I only 

want to get a single copy. 

_______ I don’t need to get the newsletter by mail as I can 

read it at. www.va.gov/EnvironAgents, 

_______ Other 

(explain) _______________________________________ 

You may use this or other paper. Please indicate what 

publication that you are receiving, as this office puts out 

several national newsletters. 

Please print your: 

First Name: 

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Last 4 SSN: 

New Street 

Address or P.O. 

Box:: 

APO/FPO: ___ 

(Indicate which 

if applicable) 

City: 

State: 

Zip Code: 

WHERE TO GET HELP 

(Due to a high volume of requests, this information has 

been updated as of July 2007 and repeated from earlier 

editions of the Review): 

Active duty military personnel with questions or concerns 

about service in Southwest Asia: 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. 

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 is also available on request for OIF veterans. 

OIF and OEF 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 

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 or near their respective 

communities. 

OIF and OEF veterans seeking disability compensation for 

illnesses incurred in or aggravated by military service can 

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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. 

Additional information about the wide range of benefit 

programs administered by VA should contact a Veterans 

Service Representative at the nearest VA regional office or 

health care facility or visit www.vba.va.gov. 

Representatives of veterans service organizations, including 

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), have 

been very helpful to veterans, especially veterans who are 

seeking disability compensation. (These organizations 

are cited as examples. There are many other excellent 

organizations. VA does not endorse or recommend anyone 

group over another.) 

County Veterans Service Officers also have been 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 bookstore.gpo.gov. 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. 

MORE THAN 16,000 VETERANS TO BENEFIT FROM 

$27 MILLION IN JOB TRAINING GRANTS 

Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced 94 grants, 

totaling nearly $27 million, to provide approximately 

17,000 veterans with job training to help them succeed in 

civilian careers. This June announcement described grants 

being awarded under the U.S. Department of Labor’s 

Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program (VWIP) and 

Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP). 

“These $27 million in grants will help more than 16,000 

veterans access the resources they need to find good jobs 

and build a bright future for themselves and their families,” 

said Secretary Chao. 

Funds are being awarded on a competitive basis to state 

and local workforce investment boards, local public 

agencies and nonprofit organizations, including faith-based 

and community organizations. These agencies are familiar 

with the areas and populations to be served and have 

demonstrated that they can administer effective programs. 

More than $6.7 million will support 12 VWIP grants to 

help veterans from targeted groups overcome employment 

barriers and ease their transition into unsubsidized jobs. 

Through this program, veterans receive skills assessments, 

individual job counseling, labor market information, 

classroom or on-the-job training, skills upgrading and 

retraining, placement assistance and crucial follow-up 

services. The Labor Department’s Veterans’ Employment 

and Training Service (VETS) expects these grants to provide 

training for more than 3,800 veterans, who may also be 

eligible for services through other Workforce Investment 

Act programs for economically disadvantaged or dislocated 

workers. 

To assist homeless veterans with reintegration into 

America’s workforce, the Labor Department is awarding 

more than $20 million in 82 HVRP grants. These funds are 

being distributed nationwide through 35 newly competed 

grants and 47 current grants receiving second- and thirdyear funding. Homeless veterans may receive occupational, 

classroom and on-the-job training, as well as job search and 

placement assistance, including follow-up services. VETS 

expects these funds to help more than 12,600 veterans. 

HVRP is recognized as an extraordinarily efficient and 

effective program and is the only federal program that 

focuses exclusively on employment of veterans who are 

homeless. 

The HVRP grants include two cooperative agreements that 

will assist in developing the HVRP National Technical 

Assistance Center. The center will provide technical 

assistance to current grantees, potential applicants and the 

public; gather grantee best practices, conduct employmentrelated research on homeless veterans; conduct regional 

grantee training sessions and self-employment boot camps; 

and perform outreach to the employer community to 

increase job opportunities for veterans. 

Gurantees under both programs network and coordinate 

their efforts with various local, state and federal social 

service providers. More information on the Department of 

Labor’s unemployment and re-employment programs for 

veterans can be found at www.dol.gov/vets. 

VA OPENING 38 NEW CLINICS 

WORLD-CLASS HEALTH CARE BROUGHT CLOSER 

TO MORE VETERANS 

To bring the world-class health care of the Department of 

VeteransAffairs(VA)closertowhere veteranslive,Secretary 

of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson announced plans to open 

38 new community-based clinics in 22 states. 

“VAis committed to providing world-class health care to the 

men and women who have served this nation,” Nicholson 

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said. “These new clinics will bring VA’s top-notch care 

closer to the veterans who have earned it.” 

With 153 hospitals and about 700 community-based clinics, 

VA operates the largest integrated health care system in the 

country. VA’s health care budget of more than $34 billion 

this year will provide health care to about 5.5 million people 

during nearly 800,000 hospitalizations and 60 million 

outpatient visits. 

“Community-based medicine is better medicine,” said Dr. 

Michael Kussman, VA’s Under Secretary for Health. “It 

makes preventive care easier for patients, helps doctors 

have closer relationships with their patients and permits 

easier follow-ups for people with chronic problems.” 

The new facilities, called community-based outpatient 

clinics, or CBOCs, will become operational by October 

2008. Local VA officials will keep communities and their 

veterans informed of milestones in the creation of the new 

CBOCs. 

A list of the new community clinics follows: 

VA’s Proposed Sites for New Outpatient Clinics

Alabama -- Childersburg 

Arkansas -- Pine Bluff 

Florida -- Jackson and Putnam 

Georgia -- Camden and Stockbridge 

Idaho -- North Idaho 

Indiana -- Elkhart County and Knox 

Iowa -- Carroll, Cedar Rapids, Marshalltown and 

Shenandoah 

Kansas -- Hutchison 

Kentucky -- Berea, Daviess and Grayson County 

Maryland -- Andrews Air Force Base and Ft. Detrick 

Michigan -- Alpena County and Clare County 

Missouri -- Branson and Jefferson City 

Montana -- Cut Bank and Lewistown 

Nebraska -- Bellevue 

South Carolina -- Aiken and Spartanburg 

South Dakota -- Wagner and Watertown

Ohio -- Hamilton and Parma 

Tennessee -- Hawkins and Madison 

Utah -- Western Salt Lake Valley 

Virginia -- Charlottesville 

Washington – To be determined 

West Virginia -- Monongalia 

11
 
Department of

Veterans Affairs 

Central Office (131) 

810 Vermont Avenue, N.W. 

Washington, DC 20420 

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/ OPERATIONS IRAQI FREEDOM

ENDURING FREEDOM REVIEW 

Information for Veterans Who 

Served in Iraq and Afghanistan 

and Their Families 

July 2007