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Department Service Officer Newsletter

Volume 6, Issue 1

April 1, 2008

The Department Service Office will be open each Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM. Appointments are not necessary for visits. You may contact the Department Service Office by calling (603) 222-5784, faxing (603) 222-5787.

Important new research, to study the Effectiveness of New Treatments for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at the Manchester vamc.

For the past 23 years, the VA's research efforts in New Hampshire have been funded through research grants from the VA, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the U.S. Army and the American Society of Addiction Medicine.

Fifteen studies were active in 2005, five of which were Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) studies.

A study of psychological and physiological predictors of risk for developing chronic PTSD in recent victims of acute trauma, including returning Afghanistan and Iraqi veterans.

Study of the psychological and physiological consequences of exposure to severe stress have been, and remain, major focuses of our research.

After a traumatic event some people develop anxiety disorders or become depressed, and some develop PTSD.

We are studying ways to more effectively treat the symptoms of PTSD and related psychological problems.

If you have experienced a traumatic event related to your service in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) or Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), we need your help.

Participation will include a diagnostic interview by a clinical psychologist, an assessment in our psychophysiology laboratory, and possible treatment for PTSD.

To find out more contact the Manchester VA RESEARCH Office at (603) 624-4366 ext 6565 and ask for Mike Macklin or Anna Ruef.

WASHINGTON (March 18, 2008) -- To support veterans and their families during major emergencies, especially natural disasters, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has begun to deploy mobile pharmacies that will provide vital medicine when patients are unable to fill their prescriptions. VA will also open up the facilities to help communities during major disasters and other emergencies.

“The mobile pharmacies give VA the ability to provide critical medications to veterans when disaster strikes,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “VA is committed to ensuring our veterans receive their care and prescriptions as soon as possible during an emergency.”

Each VA mobile pharmacy is housed in a 40-foot-long solid steel trailer built to withstand winds in a Category 3 storm. The units include a satellite connection with VA’s Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy system, a computerized, automated state-of-the-art mail-out pharmacy that can process more than 1,000 prescriptions hourly.

Pharmacists can use the satellite system to obtain a veteran’s prescription data to dispense the drugs on site.

In addition, VA can send replacement medications during an emergency by mail or another carrier to a veteran’s home or temporary address.

VA recognized the need for mobile pharmacies in 2005 after hurricanes Katrina and Rita severely damaged VA medical centers along the Gulf Coast.

The Department deployed several mobile medical clinics as part of its response to the disasters.

The first mobile pharmacy was unveiled on Sept. 11, 2007 in front of VA’s Washington, D.C., headquarters. The unit was displayed recently at a meeting of the American Society of Health System Pharmacists in Las Vegas.

To ensure rapid response to a wide range of emergencies, VA’s mobile pharmacies will be strategically placed across the nation. Plans now call for one of the three mobile pharmacies to be stationed at Dallas; Murfreesboro, Tenn.; and Charleston, S.C.

The Department also expects to acquire a fourth unit that will be placed in the western part of the country.

Each mobile pharmacy is divided into five compartments, including a work area for pharmacists, an entryway accessible to patients and a sleeping area with a bath and shower for VA personnel.

Pharmacy personnel from across the country have already volunteered to staff the units in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency.

Six pharmacists who were part of a regional disaster drill have already completed their training and can deploy on short notice.

“Our mobile clinics enabled us to provide critical services during hurricanes Katrina and Rita not only to veterans but also to thousands of others in the area who were adversely affected by the storm,” said Michael Valentino, VA’s pharmacy chief. “These new mobile pharmacy units will ensure that we are even better prepared for future emergencies.”

WASHINGTON (March 6, 2008) – The number of veterans homeless on a typical night has declined 21 percent in the past year, thanks to the services offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and its partners in community- and faith-based organizations, plus changing demographics and improvements in survey techniques.

The reduction of homeless veterans from more than 195,000 to about 154,000 was announced as Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake was elected to chair the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.

Peake’s election to head the council coordinating the federal response to homelessness came as VA released the fourteenth annual Community Homeless Assessment, Local Education and Networking Group (CHALENG) report on homeless veterans.

“We are seeing significant progress in the fight against homelessness,” said Peake. “This success should encourage all those concerned about homeless veterans, for it shows we can make a difference in the lives of these veterans through our services and with our community partners.”

The decline in veterans’ homelessness was attributed, in part, to VA’s success in providing more services for homeless veterans and improved coordination of federal, state and local efforts.

VA provides health care to about 100,000 homeless veterans, and compensation and pensions to nearly 40,000 annually. The Department offers homeless veterans employment assistance and help obtaining foreclosed homes and excess federal property, including clothes, footwear, blankets and other items.

The Department has already approved funding for more than 12,000 beds in transitional housing programs, and provides about 5,000 veterans each year with residential services in VA hospital-based programs.

Other factors in the decline of homeless veterans include the substantial reduction in the number of poor veterans -- from 3 million in 1990 to 1.8 million in 2000 -- and improvements in counting homeless people.

The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the coordinating entity within the federal government composed of 20 cabinet secretaries and agency heads that creates partnerships at every level of government and the private sector to end homelessness.

Since 1957, if you had military service earnings for active duty (including active duty for training), you paid Social Security taxes on those earnings.

Since 1988, inactive duty service in the Armed Forces reserves (such as weekend drills) has also been covered by Social Security.

Under certain circumstances, special extra earnings for your military service from 1957 through 2001 can be credited to your record for Social Security purposes.

These extra earnings credits may help you qualify for Social Security or increase the amount of your Social Security benefit.

Special extra earnings credits are granted for periods of active duty or active duty for training. Special extra earnings credits are not granted for inactive duty training.

From 1957 through 1967, we will add the extra credits to your record when you apply for Social Security benefits.

From 1968 through 2001, you do not need to do anything to receive these extra credits. The credits were automatically added to your record.

After 2001, there are no special extra earnings credits for military service.

The information that follows applies only to active duty military service earnings from 1957 through 2001.

You are credited with $300 in additional earnings for each calendar quarter in which you received active duty basic pay.

For every $300 in active duty basic pay, you are credited with an additional $100 in earnings up to a maximum of $1,200 a year.

If you enlisted after September 7, 1980, and didn't complete at least 24 months of active duty or your full tour, you may not be able to receive the additional earnings.

Economic Stimulus Tax Benefits:

Recipients of VA disability compensation, pension and survivors benefits may qualify for economic stimulus payments this year from the federal government.

Individuals who might not otherwise be required to file a 2007 tax return need to file a return this year to receive the stimulus payment.

The American Legion Department of New Hampshire has a full time position open for Department Service

You will be part of a family of approximately 25,000 members committed to providing service to our

Veterans and their families. Your office plays a role in accomplishing the American Legion’s mission and this position is critical to our success.

You must be educated, trained and accredited to represent and present claims before the Department of Veteran Affairs. This entails National American Legion organizational and Department of Veteran Affairs accreditation and signature approval.

The Department Service Officer will ensure that direct and personalized service to veterans and their family

members, without regard to membership status, are provided for and that they are administratively represented before the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Claims assistance will be involved, but not restricted to, Veterans Administration compensation, pensions, death benefits, educational and insurance claim actions.

Shall administer The American Legion Auxiliary emergency rehabilitation fund for needy veterans.

The Department Service Officer will act as office manager for all administrative actions within the Department Service Office.

Shall maintain a direct liaison with the Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office and the Director of the Veterans Administration Medical Center Manchester, NH. Work is performed with significant degree of independence and involves the use of considerable judgment in carrying out programs and assignments.

Additional duties are outlined in The American Legion Department of New Hampshire Personnel Policy Manual.

This position reports to the Internal Affairs Committee As a Department officer you will attend all National Department Service Officer Schools, Department Executive Committee meetings, Department Convention, and all New Hampshire Department Conferences.

The ideal candidate shall be a member of the American Legion in good standing with the following

The office hours for this position are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The American Legion Department of New Hampshire offers competitive benefits to include health, comp time, and retirement. The approved annual pay range is $25,000 to 34,000 based on experience.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and letters of recommendation to the attention of:

This is my final newsletter and I wanted to take a moment to let you know that I have enjoyed my tenure here and I appreciate having had the opportunity to work with you.

Thank you for the support, guidance, and encouragement you have provided me during my time as the Department Service Officer.

A special thanks goes out to Bill Hooley, Jack & Sandy Neylon, Robert Blais, Bill Roy, Keith Fleury, N8 & Kathy Fernald, Tony & Julia Rabbia, Charlie & Patty Smith, Joe Caouette & Ms. Lydia Riley, Willy Cowie, Don Small, Harriet Lemery, Karyl Horn, Roland Patnode, the G-Man, Keith Murdough, Steve Fischer, Dave Meany, Tom Potter, Doug Micklon, Fred Warren, Deb Demers, George “Butch” Leel, Dave Victor, George West, Wayne Beauregard, Bob Bournival, George McCall, Bob Winkler, the support from the legion, the Auxiliary, & the Sons, and last but not least, Stephanie Mosher.

However, I could not do this job without the outstanding support I received from (my first day until her last day) Linda Mulligan. Thank you for ALL your help!

Even though I will miss my colleagues and the organization, I am looking forward to this new challenge and to starting a new phase of my career.