For Your Benefit
For and about Hawaii's military
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VA supports telephone survey to gain feedback on its benefits
Question: A friend of mine was contacted regarding a VA benefits survey. Is it legitimate?
Answer: The Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission authorized a comprehensive analyses of the VA rating schedule for disabilities and related issues effecting VA disability compensation benefits. The commission is independent from VA. The survey is legitimate and participation is supported by the VA. A letter from the VA will be sent to veterans and survivors who receive either disability compensation or survivors benefits. The letter will be accompanied by a request for participation as well as a survey and a postcard to mail back indicating a time preference for when the survey will be conducted by telephone. The survey will be conducted through the end of next month. For further information contact the VA at (800)-827-1000.
Question: Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson is leading a task force to examine how to enhance federal services, especially for our returning combat troops. Can a civilian provide input to this task force?
Answer: Called the "Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes," the panel consists of the secretaries of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Education, plus the administrator of the Small Business Administration and the director of the Office of Management and Budget. Under the terms of the executive order creating the task force, the group has 45 days to identify and examine existing federal services for returning service members returning from active duty. The VA has created a dedicated Web page to solicit input on the ease of accessing federal services. You can e-mail your comments to the task force at TFHeros@va.gov or fax comments to (202) 273-9599. Task Force information and mailing address can be obtained on the VA home page, www.va.gov/taskforce. The Web page allows you to comment directly to the task force on the accessibility, timeliness and delivery of services. Comments will be studied by the task force, used in the panel's evaluation of gaps in service and recommendations.
If you have questions about your benefits as a veteran, call Fred Ballard at the Veterans Affairs at 433-0049 or visit the VA Web site at
www.va.gov/hawaii or the Star-Bulletin at 529-4747.