At Your Service
For and about Hawaii's militaryBy Gregg K. Kakesako
Sunday, April 1, 2001
[FOR YOUR BENEFIT]
Question: I recently heard that I could start processing for VA benefits with the Office of Veterans Affairs before I leave active duty. Is this true? Veterans center
encourages early applications
for benefitsAnswer: Yes, it is true. The Spark M. Matsunaga Veterans Affairs Medical and Regional Office Center is encouraging anyone about to separate from active duty to file an early claim with them.
Service members who incurred injuries as a result of military service should file an early VA disability claim. If a service member is separating within 60 to 120 days, they should submit their application, VA Form 21-526, with a copy of their military medical records, be available for any necessary VA medical examinations prior to departing from Hawaii, and then provide the VA with a copy of their final DD Form 214 (Report of Separation).
VA representatives are available at the base separation centers at certain times or at Tripler Medical Center's E Wing to assist service members with their applications.
When the DD 214 is received, the VA will finalize the claim and pay out any benefits that may be due. Service members who apply early enough before their separation dates can expect delivery of their compensation benefits soon after their separations.
As a reminder, the VA strongly encourages service members to ensure that any illness or injury received while on active duty, no matter how minor, is fully documented in their medical records. This speeds up the claim processing time if the service member seeks to file or upgrade a disability claim in the future.
Call or visit the Veterans Service Center at the Honolulu VAMROC, Benefits Section, E-Wing, Tripler Army Medical Center, to determine if you are eligible to apply, or call 433-1000 or toll-free 1-800-827-1000.
If you have questions about your rights and benefits as a veteran, call Fred W. Ballard, assistant public affairs officer, at (808) 433-0049, or the Honolulu Star-Bulletin at 529-4747.
[DEPLOYMENTS]
PACIFIC FLEET
>> Indian Ocean / Arabian Gulf -- 350
VP-47 deployed to Diego Garcia with detachments to Bahrain and Masirah>> Western Pacific -- 625
USS Chicago (SSN 721)
USS Louisville (SSN 724)
USS Kamehameha (SSN 642)
USS Columbia (SSN 771)
USS Santa Fe (SSN 763)>> Hawaiian Area -- 800
USS Buffalo (SSN 715)
USS Cheyenne (SSN 773)
USS Olympia (SSN 717)
USS Los Angeles (SSN 688)
USS Reuben James (FFG 57)>> Eastern Pacific / U.S. West Coast -- 500
USS Lake Erie (CG 70)
USS Salvor (ARS 52)>> Total Navy people deployed -- 2,275
25TH INFANTRY DIVISION (LIGHT)
Sinai: 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment Task Force, part of the Multinational Forces Observation. (500)Kosrae, E. Micronesia, Bangladesh, Pohnpei: 84th Engineers
East Timor: 25th Division, 9th Regional Support Command (U.S. Army Reserve)
Kwajalein, Cambodia, Honduras, Japan, Mongolia, Palau: Tripler Army Medical Center
Alaska: 25th Division
[CALENDAR]
APRIL 21
Marine Corps Base Hawaii's 3D Marines 10-Mile & 10K Run: Register now for the 7 a.m. race. Participants registering by April 21 are guaranteed to receive race T-shirts with their paid $12 fees. Open to the public. For information, contact Steve Kalnasy at 254-7590.
APRIL 7
Navy Hale Keiki School's Eighth Annual Silent and Live Auction: 6 p.m. at the Hale Ikena at Fort Shafter. Navy Hale Keiki is a nonprofit organization for students preschool through second grade. The school is housed on Navy land and serves families in all services as well as civilian families. Proceeds from this year's auction will go toward playground improvement. Tickets are $10 in advance (available at school office) and $12 at the door. Price includes heavy pupus, two complimentary drinks (beer, wine and soda), a bid paddle and entertainment. For more information, call Kathy at 839-5458 or the school at 423-1727.Iroquois Point 5K Run: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Iroquois Point community 5K run, craft fair and carnival at Iroquois Point Elementary School. The 5K run/walk begins at 7 a.m. Entry fee is $16 for adults and $10 for ages 12 and under with T-shirt included. Entry fees without T-shirts are $10 for adults and $5 for ages 12 and under. A craft fair, food and a carnival for the kids also will be included in the day's activities. Proceeds will benefit the Iroquois Point Technology Development Program. For more information or an application for the run or for craft booth space, contact Dawn Srock at 499-6504 or 499-2432.
APRIL 14
The fourth annual Ford Island Bridge 10K Run: 7 a.m. Registration forms are available at all military athletics offices, the Running Room and in the current issue of Hawaii Race magazine. Applications are accepted through April 11. Entry fee: $25. For more information, call Morale Welfare Recreation athletics at 473-0784 or 473-2494.
Send items for the At Your Service calendar to Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana #7-210, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813, or fax to 529-4750.
Gregg K. Kakesako covers Hawaii's military
for the Star-Bulletin. Email him at gkakesako@starbulletin.com.
