Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America Inc.

February 20th, 2014

National Service Officers Report

Jose M. Garcia, PNC

You’re Excellency Bishop Higgins, National Chaplain Rev John R. Sheehan, SJ, National Commander James C. Finkel Sr., National Board of Officers, Department Commanders, Past National Commanders, and Past National Chaplains and membership present.

VA’s National Cemeteries Continue Leading Nation in Satisfaction Survey - For the fifth consecutive time, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration (NCA) has bested the nation’s top corporations and other federal agencies in a prestigious, independent survey of customer satisfaction.(2/10/14)

VA Announces the first Industry Innovation Competition for 2014 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced the first of multiple Industry Innovation Competitions in 2014, which identifies, tests, and evaluates promising innovations that enhance the accessibility and quality of mental health care and services delivered to Veterans.(2/7/14)

New Online GI Bill Comparison Tool Available - The Department of Veterans Affairs launched today an online GI Bill® Comparison Tool to make it easier for Veterans, Service members and dependents to calculate their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and learn more about VA’s approved colleges, universities and other education and training programs across the country. (2/4/14)

Federal Agencies Partner to Protect Veterans, Service Members and their Families Using GI Bill Education Benefits - The Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, Education and Justice, along with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission announced today the launch of a new online complaint system designed to collect feedback from veterans, service members and their families who are experiencing problems with educational institutions receiving funding from Federal military and veterans educational benefits programs, including benefits programs provided by the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the DoD Military Tuition Assistance Program.(1/30/14)

Automation Speeds Benefits Processing for Post-9/11 GI Bill Students - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) decreased the time it takes to process requests for GI Bill and other education benefits for returning students by nearly 50 percent compared to fiscal year 2012. VA attributes the faster process in large part to improved claims automation that uses rules-based, industry-standard technologies to deliver Veterans’ benefits. (1/29/14)

VA Purchases Land for a New National Cemetery in Colorado - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has purchased land in Colorado for a new national cemetery in the southeast portion of Colorado Springs.(1/23/14)

VA Offers $600 Million in Funding to Support Services for Homeless Veteran Families - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced the availability of up to approximately $600 million in grants for non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives that serve very low-income Veteran families occupying permanent housing through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. (1/14/14)

VA to Expand Benefits for Traumatic Brain Injury - Some Veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who are diagnosed with any of five other ailments will have an easier path to receive additional disability pay under new regulations developed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.(12/16/13)

VA Progress on Claims Backlog Highlighted during Congressional Testimony - At a hearing today before the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Under Secretary for Benefits, Allison A. Hickey, outlined progress made by the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) in reducing the backlog of Veterans’ disability compensation and pension claims by 36 percent since March -- attributing the success to the combined impact of VBA's transformation initiatives and increased employee productivity.(12/11/13)

Veterans to Receive 1.5 Percent Cost-of-Living Increase - Veterans, their families and survivors receiving disability compensation and pension benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs will receive a 1.5 percent cost-of-living increase in their monthly payments beginning Jan. 1, 2014.(12/4/13)

MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS - The blessings of freedom and justice, opportunity and prosperity, so dear to all Americans, were not gained without sacrifice, nor preserved without purpose.(11/27/13)

VA Marks the 10-Year Anniversary of My HealtheVet - In recognition of the 10th anniversary of its award-winning Personal Health Record, My HealtheVet (www.myhealth.va.gov), the Department of Veterans Affairs is urging all Veterans and Servicemembers to join the millions already accessing VA health care information and services online. VA is marking this milestone by spreading the word about the benefits of My HealtheVet Personal Health Record, such as VA prescription refill, VA notes, VA Blue Button and secure messaging with VA health care providers.(11/26/13)

Statement from Secretary Shinseki on the Disabilities Treaty - Ratification of the Disabilities Treaty is important to our Nation's 5.5 million disabled Veterans.(11/21/13)

VA and HUD Announce Twenty-Four Percent Reduction in Veterans’ Homelessness since 2010 - The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that a new national report shows a 24 percent reduction in homelessness among Veterans since 2010

Note: This report is on items that are news from the Department of Veterans Affairs, some are new some are old but they are news about the VA. They cover subjects that deal with your benefits and health and items that affect our veterans and membership. Post this on your Post bulletin board. Let’s get the word out to our Veterans and Membership.

Thank You and God Bless

Jose M. Garcia

National Service Officer