We treat hearing loss as an inevitable cost of war. It shouldn’t be.
I don’t remember the moment the bomb went off, but I do know that when I landed, stunned, at the bottom of the gun turret of my vehicle, blood was leaking from my ears. I was quickly evacuated to Bagram Air Force Base, where I saw an audiologist. I could barely hear a...
Thousands of disabled veterans may get refunds of VA home loan fees
More than 53,000 disabled veterans may be owed refunds totaling about $189 million in home loan fees they were incorrectly charged by the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to estimates from the VA Inspector General in a report issued on the 75th anniversary of...
Hundreds of vets are suing over these defective combat earplugs
Hundreds of veterans are filing lawsuits against a government contractor that manufactured and sold defective combat earplugs to the military. The earplugs didn’t maintain a tight seal and allowed dangerously loud sounds to slip through without the wearer knowing. The...
Little-Known Veteran Benefit Eliminates Up To 15 Years of Mortgage Payments
The year was 1944. FDR was President, the Allies had invaded France, and the US Department of Veteran’s Affairs was launching a program that would reward the country’s most sacrificial citizens with assistance in the area of homeownership. 73 years later, not only...
The $42k in VA Mortgage Benefits You May Not Be Claiming
If you’re a veteran, you may want to make a quick spot check to ensure you’re receiving the full value of the VA benefits to which you’re entitled. Among the most valuable of these are mortgage benefits which, when properly accessed, have a staggering average lifetime...
Vets May Now Be Able To Get Higher Disability Ratings For Service-Connected Injuries
The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims issued a decision last month that could make it easier for veterans with injuries to the back, neck, and joints to obtain higher disability ratings, even in cases where veterans are already receiving disability benefits...
More than 18,000 vets verified for online exchange access, and thousands are already shopping
Exchange officials have verified 18,011 honorably discharged veterans for online shopping privileges, including nearly 15,000 in the first four days of the new verification process, officials said Friday. And no, the site that handles the verification, VetVerify.org,...
VA Standardizing Caregiver Plan Before Opening to Older Vets
Military Update: VA Secretary David Shulkin has told congressional committees in recent weeks he supports a change in law to expand the Post-9/11 caregiver program so that its cash stipend and menu of support services can benefit caregivers to severely injured...
Marine Corps to Issue Enhanced Combat Helmet to Every Marine
Marine Corps Systems Command has awarded a $51 million contract to Gentex Corporation to provide the Enhanced Combat Helmet, or ECH, to every Marine. Since 2014, Marines have only been issued the ECH when they prepare for deployment. This purchase will enable Marines...
2018 Military Pay
The 2018 military pay increase is currently proposed at 2.1% according to the President’s FY 2018 budget proposal. The proposed pay increase is 0.3% lower than private sector wage growth but the same percentage that President Obama signed into law for FY 2017. The...
I’m an Army veteran, and my benefits are too generous
Tom Slear, who retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel in 2001, is a freelance writer in Annapolis. A few weeks ago, I mentioned to a receptionist in a physical therapist’s office that I was covered by Tricare, the military’s health-care program for service...
10 Veterans Benefits You May Not Know About
Many veterans know about the basic health care and education benefits available to them through the Department of Veterans Affairs: Tricare and the GI Bill. While these benefits alone are substantial, numerous other programs help provide more benefits to veterans...
Lawmakers Reach Initial Deal to Expand GI Education Bill
WASHINGTON — Congressional Republicans and Democrats have reached initial agreement on the biggest expansion of college aid for military veterans in a decade, removing a 15-year time limit to tap into benefits and boosting money for thousands in the National Guard and...
Military Spouse and Family Educational Assistance Programs
There are several education benefits available to dependents of veterans as well as surviving family members of deceased veterans. Ranging from scholarships to totally free school, these benefits are often overlooked. Department of Defense Post 9/11 GI Bill...
Air Force to Roll Out New Battlefield Airmen Incentive Pay
The Air Force is rolling out a revised incentive pay program for battlefield airmen that allows them to collect the pay even if they've been moved to a staff position or had to seek long-term medical care, preventing them from performing their duties, officials...
Military Friendly Colleges Guide
There are many factors that go into finding the right Military Friendly College for Veterans, Active-duty service members, Reservists, Guardsmen, spouses and dependents of disabled or deceased veterans in any of the five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Many...
DoD budget plan boosts family funds overall, but cuts child care, youth services
Military family support programs would see a $600 million boost under President Trump's proposed budget, but the request comes with a $100 million cut in funding for child care and youth programs despite calls from families for more support in those areas. Family...
VA Loan Limits for High-Cost Counties: Updated for 2017
The VA loan guaranty program does not impose a maximum amount that an eligible veteran may borrow using a VA loan but limits the maximum guaranty amount to $424,100 for 2017. However, if you live in one of the following counties listed below, follow the data on the...
