John Johnson
Command Sergeant Major, USA (Retired)
VFW Department Service Officer
Columbia, South Carolina
Office: (803) 647-2442/2443
Fax: (803) 647-2313
6437 Garners Ferry Rd, Suite 1124
Columbia, SC 29209
Email: John.Johnson34@va.gov
Nicole Lassman
Claims Consultant/Administrative Assistant
Office Phone: (803) 647-2242
Email:
Office Schedule
Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM; Friday 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
Scheduled Appointments
Friday 12:00 AM-4:00 PM Training/Administrative.
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September 21, 2022
PACT ACT Guidance:
As of now, VA is encouraging veterans and beneficiaries to file claims and began to send out informational literature but will not start processing claims until January 1, 2023.
If a claimed issue can be granted under any other theory of entitlement, it will still be addressed. If can only be possibly granted under PACT Act legislation, it will be deferred in the Rating Decisions, pending further guidance. No educational material been released to VA processors as of the date of this class.
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February 25, 2022
COLUMBIA, SC - South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs Secretary Will Grimsley has issued a statement regarding an opinion article recently published by the Post and Courier of Charleston.
The article posted by editorial staff members, and written based on opinion is entitled "Editorial: SC military pension bill not quite what it's cracked up to be." CLICK HERE to read the full Post and Courier article.
Secretary Grimsley indicates in a personal letter written to the Post and Courier that he believes the article "misses the mark" when addressing the intent behind legislation (Workforce Enhancement & Military Recognition Act - H.3247) meant to support military retirement pay exemption, and attract newly-retired Veterans to the Palmetto State workforce.
Secretary Grimsley has since spoken at length with one of the news managers at the Post and Courier regarding the article and his letter submitted in response, which is outlined below.
SECRETARY GRIMSLEY'S FULL STATEMENT emailed to the Post and Courier on February 16th:
Dear Editorial Staff,
I read with interest your recent opinion piece concerning legislative proposals to eliminate state income taxes for military retirees. While I share your desire to take actions that both improve the South Carolina economy and provide good jobs for Veterans, I believe your assessment of these legislative proposals misses the mark.
An 18-year-old South Carolinian who enlists in the US Armed Forces is eligible to retire at the age of 38. While all Veterans are valuable to South Carolina, this is the retiree most beneficial to the South Carolina economy, and the one at the very height of his or her productivity. Today, South Carolina does a poor job of competing for this Veteran. As your article correctly points out, only about 3% of our current population of Veterans are military retirees between the ages of 38 and 60. The truth is that those Veterans who are most likely to find jobs and make decades of contributions to the economy find other states – such as the 35 that already exempt military retirement from income taxes - more attractive.
The legislative proposals now under consideration would help level the playing field and make South Carolina more attractive, not to the golf-playing retiree your piece imagines, but to the 40-year-old retiree with a family to provide for, two decades of unmatched experience in demanding positions, and a demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams in complex circumstances. This is the Veteran South Carolina needs; the question is whether we want to be the state that the Veteran needs.
In my first two years as the South Carolina Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs, I have been struck by one surprising realization: the demand for quality Veterans among South Carolina employers far exceeds the number of Veterans we are attracting. I hear this repeatedly from those seeking my assistance in finding Veterans to enhance their workforce. These legislative proposals will go far to remedy the shortfall, and simultaneously enable more of South Carolina’s Veterans to thrive.
I would welcome an opportunity to discuss this topic in depth with you at your convenience.
Sincerely,
William F. Grimsley
Major General (Ret), US Army
South Carolina Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs
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January10, 2022
Thanks for all those who attended the Post Service Officer Training in person and on Zoom. Here is a pic and documents from the training.
Slides:
/uploads/Documents/VSO/Post-Service-Officer-Training-Presentation-for-Website-June-2021-PSO.pdf
/uploads/Documents/VSO/POA-and-ITF-September-2021PSO.pdf
Documents:
/uploads/Documents/VSO/ItemsNeededforappointment.pdf
/uploads/Documents/VSO/Resources.pdf
/uploads/Documents/VSO/Nexus-Fact-Sheet.pdf
/uploads/Documents/VSO/2021_Federal_Benefits_for_Veterans_Dependents_and_Survivors.pdf
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January 3, 2022
The new VA Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, and Survivors is published:
/uploads/Documents/VSO/2021_Federal_Benefits_for_Veterans_Dependents_and_Survivors.pdf
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December 1. 2021
Last April CAVC ruled in favor of a veteran and their spouse
who were attempting to appeal a decision rendered regarding VA’s Program of
Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). As a result of
the ruling, veterans and their caregivers have been afforded appellate rights
regarding PCAFC decisions. VA has since been notifying PCAFC applicants
of their rights to appeal decisions utilizing the three AMA lanes (Supplemental
Claims, Higher Level Reviews, and Notice of Disagreement to the BVA) as well as
still being eligible to request a VHA Clinical Review Process (also known as
the VHA Clinical Appeals Process).
Attached is a toolkit VA has created for VSOs to assist us when representing clients that would like to appeal PCAFC decisions.
/uploads/Documents/VSO/VA_CaregiverSupportProgram_PCAFCAppealVSOToolkit_v1_20211116_508.pdf
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October 5, 2021
POST
SERVICE OFFICER TENATIVE TRAINING AGENDA
8
January 2022, 0800-1200 hours
Department
Headquarter, 210 Glassmaster Rd, Lexington, SC 29072, Auxiliary Building
AGENDA:
Role
of the Veteran Service Officer and Post Service Officer
Understanding
VA Claims Assistance
Understanding
Service-Connected Benefits
Understanding
VA Forms
Understanding
Types of Evidence
How to
Conduct an Interview with a Veteran or Family Member
How
& When to File a Claim for Increase (Informational Video)
*Training in Person is Highly encouraged but
training will also be conducted on Zoom.
A link will be sent out on email distribution and posted on the
Department Website.
*Hip Pocket Training is Available on the VFW
National Website and is Highly encouraged to watch the videos prior to the PSO
training by following these steps:
•
GO TO https://www.vfw.org (LOG ON OR SIGN UP FOR AN ACCOUNT)
•
RUN YOUR
MOUSE POINTER OVER MY VFW
•
CLICK ON
VFW TRAINING & SUPPORT
•
SCROLL DOWN
AND CLICK ON POST SERVICE OFFICERS
•
SCROLL DOWN
TO HIP POCKET TRAINING VIDEO SERIES AND CLICK ON BLUE LINKS
*Hip Pocket Videos will be viewed in class
prior to the hands-on portion and check on learning.
*Any
questions pertaining to the Post Service Officer Training, Contact JJ, Service
Officer, Department of South Carolina at (803) 647-2243 or John.Johnson34@va.gov.
"NO
ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS”
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October 1, 2021
Dear Veteran Service Leaders
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will resume debt
collection Oct. 1 on benefits overpayments and copayments deferred or cancelled
from April 6, 2020 through Sept. 30, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We request your help in getting this
information out to our Veterans.
In
addition, VA will send debt notification letters to affected Veterans. These letters will include options to request
debt relief – such as extending repayment plans, waivers, compromises, and
temporary hardship suspensions – for those individuals who continue to need
financial relief.
VA
recognizes Veterans and beneficiaries may still be experiencing financial
impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to provide viable relief options to Veterans
and their families during these challenging times.
Veterans
and beneficiaries who have questions or require assistance with their benefit
debt can review the frequently asked
questions, submit
requests online, or call the Debt
Management Center at 1-800-827-0648.
Thomas J.
Murphy
Acting Under
Secretary for Benefits
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September 13, 2021, An Article from a Veteran to bring awareness of what veterans are going through due to the recent events in Afghanistan! Reach out to our Comrades who served in Afghanistan to encourage them as they deal with the invisible wounds.
Is The War Really Over?
I returned this week from a trip to Virginia
where my wife and I visited our son who served 56 months in combat as a Green
Beret Combat Medic and Sniper in a war that is now being declared as finished.
During the time with our son, I traveled with
him on a day trip to North Carolina to attend a ceremony honoring two veterans
who recently passed away, a function hosted by a large number of members of the
Veterans Motorcycle Club. My son is a member of this non-profit organization
that was formed in
1982 with chapters located in New York,
Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, Missouri, Texas, Germany, Virginia and a
Nomad Chapter. It is comprised of veterans, for veterans, by veterans, where
all
members own and ride street legal,
American-made, motorcycles.
At this ceremony I found some unbelievable
heroes of this country, many were former or current Special Forces veterans,
and some having served with my son in combat. I met heroes missing a leg, missing
both legs, suffering from multiple bullet wounds, horrific scarring, having
traumatic brain injuries from exploding devices, with Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD), along with other mental and physical health conditions after
service to America. Of course, most were highly decorated with rows and rows of
medals such as the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor and multiple Purple
Hearts. One, I was told, receiving the first Purple Heart presented by former
President Trump during his tenure in office.
The first thing you see at a veteran’s function like this is their comradery and outright love for one another. In fact, they refer to one another as "brothers”. And, they are, and I will refer to them in that manner. Because they served together, fought together, bled together, cried together over fallen brothers, and they became one. They became brothers. As an Air Force retiree with no combat experience in Iraq or Afghanistan and having served before most of these brothers were even born, I figured it would be difficult to talk to them but found the opposite to be true. I did note that whenever I discussed their service in the war, they always seemed to indicate they only performed their assigned jobs and their brother served more honorably and heroically. I also observed many were struggling terribly with the results of our departure from Afghanistan.
My lead into our conversations to discuss the
Afghanistan withdrawal and their thoughts on the subject was that I and my
"brothers” had experienced a similar situation, notably depicted throughout the
decades by helicopters over the U.S. Embassy in Saigon airlifting troops and
refugees out of country.
Unfortunately, this past week we have seen similar
actions in Kabul as thousands were being airlifted to safety. I think my own
war experiences, though absolutely nowhere near their sacrifices, made it
considerably easier for these young veterans to open up to me. I found they
were not just saddened about the ongoing fiasco as they spoke with tears in
their eyes, they were very angry while commenting about America’s departure
from Afghanistan. This was not the first time I had seen this reaction because
upon my return from Vietnam and the subsequent withdrawal in 1975, I viewed and
experienced similar reactions. But there was a big difference. Most of us in
the Vietnam War probably served less than 3 tours of duty, while the recent war
found many veterans serving tours of duty in double digit figures. I
mentioned my son’s 56 months in combat and please realize that is 56 months
fighting and risking your life nearly every single day of a tour of duty.
Imagine having to do it for 75 or 100 months, or longer. Imagine your physical
health. My son, for example, has a shoulder nearly destroyed, a foot that
required surgery and a knee in horrific condition. He has a traumatic brain
injury that is impacting his memory, his eyesight, his mental health, and
other related conditions. After "only” 56 months in combat. Imagine, if you
will, serving double that number and the resulting impact upon your life.
So, is the war over? As far as combat for our
veterans, perhaps, but I guarantee you this country for decades to come will be
combating the mental and physical health of the hundreds of thousands of
veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past 20 years. Whether it
is PTSD, diseases from the burn pits, physical injuries, or other health
conditions, we in this country will be in combat. In combat trying to make
these heroes whole once again.
Unless you get involved to support these heroes,
we will lose another war. Please step up and do whatever you can to help these
men and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. If you do not know how you
can help, contact your local veterans’ organization. Please, please get
involved.
The war is not over. Essentially, it is just beginning.
John Stewart is a retired Air Force Chief Master
Sergeant, disabled Vietnam War veteran and has been a veteran advocate for
nearly three decades. In 2016 he was inducted into the Florida Veterans Hall of
Fame for his volunteer service.
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September 8, 2021
Reach Out’ campaign highlights programs and assistance for Veterans during Suicide Prevention Month
WASHINGTON — In conjunction with Suicide Prevention Month this September, the Department of Veterans Affairs is launching Reach Out, a new campaign that raises awareness of its mental health resources available for Veterans.
Timely evidence-based suicide prevention public service announcements on firearm safe storage have been released as the 20th anniversary of 9/11 approaches and the recent events in Afghanistan spark an array of emotions along with other stressors.
Reach Out emphasizes the importance of not waiting for a crisis to happen by acting now to help prevent Veteran suicide later. In addition to reaching out other critical actions that can save a life are hearing a Veteran’s story, being prepared, finding resources and spreading the word.
The messaging ensures Veterans, their families, friends and caregivers know they are not alone, and it only takes a moment to reach out and ask for help. VA's Suicide Prevention Month campaign encourages Veterans who might be going through a challenging time in their lives to reach out for support.
"Transitioning from military service, changing jobs, ending a relationship, and even raising kids can be overwhelming at times, and while everyone goes through ups and downs, sometimes Veterans’ experiences can intensify these situations,” said VA Acting Under Secretary for Health, Steven L. Lieberman, M.D. "Veterans don’t have to go through the challenges of life alone; VA and community organizations can help by providing resources before a crisis develops and assistance for Veterans in crisis.”
There are many ways to reach out to friends, family and VA:
- Calling or texting a friend or fellow Veteran to talk about what they’re going through.
- Tapping into VA tools to get help when going through life’s challenges.
- Make the Connection, where more than 600 Veterans and family members share their stories of strength and recovery.
- MyVA411, where Veterans, their families and caregivers can call 1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411) to easily access information on VA benefits and services.
- VA Resource Locator, where Veteran and families can find VA resources at the national and local level.
VA also has resources to help Veterans transitioning from the military or going through a difficult time in life. VA Solid Start connects Veterans with qualified representatives who call three times during a Veteran’s first year of separation to walk through benefits available. The Self-Check Assessment is a confidential anonymous risk assessment Veterans can use to help them understand if and how stress and depression are affecting them.
Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness can get free confidential support through the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, where trained counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Veterans do not have to be registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care to contact the center.
Veterans and loved ones can also find additional external resources on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services tool. It is confidential and anonymous and allows users to search by ZIP code for local treatment facilities that focus on substance use/addiction and/or mental health issues.
For more information and resources, visit REACH.gov/SPM.
VA expands rental support, increasing housing options for Veterans - The Department of Veterans Affairs has expanded the Shallow Subsidy initiative and will grant $200 million to 238 nonprofit organizations across the country and territories to provide housing rental assistance to extremely and very low-income Veteran households eligible under VA’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families program. (8/25/21)
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August 25, 2021
"The Board of Veterans’ Appeals has learned that a limited number of Veterans may have had their Board Appeal forms (VA Form 10182, Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (Notice of Disagreement)) mistakenly rejected for being untimely. Out of an abundance of caution, the Board is sending out a wide notice to help ensure no other Veterans were impacted by this. If you filed a VA Form 10182 with the Board between February 19, 2019, and March 23, 2021, and believe it may have been improperly rejected as untimely, please send a letter to the "Clerk of the Board” at P.O. Box 27063, Washington, DC 20038 or via fax to 1-844-678-8979 no later than March 1, 2022. In your letter, state you are asking the Board to "RECALCULATE TIMELINESS” and be careful to include the Veteran’s full name, claim number or SSN, the date of the rating decision you appealed to the Board, and the date of your original VA Form 10182 appeal form that the Board told you was untimely.”
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August 20, 2021
Nominate a VFW Veteran for Veteran of the Week by Clicking on the link below!
August 16, 2021
Lance Corporal Chase McCallister is our "Veteran of the Week.”
LCPL Chase McCallister served four years in the Marine Corps from 2005-2009. McCallister was an 0331 Machine Gunner and deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom twice in 2007 and 2008. He received a Combat Action Ribbon with one star.
After his term of service, McCallister attended the University of South Carolina in the upstate for his bachelor's degree and got his master’s in accounting from Clemson University. He is currently an Assurance Manager with Price Waterhouse Company (PwC) working in Spartanburg, SC but servicing clients throughout the state. McCallister serves as the Operations Lead for the PwC Carolina’s Veterans Affinity Network and enjoys serving and connecting with Veterans. He lives with his wife, Lauren in Greenville, SC with their two daughters Bennett and Porter.
Thank you for your service, Lance Corporal McCallister!
Nominate A Veteran of the Week
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August 20, 2021
What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder. The diagnosis of PTSD is made when a Veteran has been exposed to a traumatic event in which both of the following have occurred:
- The Veteran experienced or witnessed an event that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury
- The Veteran experienced a threat to the physical well-being of him/herself or others, and the Veteran’s response involved intense fear, helplessness or horror.
Treatment may include:
- Individual therapy and/or group therapy, medication.
Physical and Mental Changes to Expect:
While the general symptoms for PTSD are similar, the types and severity of symptoms will differ for each Veteran.
- Physical changes may include: difficulty staying or falling asleep; irritability or outbursts of anger; physical reactions—such as profuse sweating, increased heart rate and rapid breathing—when exposed to internal or external cues or reminders of the traumatic event; intense distress when exposed to internal or external reminders of the event such as certain sounds or smells; avoiding any activities, places or people that remind the Veteran of the trauma.
- Mental changes may include: recurring and intrusive thoughts about the event; recurring and distressing dreams of the event; acting or feeling as if it the traumatic event were recurring—also known as having flashbacks; being unable to recall an important aspect of the trauma; difficulty concentrating; and efforts to avoid thoughts, feeling or conversations associated with the trauma.
- Emotional changes may include: intense distress when exposed to internal or external reminders of the event such as certain sounds or smells; a noticeable lack of interest or participation in important activities; feelings of detachment or estrangement from others; limited ability or inability to show affection or love; feelings of a bleak future, such as limited career or family opportunities, and shortened life span; overly alert or on guard—also known as "hyper-vigilance”—and/or exaggerated response when startled.
What does This Mean for Me?
One of the areas in which you may notice a difference is in your social lives. The Veteran you care for may become uncomfortable in large crowds or unfamiliar places, and so you may find yourself feeling more socially isolated, losing support networks, or feeling the need to compensate for the Veteran you care for in social situations that are uncomfortable for him or her while providing support and encouragement at the same time. You may also have to learn coping skills to manage the stigma that is sometimes associated with mental health disorders.
You may also notice a difference in your personal relationship with the Veteran you care for. It is important to understand that it may be harder to talk to the Veteran due to changes in his or her behavior and/or communication style.
In addition, if the Veteran is experiencing difficulty managing his or her anger, you may feel like you live in an atmosphere of constant chaos. If the Veteran you are caring for is your spouse or partner, you may experience additional changes in your relationship. This might include feeling worried that your Veteran is no longer emotionally or physically attracted to you due to emotional unavailability, or a decreased interest in physical intimacy and sexual activity. In addition, due to sleep disturbance (for example, insomnia, waking-up frequently, nightmares), many couples choose to sleep in separate beds (and rooms), which may cause further feelings of emotional separation.
At times, you may experience your own feelings of sadness, anger, frustration, discouragement and loss when the Veteran you care for experiences symptoms of PTSD. These reactions are normal, but can be challenging to deal
Caregiving Tips
- Learn as much as you can about PTSD by reading, going to lectures, talking with others in similar situations, and talking with the Veteran’s treatment team. A good place to start your learning is VA’s National Center for PTSD.
- Consider encouraging the Veteran you care for to seek mental health treatment. VA has proven treatments for PTSD that help Veterans manage their symptoms in all types of environments. Just remember that not everyone is ready to admit they need help, so if there is no threat of harming themselves or others, respect a Veteran’s decision about seeking treatment.
- If the Veteran you care for decides to seek treatment, encourage and fully support that decision. It’s important for both of you.
- Request to be part of the Veteran’s treatment. If the Veteran you care for agrees, talk with the mental health providers regularly. Ask questions and take notes.
- Recognize the Veteran’s social and/or emotional withdrawal is due to his or her own issues and not your relationship. A Veteran with PTSD will have good days and bad days. Foster relationships with family, friends, and others to stay connected and get support.
- Learn coping skills to manage stigma sometimes associated with mental health disorders.
- Pay attention to warning signs of a potential relapse, including an increase in symptoms or other changes in behavior. Keep the psychiatrist and/or therapist, local crisis team, Veterans Crisis Line, and other emergency phone numbers handy.
- If any Veteran talks about suicide, take it seriously and seek help immediately. The Veterans Crisis Line is 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1 for Veterans).
- Don’t forget to pay attention to your own needs. Visit your doctor regularly, and get plenty of rest so you can stay strong. Your health is essential to your ability to keep providing for the Veteran you care for.
Resources:
- I’m Caring for a Veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) What Do I Need to Know? (PDF)
- PTSD: National Center for PTSD (website)
- Empowering versus Enabling PTSD and Caregiving video presentation
Need Help?
Your local Caregiver Support Coordinator is a licensed professional who can support you by matching you with services for which you are eligible, and providing you with valuable information about resources that can help you stay smart, strong and organized as you care for the Veteran you love.
Call VA’s Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 to learn more about the support that is available to you and for assistance connecting with the Caregiver Support Coordinator at your local VA Medical Center.
Caregiver Support Program (CSP) - Menu of Resources
*By clicking on these links, you will leave the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site.
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August 17, 2021
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August 5, 2021
Earlier this week VA announced their continued plans to add three presumptive conditions based on exposure to particulate matter (ex. Burn Pits) in Southwest Asia, Afghanistan, Syria, Djibouti, or Uzbekistan. VA’s proposed regulations would service connect asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis (to include rhinosinusitis).
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July 21 South Carolina Benefits Website
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July 12 Pamphlets to assist Veterans with Benefits:
2020 VA Federal Benefits Guide
/uploads/Documents/VSO/2020_Federal_Benefits_for_Veterans_Dependents_and_survivors.pdf
South Carolina Veterans
Planning Your Legacy, Survivor Benefits
/uploads/Documents/VSO/PlanningYourLegacyVASurvivorsandBurialsBenefitsKit.pdf
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June 17 Veteran Service Office Pamphlet:
Veterans Service Office Tri-Fold
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June 16 Update
The State Commander has donated a framed military poster for the service office to preserve his legacy and decorate our bare walls. I placed a plate on it and with his Branch of Service. I am challenging former State Commanders to provide a military framed picture or poster and I will place a plate on it to preserve your legacy.
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June 1 Update
A MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY
Updated Masking Guidance for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Employees, Contractors and Visitors in Non-Health Care Settings
The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced updated Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People. Consistent with this guidance, and subject to any applicable labor relations obligations, fully vaccinated Federal employees, fully vaccinated onsite contractors and fully vaccinated visitors are no longer required to wear masks indoors or outdoors while on VA grounds, except when working in or visiting Veterans Health Administration (VHA) buildings providing health care. All VA personnel should continue to comply with CDC guidance regarding areas where masks should be worn, including within airports and health care settings.
To clarify what this announcement means for VA personnel and visitors:
- If you are fully vaccinated (at least 2 weeks past your final dose), you are no longer required to wear a mask.
- If you are not fully vaccinated (at least 2 weeks past your final dose), please continue to wear a mask consistent with the requirements set forth in VA’s Charting the Course safety plan and your Administration or Staff Office workplace safety plan.
- Masking requirements remain in place for both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated employees and visitors to VHA buildings providing health care.
Personnel who are not fully vaccinated should continue to follow applicable VA mask requirements, including continuing to wear masks in Federal buildings and on Federal lands. Maximum telework and Federal building occupancy limits remain in place. Safety guidance related to these other matters will continue to be updated based on the latest public health guidance.
These changes are consistent with Executive Order 13991 on Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing, which charged Federal agencies to "require compliance with CDC guidelines with respect to wearing masks” and with Office of Management and Budget memorandum M-21-15, which noted in its guidance on face masks that "agencies may provide for exceptions consistent with CDC guidelines.”
Thank you for your continued commitment to Veterans, their families and survivors. Our workforce is our most valuable asset, and we truly appreciate your tireless dedication. As the situation and guidance changes in this fluid and improving environment, you will receive updates.
Denis McDonough
NOTES:
• COVID-19
o The Columbia Regional Office is open to visitors in our public contact areas though occupancy remains limited. Virtual appointments by phone and video chat are also available by emailing or calling us locally:
Public Contact Team:
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri - 8:00 – 4:00; Wed - 8:30 – 4:00
803-647-2488 or VetAsst.VBACMS@va.gov
VBA Customer Experience (CX) Strategic Management Program Office established which will include Veteran Signals (V Signals), short surveys of Veterans/claimants after interactions with VBA. o Starting this year and expanding the next couple years across sections of VBA, V Signals surveys will be conducted to ensure that VBA is serving Veterans well. Scores will be aggregated by business line such as call centers, VR&E and appeals. VBA leaders will be required to demonstrate high or improving CX scores in areas within their span of leadership.
Military Sexual Trauma claims processing consolidation. VBA is centralizing the processing of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) claims to improve quality, consistency and timeliness while compassionately processing these claims. Columbia is one of the stations temporarily processing these claims as a part of the consolidation process. VBA plans further consolidation to a single VBA regional office in the future.
Local initiative for customer focus, performance, and Veterans Readiness and Employment (VRE) (used to be known as Vocational Rehabilitation or VOC REHAB) Modernization Virtual Counselor Drop-in live chat line available for handling general questions. Each counselor is on the line at least one day per week
WHEN: Monday thru Thursday
TIME: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
LINK: Microsoft Teams
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only) +1 872-701-0185
Phone Conference ID: 482 913 278#
o Case Management Solution (CMS) allows for paperless processing of VR&E cases and reduces administrative tasks allowing counselors to spend more time helping Veterans achieve their employment goals.
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May 14th Update
Readjudication of denied claims - Nehmer Decision
Earlier today, Acting Undersecretary for Benefits Tom Murphy released the attached notice which states that VA will announce a plan to re-adjudicate claims for veterans who were previously denied service connection for a herbicide related presumptive condition due to lack of in-country Vietnam service. According to this notice, VA will automatically review the evidence of record and provide replacement decisions in the cases of veterans who were previously denied service connection for one or more herbicide related conditions on the basis that military service was not performed in the Republic of Vietnam or on its inland waterways. This review will also apply to eligible survivors of deceased Vietnam-era veterans.
Though we do not have an official date for the start of this review yet, we anticipate that reviews of these claims will begin shortly after VA’s official announcement is made. As more details emerge about this re-adjudication plan, including regulations, procedures, and any required actions on the part of our accredited representatives, we will pass them on to you. In the meantime, please read the attached notice and be aware of this upcoming review of claims.
Veterans Service Organization Partners
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- Columbia Regional Office Phased Reopening
The Regional Office continues to operate in Phase 1.
Our office is open to host virtual hearings. Co-located VSOs have been back in the building since November 2020.
- COVID-19 Vaccine Email to Veterans
On February 2, 2021, VA sent an email message to approximately 600,000 Veterans who signed up on the COVID-19 vaccine
Keep Me Informed tool on VA.gov. This is the fourth email and provides information on VA COVID-19 vaccine plans.
- Dorn (Columbia VA Healthcare) VAMC
Dedicated COVID-19 Vaccine scheduling number:
803-776-4000 extension 2873
https://www.columbiasc.va.gov/
- Charlie Norwood (Augusta) VAMC
Dedicated COVID-19 Vaccine scheduling number:
706-733-0188 extensions – 3265, 3613, 3634 or 3632
https://www.augusta.va.gov/
- Ralph H Johnson (Charleston) VAMC:
https://www.charleston.va.gov/
"For more information about vaccine eligibility and administration at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center visit www.charleston.va.gov.
For Veterans who are not currently enrolled in the VA, please call our eligibility office at 843-789-7008 or visit our eligibility website https://www.
Contact 843-789-6900 to schedule a vaccine however, it is recommended to check the website and social media posts.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA) (H.R.6395) added three (3) more conditions to the Agent Orange presumptive-conditions list wherein Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange may qualify for benefits:
• bladder cancer,
• hypothyroidism, and
• Parkinsonism, or Parkinson-like symptoms.
• Until further procedural guidance is provided to the field, claims adjudicators cannot grant service connection based on herbicide exposure for any of the three new conditions
• Claims processors will fully develop for the evidence necessary to adjudicate the claim, to include ordering of any examinations, for all conditions claimed
• Rating decisions for the three new conditions will be deferred pending final procedures for granting these conditions on a presumptive basis
• In situations where the claim can be granted on any basis other than a presumptive basis due to Agent Orange exposure, claims adjudicators will not delay making a decision on the claim
- If a claim is received and AO exposure has not already been conceded, the entire claim will be referred for centralized processing
- If AO exposure has previously been conceded, all other issues will be adjudicated fully. After all other issues have been decided, the claims processor will:
- Apply "VACO Special Issue 7” to the EP and,
- Add a VBMS Note: "NDAA 2021 AO Issue(s) – awaiting final guidance”
Note: The special issue will only be added at this stage if the claim contains only the new AO presumptive issue(s). NWQ will recall the claim prior to moving to rating once the special issue is attached. If additional issues are associated with the claim, the claims adjudicator will not add the special issue at this stage and will continue to develop and decide all other issues.
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