October 2023 Veterans' Resources Newsletter

Dear Neighbor,

September was a big month of cleanup in Florida's Third following Hurricane Idalia. Its path of destruction left hundreds of homes and businesses damaged, with many of our rural agricultural lands crippled by heavy flooding and high winds. Last month, Governor Ron DeSantis activated our hardworking members of the Florida National Guard to assist with recovery efforts. Each time we see them out in the community, it brings tremendous pride to know they're working hard for the Sunshine State. 

In September, I had the opportunity to visit some of the Florida National Guardsmen and women temporarily stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. On temporary duty in our nation's capital, these folks take turns serving with the units in the area as part of their ongoing support of our defense. It was great to see them and thank them for all they do to serve our nation.

Below, you can read more about the latest information from the VA and our office.

As always, we welcome your feedback about what you read here, and if there are any events or announcements you'd like to see featured, reach out to us by clicking here. You can also check our website for new updates on our Veterans' Services tab. And as always, if you’re a veteran in FL-03 in need of assistance with any veterans-related issues, please call our Gainesville office at 352-505-0838.

With all that’s happening this Congress, it is my greatest honor to represent you and hear from you about the issues that matter most. You can stay up to date with us here, on our website, and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

For Freedom,

Congresswoman Kat Cammack
Proudly Serving Florida’s Third Congressional District
 

Washington, D.C. Legislative Updates

Last month, I voted in favor of two bills important to our veterans in Florida's Third. Read more about them below! 

• H.R. 1530: Veteran Benefits Improvement Act
  
  The bill would incentivize law school graduates to work for the VA for a minimum period of service by offering student loan reimbursement and reimbursement of costs associated with taking a state bar exam. Second, the measure would require reports on the VA's efforts to reimburse veterans for disability exam-related travel, ways to improve the functions of veteran service officers (VSOs), and the new internship program for law school students at the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Third, the bill would require the VA to take steps to improve medical disability examinations by non-VA providers and establish an outreach program for veterans to contact non-VA providers with personal, verifiable information about their identity. Finally, the bill would increase the number of Board of Veterans' Appeals judges from seven to nine, and require a report on the feasibility of reimbursing veterans for travel expenses to and from locations with tele-hearings.

• S. 112: Benefits For Certain Children Of Vietnam Veterans & Certain Other Veterans 
  
  The bill would require the VA to provide healthcare and benefits for life for Vietnam veterans' children born with spina bifida, a spinal birth defect that Agent Orange can cause in children. In efforts to enhance the process of administering benefits, the VA would have to establish an advisory council that would solicit feedback from covered children and their parents. In addition, the VA would have to establish care and coordination teams for ease of outreach to covered children. Lastly, the measure would require a report every other year with information about the number of children covered and metrics on outreach to covered children.

PACT Act Claims Update

Due to the extremely high volume of submissions, some veterans and survivors received error messages when submitting their "intent to file" PACT Act claims. This impacted about 18 percent of individuals who submitted an intent to file on August 8, 2023.  Every veteran or survivor who received an error message while applying for PACT Act benefits can consider their intent to file complete. The VA is working to contact these individuals to confirm directly to them that their intent to file will be honored and their effective date protected.

3 Common Mistakes Some Veterans Make When Submitting A VA Disability Claim

The SitRep details some of the most common mistakes veterans make when submitting a claim for disability through the VA. The podcast offers useful information about preparing a claim and how to limit the back-and-forth that can often delay processing. Our office can help, too; make sure to give us a call at (352) 505-0838. 

Want to listen to the complete "VA Disability" podcast? Click here.

Passport Processing

Following the COVID pandemic, more travelers are packing their bags again, creating a surge in passport applications and long delays in obtaining a passport or renewing an existing passport. 

The State Department has made us aware of the fact that it may take 9-12 months to obtain a passport. In rare instances and extreme emergencies, our office has been successful in expediting these requests. Now is the time to prepare for any spring or summer trips; make sure to file a new passport application at least four months in advance to avoid that last-minute scramble.

VA Sunshine Health Network Contact Information

The VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center is a service of the VA Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8) - providing 24/7, virtual care and support to Veterans enrolled for VA Health Care in Florida, South Georgia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Veterans who receive care in the network can call 1-877-741-3400 around the clock to get their health questions or concerns answered from the comfort and convenience of their home, or wherever they may be.

Services include general administrative support, nurse advice and triage, virtual visits with a doctor or nurse practitioner via telephone, VA Video Connect, or VA Health Chat.

Secure Messaging: What You Need To Know

You can't always go to your doctor's office or call your health care team for every question, request, or concern. This is where My HealtheVet’s Secure Messaging feature can help. Secure Messaging allows you to contact your health care team and other VA services. 

Once you send a Secure Message, your VA health care team will likely respond within at least three business days. Business days are between Monday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (local time) and do not include after hours, weekends, or federal holidays. This means that if you send your provider a message on Friday, you may not receive a response until Wednesday.

Veterans' Services Tab On Rep. Cammack's Website

The Veterans' Services tab of Rep. Cammack's website has information on a wide variety of topics, including news from the VA, resources for veterans, and more. These pages are consistently updated so our FL-03 veterans have the most updated information. Additionally, should you need assistance with the VA, our team can help you by opening a case and contacting the VA on your behalf.