Dear Neighbor,

Our office has heard from a growing number of veterans expressing concern about patient wait times and access to community care. When the Mission Act was passed, the intent was to improve VA's ability to provide quality health care to all veterans. In the Mission Act, both the veteran and VA have different options to select what's best for them. We are working diligently to do our best and ensure that our partners at VA fully understand the rules of the Mission Act and to prevent VA from making arbitrary decisions on whether or not they permit Community Care in different scenarios. 

I encourage all veterans to study the Mission Act closely to better understand the guidelines, and to let us know if you experience any issues when receiving care through VA. On my end, I am working to remedy these issues with other members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and the Department of Veterans Affairs in D.C. On the local level, my team and I are working to provide the proper education needed for service providers to best support our veterans, honor the rules stated in the Mission Act, and have them applied appropriately for our veterans.

Last month we recognized Memorial Day and the sacrifices of the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. We always support our veterans and our Gold Star families. 

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 read below about what we've been up to, and as always, you can stay up to date with us here, on our website, and on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

For the Republic,

Congresswoman Kat Cammack                                                                                Proudly Representing Florida's Third Congressional District

Board of Veteran Appeals

Legal Aid for Veterans

If you're in need of legal aid, call (866) 486-6161 for legal aid information. This line is active Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. When you call, you will speak to a screener who will figure out your eligibility and set your appointment with an attorney.

Florida Veterans Legal Helpline can help with landlord-tenant matters, consumer credit issues, foreclosure, divorce/child support, driver licenses/ID cards, Social Security, public benefits, discharge upgrades, VA benefits, and other civil legal matters (no criminal or traffic matters).

Veterans Application for Licensure Online Response (VALOR)

The Florida Department of Health has programs in place to aid veterans in finding employment in health-related fields. The department offers expedited health care practitioner licensure through the Veterans Application for Licensure Online Response (VALOR) system. They also offer expanded licensure fee waivers for military veterans and their spouses applying for health care licensure in Florida.

The department continues to help county health departments in recruiting military veterans and their spouses to work in health-related fields. If you were honorably discharged within the past 60 months, call (850) 488-0595 or click here.

Discussions of VA Amendments

The VA has ongoing discussions in regard to amending regulations pertaining to the exposure of certain herbicide agents and incorporating provisions of the BWN Act. This would extend the presumed area of exposure to the offshore waters of the Republic of Vietnam, further define boundaries of offshore waters, expand date ranges for presumption of exposure in the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), address service connection for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and establish entitlement to spina bifida benefits for children of certain veterans.

Privacy Forms

When you submit a privacy form to our office, please make sure you sign it with an ink pen. The VA will not accept privacy forms with typed or rubber-stamped signatures, insisting that all paperwork be signed by hand. 

Our advocates are the best at what they do and need a clear and concise picture of what the problem is that we can help to fix. We want to fine-tune our efforts and increase everyone's opportunity to receive better responses from the VA and federal agencies.

Fully Developed Claims Program

If you want to get a faster decision on your disability benefits claim by submitting evidence along with your claim, use the Fully Developed Claims program. Find out how to submit a fully developed claim and learn what evidence you'll need to submit along with your claim.

Here's what you'll need to do for the VA to consider your claim fully developed:

- Submit your completed Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (VA Form 21-526EZ), and
- Submit all the evidence (supporting documents) you have along with your claim, and
- Certify that there's no more evidence the VA might need to decide your claim, and
- Go to any VA medical exams scheduled, if VA decide these exams are needed to make a decision on your claim

What evidence will you need to submit along with your disability claim?

You'll need to submit this evidence:

- All private medical records related to the claimed condition, like reports from your own doctor or X-rays or other test results from a non-VA hospital or other treatment center, and
- Any records of medical treatment you've received for the claimed condition while serving in the military, and
- Any military personnel records you have that relate to the claimed condition, and
- Information about any related health records that you don't have but that we can request on your behalf from a federal facility like a VA medical center or clinic.

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