January 24, 2010 Local Contact: Monica Cabrera
(602) 627-2740
VA Holds Public Forum to Improve Veterans’ Disability Compensation Criteria for Certain Diseases and Injuries
VA Seeks Opinion of Veterans, Public/Private Experts
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is holding a public forum on January 25, 27, 31, and February 2 in Scottsdale, Arizona, to help improve the level and fairness of payments to Veterans who are service-connected for genitourinary, digestive, dental, infectious, immune disorder and nutritional deficiency diseases and injuries.
The focus of the forum is to assist VA in gathering information to update the rating schedule that the agency uses to assign levels of disability compensation for Veterans who are service-connected for these disabilities. The agenda includes presentations by VA, DoD and private subject matter experts.
“We welcome to this public forum key stakeholders, including Veterans, Veterans service organizations, public and private health experts, health economists, and Department of Defense professionals, who will provide us with the information we need to bring the disability rating system for these particular diseases and injuries into the 21st century,” said Acting Under Secretary for Benefits Michael Walcoff.
When: Tuesday, Jan. 25, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 27, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 31, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 2, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: DoubleTree Paradise Valley Resort, 5401 N. Scottsdale Rd Scottsdale.
Details: For agenda information, visit: www.va.gov, click on Mental Health Forum, then Agenda.
NOTE: Journalists interested in attending these events should arrive 45 minutes prior to the event and provide proof of affiliation.
And at Himmel public library in Tucson:The Veteran’s Forum: VA PENSION BENEFITS. Cathi Starr, Southern Arizona Regional Manager of the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, will present a Q & A for veterans (and their widows) who served in the military during war time, which will provide information regarding the criteria required to qualify for this benefit as well as information concerning the “Aid and Attendance Program.”Monday, January 31, 2011 from 6:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. at Himmel Park Library, 1035 North Treat Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85716. 520-594-5305, Ext. 3.
Happy to see that Himmel Library is continuing the Veterans Forum.