VFW Advocacy

1. VFW Continues Advocacy for Unaddressed Toxic Exposure

   The Honoring Our PACT Act, passed in August 2022, provides veterans who served in countries such as Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq with expanded access to VA health care and earned disability benefits due to exposure to burn pits and other toxic substances. Some consider the PACT Act to be the most significant piece of veteran legislation in history.

   But VFW's work on military toxic exposures is not over. The PACT Act was originally intended to address not only health conditions due to burn pit exposure but also it called for VA to continuously research and review conditions related to any toxic exposures from the past, present and future.

   However, lawmakers instead included a process that is internal to VA, and advocates have found it to lack transparency, timelines, and input from veteran stakeholders.

   VFW National Veterans Service Director Michael Figlioli said that VFW wants more health conditions related to toxic exposures to be recognized by VA. One of these includes suspected uranium exposure at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base (K2 or Camp Stronghold Freedom) in Uzbekistan. There also was water contamination at Alabama's Fort McClellan and at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

   "Despite the abundance of conditions already covered under the PACT Act, veterans continue to report many unaddressed issues tied to toxic exposure," Figlioli said. "The VFW will continue to demand that VA continually updates the presumptive conditions evaluation process."

   VFW IS HERE TO HELP
   In August 2024, VA reported that 333,767 veterans with PACT Act-related symptoms enrolled in VA health care thanks to the law. About 1 million veterans are receiving PACT Act-related disability compensation, according to the department.

   VFW urges veterans to visit https://pactactinfo.org/questionnaire and answer a few questions to determine eligibility and connect with one of VFW's VA-accredited service officers. Also, services that VFW service officers provide are free to all veterans (members and nonmembers) and families, no matter what. VFW also wants veterans and their families to be aware of predatory companies, known as "claim sharks," that target veterans' earned VA benefits. These companies promise veterans increased disability ratings and expedited claims decisions. Charging fees for initial claims assistance is illegal, and veterans should be aware that they put themselves at risk of committing fraud by working with any unaccredited consultants. Learn more at https://dontfeedthesharks.org.

   MORE TOXIC REFORM IS NEEDED
   The Disabled American Veterans and the Military Officers Association of America in September 2024 released a report titled Ending the Wait, that found on average, veterans who were exposed to toxins while in the military wait an average of 34.1 years to receive expanded access to VA health care and earned benefits.

   VFW National Legislative Service Deputy Director Kristina Keenan, who was a consultant for Ending the Wait, said this only highlights the need to establish a more efficient presumptive process for toxic exposure-related health conditions.

   "The PACT Act was an historic piece of legislation that primarily addressed dozens of serious illnesses associated with burn pit exposure for Persian Gulf War and Post 9/11 veterans," Keenan said. "The presumptive process established in that legislation is not the robust and transparent model we originally wanted. We will work with VA, Congress, and our partner veteran service organizations to find solutions that will ensure there is a continuous review of toxic exposure conditions for all eras of veterans."

   This article is featured in the January/February 2025 issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Dave Spiva, associate editor for VFW magazine.

2. National Veterans Service Surpasses $14 Billion in Total Recovered VA Disability Compensation

   WASHINGTON -The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is proud to announce it has surpassed a milestone in fiscal year 2024, as its National Veterans Service (NVS) network of 2,162 Accredited Service Officers recovered $14.6 billion in compensatory awards, resulting in tangible, positive impacts to the lives of more than half a million represented veterans.

   "Once again, the hard work and dedication of our VFW accredited representatives shows in every single dollar that they recovered for the veterans, family members and survivors that VFW represents," said VFW National Commander Al Lipphardt. "This is another milestone in our 125-year history, and it was accomplished through their magnificent efforts."

   The NVS Accredited Service Officer network includes full-time VFW employees as well as individuals employed by other nonprofits and state and local governments across the nation. Every service officer provides Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)-accredited claims assistance, free of charge, to transitioning service members, veterans, family members and survivors. Last year alone, the network processed roughly 146,000 veteran claims - more than 38,000 of which were brand new, initial claims for veterans, many of whom had never before applied for disability compensation. Of the new claims, about 14,000 were filed through the VFW's Pre-Discharge claims program on behalf of service members exiting the military.

   Veteran disability compensation is an earned benefit for veterans who sustained injuries and/or illnesses during service. Governed by law and ensured to those who qualify as part of initial military enlistment contracts, eligibility for VA disability compensation is not just given. It requires a veteran to prove service-connection of their illness or injury by showing that an event occurred during service leading to or aggravating their condition, they have a present diagnosis of the condition, and a medical professional believes that the condition is at least as likely as not to have been incurred as a result of their service. This trio of requirements is known as a nexus. Once service-connection is established, VA disability compensation is awarded to mitigate the often lifelong impacts their condition brings.

   "The only point I am more proud of than our service officers' labors is that every single dollar of recouped compensation went to those we represent," said NVS Director Mike Figlioli. "Our service officers did it all out of a sense of duty, care and concern - for free!"

   Notably, recent VA data suggest that veterans who interact with their VA benefits - including those receiving disability compensation - are at lowered risk of dying by suicide. Read the report here.

   The VFW's NVS program relies on grants and donors to operate. For every dollar received, an average of $1,678 is returned to veterans in earned benefits. To support NVS during this giving season, visit vfwfoundation.org/national-veterans-service/.

3. VFW and Columbia University Announce Military Transition Collaboration

   WASHINGTON - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is proud to announce its newest relationship with Columbia University's Center for Veteran Transition and Integration (CVTI) in a new initiative focused on improving transition outcomes for separating and retiring service members. The joint effort, which aims to better understand the complexities of service members' transitions into civilian life, seeks to inform policy discussions and affect meaningful change to available support programming.

   Leveraging the direct contact VFW Pre-Discharge Claims representatives have with, on average, 14,000 transitioning service members annually, the VFW has begun collecting and submitting anonymized survey data to CVTI for analysis and reporting assistance. The collaborative research will seek to identify high points, trends and disparities among transitioning service members and recently separated and retired veterans who filed Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) claims. These findings are intended to shape legislative, policy and program improvements to resources like the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program, as well as inform the creation of new and necessary support services.

   "Transition is a pivotal time in every service member's military career bringing with it changes beyond what many have known since they volunteered to serve," said VFW Washington Office Executive Director Ryan Gallucci. "Through the VFW's robust network of accredited Pre-Discharge Claims representatives and persistent advocacy on Capitol Hill, the VFW is heavily engaged in ensuring all transitioning service members have the benefits, support and tools they need to thrive as veterans. More than 10 years ago, the VFW started comprehensive client experience surveys for those we assist on military installations to better tailor our services and advocacy to their needs. This new relationship with CVTI is the next step in understanding how the transition experience has evolved over time so that we can provide real time, data-informed insight on the needs of today's transitioning force."

   Each year, roughly 200,000 service members exit the military and return to civilian life after highly variable lengths of service and experiences while serving. This variability necessitates a deliberate approach to how service members are supported before, during and after discharge or retirement as they re-enter their communities, seek higher education and join the workforce.

   With complementary missions and areas of expertise, the VFW and CVTI are uniquely positioned to uncover the nuances of transition experiences and recommend viable solutions to real problems that veterans face, including heightened suicide risk in the months after discharge and the struggle of some veterans to reach their full potential in civilian workplaces.

   "Effectively serving the veteran community requires moving beyond personal anecdotes or stereotypes and getting into the lived experiences of service members as they navigate the transition from military service to education and beyond," said CVTI Executive Director Jason Dempsey. "Our collaboration presents an amazing opportunity to inform and refine the efforts of those seeking to assist veterans in this journey."

   Research will consider important data points including service member demographics, location in which they filed their BDD claim, service characteristics, timeliness and ability to engage transition resources, concerns about transition, higher education aspirations and preparedness, and much more.

   -vfw-

   About the VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is the nation's largest and oldest major war veterans organization. Founded in 1899, the congressionally chartered VFW is comprised entirely of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. With more than 1.4 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in nearly 6,000 Posts worldwide, the nonprofit veterans service organization is proud to proclaim "NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS" than the VFW, which is dedicated to veterans' service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs. For more information or to join, visit our website at vfw.org.

   About the Center for Veteran Transition and Integration:CVTI improves the lives of veterans, transitioning service members, and their families by collaborating with institutions, organizations, municipalities, and practitioners to build and integrate cultures of support in higher education and the workplace. Since its founding in 2017, CVTI has served over 200,000 veterans and transitioning service members in their post-military educational and vocational pursuits. For more information, visitveterans.columbia.edu.

4. 'Mission Partner'

   The VFW Department of Texas received a $60,000 on Nov. 4 from Austin, Texas-based Hometown Hero. The funds are to help the VFW "continue its mission of providing essential resources and assistance for veterans."

   Hometown Hero manufactures and distributes a variety of hemp-derived products. Founded in 2015, the company donates a portion of all proceeds to organizations that support veterans.

   "Supporting our veterans is at the heart of everything we do at Hometown Hero," said Lukas Gilkey, co-founder of Hometown Hero and a Coast Guard veteran. "This donation to the Texas VFW Foundation is our way of giving back to those who have sacrificed so much for our country. We're honored to help provide the resources and support veterans need, and we look forward to continuing this mission in every way we can."

   According to Mitch Fuller, National VFW Legislative Committee chairman, Hometown Hero is a "mission partner."

   He added that the company's "robust lobbying team" is needed now more than ever as advocates in Texas fight to keep hemp-derived products legal in the state of Texas.

   "It is ridiculous that elected officials have a very narrow view of hemp products," Fuller said. "Hemp is a safe alternative to opioids."

   Hemp-derived products such as Delta-9 THC, Delta-8 THC and CBD are thought to provide pain relief, aid those with insomnia and help with depression, among other ailments.

   "If you are serious about veterans' mental health and preventing suicide among the veteran population," Fuller said, "don't take something away from us that will help."

   This article is featured in the 2024 November/December issue of Checkpoint. If you're a VFW member and don't currently receive the VFW Checkpoint, please contact VFW magazine at magazine@vfw.org.

5. 'An Immediate Battlefield Assessment'

   The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March approved the use of a new rapid blood test that can diagnose a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a combat or training environment where advanced equipment is not available.

   The new test can give health care providers results in about 15 minutes using a small blood sample. The portable blood analysis system is a faster alternative to traditional methods, such as computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests. In addition, patients can be evaluated up to 24 hours after an injury with the new device.

   "This will help provide an immediate battlefield assessment of potential trauma and facilitate the necessary high-quality care required to mitigate any long-lasting effects," said VFW National Veterans Services Director Michael Figlioli. "The VFW believes this advancement also will make it easier for veterans to receive any post-service health care related to these types of injuries and substantiate any future disability claims."

   Developed by the Army in collaboration with Abbott Laboratories, the testing device uses a small blood sample to determine if an individual sustained a concussion. Administering the test on-site will ensure troops receive timely medical treatment that could potentially allow for a faster recovery time and reduce long-term damage.

   Health care providers use a portable cartridge-based device called an i-STAT for the blood analysis. The FDA approval of the device is part of the ongoing efforts to enhance military medical care. Nearly 500,000 troops were diagnosed with a TBI between 2000 and 2023, according to an Army press release. The Army also reported that concussions are the most common type of TBI among soldiers.

   Army Lt. Col. Bradley Dengler, director of the Military Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative at Maryland's Uniformed Services University, said the new test "can help get the most severely injured service members to neurosurgeons faster," potentially saving lives.

   "Given the large numbers of expected casualties with all severities of traumatic brain injury in future large-scale combat operations, this test can help maintain combat power far forward by helping to eliminate unnecessary evacuations," Dengler said.

   Dengler added that future versions of the device could be used to evaluate more severely wounded troops on the battlefield. He said elevated "biomarkers" in a patient's blood correlate with the severity of the wound.

   This article is featured in the 2024 November/December issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Dave Spiva, associate editor for VFW magazine.