VA and Confederated Tribe of Siletz Indians Host Presumptive Conditions Event
Event: “Your Service. Our Mission: Bringing Benefits Home” - VA Presumptive Conditions Campaign Event
Who: All Veterans are invited as well as media representatives.
Date: Wednesday & Thursday, April 24-25, 2019, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Chinook Winds Hotel, Dolphin Room, 1501 NW 40th Place, Lincoln City, Oregon
Hosted by the Confederated Tribe of Siletz Indians of Oregon
Background:
On April 24-25, 2019, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Confederated Tribe of Siletz Indians of Oregon will host a Presumptive Conditions Campaign Event focused on identifying and assisting Veterans who may have presumptive disabilities and be eligible for a VA compensation or pension claim. A presumptive disability is a condition that VA presumes is related to military service, although the condition may first appear after discharge from the military. These conditions may qualify for VA compensation payments.
During the event, representatives from the Veterans Benefits Administration will be on hand to review and process disability claims on the spot. The goal is to process as much of the claim as possible on the same day. All Veterans are invited to attend. We encourage Veterans to bring to the event their DD Forms-214, any non-VA related medical evidence, and in-service medical records, if available.
VA realizes that reaching these Veterans could have a direct, tangible impact on the lives of thousands of previously unreached Veterans and their spouses. This will help the VA enhance and improve the experience for all Veterans and their families.
“With the focus on Veterans with presumptive disabilities and those who are pension eligible, the VA is hopeful we can help all Veterans in Indian Country access the full range of benefits they have courageously earned through their service,” said Stephanie Birdwell, director, VA’s Office of Tribal Government Relations.
In addition, spouses may be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) when a Veteran dies as a result of these presumptive disabilities.
During the two-day event, VA’s Office of Tribal Government Relations, in partnership with Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, is also hosting a Tribal Veteran Representative (TVR) Training, which will cover a wide range of topics on VA benefits, including appeals, pension, suicide prevention, survivor benefits, and medical care. All tribal Veteran advocates are invited to attend.
Both the claims event and TVR training event are free. Contact Terry Bentley, VA Office of Tribal Government Relations at 541-440-1271 or email Terry.Bentley@va.gov or Tony Molina, Tribal Veteran Representative for the Siletz Tribe at 541-444-8330 or email stmolina@msn.com for additional information.
###