Meeting Notes

Check back here monthly to find out what's going on at our meeting. 

Service Officers: 

 Our Service Officer reported that a Post Service Officer can help you in filing your claim. To process the claim a Service Officer in the main V.A. Office will need to process the claim That officer can help you get into a hospital or help in providing medical assistance.

Our Service Officer reported that an intent to file form, preserves your date to file a claim with the V.A. concerning issues with receiving benefits. Go to https://www.va.gov/find-forms/ to get the intent to file form. You have one year from the date you file an intent to file form, to complete the official form with the V.A. This gives you time to collect any data necessary to file a claim with the V.A. Use the official
21-526EZ form to file your claim.

It has been two years since the 988-crisis line was first established. Dial 988 and press 1 if you are a veteran, to be connected to someone who can provide you with veteran assistance.

Our Service Officer reported that the Veterans Administration now recognizes exposure to herbicides as a presumptive disease under the Agent Orange category.  A 2019 DoD List of Locations Where Tactical Herbicides and their Chemical Components Were Tested, Used or Stored Outside of Vietnam are listed on the V.A. Gov website.

https://www.publichealth.va.gov/docs/agentorange/dod_herbicides_outside_vietnam.pdf#

Good of the Order: The Navy band will be in the SeptemberFest parade.

An Honor Guard will provide a service honoring a deceased military veteran in Bloomingdale.

Plaques were distributed and will be presented to Jewel and Walmart in appreciation for their help in our fundraising efforts.

Veteran Affairs: Our Veteran Affairs Officer has requested authorization to submit a letter inquiring how veterans who are caregivers can get support from the V.A. 

Our Post has achieved All American status as a VFW Post.

Make sure a lawyer is accredited with the V.A. if you need legal assistance for any reason. Check with the site https://pactactinfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Dont-Feed-the-Sharks-One-Pager-Light-version.pdf 

Veteran burial benefits: The V.A. does not pay for your burial.  Burial in a national cemetery is not guaranteed. For information select the link

https://www.va.gov/burials-and-memorials/pre-need/form-10007-apply-for-eligibility/introduction.

Form 534-EZ may help a veteran see if they are eligible under the new guidelines for a service-connected disability. 

 If you wish to receive benefits you must contact veterans benefits. Go to the veterans benefits web site or see your local Service Officer

https://www.benefits.va.gov for more information. 

The suicide and crisis number is 988.

Agent Orange information 

Five locations have been added for exposure to Agent Orange. They include any US base in Thailand January 9,1962-June 30, 1976; Laos December 1, 1965-September 30, 1969; Cambodia April 16, 1969-April 30, 1969; Guam & American Samoa January 9, 1962-July 30, 1980; Johnson Atoll January 1, 1972-September 1977.  

 

Bloomingdale VFW Post 7539  has worked with the Veterans Administration in providing assistance to Veterans in need. 

Now you can help in our ongoing effort to serve those who have served us.

Contribute just $5.00 a month to Bloomingdale VFW 7539 to help provide food and other needed items to Veterans in need. 

The link is:  https://square.link/u/tTvghIIg

To order a Military license plate for your branch of service go to: https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/vehicles/license_plate_guide/military/home.html

You can pick the plate corresponding to your branch of service. Check out the website www.state.il.us/aging to see if you qualify for a license plate discount.

FYI: You can file an initial claim (that has not been previously decided by the V.A.), by submitting Form  21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits. 

 

The National Archives will digitize the list of Blue Water Navy ships.

Information and resources on the Blue Water Navy Act, eligibility, and how to file a claim, can be found online. 

https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAnt age/69370/blue-water-navy-veterans-disability-claims-now-decided/

 

  For a listing of Illinois State V.A. benefits available please check the website:

https//www.military.com/benefits/veteran-state-benefits/illinois-state-veterans-benefits.html

If you live in the Bloomingdale Township Senior Center area and need a walker, wheel chair or other items, contact them. There is no cost for these items.

An online App for your smart phone,VFW mobile recruiter is available for those wishing to join VFW Post 7539.
Go to the App store and get the App. 
Make sure you put in our Post number 7539 to join.