by
Neil Appleby
Washington Visits and Testimony
Much has happened since I last wrote to you in the past issue
of the Bulletin. February gave us the usual mid-winter blues here
in south central Pennsylvania. However, the onset of March winds
carried us into our Nation’s Capital, where we were very
well received and were able to carry out a number of successful
visits and meetings.
The BVA Legislative Committee presently consists of Chairman
Dr. George Stocking, the Reverend Dr. Norman Jones, and myself.
The three of us spent a full day in the VA Central Office exchanging
views with the leadership, and, yes, with the folks in the trenches
who make it all happen.
We also spent two full days walking, or running, the halls of
Congress in order to keep our many appointments. The quality of
these appointments was superb. Our hosts were most attentive.
We were very comfortable delivering the BVA message.
In the 1970s, Andy Warhol opined that each individual eventually
achieves his/her own 15 minutes of fame. Andy apparently did not
reckon with the Congressional committee testimony chair! On March
4, 2004, I achieved my "ten" minutes of fame as I sat
before a joint session of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs
Committees to address BVA’s legislative goals for 2004. My
testimony went well. It was not nearly as intimidating as I imagined
it would be.
Links to our written testimony have been posted to various Internet
websites. I have received many kudos from those who have been
able to access the document from their personal computers. Thanks
to everyone who took the time to read the testimony.
Five Doctors!
As chairman of the BVA Board of Directors, one reason I never
say, "Yes, Doctor," is that I could potentially receive
five responses! Is this one for the Guinness Book of Records?
Amazingly, as a VSO of about 10,000 members and an 11-member Board,
we have five doctors on the Board:
Dr. George Stocking is a counseling psychologist. See George
if you need a shrink.
Dr. Roy Kekahuna is a sports psychologist. Roy’s advice
to frustrated golfers is "Just get over it, you do not need
therapy!"
Dr. Bob Smith is a labor arbitrator. Contact Bob if you have
a job dispute.
Dr. Sid Ordway has a dual doctorate in law and political science.
Any lawyer or politician jokes here?
The Reverend Dr. Norman Jones is a Baptist minister. No jokes
in this case. Norman has a direct line to Deity. Crossing him
could have everlasting results!
Message to Spouses
Most of us do not like to speak about death. For purposes of
your financial well-being, after your service-connected veteran
spouse dies, please contact a service officer immediately. Do
not attempt to complete, without some assistance, the plethora
of forms that VA will mail to you.
There is an existing law that is referred to as "the ten-year
rule." Simply put, if a veteran is 100 percent service connected
for ten years, and dies of any condition, his/her death is presumed
to be service connected.
Here is a scenario that really occurred: A veteran was 100 percent
service connected for 54 years, having been blinded in Korea.
The veteran died this year of a heart attack. His death was presumed
to be service connected. VA nevertheless denied the claim for
service-connected death benefits. A tearful widow phoned me, whereupon
I spoke with two VA service officers and the adjudicator on the
claim. All three missed the ten-year rule! Please, therefore,
seek assistance when filing a claim for Dependency and Indemnity
Compensation (DIC).
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