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Print & Post: Week of November 17, 2008

Disability Evaluation System Expanded
The Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the expansion of the Disability Evaluation System (DES) pilot to 19 installations across the country, representing all military departments. The pilot tests the new process design eliminating the duplicative, time-consuming, and often confusing elements of the two current disability processes of the departments. The pilot was recently expanded to Fort Meade, Md., and Fort Belvoir, Va. The remaining 17 installations will be introduced to the pilot during a seven-month period from November 2008 to May 2009. Key features of the DES pilot include one medical examination and a single-sourced disability rating.

Survival Guide for Veterans Available
Veterans for America released "The American Veterans and Servicemembers Survival Guide." The guide free and (http://www.veteransforamerica.org/survi ... -download/) available for download. The new Survival Guide is a follow-up to the 1985 national bestseller, "The Viet Vet Survival Guide," and covers the benefits, assistance and resources available as well as giving step-by-step directions for navigating the government agencies that serve our troops and veterans.

(http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran) Learn more about veteran benefits on Military.com.

November is Warrior Care Month
November is Warrior Care Month and each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces has events planned during the month to highlight warrior care. Military OneSource also has created a 24-hour Wounded Warrior Resource Center that can be reached by telephone at 800-342-9647 and by e-mail at (mailto:wwrc@militaryonesource.com) wwrc@militaryonesource.com . The center is staffed with trained consultants who direct callers to the military or federal agency that can best help them. The Department of Defense (http://www.warriorcare.mil/) created a website to provide a lasting gateway for resources and ongoing programs. For more information, visit the U.S. Army's (http://www.army.mil/warriorcaremonth/) Warrior Care Month website.

To find career resources for the severely injured, visit the Military.com (http://www.military.com/support) Severely Injured Career Center.

Association Launches Help Center
The (http://www.unitedspinal.org/) United Spinal Association announced the launch of its online veterans help center, Ask VetsFirst, an interactive gateway to information on a host of subjects of interest to veterans and their families. VetsFirst.org includes a listing of VetsFirst's national veterans service officers, an online library with "Knowledge Books," fact sheets and self-help guides. For more information, visit the VetsFirst website at (http://www.VetsFirst.org) http://www.VetsFirst.org.



Helmets to Hardhats Receives Support
Helmets to Hardhats - a national, nonprofit program dedicated to helping transitioning active-duty military, National Guard and Reservists connect to quality careers in the construction industry - announced today that it will receive a charitable donation in the amount of $50,000 from the Aetna Foundation. The Aetna Foundation is the independent charitable and philanthropic arm of Aetna Inc. This generous chartable donation from the Aetna Foundation will provide much-needed financial assistance to our program and its efforts to help wounded warriors and other transitioning military service members achieve lasting economic security through lucrative career opportunities in the building and construction trades," said Darrell Roberts, Executive Director of Helmets to Hardhats.

(http://www.helmetstohardhats.org/) Helmets to Hardhats is the fastest way for Military, Reservists, & Guardsmen to transition from active duty to a career in the construction industry.

Help for Subprime Loans
As a result of the U.S. financial crisis, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will now guarantee subprime loans. Veterans who wish to refinance may now do so for up to 100 percent of the value of their property. The 100 percent refinance option also applies to standard loans - previously set at 90 percent of the property value. The new law also raised the maximum loan amount for these types of refinancing loans, which were capped at $144,000, to $729,750 depending on where the property is located. For more information, or to obtain help from a VA Loan specialist, call VA at 1-877-827-3702 or visit (http://www.homeloans.va.gov/) VA's Loan Guaranty website. Learn more about the (http://www.military.com/Finance/content ... 19,00.html) VA mortage options.

(http://tracking.military.com/cgi-bin/ou ... _Home_Form) Purchasing a new home or refinancing? - Take advantage of your VA loan benefit and get matched with lenders.

Vets Groups Sue VA over Claims Delays
Two veterans groups, the Vietnam Veterans of America and the (http://www.vmwusa.org/) Veterans of Modern Warfare, are suing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) over what they call "unacceptable delays" in veteran's claims. The lawsuit demands that the VA provide an initial decision on every veteran's claim for disability benefits within 90 days and resolve appeals within 180 days, and seeks relief to provide a lifeline of interim benefits if the VA delays last beyond the limit. For more information, visit the (http://www.modernveterans.com/vmw.html) Veterans of Modern Warfare website and the (http://www.vva.org/) Vietnam Veterans of America website.

Carolina Homeless Vets get Housing
An apartment complex expected to open next month will almost quadruple the number of beds for veterans at risk of homelessness in this city, and housing experts say it's not nearly enough. The nonprofit Volunteers of America built a 24-unit Maple Court apartments in Durham because a disproportionate number of the Triangle's 500 or more homeless veterans live there. Bob Williamson, who runs the health care program for homeless vets at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Durham, said vets are drawn to the area because of the VA and other veterans services, and the hope of jobs.

Deal of the Week: Free Recordable Card
Military.com and Snapfish are giving away free recordable photo cards as a thank you for Military Service. Plus, new members of Snapfish will receive 50 FREE 4"x6" digital prints. (http://web50.military.com/cgi-bin/outlo ... 11708_deal) Order your free card now.

Project Valour-IT Fundraising
The Valour-IT Veterans Day fundraiser, a friendly competition among blogs, will run through Nov. 27, 2008 (Thanksgiving). See below for info on donating or joining the competition. To donate, click (http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?page=fundraiser) the Donate button for your favorite team. Division by service branch is for the purpose of friendly competition; all funds ultimately go into the same account.

Find ways to support and honor U.S. military servicemembers and veterans who protect our security and freedom. Visit the Military.com (http://www.military.com/benefits/resour ... our-troops) Support our Troops webpage.

Uncle Sam Pays for College
As a Veteran you may not have to pay for college. The GI Bill will cover up to $47,556 of the costs of getting a degree. This is free money that can move your career forward and increase your earning potential. Plus, many schools will offer you college credit for military service. Don't let your GI Bill go unused -- let Uncle Sam pay for your education. Visit the (http://education.military.com/money-for ... ESRC=vr.nl) Veteran Education Benefit Users Guide to get more information.

Next Step: The first thing you need to do is find a school that will work around your schedule and offer you college credit for service. (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=vr.nl) Request information from Military-Friendly schools now.

(http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=vr.nl)

Holiday Deals for Military Families
The last day to mail gifts overseas is Dec. 11. You can save time, beat the mall crowds and find great deals in the Military.com Holiday Gift Guide Center. (http://web50.military.com/cgi-bin/outlo ... 111708_HGG) Browse gifts and deals now.

How to Buy a Gaming PC
PC gaming isn't dead, it's just been resting for a few months. But with hot titles like Prince of Persia and the new World of Warcraft expansion hitting the shelves this holiday season, now's a (http://web50.military.com/cgi-bin/outlo ... 11708_dell) great time to consider upgrading your rig so you can dominate the deathmatch arenas throughout 2009 and beyond.

Texas Launches Transition Program
The Governor of Texas announced the creation of the Texas Veterans Leadership Program (TVLP), a resource to help veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan assimilate to civilian life in Texas by providing employment and training services, resources and referrals. TVLP will recruit 28 veterans to serve as local Veterans Resource and Referral Specialists, or liaisons in workforce centers across the state. For more information, visit the (http://www.twc.state.tx.us/tvlp/tvlp.html) Texas Veterans Leadership Program (TVLP) website.

For more information about transitioning, visit the Military.com (http://transition.military.com/reg/tran ... tration.do) Transition Center.