POST SERVICE OFFICER NOTES

January Service Officer Information

Service Officer Report

https://americanlegionpost642.com/index.php?id=119

#VetResources is a weekly newsletter for Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. Connect with Secretary Collins on X

Correcting the record

VA Secretary Doug Collins corrects the record after the Washington Post misled the public about VA health care jobs.

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VA launches Veterans Health Administration reorganization

VHA’s reorganization will reduce duplicative management layers and put the right people in the right places without reducing staff.

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VA to improve health care choice and quality for Veterans

VA has released a request for proposals for new community care contracts that will improve health care choice and quality for Veterans over the next decade.

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Adding & changing dependents for VA disability, pension or DIC benefits

Veterans rated 30% or higher can add dependents, such as a spouse, child, or parent, to increase their monthly VA disability compensation. Watch the latest edition of SITREP to learn more.

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VA resources, we're here for you.

For any questions or requests, 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411) is always the right number.
Veterans Crisis Line: 988 and press 1, Chat, or Text 838255
Vet Centers: 1-877-927-8387
Homeless Veteran Resources: 1-877-424-3838 or Chat
Ask VA
Schedule a 1-on-1 Appointment with a VA Benefits Expert
Find a VA facility near you

For non-urgent questions, you can reach VA using the VA Health & Benefits App or MyHealtheVet secure messaging to schedule an appointment, refill prescriptions, and access your medical records.

Upcoming VA events

VA hosts free events around the country for Veterans and their families, caregivers and survivors. Check out the weekly outreach events calendar to find an event near you.

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Jobs for Veterans

Employers from around the country are looking to hire Veterans. Get info about openings across the nation and multiple career fairs below.

Find your next job

Exclusive discounts for Veterans

Check out hundreds of recently updated discounts and deals available to Veterans, service members and retirees.

Save money, find more discounts

Veterans Benefits Newsletter

December 2025

More work ahead to help homeless Veterans

VA permanently housed more than 50,000 homeless Veterans in fiscal year 2025, but there is much more to be done. We’re hard at work implementing President Trump’s executive order to establish the National Center for Warrior Independence for Homeless Veterans at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center.

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VA makes it easier for women Veterans to access care

Women Veterans can now schedule appointments directly with gynecology specialists, eliminating the previous requirement for a VA primary care provider referral to access care. This important reform will better serve the more than 1 million women Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care.

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VA Disability Pay Increases

VA disability benefit rates are increasing thanks to the 2026 cost of living adjustment. Watch the latest edition of SITREP to learn more.

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Get your 2025 VA health care coverage tax form this January

Your 1095-B IRS tax form shows proof that you had VA health coverage. Throughout January and no later than January 31, 2026, all VA health care beneficiaries will be able to electronically access their 2025 1095-B forms via their VA.gov account. Please note that VA will no longer automatically mail 1095-Bs to all Veterans. To request a paper copy by mail, please contact us at 877-222-VETS (8387) Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.

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VA honors 60 years of SGLI protecting our nation’s military members

VA is celebrating 60 years of the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program. On Sept. 29,1965, during the Vietnam conflict, an act of Congress created the SGLI program to address service member life insurance needs while in combat zones, and for other purposes.

Informal Conferences offer opportunity to speak directly with claims processors

Veterans who disagree with their VA benefits claim decision can choose from three decision review options. One of the options is a higher-level review (HLR), which is conducted by an experienced claims processor who didn’t participate in the previous decision. As part of the HLR process, you are able to communicate directly with a new reviewer.

Survivor Benefits and Reporting a Veteran Death

Losing a loved one is a challenging time — we are here to help. As the survivor of a Veteran or Service member, check to see if you qualify for survivor benefits, including help with burial costs and survivor compensation.

Please contact VA to report the Veteran’s death and avoid an overpayment of the Veteran’s benefits. You can report the death in person at a VA Regional Office, by mail, or by phone.

Overpayment Fraud

Scammers are alarmingly clever in targeting Veterans, surviving spouses and family members who receive VA benefits. They pretend to be official VA representatives and use official communication channels to demand repayment for alleged benefits overpayments. Fraudulent letters, emails and texts often include fake VA letterheads and logos, making it difficult to distinguish genuine VA communications from scams.

Learn more about overpayment scams from the SITREP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqowY9391ls

File a Supplemental Claim

If VA denied your disability claim in the past, but now considers your condition presumptive, you are encouraged to file a Supplemental Claim. This will allow VA to re-adjudicate your claim when presented with new evidence or policy. Learn how to file a Supplemental Claim today.

Decision Letter Tool

Did you know you can access your VA notices and claims development letters on VA.gov? You no longer have to wait for mailed copies or request reprints from VA. By logging in using your VA.gov login info you can view your documents.

Learn how to access decision letters and notices.

VA History: Object 99

After World War II, U.S. Army investigators in the Philippines turned over a huge collection of captured documents, intelligence reports, press clippings, and Japanese banks checks to the VA office in Manila. The Manila office stored the collection in the “Loyalty Room,” so named because VA used the checks and other records to evaluate the wartime allegiance of Filipino Veterans applying for benefits.

Read more about Object 99 in the History of VA in 100 Objects digital exhibit.

VA Home Loan Guaranty

As part of our mission to serve you, we provide a home loan guaranty benefit and other housing-related programs to help you buy, build, repair, retain, or adapt a home for your own personal occupancy. Learn more about the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program.

Holiday Scams

Common holiday season scams
include shipping and delivery scams, impersonation scams, VA benefit scams, charity scams, phishing scams, gift card scams, prize and sweepstake scams, e-commerce scams and financial scams.

Veterans who suspect they have experienced fraud can find out more and report it to the appropriate agency at VSAFE.gov or by calling 833-38V-SAFE.

Stay Connected with Team RWB

Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB) is dedicated to enriching the lives of Veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. By providing in-person and virtual opportunities, Team RWB can help you focus on your mental and physical health to ensure the best days are ahead. Download their free mobile app to meet local community members, access virtual challenges, and much more!

Upcoming Events

Dec. 10 – Wellness Wednesday | Retirement - Your Next Chapter