Episodes

  • VA Disability - with Mike Figlioli, VFW Director of National Veterans Services

    VA Disability - with Mike Figlioli, VFW Director of National Veterans Services
    Jul 25 2023

    In this episode, the SITREP asks Mike Figlioli, VFW Director of National Veterans Services, about VA disability: what is it, how to apply, and more. To connect with the SITREP:

    - Email us ideas at theSITREP@va.gov
    - For video podcasts, visit https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/thesitrep
    - Sign up for theSITREP eNewsletter at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/subscriber/new?topic_id=USVA_485

    For additional information, on this topic, visit: https://www.va.gov/disability/

    For VFW assistance, visit: https://www.vfw.org/ or https://pactactinfo.org/

    To call for VFW assistance, dial: 816-756-3390 for Kansas City, VFW HQ or
    202-543-2239 for Mike Figlioli's office in DC

    To find an accredited VSO or attorney, visit: https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp

    For NASDVA, visit: https://nasdva.us/

    For NACVSO, visit: https://www.nacvso.org/

    00:00 Introduction
    00:37 What is VA disability?
    00:58 What is the process for applying?
    02:06 Does applying cost money?
    03:05 When to get help from VSO or attorney?
    04:37 Does a Veteran have to be a Combat Veteran for benefits?
    05:44 Is VA disability tax free?
    06:07 How can VA disability money be used?
    06:46 What does service-connection mean?
    07:25 What does presumptive condition mean?
    08:44 What is Intent to File?
    10:56 Can multiple claims be submitted in the same time period?
    13:19 What is a VA disability appeal?
    15:09 How does VA approve or deny claims?
    18:12 Missing evidence for a claim
    19:43 Does VA disability pass on to a spouse or family member?
    20:38 What is a NEXUS letter?
    21:35 Can a Veteran reapply for VA disability, even after denial?
    24:31 Advice regarding Statement to Support [buddy statement]
    25:57 What is the 5 year rule?
    26:25 What is the 20 year rule?
    27:25 Three tips for applying for VA disability
    30:28 Three tips for finding a good VSO
    32:47 Three common mistakes when submitting a claim
    34:57 What services do VFW Veteran Service Officers provide?
    37:14 Does a Veteran need to be in VFW to get help from VFW?
    38:12 How to connect with a VFW Veteran Service Officer?
    39:36 Closing
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    40 mins
  • Thrift Savings Plan - with Mike Jerue

    Thrift Savings Plan - with Mike Jerue
    Jun 6 2023
    In this episode of theSITREP, Paul covers basic questions on what the Thrift Savings Plan is, when TSP started, and why military members and government employees may want to take advantage of TSP. Paul is joined by U.S. Air Force Veteran, Mike Jerue, who serves as the Deputy Chief Investment Officer at Thrift Savings Plan.FIVE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH theSITREP(1) To sign-up for theSITREP email newsletter, visit: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/subscriber/new?topic_id=USVA_485(2) To find theSITREP’s full video library, visit:https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/thesitrep (3) To listen to theSITREP audio podcasts, visit: https://feeds.transistor.fm/thesitrep(4) Search “theSITREP” on your preferred search engine(5) Email us ideas, for a future episode, at: theSITREP@va.govADDITIONAL THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN VIDEOSWhat is Thrift Savings Planhttps://youtu.be/FCH-yBjnj54Pension vs. Thrift Savings Planhttps://youtu.be/y7XpH-LiuQkContributions with Thrift Savings Planhttps://youtu.be/TJL92sHspSIThrift Savings Plan After Government Servicehttps://youtu.be/POvseD-uzQIHow to Set-Up Your Thrift Savings Planhttps://youtu.be/D7ZnjN8QalAIRA & Thrift Savings Plan Contributionshttps://youtu.be/tH1_K_1a30YThrift Savings Plan Beneficiarieshttps://youtu.be/6i3edMV-NYwThrift Savings Plan Contributions After Servicehttps://youtu.be/pnvXW8VUzokRoth vs. Traditional Thrift Savings Planhttps://youtu.be/CUrsC_PUgc4IRA vs. Thrift Savings Planhttps://youtu.be/yujVYgpMwLg403b vs. Thrift Savings Planhttps://youtu.be/mzBbKrZdqRIThrift Savings Plan Rollovershttps://youtu.be/HM0UBWoAw6EAre TSP Contributions Tax Deductiblehttps://youtu.be/G34PTubDYVU401k, 457 & 403b vs. Thrift Savings Planhttps://youtu.be/O0UBVWJBTLcTSP Maximum Contributionshttps://youtu.be/-8HBISieQkEIndividual Funds (G, F, C, S, I Fund) & TSPhttps://youtu.be/7YfTihsggS4TSP L Fundshttps://youtu.be/_PikOiwxk_4TSP Retirement Calculatorshttps://youtu.be/mLofyfzBJk0Roth vs. Traditional Withdrawalshttps://youtu.be/YELQiz7f1OMHow to Change TSP Contribution Amountshttps://youtu.be/s1rVVs5PFucThrift Savings Plan Loans & Withdrawalshttps://youtu.be/bxMLFWMC9jgAge to Withdraw TSPhttps://youtu.be/dkIn3jtqV-kThrift Savings Plan Vesting Periodhttps://youtu.be/5oJdlFhz0Ig(RMDs) Required Minimum Distribution & TSPhttps://youtu.be/tfKJ31aYFfwTSP After DoD Servicehttps://youtu.be/F88hYzVkFdATSP Company Holdingshttps://youtu.be/r1-h-Qpcn2gThrift Savings Plan DoD Rolloverhttps://youtu.be/FwR6bn6j7ksHow to Access Thrift Savings Planhttps://youtu.be/UyGUV5U2oOERetroactive Contributions to TSPhttps://youtu.be/DBrisaPJ-PcCatch-Up Contributions with TSPhttps://youtu.be/-t_oOHVTVWQChanging Contributions with TSPhttps://youtu.be/6HL9e1iUg20Thrift Savings Plan Mutual Fundshttps://youtu.be/FcLNB16-05IADDITIONAL THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN LINKSFor TSP overview, visit:https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspbk08.pdf?TSP-BK-08 For TSP contributions, visit:https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs07.pdf?TSP-FS-07 For TSP L Funds, visit:https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tsplf14.pdf?TSP-LF-14 For TSP investment funds, visit:https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tsppc16.pdf?TSP-PC-16 For TSP rollovers, visit:https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs05.pdf?TSP-FS-05 For TSP holdings of companies, visit:https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tsplf14.pdf?TSP-LF-14 For TSP mutual fund window, visit:https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs28.pdf?TSP-FS-28 For TSP annuity, visit:https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs24.pdf?TSP-FS-24 For TSP required minimum distribution (RMD), visit:https://www.tsp.gov/taking-money-from-your-account/#req...
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • How to Get Military Records - with Scott Levins, Director of NPRC

    How to Get Military Records - with Scott Levins, Director of NPRC
    May 3 2023

    In this episode of the SITREP, Mike and Paul sit down with Scott Levins, Director or National Personnel Records Center, and discuss everything from how to replace a copy of your DD-214 to how many military records were destroyed during the NPRC fire in 1973. To learn more about ordering military records, visit National Personnel Records Center. If you or a loved one served in the military and are looking for additional information about your benefits, be sure to visit "#theSITREP" on YouTube and begin connecting with the benefits your earned and deserve!

    Major questions asked during this podcast include, what is NPRC [National Personnel Records Center], what is the fastest way to get military records, how much does requesting records cost, is the process different for requesting different types of records, how to replace certificates, awards and medals, how to get a spouses DoD medical records, how to get records for a deceased Veteran, who's records were lost during the NPRC fire in 1973, how to get classified records; Special Operations Veterans, what is the fastest way to replace a DD-214, do Veterans need to request records for a VA Disability Claim, how has COVID changed operations at NPRC, are a Veteran's records public, how do I get my military records [analog or digital]?
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    47 mins
  • Mesothelioma - with Dr. Hassan Khalil

    Mesothelioma - with Dr. Hassan Khalil
    Sep 14 2022
    Dr. Hassan Khalil from the Boston VA here to talk about what exactly is mesothelioma and what can they do for veterans who may have that disease.
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    38 mins
  • Palliative care - with Dr. Andrea Ruskin, Director of Palliative Care

    Palliative care - with Dr. Andrea Ruskin, Director of Palliative Care
    Sep 14 2022
    In today's episode Dr. Andrea Ruskin explains for us when does a veteran need palliative care or when is palliative care indicated? How would one know that they’re going to need palliative care?
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    12 mins
  • Bariatric Surgery & Nutrition- with Dr. Ann Smith, VA Surgeon

    Bariatric Surgery & Nutrition- with Dr. Ann Smith, VA Surgeon
    Sep 14 2022
    38 mins
  • Burial and Memorial Benefits - with Barbara Cellucci

    Burial and Memorial Benefits - with Barbara Cellucci
    May 30 2022

    For additional information about burial and memorial benefits, please visit https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/ or visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/docs/VASurvivorsKit.pdf for the "VA Survivors and Burial Benefits Kit."

    This episode is part of a YouTube video series that answers questions about Veterans benefits… search #theSITREP on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE, so you don’t miss future episodes! Links for additional videos about VA disability, VA home loans, VA health care, and more are below.

    Have ideas for a future episode of theSITREP? If so, email us at theSITREP@va.gov

    Subscribe to our weekly, digital newsletter at https://www.newengland.va.gov/info

    ADDITIONAL YOUTUBE PLAYLISTS

    VA Service-Connected Compensation

    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMTobxlCFgiT7-fpoO4_AdIp

    VA Health Care

    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMSPkJwkqtbJe-BEqTM_LLKC

    VA Home Loans & Refinancing

    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMQyJ4_VSG55iLUfPaI0aVrx

    Specialty Topics

    https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMTpYxbVmoTzsdxsP_BaDgw8
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    31 mins
  • Social Security and VA Benefits - with Brian Forsythe

    Social Security and VA Benefits - with Brian Forsythe
    May 30 2022

    Have questions for Work Without Limits? Visit them at https://workwithoutlimits.org or call 877-YES-WORK (877-937-9675)

    This episode is part of a YouTube video series that answers questions about Veterans benefits… search #theSITREP on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE, so you don’t miss future episodes! Links for additional videos about VA disability, VA home loans, VA health care, and more are below.


    Have ideas for a future episode of theSITREP? If so, email us at theSITREP@va.gov

    Subscribe to our weekly, digital newsletter at https://www.newengland.va.gov/info

    ADDITIONAL YOUTUBE PLAYLISTS

    VA Service-Connected Compensation

    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMTobxlCFgiT7-fpoO4_AdIp

    VA Health Care

    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMSPkJwkqtbJe-BEqTM_LLKC

    VA Home Loans & Refinancing

    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMQyJ4_VSG55iLUfPaI0aVrx

    Specialty Topics

    https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMTpYxbVmoTzsdxsP_BaDgw8
    Show More Show Less
    25 mins