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 [email protected]
- 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

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: 

[email protected]

ADDITIONAL THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN VIDEOS

What is Thrift Savings Plan

https://youtu.be/FCH-yBjnj54

Pension vs. Thrift Savings Plan

https://youtu.be/y7XpH-LiuQk

Contributions with Thrift Savings Plan

https://youtu.be/TJL92sHspSI

Thrift Savings Plan After Government Service

https://youtu.be/POvseD-uzQI

How to Set-Up Your Thrift Savings Plan

https://youtu.be/D7ZnjN8QalA

IRA & Thrift Savings Plan Contributions

https://youtu.be/tH1_K_1a30Y

Thrift Savings Plan Beneficiaries

https://youtu.be/6i3edMV-NYw

Thrift Savings Plan Contributions After Service

https://youtu.be/pnvXW8VUzok

Roth vs. Traditional Thrift Savings Plan

https://youtu.be/CUrsC_PUgc4

IRA vs. Thrift Savings Plan

https://youtu.be/yujVYgpMwLg

403b vs. Thrift Savings Plan

https://youtu.be/mzBbKrZdqRI

Thrift Savings Plan Rollovers

https://youtu.be/HM0UBWoAw6E

Are TSP Contributions Tax Deductible

https://youtu.be/G34PTubDYVU

401k, 457 & 403b vs. Thrift Savings Plan

https://youtu.be/O0UBVWJBTLc

TSP Maximum Contributions

https://youtu.be/-8HBISieQkE

Individual Funds (G, F, C, S, I Fund) & TSP

https://youtu.be/7YfTihsggS4

TSP L Funds

https://youtu.be/_PikOiwxk_4

TSP Retirement Calculators

https://youtu.be/mLofyfzBJk0

Roth vs. Traditional Withdrawals

https://youtu.be/YELQiz7f1OM

How to Change TSP Contribution Amounts

https://youtu.be/s1rVVs5PFuc

Thrift Savings Plan Loans & Withdrawals

https://youtu.be/bxMLFWMC9jg

Age to Withdraw TSP

https://youtu.be/dkIn3jtqV-k

Thrift Savings Plan Vesting Period

https://youtu.be/5oJdlFhz0Ig

(RMDs) Required Minimum Distribution & TSP

https://youtu.be/tfKJ31aYFfw

TSP After DoD Service

https://youtu.be/F88hYzVkFdA

TSP Company Holdings

https://youtu.be/r1-h-Qpcn2g

Thrift Savings Plan DoD Rollover

https://youtu.be/FwR6bn6j7ks

How to Access Thrift Savings Plan

https://youtu.be/UyGUV5U2oOE

Retroactive Contributions to TSP

https://youtu.be/DBrisaPJ-Pc

Catch-Up Contributions with TSP

https://youtu.be/-t_oOHVTVWQ

Changing Contributions with TSP

https://youtu.be/6HL9e1iUg20

Thrift Savings Plan Mutual Funds

https://youtu.be/FcLNB16-05I

ADDITIONAL THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN LINKS

For 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...

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]?

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 [email protected]

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

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 [email protected]

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

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 [email protected]

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