Commander Terry Janke
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Commanders Action Network
 When a veteran’s disability is rated less than a total 100% evaluation, but he or she is unable to obtain or maintain substantial gainful employment, VA regulations allow the veteran to apply for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (IU). Eligibility for IU is based on the severity of the individual veteran’s unique disability picture and its impact on the veteran’s ability to obtain and maintain substantial gainful employment. Generally, the veteran must have a single disability rated at 60% or a combined evaluation of 70% to be eligible for IU. In recent years, proposals for reducing or limiting IU has been the focus of many Congressional Budget Office and Government Accountability Office reports—as a deficit reducing measure. In December 2018, it was suggested to terminate and cutoff IU benefits at the age of 65 and in December 2020, it was recommended to restrict IU once a veteran reaches the age of 67. H.R. 4732, the Protecting Benefits for Disabled Veterans Act, would provide additional protections for IU and prohibit the VA from considering the age of the veteran or their eligibility to any retirement benefits, including Social Security, in making such determinations. This bill would protect IU benefits from any ill-conceived cost-saving measures in the future. DAV strongly supports H.R. 4732, as it would protect IU for approximately 200,000 veterans over the age of 65 currently receiving this benefit. This bill would ensure the availability of IU for all veterans regardless of age or receipt of any other earned federal benefits. Consistent with DAV Resolution No. 153, DAV supports the protection of IU as it is not a retirement or pension program. We are calling on all DAV members and supporters to contact their Representatives and urge them to co-sponsor and support H.R. 4732 to protect veterans and their families now and in the future from these harmful proposals. Thank you for all you do for America’s veterans and their families.
 5.12.2021 Comrades; New Information:
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Posted: January 1, 2021
Comrades,
2020 is a year we will gladly put behind us. We have lost Comrades, family members and friends. However, in spite of all the obstacles presented by the pandemic Chapter 15 has continued its mission to provide assistance and aid to our veteran community. Our Chapter Service Officers continue to assist with information and claims, the Chapter Trust Committee is still there to provide financial aid to those in need and our members are still active in numerous area committees and organizations.
With that in mind Victoria and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of Chapter 15, their friends, families and community partners a happy, safe 2021.
2020 is a year we will gladly put behind us. We have lost Comrades, family members and friends. However, in spite of all the obstacles presented by the pandemic Chapter 15 has continued its mission to provide assistance and aid to our veteran community. Our Chapter Service Officers continue to assist with information and claims, the Chapter Trust Committee is still there to provide financial aid to those in need and our members are still active in numerous area committees and organizations.
With that in mind Victoria and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of Chapter 15, their friends, families and community partners a happy, safe 2021.
Terry L. Janke
Commander
Commanders Action Network
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Commanders Action Network
Posted: September 18, 2020
Dear,
H.R. 7504, the VA Clinical TEAM Culture Act of 2020, would require mental health providers participating in VA’s Community Care Network program to meet the same clinical standards and requirements as those applicable to VA mental health providers. It would further require that community care providers engage in training on military culture and a number of other courses including, screening and management of suicidal ideation, military sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
DAV has had longstanding concerns about the inability to gauge the quality and accessibility of services provided by non-VA providers for specialized mental health care—particularly for treatment of conditions unique to military service such as post-traumatic stress disorder related to combat and military sexual trauma. A 2018 study published by the RAND Corporation found that many non-VA providers surveyed expressed reservations about their lack of preparedness for treating conditions related to veterans’ military service.
DAV strongly believes that veterans deserve the same standard of care when seeking care through VA’s Community Care Network. We support H.R. 7504, in accordance with DAV Resolution No. 378, which notes that care provided to veterans in the community, when VA care is inaccessible, should be delivered through responsive integrated networks that deliver culturally competent, high quality evidence-based care.
Please use the prepared letter to urge your Representative to support passage of H.R. 7504—the VA Clinical TEAM Culture Act of 2020.
Thank you for your support of the Commander’s Action Network.
Posted: July 2, 2020
Comrades,
It has always been my belief that boosting morale is one of the primary duties of any commander be it a military unit or a veterans' organization. With that in mind since the beginning of our current COVID-19 crisis I have attempted on numerous occasions to draft an inspiring message to the Chapter. I truly wish I had the linguistic ability to lift everyone's spirits, but alas I do not. I can tell you that although we have not been able to meet since February the Chapter continues to do its job and to assist the area's veterans within the limitations placed upon us.
Here's the update:
Commander: I continue to search for a venue that will allow our normal 40 - 50 member general membership meeting while obeying social distancing guidelines.
Senior Vice Commander Michael Haywood: Michael continues to process membership applications and report the Chapter's Volunteer hours to national.
1st Junior Vice Commander John Ballard: In addition the driving for the Pahrump Valley Public Transportation System and VETrans John has been busy providing wheelchairs, etc. to those in need.
Adjutant Victoria Brazzle: Is still passing along pertinent information from varying resources.
Treasurer Ralph Baker: In addition to insuring our bills are paid Ralph has been working diligently on the Chapter's Annual Financial Report to National.
Chaplain Doug Garlin: Doug has been busy keeping up with visits to ill comrades, sending cards as necessary, and, assisted by Comrade Bruce Cook, delivering sweets to staff at Desert View Hospital.
Trust Committee: Carl Jones, Greg Cardarelli and Tom Waters were recently able to assist a veteran facing eviction. Their prompt action gave the veteran what he needed to maintain his residence and get back on his feet.
Chapter Service Officers: Bob Hammond, Steve Chase, Stephen Pittman IV and Cathy Girard - have recently been allowed to reopen their office at Desert View Hospital though on a limited basis. They are once again assisting veterans and family members on Wednesdays only (8 - 12 & 1 - 4).
Chapter Executive Committee: Continues to meet by phone conference each month.
So, we shall continue and I am confident we shall prevail. One thing we know for sure is our membership in the DAV alone is proof we have faced hard times before.
Better times are coming so please stay safe and we hope to see you soon.
Posted: January 16, 2020
