Blog Posts Archives - Gerling Law

May 15, 2021 | By jdxbasedev | Read Time: < 1 minute | Blog Posts

Veterans of Armed Forces Day

May 15, 2021 – While we are always honoring all Veterans and their families for their sacrifice and dedication to our Nation, today we honor veterans who are currently serving in our Armed Forces. Armed Forces Day is celebrated every year on the 3rd Saturday in the month of May. In 1961, John F. Kennedy declared this day a national holiday. This day honors members serving in all of our six branches of the US Military including Air Force, Navy, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Space Force. Veterans currently serving in the National Guard or the Reserves are also honored on Armed Forces Day. There are many other countries that also honor this day! Reference: Armed Forces Day 2021, https://militarybenefits.info/armed-forces-day/#:~:text=Armed%20Forces%20Day%20USA%20will,Saturday%2C%20May%2015%2C%202021.

May 7, 2021 | By jdxbasedev | Read Time: < 1 minute | Blog Posts

Military Spouse Appreciation Day

May 7, 2021 – Every year in May, on the Friday before Mother’s Day, the United States celebrates National Military Spouse Appreciation Day! Military Spouse Appreciation Day was first recognized by Ronald Reagan in 1984. Many military spouses stay home while their loved ones are deployed or serving away from home for long periods of time. Some manage their household by themselves. They patiently wait for their loved ones to return from orders and deployments knowing their loved ones may not return home. Military Spouses are honored on this day and deserve to be celebrated. Thank you, military spouses, for your commitment and dedication to your loved ones serving our Nation! Reference: Military Spouse Appreciation Day 2021, https://militarybenefits.info/military-spouse-appreciation-day/

May 1, 2021 | By jdxbasedev | Read Time: < 1 minute | Blog Posts

Veterans Mental Health Awareness Month

May 1, 2021 – May is Mental Health Awareness month! The VA offers many resources to veterans suffering from mental health illnesses. The Military Health System and Department of Defense emphasize the importance of mental health and provide resources to our military communities. There are many organizations that provide daily exercises Veterans can use to improve anxiety and depression. For Veterans interested in learning more about Mental Health, you can follow the VA Mental Health Website Reference: Mental Health Awareness Month, US Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Health Care, Quality of Care, Mental Health Awareness Month, https://www.va.gov/QUALITYOFCARE/education/Mental_Health_Awareness_Month.asp#:~:text=May%20is%20Mental%20Health%20Awareness,live%20a%20mentally%20healthy%20life!

Apr 23, 2021 | By jdxbasedev | Read Time: < 1 minute | Blog Posts

Army Reserve Birthday

April 23, 2021 – Each year, on April 23rd, we celebrate the Army Reserve Birthday. The Army Reserves will be celebrating their 113th birthday in 2021. The Army Reserves celebrates each year on April 23rd, and they celebrate their contributions to World War I, World War II, the Cold War, Korean War, Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, and more missions worldwide. Happy Birthday, Army Reserves!! Reference: Army Reserve Birthday, https://militarybenefits.info/army-reserve-birthday/

Mar 4, 2021 | By jdxbasedev | Read Time: < 1 minute | Blog Posts

VA Resources For Women Who Served in Our Military

March 4, 2021 – According to the Veterans Administration more than 196,000 women Veterans used educational benefits and more than 555,000 women Veterans received $10.7 billion in disability compensation. More resources are becoming available for women who serve in the U.S. Military. Women Veteran Coordinators are available at all VA regional offices to assist women Veterans. Reference: Women Veterans have access to VA resources, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, VAntage Point Official Blog of the U.S. Dept of Veteran Affairs, VA News Release, March 4, 2021, https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/85336/women-veterans-access-va-resources/

Mar 3, 2021 | By jdxbasedev | Read Time: < 1 minute | Blog Posts

Free Tax Prep For Veterans and Their Families

March 3, 2021 – The AARP Foundation offers veterans and their families free tax preparation assistance for veterans and their families. Veterans who receive military retirement pay are required to pay federal taxes from their retirements. VA Disability Compensation is not taxable, but it is important to assess your income to determine if you must file your taxes every year. The AARP is offering their services for tax preparation and you are not required to be a member of AARP to take advantage of this program. Reference: “AARP, others offer free tax prep to help Veterans, Military and Families, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, VAntage Point Official Blog of the U.S. Dept of Veteran Affairs, VA News Release, March 3, 2021, https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/85428/aarp-others-offer-free-tax-prep-help-veterans-military-families/#comments

Mar 2, 2021 | By jdxbasedev | Read Time: < 1 minute | Blog Posts

VA Survivors & Burial Benefits

March 2, 2021 – What do you need to do when a loved one who served in our military dies? There are many benefits survivors may be entitled to. The VA has created a Survivors and Burial Benefits kit to assist veterans and their families after the loss of a loved one. These kits include helpful information regarding government headstones or markers, burial benefits, Dependency, and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Dependents Education Assistance, special monthly pension, and much more. Tips on how to complete applications for assistance are also included. Additional information or assistance can be found here. Reference: “How to plan your legacy with the VA Survivors and Burial Benefits kit”, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, VAntage Point Official Blog of the U.S. Dept of Veteran Affairs, VA News Release, March 2, 2021, https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/85171/plan-legacy-va-survivors-burial-benefits-kit/

Feb 19, 2021 | By jdxbasedev | Read Time: < 1 minute | Blog Posts

Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Registry

Veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other areas in Southwest Asia should register if they have concerns about toxic exposure while serving in Southwest Asia. Long-term medical issues have been known to arise as a result of airborne hazards such as smoke and fumes from burn pits, fuel, aircraft exhaust, sand, dust, general air pollution, oil well fires, and blast or noise injuries. The VA encourages Veterans to register as well as talk to their healthcare provider and file a claim for benefits. Reference: Department of Veterans Affairs, Public Health https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/registry.asp

Feb 14, 2021 | By jdxbasedev | Read Time: < 1 minute | Blog Posts

Nonprofit Organization Focused on Lowering Suicide Rates in Veterans

February 14, 2021 – The Healing Warriors Program is a program that provides non-narcotic therapy to veterans and their families for pain, PTSD, and sleep. Their mission is to advance individual wellbeing for Veterans and their families through evidence-based complementary care services and education. They are focused on trying to lower suicide rates in veterans. Reference: Markard, Tamara, “Healing Warriors Program seeks to help veterans tackle PTSD, sleep issues and more, (c)2021 the Greeley Tribune (Greeley, Colo.), Tribune Content Agency, LLC, Tribune News Service https://www.stripes.com/news/us/healing-warriors-program-seeks-to-help-veterans-tackle-ptsd-sleep-issues-and-more-1.662151

Feb 11, 2021 | By jdxbasedev | Read Time: < 1 minute | Blog Posts

Coronavirus Relief Plan for Veterans

February 11, 2021 – As part of the American Rescue plan presented by President Joe Biden, $15 billion is to go to the Department of Veterans Affairs. This article states, “According to the new legislation, most of the money – $13.5 billion – would go to the VA for veterans’ health care, staffing, suicide prevention, research, and women’s health, as well as expanding telehealth, serving homeless veterans and improving medical facilities.” $4 billion of the American Rescue Plan will be spent in healthcare in the private sector for veterans and $100 million would go to veterans’ claims for benefits to assist with the backlog of benefits claims which was halted during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reference: Wentling, Nikki, “House VA committee advances $15 billion portions of Biden’s American Rescue Plan”, Stars and Stripes, https://www.stripes.com/news/us/house-va-committee-advances-15-billion-portion-of-biden-s-american-rescue-plan-1.661928