January 2013 Veterans Information Column

2012 Year-end review — By Pete Mortaro

2012 for the Box Butte County Veterans Service Office has been rewarding and gratifying in serving the Veterans of our county. I’m thankful to all the Veterans for their support and friendship which has made my job enjoyable. If for not the Veterans, none of us would be experiencing the freedoms we have presently.

I’ve implemented VetraSpec which is a secure, online, Veteran claims management software solution built for Veteran service officers and state departments, plus the ability to unify the data statewide. Our county along with one other county in Nebraska were test counties for the implementation of the Package Claim feature which allows us to send the claim electronically eliminating postage. Our county was instrumental in implementing the compensation feature that allows us to actually track money our Veterans receive.

My office has filed over 400 forms ranging from claims for compensation, health care to records requests, and many more, too numerous to mention. We were able to introduce many Veterans into the VA Black Hills Health care system who have been denied in the past. We are continuing  to see results of claims we have processed with many of our Veterans receiving compensation  for the first time for their injuries or illnesses sustained during military service.

The most gratifying for me is to witness a Veteran that has been denied compensation in the past, return to try again, and ultimately receive those benefits he or she deserves. The Veterans Service Office has secured approximately $109,200.00 on claims filed on behalf of our county Veterans in 2012. This figure will rise in 2013 as it doesn’t represent a full benefit year.

Our office is very pleased with this accomplishment as this is our number one goal.  I have been accredited by the National Association of County Veteran’s Service Officers (NACVSO) which requires continued yearly educational credits each year much like continued legal education (CLE’s) an attorney has to complete.

I completed TRIP training which allows me cross accreditation with AMVETS (American Veterans), DAV (Disabled American Veterans),  VVA (Vietnam Veterans of America), TREA (The Retired Enlisted Association), MOPH  (Military Order of the Purple Heart) and VFW (Veterans of Foreign War). This important cross accreditation will allow me direct access into the VA computer system to track claims for the Veterans filed instead of relying on the state department for the information.

I’m a life member of AMVETS and a member of both American Legions and the VFW and elected as their service officer. Continued education due to the ever changing VA rules and regulations is extremely important and will ensure our Veterans better representation, translating into more compensation.

We’ve averaged transporting 40 Veterans per month to the VA Black Hills Health Care System  for their medical care. This is a door to door service we provide. This could not have been done without our driver Larry Forsstrom. Larry has always been there, no matter what the weather is  like and has transported our Veterans to their appointments on time.

We have assisted approximately 96 Veterans per month that have come to our office asking for  assistance.

We have received many compliments not only from the Veterans, but from citizens of Box Butte County letting us know how much they appreciate reading the Veterans Information Column.

Information is valuable and the more Veterans know, the better their lives can be.

We are almost at 100% securing hearing aids for our Veterans.

We brought in the first Veterans Day Parade to our county, although I’ve been told many years ago they had a parade. Hopefully in 2013 the weather will cooperate and we can try again for a fly-over. This parade could not have been done without the many volunteers that came forward.

We partnered with the Box Butte County Soldiers Support group for the first PAC event. I was impressed how well our Veterans were honored.

Box Butte County held the first Hiring our Heroes event and coordinated through the Chamber of Commerce, Workforce Development, American Legion and our office. Nine Veterans were offered jobs.

Although my secretary, Cheryl McDuffie has retired, she made my job that much easier especially where the budget was concerned. I appreciate the way she treated all our Veterans, especially the older ones and the Veterans that had hearing problems and needed a bit more attention. She always went above and beyond the call of duty.

Our new secretary Beth Mullendore comes highly recommended. Her background in business  and especially working as a book-keeper and her knowledge of computers will increase output therefore, equating to more compensation for our Veterans. I look forward to working with Beth.

When I first started, I made one simple rule, “Help the Veterans and their dependents”.  Our office does not make a determination if a Veteran will received compensation or not for a claim.  Our job is to file that claim on behalf of the Veteran and not to judge their claim unless it’s a  frivolous claim. I’m confident we’ve been able to do this.

I look forward to the New Year helping our Veterans and assisting our younger Veterans returning home. Our door is always open to Veterans and their dependents. If you filed a claim through this office in the past and have been denied, please come back so we may do another file review. We are having great success in service connecting our Veterans for hearing loss and tinnitus.

Simply put “if the VA told you “NO” before, there’s a chance we can change that to “YES”.

Thank you to all the Veterans I have come in contact with. I look forward to assisting you and your dependents in 2013.