General

Washington Update TREA Members – Are you a Purple Heart Medal Recipient? Do you need to file an initial claim with VA? If so, here is good news starting April 1, 2019. Purple Heart Initial Disability Claims Will Move Faster VA Secretary Robert Wilkie announced that on April, it will provide priority disability benefits claims processing for the initial claims from discharged combat veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Secretary Wilkie announced... Read More

TREA Members — Important Update to February 1, 2019, Newsletter to access use link. https://www.votervoice.net/TREA/newsletters/31944 Friday, February 22, 2019 — VA Publishes in Federal Register MISSION ACT — Veterans Community Care Network — Access Standards TREA advised you on February 1, 2019 of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plans to publish new eligibility criteria for eligible veterans to use private sector care providers. Today, VA formally published the proposed rule outlining who will have... Read More

TREA — WASHINGTON UPDATE TREA is working hard to keep you updated on issues with the Departments of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA). TREA is sharing the information to assist you. Is the information helpful? Do you have an issue with DOD or VA and would like to see it addressed? Please provide feedback on the newsletter content or if let us know if you would like to see an issue covered in an... Read More

House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Chairs and Ranking Members Named On January 22, TREA members were provided full committee rosters for the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. Rep. Mark Takano (CA) was named Chairman and Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (TN) was named Ranking Member. The Full Committee completed its organizational meeting and TREA is pleased to provide the list of Subcommittee Chairman and Ranking Members to our membership. Chairman Takano announced that Rep. Conor Lamb (PA)... Read More

TREA s Washington Update Mission Act — Access Standards to be Published Last summer, Congress passed (with overwhelming bipartisan support) the VA Mission Act, mandating that department officials consolidate the existing community care programs and come up with new eligibility rules. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will shortly publish draft rules providing criteria (drive time replaces miles/distance) for veterans to use private sector health care options. Timeline VA plans to post the proposed rules... Read More

TREA Washington Update, January 24, 2019 VA to implement appeals modernization in February Act will simplify process for how Veterans make appeals The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published in the Federal Register on January 18, 2019, regulations accompanying the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 (AMA), which will help Veterans experience a more transparent claims decision-review process. The new law is effective February 19, 2019, and will: Modernize the current claims... Read More

TREA Washington Update VA to implement appeals modernization in February Act will simplify process for how Veterans make appeals The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that the Federal Register will publish on January 18, 2019, regulations accompanying the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 (AMA), which will help Veterans experience a more transparent claims decision-review process. After publication of the regulations, VA Secretary Wilkie will certify the department s readiness to... Read More