Title
Receive an oral report from the Department of Social Services / Military & Veterans Affairs Office regarding County efforts and opportunities to strengthen Veteran services throughout the County.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Receive an oral report from the Department of Social Services / Military & Veterans Affairs Office regarding County efforts and opportunities to strengthen Veteran services throughout the County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Military & Veterans Affairs Office (MVAO) has experienced major increases in general and compensation/pension claim assistance activity year-over-year. With the addition of the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery as well as the Major General Gourley VA- DoD Outpatient Clinic in Marina, more requests for services have come through the MVAO offices. In addition, MVAO has fostered relationships with the Presidio of Monterey and Naval Postgraduate School to be an intricate part of the Transition Assistance Programs (TAPS) providing vital information on benefits and entitlements to service members that are set to be released from active duty within 6 months. Although these individuals are not classified as veterans until their discharge date, the VA will allow a benefits delivery at discharge (BDD) claim to be filed.
There are currently more than 50,000 veterans, spouses and dependents in Monterey County. There are between 1,000 +/- individuals that attend the Transition Assistance Programs per year with nearly 100% seeking some form of benefit assistance. The County hosts thousands of Active and Reserve Military Members.
There has been a steady increase of a variety of claims being filed; that range from compensation, pension, education, burial, surviving spouse and dependent benefits. In addition to standard claims, MVAO assists in claims for increases and secondary conditions as well as representing clients in appeals with the Board of Veterans Appeals and Court of Ap...
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