VFW Action Corps Weekly
Claim Shark Organization Founder and Staff Indicted in Fraud Case: A county grand jury in Ohio has handed down an indictment charging Senior Veterans Administration Services (SVAS), the SVAS founder, and four SVAS employees with exploiting veterans and fraudulently obtaining $20 million in VA benefits. The VFW considers SVAS to be a predatory Claim Shark company. The investigation was conducted by the VA Office of Inspector General, the Ohio Attorney General's Office, and the Ohio Department of Commerce as part of Operation No VA SCAMs (No VA "Service-Connected Account Manipulation"), which is a nationwide initiative led by VA in collaboration with state and federal prosecutors. Read more.
Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Veterans in Class-Action Suit: In a unanimous 9-0 decision, the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of certain veterans represented in a class-action suit regarding Combat‑Related Special Compensation. The ruling states that the Barring Act’s time limit of six years during which a veteran can file a disability claim for combat-related injuries following a VA disability rating decision does not apply. This is a major win for approximately 9,000 medically retired veterans that now clears the way, dating back to January 2008, for them to retroactively receive previously capped disability compensation. Read more.
Free Connections to Resources: The National Resource Directory (NRD) gives service members, veterans, family members, and caregivers the ability to find and connect with organizations that can assist with specialized recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration needs. The NRD is the product of a partnership with DOD, VA, and the Department of Labor. This program is meant to facilitate free connections between individuals and stringently vetted resources that provide support in many areas such as employment, education, veteran benefits, caregiver support, housing, and the Military Adaptive Sports Program. Read more.
Mental Health Care Services During Transition: The Military Health System inTransition program aids service members, veterans, and retirees — regardless of component, time served, or discharge category — to establish or transfer mental health care during times of transition. This program is a free service that is not time limited. It is staffed with qualified coaches familiar with military culture who stand ready to assist individuals to connect with the care they need. Read more.
MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency did not announce any new identifications or burial updates this week.