Oklahoma City VA Health Care System
VA and Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma Host Event for Veterans
August 8, 2018
Event: “Your Service. Our Mission: Bringing VA Benefits Home”
VA and Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma Presumptive Conditions Campaign Event
Date: August 16-17, 2018
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Kiowa Tribe Veterans Department Building
1701 East Central
Anadarko, OK 73005
*The event is free and lunch will be provided.
Background:
On August 16 and 17, 2018, VA and the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma will host a Presumptive Conditions Campaign Event focused on identifying and assisting Veterans across Southwestern Oklahoma who may have presumptive disabilities and who might be eligible for a VA pension claim. A presumptive disability is a condition that VA presumes are related to military service, although the condition may not first appear after discharge from the military. These conditions may qualify for VA compensation payments.
Throughout 2018, VA is launching a nationwide campaign to roll out veteran disability enrollment claim events collaboratively with 20 tribal communities. The campaign, titled “Your Service. Our Mission: Bringing Benefits Home” kicked off March 21 in Navajo Nation and tribal communities in eleven states have already confirmed their participation.
VA realizes that reaching these veterans could have a direct, tangible impact on the lives of thousands of previously unreached veterans and their spouses. This will help VA enhance and improve the experience for all Veterans and their families.
“With the focus on veterans with presumptive disabilities and those who are pension eligible, VA is hopeful we can help Indian Country veterans access the full range of benefits they have courageously earned through their service,” said Stephanie Birdwell, director, VA’s Office of Tribal Government Relations.
In addition, spouses may be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) when a veteran dies as a result of these presumptive disabilities.
During the event, health information and other benefits will be available and provided by both OKC and Muskogee VA Medical Centers, Muskogee Veterans Benefits Administrations Regional Office, the State Department of Veterans Affairs, and local Vet Centers who will be on site to assist with filling out claims paperwork.
Services offered for this two-day event range from various VA healthcare programs, Veterans Service Officers filling out disability claims, and VBA Regional Office staff reviewing claims on the spot with the hope of possibly approving several claims if not that same day; hopefully within 30 days of the event. Other agencies will be on site to provide program services available for which you might be eligible for. Both medical centers will also be on hand to enroll any Veterans who currently are not enrolled in the Veterans Health Care System.
Veteran Information:
If you are a veteran and interested in attending this upcoming event, please bring the following documents if available. This will help us expedite and complete your claim quicker and more efficiently.
- medical records/medical evidence (doctor or hospital reports);
- any documents that provide historical or military information needed for the disability you are claiming;
- discharge or separation papers (DD 214 or equivalent);
- dependents records (marriage certificate, death certificate, Child’ birth certificates); (Spouses/widows may be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) when a veteran dies’ because of these presumptive disabilities)
For more information contact:
- Mary Culley, VA Tribal Government Relations Specialist, (405) 626-3426, Mary.Culley@va.gov
- Ms. Tracy Harris, Kiowa Legislative Clerk, (580) 654-2300 x338, tharris@kiowatribe.org
- Ms. Angela McCarthy, Kiowa Tribal Legislator, District 1 Anadarko, (580) 699-0868, amccarthy@kiowatribe.org
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