In this episode, the SITREP asks Mike Figlioli, VFW Director of National Veterans Services, about VA disability: what is it, how to apply, and more.  To connect with the SITREP:- Email us ideas at [email protected] For video podcasts, visit https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/thesitrep- Sign up for theSITREP eNewsletter at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/subscriber/new?topic_id=USVA_485For additional information, on this topic, visit: https://www.va.gov/disability/For VFW assistance, visit: https://www.vfw.org/ or https://pactactinfo.org/To call for VFW assistance, dial: 816-756-3390 for Kansas City, VFW HQ or202-543-2239 for Mike Figlioli's office in DCTo find an accredited VSO or attorney, visit: https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.aspFor NASDVA, visit: https://nasdva.us/For NACVSO, visit: https://www.nacvso.org/00:00 Introduction00:37 What is VA disability?00:58 What is the process for applying?02:06 Does applying cost money?03:05 When to get help from VSO or attorney?04:37 Does a Veteran have to be a Combat Veteran for benefits?05:44 Is VA disability tax free?06:07 How can VA disability money be used?06:46 What does service-connection mean?07:25 What does presumptive condition mean?08:44 What is Intent to File?10:56 Can multiple claims be submitted in the same time period?13:19 What is a VA disability appeal?15:09 How does VA approve or deny claims?18:12 Missing evidence for a claim19:43 Does VA disability pass on to a spouse or family member?20:38 What is a NEXUS letter?21:35 Can a Veteran reapply for VA disability, even after denial?24:31 Advice regarding Statement to Support [buddy statement]25:57 What is the 5 year rule?26:25 What is the 20 year rule?27:25 Three tips for applying for VA disability30:28 Three tips for finding a good VSO32:47 Three common mistakes when submitting a claim34:57 What services do VFW Veteran Service Officers provide?37:14 Does a Veteran need to be in VFW to get help from VFW?38:12 How to connect with a VFW Veteran Service Officer?39:36 Closing

In this episode of theSITREP, Paul covers basic questions on what the Thrift Savings Plan is, when TSP started, and why military members and government employees may want to take advantage of TSP.  Paul is joined by U.S. Air Force Veteran, Mike Jerue, who serves as the Deputy Chief Investment Officer at Thrift Savings Plan.FIVE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH theSITREP(1) To sign-up for theSITREP email newsletter, visit: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/subscriber/new?topic_id=USVA_485(2) To find theSITREP’s full video library, visit:https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/thesitrep (3) To listen to theSITREP audio podcasts, visit: https://feeds.transistor.fm/thesitrep(4) Search “theSITREP” on your preferred search engine(5) Email us ideas, for a future episode, at: [email protected] THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN VIDEOSWhat is Thrift Savings Planhttps://youtu.be/FCH-yBjnj54Pension vs. Thrift Savings Planhttps://youtu.be/y7XpH-LiuQkContributions with Thrift Savings Planhttps://youtu.be/TJL92sHspSIThrift Savings Plan After Government Servicehttps://youtu.be/POvseD-uzQIHow to Set-Up Your Thrift Savings Planhttps://youtu.be/D7ZnjN8QalAIRA & Thrift Savings Plan Contributionshttps://youtu.be/tH1_K_1a30YThrift Savings Plan Beneficiarieshttps://youtu.be/6i3edMV-NYwThrift Savings Plan Contributions After Servicehttps://youtu.be/pnvXW8VUzokRoth vs. Traditional Thrift Savings Planhttps://youtu.be/CUrsC_PUgc4IRA vs. Thrift Savings Planhttps://youtu.be/yujVYgpMwLg403b vs. Thrift Savings Planhttps://youtu.be/mzBbKrZdqRIThrift Savings Plan Rollovershttps://youtu.be/HM0UBWoAw6EAre TSP Contributions Tax Deductiblehttps://youtu.be/G34PTubDYVU401k, 457 & 403b vs. Thrift Savings Planhttps://youtu.be/O0UBVWJBTLcTSP Maximum Contributionshttps://youtu.be/-8HBISieQkEIndividual Funds (G, F, C, S, I Fund) & TSPhttps://youtu.be/7YfTihsggS4TSP L Fundshttps://youtu.be/_PikOiwxk_4TSP Retirement Calculatorshttps://youtu.be/mLofyfzBJk0Roth vs. Traditional Withdrawalshttps://youtu.be/YELQiz7f1OMHow to Change TSP Contribution Amountshttps://youtu.be/s1rVVs5PFucThrift Savings Plan Loans & Withdrawalshttps://youtu.be/bxMLFWMC9jgAge to Withdraw TSPhttps://youtu.be/dkIn3jtqV-kThrift Savings Plan Vesting Periodhttps://youtu.be/5oJdlFhz0Ig(RMDs) Required Minimum Distribution & TSPhttps://youtu.be/tfKJ31aYFfwTSP After DoD Servicehttps://youtu.be/F88hYzVkFdATSP Company Holdingshttps://youtu.be/r1-h-Qpcn2gThrift Savings Plan DoD Rolloverhttps://youtu.be/FwR6bn6j7ksHow to Access Thrift Savings Planhttps://youtu.be/UyGUV5U2oOERetroactive Contributions to TSPhttps://youtu.be/DBrisaPJ-PcCatch-Up Contributions with TSPhttps://youtu.be/-t_oOHVTVWQChanging Contributions with TSPhttps://youtu.be/6HL9e1iUg20Thrift Savings Plan Mutual Fundshttps://youtu.be/FcLNB16-05IADDITIONAL THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN LINKSFor TSP overview, visit:https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspbk08.pdf?TSP-BK-08 For TSP contributions, visit:https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs07.pdf?TSP-FS-07 For TSP L Funds, visit:https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tsplf14.pdf?TSP-LF-14 For TSP investment funds, visit:https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tsppc16.pdf?TSP-PC-16 For TSP rollovers, visit:https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs05.pdf?TSP-FS-05 For TSP holdings of companies, visit:https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tsplf14.pdf?TSP-LF-14 For TSP mutual fund window, visit:https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs28.pdf?TSP-FS-28 For TSP annuity, visit:https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs24.pdf?TSP-FS-24 For TSP required minimum distribution (RMD), visit:https://www.tsp.gov/taking-money-from-your-account/#req...

In this episode of the SITREP, Mike and Paul sit down with Scott Levins, Director or National Personnel Records Center, and discuss everything from how to replace a copy of your DD-214 to how many military records were destroyed during the NPRC fire in 1973.  To learn more about ordering military records, visit National Personnel Records Center.  If you or a loved one served in the military and are looking for additional information about your benefits, be sure to visit "#theSITREP" on YouTube and begin connecting with the benefits your earned and deserve!Major questions asked during this podcast include, what is NPRC [National Personnel Records Center], what is the fastest way to get military records, how much does requesting records cost, is the process different for requesting different types of records, how to replace certificates, awards and medals, how to get a spouses DoD medical records, how to get records for a deceased Veteran, who's records were lost during the NPRC fire in 1973, how to get classified records; Special Operations Veterans, what is the fastest way to replace a DD-214, do Veterans need to request records for a VA Disability Claim, how has COVID changed operations at NPRC, are a Veteran's records public, how do I get my military records [analog or digital]?

Dr. Hassan Khalil from the Boston VA here to talk about what exactly is mesothelioma and what can they do for veterans who may have that disease.

In today's episode Dr. Andrea Ruskin explains for us when does a veteran need palliative care or when is palliative care indicated? How would one know that they’re going to need palliative care?

In this podcast, we answer questions about burial costs, being buried with military honors, headstones, markers, and other VA memorial benefits. We are joined by Barbara Cellucci, Administrative Officer at Massachusetts National Cemetery.

Have questions about Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Insurance Program (SSDI) and how it interacts with your VA benefits? In this episode, Mike and Paul are joined by Brian Forsythe, a counselor at Work Without Limits, a program of Commonwealth Medicine, a division of UMass Chan Medical School.

In this episode of theSITREP, Mike and Paul discuss if VA Disability ratings are fair and tips for getting the rating you deserve. Joining us for the conversation is Craig Hall, Army Veteran and Purple Heart recipient.

theSITREP is your trusted source for Veterans benefits information. Join Mike (Army Veteran) and Paul (Marine Corps Veteran) as they provide accurate and transparent information about VA disability, health care, home loans and more. Join theSITREP's free, weekly email newsletter at www.newengland.va.gov/info for the latest podcasts, YouTube videos, and Veterans benefits news or watch additional, original content by searching #theSITREP on YouTube. Thank you for supporting theSITREP and, more importantly, thank you to all who have served.