WELCOME TO
SGT. PRESTON ASHLEY
AMERICAN LEGION POST 228
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION UPDATE: MILITARY EXPOSURES
- Military Burn Pit Exposure Health Problems
- Registry participants can get a free medical evaluation to discuss their concerns and completed questionnaire with a knowledgeable VA provider. Call a local Environmental Health Coordinator today to schedule your evaluation.
- Joining the registry is faster than ever. We’ve updated the eligibility verification process—greatly shortening or eliminating previous delays resulting from manual eligibility checks.
- The registry is not just for Post-9/11 Veterans. Many #Veterans who deployed after 1990 qualify.
Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one?
Did you know that the VA offers same day services in Primary Care and Mental Health at 166 VA Medical Centers across the country? Find your local VA Medical Center.
Talk with other Veterans who have walked in your shoes on RallyPoint. Like U.S. Army Veteran Michael T. - "Hey brother, I know exactly how you are feeling I’ve been there myself...Proud of you."
Contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1. To Chat or Text message 838255.
Certified Disabled Veterans
In accordance with the Annotated Code of Maryland, State Personnel and Pensions, Section 7–203, if a manager elects to hire from a certified list of disabled veterans, who have served in any U.S. Armed Forces branch, candidates may be selected for employment without a competitive selection process.
To qualify, candidates must: be minimally qualified for the position; be able to perform the duties of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation; and present documentation issued by an appropriate department of the Federal government certifying the existence and extent of the veteran’s disability as listed below.
- Documentation of being on an U.S. Armed Forces permanent disability list with a disability rating of at least 30%
- Have been rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as having a compensable service-connected disability of at least 30%
For Certified Disabled Vet consideration, please complete the freenames application process for Certified Disabled Veterans (DV) within our Maryland State Online Employment Center.
Privacy and security on VA.gov
ID.me is a digital identity platform that helps people like you easily prove your identity so you can access advanced online services—while keeping your personal information safe.
ID.me is a trusted VA partner and one of only 4 Single Sign-On providers that meet the U.S. government’s most rigorous requirements for online identity proofing and authentication. ID.me provides the strongest identity verification system available to prevent fraud and identity theft. This service uses bank-grade encryption to keep your personal information safe. And they give you control over which services and businesses can share your information.
ID.me is a Veteran-owned, digital identity platform. Hundreds of well-known private-sector companies (like Verizon, Dell, and Ford) and other government agencies and nonprofits (like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative) have also chosen ID.me to help keep their customers’ personal information safe.
Help setting up an ID.ME account
Veterans Benefits Links
Apply for Health Care
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system with over 1,700 sites of care, serving 8.76 million Veterans each year.
Burial Benefits
The National Cemetery Administration''s website gives helpful information on Burials in a National Cemetery, donating Burial Flags, and Burials in Private Cemeteries. There is a ton of information here.
CHAMPVA
The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) is a comprehensive health care program in which the VA shares the cost of covered health care services and supplies with eligible beneficiaries. The program is administered by the Chief Business Office Purchased Care (CBOPC) in Denver, Colorado. Due to the similarity between CHAMPVA and the Department of Defense (DoD) TRICARE program (sometimes referred to by its old name, CHAMPUS), the two are often mistaken for each other. CHAMPVA is a Department of Veterans Affairs program; TRICARE is a regionally managed health care program for active duty and retired members of the uniformed services, their families, and survivors. In some cases a Veteran may appear to be eligible for both/either program on paper. However, if you are a military retiree, or the spouse of a Veteran who was killed in action, you are and will always be a TRICARE beneficiary; you can''t choose between the two.
Discharge Review Boards
Are you a veteran who needs to change, correct, or modify your discharge or dismissal? If you qualify and take the proper steps you can apply for a review of discharge and possibly have it changed.
Education and Training
VA can help you cover the cost of furthering your education and skills through benefit programs that may pay tuition, housing, training, and other costs. Service members and Veterans are eligible for many VA-approved education benefits. The VA site offers a wealth of information and resources for potential and active students.
Health Care Enrollment
If you served in the active military, naval or air service and are separated under any condition other than dishonorable, you may qualify for VA health care benefits.
Home Loans
VA helps Service members, Veterans, and eligible surviving spouses become homeowners. As part of our mission to serve you, we provide a home loan guaranty benefit and other housing-related programs to help you buy, build, repair, retain, or adapt a home for your own personal occupancy. VA Home Loans are provided by private lenders, such as banks and mortgage companies. VA guarantees a portion of the loan, enabling the lender to provide you with more favorable terms.
Life Insurance
As part of our mission to serve Service members, Veterans, and their families, VA provides valuable life insurance benefits to give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your family is protected. VA’s life insurance programs were developed to provide financial security for your family given the extraordinary risks involved in military service.
Military Records
The National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR) is the repository of millions of military personnel, health, and medical records of discharged and deceased veterans of all services during the 20th century. (Records prior to WWI are in Washington, DC.) NPRC (MPR) also stores medical treatment records of retirees from all services, as well as records for dependent and other persons treated at naval medical facilities. Information from the records is made available upon written request (with signature and date) to the extent allowed by law.
Pharmacy Benefits Management Services
Federal Pharmacists are essential to health care access and delivery in the United States; recognized as health care providers of patient-centered primary and specialty care, and as trusted public health leaders. As experts in medication use and comprehensive pharmacy services, we promote wellness, prevent and manage diseases, ensure patient safety and optimize health outcomes in collaboration with the health care team.
State Veterans Affairs Offices
A listing, by state, of Department of Veterans Affairs offices.
Survivor''s Benefits
The Veterans Benefits Administration offers a variety of benefits and services to spouses, children, and parents of Service members and Veterans who are deceased or totally and permanently disabled by a service-connected disability.
Veterans Benefits Administration
The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) provides a variety of benefits and services to Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families. VBA has been undergoing a major transformation that is people-centric, results-oriented, and a forward-looking integration of solutions that will ensure total lifelong engagement with Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families.
Vocational Rehab
You may receive vocational rehabilitation and employment services to help with job training, employment accommodations, resume development, and job seeking skills coaching. Other services may be provided to assist Veterans in starting their own businesses or independent living services for those who are severely disabled and unable to work in traditional employment.
VA Pension
A VA pension can provide some level of income security for economically disadvantaged wartime Veterans and their survivors.
