License Plates for 100% Service-Connected Disabled Veterans in Washington State

Did you know that if you have a 100% service-connected disability, you can get a free license plate from Washington State?

The rules, from the WA Department of Licensing, are as follows:

• WA state vehicle owner 
• Served in any branch of the armed forces of the United States, Reserves, or National Guard 
• Honorable discharge or a discharge for medical reasons with an honorable record.
• 100% service-connected disability rating from the Veterans Administration or the military.

Terms and conditions:

• Submit your letter and application correctly; it's not hard but you do have to check the boxes.
• No cost to get these plates or tabs 
• Exempt from paying license fees on 1 vehicle per year
• You’re not required to renew your Disabled American Veteran license plates or tabs
• These plates are good for the life of the veteran
• This plate does NOT give you disabled parking privileges. Apply for that separately.

To get started, see Washington Department of Licensing Disabled American Veteran Plates.

Parking Update at VA Puget Sound Health Care System

Garage Under Construction

Parking at VA Puget Sound Health Care is going to be tight until the new parking garage is completed in a couple of years. For obvious reasons, the garage is sited close to the main entrance, so that when it's done, parking will be maximally convenient, but what that means is that during construction, parking is not so convenient.
Based on going there at least once a week in the past year, I offer a few tips:

• Valet Parking. The valet parking system is humming along smoothly. To get there, you basically take a circle around the perimeter of the existing lot. Valet parking is pretty quick and has the advantage of being a stop for the golf carts too, so if you have limited mobility, this might be your first choice.
• Combine Appointments, Take The Bus, Rideshare. The fewer trips you make, the less you have to find parking. If you can travel with another veteran, you can complain about parking together!
• Saturday Appointments. Some clinics have Saturday appointments, and if you can get one, your parking problem is solved. The lot is almost empty on Saturday.
• Motorcycle. Personally, I think y'all nuts to ride those things, but there's always a couple of spots open for them.
• Watch Out For "No Parking" Signs. In the neighborhood near the hospital, there are sometimes parking spaces on the street. Be very respectful of driveways the neighbors are nice people and we don't want to make them suffer any more than they have to. But above all, stay away from "No Parking" areas, as the city Parking Enforcement comes by on a regular basis. I have seen so many people get ticketed that it's not funny.
• Come Early, Drink Coffee. Although valet parking is pretty much a guarantee of a space within a reasonable time, the line does back up especially in the morning, so you're probably better off getting here early so you don't miss an appointment. If you have time to kill, stop by the DAV Coffee Cart by the basement elevators!

(Photos are from the VA Puget Sound Facebook page.)

Some Day Parking ...

Discharged Upgrades Now To Consider PTSD

PTSD was not recognized as a diagnosis at the time of service of many veterans who were discharged for reasons that may have been related to this condition, and who therefore have received a reduced level of the benefits they earned by their service. Recently, attention has been focused upon the petitions of Vietnam veterans to Military Department board for Correction of Military/Naval Records (BCM/NR) for discharge upgrade on this basis.

In response, Secretary of Defense Hagel ordered that PTSD be considered in discharge upgrade petitions. If you or a veteran you know may have accepted less than an Honorable Discharge do to actions related to PTSD, you may wish to start an upgrade petition.

Start by reading the official press release:

"IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No: NR-456-14 September 03, 2014
Department of Defense Announces Guidance for Upgrading Discharge Requests
 The Department of Defense announced today that it has issued supplemental guidance to Military Department Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records (BCM/NR) when considering petitions regarding discharge upgrade requests by veterans claiming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

“This is our responsibility and the right thing to do for veterans,” said Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel. “This new guidance reflects our commitment to those who served our country during times of war many decades ago.”

Recent attention has been focused upon the petitions of Vietnam veterans to BCM/NR for the purposes of upgrading their discharges based on claims of previously unrecognized PTSD. In these cases, PTSD was not recognized as a diagnosis at the time of service and, in many cases, diagnoses were not made until decades after service was completed. This supplemental guidance was issued to help review boards ensure fair and consistent results across the military services and ease the application process for veterans who are seeking redress. It is not intended to interfere with, or impede the boards' statutory independence to correct errors or remove injustices through the correction of military records.

BCM/NRs fully and carefully consider each petition brought by every veteran. This includes a comprehensive review of all materials and evidence provided by the petitioner.

For more information, the department’s supplemental guidance can be found at http://www.defense.gov/news/OSD009883-14.pdf."

Then review the official DoD news story for an explanation and the Supplemental Guidance at http://www.defense.gov/news/OSD009883-14.pdf. Then take over a discharge upgrade, perhaps with a local branch of your favorate Veterans Service Organization. It is never too late to get the right thing done!

January 13: Olympia - Korean-American Day Memorial Service

You are invited to the 8th Annual Washington State Korean-American Day Memorial Service.
When/Where: 
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
11:30 AM
Korean War Veterans Memorial
14th Ave. SE (East Campus Plaza)
Olympia, WA

More Information

The Korean War Veterans Memorial was authorized in 1989 by the Washington State Legislature and has two purposes: to express the gratitude of the citizens of this state for all who served in Korea and, to project the spirit of service, willingness to sacrifice, and dedication to freedom in remembering those Washingtonians who lost their lives in the war. Since 1991, the lead for the project's fund raising was the Chosin Few, a veterans service organization of Korean War veterans who served in one of the bloodiest battles during the war.

January 13: Olympia - Korean-American Day Memorial Service

You are invited to the 8th Annual Washington State Korean-American Day Memorial Service.
When/Where: 
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
11:30 AM
Korean War Veterans Memorial
14th Ave. SE (East Campus Plaza)
Olympia, WA

More Information

The Korean War Veterans Memorial was authorized in 1989 by the Washington State Legislature and has two purposes: to express the gratitude of the citizens of this state for all who served in Korea and, to project the spirit of service, willingness to sacrifice, and dedication to freedom in remembering those Washingtonians who lost their lives in the war. Since 1991, the lead for the project's fund raising was the Chosin Few, a veterans service organization of Korean War veterans who served in one of the bloodiest battles during the war.

Half Price Books' Book Donation to VA Hospital

Notice the Lobby Book Cart is Almost Empty....

...Thank You Half Price Books!

On New Year's Day 2015,  I distributed another load of books donated by Half Price Books in Tukwila.
This store has been very generous, donating up to 50 boxes of books in the last quarter of 2014!
Every day, many thousands of veterans and their family members go through the VA Puget Sound Health Care facility in Seattle, and a lot of them spend time waiting between appointments. Reading material makes the time friendlier and less stressful, as you probably know if you've been there.
Half Price Books is not doing it for the publicity, but it's only fair that when you are thinking of shopping, keep in mind that Half Price Books has been supporting veterans with deeds.


---
P.S. Don't forget that when you come to the hospital, you're free to bring a few books for the cart as well! Paperbacks are preferred because they take less space, but when in doubt - bring it in! As long as it's in good condition, someone will want to read it - after all, didn't you read it?

Veterans Compensation Benefits Rate Tables - Effective 12/1/14

New Veterans Compensation Benefits Rate Tables went into effect on December 1, 2014. However it is all handled by human beings, so if your check did not change, consider contacting your service officer.

There are a lot of details, but here's the basic information below. For more information, see the official announcement.

10% - 20% (No Dependents)

Percentage	Rate
10%	$133.17
20%	$263.23

30% - 60% Without Children

Dependent Status	30%	40%	50%	60%
Veteran Alone	$407.75	$587.36	$836.13	$1,059.09
Veteran with Spouse Only	$455.75	$651.36	$917.13	$1,156.09
Veteran with Spouse & One Parent	$494.75	$703.36	$982.13	$1,234.09
Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents	$533.74	$755.36	$1,047.13	$1,312.09
Veteran with One Parent	$446.75	$639.36	$901.13	$1,137.09
Veteran with Two Parents	$485.75	$691.36	$966.13	$1,215.09
Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b)	$44.00	$59.00*	$74.00	$89.00

70% - 100% Without Children

Dependent Status	70%	80%	90%	100%
Veteran Alone	$1,334.71	$1,551.48	$1,743.48	$2,906.83
Veteran with Spouse Only	$1,447.71	$1,680.48	$1,888.48	$3,068.90
Veteran with Spouse and One Parent	$1,538.71	$1,784.48	$2,005.48	$3,198.96
Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents	$1,629.71	$1,888.48	$2,122.48	$3,329.02
Veteran with One Parent	$1,425.71	$1,655.48	$1,860.48	$3,036.89
Veteran with Two Parents	$1,516.71	$1,759.48	$1,977.48	$3,166.95
Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b)	$104.00	$118.00	$133.00	$148.64

30% - 60% With Children

Dependent Status	30%	40%	50%	60%
Veteran with Spouse and Child	$491.75	$699.36	$976.13	$1,227.09
Veteran with Child Only	$439.75	$630.36	$890.13	$1,124.09
Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child	$530.75	$751.36	$1,041.13	$1,305.09
Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child	$569.75	$803.36	$1,106.13	$1,383.09
Veteran with One Parent and Child	$478.75	$682.36	$955.13	$,1202.09
Veteran with Two Parents and Child	$517.75	$734.36	$1,020.13	$1,280.09
Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18	$24.00	$32.00	$40.00	$48.00
Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 (see footnote a)	$78.00	$104.00	$130.00	$156.00
Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b)	$44.00	$59.00	$74.00	$89.00

70% - 100% With Children

Dependent Status	70%	80%	90%	100%
Veteran with Spouse and Child	$1,530.71	$1,775.48	$1,995.48	$3,187.60
Veteran with Child Only	$1409.71	$1,637.48	$1,840.48	$3,015.22
Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child	$1,621.71	$1,879.48	$2,112.48	$3,317.66
Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child	$1,712.71	$1,983.48	$2,229.48	$3,447.72
Veteran with One Parent and Child	$1,500.71	$1,741.48	$1,957.48	$3145.28
Veteran with Two Parents and Child	$1,591.71	$1,845.48	$2,074.48	$3,275.34
Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18	$56.00	$64.00	$72.00	$80.52
Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 (see footnote a)	$182.00	$208.00	$234.00	$260.13
Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b)	$104.00	$118.00	$133.00	$148.64

Tables from the Past:

2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010-2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999