Event to help file VA claims set March 21 in Carnegie

CARNEGIE — The VA, the Kiowa Tribe Veterans Department of Oklahoma and the Carnegie community will host a Presumptive Disability Claims Event March 21.

The session, designed to help veterans complete their claim paperwork, is set from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Red Wolf Community Center, 100 Kiowa Way, Carnegie.

VA officials said they are collaborating with almost 30 tribal communities and their community partners in rolling out Presumptive Disability Claims events for Indian Country veterans and surrounding community partners.

“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 Mary Culley, tribal relations specialist, VA’s Office of Tribal Government Relations. “VA realizes this initiative can have a direct, tangible impact on the lives of thousands of previously unreached veterans and their spouses.”

The session will provide tribal veteran service officers and other knowledgeable advocates to assist with completing claim paperwork. There is no charge for the services.

Muskogee VA Regional Office staff will review claims on the spot, with the hope of same day approval, officials said. In addition, spouses and widows/widowers may be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) when a veteran dies as a result of these presumptive disabilities, officials said.

Oklahoma City VA Health Care System employees will enroll veterans not currently enrolled in VA health care. As part of the federal PACT Act process, veterans can complete toxic health screenings by VA clinicians. Assistance also will be available from local VA Vet Centers, VA suicide prevention and homeless program staff, as well as the State Department of Veterans Affairs offices.

The event is open to anyone who served in the military. Those who are unsure if they qualify are urged to come to the event and let the VA staff do the research.

Veterans are asked to bring the following documents: Medical records/medical evidence (e.g., doctor or hospital reports); any documents that provide historical or military information needed for the disability being claimed; and discharge or separation papers (DD 214 or equivalent). Widows are asked to bring dependent records (e.g., marriage certificate, death certificate, children birth certificates).