VA Disabilities sign-up event set Tuesday at Comanche Nation Complex

The Comanche Nation is teaming up with others to sponsor a VA PACT Act Disability Claims Act signup on Tuesday.

The free event is set from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Watchetaker Hall of the Comanche Nation Tribal Complex, 584 NW Bingo Road. It is being sponsored by the Veterans Administration, Lawton Indian Health Service and the Comanche Nation.

“Your Service. Our Mission: Bringing Benefits Home” is designed to identify and assist veterans across the Southern Plains Region of Oklahoma who may have presumptive disabilities and might be eligible for a VA pension claim. VA officials say a presumptive disability is a condition the VA presumes is related to military service, although the condition may first appear after discharge from the military.

Those conditions may quality for VA compensation payments.

The event ties into the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, passed by Congress in August 2022 and credited with being one of the most significant expansion of VA benefits. The Veterans Administration launched a nationwide campaign in 2022 to roll out veteran disability enrollment events collaboratively and virtually with some tribal communities.

“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 of 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, VA officials said.

Veterans interested in attending the event should bring the following documents to expedite the claim process:

• Medical records/medical evidence (doctor or hospital reports)

• Documents that provide historical or military information needed for the disability the veteran is claiming

• Discharge or separation papers (DD 214 or equivalent)

• Dependents records (marriage certificate, death certificate, child birth certificate)

During the event, health information and other benefits will be provided by Oklahoma City VA Medical Center, Muskogee VA Regional Office, Oklahoma State Department of Veterans Affairs, local VA Vet Centers and Tribal Veteran Service Officers. Services provided include toxic health screenings, enrollment in VA health care, ID card updates, flu vaccines, booster vaccines and assistance with VA disability claims.

Additional information is available by contacting Mary Culley, VA Tribal Government Relations specialist, (405) 626-3426 or [email protected]; Matt Bisbee, patient benefit coordinator/VA coordinator, Lawton Indian Hospital, (580) 354-5317 or [email protected]; or Sandra Aviles, (580) 354-5200 or [email protected].