Five Defendants Associated With Scuba Dive Shops Convicted Of Defrauding The Department Of Veterans Affairs
SAVANNAH, GA: Five people affiliated with Georgia dive shops have admitted submitting false claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs through scuba classes targeting military veterans education benefits.
The five defendants, all of whom have entered guilty pleas in U.S. District Court, are owners, managers, and/or instructors at Scooba Shack in Savannah and Richmond Hill, Ga., or at Divers Den in St. Marys, Ga., said David H. Estes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Collectively, the five defendants are responsible for defrauding more than $4 million from VA education benefits.
The scope of the fraud uncovered in this investigation is stunning, particularly when you consider the scheme siphoned funds intended for providing legitimate education assistance to former service members, said U.S. Attorney Estes. We applaud the work of the VA Office of Inspector General in identifying and halting this fraud.
Safeguarding Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefit funds reserved for deserving veterans remains a priority, said Special Agent in Charge David Spilker with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector Generals Southeast Field Office. These guilty pleas are a testament to our commitment to holding accountable those who would defraud VAs benefit programs.
The defendants include:
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Come Serve Louisianas Student Veterans As A Lavetcorps Navigator
Are you a student veteran, military retiree or military spouse? You could be a campus Navigator serving Louisianas student veterans through the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs LaVetCorps program! Currently recruiting for a Navigator at Baton Rouge Community College. Navigators earn a $10,500 stipend for their service during the…
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The Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center provides health care to Veterans living in Americas fifth-largest metropolitan area, including the city of Philadelphia and six surrounding counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. The medical center serves as an acute referral center for VA health care facilities in eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and Southern New Jersey.
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Florida Department of Veterans AffairsThe Florida Department of Veterans Affairs is a nearly 1,500-member constitutionally chartered State Veterans Affairs department responsible for serving the nations third largest veteran population. The department operates a network of eight state-run veterans nursing homes and one assisted living facility, and provides statewide outreach through a network of veterans claims examiners to connect Floridas 1.5 million Veterans, their families, and survivors with earned services, benefits and support. FDVA has approximately 100 Veterans Claims Examiners, known in veterans circles as VCEs, co-located with the VA Regional Office in Bay Pines, each VA Medical Center and many VA Outpatient Clinics throughout the state. All outreach services are free to the Veteran. These Hope Navigators, who are often the first-line contact with our states Veterans, can be reached by calling 319-7440. You may also contact them via e-mail at .
County Veteran Service OfficesInformation on current federal, state and local veterans programs, entitlements and referral services is also available in Florida through a network of County Veteran Service Offices. The counselors, who are county employees and wartime veterans, are trained and accredited annually by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs. All services are provided free of charge. A list of offices can be found online at www.FloridaVets.org/benefits-services.
The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise To Address Comprehensive Toxics Act Signed Into Federal Law In August Is Opening Eligibility To Va Health Care To Millions Of Veterans Veterans Who Were Exposed To Toxins During The Vietnam Gulf War And Post
ST. CLOUD While in a war zone, members of the armed forces face numerous dangers not least of which is enemy fire. During the Vietnam War, Gulf War and the military actions following 9/11, soldiers also had to deal with exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals and toxins. The consequences of that exposure might not be known for years afterwards, leaving millions of veterans with life-altering medical conditions and a need for medical care and assistance.
On Aug. 10, President Joe Biden signed into law the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, better known as the PACT Act. With this new legislation, those veterans who were exposed to these toxins could be able to get the care they need.
“The PACT Act is one of the largest expansions of veterans benefits in VA history,” said David Hintgen, director of Health Administration Services for the St. Cloud Veterans Administration Health Care Services, which includes the VA clinic in Montevideo. “It is expected to impact millions of veterans by creating additional pathways to VA health care.”
The PACT Act increases access to VA health care to Vietnam, Gulf War and post-9/11 veterans who served in war zones and were exposed to toxins while serving. Toxins exposure includes chemicals, air pollutants, occupational hazards and warfare agents. For instance, chemicals can include Agent Orange and burn pits.
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Having fun together by participating in adaptive sports improves health, creates new friends, and elevates the quality of life. Many sports opportunities are available to veterans of all ages and abilities. To get started, visit the “National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events” website and speak with your VA clinical team about getting involved.
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Veterans Affairs Announces Expedited Process For Veterans Pact Act Cancer Claims
WASHINGTON After the PACT Act passed in the summer, it opened a new pathway for veterans suffering from cancer due to toxic exposures. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs wanted to do more to get veterans help faster.
We need to get them what they need now, VA Press Secretary Terrence Hayes said.
The VA says it will now speed up claim processing to ensure veterans with cancer from toxic exposures are getting access to care.
It was gonna be a phased-in approach over several years, up to 2025. The President, President Biden, Secretary McDonough said no, thats not sufficient enough, Hayes said.
Hayes said all PACT Act related claims will be processed starting on January 1st, providing coverage for more than 20 new presumptive conditions.
Theres no evidence required. Bottom line- if you have one of those conditions, come see us for healthcare, but also file your benefit claim today, so you can get the benefit youve earned, Hayes said.
Veterans have already filed 14,000 claims since the PACT Act passed. To handle that surge in claims, the VA is hiring more staff at its regional offices.
Once we get those folks on board, well train them up, educate them and get them on board so we can get this thing right done the first time, Hayes said.
The toxic exposure screenings will take place every five years, but if veterans notice any signs, they can seek immediate help.
Promise To Address Comprehensive Toxins Act
In Uncategorized by nalvarezNovember 8, 2022
From VA.gov The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions that we assume are caused by exposure to these substances. This law helps us provide generations of Veteransand their survivorswith the care and benefits theyve earned and deserve.
The Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs has VA-accredited representatives ready to help you understand your benefits and file a claim free of charge. Please do not hesitate to reach out at 801-326-2372 or at veteran.utah.gov. You can also contact the VA with questions at 800-698-2411 or visit
Whats the PACT Act and how will it affect my VA benefits and care?The PACT Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act.
The PACT Act will bring these changes:
View eligibility requirement at
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