Program continues to serve transitioning service members

A program for active-duty service members at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base who are retiring or transitioning out of service continues to better people’s lives.

John E. Steele became Wright-Patterson AFB’s full-time transition service officer for the Disabled American Veterans Program in August 2012.

His office is in Room 216/217 of the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Bldg. 2, 2000 Allbrook Drive, Area A.

Veterans need not be DAV members to take advantage of his assistance, which is provided free of charge and under no obligation.

Transition service offices conduct or participate in pre-discharge transition assistance briefings, the Disability Transition Assistance Program and the Transition Assistance Program and review service treatment records. They also confer with Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Department of Labor facilitators and other participants in the discharge process. The TSO program also allows DAV to assist service members in the development of evidence, completion of required applications and prosecution of claims for veterans benefits administered under federal, state and local laws.

“The main duty that I have is to make sure that the service members who are about to separate or retire have their service medical or service treatment records reviewed by me to identify any potential service-connected disabilities that can be claimed from the VA and assist them in filling out their other VA forms,” Steele said.

Completed forms are submitted to the VA/DOD Transition Office in the basement of the Wright-Patterson Medical Center.

“What I do helps take pressure off the VA Transition Office,” he said. “Even before someone attends a TAP program – even 12 to 14 months before their transition out of the military, they can call and make an appointment to see me.”

Following submission of the VA’s forms, a VA medical examiner examines the service member and generates an examination report sent to the VA regional office handling the claim. There medical records and the report will go before a VA representative and a determination made as to whether the service member is disabled and to what extent, or percentage. Monetary benefits are then awarded to the veteran.

The program includes VA disability compensation and pension; vocational rehabilitation and employment; education; home loan guaranty; life insurance; death benefits; health care and more. The DAV provides free services, such as information seminars, counseling and community outreach. NSOs also represent veterans and active-duty military personnel before discharge review boards, boards for correction of military records, physical evaluation boards and other official panels.

The compensation is non-taxable, and it’s meant to compensate the veteran for any discrepancies in their health between entering the service and either fulfilling their enlistment/commission or retiring, he said.

“That’s all part of that contract when they raise their hands and take their oath of service,” Steele said. “A grateful nation should always take care of its warriors.”

He stressed that the benefits are not just given to veterans – the benefits have been earned through the veterans’ service.

Steele said there is a kind of partnership between the military, the VA and the DAV.

“We’re providing a legitimate service that the folks in the military definitely want and need and we’re happy to do it at no cost and no obligation. They don’t even have to be a member of the DAV or even become a member unless they want to,” he said.

The DAV was founded more than 90 years ago following World War I to assist veterans.

Steele understands where the people he assists are coming from. He is a U.S. Army veteran, 82nd Airborne Division, who suffered an injury that ended his military career when he was in Ranger training.

Steele said he gets great satisfaction from his position serving veterans.

“I have a tremendous amount of knowledge in VA law and developing claims, and I have this talent and this passion. For me to be able to use it to benefit veterans and their families – I can’t ask for anything better; it’s the best job in the world, as far as I’m concerned. I love what I’m doing because I’m serving people and their families.”

The VA benefits really can change the quality of veterans’ lives, he said, and assist in the transition of military to civilian life.

He cited the example of a service member friend who was severely injured and suffered severe disabilities, yet never filed any VA claims. The friend suffered a deep depression and his personal relationships were affected. Steele kept urging him to file. He finally did, and now has a renewed interest in life and is finding ways to function.

Since arriving at Wright-Patterson AFB, Steele has been assisting roughly 30 to 40 people per month with completing their forms, plus providing many others with information and advice, he said.

“I’m hoping that the more folks know that I’m here and that this benefit is available to them; I’m hoping they take advantage of it,” he said.

The time needed to go through the initial part of the process is 1½ to 2 hours but can be well worth it, Steele added.

“Don’t rush through this part of your separation or retirement checklist,” he said.

To contact Steele for an appointment, call the AFR&C at 937-257-3592 or e-mail him at jsteele@dav.org.

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