Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/655551
ByJohnMinton I'vementionedafew times in the past about the dynamics of our vet- erans organizations. I feel using the word "dynam- ics" is probably a good way to describe how our separate Veterans Ser- vices Organizations con- tribute to and serve our communities. Previously, I mentioned the book "Healing from the War," by Arthur Egen- dorf and how the author, an Army Intelligence Offi- cer in Vietnam, describes these dynamics. Veterans from all wars, especially Vietnam, enter the service then exit af- ter a few years or more of what they encounter, both in peace time and in com- bat. In a way our experi- ences brand us and later it may be difficult to un- derstand that each of us served under one flag. We somehow develop attitudes that divide us. But recently someone here in Tehama County made a comment to me that made sense. Veterans and their or- ganizations are families and like families they en- counter dysfunction. In a way it's like a pin some- one gave me a few years back to place on my lapel or hat: "Leave me alone. I'm a dysfunctional vet- eran." But also like many families veterans may have their own qualified opinions about each other and between organiza- tions. And when in trou- ble most of the time they will stop everything and try to help by standing by them. To "be there" for each other and each oth- er's organizations. Call it a veteran trait but it's also an American trait. A few years ago there was this Christian church in town that was going to close its doors because of the lack of participation and other difficulties. An- other Christian church stepped in and helped to save that church. How of- ten do we see that? Ac- tually witness it? It's a Christian trait, isn't it? Veterans and their re- spective organizations can and most likely will do the same for each other. When a life or a service branch's lifestyle is on the line most folks will truly lend a hand to help them. I feel that veterans will "be there" for each other in time of crisis and need, at least most of the time. Like they did in war, they can do as Ameri- can veterans. Each military ser- vice branch has their own mottos: Army, "This We'll Defend;" Air Force, "Aim High;" Coast Guard, "Semper Peratus (Always Prepared);" Navy and Ma- rine Corps, "Semper Fi- delis" (Always Faithful). Marines also say, "Once a Marine, always a Marine." But each branch feels similar about this quote for their service branch. It's not about separate ser- vice branches. Rather, I feel it's about service branches serving the American flag, our way of life and each other when needed. We can and will "be there" for each other, won't we? We are a family, dysfunctional or not and our families need us to "be there." VeteranJohnMinton served from 1973 to 1984. His email is JarusHeadus5@gmail. com. VETERANS CORNER To be there when needed is an American trait With Disability Benefits Questionnaires, veterans now have more control over thedisabilityclaimsprocess. Veterans have the option of visitingaprivatehealthcare provider instead of a VA fa- cility to complete their dis- ability evaluation form. DBQs are standard- ized medical documents approved by the Veter- ans Benefits Administra- tion (VBA) that are cur- rently used by Veterans Healthcare Administration (VHA) disability examiners to record diseases and ill- nesses for Veterans' com- pensation disability bene- fit claims. DBQs can also be used by VHA primary care/ specialty care providers, as well as private sector phy- sicians, as a standardized format for communication of medical evidence as part of the Veteran's claim for VA disability benefits. VHA supports the completion of DBQs by treating provid- ers and encourages a "no wrong door" philosophy to assist our Veterans. DBQs also help sup- port VA's Fully Developed Claims (FDC) Program. DBQs are valuable for claims processing because they provide medical in- formation that is directly relevant to determining a disability rating. When submitted with a fully de- veloped claim, DBQs ensure the VA's ratings specialists have precisely the informa- tion they need to start pro- cessing the claim. Veterans can have their providers fill out any of the more than 70 DBQs that are appro- priate for their conditions. It's that easy! For more in- formation about DBQs and their use you can call and schedule an appointment to speak with one of our accredited veteran service representatives. We are changing the Corning VSO satellite of- fice walk-in day to Tues- dayseffectiveMarch22.The walk-in time will remain the same, 9-11 a.m. Corning DMV form assistance will be by walk in during reg- ularly scheduled VSO vis- its and the DMV form will be mailed back to you the same afternoon from the Red Bluff office, or we can bring it back to you the fol- lowing week during our Corning VSO visit. Once the DMV form is validated and stamped by the VSO, the form is ready to be taken to the DMV. Beverly Holden is now accredited and she will be able to log into the VA da- tabases and sign the DMV forms. We will not be able to issue Tehama County ID Cards in Corning until we resolve IT issues. The Redding Veteran Re- source Center (VRC) case manager Michelle Fox is co- located at the Red Bluff VSO officeonMarch17andMarch 24from1:30-4p.m.TheVRC assists Tehama County Vet- eranswithtransitionalhous- ing and other Veteran emer- gency assistance. Please con- tact the VRC at 223-3211 for additional details. In addition to helping with claims, the VSO of- fice began validating mili- tary service for honorably discharged Veterans who would like to have "Vet- eran" noted on their Cali- fornia Driver's License. As with Tehama County Vet- eran ID cards, please bring your DD-214. As staffing permits, we will issue the Veteran Department of Mo- tor Vehicle (DMV) paper- work for your California Driver's License in the Red Bluff office on Monday and Wednesdays from 9-11:00 a.m. As a reminder, assist- ing Veterans and their fam- ilies with their VA claims is our highest priority, as we have Veterans with serious health and financial issues. There are many state and federal benefits and pro- grams available to veterans andtheirdependents.Tofind out if you are eligible for any of these benefits, call the Te- hama County Veterans Ser- vice Office at 529-3664. The VSO address is the Bank of America Building, 955 Main St., Ste. C, in Red Bluff. Office appointment hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch. The Red Bluff of- fice VSO is by appointment only. Corning VSO walk- ins are at the Veterans Me- morial Hall 9-11 a.m. the first three Tuesdays of the month. Friday's we are closed for administration and outreach. We are look- ing forward to meeting you or seeing you again on your return visit. Kelly Osborne, retired U.S. Coast Guard, is the Veterans Service Officer for Tehama County. VSO NEWS Disabilitybenefitsquestionnaire CONTRIBUTEDPHOTO Beverly Holden, a part-time VSR and Ranger, and foster dog Rylee, who will receive service dog training and be placed with a PTSD veteran. If you lose your job, you may qualify for unemploy- ment benefits. While these payments may come as a relief, it's important to re- member that they may be taxable. Here are five key facts about unemployment compensation: 1. Unemployment is Tax- able. You must include all unemployment com- pensation as income for the year. You should re- ceive a Form 1099-G, Cer- tain Government Payments by Jan. 31 of the following year. This form will show the amount paid to you and the amount of any federal income tax withheld. 2. Paid Under U.S. or State Law. There are var- ious types of unemploy- ment compensation. Unem- ployment includes amounts paid under U.S. or state un- employment compensation laws. For more information, see Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income. 3. Union Benefits May be Taxable. You must include benefits paid to you from regular union dues in your income. Other rules may ap- ply if you contributed to a special union fund and your contributions to the fund are not deductible. In that case, you only include as in- come any amount that you got that was more than the contributions you made. 4. You May have Tax Withheld. You can choose to have federal income tax withheld from your unem- ployment. You can have this done using Form W-4V, Vol- untaryWithholdingRequest. If you choose not to have tax withheld, you may need to make estimated tax pay- ments during the year. 5. Visit IRS.gov for Help. If you're facing fi- nancial difficulties, you should visit the IRS.gov page: "What Ifs" for Strug- gling Taxpayers. This page explains the tax effect of events such as job loss. For example, if your income de- creased, you may be eligi- ble for certain tax credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit. If you owe federal taxes and can't pay your bill check the Payments tab on IRS.gov to review your op- tions. In many cases, the IRS can take steps to help ease your financial burden. For more details visit IRS.gov and check Publi- cation 525. You can view, download and print Form W-4V at IRS.gov/forms any- time. TAX TIPS To p fiv e ti ps o n un em pl oy me nt b en efi ts Lassen National Forest and the California Depart- ment of Parks and Recre- ation have maintained a successful partnership for more than 30 years. This partnership has provided funding assistance for the management of off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation on National Forest System lands through the Califor- nia State OHV Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program. California regulations re- quire annual public partic- ipation in this fund alloca- tion process. The purpose of this no- tice is to solicit public in- put specific to the Lassen National Forest's upcom- ing grant application for the State's 2015-2016 grant cycle. These grants will sup- port ongoing OHV manage- ment activities, especially those involving law enforce- ment. "Lassen National For- est maintains nearly 3,000 miles of roads and motor- ized trails open to OHV use," said Lassen National Forest Law Enforcement Of- ficer Mike Cone. "Your com- ments will help the State determine the level of fund- ing to provide." To view and comment on Lassen National For- est's Preliminary grant ap- plication, visit the State of California website at www. ohv.parks.ca.gov, then click the "grants" tab. Com- ments may be submitted via the website; via letter addressed to Cone, Lassen National Forest, 2550 Riv- erside Drive, Susanville, CA 96130; or via email to mcone@fs.fed.us. Com- ments will be accepted through April 4. If you have questions, call Cone at 530-252-5866 or write to mcone@fs.fed. us. LASSEN FOREST Comments are sought on OHV grant We somehow develop attitudes that divide us. But recently someone here in Tehama County made a comment to me that made sense. 734MainStreet 530-690-2477 11am-9pm Mon.-Thur. 11am - 10pm Fri. & Sat. 11am-8pm Sun. 9 CRAFT BEERS ON TAP Pizza Restaurant 744 Main St., Red Bluff NEW ARRIVALS •HIMALAYANSALTLAMP (Preventasthma,sinus,allergy) • WHITE SAGE & MIXED (Clear energy and lift your spirit) • LITTLE DISHES ART (Use for pills, tea bags, incense) • FENG SHUI BOOK & CRYSTAL COME & SHOP WITH US LIFESTYLES » redbluffdailynews.com Saturday, March 19, 2016 » MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A5