By CHRIS SNELL, guest columnist
Our office hears a lot of misconceptions when it comes to veterans and we have decided it is time to continue educating with the community by sharing some misconceptions we have heard, because frankly these misconceptions have been going around for too long and you deserve to know better.
1.) I am not a veteran because I never served in combat.
FALSE! According to 38 U.S.C § 101.2 which provides the term “veteran” means a person who served in the active military, naval or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.
2.) I did not serve on active duty so I cannot file for VA disability benefits.
FALSE! To be eligible for disability compensation you must have both things true of you: 1.) Served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, and 2.) Have a disability rating for your service-connected condition, AND at least one of the following true: 1.) Got sick or injured while serving in the military and can link the condition to your service, OR 2.) Had an illness or injury before you joined the military and serving made it worse, OR 3.) Have a disability related to your active-duty service that did not appear until after you ended your service.
VOLUNTEER WITH THE VSO OFFICE!
We need volunteer drivers for the Brown County Veterans Transport Network. If interested, email Sam Banter at [email protected] or call the office at 812-988-5600.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Saturday, July 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: The American Legion will be hosting a grill-out at the Veterans Hall at 902 Deer Run Lane in support of AMERICA’S FREEDOM! Drinks and meats will be provided by the American Legion and the rest is a pitch-in style. Come join us to celebrate another year of freedom! Bring your families!
Brown County 4-H Fair: We will have a table set up from Monday, July 26 to Saturday, July 31. Come see us and find out more about your benefits. All veterans who come by the table will receive a gift!
WAYS TO CONNECT/COMMUNICATE WITH US:
Office phone: 812-988-5600
Cell phone (call or text): 812-322-9086
Staff email:
Veteran Service Officer: [email protected]
Veteran Support Liaison: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcvso
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BC_VSO
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BCVSOIN/
Wishing you a safe and great weather July!
Chris Snell is the Veterans Service officer for Brown County. He can be reached at 812-988-5600 or [email protected].
