As the Army celebrated its 239th birthday on Saturday, a small number of Montezuma County\u2019s 2,400 veterans gathered for a benefits forum.<\/p>\n
\u201cVeterans Administration benefits are not a handout,\u201d Rick Torres told two dozen veterans on Flag Day. \u201cThese are benefits that you\u2019ve earned.\u201d<\/p>\n
Torres, Montezuma County\u2019s veteran service officer, helps secure about $700,000 in annual benefits paid to the county\u2019s enrolled veterans.<\/p>\n
\u201cRick is a valuable asset here,\u201d said VA outreach coordinator Barbara Martinez, who is based in Denver.<\/p>\n
Torres said he has helped many local veterans and their families, including the spouse of a former POW in Yellow Jacket who died of heart disease. By documenting that POWs had a higher risk of heart disease, Torres said he was able to assist her in obtaining a presumptive disability claim from the VA.<\/p>\n
\u201cI simply help you put the claim together, so you can win,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Several veterans at the Montezuma County Veteran\u2019s Forum on Saturday, June 9, shared concerns involving the VA clinic in Durango. One complaint regarded a canceled doctor\u2019s appointment without any notification and another was lodged about a failure to return a phone call for more than a week.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf no one complains, then the VA doesn\u2019t know,\u201d said Torres. \u201cCall me. I\u2019m here to help.\u201d<\/p>\n
Torres outlined numerous tax-free VA benefits, including disability assistance, which ranges from $130 to $2,858 per month for those with 10 percent and 100 percent disability, respectively. He also told those in attendance on Saturday that some VA benefits expire, citing the Montgomery GI Bill, which is only available for up to 10 years after military service.<\/p>\n
Veterans were also reminded to remain realistic with their expectations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you start a claim today, mentally prepare yourself that you will likely have to wait up to a year,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Denver VA office processes about 1,600 monthly claims, up from about 1,200 per month five years ago, according to Martinez. She attributed the increase to the economy and the decade-long war against terrorism.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of claims,\u201d Martin said, \u201cso we work late nights and on weekends.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former POWs, terminal and homeless veterans and those with an economic hardship routinely have their claims expedited and normally processed within 90 days, she said.<\/p>\n
Torres also encouraged veterans to register with the VA for qualifying benefits, and said to have a medical physical at least once a year to maintain their status within the VA system. That information was especially helpful for Korean War veteran Eugene Sichta.<\/p>\n
A Cortez resident for the past 19 years, Eugene Sichta said he was unaware the county had a veteran\u2019s office coordinator.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will definitely be back to call on Rick,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Federal VA benefits include educational and job training opportunities, multiple life insurance options, burial assistance at 131 national cemeteries and survivor\u2019s pensions available to both spouses and children. Colorado also offers various VA benefits, including property tax exemptions; grants for housing and counseling; and even hunting and fishing licenses.<\/p>\n