Episodes

  • VA Disability - with Mike Figlioli, VFW Director of National Veterans Services

    VA Disability - with Mike Figlioli, VFW Director of National Veterans Services

    · theSITREP Podcast

    In this episode, the SITREP asks Mike Figlioli, VFW Director of National Veterans Services, about VA disability: what is it, how to apply, and more. To connect with the SITREP:

    - Email us ideas at [email protected]
    - For video podcasts, visit https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/thesitrep
    - Sign up for theSITREP eNewsletter at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/subscriber/new?topic_id=USVA_485

    For additional information, on this topic, visit: https://www.va.gov/disability/

    For VFW assistance, visit: https://www.vfw.org/ or https://pactactinfo.org/

    To call for VFW assistance, dial: 816-756-3390 for Kansas City, VFW HQ or
    202-543-2239 for Mike Figlioli's office in DC

    To find an accredited VSO or attorney, visit: https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp

    For NASDVA, visit: https://nasdva.us/

    For NACVSO, visit: https://www.nacvso.org/

    00:00 Introduction
    00:37 What is VA disability?
    00:58 What is the process for applying?
    02:06 Does applying cost money?
    03:05 When to get help from VSO or attorney?
    04:37 Does a Veteran have to be a Combat Veteran for benefits?
    05:44 Is VA disability tax free?
    06:07 How can VA disability money be used?
    06:46 What does service-connection mean?
    07:25 What does presumptive condition mean?
    08:44 What is Intent to File?
    10:56 Can multiple claims be submitted in the same time period?
    13:19 What is a VA disability appeal?
    15:09 How does VA approve or deny claims?
    18:12 Missing evidence for a claim
    19:43 Does VA disability pass on to a spouse or family member?
    20:38 What is a NEXUS letter?
    21:35 Can a Veteran reapply for VA disability, even after denial?
    24:31 Advice regarding Statement to Support [buddy statement]
    25:57 What is the 5 year rule?
    26:25 What is the 20 year rule?
    27:25 Three tips for applying for VA disability
    30:28 Three tips for finding a good VSO
    32:47 Three common mistakes when submitting a claim
    34:57 What services do VFW Veteran Service Officers provide?
    37:14 Does a Veteran need to be in VFW to get help from VFW?
    38:12 How to connect with a VFW Veteran Service Officer?
    39:36 Closing

  • Thrift Savings Plan - with Mike Jerue

    Thrift Savings Plan - with Mike Jerue

    · theSITREP Podcast

    In this episode of theSITREP, Paul covers basic questions on what the Thrift Savings Plan is, when TSP started, and why military members and government employees may want to take advantage of TSP. Paul is joined by U.S. Air Force Veteran, Mike Jerue, who serves as the Deputy Chief Investment Officer at Thrift Savings Plan.

    FIVE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH theSITREP

    (1) To sign-up for theSITREP email newsletter, visit:

    https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/subscriber/new?topic_id=USVA_485

    (2) To find theSITREP’s full video library, visit:

    https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/thesitrep

    (3) To listen to theSITREP audio podcasts, visit:

    https://feeds.transistor.fm/thesitrep

    (4) Search “theSITREP” on your preferred search engine

    (5) Email us ideas, for a future episode, at:

    [email protected]

    ADDITIONAL THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN VIDEOS

    What is Thrift Savings Plan

    https://youtu.be/FCH-yBjnj54

    Pension vs. Thrift Savings Plan

    https://youtu.be/y7XpH-LiuQk

    Contributions with Thrift Savings Plan

    https://youtu.be/TJL92sHspSI

    Thrift Savings Plan After Government Service

    https://youtu.be/POvseD-uzQI

    How to Set-Up Your Thrift Savings Plan

    https://youtu.be/D7ZnjN8QalA

    IRA & Thrift Savings Plan Contributions

    https://youtu.be/tH1_K_1a30Y

    Thrift Savings Plan Beneficiaries

    https://youtu.be/6i3edMV-NYw

    Thrift Savings Plan Contributions After Service

    https://youtu.be/pnvXW8VUzok

    Roth vs. Traditional Thrift Savings Plan

    https://youtu.be/CUrsC_PUgc4

    IRA vs. Thrift Savings Plan

    https://youtu.be/yujVYgpMwLg

    403b vs. Thrift Savings Plan

    https://youtu.be/mzBbKrZdqRI

    Thrift Savings Plan Rollovers

    https://youtu.be/HM0UBWoAw6E

    Are TSP Contributions Tax Deductible

    https://youtu.be/G34PTubDYVU

    401k, 457 & 403b vs. Thrift Savings Plan

    https://youtu.be/O0UBVWJBTLc

    TSP Maximum Contributions

    https://youtu.be/-8HBISieQkE

    Individual Funds (G, F, C, S, I Fund) & TSP

    https://youtu.be/7YfTihsggS4

    TSP L Funds

    https://youtu.be/_PikOiwxk_4

    TSP Retirement Calculators

    https://youtu.be/mLofyfzBJk0

    Roth vs. Traditional Withdrawals

    https://youtu.be/YELQiz7f1OM

    How to Change TSP Contribution Amounts

    https://youtu.be/s1rVVs5PFuc

    Thrift Savings Plan Loans & Withdrawals

    https://youtu.be/bxMLFWMC9jg

    Age to Withdraw TSP

    https://youtu.be/dkIn3jtqV-k

    Thrift Savings Plan Vesting Period

    https://youtu.be/5oJdlFhz0Ig

    (RMDs) Required Minimum Distribution & TSP

    https://youtu.be/tfKJ31aYFfw

    TSP After DoD Service

    https://youtu.be/F88hYzVkFdA

    TSP Company Holdings

    https://youtu.be/r1-h-Qpcn2g

    Thrift Savings Plan DoD Rollover

    https://youtu.be/FwR6bn6j7ks

    How to Access Thrift Savings Plan

    https://youtu.be/UyGUV5U2oOE

    Retroactive Contributions to TSP

    https://youtu.be/DBrisaPJ-Pc

    Catch-Up Contributions with TSP

    https://youtu.be/-t_oOHVTVWQ

    Changing Contributions with TSP

    https://youtu.be/6HL9e1iUg20

    Thrift Savings Plan Mutual Funds

    https://youtu.be/FcLNB16-05I

    ADDITIONAL THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN LINKS

    For TSP overview, visit:

    https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspbk08.pdf?TSP-BK-08

    For TSP contributions, visit:

    https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs07.pdf?TSP-FS-07

    For TSP L Funds, visit:

    https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tsplf14.pdf?TSP-LF-14

    For TSP investment funds, visit:

    https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tsppc16.pdf?TSP-PC-16

    For TSP rollovers, visit:

    https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs05.pdf?TSP-FS-05

    For TSP holdings of companies, visit:

    https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tsplf14.pdf?TSP-LF-14

    For TSP mutual fund window, visit:

    https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs28.pdf?TSP-FS-28

    For TSP annuity, visit:

    https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs24.pdf?TSP-FS-24

    For TSP required minimum distribution (RMD), visit:

    https://www.tsp.gov/taking-money-from-your-account/#req...

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  • How to Get Military Records - with Scott Levins, Director of NPRC

    How to Get Military Records - with Scott Levins, Director of NPRC

    · theSITREP Podcast

    In this episode of the SITREP, Mike and Paul sit down with Scott Levins, Director or National Personnel Records Center, and discuss everything from how to replace a copy of your DD-214 to how many military records were destroyed during the NPRC fire in 1973. To learn more about ordering military records, visit National Personnel Records Center. If you or a loved one served in the military and are looking for additional information about your benefits, be sure to visit "#theSITREP" on YouTube and begin connecting with the benefits your earned and deserve!

    Major questions asked during this podcast include, what is NPRC [National Personnel Records Center], what is the fastest way to get military records, how much does requesting records cost, is the process different for requesting different types of records, how to replace certificates, awards and medals, how to get a spouses DoD medical records, how to get records for a deceased Veteran, who's records were lost during the NPRC fire in 1973, how to get classified records; Special Operations Veterans, what is the fastest way to replace a DD-214, do Veterans need to request records for a VA Disability Claim, how has COVID changed operations at NPRC, are a Veteran's records public, how do I get my military records [analog or digital]?

  • Mesothelioma - with Dr. Hassan Khalil

    Mesothelioma - with Dr. Hassan Khalil

    · theSITREP Podcast


    Dr. Hassan Khalil from the Boston VA here to talk about what exactly is mesothelioma and what can they do for veterans who may have that disease.

  • Palliative care - with Dr. Andrea Ruskin, Director of Palliative Care

    Palliative care - with Dr. Andrea Ruskin, Director of Palliative Care

    · theSITREP Podcast


    In today's episode Dr. Andrea Ruskin explains for us when does a veteran need palliative care or when is palliative care indicated? How would one know that they’re going to need palliative care?

  • Bariatric Surgery & Nutrition- with Dr. Ann Smith, VA Surgeon

    Bariatric Surgery & Nutrition- with Dr. Ann Smith, VA Surgeon

    · theSITREP Podcast



  • Burial and Memorial Benefits - with Barbara Cellucci

    Burial and Memorial Benefits - with Barbara Cellucci

    · theSITREP Podcast

    For additional information about burial and memorial benefits, please visit https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/ or visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/docs/VASurvivorsKit.pdf for the "VA Survivors and Burial Benefits Kit."

    This episode is part of a YouTube video series that answers questions about Veterans benefits… search #theSITREP on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE, so you don’t miss future episodes! Links for additional videos about VA disability, VA home loans, VA health care, and more are below.

    Have ideas for a future episode of theSITREP? If so, email us at [email protected]

    Subscribe to our weekly, digital newsletter at https://www.newengland.va.gov/info

    ADDITIONAL YOUTUBE PLAYLISTS

    VA Service-Connected Compensation

    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMTobxlCFgiT7-fpoO4_AdIp

    VA Health Care

    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMSPkJwkqtbJe-BEqTM_LLKC

    VA Home Loans & Refinancing

    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMQyJ4_VSG55iLUfPaI0aVrx

    Specialty Topics

    https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMTpYxbVmoTzsdxsP_BaDgw8

  • Social Security and VA Benefits - with Brian Forsythe

    Social Security and VA Benefits - with Brian Forsythe

    · theSITREP Podcast

    Have questions for Work Without Limits? Visit them at https://workwithoutlimits.org or call 877-YES-WORK (877-937-9675)

    This episode is part of a YouTube video series that answers questions about Veterans benefits… search #theSITREP on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE, so you don’t miss future episodes! Links for additional videos about VA disability, VA home loans, VA health care, and more are below.

    Have ideas for a future episode of theSITREP? If so, email us at [email protected]

    Subscribe to our weekly, digital newsletter at https://www.newengland.va.gov/info

    ADDITIONAL YOUTUBE PLAYLISTS

    VA Service-Connected Compensation

    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMTobxlCFgiT7-fpoO4_AdIp

    VA Health Care

    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMSPkJwkqtbJe-BEqTM_LLKC

    VA Home Loans & Refinancing

    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMQyJ4_VSG55iLUfPaI0aVrx

    Specialty Topics

    https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMTpYxbVmoTzsdxsP_BaDgw8

  • Are VA Disability Ratings Fair? - with Craig Hall

    Are VA Disability Ratings Fair? - with Craig Hall

    · theSITREP Podcast

    This episode is part of a YouTube video series that answers questions about Veterans benefits… search #theSITREP on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE, so you don’t miss future episodes! Links for additional videos about VA disability, VA home loans, VA health care, and more are below.

    Have ideas for a future episode of theSITREP? If so, email us at [email protected]

    Subscribe to our weekly, digital newsletter at https://www.newengland.va.gov/info

    ADDITIONAL YOUTUBE PLAYLISTS

    VA Service-Connected Compensation

    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMTobxlCFgiT7-fpoO4_AdIp

    VA Health Care

    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMSPkJwkqtbJe-BEqTM_LLKC

    VA Home Loans & Refinancing

    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMQyJ4_VSG55iLUfPaI0aVrx

    Specialty Topics

    https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMTpYxbVmoTzsdxsP_BaDgw8

  • theSITREP Trailer

    theSITREP Trailer

    · theSITREP Podcast


    theSITREP is your trusted source for Veterans benefits information. Join Mike (Army Veteran) and Paul (Marine Corps Veteran) as they provide accurate and transparent information about VA disability, health care, home loans and more. Join theSITREP's free, weekly email newsletter at www.newengland.va.gov/info for the latest podcasts, YouTube videos, and Veterans benefits news or watch additional, original content by searching #theSITREP on YouTube. Thank you for supporting theSITREP and, more importantly, thank you to all who have served.