http://3rdengbn.com Construction and Destruction 3rd Engineer Battalion 3rd Engineer Battalion Evo RSS Parser 60 http://3rdengbn.com/images/evo/minilogo.gif http://3rdengbn.com 94 15 Nuke-Evolution 2.0.7 Powered - Xtreme 2.0 Edition en-us 3rdadmin@roadrunner.com 2010-09-06T07:07:14-05:00 hourly 1 2010-09-06T07:07:14-05:00 http://3rdengbn.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=141#235 http://www.medalofhonorspeakout.org/home]]> 235@http://3rdengbn.com Excelent Advice 2010-08-06T06:59:31-05:00 http://3rdengbn.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=140#234 A New Way To Get Your Pharmacy Questions Answered!

Call Toll Free 1-800-771-6106
Monday – Friday,
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Local Time

A new service is now ready for Veterans!

Beginning August 2, 2010 the professionally trained VA staff at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Pharmacy Customer Care Center (PCCC) located in Waco, Tx will be available to answer Veterans questions regarding prescription refills, prescription status, identity of medications and other pharmacy related questions. The PCCC staff is able to view Veterans prescription records and access needed information to answer their questions quickly.
 
System is Accurate, Secure and Confidential

The phone number is the same phone number Veterans have called in the past with pharmacy questions. When the Veteran is prompt to speak with a pharmacy representative, they will be greeted by a friendly expert VA staff to assist them.

Below, we have provided a list of questions/answers you may have about this process:


Q. Why the change?  I’ve always been able to call my local VA to get my questions answered.   Will they still be taking my calls?

A.  The change helps to improve the services we provide to you.  Instead of calling your local facility, we have now centralized this service with the Pharmacy Customer Care (PCC) program, where specially trained VA employees will answer your questions.  You can call any time between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. local time, Monday – Friday and VA staff will be available to answer your call.  This way, more staff is dedicated to answering yours calls more quickly.

Q. What could someone outside my facility know about the medical care I received at my local medical center?

A. VA employees at Pharmacy Customer Care (PCC) will use a secure computer system that allows only them to view your pharmacy and medical information.  All of your medical records and personal information will remain at your local medical center. The VA employees will be able to view the information and answer your questions, plus work with the medical center staff to update or change information as needed.  And the VA employees at Pharmacy Customer Care will be required to follow strict guidelines in accessing your information.  Your privacy and the privacy of your medical records will be protected at all times.

Q. I like the old way.  Why are you changing something that works?

A. By centralizing this service, dedicated staff will be more readily available to assist you with your questions.  This will improve how quickly your calls are answered and how quickly you get the information you need.  And, VA staff at your local medical center will have more time to work on clinical concerns, improving services they provide to you.

1-888-878-6890
This is a Toll Free Number

Thank you for all you do in serving our nations Veterans.]]> 234@http://3rdengbn.com VA Pharmacy Questions 2010-07-27T07:14:39-05:00 http://3rdengbn.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=139#233 Questions and Answers for New PTSD Rule (VA Office of Field Operations July 9, 2010)
       
I heard that VA has changed the regulations for PTSD claims.  What has changed?  VA has amended its rules for processing disability compensation claims for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  The new rule eliminates the requirement for corroborating evidence of the claimed in-service stressor if it is related to the veteran’s “fear of hostile military or terrorist activity”.  
What are the new requirements of this change?  This new rule now requires that the following be demonstrated to establish service connection for PTSD: the claimed stressor is consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of the veteran’s service; A VA psychiatrist or psychologist, or contract equivalent, confirms that the claimed stressor is adequate to support a diagnosis of PTSD; and the veteran’s symptoms are related to the claimed stressor.
When does this new rule take effect? The new rule is effective on July 13, 2010.  The rule is applicable to all PTSD service connected claims, including appeals, that are: pending before VA, or received on or after, July 13, 2010; pending before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals; or pending before VA on or after July 13, 2010, because the Veterans Court vacated and remanded a Board decision.
I claimed PTSD before and was denied.  If I reopen now, will VA go back to when I first claimed PTSD?  If service connection for PTSD is granted under the amended regulation, the effective date will be no earlier than July 13, 2010, the date the new rule went into effect.  
I currently have a PTSD claim (or appeal) for service connection pending at the regional office and am waiting for a decision.   What do I have to do?  Nothing.  This new rule will be applied to any pending claim (or appeal) involving service connection for PTSD.
Should I still  provide proof of my combat medals?  You should always submit any evidence that would support your claim.
I claimed PTSD.  Will I be scheduled for a VA exam?  Your claim will be reviewed and, if a VA exam is necessary, you will receive a separate notification letter with reporting instructions.
My private physician has already diagnosed me with PTSD.  Do I have to report for a VA exam?  A private report or diagnosis is not adequate for establishing service connection for PTSD; therefore, a VA exam will be required.  You should submit this supporting evidence from your doctor, or we can request those for you.  (PCR must offer VA Form 21-4142 and document evidence on VA Form 21-0820.  Refer VA Form 21-0820 to SOJ.)
I have been denied service connection for PTSD in the past.  How do I reapply?  We will have to reopen your claim.  (PCR must take claim on VA Form 21-0820 and refer to SOJ.)
Does this change regarding PTSD apply to any Veteran?  Yes. This change applies to all veterans, regardless of when they served.
VA Simplifies Access to Health Care and Benefits for Veterans with PTSD (VA News Release July 12, 2010) WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced a critical step forward in providing an easier process for veterans seeking health care and disability compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), with the publication of a final regulation in the Federal Register.
By publishing a final regulation in the Federal Register to simplify the process for a veteran to claim service connection for PTSD, VA reduces the evidence needed if the trauma claimed by a veteran is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity and is consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of the veteran’s service.  This science-based regulation relies on evidence that concluded that a veteran’s deployment to a war zone is linked to an increased risk of PTSD.
Under the new rule, VA would not require corroboration of a stressor related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity if a VA doctor confirms that the stressful experience recalled by a veteran adequately supports a diagnosis of PTSD and the veteran's symptoms are related to the claimed stressor.  Previously, claims adjudicators were required to corroborate that a non-combat veteran actually experienced a stressor related to hostile military activity.  This final rule simplifies the development that is required for these cases.
VA expects this rulemaking to decrease the time it takes VA to decide access to care and claims falling under the revised criteria.  More than 400,000 veterans currently receiving compensation benefits are service connected for PTSD.  Combined with VA’s shorter claims form, VA’s new streamlined, science-based regulation allows for faster and more accurate decisions that also expedite access to medical care and other benefits for veterans.
PTSD is a medically recognized anxiety disorder that can develop from seeing or experiencing an event that involves actual or threatened death or serious injury to which a person responds with intense fear, helplessness or horror, and is not uncommon among war veterans.  
For additional information, go to www.va.gov or call VA’s toll free benefits number at 1-800-827-1000.]]> 233@http://3rdengbn.com New PTSD Rules Q&A 2010-07-27T07:12:03-05:00 http://3rdengbn.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=135#232
He's doing a-ok.  Retired, taking care of the homestead, and spoiling his grandkids.

Mike]]> 232@http://3rdengbn.com New to the site 2010-07-23T08:31:40-05:00 http://3rdengbn.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=93#226 226@http://3rdengbn.com Don't let it scare you!!! 2010-05-04T06:13:46-05:00 http://3rdengbn.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=130#219
 Welcome to the site... I've been off line for some time now and was glad to see your post. In any event when you mentioned Andre (Happy) Latessa's  name it hit home with me brother.

 I was with Happy back in Da Nang in Sept. 66.

 I was sent out to An Hoa with 3/9 up until Jan.67, and then was pulled out with 3/9 on a float back to the ROCK. We trained on the rock for about six weeks, and then got back on the ships. We landed back in Nam with 3/9 somewhere south of the DMZ on operation Prairie II & III.

 Sometime in the middle of March we were pulled from the field and were brought into Dong Ha with either "A or B" Co. In any event I stayed up North supporting (1/9, 2/9, 3/9, 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 2/26 and whoever else).

 When we weren't out in the field we were on the hills (Con Thein, Camp Carroll, Rock Pile) or back in Dong Ha for in country R&R (R&R yeah right).

 I think it was sometime between April-July? I remember that a large number of 1371's were brought into Dong Ha from Khe Sanh (861 & 881), and they were pretty much beat up and dragging ass.

 That is when I seen Andrea (HAPPY) Latessa, Ray (REDMAN) Calia, Bill (STEELMAN) Steely, along with most of the guy's from Da Nang and Hill 55 etc.

 These guy's stayed up North in Dong Ha with us for some time (How long I'm not sure). But I do remember we lost a lot of of our brother 1371's during my time up North (March - October).

 I do recall that Happy was mortally wounded on 8-15-67 and passed on 8-18-67, at least these are the dates that I researched over the last five years.

 I hope we keep in touch and I also hope this lights a fire in the hole with all our 1371 brothers, so that we reach out and contact each other through this WEB SITE.

                        SEMPER FI....

==> I don't believe that our SEMPER FI began out there in Tensil Town but if it did that is at least one thing the did well.


                       Take Care Brother...]]> 219@http://3rdengbn.com NewNewGuy C company 1967 2010-03-01T17:56:56-05:00 http://3rdengbn.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=129#212 212@http://3rdengbn.com New guy for 3rd Engineer Bn 2010-02-11T15:00:30-05:00 http://3rdengbn.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=124#204  8765(((]]> 204@http://3rdengbn.com HBO mini-series 2010-01-22T08:27:42-05:00 http://3rdengbn.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=72#199 199@http://3rdengbn.com Hill 55 2009-11-29T19:37:47-05:00 http://3rdengbn.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=121#198
From Al Anbar in the west of Iraq, to the Helmand Province in the south of Afghanistan, our Corps of Marines can always expect to be found where the fight is toughest. Such is our history. Today, as we write the final chapter on our victory in Iraq, we will increasingly take the fight to the enemy in Afghanistan and add new pages to our legacy in places called Delaram, now Zad, and Garmsir. One day, we will return to our Naval heritage and patrol the high seas with our Navy brothers. Such is our future.

As we celebrate our Corps 234th Birthday, we first pause to reflect and pay tribute to those Marines who have given the last full measure in defense of freedom. We extend our deepest gratitude to our Marine Corps families, the unsung heroes who endure hardship and sacrafice so that we are able to go forward and accomplish any mission. We extend our appreciation to our countrymen who have answered every need. And we celebrate the magnificent men and women who willingly and selflessly continue to go into harms way to protect this great nation.

To all who have gone before, to those who wear the uniform today, and to the families that give us the strength to forge ahead, I wish you all a heartfelt Happy 234th Birthday! Semper Fidelis

General James T Conway]]> 198@http://3rdengbn.com Happy Birthday (Commandant) 2009-11-09T07:47:40-05:00