As part of our commitment to providing you world class healthcare and services, and to comply with Department of Treasury requirements to process payments by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), the Boise VA Medical Center will begin implementing Treasury requirements for EFT payment processing, including payments for beneficiary travel and compensated work therapy starting August 1, 2013.  This change will improve services, provide significant savings to your time by eliminating waiting in long lines, delays associated with check processing, and ensure a safe and efficient way to receive payments.

 To avoid the line and save yourself time here is what you will need to do:

1. Read the Frequently Asked Questions.
2. Complete the Direct Deposit Enrollment Form.  This form, once completed, will enable the VA to register your bank account information in the VA payment system so that your future claim submissions can be processed and sent to your bank account.  Fill out the form completely to avoid processing delays.
3. When the form is completed you can:

• Return the completed form to the Travel Office/CBOC now or at your next appointment.
• Fax it to our secure fax line at (208) 422-1212; or
• Mail it to ATTN: Fiscal EFT Coordinator 500 W. Fort St. (04) Boise, ID. 83702

Once your information has been received and direct deposit goes into effect, you will be able to simply fill out a voucher form at the Beneficiary Travel window, turn it in to the Travel Clerk or drop box, and payment will be electronically deposited into your bank account in less than 10 business days

For information concerning exposure to herbicides during Vietnam service is available on VA’s Public Health site at http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/. Navy Veterans can find information at http://www.publichealth.va.gov/PUBLICHEALTH/exposures/agentorange/index.asp  VA maintains a public database of ships known to have operated on the inland waterways for some period of time at http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/shiplist/list.asp  Changes to the M21-1 Adjudication Procedures can be found online.

Veterans Affairs has recognized certain cancers and other health problems as associated with exposure to Agent Orange during military service or as associated with military service, for a specific group of Vietnam veterans.  Effective October 30, 2010 the following conditions were added to the presumptive list for agent orange exposure – Ischemic Heart Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and Chronic B Cell Leukemia.  If you have questions with regards to eligibility or would like to file a claim please contact one of our service officers.  For a complete list of the related conditions please visit the VA’s Public Health link – http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/diseases.asp

From the 1950s through the 1980s, people living or working at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, were potentially exposed to drinking water contaminated with industrial solvents, benzene, and other chemicals. You may be eligible for VA health benefits if you served on active duty (Veterans) or resided (family members) at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987: – See more at: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune

Veterans who were exposed to asbestos while in service and developed a disease related to asbestos exposure may receive service-connected compensation benefits. For more information visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/claims-postservice-exposures-asbestos.asp.

Additional resources regarding Asbestos exposure and asbestos related disease can be found at:

• http://www.asbestos.com/veterans/
• https://www.treatmesothelioma.org/veterans/
• https://www.mesotheliomaguide.com/veterans/