MONTHLY VETERANS NEWSLETTER UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

The Office of Veteran Affairs at the University of
Florida would like to welcome you to the first
edition of the Monthly Veterans Newsletter. In our
newsletters we will be highlighting changes in the
GI Bill, VA Hospital updates and other valuable
information for our student veterans.

-UF VA TEAM

New GI Bill
The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of
2008 or "New GI Bill" has been enacted into law.

What does the Post-9/11 GI Bill cover?
Approved training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill includes
graduate and undergraduate degrees, and
vocational/technical training. All training programs
must be offered by an institution of higher learning
(IHL) and approved for GI Bill benefits. Additionally,
tutorial assistance, and licensing and certification test
reimbursement are approved under the Post- 9/11
GI Bill.

If you are also eligible for chapter 30, 1606 or 1607,
you may be eligible to pursue training for on-the-job
training, apprenticeship, correspondence, flight and
preparatory courses under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Refer
to,
http://www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH33/CH33 Pam
phlet.pdf

Video Games Effective Therapy
VA Medical Centers are using new therapy techniques
to target younger patients coming back from Iraq and
Afghanistan. The popular gaming system Wii is
gaining popularity around the nation to help veterans
recover from various injuries.

Wii analytical games help improve attention and
memory for veterans suffering from TBI. SPC Eric
Rich, Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran, says "I don't
have to listen to nobody, I can move at my own pace,

sit there and just look and stare. And basically figure it
out by myself." For more information,
http://wwwl.va.gov/opa/feature/amervet/

TBI and ALS Announcements
September 23, 2008

Increased Compensation Possible for Some
Veterans

WASHINGTON The Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) today announced changes in the way VA will
evaluate traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and burn scars
for purposes of determining the appropriate level of
compensation veterans receive for these injuries.
"These important regulatory changes will allow VA
decision-makers to better assess the consequences of
these injuries and ensure veterans are properly
compensated for their residual effects," stated
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake.
VA has revised the Disability Rating Schedule in light
of current scientific and medical knowledge in order
to provide VA employees with more detailed and
up-to-date criteria for evaluating and compensating
veterans with these injuries. For more information,
http://wwwl .va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=
1582

Student Veteran Organizations

Collegiate Veterans Society
Meeting Time: Friday at 11:00 am
Meeting Place: Turlington 2341
Contact: Dan Wojcik, danshadow@ufl.edu
Current Projects Include:
* The Veterans Memorial Fountain
* Scooters on Parade
* Changing the New GI Bill to 4 years
* Veterans Bridge Scholarship
http://grove.ufl.edu/~veterans

Omega Delta Sigma -Veterans Fraternity
Meeting Time: Sunday at 7:30 pm
Meeting Place: 3725 SW 3rd Place Gainesville FI,
32603
Contact: Andrew J Kisz, ufkisz@ufl.edu
httD://erove.ufl.edu/~omeeadel

University of Florida Veteran Affairs I Monthly Veterans Newsletter