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| Waiver of mandatory systemwide tuition and fees at any State of California Community College, California State University or University of California campus. |
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| Note: All students must meet California residency requirements. |
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| Plan A: |
| The spouse of a veteran who is totally service-connected disabled, the unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran who has died of service-connected causes or the child (under the age of 27) of a veteran who is totally service-connected disabled or who has died of service-connected causes may qualify. |
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| Plan B: |
| The child of a veteran who has a permanent service-connected disability. The child's income and value of support provided by a parent cannot exceed the national poverty level. |
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| Contact your local County Veterans Service Office at 661/868-7300 or 866/218-5367 or e-mail
kernvets@co.kern.ca.us
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The Kern County Veterans Services Department is helping disabled military retirees receive a new combat-related payment.
Congress approved the new payment - the Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC). The compensation will be paid to disabled retirees who have at least 20 years of active duty or a combination of active duty and Reserve points equaling 20 years of full-time active duty.
These retirees must have either a disability rating of 10 percent or higher associated with award of a Purple Heart or a disability rating of 60 percent or higher for other illnesses or injuries attributed to combat situations, combat-oriented training, hazardous duty, or instrumentality of war.
Retirees must apply for the CRSC in order to receive it. Retirees who believe they qualify for the CRSC should begin gathering their records showing that they qualify, including records that show that their disability is combat-related.
CRSC could equal the amount of VA compensation received for Purple Heart related disabilities or combat-related disabilities described previously minus any additional compensation received for dependents.
The CRSC is separate from a special compensation program enacted several years ago, known as "Severely Disabled Special Compensation." Eligible retirees cannot receive both benefits and must choose either CRSC or SDSC.
CRSC payments will not be made before July 1. Retirees who qualify, but are not able to apply before July 1 will receive retroactive payments.
CRSC application forms are available at:
Kern County Veterans Services Department
1120 Golden State Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-7300 or (866) 218-5367
Staff members can answer questions and help retirees complete the application.
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| From the 1950's through the 1980's, 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. |
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| Under a law signed Aug. 6, 2012, Veterans and family members who served on active duty or resided at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between Jan. 1, 1957 and Dec. 31, 1987 may be eligible for medical care through VA for 15 health conditions: |
- Esophageal cancer
- Breast cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Renal toxicity
- Female infertility
- Scleroderma
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
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- Lung cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Leukemia
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Hepatic steatosis
- Miscarriage
- Neurobehavioral effects
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| Veterans already enrolled in VA health care, should contact your local VA health care facility to receive care under the new law. Those not already enrolled should contact the Kern County Veterans Service Department for assistance. |
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| Family members will receive care after Congress appropriates funds and VA publishes regulations. |
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| The new law applies to health care, not disability compensation. At this time, there is insufficient scientific and clinical evidence to establish a presumptive association between service at Camp Lejeune during the period of water contamination and the development of certain diseases. |
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| VA is closely monitoring new research. VA representatives regularly attend the quarterly Community Action Panel meetings hosted by The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) (ATSDR). |
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| Veterans may file a claim for disability compensation for health problems they believe are related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. VA decides these claims on a case-by-case basis. |
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| If interested in filing a claim, bring a copy of your DD 214, Discharge Document, to: |
Kern County Veterans Services Department
1120 Golden State Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93301
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