Georgia Department of Veterans Service 2010 Annual Report Pete Wheeler, Commissioner Georgia State Veterans Memorial Cemeteries The Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemeteries, established for the interment of faithful and honorable military veterans, are shrines recognizing all Georgia veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces. The cemeteries will be greatly revered, not only by the next of kin and family members of those interred therein, but also by patriotic, veteran, military, and civic organizations and the general public as well. The cemeteries will be administered, operated, and maintained under the highest standards standards that will require a high degree of vigilance and devotion. We in the Georgia Department of Veterans Service accept this challenge with honor. Commissioner Pete Wheeler, Georgia Department of Veterans Service REQUIREMENTS FOR BURIAL OTHER RULES 1. Anyone who is a veteran under the rules established by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and was separated under other than dishonorable conditions, is eligible for burial in a GVMC. 2. Any member of the Reserves/National Guard who was eligible for retirement pay at the time of death, or would have been entitled to retired pay but for the fact that they were not at least 60 years of age, is eligible. 3. Anyone who, as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces, died in the line of duty while on active duty, or active duty for training is eligible. 4. An eligible veteran's spouse may be interred in the same plot as the veteran at a GVMC. 5. The veteran's dependent (unmarried, under age 21, or life-long dependency on the veteran) is eligible. Documentation of eligibility is required. 1. The non-veteran spouse/dependent will normally be buried with the veteran. 2. If the veteran has been buried in a plot for cremated remains, the non-veteran spouse/dependent MUST also choose a burial designated for cremated remains. 3. A standard upright, granite government provided marker will be used to mark the grave for casket burials and in-ground cremations. A small granite cover will be used for cremated remains in the columbarium. WHAT IS THE COST? There is no charge for the plot, vault, grave markers, or use of the committal chapel for interment service for an eligible veteran or spouse. WHAT IS PROVIDED? 1. Plot: Next available (no pre-selection) 2. Plot: Next available space for cremated remains that are to be buried 3. Niche: Next available for those that are cremated and placed in the columbarium wall 4. Vault: Concrete Lined (double depth for vet and spouse/dependent) 5. Marker: Standard U.S. Government upright granite markers 6. Care: Perpetual care provided by the State Table of Contents Veterans Service Board..................................................................................5 Mission.................................................................................................................6 Department Functions.........................................................................................7 Veterans Education And Training Division..........................................................8 Information Division............................................................................................9 Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home-Augusta.................................................10 Georgia War Veterans Home-Milledgeville.......................................................11 Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Milledgeville.....................................12 Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery-Glennville............................................13 Statistical Report...........................................................................................14-15 Financial Report.................................................................................................16 Monetary Benefits..............................................................................................17 VARO-Atlanta Report..................................................................................18-21 SDVS Year in Review......................................................................................22-27 State Veterans Organizations........................................................................28-29 Commendations...........................................................................................30-53 SDVS Directory.............................................................................................54-63 VA Contacts.........................................................................................................63 SDVS Quick Reference Directory By County......................................................64 VA Statistical Data.........................................................................................65-70 Department Organization State Board of Veterans Service Commissioner Department of Veterans Service Director Public Information Division Fiscal Services Assistant Commissioner Administration, Health and Memorials Assistant Commissioner Field Operations and Claims Director Veterans Education and Training Division Director Operations Division Director Claims Division Accounting Human Resources Regional Manager North Georgia Budget Information Technology Regional Manager South Georgia Director Health and Memorials Division Executive Director Georgia War Veterans Home Director Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery -- Glennville Director Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Milledgeville Records Management Executive Director Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home Veterans Service Board The Constitution of the State of Georgia specifies that the State Board of Veterans Service be composed of seven members. By law each member must be a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States and must have served honorably during wartime. The Governor nominates members who are subject to approval by the State Senate. Board members' terms are staggered and are for seven years. From its membership, the Board annually elects a chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary. Every four years the Board elects a Commissioner, through whom it controls the overall policy of the Department of Veterans Service. Georgia's 773,900-plus veterans and their families Thank You! 2010 Board Members Kenneth Birdsong Rod Casey Fred T. Fincher James Blaylock Shawn Hanley Ray Hendrix Pat Phillips Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary Member Member Member Member Gordon/Gray Valdosta LaGrange Decatur Atlanta Statesboro Blairsville "To Serve Those Who Have Served" The mission of the Department of Veterans Service is to serve the 773,900 veterans residing in Georgia, their phrase "duplication of effort" when referring to the functions of the Department of Veterans Service and the U.S. Department of Veterans dependents and survivors in all matters Affairs; nothing could be further from the truth. pertaining to veterans benefits. To a veteran seeking benefits from the This responsibility falls into two basic tasks: informing veterans and their families about veterans benefits; and Missions: To assist Georgia's 773,900 veterans with benefits claims to obtain compensation, pension and services from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). To provide nursing home care to veteran patients at the Augusta and Milledgeville state veterans homes. To provide memorial benefits to Georgia's veterans who VA, the role played by the Department of Veterans Service might be compared to that of an attorney representing a directly assisting and advising veterans and their families in securing the benefits to which they are entitled. To support these missions, the department maintains a claims division, field offices, two veterans nursing homes, two veterans cemeteries, and an information served faithfully and honorably in the armed forces of our nation and to their families at the Glennville and Milledgeville state veterans cemeteries that are shrines to the memory of our state's heroes. Vision: We will provide the highest quality assistance to Georgia's veterans to aid them in obtaining all the benefits from the federal and state governments to which they are entitled. We will provide the highest quality nursing home services to Georgia's veteran patients, as judged by VA surveys, state inspections and other accrediting agencies. We will provide shrine standard services at Georgia's state veterans cemeteries to memorialize our state's fallen and deceased heroes who faithfully and honorably served in the armed forces. Values: We value the service Georgia's veterans have provided client in court. The necessity for personal assistance in filing and pursuing claims and in maintaining a continuing information program results from the legal principle that veterans benefits are not awarded automatically all must be applied for. The VA pays a division. The Claims Division's mission is to process claims and to our nation and our state in the armed forces of our nation and the freedoms we all enjoy because of that service. We value the ongoing partnership our state has with the VA to provide assistance and service to Georgia's veterans and their families. veteran exactly what he or she applies for when they are entitled, and no more. The aim of the appeals of Georgia veterans. Department of Veterans Service is to obtain for a The Field Offices, located throughout the veteran or dependents the benefits to which they state, provide direct assistance to veterans at are entitled, to tell them when they are entitled, the local level. The department representatives and to assist them in gathering and preparing provide counsel and assist veterans in gathering evidence needed to justify a claim and prove the documents and information required to their entitlement. support their claims. The advancing age of Korean and Vietnam The veterans nursing homes provide skilled War veterans, and the frequent changes that nursing care to Georgia's war veterans who need occur in veterans benefits legislation, will those services. necessitate the continuance of a variety of The veterans cemeteries provide final veterans programs in the years ahead. resting places for Georgia's veterans and their As Congress continues to seek ways to spouses and serve as shrines to their memory and reduce the deficit, veterans benefits will continue their service to our nation. to be in a state of flux. The Information Division's mission is to This means veterans will continue to keep Georgia veterans informed about these need assistance in interpreting the changes and issues. determining how they impact their personal The uninformed may be prone to use the situation. Department Functions Effectuate and carry out the laws of the state pertaining to veterans. Inform veterans, their dependents, and survivors as to their rights and benefits under federal and state legislation, or local ordinances. Assist veterans, their dependents, and their beneficiaries in the preparation, presentation, proof, and establishment of such claims, privileges, rights and other benefits accruing to them under federal, state, and local laws. Report any evidence of incompetence, dishonesty, or negligence on the part of any employee dealing with veterans' affairs. Do everything possible to promote and protect the rights of Georgia's veterans under federal and state law. Apply for and accept gifts, grants, and other contributions from the federal government or from any other governmental units. Construct and operate nursing homes and personal care homes for the benefit of eligible war veterans. Construct and operate state veterans cemeteries for the benefit of eligible veterans and their dependents. Advise the Governor, the Board of Veterans Service, and the General Assembly as to needed veterans' legislation. Maintain files on all veterans who have filed claims for veterans' benefit through the department. Conduct educational programs by personal appearances before veterans' organizations, service clubs, fraternal groups and other such organizations so as to acquaint the public generally with the work of the department. Make representatives of the department available throughout the state to assist all veterans, their dependents, and survivors in preparing and filing claims for benefits and to acquaint them with all legal rights and privileges. Cooperate with all national, state, and local governmental and private agencies, securing or offering services or any benefits to veterans and their dependents. Assist and cooperate with all veterans' organizations in their work. As State Approving Authority, enter into contracts with the federal government for the qualifications, approval, certification, and supervision of educational institutions and training establishments applying for or participating in federal programs for educating and training veterans. Assist other states in securing evidence for claims. Promote enlargement and improvement of VA hospital facilities in the state. Sponsor observance of Veterans Day in the state. Certify eligibility for veterans' drivers licenses and honorary drivers' license. Certify eligibility for disabled veterans' discount at Department of Natural Resources facilities. Issue Certificates of Exemption from payment of business license tax to qualified veterans. Assist qualified veterans in obtaining honorary hunting and fishing licenses. Assist in obtaining special motor vehicle license plates for certain veterans: Medal of Honor and Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners-of-war, handicapped and disabled veterans, and retired military personnel. Veterans Education and Training Division (State Approving Agency) By law, the Georgia Department of Veterans Service is designated as the State Approving Agency, responsible for approving and supervising all institutions and establishments in Georgia, which offer education and training under the provisions of the Veterans Educational Assistance Program. The State Approving Agency has the function of ensuring that approved institutions and establishments meet and maintain acceptable standards so that eligible persons who attend may receive educational assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This includes all public and private schools and all establishments offering apprenticeship and other on-the-job training. The satisfactory performance of these duties requires extensive knowledge in education administration and understanding the laws and regulations that govern and control the Veterans Educational Assistance Program. Georgia veterans enrolled in college degree and professional programs, technical career programs, vocational programs, to include flight training and on-the-job training programs exceeded 21,000 during 2010. The Montgomery GI Bill education program, initiated in 1985, remains a great success. This program expanded the veterans education benefits program to include vocational, technical, flight, correspondence, and apprenticeship training for reservists and veterans. "The Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008," the newest education benefit program expanded the benefits available to certain service members and veterans with active duty military service after September 11, 2001. This GI Bill program was implemented on August 1, 2009. More than 12,000 Georgia veterans used this GI Bill during 2010. Congress passed the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 and it was signed by the president. This bill makes significant improvements such as adding OJT/Apprenticeship and Non-College degree schools, Vocational schools and Flight schools to what is covered under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The changes will be effective August 1, 2011. This new GI Bill has been described as "the most comprehensive education benefits package since the original GI Bill was signed into law in 1944." For veterans qualified at the 100% tier, the program pays tuition and fees to the school and pays a housing allowance and book stipend to the student. The Department of Defense has approved a "Transferability of Education Benefits" option for the Post 9/11 GI Bill. This is a DOD retention program requiring active duty veterans to commit to a four year extension to their six year active duty commitment. DOD eligibility requirements must be met. In 2010, the approval of educational institutions and training establishments for the education of Georgia veterans result in the processing of 7,000 individual actions in the approval, re-approval, withdrawal and compliance survey process. The State Approving Agency also conducted regular inspection visits to ensure that approval criteria and schools' standards of progress are being followed as prescribed by law. During 2010, personnel assigned to the Veterans Educational and Training Division conducted about 560 visits for the purpose of approval, re-approval, inspection and compliance surveys. Currently, the department monitors more than 1,250 educational institutions and training establishments. In 2010, SDVS continued to expand opportunities for Georgia veterans to receive their Education Benefits while enrolled in approved On-The-Job Training (OJT) and Apprenticeship programs. For more information on all GI Bill programs go to: www.gibill.va.gov. Information Division The Information Division collects, evaluates, and disseminates information to veterans regarding benefits changes in communication program, the Division keeps the field offices informed about changes in the law and policy interpretations that impact veterans. laws, and proper procedures to be followed in The Information Division maintains the the filing of claims. department website, www.sdvs.georgia.gov, When appropriate, the division mails news which contains news releases, information about and information releases concerning veterans Commissioner Wheeler, state veterans benefits, affairs to newspapers, the Georgia War radio and television Veterans Nursing stations throughout Home in Augusta, Georgia. the Georgia War The releases Veterans Home in are used to inform Milledgeville, the veterans about Georgia Veterans the latest changes Memorial Cemeteries regarding veterans affairs and to provide facebook.com/iGngleMnainlvvleidlelgee,tvlosilclvaetiaconnds information on the of the Field Offices, status of proposed or and approved OJT/ pending legislation Apprenticeships which may affect facilities. them. In 2010, in Field personnel promote the department and an effort to expand the department's digital the services it provides by their frequent contacts outreach, the Information Division launched a with the news media in their respective areas. social media initiative. Public speaking forums are an important Veterans, their families, and all others ingredient of the department's overall interested in veteran-related news are encouraged information program. All department personnel to follow @gavetsvc on Twitter, where the are encouraged to accept speaking engagements department is leveraging the social media service at meetings of veterans organizations and civic to share the latest news of the day as it happens. clubs. These personal appearances provide Those interested in more in-depth news excellent opportunities for telling the veterans and a chance to interact with other veterans and benefits story. Department personnel also veteran advocates are encouraged to "like" the participate in local radio talk shows and make Georgia Department of Veterans Service's page presentations at local schools. on Facebook, www.facebook.com/gavetsvc. The Information Division compiles, edits, As the department's presence on Twitter and publishes a series of pamphlets explaining and Facebook expands, www.sdvs.georgia. in detail the various benefits available to gov will remain the source of official Georgia veterans, their dependents, and survivors. These Department of Veterans Service information, pamphlets are updated as changes occur in laws, while it is envisioned that these social media regulations, or benefits. outlets will be used for sharing more general Through an aggressive internal news and events of interest to Georgia veterans. facebook.com/gavetsvc twitter.com/gavetsvc GWVNH-Augusta The Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home (GWVNH) in Augusta is a 192-bed skilled nursing care facility located adjacent to the campus of the Georgia Health Sciences University, formally known as the Medical College of Georgia. The facility is also adjacent to the Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center. It is operated under an interagency agreement between the Georgia Department of Veterans Service and the Georgia Health Sciences University. Primarily, the facility provides medical and nursing services to Georgia's aged and infirmed veterans. GWVNH also serves as a teaching facility to acquaint medical, pharmacy and allied health students with the medical conditions and diseases of the aged. This provides students with practical experience and helps them gain expertise in treating the disabled and the elderly. In addition, the facility also houses a Georgia Department of Veterans Service field office that serves veterans of Richmond and Columbia counties. Dedicated in 1969, the facility was the first of its kind in the nation to be built with financial grant assistance from the federal government. It is one of a select group of such institutions that is accredited by the Joint Commission. In fiscal year 2010, the nursing home provided 61,301 days of care to Georgia's veterans with an average age of 80. During the year, there were 205 admissions and 219 discharges with an average length of stay 10 of 239 days. Services to patients included 4626 physical therapy treatments and 3681 individual occupational therapy procedures. Veteran patients were treated by a medical director and family medicine residents providing daily physician coverage. Other services were provided by a certified activities therapist and staff, two facility social workers and a staff of registered, licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants. To help provide care and treatment, the federal government through the Department of Veterans Affairs provided financial assistance totaling in excess of $4.9 million during 2010. Major renovations to the facility, started in 2009, were completed in 2010 with improved facilities for patients and staff. Patient bathrooms, congregate baths, the dining room, and the kitchen were all renovated. Additionally, the nursing stations were redesigned and renovated to promote and privacy of patient information. With donations made to the patient benefit fund from the Georgia Department of the American Legion's Commanders' Joint Project, patient alcoves on each nursing unit were renovated to provide private visiting areas and telephone access for veterans and their families. Throughout the year, veteran service organizations, civic and fraternal organizations and religious groups demonstrated their concern for the well being of veteran patients through numerous donations, visits, and sponsorship of frequent activities for GWVNH residents. GWVH-Milledgeville TheGeorgiaWarVeteransHome, situated on approximately 17 acres in the central Georgia city of Milledgeville, is a 550-bed facility licensed and certified to provide skilled nursing care to aged and infirm Georgia war veterans. United Veteran Services of Georgia, Inc., a subsidiary of UHS-Pruitt Corporation of Norcross, Georgia, operates the home for the Department of Veterans Service under a contractual agreement. The home operated three skilled nursing care facilities in 2010, which included the Richard B. Russell Building with 126 budgeted beds; the Joe T. Wood Building with 150 budgeted beds; and the Alzheimer's Wing of the Pete Wheeler Building with 20 budgeted beds. Due to fiscal constraints, the 105-bed Carl Vinson Building has temporarily suspended operations. The plan is to reopen it as soon as the economy improves and the home returns to normal operations. The Georgia Department of Veterans Service field office serving Baldwin, Hancock, Putnam, Washington, and Wilkinson counties is housed on the first floor of the Vinson Building. Veteran related contacts for this field office totaled 16,210 for 2010. This office also serves the 300 veterans of the Georgia War Veterans Home by assisting with compensation and pension claims, counseling services and family related issues. Construction projects for 2010 consisted of life safety and electrical upgrades to the Vinson Building ($315,000) and the Wood Building ($630,144). The Office of Regulatory Services of the Georgia Department of Human Resources conducted an unannounced licensure survey of each skilled nursing unit of the home in February and found no deficiencies. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs conducted its annual survey of the home in May, and the home was determined to be in compliance with VA standards. The VA certified the home for continued operation as a state veterans home. The veteran patients at the home received 93,581 days of skilled nursing care. The nursing home admitted 40 patients and had 17 discharges in 2010. The average length of stay for current skilled veteran patients is 958 days. Federal assistance in funding a portion of the cost of providing care to veterans in the home amounted to $7,633,642.93. As in previous years, many veterans service organizations, civic and church groups, continued their sponsorship of numerous activities such as movies, games, dance parties, bingo, picnics, and other activities and programs for the general well-being of the veteran patients at the home. Groups and individuals that comprised the equivalent of 1,903 individual volunteers providing in excess of 4,510 hours of time valued at over $67,650.00 presented over 638 activities during the year. The value of in-kind donations made available to the home was $52,643.54. Groups and individuals also provided direct monetary donations of $30,028.04 in the year. 11 GVMC-Milledgeville The GeorgiaVeteransMemorial Cemetery at Milledgeville is located approximately 5 miles south of downtown Milledgeville along Georgia Highway 112. This cemetery, established on 142 acres the Georgia Department of Veterans Service received from the Georgia Forestry Commission, includes an administration/visitor center with a state of the art information booth, a committal chapel, a carillon, and 12 columbarium shelters for cremations. Cemetery grounds also include a six-acre lake and a three-acre, multi-tier walled ceremonial area available for use by veterans organizations on remembrance days, such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day. In September 2010 construction was started on Phase II of the cemetery. This phase encompasses about 10 acres and will add approximately 1,300 casketed burial plots and 600 cremation plots in the cemetery. Completion of this phase is projected for May 2011. The cemetery will eventually be the final resting place for more than 100,000 eligible veterans, their spouses and eligible dependents. There were 213 burials in 2010, making the total-to-date 1,533 veterans, spouses, and dependents buried at the GVMC. The burials are composed of 1,075 casketed burials, 259 cremations in the columbarium, 183 in-ground cremations, and 16 memorial markers. In April 2010 the GVMC gave a presentation to the Macon Chapter of National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE). Approximately 30 people attended. Flags were placed on all burial sites at the front entrance in recognition of Memorial Day. A Memorial Day ceremony held on May 31, 2010 and was co-hosted by the Georgia Forestry Commission. Mr. Robert Farris of the Georgia Forestry Commission and Mr. Dan Holtz of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service dedicated a tree to the memory of Georgia Veterans. Crepe myrtle seedlings were given out to all the approximately 150 attendees. The cemetery placed flags at the front entrance in recognition of Flag Day on June 14, 2010, for Independence Day on July 4, 2010, and additional flags on each gravesite in recognition of Veterans Day on November 11, 2010. In October the GVMC participated in the Governor's Award for Customer Service Program and received an award for Team Excellence for 2010. On December 11, 2010, the cemetery hosted its fifth annual Wreaths Across America ceremony honoring our past and present military. Seven wreaths were presented honoring each branch of our Armed Forces, Merchant Marines and POW/MIA. The ceremony included members of the Patriot Guard Riders, an Honor Detail from Georgia Army National Guard, and representatives of each branch of service. Approximately 150 people attended the ceremony. The Worcester Wreath Company provided the seven wreaths for the ceremony. The GVMC received approximately 150 wreaths from donations to the cemetery. These wreaths were place on the gravesites by attendees following the ceremony. Cemetery staff members remain active in the local community by meeting frequently with business groups, veterans organizations, and church groups. The cemetery staff also provided an information display at the Department's annual Supermarket of Veterans Benefits held in Valdosta, Georgia this year. 12 GVMC-Glennville The Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery Glennville is situated on the 42.6- acre site of the former Dyess Farm, just north of the Glennville, Georgia city limits. It is located along U.S. Highway 301, 25 miles west of the main post of Fort Stewart. The initial 26-acre phase of the cemetery contains 1,400 pre-placed inground double vaults, for eligible veterans, their spouses, and eligible dependents; 766 conventional single-depth sites; 1,384 cremation internment sites, which include a columbarium and in-ground sites; and 429 spaces for memorial markers. These memorial markers are placed in memory of those veterans whose remains are unavailable for burial. A key feature of the cemetery is the colocation of the Glennville Veterans Service Office in the Administration Building and Visitor Center. This office provides assistance to veterans and their families with applications for veterans benefits and claims. The office provides service to veterans and their families in Bryan, Liberty, Long, Tattnall, and Wayne counties. GVMC Glennville was dedicated on November 28, 2007 and will eventually be the final resting place for more than 21,000 veterans and their spouses and eligible dependents. As of December 31, 2010, there were 290 veterans, spouses, and family members interred in the cemetery. During the past year, Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery Glennville hosted its annual Memorial Day ceremony to honor veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service of our country. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the Glennville American Legion post and the Glennville Veterans of Foreign Wars post. Cemetery Director Richard Dunlop was the guest speaker for the ceremony. He took the opportunity to thank the veterans and local community for their support of the cemetery. As a retired Army veteran, he also took the time to express to the crowd the importance of Memorial Day and remembering those that have served this great country. Also speaking during the program were Georgia District 19 Senator Tommie Williams and Georgia District 165 Representative Al Williams. Over 125 attended the ceremony. For Veterans Day, the Glennville Rotary Club and the Glennville Chamber of Commerce placed flags at the grave markers of the veterans interred in the cemetery. Effective November 1, 2010, Mr. Dunlop retired with over 14 years of service. He was the cemetery's first director, beginning his service during its construction phase. He was succeeded by Mr. Ernie Cowart. In December, the Bonaventure Children of the American Revolution Society sponsored a Wreaths Across America ceremony to place wreaths at all the interment sites in the cemetery. The Air Force JROTC of Effingham County High School took part in the ceremony and provided the color guard. A bugler from Bugles Across America provided a live version of Taps. More than 100 people attended the ceremony and then helped place wreaths at the graves. Cemetery staff members remain active in the local community by meeting frequently with business groups, veterans organizations, and other various groups. The cemetery staff provided an information display and participated in the annual Supermarket of Veterans Benefits, held in Valdosta, Georgia. 13 SDVS Statistical Report Contacts.........................................................567,836 New Case Files...................................................31,673 Hearings...............................................................401 Letters Written......................................................22,913 Compensation and Pension.......................................33,013 Education............................................................2,037 Medical............................................................19,123 Insurance.............................................................1,410 Loans...............................................................32,884 Powers of Attorney...............................................17,330 Changes of Address................................................1,816 Notices of Disagreement and Appeals Filed....................5,302 Vocational Rehabilitation............................................945 VA Claims Folders Reviewed...................................30,399 Driver Licenses.....................................................................8,042 Business Licenses......................................................243 Nursing Home Applications..........................................430 License Plates.......................................................1,298 Natural Resources..................................................2,437 Tax Exemptions....................................................1,070 Preference Points......................................................544 Welfare Assistance/Social Security..............................4,051 Miscellaneous Personal Affairs.................................19,028 Other Forms and Evidence.....................................254,726 14 Statistical Report Definitions Below is an explanation of the terms described in the report (opposite) of the number of cases and types of services rendered by the Georgia Department of Veterans Service during 2010. CONTACTS: Requests for service or information (in person, by telephone or by letter). NEW CASE FILES: Cases brought to the attention of the Veterans Service Department for assistance requiring representation. LETTERS WRITTEN: Outgoing correspondence originated in the Department on behalf of claimants in developing their claims. COMPENSATION AND PENSION: Claims for monetary benefits submitted by veterans, their dependents or survivors. EDUCATION: Applications for educational assistance for the veterans and/or wives, widows and children of veterans. MEDICAL: Applications for treatment of a medical or dental condition; for admission to health care facilities; and vocational rehabilitation. INSURANCE: An application for insurance, conversion, reinstatement, waiver of premiums, total disability income and death proceeds. HOME LOAN APPLICATION: Applications for direct home loans from the VA and guaranteed loans from private lenders. POWERS OF ATTORNEY: The appointment of a service organization as a claimant's representative. NOTICES OF DISAGREEMENT AND APPEALS FILED: Written briefs and statements prepared in support of a claim where there is disagreement with the VA decision rendered. VA CLAIMS FOLDERS REVIEWED: Claims obtained from the VA adjudication division and reviewed and rating boards conducted by claims staff personnel. DRIVERS LICENSES: Certificates issued to veterans, their spouses, or to widows or widowers of veterans for obtaining a veteran's or honorary driver's license. BUSINESS LICENSES: Certificates issued to certain disabled veterans exempting them from the payment of business license taxes. OTHER FORMS AND EVIDENCE: Documents completed and transmitted in support of applications filed for claims. MISCELLANEOUS: Assisting in arrangements for military funerals, burial in national cemeteries, obtaining flags and grave markers, ambulance service, guardianship for incompetent veterans and orphans; replacement of lost or destroyed discharges and military records; review and change of discharges and military records; employment, reemployment, civil service preference, social security, welfare and related benefits; claims from the field reviewed and released to the VA; actions pertaining to DV auto tags, hunting and fishing licenses, tax exemptions, state park discount cards and change of addresses; vocational rehabilitation; and nursing home applications. 15 SDVS Financial Report For the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2010 FUNDS AVAILABLE BUDGET ACTUAL State Appropriation Federal Revenues Other Funds 19,816,805 15,869,973 2,375,893 38,062,671 19,243,015 15,771,217 2,375,893 37,390,125 EXPENDITURES BUDGET ACTUAL Personal Services Regular Operating Expenses Real Estate Rentals Telecommunications Equipment Contractual Services Capital Outlay Payments to Medical College of Georgia Projects and Insurance Other 6,656,292 457,830 234,683 162,469 7,522 17,021,857 2,375,893 11,008,798 117,327 20,000 6,568,042 389,579 234,576 160,483 6,975 16,823,976 2,375,893 10,839,202 70,099 2,033 38,062,671 37,470,858 16 VA Monetary Benefits & Definitions Listed below is a report of the monetary benefits received by the veterans and the dependent survivors of deceased veterans in Georgia during fiscal year 2010 (October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010). The figures were provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Compensation and Pension $1,722,943,000 Medical & Construction $1,228,167,000 Insurance and Indemnities $49,478,000 Education and Vocational Rehabilitation $372,060,000 General Operating Expenses $126,946,000 Total $3,499,594,000 Compensation and Pension: Represents returns in dollars for veterans compensation for service-connected disability, compensation for service-connected deaths for veterans dependents, veterans dependency and indemnity compensation for service-connected deaths, pensions for nonservice connected disability for veterans, pensions to veterans surviving spouses and children, and burial expenses allowance for veterans. Insurance: Estimate of VA payment of death claims, mature endowments, dividends, cash surrender payments, total disability income provision payments, and total permanent disability benefits payments. The data is provided by the VA Regional Office and Insurance Center in Philadelphia. The estimate is based on statistical allocations using the veteran population to disperse amounts to geographical locations. Readjustment and Vocational Rehabilitation: Represents returns in dollars for automobiles and adaptive equipment for certain disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces, specially adapted housing for disabled veterans, dependents education assistance (Chapter 35), vocational rehabilitation for disabled veterans (Chapter 31), post-Vietnam Era veterans educational assistance (Chapter 32), and the Montgomery G.I. Bill for Selected Reserves (Chapter 106). General Operating Costs: Amount spent by the VA to operate the regional office, hospitals, nursing and domiciliary facilities and clinics in Georgia. 17 18 19 20 21 SDVS Year in Review Vietnam Veterans Day at State Capitol VA Funds Phase Two of GVMC at Milledgeville Official opening of VARO-VAMC Pedestrian Bridge Georgia Veterans Day Parade in Atlanta Veterans Day Parade in Thomasville Governor recognizes SDVS Customer Service Excellence Highlights 22 SDVS Year in Review Governor Perdue's Veterans Day Proclamation Signing 23 SDVS Year in Review Supermarket of Veterans Benefits in Valdosta 24 SDVS Year in Review Supermarket of Veterans Benefits in Valdosta 25 SDVS Year in Review Blairsville Waycross Brunswick VA Clinic Dedications 26 SDVS Year in Review "Play it Again Pete" Golf Tournament 27 Georgia's Veterans Service Organizations In rendering service to the veterans of Georgia, the Department of Veterans Service works closely with the state's veterans organizations and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This Department sincerely appreciates the leaders of the veterans organizations in Georgia, who so generously give their time, energy, and expertise in conducting the Department Commanders Conference. The group meets periodically and when called upon, and advises and assists this Department in its group activities. The Department also appreciates the auxiliary presidents of Georgia veterans organizations for their cooperation and assistance in programs and activities. As in years past, Commissioner Wheeler or key staff members participated in their annual state conventions presenting information to delegates about ongoing SDVS activities and issues that impact Georgia veterans. C2o0n1v0 eDnAtiVonN,aAttiloannatla 2010 Jewish War Veterans National Convention, Savannah 28 Georgia's VSO Leadership American Ex-Prisoners of War Ray Reierson of Savannah State Commander www.axpow.org The American Legion Charlie Tucker of Marietta State Commander Lola Harper of Jackson Auxiliary President www.galegion.org AMVETS Chester Wright of Valdosta State Commander Eve Wright of Dublin Auxiliary President www.amvets.org/georgia.html Blinded Veterans Association Joesph McNeil of Columbus State President www.grgbva.org Disabled American Veterans Michael Dover of Ellerslie State Commander Ann Wilner of North Augusta, SC Auxiliary President www.georgia-dav.org GA Federal/Military Retiree Coalition Bill Douglas of Warner Robins State President www.georgiamoaa.org/GFMRC Georgia Vietnam Veterans Alliance Marvin Myers of Doraville President www.gvva.org Jewish War Veterans of America Joseph Kraut of Fairmount State Commander Shirley Rich of Atlanta Auxiliary President www.jwv.org Marine Corps League E.B. Stollenwerck of Macon Commandant, Dept. of Georgia www.mcldeptofga.org Military Officers Association of America Dan Holtz of Douglasville State President www.georgiamoaa.org Military Order of the Purple Heart James Yancey of Fort Valley State Commander Diane G. Jenkins of Augusta Auxiliary President www.purpleheart.org Reserve Officers Association Judy Dougherty of Tyrone State President www.roa.org Veterans of Foreign Wars Leonard Ott of Jonesboro State Commander Penny Bowers of Blackshear Auxiliary President www.gavfw.org Vietnam Veterans of America Lionel Marmolejo of Savannah State President www.vvageorgia.com 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 SDVS Directory Dalton LaFayette Blairsville Clarkesville Toccoa Rome Canton Cartersville Cedertown Gainesville Hartwell Elberton Athens Atlanta Carrollton Newnan LaGrange Thomaston Atlanta VAMC Conyers Griffin Washington Greensboro Augusta Waynesboro Milledgeville Macon Columbus Warner Robins Dublin Swainsboro Statesboro Americus Cordele Eastman McRae Lyons Glennville Savannah Albany Tifton Bainbridge Moultrie Thomasville Waycross Valdosta Brunswick St. Marys Veterans Service Field Office VSO/Veterans Nursing Home VSO/Veterans Cemetery VSO/Home/Cemetery 54 SDVS Directory GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICE CENTRAL OFFICE Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, Suite E-966, 2 Martin Luther King, Jr., Atlanta, GA 30334-4800 sdvs.georgia.gov facebook.com/gavetsvc twitter.com/gavetsvc COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE Pete Wheeler Commissioner Mary Aukerman Confidential Secretary aukerman@vs.state.ga.us 404-656-2300 404-656-2312 404-657-9738 PUBLIC INFORMATION DIVISION Brian Zeringue Director Jon Suggs PR & Info Specialist gavetsvc@vs.state.ga.us jsuggs@vs.state.ga.us 404-656-5933 404-656-5933 404-656-7006 404-656-7006 ADMINISTRATION, HEALTH & MEMORIALS Dan Holtz Rene Loftus Ava Gay-Ingram Asst Commissioner Budget Specialist Administrative Assistant dholtz@vs.state.ga.us arloftus@vs.state.ga.us aingram@vs.state.ga.us ACCOUNTING Chris Hambright Executive Accountant April Dodgen Accountant clhambri@vs.state.ga.us adodgen@vs.state.ga.us 404-656-2307 404-656-7439 404-656-2305 404-656-5896 404-463-0324 404-656-7006 404-656-7006 404-656-7006 404-656-7006 404-656-7006 OPERATIONS DIVISION Rick Graham Director rgraham@vs.state.ga.us 404-463-3076 404-656-7006 HUMAN RESOURCES Wonda Jones HR Generalist wfjones@vs.state.ga.us 404-463-3076 404-656-7006 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY William Wilson Sys Administrator wcwilson@vs.state.ga.us 404-657-4110 404-656-7006 LOGISTICS Brian Smith Proc & Supply Spec bosmith@vs.state.ga.us 404-656-5893 404-656-7006 RECORDS MANAGEMENT Barbara Beedles Renee Byrd Erica Minor (open) Senior Clerk Senior Clerk Clerk 2 Clerk 2 bcausey@vs.state.ga.us rbyrd@vs.state.ga.us enminor@vs.state.ga.us 404-463-3079 404-463-3077 404-463-3076 404-651-6947 404-651-6947 404-651-6947 55 SDVS Directory HEALTH & MEMORIALS DIVISION Georgia War Veterans Home, D-135, Wheeler Building, 2249 Vinson Highway, Milledgeville, 31059-0741 Ernie Simons Jenelle Moore Director Administrative Assistant esimons@vs.state.ga.us jmoore@vs.state.ga.us 478-445-2544 478-445-2544 478-445-0828 478-445-0828 GEORGIA VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY GLENNVILLE 8819 US Hwy 301, Glennville, 30427 Ernie Cowart Director ecowart@vs.state.ga.us Stacy Howard Asst. Director showard@vs.state.ga.us Tommy Waters Maint Supervisor twaters@vs.state.ga.us Wallace Brannen Maint / Hvy Equip Op wbrannen@vs.state.ga.us William C. Tackett Maint / Hvy Equip Op 912-654-5398 912-654-5398 912-654-5398 912-654-5398 912654-2963 912654-2963 912654-2963 912654-2963 GEORGIA VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY at MILLEDGEVILLE 2617 Vinson Highway, Milledgeville, 31061 Russ Feagin Director rfeagin@vs.state.ga.us 478-445-3363 Wade Forehand Asst. Director wforehand@vs.state.ga.us 478-445-3363 William Lester Maint Supervisor wlester@vs.state.ga.us 478-445-3363 Valynsky Calhoun Maint / Hvy Equip Op vcalhoun@vs.state.ga.us 478-445-3363 Joel Lowery Maint / Hvy Equip Op jlowery@vs.state.ga.us 478-445-3363 478-445-3360 478-445-3360 478-445-3360 478-445-3360 478-445-3360 GEORGIA WAR VETERANS HOME MILLEDGEVILLE 2249 Vinson Highway, Milledgeville, 31062 gwvh.org Wylene Bloodworth Executive Director Hudie Langston Associate Director Charolet Medlin Office Manager Verdine Young Admissions Coord wbloodworth@uhs-pruitt.com 478-445-6821 hlangston@uhs-pruitt.com 478-445-4386 cmedlin@uhs-pruitt.com 888-453-6836 vyoung@uhs-pruitt.com 478-445-4295 478-445-1701 478-445-5113 478-445-5190 478-445-5583 GEORGIA WAR VETERANS NURSING HOME 1101 15th Street, Augusta, 30901-3196 georgiawarveteranshome.org Charles Esposito Carla Wooten Karen Yonce Ramona Little Julia Eveker Executive Director Associate Director Admin Associate Business Svc Director Director Admissions cesposit@mail.mcg.edu cwooten@mail.mcg.edu kyonce@mcg.edu rlittle@mcg.edu jeveker@mcg.edu 706-721-2531 706-721-2531 706-721-2531 706-721-2637 706-721-2405 706-721-3892 706-721-3892 706-721-3892 706-721-4252 706-721-7530 VETERANS EDUCATION & TRAINING DIVISION (STATE APPROVING AGENCY) Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, Suite E-960, 2 Martin Luther King, Jr., Atlanta, GA 30334-4800 Main Office Larry Edwards Director saale@vs.state.ga.us Mary Griffin Secretary 3 saamag@vs.state.ga.us Bobby Davis Senior Coordinator saabjd@vs.state.ga.us Harry Stumpf Senior Coordinator saahds@vs.state.ga.us Mark Bannister Senior Coordinator saasmb@vs.state.ga.us Lily Snyder Coordinator saals@vs.state.ga.us 404-656-2306/2322 404-657-6276 404-463-3073 404-657-6276 404-656-2306 404-657-6276 404-657-7992 404-657-6276 404-463-4267 404-657-6276 404-463-3075 404-657-6276 404-656-2322 404-657-6276 56 SDVS Directory FIELD OPERATIONS & CLAIMS Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, Suite E-966, 2 Martin Luther King, Jr., Atlanta, GA 30334-4800 Tom Cook Asst Commissioner tcook@vs.state.ga.us 404-656-2305 404-656-7006 Ava Gay-Ingram Administrative Assistant aingram@vs.state.ga.us 404-656-2305 404-656-7006 NORTH GEORGIA REGION Griffin Field Service Office Mike Roby Regional Manager 883 Memorial Drive, Griffin, 30223 mroby@vs.state.ga.us 404-401-8943 770-467-6099 SOUTH GEORGIA REGION Valdosta Field Service Office Phil Youngblood Regional Manager 2841 North Patterson Street, Valdosta, 31602-1938 phil.youngblood@va.gov 229-293-0152 229-259-5583 CLAIMS DIVISION 1700 Clairmont Road, Decatur, 30033 Main Office 404-929-5345 Dan Cravey Director daniel.cravey@va.gov 404-929-5349 Debra Coleman Administrative Assistant debra.l.coleman@va.gov 404-929-5360 George Canavaggio Sr VCAO george.canavaggio@va.gov 404-929-5362 Mike Noles Sr VCAO mike.noles@va.gov 404-929-5356 James Reeves Sr VCAO james.reeves2@va.gov 404-929-5353 Herb Ward Sr VCAO herbert.ward1@va.gov 404-929-5350 Neil Slay Sr VCAO howard.slay@va.gov 404-929-5351 Joel Willis Sr VCAO joel.willis@va.gov 404-929-5355 Janice Eller VCAO 1 janice.eller@va.gov 404-929-5357 Deborah Jones VCAO 1 deborah.jones11@va.gov 404-929-5354 (open) VCAO 1 Deborah Clayton Secretary 2 deborah.clayton@va.gov 404-929-5361 Dairelle Shropshire Secretary 2 dairelle.shropshire@va.gov 404-929-5359 Garner Bracy Secretary 2 garner.bracy@va.gov 404-929-5358 404-929-5347 404-929-5347 404-929-5347 404-929-5347 404-929-5347 404-929-5347 404-929-5347 404-929-5347 404-929-5347 404-929-5347 404-929-5347 404-929-5347 404-929-5347 404-929-5347 ALBANY (South Region) 1303 West Broad Avenue, Albany, 31707 Sherri Whitfield Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) Milton Hayes VFSO 1 Roy Holton VFSO 1 Counties served: Dougherty, Lee, Terrell, Worth swhitfield@vs.state.ga.us mhayes@vs.state.ga.us rholton@vs.state.ga.us 229-430-1797 229-430-1798 229-430-1798 229-430-1796 229-430-1796 229-430-1796 AMERICUS (South Region) Counties served: Macon, Marion, Schley, Sumter, Webster 510 West Lamar Street, Suite 7, Americus, 31709 Melissa Ingle VFSO 2 (Office Mgr) mingle@vs.state.ga.us 229-931-2546 229-931-5151 ATHENS (North Region) 9249 Hwy 29, Suite D, Athens, 30601 Dale Bell Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) Ramona Roper VFSO 1 Counties served: Barrow, Clarke, Jackson, Madison, Oconee, Oglethorpe dbell@vs.state.ga.us rroper@vs.state.ga.us 706-369-5630 706-369-5631 706-369-5998 706-369-5998 57 SDVS Directory ATLANTA (Asst. Commissioner, FO&C) County served: Fulton 2 MLK Jr. Drive, Plaza Level, Suite E-367, Atlanta, 30334 Lenora Evans Fred Daniels (open) VFSO 2 (Office Mgr) VFSO 1 VFSO 1 levans@vs.state.ga.us fdaniels@vs.state.ga.us 404-656-5940 404-656-5940 404-657-1288 404-657-1288 ATLANTA VA MEDICAL CENTER (Claims) County served: DeKalb VA Medical Center, Room 1C204, 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, 30033-4004 VA Hospital 404-321-6111 x6357, x6359 Marilyn Ferguson Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) Roderica Stewart VFSO 1 Dennis Whitman VFSO 1 marilyn.ferguson@va.gov roderica.stewart@va.gov dennis.whitman@va.gov 404-728-7611 404-728-7611 404-728-7611 404-417-2918 404-417-2918 404-417-2918 AUGUSTA (North Region) 1101 15th Street, Augusta, 30901-3196 Beverly Lloyd Robert Smith Robert Pollard Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) VFSO 1 VFSO 1 Counties served: Columbia, Richmond blloyd@vs.state.ga.us rksmith@vs.state.ga.us rpollard@vs.state.ga.us 706-721-4301 706-721-4302 706-721-4302 706-721-6015 706-721-6015 706-721-6015 AUGUSTA VA MEDICAL CENTER (North Region) 950 15th Street, Room 2D-105C, PO Box 3692, Augusta, 30914 Barbara J. Johnson VFSO 2 (Office Mgr) bjjohnson@vs.state.ga.us 706-823-2218/3916706-823-1768 BAINBRIDGE (South Region) Counties served: Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Decatur, Early, Miller, 307 East Broughton Street, Bainbridge, 39817-4003 Quitman, Randolph, Seminole Craig Couturier Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) Terrie Hurst VFSO 1 ccouturier@vs.state.ga.us 229-248-2599 thurst@vs.state.ga.us 229-248-2663 229-243-5362 229-243-5362 BLAIRSVILLE (North Region) 1294 Hwy 515 East , Blairsville 30512 Robert Spaulding Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) Jonathan Ledford VFSO 1 Counties served: Fannin, Rabun, Towns, Union rspaulding@vs.state.ga.us 706-745-6341 jledford@vs.state.ga.us 706-745-6341 BRUNSWICK (South Region) Counties served: Camden, Columbus, Glynn, McIntosh 11 Judicial Lane, Suite 203, Brunswick, 31520 Tina Herring VFSO 2 (Office Mgr) therring@vs.state.ga.us 912-262-2345 912-261-3937 Mac Bollinger VFSO 1 mbollinger@vs.state.ga.us CANTON (North Region) Counties served: Cherokee, Cobb, Gilmer, Pickens 100 North Street, Suite G-20, Canton, 30114-2779 Rita Barnhart Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) rbarnhart@cherokeega.com 770-720-3538 770-704-2317 Christopher Modly VFSO 1 cmodly@cherokeega.com 770-720-6622 770-704-2317 Daphne Nicholls Secretary (P/T) 58 SDVS Directory CARROLLTON (North Region) Counties served: Carroll, Douglas 408 N. White St., Room 601, Carrollton, 30117 OPEN ONLY Wednesday and Thursday 8 to 4:30 Billy Robbins VFSO 1 (Office Mgr) brobbins@vs.state.ga.us 770-836-6760 770-836-6844 CARTERSVILLE (North Region) Counties served: Bartow, Paulding 320 West Cherokee Avenue, Room 105, Cartersville, 30120 Robert Turner Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) rmturner@vs.state.ga.us 770-387-3746 Mike Powell VFSO 1 mpowell@vs.state.ga.us 770-387-3746 770-387-4077 770-387-4077 CEDARTOWN (North Region) County served: Polk 142 West Avenue, Cedartown, 30125 OPEN ONLY Monday & Friday 8 to 4:30; Wednesday 8 to 12 Stephen Rood (P/T) VFSO 1 (Office Mgr) vdubl943@aol.com 770-749-2209 770-749-2266 CLARKESVILLE (North Region) 451 Roper Drive, Unit C, Clarksville, 30523 William Tucker Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) Randy Woodie VFSO 1 Counties served: Banks, Habersham, White wtucker@vs.state.ga.us awoodie@vs.state.ga.us 706-754-4316 706-754-9185 COLUMBUS (South Region) 1520 3rd Avenue, Suite 5, Columbus, 31901 Lionel Haynes David Floyd Cynthia Gilyard Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) VFSO 1 VSFO 1 Counties served: Chattahoochee, Muscogee, Stewart lhaynes@vs.state.ga.us dfloyd@vs.state.ga.us cgilyard@vs.state.ga.us 706-649-1264 706-649-1264 706-649-1264 706-649-1726 706-649-1726 706-649-1726 CONYERS (North Region) 983 Taylor Street, Conyers, 30012 Tommy Clack Mylene Brett Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) VFSO 2 Counties served: Newton, Rockdale, Walton tclack@vs.state.ga.us mbrett@vs.state.ga.us 770-388-5075 770-388-5075 770-785-6868 770-785-6868 CORDELE (South Region) Counties served: Crisp, Dooly, Wilcox 210 7th Street South, Room 204, Cordele 31015 David Foster VFSO 1 (Office Mgr) david.foster@crispcounty.com 229-276-2366 229-276-2734 DALTON (North Region) Counties served: Catoosa, Murray, Whitfield 305 Point North Place, Suite 7, Dalton, 30722-1104 Judy Johnson Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) jjohnson@vs.state.ga.us 706-272-2355 706-272-2335 Kelly Johnson VFSO 1 kjohnson@vs.state.ga.us 706-272-2355 706-272-2335 Hugh Downey VFSO 1 hdowney@vs.state.ga.us 706-272-2355 706-272-2335 59 SDVS Directory DUBLIN (South Region) Counties served: Johnson, Laurens, Treutlen Carl Vinson VAMC, Room 124-6, Ward 6A, 1826 Veterans Blvd., Dublin, 31021-3699 Cynthia M. Cooper VFSO 1 (Office Mgr) cynthia.cooper3@va.gov 478-272-4266 Christin Brown VFSO 1 christin.brown@va.gov 478-272-4266 478-274-7802 478-274-7802 EASTMAN (South Region) 636 Oak Street SE, Eastman, 31023 Counties served: Bleckley, Dodge, Pulaski (open) VFSO 1 (Office Mgr) 478-374-6977 478-374-6551 ELBERTON (North Region) County served: Elbert Elbert County Office Complex, 45 Forest Avenue, Elberton, 30635 Charles Hopkins VFSO 1 (Office Mgr) chopkins@vs.state.ga.us 706-213-2040 706-213-2094 GAINESVILLE (North Region) Counties served: Dawson, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall, Lumpkin 311 Green Street NW, Room 405, Gainesville, 30501-6060 Harry Evans Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) hevans@vs.state.ga.us Cynthia Hayes VFSO 1 chayes@vs.state.ga.us 770-531-6060 770-531-6060 770-531-6061 770-531-6061 GLENNVILLE (South Region) 8819 US Hwy 301, Glennville, 30427 Counties served: Bryan, Liberty, Long, Tattnall, Wayne Tonya Malpass Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) (open) VFSO 1 tmalpass@vs.state.ga.us 912-654-5159 x227 912-654-2963 GREENSBORO (North Region) County served: Greene 113 N. Main St., Suite 117, Greensboro, 30642 OPEN ONLY Tuesday and Friday 8 to 4:30 Sandra Mauldin VFSO 1 P/T smauldin@vs.state.ga.us 706-453-7455 706-453-9816 GRIFFIN (North Region) 883 Memorial Drive, Griffin, 30223 Artis Robinson Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) Willie Miles VFSO 1 Counties served: Butts, Fayette, Henry, Pike, Spalding, Talbot arobinson@vs.state.ga.us 770-412-4074 wmiles@vs.state.ga.us 770-412-4023 770-467-6099 770-467-6099 HARTWELL (North Region) County served: Hart 185 West Franklin Street, Courthouse Annex, Room 5, Hartwell, 30643-1594 Mike Partlow VFSO 2 (Office Mgr) mpartlow@vs.state.ga.us 706-376-4461 706-856-2737 LAFAYETTE (North Region) Counties served: Chattooga, Dade, Walker Judiciary Annex, 108-E Villanow Street, LaFayette, 30728-2519 Terry Roberson VFSO 1 (Office Mgr) troberson@vs.state.ga.us 706-638-5544 706-639-2046 60 SDVS Directory LAGRANGE (North Region) Counties served: Harris, Heard, Meriwether, Troup 2170 West Point Road, Suite 35, LaGrange, 30240 Mike Hudson Steve Horton Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) VFSO 1 mhudson@vs.state.ga.us shorton@vs.state.ga.us 706-845-4095 706-845-4095 706-845-4485 706-845-4485 LYONS (South Region) 126 West Grady Avenue, Lyons, 30436 Ann Hayes VFSO 1 (Office Mgr) Counties served: Montgomery, Toombs ahayes@vs.state.ga.us 912-526-8860 912-526-4285 MACON (North Region) Counties served: Bibb, Crawford, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Monroe, Twiggs 653 Second Street, Room 203, Macon, 31201-2817 Roger Freeman Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) Tracy Riley VFSO 1 rfreeman@vs.state.ga.us triley@vs.state.ga.us 478-751-3186 478-751-3187 478-751-6594 478-751-6594 MCRAE (South Region) 63 West Oak Street, McRae, 31055 Loran Bryant Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) Counties served: Appling, Coffee, Jeff Davis, Telfair, Wheeler OPEN ONLY Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 8 to 4:30 lbryant@vs.state.ga.us 229-868-6391 229-868-4972 MILLEDGEVILLE (North Region) Counties served: Baldwin, Hancock, Putnam, Washington, Wilkinson Georgia State War Veterans Home, Vinson Building, Milledgeville, 31059-0741 Melanie Kay-Lamb Senior VFSO (Mgr) gwvhvso1@windstream.net 478-445-4751 478-445-3139 Linda Lavender VFSO 1 gwvhvso2@windstream.net 478-445-6900 478-445-3139 MOULTRIE (South Region) Counties served: Colquitt, Mitchell 101 East Central Avenue, Room 127, Moultrie, 31768 April Welter VFSO 2 (Office Mgr) awelter@vs.state.ga.us 229-891-7135 229-891-7098 NEWNAN (North Region) Counties served: Coweta, Taylor 22 East Broad Street, Room 119, Newnan, 30264 Ken Mills Billy Robbins Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) VFSO 1 kmills@vs.state.ga.us brobbins@vs.state.ga.us 770-254-7260 770-836-6844 770-254-7339 770-254-7339 ROME (North Region) 201 Calhoun Avenue, Rome, 30161 Stan McCord Barry Hunter VFSO 1 (Office Mgr) VFSO 1 Counties served: Floyd, Gordon, Haralson smccord@vs.state.ga.us bhunter@vs.state.ga.us 706-295-6026 706-295-6280 706-802-5520 706-802-5520 61 SDVS Directory SAVANNAH (South Region) County served: Chatham Savannah VA Outpatient Clinic, 325 W. Montgomery Cross Roads, Savannah, 31406-3309 Jewel Middleton Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) Tisa Davis VFSO 1 Jacqueline Johnson VFSO 1 jewel.middleton-james@va.gov philippa.davis@va.gov jacqueline.johnson@va.gov 912-920-0214 x2194 912-921-2016 912-920-0214 x2193 912-920-0214 x2191 STATESBORO (Asst. Commissioner, FO&C) Counties served: Bulloch, Candler, Effingham, Evans, Jenkins, Screven 3A West Altman Street, Statesboro, 30458 Liz Hunnicutt (open) VFSO 2 (Office Mgr) VFSO 1 lhunnicutt@vs.state.ga.us 912-871-1104 912-871-1270 ST. MARYS COMMUNITY BASED OUTPATIENT CLINIC (South Region) 205 Lakeshore Point, St. Marys, 31558 OPEN ONLY Thursday 9 to 3:30 Tina Herring VFSO 2 (Office Mgr) therring@vs.state.ga.us 912-510-3440 912-510-3426 SWAINSBORO (Asst. Commissioner, FO&C) County served: Emanuel Emanuel County Office Building, 101 North Main Street, Room 3, Swainsboro, 30401 Tessa Gilmore VFSO 1 (Office Mgr) tgilmore@vs.state.ga.us 478-289-2617 478-289-2704 THOMASTON (North Region) County served: Upson 250 E. Lee St., Govt Admin Annex, Thomaston OPEN ONLY Third Wednesday each month 8 to 4:30 Ken Mills Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) kgmills2@juno.com 706-646-6035 THOMASVILLE (South Region) 101 South Broad Street, Thomasville, 31792 Larry Price Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) Counties served: Grady, Thomas jprice@vs.state.ga.us 229-225-4050 229-227-2418 TIFTON (South Region) 222 Chesnutt Avenue, Tifton, 31793-0534 Counties served: Ben Hill, Irwin, Tift, Turner James Bolduc (open) VFSO 2 (Office Mgr) VFSO 1 jbolduc@vs.state.ga.us 229-386-3856 TOCCOA (North Region) Counties served: Franklin, Stephens Courthouse Annex, Room 104, 12 W. Tugalo St. OPEN ONLY Tuesday and Thursday 8 to 4:30 William Tucker Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) wtucker@vs.state.ga.us 706-282-4525 229-391-6956 706-282-4800 VALDOSTA (South Region) Counties served: Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes 2841 North Patterson Street, Valdosta, 31602-1938 Ed Kent Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) james.kent3@va.gov 229-333-2178 229-259-5583 Janet S. Pajerowski VFSO 1 janet.pajerowski2@va.gov 229-333-2178 229-259-5583 62 SDVS Directory WARNER ROBINS (South Region) Counties served: Houston, Peach City Hall, Room 20, 700 Watson Boulevard, Warner Robins, 31093-3414 Vincent Pritchett Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) vpritchett@vs.state.ga.us 478-929-1126 478-929-1124 WASHINGTON (North Region) Counties served: Glascock, Jefferson, Lincoln, McDuffie, Morgan, Taliaferro, 104 East Liberty Street, Washington, 30673-1422 Waren, Wilkes Perry Morgan Jan Callaway Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) VFSO 2 gmorgan@vs.state.ga.us jcallaway@vs.state.ga.us 706-678-2821 706-678-3144 WAYCROSS (South Region) Counties served: Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Charlton, Clinch, Pierce, Ware 415 Lott Street, Waycross Pamela Naylor VFSO 2 (Office Mgr) pnaylor@vs.state.ga.us Open VFSO 1 WAYNESBORO (North Region) County served: Burke Burke County Office Park, Room 107, 715 West 6th Street, Waynesboro, 30830-0093 912-285-6340 912-285-6341 Carol Crawford VFSO 2 (Office Mgr) ccrawford@vs.state.ga.us 706-554-3874 706-554-4496 VA Contacts U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS va.gov facebook.com/veteransaffairs twitter.com/deptvetaffairs VA Regional Office Atlanta VA Medical Center Atlanta 1700 Clairmont Road, Decatur, 30033 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, 30033 800-827-1000 404-321-6111 Beneficiaries in Receipt of Pension Benefits 877-294-6380 Children of Women Vietnam Veterans (CWVV) 877-345-8179 Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) 800-733-8387 Debt Management Center (Collection of Non-Medical Debts) 800-827-0648 Direct Deposit 877-838-2778 Education 888-442-4551 Foreign Medical Program (FMP) 888-820-1756 Headstones and Markers (Status Check Only) 800-697-6947 Health Care 877-222-8387 Health Billing 866-393-9132 Home Loans 888-768-2132 Income Verification and Means Testing 800-929-8387 Life Insurance: Service Members and Veterans Group Life Insurance Program 800-419-1473 Life Insurance: All Other VA Life Insurance Programs 800-669-8477 Meds by Mail 866-229-7389 Special Issues: Gulf War/Agent Orange/Project Shad/Mustard Agents/Lewisite/Ionizing Radiation 800-749-8387 Spina Bifida Health Care Program 888-820-1756 Telecommunication Device for Deaf (TDD) 800-829-4833 Veterans Crisis Hotline 800-273-TALK NOTE: Listings for VA medical facilities in Georgia are listed inside the back cover of this publication. 63 SDVS Directory QUICK REFERNCE GUIDE BY COUNTY Appling 229-868-6391 Atkinson 912-285-6340 Bacon 912-285-6340 Baker 229-248-2599 Baldwin 478-445-4751 Banks 706-754-4316 Barrow 706-369-5630 Bartow 770-387-3746 Ben Hill 229-386-3856 Berrien 229-333-2179 Bibb 478-751-3186 Bleckley 478-374-6977 Brantley 912-285-6340 Brooks 229-333-2179 Bryan 912-654-5159 Bulloch 912-871-1104 Burke 706-554-3874 Butts 770-412-4074 Calhoun 229-248-2599 Camden 912-262-2345 Candler 912-871-1104 Carroll 770-836-6760 Catoosa 706-272-2355 Charlton 912-285-6340 Chatham 912-920-0214x12194 Chattahoochee 706-649-1264 Chattooga 706-638-5544 Cherokee 770-720-3538 Clarke 706-369-5630 Clay 229-248-2599 Clayton 404-656-5940 Clinch 912-285-6340 Cobb 770-720-3538 Coffee 229-868-6391 Colquitt 229-891-7135 Columbia 706-721-4301 Columbus 912-262-2345 Cook 229-333-2179 Coweta 770-254-7260 Crawford 478-751-3186 Crisp 229-276-2366 Dade 706-638-5544 Dawson 770-531-6060 Decatur 229-248-2599 DeKalb 404-728-7611 Dodge 478-374-6977 Dooly 229-276-2366 Dougherty 229-430-1797 Douglas 770-836-6760 Early 229-248-2599 Echols 229-333-2179 Effingham 912-871-1104 Elbert 706-213-2040 64 Emanuel Evans Fannin Fayette Floyd Forsyth Franklin Fulton Gilmer Glascock Glynn Gordon Grady Greene Gwinnett Hall Hancock Haralson Harris Hart Heard Henry Houston Irwin Jackson Jasper Jeff Davis Jefferson Jenkins Johnson Jones Lamar Lanier Laurens Lee Liberty Lincoln Long Lowndes Lumpkin Macon Madison Marion McDuffie McIntosh Meriwether Miller Mitchell Monroe Montgomery Morgan Murray Muscogee 478-289-2617 912-871-1104 706-745-6341 770-412-4074 706-295-6026 770-531-6060 706-282-4525 404-656-5940 770-720-3538 706-678-2821 912-262-2345 706-295-6026 229-225-4050 706-453-7455 706-754-4316 770-531-6060 478-445-4751 706-295-6026 706-845-4095 706-376-4461 706-845-4095 770-412-4074 478-929-1126 229-386-3856 706-369-5630 478-751-3186 229-868-6391 706-678-2821 912-871-1104 478-272-4266 478-751-3186 478-751-3186 229-333-2179 478-272-4266 229-430-1797 912-654-5159 706-678-2821 912-654-5159 229-333-2179 770-531-6060 229-931-2546 706-369-5630 229-931-2546 706-678-2821 912-262-2345 706-845-4095 229-248-2599 229-891-7135 478-751-3186 912-526-8860 706-678-2821 706-272-2355 706-649-1264 Newton Oconee Oglethorpe Paulding Peach Pickens Pierce Pike Polk Pulaski Putnam Quitman Rabun Randolph Richmond Rockdale Schley Screven Seminole Spalding Stephens Stewart Sumter Talbot Taliaferro Tattnall Taylor Telfair Terrell Thomas Tift Toombs Towns Treutlen Troup Turner Twiggs Union Upson Walker Walton Ware Warren Washington Wayne Webster Wheeler White Whitfield Wilcox Wilkes Wilkinson Worth 770-388-5075 706-369-5630 706-369-5630 770-387-3746 478-929-1126 770-720-3538 912-285-6340 770-412-4074 770-749-2209 478-374-6977 478-445-4751 229-248-2599 706-745-6341 229-248-2599 706-721-4301 770-388-5075 229-931-2546 912-871-1104 229-248-2599 770-412-4074 706-282-4525 706-649-1264 229-931-2546 770-412-4074 706-678-2821 912-654-5159 770-254-7260 229-868-6391 229-430-1797 229-225-4050 229-386-3856 912-526-8860 706-745-6341 478-272-4266 706-845-4095 229-386-3856 478-751-3186 706-745-6341 706-646-6035 706-638-5544 770-388-5075 912-285-6340 706-678-2821 478-445-4751 912-654-5159 229-931-2546 229-868-6391 706-754-4316 706-272-2355 229-276-2366 706-678-2821 478-445-4751 229-430-1797 VA Statistical Data 65 VA Statistical Data 66 VA Statistical Data 67 VA Statistical Data 68 VA Statistical Data 69 VA Statistical Data 70 Blairsville VA Medical System Rome Oakwood Smyrna Marietta Athens Lawrenceville Atlanta Decatur East Point Carrollton Stockbridge Newnan Augusta Milledgeville Macon Columbus Perry Dublin Statesboro Savannah Medical Center Medical Center/Vet Center Clinic Clinic/Vet Center Proposed Clinic Medical Centers Atlanta VA Medical Center 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA 30033 404-321-6111 or 800-944-9726 SDVS Field Office: 404-728-7611 Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center 1 Freedom Way, Augusta, GA 30904 706-733-0188 or 800-836-5561 SDVS Field Office: 706-823-2218 Carl Vinson VA Medical Center 1826 Veterans Blvd., Dublin, GA 31021 478-272-1210 or 800-595-5229 SDVS Field Office: 478-272-4266 Albany Hinesville Waycross Valdosta Brunswick St. Marys Vet Centers Atlanta 1440 Dutch Valley Place, Suite 1100, Box 55 Phone: 404-347-7264 Lawrenceville 930 River Centre Place Phone: 770-963-1809 Macon 750 Riverside Drive Phone: 478-477-3813 Marietta 40 Dodd St., Suite 700, Phone: 678-290-0772 Savannah 308-A Commercial Drive Phone: 912-652-4097 Health Clinics 526 W. Broad Ave., Albany, GA 31701 Phone: 229-446-9000 9249 Highway 29 South, Suite A, Athens, GA 30601 Phone: 706-227-4534 2041 Mesa Valley Way, Austell, GA 30082 Phone: 404-417-1760 1294 Highway 515 East, Suite 100, Blairsville, GA 30511 Phone: 404-329-2222; SDVS Field Office: 706-745-6341 1111 Glynco Parkway, Brunswick, GA 31525-7921 Phone: 912-261-2355; SDVS Field Office: 912-262-2345 1310 13th Ave., Columbus, GA 31906 Phone: 706-257-7200 755 Commerce Drive, 2nd Floor, Decatur, GA 30030 Phone: 404-417-5200 1513 Cleveland Ave., East Point, GA 30344 Phone: 404-321-6111, x2600 1970 Riverside Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30043 Phone: 404-417-1750 5398 Thomaston Road, Suite B, Macon, GA 31220 Phone: 478-476-8868 39-A Oak Hill Ct., Newnan, GA 30265 Phone: 404-329-2222 3931 Munday Mill Road, Oakwood, GA 30566 Phone: 404-728-8210 2370 S. Houston Lake Road, Perry, GA 31047 Phone: 478-224-1309 30 Chateau Drive SE, Rome, GA 30161 Phone: 706-235-6581 325 W. Montgomery Crossroads, Savannah, GA 31406 Phone: (912) 920-0214; SDVS Field Office: 912-921-3744 205 Lakeshore Point, St. Marys, GA 31558 Phone: 912-510-3420; SDVS Field Office: 912-510-3440 175 Medical Blvd., Stockbridge, GA 30281 Phone: 404-329-2222 2841 N. Patterson Street, Valdosta, GA 31602 Phone: 229-293-0132; SDVS Field Office: 229-333-2178 515B City Blvd., Waycross, GA 31501 Phone: 912-279-4400; SDVS Field Office: 912-285-6340 Veterans Crisis Hotline: 800-273-TALK Georgia Department of Veterans Service Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, Suite E-970 Atlanta, Georgia 30334-4800 facebook.com/gavetsvc twitter.com/gavetsvc sdvs.georgia.gov