2011 annual report

Georgia Department of Veterans Service
2011 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

April 16, 2012
Governor Nathan Deal Members of the General Assembly Members of the Veterans Service Board Citizens of the State of Georgia
Greetings:
Section 38-4-11 of the Code of Georgia reads:
"The Commissioner of Veterans Service shall furnish to the Governor, the members of the General Assembly, the Veterans Service Board, veterans' organizations and the public generally an annual report with reference to claims presented on behalf of veterans of this state, concerning veterans aided under federal, state, or local legislation, and to otherwise report activities and accomplishments of the Department of Veterans Service."
In compliance with the above section, I have the honor to present herewith the Annual Report of the Department of Veterans Service for the year 2011.

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 Year in Review................................................................................................22-31 State Veterans Organizations........................................................................32-33 Commendations...........................................................................................34-55 Directory.......................................................................................................56-63 VA Contacts.........................................................................................................63 SDVS Quick Reference Directory By County................................................64-65 VA Statistical Data.........................................................................................66-73 VA Medical System Information.........................................................................74
Department Organization

State Board of Veterans Service
Commissioner Department of Veterans Service
Director Public Information
Division

Assistant Commissioner Administration, Health and Memorials

Assistant Commissioner Field Operations and Claims

Fiscal Services

Director Operations Division

Director Claims Division

Accounting

Human Resources

Regional Manager North Georgia

Budget

Information Technology

Regional Manager South Georgia

Executive Director Georgia War Veterans
Nursing Home
Director Health and Memorials
Division

Records Management
Director Veterans Education and Training
Division

Executive Director Georgia War Veterans Home

Director Georgia Veterans Memorial
Cemetery -- Glennville

Director Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Milledgeville



Veterans Service Board

The Constitution of the State of Georgia specifies 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 appoints 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.

2011 Board Members

Rod Casey Fred T. Fincher, Sr. Ray Hendrix Shawn Hanley James K. Hussey, Jr. Pat Phillips Charles Edward "Eddie" Whitted

Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary Member Member Member Member

Valdosta LaGrange Statesboro Atlanta Appling Blairsville Blackshear

In Memoriam

Kenneth W. Birdsong
July 2, 1927 - February 19, 2011
Member, Board of Veterans Service, 2005-2011 Chairman, Board of Veterans Service, 2010-2011


"To Serve Those Who Have Served"

The mission of the Department of Veterans Service is to serve the 773,337 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 directly assisting and advising veterans and their families in securing the benefits to which they are entitled.

Missions: To assist Georgia's 773,337 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 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

VA, the role played by the Department of Veterans Service might be compared to that of an attorney representing a client in court.
The necessity for personal assistance in filing and pursuing claims and in maintaining a

To support these missions, the department maintains a claims division, field offices, two veterans nursing homes, two veterans cemeteries, and an information division.

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 to our nation and our state in the armed forces of

continuing information program results from the legal principle that veterans benefits are not awarded automatically all must be applied for.
The VA pays a veteran exactly what he or

The Claims Division's mission is to process claims and appeals of Georgia veterans.

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.

she applies for when they are entitled, and no more. The aim of the Department of Veterans Service is to

The Field Offices, located throughout the obtain for a veteran or dependents the benefits to

state, provide direct assistance to veterans at

which they are entitled, to tell them when they

the local level. The department representatives are entitled, and to assist them in gathering and

provide counsel and assist veterans in gathering preparing evidence needed to justify a claim and

the documents and information required to

prove 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 available throughout the state to assist all

pertaining to veterans.

veterans, their dependents, and survivors in

Inform veterans, their dependents, and

preparing and filing claims for benefits and to

survivors as to their rights and benefits under

acquaint them with all legal rights and privileges.

federal and state legislation, or local ordinances. Cooperate with all national, state, and local

Assist veterans, their dependents, and their

governmental and private agencies, securing or

beneficiaries in the preparation, presentation,

offering services or any benefits to veterans and

proof, and establishment

their dependents.

of such claims,

Assist and cooperate

privileges, rights and other benefits accruing to them under federal, state,

48 Veteran Field Service Offices statewide Monday Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2 state veterans homes and 2 state veterans cemeteries

with all veterans' organizations in their work.

and local laws. Report any evidence

Claims and Appeals Division at the Atlanta VA Regional Office in Decatur

As State Approving Authority, enter into

of incompetence, dishonesty, or negligence

Veterans Education and Training Division with Post 9/11 GI Bill oversight for statewide higher education, OJT and Apprenticeship Programs

contracts with the federal government

on the part of any employee dealing with

Field Service Officers in VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics and State Veterans Nursing Homes

for the qualifications, approval, certification,

veterans' affairs. Do everything possible

502,585 veteran-related contacts in Calendar Year 2011

and supervision of educational

to promote and protect

institutions and training

the rights of Georgia's veterans under federal

establishments applying for or participating

and state law.

in federal programs for educating and training

Apply for and accept gifts, grants, and other veterans.

contributions from the federal government or

Assist other states in securing evidence for

from any other governmental units.

claims.

Construct and operate nursing homes and

Promote enlargement and improvement of VA

personal care homes for the benefit of eligible hospital facilities in the state.

war veterans.

Sponsor observance of Veterans Day in the

Construct and operate state veterans cemeteries state.

for the benefit of eligible veterans and their

Certify eligibility for veterans' drivers licenses

dependents.

and honorary drivers' license.

Advise the Governor, the Board of Veterans Certify eligibility for disabled veterans'

Service, and the General Assembly as to needed discount at Department of Natural Resources

veterans' legislation.

facilities.

Maintain files on all veterans who have

Issue Certificates of Exemption from payment

filed claims for veterans' benefit through the

of business license tax to qualified veterans.

department.

Assist qualified veterans in obtaining honorary

Conduct educational programs by personal

hunting and fishing licenses.

appearances before veterans' organizations,

Assist in obtaining special motor vehicle

service clubs, fraternal groups and other such

license plates for certain veterans: Medal of

organizations so as to acquaint the public

Honor and Purple Heart recipients, former

generally with the work of the department.

prisoners-of-war, handicapped and disabled

Make representatives of the department

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 24,000 during 2011.
The Montgomery GI Bill education program, initiated in 1985, remains a great success. This program expanded the 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 16,000 Georgia veterans used this GI Bill during 2011.
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 were effective October 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, a housing allowance, and a book stipend.
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 or more year active duty commitment. DOD eligibility requirements must be met.
In 2011, the approval of educational institutions and training establishments for the education of Georgia veterans resulted 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. The SAA will begin conducting compliance survey inspections in FY 2012 using VA standards.
During 2011, personnel assigned to the Veterans Educational and Training Division conducted about 400 visits for the purpose of approval, re-approval, inspection and compliance surveys. Currently, the department monitors more than 1,500 educational institutions and training establishments.
In 2011, GDVS 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.

Public Information Division

The Public 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 Public Information Division maintains

the filing of claims.

the department's online presence, including its

When appropriate, the division mails news website and several social media channels.

and information releases concerning veterans

Veterans, their families, and all others

affairs to newspapers,

interested in veteran-

radio and television

related news are

stations throughout

encouraged to follow

Georgia.

@gavetsvc on Twitter,

The releases

where the department

are used to inform

is leveraging the

veterans about

social media service

the latest changes

to share the latest

regarding veterans affairs and to provide

news of the day as it
facebook.com/hgappaenvs.etsvc

information on the

Those interested

status of proposed or

in more in-depth

pending legislation

news and a chance

which may affect

to interact with other

them.

veterans and veteran

Field personnel promote the department and advocates are encouraged to "like" the Georgia

the services it provides by their frequent contacts Department of Veterans Service's page on

with the news media in their respective areas. Facebook, www.facebook.com/gavetsvc.

Public speaking forums are an important

Although the department is always seeking

ingredient of the department's overall

to keep abreast of the latest trends in media,

information program. All department personnel www.veterans.georgia.gov remains the source of

are encouraged to accept speaking engagements official Georgia Department of Veterans Service

at meetings of veterans organizations and civic information.

clubs. These personal appearances provide

The website contains news releases,

excellent opportunities for telling the veterans information about Commissioner Wheeler, state

benefits story. Department personnel also

veterans benefits, the Georgia War Veterans

participate in local radio talk shows and make Nursing Home in Augusta, the Georgia War

presentations at local schools.

Veterans Home in Milledgeville, the Georgia

The Public Information Division compiles, Veterans Memorial Cemeteries in Milledgeville

edits, and publishes a series of pamphlets

and Glennville, locations of the Field Offices,

explaining in detail the various benefits available and approved OJT/Apprenticeships facilities.

to veterans, their dependents, and survivors.

In 2012, the site is set to undergo a

These pamphlets are updated as changes occur in transition to a new design platform, which

laws, regulations, or benefits.

will improve the department's online outreach

Through an aggressive internal

efficiency.

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 infirm 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 57,885 days of care to Georgia's veterans with an average age of 81. During the year, there were 214 admissions and 225
discharges with an average length of stay of 312 days. Services to patients included 4,990 physical therapy treatments and 3,839 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. Due to budget reductions, there was a five-month moratorium placed on admissions, resulting in a reduced patient census. In January 2011 the moratorium was lifted and admissions resumed, and continue currently. 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.

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GWVH-Milledgeville

The Georgia War Veterans Home, situated on approximately 17 acres in 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 UHSPruitt Corporation of Norcross, operates the home for the Department of Veterans Service under a contractual agreement. The home operated three skilled nursing care facilities in 2011, 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. The GDVS 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 15,744 for 2011. This office also serves the 250 veterans of the Georgia War Veterans Home by assisting with compensation and pension claims, counseling services, and family-related issues. Construction projects at the Georgia War Veterans Home for 2011 consisted of the Alzheimer's Unit 24-bed addition and "C" Wing renovation to the Wheeler Building ($3,222,183), renovation to the Wheeler Building for a VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, Russell Building heat exchange repairs ($393,495), and HVAC and facility upgrades to the Wood Building ($264,340).

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 October and found no deficiencies. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs conducted its annual survey in July; the home was determined to be in compliance with VA standards and was certified for continued operation as a state veterans home. In 2011, veteran patients at the home received 79,271 days of skilled nursing care. The nursing home admitted 99 patients during the year and had 13 discharges. The average length of stay for current skilled veteran patients is 1,230 days. Federal assistance in funding a portion of the cost of providing care to veterans in the home amounted to $7,055,432.12. As in previous years, many veterans service organizations, civic groups, 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 1,576 individual volunteers providing in excess of 3,656 hours of time valued at over $78,092.00 presented over 710 activities during the year. The value of in-kind donations made available to the home was $35,195.34. Groups and individuals also provided direct monetary donations of $29,497.33 in the year.

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GVMC-Milledgeville

Georgia Veterans Memorial 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. Presently occupying 50 of the 142 acres, the cemetery will eventually be the final resting place for more than 100,000 eligible veterans, their spouses, and eligible dependents. There were 197 burials in 2011, making the total-to-date 1,730 veterans, spouses, and dependents buried at the GVMC. The burials are composed of 1,217 casketed burials, 290 cremations in the columbarium, 205 in-ground cremations, and 18 memorial markers. The avenue of flags is displayed when ceremonies are held at the cemetery, such as Memorial Day and Wreaths Across America. In addition, it is displayed on Flag Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day. On May 10, 2011, the cemetery hosted a rededication ceremony formally completing the Phase II expansion of the cemetery. This expansion included an additional 1,965 spaces for casket and cremation burials. Approximately 150 people attended the ceremony. Flags were placed on all burial sites and at
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the front entrance of the cemetery in recognition of Memorial Day. The Knights of Columbus, Patriot Guard, and members of the 48th Infantry
Brigade conducted a ceremony attended by approximately 200 people.
On December 10, 2011, the cemetery hosted its seventh 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 POWs/MIAs. The ceremony included members of the Patriot Guard Riders, cadets from the Augusta Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol, and representatives from each branch of service. Approximately 200 people attended the ceremony. The Worcester Wreath Company provided the seven wreaths for the ceremony. The cemetery received approximately 400 donated wreaths, which were placed on graves following the ceremony. The cemetery has many visitors each year. Some are visiting grave sites, some are seeking information about the cemetery and burial requirements, and many have just heard about the cemetery and want to see the grounds. Notable visitors this year included Governor Nathan Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal. 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 Benefits, which was held in Dalton in December 2011. The GVMC's hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding official state holidays. The cemetery is open to families, visitors and the general public seven days each week from 8 a.m. to dusk.

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 city limits on 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 in-ground 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, their spouses, and eligible dependents. As of December 31, 2011, there were 392 veterans, spouses, and family members interned in the cemetery. State veterans cemeteries such as the GVMC Glennville are an integral part of the VA's National Cemetery System. The requirements for burial are the same for all National Cemetery System cemeteries. In 2011, the 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.
Lt. Col. David W. White, a member of the 165th Airlift Wing of the Georgia Air National Guard, was the guest speaker for the ceremony. He took the opportunity to inform the crowd of the Air National Guard's role in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as their mission in today's military. Also, Cemetery Director Ernie Cowart gave a short speech about Memorial Day and covered the beginnings of the holiday to its place in today's world. Over 150 people attended. For Memorial Day and Veterans Day, Boy Scout Troop 929 placed American flags at the grave sites of the veterans interned in the cemetery. 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." Also involved in the ceremony were members of the Brunswick Civil Air Patrol and area Boy Scouts. A crowd of more than 125 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. GVMC Glennville's hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding official state holidays. The cemetery is open to families, visitors and the general public seven days each week from 8 a.m. to dusk.

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Statistical Report
Contacts...........................................................541,679 New Case Files.........................................................28,953 Hearings..................................................................248 Letters Written..........................................................18,796 Compensation and Pension............................................30,131 DIC and Death Pension.....................................................6,676 Education...............................................................2,147 Medical................................................................15,353 Burial................................................................3,244 Insurance................................................................1,558 Loans....................................................................7,349 Powers of Attorney....................................................16,573 Changes of Address.....................................................1,790 Notices of Disagreement andAppeals Filed.............................3,513 Vocational Rehabilitation..............................................1,098 VA Claims Folders Reviewed.........................................28,452 Driver Licenses.........................................................................8,469 Business Licenses..........................................................245 Nursing Home Applications................................................702 License Plates............................................................1,486 Natural Resources.......................................................1,875 Tax Exemptions..........................................................1,250 Preference Points.............................................................694 Welfare Assistance/Social Security.....................................3,770 Miscellaneous Personal Affairs........................................20,404 Other Forms and Evidence.............................................225,842
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Statistical Report Definitions

Below is an explanation of terms described in the report (opposite) of the number of cases and types of services rendered by the Georgia Department of Veterans Service during 2011.

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.
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SDVS Financial Report
For the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2011

FUNDS AVAILABLE BUDGET

ACTUAL

State Appropriation
Federal Revenues
Other Funds

20,320,198 15,046,447 1,607,520
36,974,165

20,309,618 14,962,313 1,607,520
36,879,451

EXPENDITURES BUDGET

ACTUAL

Personal Services 6,476,074

Regular Operating Expenses

511,894

Motor Vehicle Purchases

90,000

Computer Charges

27,500

Real Estate Rentals

248,284

Telecommunications

182,945

Capital Outlay

3,885,093

Contracts

14,783,140

Other

20,000

Op Exp/Payments to

Medical College of Georgia 10,281,651

ROE for Projects and Insurance 467,584

6,473,503 492,373 83,166 27,277 247,936 181,114
3,885,092 14,782,743
1,300
10,281,651 423,296



36,974,165

36,879,451

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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 2011 (October 1, 2010
through September 30, 2011). The figures were provided by
the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
Compensation and Pension $2,135,191,000
Medical Care $1,212,137,000
Construction 21,894,000
Insurance and Indemnities $47,892,000
Education and Vocational Rehabilitation $455,222,000
General Operating Expenses $127,832,000
Total $4,000,167,000

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.

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21

Year in Review
Governor Deal signs Veterans Day Proclamation with Commissioner Wheeler, State Rep. John Yates, Veterans Service Organizations and members of the Georgia National
Guard in attendance
Since 1954 ... Veterans Day Ceremony at the Capitol
22

Year in Review
WXCIAomPJmroehissinsdieoCnn.teD/r GW euenhsheeraealnleerMwainthager
WXIA's Veterans Day "Celebration of Service" at GA Dome
23

Year in Review
"Band of Brothers" actors Ross McCall (Cpl. Joe Liebgott) and James Madio (Sgt. Frank Perconte) served as Grand Marshals that honored World War II veterans
30th Annual Georgia Veterans Day Parade in Atlanta
24

Year in Review
beentmhepfeliNltoaysoatrlentaeehsdswtgnasca,hentDwadheneSsporgoafefutrsowttrtmhoatrevrRaeneeittgneipironoanlgnicosyn
Employees from all areas of the
Department gather for brainstorming session
Department Regional Training
25

Year in Review

CWeamrteeaVtteehtreysrAaacntrsMoMssilAelmemdogereriiavclialle

WCreeVmaetethteesrraAync-sr-oMsGselAmenmonreivraiilclaleat

ForMmeamloDrieadlicCaetmioenteorfyPahtaMseiIlIleadtgVeveitlelreans

Honoring our Veterans
26

Year in Review
MOPH ServCiocme mFoiussniodnaetrioWnhleeaeldeerrship with
Charity Tournament for Homeless Veterans
27

Year in Review
Georgia First Family Visits Facilities
28

Year in Review

CrteohcmeeimYvUieesSsasitOroh(nAeaewPrbaoW avrtderh)ifeoretolmoefr fAropamPpnGrrtdueohcgtaierharaGedtmAiFSoan(NpmreAaicgitiwlhaiyotaln)radl

duMjovrsiaieeinnSmesnPiegeTtdodnhtrhddCaohioeoattewozoW lomeVsnrFniimaJtnuesooltiinohwlnstfsdniTnaiva'onhsmentACaytievettVarIrleseHlaW aaltnneekfharstosaraeltosenonlser

The Georgia Department of Veterans Service hosted a meeting of the Southeast District of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, including a tour of the Pete Wheeler Veterans Memorial Plaza
Working for our Veterans
29

Year in Review
Veterans Benefits "Supermarket" A Huge Success
DALTON (Wednesday, 12/7/11) With more than 2,700 veterans and their families taking part, Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Pete Wheeler termed the 2011 "Supermarket of Veterans Benefits" held here today, "a huge success, one of the better events of this type for veterans we have had in recent years." The 46th annual one-day program took place here at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center and provided a one-stop shopping service
for veterans and their families to gather information regarding federal and state benefits
to which they might be entitled.
Supermarket of Veterans Benefits in Dalton
30

Year in Review
Supermarket of Veterans Benefits in Dalton
31

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.

GVoevoteferrtnahonersVDDGieeeaatoynlrgpaPiramreosSceVlnteaattmsteertaahCtneoisou2non0f1tc1AoiVlmmieeetrmnicbaaemrs

NmaetmiloebnaeardlseroCsfhoGmiepmovrgaiisnaitd'seGrAoJvmiemrenrmiocyraDnFeoLastelegrioannd

recognGiozvienrgnHoroDloecaaluisstsuDeas pyroofclRaemmaetmiobnrance Georgia hosts Korean War Remembrance Ceremony
32

Georgia's VSO Leadership

American Ex-Prisoners of War Ray Reierson of Savannah State Commander www.axpow.org
The American Legion Phil Youngblood of Valdosta State Commander Hilde Martin of Valdosta Auxiliary President www.galegion.org
AMVETS Ron Dillon of Bogart State Commander Mary Duncan of Bogart Auxiliary President www.amvets.org/georgia.html
Blinded Veterans Association Joesph McNeil of Columbus State President www.grgbva.org
Disabled American Veterans Emanuwel J. Dixon of Decatur State Commander Shirley Mauldin of Guyton 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 Mike Clark of Byron Commandant, Dept. of Georgia www.mcldeptofga.org
Military Officers Association of America Buddy Johnson of Valdosta State President www.georgiamoaa.org
Military Order of the Purple Heart John W. Wilder of Columbus State Commander Molly Ware of Augusta Auxiliary President www.purpleheart.org
Reserve Officers Association Gerald Mekosh of Warner Robins State President www.roa.org
Veterans of Foreign Wars Pledge Cannon of Centerville State Commander Carol A. Coggins of Morrow Auxiliary President www.gavfw.org
Vietnam Veterans of America Lionel Marmolejo of Savannah State President www.vvageorgia.com
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53

Directory

Dalton LaFayette

Blairsville Clarkesville

Toccoa

Rome

Canton

Cartersville

Cedertown

Hartwell
Gainesville 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 VFSO/Veterans Nursing Home VFSO/Veterans Cemetery VFSO/Home/Cemetery
54

Directory

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICE CENTRAL OFFICE Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, Suite E-966, 2 Martin Luther King, Jr., Atlanta, GA 30334-4800
veterans.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

Comm & Outreach Spec

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

Assistant Commissioner dholtz@vs.state.ga.us

April Dodgen

Budget Specialist

adodgen@vs.state.ga.us

Shelly-Ann Simpson Secretary

ssimpson@vs.state.ga.us

404-656-2307 404-463-0324 404-656-2300

404-656-7006 404-656-7006 404-656-7006

ACCOUNTING Chris Hambright Executive Accountant

clhambri@vs.state.ga.us 404-656-5896 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 Senior Clerk

Renee Byrd

Senior Clerk

bcausey@vs.state.ga.us rbyrd@vs.state.ga.us

404-463-3079 404-463-3077

404-651-6947 404-651-6947



55

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

Stacy Howard

Asst. Director

Tommy Waters Maint Supervisor

Wallace Brannen Maint / Hvy Equip Op

William C. Tackett Maint / Hvy Equip Op

ecowart@vs.state.ga.us

912-654-5398

showard@vs.state.ga.us

912-654-5398

twaters@vs.state.ga.us

912-654-5398

wbrannen@vs.state.ga.us 912-654-5398

wtackett@vs.state.ga.us

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

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@georgiahealth.edu cwooten@georgiahealth.edu kyonce@georgiahealth.edu rlittle@georgiahealth.edu jeveker@georgiahealth.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

Mary Griffin

Secretary

Bobby Davis

Senior Coordinator

Harry Stumpf

Senior Coordinator

Mark Bannister Senior Coordinator

Lily Snyder

Coordinator

Dairelle Shropshire Secretary

saaga@vs.state.ga.us saale@vs.state.ga.us saamag@vs.state.ga.us saabjd@vs.state.ga.us saahds@vs.state.ga.us saasmb@vs.state.ga.us saals@vs.state.ga.us dshropshire@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

404-656-2322

404-657-6276

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Directory

FIELD OPERATIONS & CLAIMS

Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, Suite E-966, 2 Martin Luther King, Jr., Atlanta, GA 30334-4800



Mike Roby

Assistant Commissioner mroby@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 Gainesville Field Service Office

Harry Evans

Regional Manager

311 Green Street NW, Room 405, Gainesville, 30501-6060

hevans@vs.state.ga.us

770-531-6060 770-531-6061

SOUTH GEORGIA REGION Bainbridge Field Service Office
Craig Couturier Regional Manager

307 East Broughton Street, Bainbridge, 39817-4003 ccouturier@vs.state.ga.us 229-251-4849

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

Joel Willis

Sr VCAO

joel.willis@va.gov

404-929-5355

Deborah Jones

VCAO 1

deborah.jones11@va.gov 404-929-5354

Robert Scott

VCAO 1

robert.scott5@va.gov

404-929-5370

Belinda Wise

VCAO 1

belinda.wise@va.gov

404-929-5351

Deborah Clayton Secretary 2

deborah.clayton@va.gov 404-929-5361

Rose Tharpe

Secretary 2

rose.tharpe@va.gov

404-929-5359

Sharod Woods

Secretary 2

sharod.woods@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 Latoya Watson VFSO 1

Counties served: Dougherty, Lee, Terrell, Worth

swhitfield@vs.state.ga.us mhayes@vs.state.ga.us lwatson1@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

1601 North Martin Luther King Blvd., Suite 220, Americus, GA 31719

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

Directory

ATLANTA (Asst. Commissioner, FO&C)

Counties served: Fulton, Clayton

2 MLK Jr. Drive, Plaza Level, Suite E-367, Atlanta, 30334

Lenora Evans Fred Daniels Booker Wallace

VFSO 2 (Office Mgr) VFSO 1 VFSO 1

levans@vs.state.ga.us fdaniels@vs.state.ga.us bwallace@vs.state.ga.us

404-656-5940 404-656-5940 404-623-1514

404-657-1288 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

Dennis Whitman Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) Roderica Stewart VFSO 1 Garner Bracey VFSO 1

dennis.whitman@va.gov roderica.stewart@va.gov garner.bracey@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 John McKenzie Robert Pollard

Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) VFSO 1 VFSO 1

Counties served: Columbia, Richmond

blloyd@vs.state.ga.us jmckenzie@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

Terri Hurst

Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) VFSO 1

@vs.state.ga.us thurst@vs.state.ga.us

229-248-2599 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



Christine 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 912-264-7360 912-261-3937

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

Justin L. Stockton VFSO 1

jstockton@cherokeega.com 770-720-6622 770-704-2317

Daphne Nicholls Secretary (P/T)

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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

Jeffery Baker

VFSO 1

jbaker@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

Janice Mohr

Sr VFSO (Office Mgr)

Bernard Nelson VFSO 1

Counties served: Newton, Rockdale, Walton

jeller@vs.state.ga.us bnelson@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

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Directory

DUBLIN (South Region)

Counties served: Johnson, Laurens, Treutlen

Carl Vinson VAMC, Room 124-6, Ward 6A, 1826 Veterans Blvd., Dublin, 31021-3699



Shaun Evans

VFSO 1 (Office Mgr)

shaun.evans@va.gov

478-272-4266

Michael Hunnicutt VFSO 1

michael.hunnicutt@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

Cynthia Hayes Sr VFSO (Office Mgr)

chayes@vs.state.ga.us



770-531-6060

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)

Lindsey Dale

VFSO 1

tmalpass@vs.state.ga.us ldale@vs.state.ga.us

912-654-5159 x227 912-654-2963 912-654-5179 x2 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

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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
Debra O'Neal VFSO 1 (Office Mgr)

Counties served: Montgomery, Toombs

doneal@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

Debra Marshall VFSO 1 (Office Mgr)

Leila DiSola

VFSO 1

dmarshall@vs.state.ga.us 478-751-3186

ldisola@vs.state.ga.us

478-751-3187

478-751-6594 478-751-6594

MCRAE (South Region) 63 West Oak Street, McRae, 31055
Jennifer Conley VFSO 1 (Office Mgr)

Counties served: Appling, Coffee, Jeff Davis, Telfair, Wheeler OPEN ONLY Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 8 to 4:30

jconley@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 Goss Sr VFSO (Office Mgr)

Mkay@vs.state.ga.us

478-445-4751 478-445-3139

Linda Lavender VFSO 1

llavender@vs.state.ga.us 478-445-6900 478-445-3139

MOULTRIE (South Region)

Counties served: Colquitt, Mitchell

101 East Central Avenue, Room 127, Moultrie, 31768

Jim Bolduc

VFSO 2 (Office Mgr)

jbolduc@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

Billy Robbins Rob Johnson

VFSO 1 (Office Mgr) VFSO 1

brobbins@vs.state.ga.us rjohnson@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

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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 x2191 912-921-2016 912-920-0214 x2193 912-921-2016

STATESBORO (South Region)

Counties served: Bulloch, Candler, Effingham, Evans, Jenkins, Screven

3A West Altman Street, Statesboro, 30458

Liz Hunnicutt Kevin Gibbs

VFSO 2 (Office Mgr) VFSO 1

lhunnicutt@vs.state.ga.us

912-871-1104

jkgibbs@vs.state.ga.us

912-871-1270

ST. MARYS COMMUNITY BASED OUTPATIENT CLINIC (South Region)

205 Lakeshore Point, St. Marys, 31558

OPEN ONLY Thursday 9 to 3:30

Christine 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

Artis Robinson Sr VFSO (Office Mgr)

arobinson@vs.state.ga.us

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
Elijah Collins VFSO 2 (Office Mgr)

Counties served: Ben Hill, Irwin, Tift, Turner

ecollins@vs.state.ga.us

229-386-3856

229-391-6956

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

706-282-4800

VALDOSTA (South Region)

Counties served: Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes

2841 North Patterson Street, Valdosta, 31602-1938



Janet S. Pajerowski Sr VFSO (Office Mgr) janet.pajerowski2@va.gov

229-333-2178

229-259-5583

John Jeffrey

VFSO 1

229-333-2178

229-259-5583

62

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 706-678-2821

706-678-3144 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

John Lewis

VFSO 1

jlewis@vs.state.ga.us





WAYNESBORO (North Region)

County served: Burke

Burke County Office Park, Room 107, 715 West 6th Street, Waynesboro, 30830-0093

912-285-6340 912-285-6340

Carol Crawford VFSO 2 (Office Mgr)

ccrawford@vs.state.ga.us

706-554-3874

912-285-6341 912-285-6341
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

Directory

QUICK REFERNCE GUIDE BY COUNTY

COUNTY Appling Atkinson Bacon Baker Baldwin Banks Barrow Bartow Ben Hill Berrien Bibb Bleckley Brantley Brooks Bryan Bulloch Burke Butts Calhoun Camden Candler Carroll Catoosa Charlton Chatham Chattahoochee Chattooga Cherokee Clarke Clay Clayton Clinch Cobb Coffee Colquitt Columbia Columbus Cook Coweta Crawford Crisp Dade

LOCATION McRae Waycross Waycross Bainbridge Milledgeville Clarkesville Athens Cartersville Tifton Valdosta Macon Eastman Waycross Valdosta Glennville Statesboro Waynesboro Griffin Bainbridge Brunswick Statesboro Carrollton Dalton Waycross Savannah Columbus LaFayette Canton Athens Bainbridge Atlanta Waycross Canton McRae Moultrie Augusta Brunswick Valdosta Newnan Macon Cordele LaFayette

PHONE 229-868-6391 912-285-6340 912-285-6340 229-248-2599 478-445-4751 706-754-4316 706-369-5630 770-387-3746 229-386-3856 229-333-2179 478-751-3186 229-251-4849 912-285-6340 229-333-2179 912-654-5159 912-871-1104 706-554-3874 770-412-4074 229-248-2599 912-262-2345 912-871-1104 770-836-6760 706-272-2355 912-285-6340 912-920-0214x12194 706-649-1264 706-638-5544 770-720-3538 706-369-5630 229-248-2599 404-656-5940 912-285-6340 770-720-3538 229-868-6391 229-891-7135 706-721-4301 912-262-2345 229-333-2179 770-254-7260 478-751-3186 229-276-2366 706-638-5544

COUNTY Dawson Decatur DeKalb Dodge Dooly Dougherty Douglas Early Echols Effingham Elbert Emanuel Evans Fannin Fayette Floyd Forsyth Franklin Fulton Gilmer Glascock Glynn Gordon Grady Greene Gwinnett Habersham Hall Hancock Haralson Harris Hart Heard Henry Houston Irwin Jackson Jasper Jeff Davis Jefferson Jenkins Johnson

LOCATION Gainesville Bainbridge Atlanta VAMC Eastman Cordele Albany Carrollton Bainbridge Valdosta Statesboro Elberton Swainsboro Statesboro Blairsville Griffin Rome Gainesville Toccoa Atlanta Canton Washington Brunswick Rome Thomasville Greensboro Gainesville Clarkesville Gainesville Milledgeville Rome LaGrange Hartwell LaGrange Griffin Warner Robins Tifton Athens Macon McRae Washington Statesboro Dublin

PHONE 770-531-6060 229-248-2599 404-728-7611 229-251-4849 229-276-2366 229-430-1797 770-836-6760 229-248-2599 229-333-2179 912-871-1104 706-213-2040 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 770-531-6060 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

64

Directory

QUICK REFERNCE GUIDE BY COUNTY

COUNTY Jones Lamar Lanier Johnson Jones Lamar Lanier Laurens Lee Liberty Lincoln Long Lowndes Lumpkin Macon Madison Marion McDuffi e McIntosh Meriwether Miller Mitchell Monroe Montgomery Morgan Murray Muscogee Newton Oconee Oglethorpe Paulding Peach Pickens Pierce Pike Polk Pulaski Putnam Quitman Rabun Randolph Richmond

LOCATION Macon Macon Valdosta Dublin Macon Macon Valdosta Dublin s Albany Glennville Washington Glennville Valdosta Gainesville Americus Athens Americus Washington Brunswick LaGrange Bainbridge Moultrie Macon Lyons Washington Dalton Columbus Conyers Athens Athens Cartersville Warner Robins Canton Waycross Griffin Cedartown Eastman Milledgeville Bainbridge Blairsville Bainbridge Augusta

PHONE 478-751-3186 478-751-3186 229-333-2179 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 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 229-251-4849 478-445-4751 229-248-2599 706-745-6341 229-248-2599 706-721-4301

COUNTY Rockdale Schley 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

LOCATION Conyers Americus Bainbridge Augusta Conyers Americus Statesboro Bainbridge Griffin Toccoa Columbus Americus Griffin Washington Glennville Newnan McRae Albany Thomasville Tifton Lyons Blairsville Dublin LaGrange Tifton Macon Blairsville Thomaston LaFayette Conyers Waycross Washington Milledgeville Glennville Americus McRae Clarkesville Dalton Cordele Washington Milledgeville Albany

PHONE 770-388-5075 229-931-2546 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

65

VA Statistical Data
66

VA Statistical Data
67

VA Statistical Data
68

VA Statistical Data
69

VA Statistical Data
70

VA Statistical Data
71

Department of Veterans Affairs Statistics at a Glance
(Updated 11/09/2011)

Number of VA Facilities

VA Community-Based Outpatient

Clinics

807

VA Vet Centers

288

VA Hospitals
VA National Cemeteries Veterans Benefits Administration
Regional Offices

152 131 56

(as of 9/30/2011)

Projected Veteran Population

Female Veterans Male Veterans
8.3 %

VA Benefits and Health Care Utilization

Total Enrollees in VA Health Care System
Life Insurance Policies Supervised and Administered by VA
Veterans Receiving VA Disability Compensation
Active VA Home Loan Participants
VA Education Beneficiaries
Veterans Receiving VA Pension
VA Vocational Rehabilitation Trainees

8.34 *

7.19

3.35

1.57 0.92 0.31

Numbers shown in millions
(as of 9/30/2011)

0.06 * Number of enrollees as of FY2010

Numbers shown in millions
(as of 9/30/2011)

7.4

5.7

5.9

22,234,000

2.3 1.7

(as of 9/30/2011)

World War II Korean Conflict Peacetime only Gulf War

Vietnam Era

NOTE: Categories are not mutually exclusive. Veterans may serve in multiple periods.

Source: Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Actuary, Veteran Population Projection Model (VetPop) 2007; Veterans Benefits Administration; Veterans Health Administration, Office of the Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Policy and Planning.

Prepared November 2011

NCVAS National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics

VA Statistical Data
72

VA Statistical Data
73

VA Priority Groups

The number of veterans who can be enrolled in the health care program is determined by the amount of money Congress gives VA each year. Since funds are limited, VA set up Priority Groups to make sure that certain groups of veterans are able to be enrolled before others.
Once you apply for enrollment, your eligibility will be verified. Based on your specific eligibility status, you will be assigned a Priority Group. The Priority Groups range from 1-8 with 1 being the highest priority for enrollment. Some veterans may have to agree to pay copay to be placed in certain Priority Groups.
You may be eligible for more than one Enrollment Priority Group. In that case, VA will always place you in the highest Priority Group that you are eligible for. Under the Medical Benefits Package, the same services are generally available to all enrolled veterans.VA determines your eligibility for VA's comprehensive medical benefits package through its patient enrollment system, which is based on Priority Groups from 1 through 8.

Veterans receiving VA Pension benefits. Veterans eligible for Medicaid benefits.
Priority Group 6 Compensable 0% Service-connected Veterans. Veterans exposed to ionizing radiation during atmospheric testing or during the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Project 112/SHAD participants. Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975. Veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations from August 2, 1990, through November 11, 1998. Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998, as follows:Veterans discharged from active duty on or after January 28, 2003, for five years post discharge.

Priority Group 1 Veterans with VA Service-connected disabilities rated 50% or more. Veterans assigned a total disability rating for compensation based on unemployability.
Priority Group 2 Veterans with VA Service-connected disabilities rated 30% or 40%.
Priority Group 3 Veterans who are former POWs. Veterans awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Veterans awarded the Medal of Honor. Veterans whose discharge was for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty. Veterans with VA Service-connected disabilities rated 10% or 20%. Veterans awarded special eligibility classification under Title 38, U.S.C., 1151, "benefits for individuals disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation."
Priority Group 4 Veterans receiving increased compensation or pension based on their need for regular Aid and Attendance or by reason of being permanently Housebound. Veterans determined by VA to be catastrophically disabled.
Priority Group 5 Nonservice-connected Veterans and noncompensable Service-connected Veterans rated 0%, whose annual income and/or net worth are not greater than the VA financial thresholds.
74

Priority Group 7 Veterans with incomes below the geographic means test (GMT) income thresholds and who agree to pay the applicable copayment.
Priority Group 8 Veterans with gross household incomes above the VA national income threshold and the geographicallyadjusted income threshold for their resident location and who agree to pay copays Veterans eligibility for enrollment: Noncompensable 0% service-connected and: Subpriority a: Enrolled as of January 16, 2003, and who have remained enrolled since that date and/ or placed in this subpriority due to changed eligibility status. Subpriority b: Enrolled on or after June 15, 2009 whose income exceeds the current VA National Income Thresholds or VA National Geographic Income Thresholds by 10% or less Veterans eligible for enrollment: Nonserviceconnected and: Subpriority c: Enrolled as January 16, 2003, and who remained enrolled since that date and/ or placed in this subpriority due to changed eligibility status Subpriority d: Enrolled on or after June 15, 2009 whose income exceeds the current VA National Income Thresholds or VA National Geographic Income Thresholds by 10% or less Veterans not eligible for enrollment: Veterans not meeting the criteria above: Subpriority e: Noncompensable 0% serviceconnected Subpriority g: Nonservice-connected

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 Clinic Under Construction
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

Veterans Crisis Hotline: 800-273-TALK Health Clinics

Vet Centers
Atlanta 1440 Dutch Valley Place, Suite 1100
Phone: 404-347-7264 Augusta
West Parkway Phone: 706-729-5762
Lawrenceville 930 River Centre Place Phone: 404-728-4195
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

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
740 East General Stewart Way,Suite 103, Hinesville, GA 31313 Phone: 912-920-0214; x5833 or x5847
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

Georgia Department of Veterans Service
Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, Suite E-970 Atlanta, Georgia 30334-4800
veterans.georgia.gov facebook.com/gavetsvc
twitter.com/gavetsvc
A digital copy of this report is available at veterans.georgia.gov --> About GDVS --> Annual Report.