theSITREP Podcast

Department of Veterans Affairs
  • 4.8 (22)
  • EDUCATION

Did you serve in the military? theSITREP is your trusted source for information about the benefits you have earned and deserve. Join theSITREP, as we discuss VA Disability, VA Pensions, VA Health Care, VA Home Loans, benefits for dependents, and benefits offered by other agencies and departments, such as military retirement, social security benefits and more. Want to watch? Search #theSITREP on YouTube. Have topic ideas for future episodes of theSITREP? Email us at theSITREP@va.gov.

Episodes

  1. VA Disability - with Mike Figlioli, VFW Director of National Veterans Services

    07/25/2023

    VA Disability - with Mike Figlioli, VFW Director of National Veterans Services

    In this episode, the SITREP asks Mike Figlioli, VFW Director of National Veterans Services, about VA disability: what is it, how to apply, and more.  To connect with the SITREP: - Email us ideas at theSITREP@va.gov- For video podcasts, visit https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/thesitrep- Sign up for theSITREP eNewsletter at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/subscriber/new?topic_id=USVA_485 For additional information, on this topic, visit: https://www.va.gov/disability/ For VFW assistance, visit: https://www.vfw.org/ or https://pactactinfo.org/ To call for VFW assistance, dial: 816-756-3390 for Kansas City, VFW HQ or202-543-2239 for Mike Figlioli's office in DC To find an accredited VSO or attorney, visit: https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp For NASDVA, visit: https://nasdva.us/ For NACVSO, visit: https://www.nacvso.org/ 00:00 Introduction00:37 What is VA disability?00:58 What is the process for applying?02:06 Does applying cost money?03:05 When to get help from VSO or attorney?04:37 Does a Veteran have to be a Combat Veteran for benefits?05:44 Is VA disability tax free?06:07 How can VA disability money be used?06:46 What does service-connection mean?07:25 What does presumptive condition mean?08:44 What is Intent to File?10:56 Can multiple claims be submitted in the same time period?13:19 What is a VA disability appeal?15:09 How does VA approve or deny claims?18:12 Missing evidence for a claim19:43 Does VA disability pass on to a spouse or family member?20:38 What is a NEXUS letter?21:35 Can a Veteran reapply for VA disability, even after denial?24:31 Advice regarding Statement to Support [buddy statement]25:57 What is the 5 year rule?26:25 What is the 20 year rule?27:25 Three tips for applying for VA disability30:28 Three tips for finding a good VSO32:47 Three common mistakes when submitting a claim34:57 What services do VFW Veteran Service Officers provide?37:14 Does a Veteran need to be in VFW to get help from VFW?38:12 How to connect with a VFW Veteran Service Officer?39:36 Closing

    40 min

  2. 06/06/2023

    Thrift Savings Plan - with Mike Jerue

    In this episode of theSITREP, Paul covers basic questions on what the Thrift Savings Plan is, when TSP started, and why military members and government employees may want to take advantage of TSP.  Paul is joined by U.S. Air Force Veteran, Mike Jerue, who serves as the Deputy Chief Investment Officer at Thrift Savings Plan. FIVE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH theSITREP (1) To sign-up for theSITREP email newsletter, visit:  https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/subscriber/new?topic_id=USVA_485 (2) To find theSITREP’s full video library, visit: https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/thesitrep  (3) To listen to theSITREP audio podcasts, visit:  https://feeds.transistor.fm/thesitrep (4) Search “theSITREP” on your preferred search engine (5) Email us ideas, for a future episode, at:  theSITREP@va.gov ADDITIONAL THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN VIDEOS What is Thrift Savings Plan https://youtu.be/FCH-yBjnj54 Pension vs. Thrift Savings Plan https://youtu.be/y7XpH-LiuQk Contributions with Thrift Savings Plan https://youtu.be/TJL92sHspSI Thrift Savings Plan After Government Service https://youtu.be/POvseD-uzQI How to Set-Up Your Thrift Savings Plan https://youtu.be/D7ZnjN8QalA IRA & Thrift Savings Plan Contributions https://youtu.be/tH1_K_1a30Y Thrift Savings Plan Beneficiaries https://youtu.be/6i3edMV-NYw Thrift Savings Plan Contributions After Service https://youtu.be/pnvXW8VUzok Roth vs. Traditional Thrift Savings Plan https://youtu.be/CUrsC_PUgc4 IRA vs. Thrift Savings Plan https://youtu.be/yujVYgpMwLg 403b vs. Thrift Savings Plan https://youtu.be/mzBbKrZdqRI Thrift Savings Plan Rollovers https://youtu.be/HM0UBWoAw6E Are TSP Contributions Tax Deductible https://youtu.be/G34PTubDYVU 401k, 457 & 403b vs. Thrift Savings Plan https://youtu.be/O0UBVWJBTLc TSP Maximum Contributions https://youtu.be/-8HBISieQkE Individual Funds (G, F, C, S, I Fund) & TSP https://youtu.be/7YfTihsggS4 TSP L Funds https://youtu.be/_PikOiwxk_4 TSP Retirement Calculators https://youtu.be/mLofyfzBJk0 Roth vs. Traditional Withdrawals https://youtu.be/YELQiz7f1OM How to Change TSP Contribution Amounts https://youtu.be/s1rVVs5PFuc Thrift Savings Plan Loans & Withdrawals https://youtu.be/bxMLFWMC9jg Age to Withdraw TSP https://youtu.be/dkIn3jtqV-k Thrift Savings Plan Vesting Period https://youtu.be/5oJdlFhz0Ig (RMDs) Required Minimum Distribution & TSP https://youtu.be/tfKJ31aYFfw TSP After DoD Service https://youtu.be/F88hYzVkFdA TSP Company Holdings https://youtu.be/r1-h-Qpcn2g Thrift Savings Plan DoD Rollover https://youtu.be/FwR6bn6j7ks How to Access Thrift Savings Plan https://youtu.be/UyGUV5U2oOE Retroactive Contributions to TSP https://youtu.be/DBrisaPJ-Pc Catch-Up Contributions with TSP https://youtu.be/-t_oOHVTVWQ Changing Contributions with TSP https://youtu.be/6HL9e1iUg20 Thrift Savings Plan Mutual Funds https://youtu.be/FcLNB16-05I ADDITIONAL THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN LINKS For TSP overview, visit: https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspbk08.pdf?TSP-BK-08  For TSP contributions, visit: https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs07.pdf?TSP-FS-07  For TSP L Funds, visit: https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tsplf14.pdf?TSP-LF-14  For TSP investment funds, visit: https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tsppc16.pdf?TSP-PC-16  For TSP rollovers, visit: https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs05.pdf?TSP-FS-05  For TSP holdings of companies, visit: https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tsplf14.pdf?TSP-LF-14  For TSP mutual fund window, visit: https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs28.pdf?TSP-FS-28  For TSP annuity, visit: https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs24.pdf?TSP-FS-24  For TSP required minimum distribution (RMD), visit: https://www.tsp.gov/taking-money-from-your-account/#req...

    1h 4m

  3. 05/03/2023

    How to Get Military Records - with Scott Levins, Director of NPRC

    In this episode of the SITREP, Mike and Paul sit down with Scott Levins, Director or National Personnel Records Center, and discuss everything from how to replace a copy of your DD-214 to how many military records were destroyed during the NPRC fire in 1973.  To learn more about ordering military records, visit National Personnel Records Center.  If you or a loved one served in the military and are looking for additional information about your benefits, be sure to visit "#theSITREP" on YouTube and begin connecting with the benefits your earned and deserve! Major questions asked during this podcast include, what is NPRC [National Personnel Records Center], what is the fastest way to get military records, how much does requesting records cost, is the process different for requesting different types of records, how to replace certificates, awards and medals, how to get a spouses DoD medical records, how to get records for a deceased Veteran, who's records were lost during the NPRC fire in 1973, how to get classified records; Special Operations Veterans, what is the fastest way to replace a DD-214, do Veterans need to request records for a VA Disability Claim, how has COVID changed operations at NPRC, are a Veteran's records public, how do I get my military records [analog or digital]?

    47 min

  4. 09/14/2022

    Mesothelioma - with Dr. Hassan Khalil

    Dr. Hassan Khalil from the Boston VA here to talk about what exactly is mesothelioma and what can they do for veterans who may have that disease.

    38 min

  5. 09/14/2022

    Palliative care - with Dr. Andrea Ruskin, Director of Palliative Care

    In today's episode Dr. Andrea Ruskin explains for us when does a veteran need palliative care or when is palliative care indicated? How would one know that they’re going to need palliative care?

    12 min

  6. 09/14/2022

    Bariatric Surgery & Nutrition- with Dr. Ann Smith, VA Surgeon

    theSITREP Podcast

    38 min

  7. 05/30/2022

    Burial and Memorial Benefits - with Barbara Cellucci

    For additional information about burial and memorial benefits, please visit https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/ or visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/docs/VASurvivorsKit.pdf for the "VA Survivors and Burial Benefits Kit." This episode is part of a YouTube video series that answers questions about Veterans benefits… search #theSITREP on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE, so you don’t miss future episodes!  Links for additional videos about VA disability, VA home loans, VA health care, and more are below.   Have ideas for a future episode of theSITREP?  If so, email us at theSITREP@va.gov   Subscribe to our weekly, digital newsletter at https://www.newengland.va.gov/info   ADDITIONAL YOUTUBE PLAYLISTS   VA Service-Connected Compensation https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMTobxlCFgiT7-fpoO4_AdIp   VA Health Care https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMSPkJwkqtbJe-BEqTM_LLKC   VA Home Loans & Refinancing https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMQyJ4_VSG55iLUfPaI0aVrx   Specialty Topics https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMTpYxbVmoTzsdxsP_BaDgw8

    31 min

  8. 05/30/2022

    Social Security and VA Benefits - with Brian Forsythe

    Have questions for Work Without Limits?  Visit them at https://workwithoutlimits.org or call 877-YES-WORK (877-937-9675) This episode is part of a YouTube video series that answers questions about Veterans benefits… search #theSITREP on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE, so you don’t miss future episodes!  Links for additional videos about VA disability, VA home loans, VA health care, and more are below. Have ideas for a future episode of theSITREP?  If so, email us at theSITREP@va.gov   Subscribe to our weekly, digital newsletter at https://www.newengland.va.gov/info   ADDITIONAL YOUTUBE PLAYLISTS   VA Service-Connected Compensation https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMTobxlCFgiT7-fpoO4_AdIp   VA Health Care https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMSPkJwkqtbJe-BEqTM_LLKC   VA Home Loans & Refinancing https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMQyJ4_VSG55iLUfPaI0aVrx   Specialty Topics https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMTpYxbVmoTzsdxsP_BaDgw8

    25 min

  9. 05/30/2022

    Are VA Disability Ratings Fair? - with Craig Hall

    This episode is part of a YouTube video series that answers questions about Veterans benefits… search #theSITREP on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE, so you don’t miss future episodes!  Links for additional videos about VA disability, VA home loans, VA health care, and more are below.   Have ideas for a future episode of theSITREP?  If so, email us at theSITREP@va.gov   Subscribe to our weekly, digital newsletter at https://www.newengland.va.gov/info   ADDITIONAL YOUTUBE PLAYLISTS   VA Service-Connected Compensation https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMTobxlCFgiT7-fpoO4_AdIp   VA Health Care https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMSPkJwkqtbJe-BEqTM_LLKC   VA Home Loans & Refinancing https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMQyJ4_VSG55iLUfPaI0aVrx   Specialty Topics https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7mRNUcQyMTpYxbVmoTzsdxsP_BaDgw8

    1h 34m

  10. EPISODE 1

    theSITREP Trailer

    theSITREP is your trusted source for Veterans benefits information. Join Mike (Army Veteran) and Paul (Marine Corps Veteran) as they provide accurate and transparent information about VA disability, health care, home loans and more. Join theSITREP's free, weekly email newsletter at www.newengland.va.gov/info for the latest podcasts, YouTube videos, and Veterans benefits news or watch additional, original content by searching #theSITREP on YouTube. Thank you for supporting theSITREP and, more importantly, thank you to all who have served.

    1 min

Trailer

4.8
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Did you serve in the military? theSITREP is your trusted source for information about the benefits you have earned and deserve. Join theSITREP, as we discuss VA Disability, VA Pensions, VA Health Care, VA Home Loans, benefits for dependents, and benefits offered by other agencies and departments, such as military retirement, social security benefits and more. Want to watch? Search #theSITREP on YouTube. Have topic ideas for future episodes of theSITREP? Email us at theSITREP@va.gov.

Information

  • Creator
    Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2023
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Department of Veterans Affairs