More on VA Travel Pay & exemption to travel deduction

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More on VA Travel Pay & exemption to travel deduction

Posted by: "Colonel Dan" colonel-dan@sbcglobal.net coloneldan1

Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:48 am (PDT)

Many employees at the VAMC won't know anything about how to apply for an
exemption to the travel deduction. How to apply is impossible to find at
the VA web site.... ask the pay clerk where travel pay is paid, ask to be
referred to some higher, try the patient advocate..etc. .. basically if you
have to be elgible for
pension. see pension rate, and what is deductible from your income to get
down to pension rate..such as medicare, medical bills, etc
Pension rates. http://www.vba. va.gov/bln/ 21/Rates/ pen01.htm

http://www1. va.gov/CBO/ docs/benetravelf aqs.doc

http://www1. va.gov/CBO/ docs/benetravelf aqs.doc partial reprint below


Mileage Determination

Q: How do we determine mileage for reimbursement purposes?

A: VA has not established use of a single reference however door-to-door
determinations provide the most accurate benefit. Mileage should be
determined using authoritative guidance such as Rand McNally or Map Quest.
Most references are available on line.

Note: Make sure you are getting paid for correct mileage...from your house
to VA...Use an on-line travel route map from your address to the VAMC.. to
verify your mileage distance...

here is one at Google http://maps. google.com/ maps?hl=en
<http://maps. google.com/ maps?hl=en& tab=wl> &tab=wl

some references

* 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) 111, "Payments or allowances for
beneficiary travel"

http://www.gpoacces s.gov/

* 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 17.143, "Transportation of
claimants and beneficiaries" ; 17.144, "Limitations" ; 17.145, "Approval of
unauthorized travel of claimants and beneficiaries" ; and 17.1003, "Emergency
transportation" (Mill Bill)

http://www.gpoacces s.gov/

* VHA Manual M-1, Part 1, Chapter 25, "Beneficiary Travel"

http://vaww. va.gov/publ/ direc/health/ publications. asp?publ= manual
<http://vaww. va.gov/publ/ direc/health/ publications. asp?publ= manual&order= Iss
ue&dir=desc> &order=Issue& dir=desc

The only exemptions to the deductible are:

* Veterans traveling in conjunction with a C&P examination,
* Non veteran donors,
* Veterans requiring special mode transportation, and
* In accordance with 38 CFR 17.144 (b) when it is determined that the
imposition of the deductible would cause a severe financial hardship
(veteran's projected annual income for calendar year of claim is below the
VA pension rate that would be applicable if the veteran was eligible for
such pension)


"Keep on, Keepin' on"
Dan Cedusky, Champaign IL "Colonel Dan"
See my web site at:
http://www.angelfire.com/il2/VeteranIssues/