Weekly Update

One of the reasons our foundation has been successful in helping veterans and surviving spouses is the evidence-based claims process we implemented many years ago. The VA Developed Disability Benefits Questionnaire is used by medical providers to evaluate veteran claims for service-connection of a disability and to evaluate the severity of a disability. This system has been very beneficial in helping veterans to receive the VA benefits they are eligible for. The DBQs can be used to support almost all disabilities except for claims for the service-connection of Hearing Loss and Tinnitus. We use an Audiologist who can evaluate veterans' hearing loss using the Maryland CC recorded words list to determine speech discrimination. A Nexus is also required linking the noise exposure they were exposed to in the military to the veteran’s hearing loss and tinnitus they suffer from today.

One of the most difficult tasks we have is helping a surviving spouse to receive VA benefits, which is when their veteran did not file any claims for benefits. When a veteran is receiving VA compensation for a disability and it is listed on their Death Certificate as a primary cause of death or a contributing condition, the spouse and dependents are eligible to receive DIC benefits from VA. Of course, if the conditions are not listed as the primary or secondary cause of death an amended death certificate can be requested from the medical person who signed the death certificate. Many times, the attending physician will not have access to the veterans' medical records or their VA rating decisions. There is no guarantee that the person who signed the original will agree to request an amended death certificate. In Oklahoma, a request to amend must be sent to the Oklahoma Health Department Vital Statistics section by the attending physician.

Last week we had fourteen veterans who were awarded a one hundred percent rating for their service-connected disabilities. These Oklahoma veterans will receive the following state benefits reduced auto tags, property tax exemption on their primary residence sales tax exemption, and other types of state benefits. We are also proud to say that forty-three of the veterans we represent received VA disability ratings from ten to ninety percent for their service-connected disabilities.

For those of you who do not have any open VA claims one can be started by calling VA at 1-800-827-1000 and telling the agent that you want to start a claim. This will give a veteran or surviving a start date for benefits and will give them one year to submit a fully developed claim. Volunteer applications are available on our website at Dale K Graham Veterans Foundation.org

We are a 501c-3 Non-Profit organization and there is never a charge for the services we provide to veterans and their families. We also accept donations of wheelchairs and other types of handicap equipment that can be given to other veterans or their families. Other items that we accept are cars, trucks, motorcycles, or items that can be given to veterans or sold to raise funds. All donations to our Foundation are tax-deductible, including things like wheelchairs, stamps, and envelopes.

I believe that being a volunteer with our organization is not only good for veterans and surviving spouses it is also the best therapy for you. We do change lives every time our volunteers help one of the people who have served in our country’s military. Volunteer applications are available HERE for your convenience. Training is available online or in-person on a weekly basis. Since going digital, our volunteers can work from anywhere or at our location at 1233 West Lindsay in Norman, OK. Help us give back to the heroes who fought to give us our freedoms.

We are open to active clients:

Mon: 9 AM-12

Tue: 9 AM-12

Wed: 9 AM-12

Thur: 9 AM-12

To donate to our Foundation, you can click the red button on this email or mail a check to Dale K. Graham Veterans Foundation, 1233 West Lindsay, Norman, OK, 73069.

Thank You, Masonic Charity of Oklahoma!

It’s again time to recognize the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma as one of our most loyal Community Sponsors. They have consistently supported us every year since 2019. Their assistance throughout the pandemic was one of the reasons why our Foundation is still able to serve our veteran community. They have just honored us again with our largest grant yet! This $35,000 gift will better the lives of thousands of American Heroes.

“We recognize the sacrifices made by those who served in the military,” said John Logan, Executive Director. “We hope that these dollars make positive changes in the lives of those who have done so much for our country.”

“This grant is about more than just the dollar value,” says Jon Foti, CEO. “It means that our community values the lives and wellbeing of our veterans and recognizes the importance of taking care of them. It also shows us that Dale K Graham Veterans Foundation is heading in the right direction as we continue to fight for those who have fought for us”.

Support from our community is critical to our success. The Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma has helped to ensure that thousands more veterans will be given access to the benefits they deserve.

Thank you, Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma, for believing in our mission and our Foundation! We will continue to work to change the lives of veterans in our community.

We are continually looking for others who would like to be a part of what we do for veterans and their families. Training is provided in person or digitally on a weekly basis. Please consider becoming a volunteer with the Dale K Graham Veterans Foundation. Volunteer applications are available HERE.

To donate to our Foundation, you can click the red button on this email or mail a check to Dale K. Graham Veterans Foundation, 1233 West Lindsay, Norman, OK, 73069.

In Honor of Roy Welchel

One of the things I enjoy when working with veterans is being able to hear their stories. One of the World War II Army Veterans who we assisted in 2007 was one of those you couldn't forget. Mr. Roy Welchel lived in the Blanchard and Dibble, Oklahoma areas for many years. He was on board a ship that sank during the Normandy Invasion. After being rescued from the sea he was transported back to England for hospital treatment after nearly drowning.

After he was released from the hospital, he was returned to duty for the rest of the war. After the war ended, he was a part of the occupying forces. Roy served honorably in the US Army from April 3, 1943 to August 4, 1947. All of us at our Foundation are very proud to have been able to make difference in the lives of Roy and his family.

His obituary reads: Roy Alexander Welchel, 98, of Blanchard, died, Thursday, April 21, 2022, at his home. The son of Richard Simpson Welchel and Lillie Melissa (Parker) Welchel, he was born on June 1, 1923, in Wapanucka, Oklahoma. Roy married Patsy (Dewbre) on December 24, 1951, in Blanchard, Oklahoma.

He was a hard-working man all his life. Roy proudly served his country in the United States Army. He was a Christian in faith and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Cole. Roy had a love of agriculture and especially loved his cows. In his spare time, he enjoyed dancing, playing dominoes, and spending time with his family whom he loved deeply.

A funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, April 23, 2022, at the First Baptist Church of Cole, in Cole, Oklahoma. Burial will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in Tuttle, Oklahoma.

Thank you to OU Kappa Sigma for hosting the first Annual Inter-Fraternal Basketball Tournament in honor of our Foundation and the Women’s Auxiliary of Norman. The event raised $5,321! These types of events not only work as excellent fundraisers but also help create public awareness for the veteran community. We encourage anyone who likes to host parties or wants to support veterans to consider hosting a fundraiser.

We are continuing to work on the of backlog of veterans claims who have asked for our help.

VA Claims can be confusing, and our team is here to help.

If you have questions about your claim or your next steps, our process slide may help. We also encourage you to come into the Foundation where you can ask questions and access our computer lab.

We are open to active clients:

Mon: 9 AM-12

Tue: 9 AM-12

Wed: 9 AM-12

Thur: 9 AM-12

Every day that we volunteer someone will come in who is having difficulty with financial or health issues who needs our assistance. Our volunteers are here to make a difference in the lives of veterans and their families.

We are continually looking for others who would like to be a part of what we do for veterans and their families. Training is provided in person or digitally on a weekly basis. Please consider becoming a volunteer with the Dale K Graham Veterans Foundation. Volunteer applications are available HERE.

To donate to our Foundation, you can click the red button on this email or mail a check to Dale K. Graham Veterans Foundation, 1233 West Lindsay, Norman, OK, 73069.