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Veterans urged to use online tool for mental health screening

admin — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 17:47:11 +0000

Following Mental Health Awareness Month in May, the Michigan Veterans Affair Agency (MVAA) is encouraging veterans to use a free online mental health screening tool.

The agency is offering the tool in collaboration with Screening for Mental Health, a nonprofit organization that provides various mental health and substance abuse resources. Veterans can use the tool to screen for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse and other mental health concerns. The program urges former service members to get a “checkup from your neck up.”

Veterans begin the screening by choosing a statement that most accurately describes their recent thinking and behavior. Next, they answer some questions about themselves and their feelings. The survey concludes with general explanations about moods and behaviors. Veterans are also given information about available mental health care support and where to find help nearby.

Many veterans who return home struggling with mental health issues such as PTSD or anxiety are often reluctant to seek treatment. According to MVAA Strategy Analyst Jeff Cassidy, perceived stigma is the biggest barrier for many veterans when it comes to getting help.

“Mental health is key to overall health, and MVAA wants to make sure all Michigan veterans have the tools they need to care for themselves both mentally and physically,” said MVAA Director James Robert Redford. “With this online tool, veterans can complete a quick and easy mental health screening and get the help and information they need when necessary.”

Veterans can access the website anonymously around the clock at http://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/MVAA.

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Vietnam veterans with PTS are at a higher risk of death

admin — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 11:14:30 +0000

Vietnam veterans with post-traumatic stress (PTS) have a twofold higher average death rate than those without the disorder. New research suggests that warzone trauma may still negatively impact veterans’ health more than three decades after the Vietnam War.

A study by Abt Associates and the Cohen Veterans Center at New York University Langone Medical Center followed about 2,400 Vietnam veterans from the 1980s to 2011. The National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study comprises one of the longest follow-up periods of a representative group of veterans to date. The researchers found that veterans with PTS were at a greater risk of dying from cancer or external causes such as suicide, murder, traffic accidents and other injuries than those without the disorder.

“This study gives us vital insights into the potential long-term health and mental health effects of warzone service on America’s uniformed services personnel,” said Abt researcher Dr. Nida Corry, one of the study’s lead authors. According to the findings published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, the study “offers really valuable empirical information that can help us better understand how to care for our Vietnam veterans.”

The researchers were unable to determine why PTS and warzone stress increased the risk of death. Vietnam veterans, now most in their 60s and older, make up the majority of living veterans today. Examining the long-term health effects of their combat experiences would help improve the treatment and support available to them. It would also enhance prevention efforts for future generations of service members.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your Post Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

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Detroit named worst city for veterans to live in

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:13:15 +0000

Detroit, Michigan, received the worst overall ranking in WalletHub’s list of the most veteran-friendly cities in the United States in terms of standard of living. The consumer finance site compared 100 of the nation’s most populated cities against 18 criteria including housing affordability, employment growth, health facilities and the number of homeless veterans.

Irvine, California, topped the list as the most livable city for veterans. It earned an economic wellness rank of 1 and an environment, education and health (EEH) ranking of 23. EEH evaluates the size of the veteran population and the effectiveness of Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals.

Detroit ranked 100 for economic wellness and 98 for EEH. The city’s low ranking was attributed to an overall high level of unemployment in the state for both veterans and the general population of nearly 10 million. Michigan is home to around 700,000 veterans. According to University of Michigan professor Joshua Kay, the large number of veterans makes it difficult for them to access resources.

Michigan is working to reduce unemployment among veterans. In November, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency recognized the state’s 37 veteran-friendly employers. The companies have offered around 1,000 well-paying jobs that allow veterans to utilize their military skills and experience. In addition, a bill has been proposed to provide Michigan veterans with grants to help them earn a science, technology, engineering or math degree at one of the state’s public universities or community colleges.

The WalletHub report highlights the overall need to focus on improving employment opportunities, housing and health care for veterans across the country. Upon return from military service, veterans often face challenges adapting to civilian life due to issues such as unemployment, homelessness and lack of mental health care.

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Detroit named worst city for veterans to live in

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:13:15 +0000

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Kroger holds open job interviews for veterans nationwide

admin — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 23:02:46 +0000

Kroger, one of the nation’s largest retailers, is doing its part to honor veterans by providing them with employment opportunities.

The grocer held job interviews for veterans and their families on Sept. 15 at all 128 of its Michigan stores. They were hiring to fill around 1,400 jobs in the area. Kroger also attempted to fill 20,000 open positions in the supermarket division across the country by hosting in-store job interviews.

“The Kroger Company of Michigan is deeply committed to Michigan veterans and their families, and we continue to honor our heroes by offering them career opportunities. Kroger is a place where veterans can start with a job and remain for a career,” said Jayne Homco, president of The Kroger Co. of Michigan, in a statement.

Many veterans face unemployment after returning home to the United States from duty due to lack of opportunity or the challenge of transitioning to civilian life. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the joblessness rate for veterans of all generations was 4.3 percent in September. The rate has decreased only slightly from the 4.7 percent recorded in the same month last year.

Unemployment can have a negative impact on both the mental and physical health of veterans. It can also lead to problems such as homelessness. A job can provide veterans with the opportunity to utilize their skills, improve their quality of life and maintain their independence.

In 2014, Kroger hired more than 6,000 veterans nationally through the Honoring Our Heroes campaign as part of its commitment to active duty troops and the country’s more than 23 million veterans.

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Kroger holds open job interviews for veterans nationwide

admin — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 23:02:46 +0000

Kroger, one of the nation’s largest retailers, is doing its part to honor veterans by providing them with employment opportunities.

In 2014, Kroger hired more than 6,000 veterans nationally through the Honoring Our Heroes campaign as part of its commitment to active duty troops and the country’s more than 23 million veterans.

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VA revises access guidelines for service dogs at facilities

admin — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 20:26:18 +0000

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is enforcing new rules to ensure that veterans and visitors to VA hospitals, clinics and other facilities can bring their service dogs to appointments. The new policy took effect on Sept. 16.

Visitors to VA facilities can now bring service animals if they “are individually trained to perform work or tasks on behalf of an individual with a disability,” whether it is physical or mental. Under the policy, only dogs can be considered service animals. VA rules are now in line with existing federal regulations enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Under the regulation, VA facilities are allowed to ask only if the animal is required for a disability and if so, what task the animal has been trained to perform. They cannot request proof of the animal’s training as a service dog. However, VA facility managers have the right to remove a dog from the property if it displays threatening behavior, is untrained or is improperly housebroken.

Service dogs are an essential part of life for many veterans who are coping with post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions. According to Service Dog Central, a national organization of service dog trainers, an estimated 387,000 people nationwide have service dogs.

The change in regulation has been welcomed by veterans advocates working to alter the previous restrictive policy. In the past, the VA allowed only seeing-eye dogs to accompany veterans. Access for other assistance dogs, such as those aiding mobility, was determined inconsistently by local rules which resulted in veterans being allowed to visit only certain facilities with their dogs.

The VA is now training employees to ensure they understand the revised guidelines and that policies at all facilities “are consistent with the new regulation.”

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VA revises access guidelines for service dogs at facilities

admin — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 20:26:18 +0000

The VA is now training employees to ensure they understand the revised guidelines and that policies at all facilities “are consistent with the new regulation.”

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Michigan senator introduces bill to help improperly discharged veterans

admin — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 11:32:08 +0000

U.S. Senator Gary Peters has introduced legislation to help veterans who may not be receiving all the benefits they are entitled to as a result of being improperly discharged from the military due to behavioral changes.

Peters, of Michigan, said the bill would ensure the fair treatment of veterans who were discharged because of behavior resulting from conditions such as traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. A wide range of physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms can arise from such mental traumas, including aggressive outbursts, memory problems and poor judgment.

Peters introduced the bill on Aug. 3 along with several Republican lawmakers. “Service members suffering from mental health trauma should not lose access to benefits that they’ve earned through their service, and they should receive fair due process when petitioning for an upgrade of their discharge status,” Peters said.

The way service members leave the military can have a significant impact on their eligibility for benefits. When veterans are given administrative discharge rather than an honorable one, they often lose out on health, retirement and other benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill would give veterans in such situations an opportunity to have their records reviewed.

“If they have good, solid medical evidence that they indeed suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, then they can get their discharge changed to an honorable discharge,” Peters said.

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Michigan senator introduces bill to help improperly discharged veterans

admin — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 11:32:08 +0000

“If they have good, solid medical evidence that they indeed suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, then they can get their discharge changed to an honorable discharge,” Peters said.

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Mindfulness-based therapy eases PTSD symptoms of veterans

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 11:31:29 +0000

The results of a recent U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) study show that mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy can be more effective in helping to reduce the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans than other forms of group treatment.

The study was carried out at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where researchers randomly assigned 116 veterans with PTSD to receive one of two types of therapy. One group participated in eight weekly 2.5-hour sessions and a daylong retreat that focused on stress reduction though mindfulness and meditation. The other group underwent nine weekly 1.5-hour sessions of present-centered group therapy that emphasized coping mechanisms for PTSD symptoms in daily life.

According to the findings reported on Aug. 4, 49 percent of veterans who received mindfulness-based therapy reported a significant reduction in their PTSD symptoms, compared with 28 percent of those who received standard group therapy. Veterans from the first group also reported a greater improvement in quality of life after two months.

An estimated 23 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are affected by PTSD. Mindfulness training is part of a growing wave of alternative therapies in mainstream medicine. It involves teaching veterans take-home techniques for confronting memories from war that they would otherwise try to avoid. The breathing and calming exercises of meditation help veterans focus on the present and cultivate awareness during everyday activities.

Mindfulness training could work as an alternative or addition to standard PTSD treatments such as prolonged exposure and cognitive processing therapy, said researchers. However, follow-up research into the long-term benefits of the therapy and its future applications in VA PTSD programs is still needed. The findings were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Mindfulness-based therapy eases PTSD symptoms of veterans

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 11:31:29 +0000

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VA comes under fire as Denver hospital crosses budget by over one billion dollars

admin — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 11:40:06 +0000

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is battling a budget crisis and accusations of mismanagement after an unfinished veterans hospital in Aurora, Colorado, has gone more than $1 billion over its original budget of $328 million.

The VA developed a plan a decade ago for the medical center to replace old, congested facilities for around 400,000 veterans in Colorado and nearby states.

The cost of the 184-bed hospital has now ballooned to $1.73 billion, making it one of the most expensive projects in the department’s history. The mounting costs are attributed to poor planning and mismanaged construction by the VA, among other reasons.

Threats of a shutdown have loomed over the project due to lack of money. Congress passed a short-term emergency funding bill on June 12 to continue work on the hospital until the end of September, allowing the VA to re-route $150 million to the project from within the agency’s own 2015 budget.

The VA has yet to work out a long-term funding solution as the facility still requires millions of more dollars. It is likely to be completed in 2017.

“The VA’s mismanagement of this project is inexcusable, and we intend on holding those responsible for the mistakes accountable . . . Our veterans should not suffer for the VA’s mistakes,” U.S. Representative Mike Coffman, R-Aurora, said in a statement.

Congress had rejected the VA’s earlier suggestion to cover costs by taking money from the Veterans Choice Program, which allows veterans to see private doctors after lengthy waits for medical care at VA facilities.

The project highlights the need to make the VA, one of the government’s most heavily funded departments with a budget of $160 billion, more accountable for how it undertakes construction projects and fulfills its main responsibility of providing health care to veterans.

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Honor flight takes Michigan veterans to Washington DC memorial

admin — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:41:31 +0000

Sixty-two Michigan veterans got the chance to visit the World War II Memorial when the Mid-Michigan Honor Flight flew them to Washington, D.C. on June 2.

It was the Mid-Michigan Honor Flight’s third flight to Washington in what marks the tenth year of the free trip in Michigan. It allowed some of the state’s 660,000 veterans to visit the monument that honors them, a trip that otherwise may not have been possible.

“This is a way for these gentlemen to get a hug back from America. We wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for what they did. So, I couldn’t find a better way to thank them,” Mid-Michigan Honor Flight hub director Patricia Donegan said in a statement.

The veterans traveled with their guardians, who paid $500 to sponsor the flight. Some of them stayed at the Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, for dinner and entertainment the night before the trip.

They were greeted by several members of Congress and current servicemen upon arriving in Washington, D.C.

The Mid-Michigan Honor Flight, run entirely by volunteers, is hoping to host a second flight later this year despite being underfunded.

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Bikes for Vets Helps 8 Veterans at Event

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 14:18:03 +0000

Unemployment continues to be one of the biggest struggles veterans face after exiting the military. Whether it’s due to emotional distress, physical injury, or financial hardship, many veterans are unable to land a job. Making matters worse, there are far too few programs that veterans can look to for help.

Fortunately, one Metro Detroiter’s has a simple, yet genius, answer to this problem: “Give them a bike”. It may not sound like much, but Bikes for Vets is the real-deal. It eliminates the one of the largest barriers to employment, transportation. The cost of maintaining and insuring a car is very high in Michigan. If a person cannot afford a car, they have no way of getting to work unless he/she relies on someone else for a ride. When you are dependent on someone else to get you to work, there are always scheduling conflicts that will force you to be late or miss work.

Bikes for Vets aims to solve this money and dependency issue. By providing a vet virtually free transportation, they can arrive to work on a consistent basis. Add this to the large public bus systems of Metro Detroit, and you can provide people with a fast, reliable, rock-bottom priced method of transportation.

Bill Mowder, the creator of the Bikes for Vets program, said the idea suddenly hit him one day as he was watching a person load his bike on to the front of a public bus. As an Americorps Navigator, he is assisting veterans every single day. Yet, he thought there was more to be done, particularly with finding them transportation.

Traditional transportation assistance involves helping veterans with car expenses, but as we know, this can be expensive. For example, for a veteran to get assistance on a car repair he must get two certified estimates and verification of car insurance. Most veterans cannot even afford the mechanic inspections, let alone car insurance payments. On average, the cost of inspection, parts, and service totals to about $900.00.

The Bikes for Vets solution, on the other hand, is cost-effective and easy. Bill found that most people in the Metro Detroit area live within 10 miles of where they work. In addition to this, public busing systems are available in most areas and all Metro Detroit buses are fitted with a bike rack. These circumstances allow for biking to be a realistic option of transportation.

With the help of the local store D&D Bicycles and Hockey, he was able to purchase a reliable bike at an affordable price. At $437.00, a veteran receives a bike, helmet, kickstand, rack, and bike lock so they are ready to hit the road the next day. D&D Bicycles and Hockey has several locations around the Metro Detroit area including Northville and Westland.

The program’s first four participants gave rave reviews of the concept, namely the health and work benefits. One man was able to arrive to work on-time consistently and finally get 40 hours a week. A woman reported her 22 mile-a-day ride allowed her to lose 7 pounds in just a week of work.

Besides the obvious physical health benefits, veterans also reported better mental health from participating in Bikes for Vets. By avoiding car payments and maintenance, their stress levels are significantly reduced. This saved money allows them to pay their bills, building their self-esteem.

Since the first test of concept, he has given bikes to 15 veterans thus far. Private donations have allowed this program to flourish. Bill expects that as awareness increases, the program will quickly spread statewide, and hopefully throughout the country.

If you would like to contribute to this worthy cause, please contact Bill at bill.mowder@yahoo.com.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your PTSD, TBI, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, TDIU, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

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Veterans Choice Program Dramatically Expands Eligibility

admin — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 18:33:24 +0000

A simple rule change by the Department of Veterans Affairs resulted in a roughly 100 percent increase in the number of veterans eligible for the Veterans Choice Program.

The Veterans Choice Program allows eligible veterans to receive health care outside the VA system. One of the criteria for eligibility is living more than 40 miles from the closest VA health care facility.

Previously, this distance was calculated as a straight line between a veteran’s residence and the facility. Effective immediately, driving distance will be the determining factor instead of straight-line distance. According to the VA, nearly twice as many veterans now qualify for the program.

Being that the purpose of the program is to alleviate the burden of veterans who may live far from VA health care facilities, it makes a lot of sense to use driving distance to determine eligibility. This simple rule change will significantly increase the health care access of a huge number of veterans. We at Legal Help for Veterans applaud the VA for this significant and very beneficial change in policy.

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Michigan to make 12 state parks available to veterans for fireworks-free Fourth of July

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 18:28:54 +0000

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced on May 13 that it will make 12 state parks available to veterans in the state during the Independence Day holiday period of July 3 through July 5 for a celebration free of fireworks.

The policy, known as the Fireworks-Free Fourth of July, is the result of a partnership between the DNR and Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. While officials do not guarantee that fireworks will be set off near the state parks, they are hoping that there is enough distance between urban areas and the green spaces to make sure that the mood, as well as atmosphere, will remain on the low-key side in the parks.

“While fireworks are a traditional Fourth of July festivity, some veterans and others prefer a calmer celebration with a little less excitement,” said DNR Parks and Recreation Division Chief Ron Olson. “We are pleased to honor our veterans and offer that opportunity in several of our beautiful state parks.”

Michigan is home to 658,469 veterans, according to the most recent statistics compiled by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

A list of the 12 state parks covered by the policy can be found at the DNR website.

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Michigan’s ‘Welcome Home’ Bill to Help Veterans Transition into Civilian Life

admin — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 18:24:27 +0000

Legislation to help veterans returning home receive information about employment and benefits available to them was passed by the Michigan House of Representatives on May 12 and has gone to the governor for consideration.

Michigan governor Rick Snyder will look at the bill sponsored by Senator Jim Stamas, R-Midland. If approved, the legislation will assign the state’s Veterans Affairs Agency the task of sending “welcome home” letters to veterans returning to the United States from duty.

The outreach measure is intended to ensure Michigan’s veterans a smooth transition into civilian life and employment. Veterans face many challenges when it comes to assimilating with non-military life, whether it is finding housing or dealing with health issues such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The letter will include information about veterans service organizations and other useful communication about job and education opportunities, as well as benefits they earned.

Stamas said the reform was a way to express appreciation to Michigan’s 650,000 veterans who “make tremendous sacrifices to protect our freedoms and way of life.”

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your PTSD, TBI, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, TDIU, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

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Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Renews Push for Reform of Military Sexual Assault Prosecutions

admin — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 11:41:04 +0000

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) has told Politico that she is planning to push for a new vote on her military sexual assault reform bill.

Last year, the senator’s bill was defeated in Congress. Gillibrand’s bill sought to put the decision to prosecute sexual assault cases into the hands of prosecutors, not commanding officers. But those who dissented, including Senator Claire McCaskill, say that Gillibrand’s bill was examined by experts who agree that it would not create the desired effect of reducing military sexual assault and retaliation against survivors.

McCaskill introduced and successfully passed a bill last year that increased oversight of military sexual assault cases while keeping prosecutorial decision-making within the chain of command.

Generally, politicians, the public and the media agree that sexual assault and retaliation against those who report it are major problems in the military. The Department of Defense recently found that more than 60 percent of servicemembers who reported a sexual assault faced some form of retaliation.

The Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN) points out that in addition to retaliation from fellow servicemembers, survivors of military sexual assault face discrimination in having post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) claims approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). SWAN notes that survivors of military sexual trauma (MST) have their PTSD claims approved at a rate that is more than 20 percent lower than that of other PTSD claims.

While SWAN supports Gillibrand’s bill, it is also undertaking independent efforts to change VA evidentiary standards for MST-related PTSD claims. The group advocates for a policy that requires the same level of evidence for MST-related PTSD claims as for other PTSD claims — a standard that has been relaxed in recent years in order to help more veterans with valid claims get the treatment they need.

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VA Settles on a Single Map of the US in an Effort to Simplify the Agency

admin — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 08:00:12 +0000

After several reports on the horrendous customer service of the Department of Veterans Affairs toward veterans in 2014, the VA is now celebrating some “good news” on that front for 2015: VA officials have settled on a single map of the United States.

Pop the Champagne for bureaucratic progress!

It should be noted, the Department currently uses at least nine maps of the US, which divides the country into dozens of regional networks and administrative duties for its hundreds of programs.

Later this year, all VA agencies will be on the same page, looking at the same map, coordinating efforts along the newly drawn five regions to allow veterans a single point of entry for a host of office offerings.

However, VA officials skimmed past specific details on what they called “the biggest organizational change in VA history,” but said the work will not immediately mean cuts to the 340,000-plus workforce.

The new VA Secretary, Bob McDonald, has touted the MyVA program as an overall push to improve customer service toward veterans by trimming layers of bureaucratic waste and duplication, which has caused many a veteran headaches.

To its credit, the program has improved signage at hospitals and given more independent authority to call center operators on veterans benefits issues. The map change, officials said, could potentially improve communication and coordination between offices that previously had little interaction, creating more one-stop shops for veterans.

But don’t hold your breath quite yet, as details on exactly how this change will all play out won’t be decided for months. (Agreeing on one map was hard enough.)

The Regional Offices, which oversee benefits processing, home loan awards, and health care services, among other items, will each have to decide how to realign their operations in light of the new map.

On a briefing call earlier this week, VA officials said the map announcement was intended to provide an update on the overall MyVA simplification efforts and to reassure veterans that work is taking place.

Secretary McDonald said in a statement that this is the “first step in empowering veterans to interact with one VA” and a way to “improve the veteran experience by enabling veterans to more easily … access their earned care and benefits.”

VA expects to have plans in place to ensure their structures are aligned within the new map by the end of June.

Read more on this story in the Military Times:

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/benefits/veterans/2015/01/26/myva-new-map-simplify-regions/22358125/

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Study: Yoga Can Help Treat PTSD in Veterans

admin — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 11:23:56 +0000

New research published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress suggests that the practice of yoga could help combat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The study examined the effects of Sudarshan Kriya yoga on PTSD patients over the course of one year. Sudarshan Kriya focuses on breathing-based meditation. Twenty-one male Iraq/Afghanistan veterans diagnosed with PTSD participated in the study. Eleven participated in a seven-day program that included Sudarshan Kriya, meditation and group discussions, while 10 participants were used as a control group.

Up to 20 percent of America’s 2.3 million Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suffer from PTSD. The effects are deadly: according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, at least 22 American veterans commit suicide each day.

Individuals suffering from PTSD suffer from anxiety, personality changes and flashbacks. They often feel jumpy and constantly on guard, a phenomenon known as hyper-arousal. Traditional treatment includes antidepressants and psychotherapy.

The veterans’ symptoms were evaluated one week prior to the program, followed by one week, one month and one year after the program. Of the veterans involved in the active program, seven continued to practice yoga afterwards.

The study found that the group that did yoga had fewer PTSD symptoms, and symptoms that did occur were less severe. They had lower anxiety, a lower respiratory rate and showed less hyper-arousal and greater regulation of emotions. The participants in the yoga group reported fewer intrusive memories, and most patients reported that while they experienced trauma during the yoga practice, the impact of the memories was lessened.

In the past, yoga has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing PTSD in tsunami survivors, as well as in the treatment of anxiety, depression and alcoholism.

The practice of yoga is founded in focusing on breathing and remaining in the present moment. Yoga practitioners are also trained in “intraception,” the practice of observing and understanding one’s internal state. In conjunction with other treatments, these tools may help individuals with PTSD to move away from negative thoughts.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your PTSD, TBI, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, TDIU, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

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Veterans Can Find Help Applying to Upgrade Discharge for PTSD at New Website

admin — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 08:00:25 +0000

Veterans looking for an upgrade to their punitive discharges related to behavior problems caused by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can find assistance at a new website: http://arba.army.pentagon.mil/adrb-ptsd.cfm

This initiative follows a recent directive to the Army’s Review Board Agency (ARBA) to help those veterans whose discharges were under “other than honorable” conditions, and who assert that they suffered from PTSD or related conditions that might have facilitated the misconduct that led to their discharge.

While this directive is focused on those veterans who served before PTSD was a recognized as a debilitating medical condition, it applies to all veterans (who have “other than honorable” discharges). This comes as welcome news for the thousands of Vietnam-era veterans who may have been given punitive discharges as a result of their conduct caused by PTSD.

The ARBA is the Army’s highest level of administrative review for actions taken by lower level organizations, and it includes several boards that hear claims of soldiers and veterans who appeal unfavorable information in their personnel records – which include discharge statuses for veterans.

Upgrading one’s discharge can be crucial for veterans seeking benefits offered by Veterans Affairs. Less than honorable and other than honorable discharges are very often a disqualifying factor from benefits.

Veterans’ organizations, like the Vietnam Veterans of America, estimate that one third of the 250,000 other than honorable discharges issued to Vietnam-era veterans may have been PTSD-related. Three veterans organizations, along with five Vietnam-era combat veterans, recently filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking relief for those tens of thousands of veterans who fall into that category.

Under the new directive, veterans who were previously denied upgrades can re-apply and the ARBA will consider the case on a blank slate. However, this only applies to veterans with other than honorable discharges, and not those who were discharged under “less than honorable” conditions due to serious infractions.

While we do not work on discharge upgrades, if you have a VA disability claim you can contact attorney Kristina Derro at (800) 693-4800.

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A Lesson in Customer Service: Veterans are Not an “Oscar the Grouch”

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 07:00:16 +0000

The Department of Veterans Affairs continues its parade of poor decisions and bad ideas with their most recent slideshow shown to VA employees, which depicts veterans as Oscar the Grouch, the character from Sesame Street.

Perhaps the VA needs to bring in Oscar the Grouch’s Sesame Street neighbor, Count von Count, to give themselves a lesson and count how many veterans have waited far too long to receive the health care and benefits they have earned.

The cranky Sesame Street character who lives in a garbage can was used in reference to veterans who will attend town-hall events Wednesday in Philadelphia. The spokeswoman from the Philadelphia VA benefits office – which will host the town halls – said in a statement that the agency regretted any misunderstanding caused by the slide show.

There’s no clear answer as whether this idea came out of the Philadelphia VA or the national office. But so much for improving customer service to our veterans.

What’s more, the slide show contains a “coping with stress” and four-minute relaxation technique for employees if they feel angry or overwhelmed (by the veterans in attendance at the town ha
lls).

Maybe some of the veterans in attendance would love to know about those “coping with stress” techniques as well, especially as they sit on egregiously long wait lists for care.

The bottom-line throughout all this unfortunate news coming out of the VA is this: those who have sacrificed so much for our country do not deserve to be treated like garbage. They are not grouches. Veterans are not “too demanding” or “unreasonable” when they get upset by the current state of their care. Many have lost trust in the VA.

Instead of slideshows depicting Oscar the Grouch and relaxation techniques for employees, perhaps a presentation on best practices, cutting wait times, and real customer service is in order.

Read more on this issue on Stars & Stripes’ website: http://www.stripes.com/news/philly-va-training-slides-depicted-veterans-as-oscar-the-grouch-1.300205

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your PTSD, TBI, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, TDIU, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

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The Brutal Legacy of War Left on Military Members

admin — Wed, 28 May 2014 09:00:38 +0000

A new study released Thursday has started to unveil the brutal legacy that has been left on members of the U.S military and its veterans after more than a decade of war.

The study found that over the past year, on average, each service member visited the doctor more than once a month. This marks the highest rate ever for out-patient treatment of U.S. military members.

Doctors have encountered out-patient visits at a shocking pace of 14 out-patient visits per service member in the past year of 2013. This is a whopping 60% increase from average out-patients visits by U.S. military members in 2004.

Among the most frequently treated problems, more than 20 million out-patient visits by troops were primarily for joint and back problems and mental disorders. Rates for both of these ailments have increased by 30% since 2009.

The study also found that women in the service visited doctors more frequently than their male counterparts, even after discounting issues related to pregnancy. The most common behavioral health problems men were treated for were alcoholism, anxiety, and adjustment issues. For women, the most common issues were anxiety, adjustment disorders, and depression.

The negative effects of war on the health of those serving in the military are becoming ever more apparent. Veterans who have served are struggling through a growing list of medical problems, making the need for veteran aid more apparent.

With this new study, and reports of poor veteran treatment like the “secret waiting list” at the Phoenix VA*, this country needs to renew its dedication to properly caring for those who have protected our freedoms in times of war.

*Read LHFV’s past post on the “secret waiting list” issue here: http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/2014/04/an-absolute-disgrace-veterans-dying-on-va-hospitals-secret-list/

You can read more in the Army Times article here: http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140508/BENEFITS06/305080052/Troops-go-doctors-more-than-ever-new-survey-shows

To read the full report, check out the April edition of the Pentagon’s Medical Surveillance Monthly Report. It can be found here: http://phc.amedd.army.mil/PHC%20Resource%20Library/MSMRv21_n04.pdf

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your PTSD, TBI, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, TDIU, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

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Homelessness Dogs Disproportionate Number of Michigan Veterans

admin — Thu, 01 May 2014 22:33:54 +0000

Between 2011 and 2012, the Michigan homeless population dropped modestly from 94,033 to 93,619. But during the same year-to-year period, the trend among homeless veterans moved in the opposite direction, increasing from 4,073 to 4,243 individuals. And there is reason to believe that veterans’ greater tendency to fall into social isolation has helped deteriorate figures among veterans.

Whatever the cause of homelessness among veterans, the statistics are clear: while veterans constitute only 7 percent of the general population nationally, they account for 13 percent of the adult homeless population. In short, veterans are twice as likely as the civilian population to become homeless.

Unfortunately, two traits common among veterans — a sense of pride that discourages seeking help and a lack of awareness of job and housing programs — often combine to make former members of the military more likely to struggle onward without a home. And, as is the case for many homeless individuals, job loss, extenuating circumstances and divorce are common causal factors that make the struggle even worse.

Nationwide, 140,000 homeless veterans stayed in a shelter at some point in 2012, according to the Department of Housing and Development. And an extraordinarily high number of them are socially isolated upon arrival.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found that 96 percent of veterans arrive at shelters alone and without family. The lack of a social support network can be especially devastating for a demographic group with an already high percentage of individuals with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

There are programs in Michigan, including the Grand-Rapids-based nonprofit housing agency Community Rebuilders, that help homeless veterans find housing. Legal Help for Veterans stands ready to help veterans secure the benefits that can assist them in their time of need. They have earned our support through their service to our country.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your PTSD, TBI, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, TDIU, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

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Tinnitus Is an Annoyance for Many but a Potential Disability for Veterans

admin — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 14:49:49 +0000

Frequent, deafening noise must rank as one of the great downsides of modern civilization. Unsurprisingly, construction sites, rock concerts, and other disruptive sources of sound have contributed to a significant incidence of tinnitus (often identified as a mysterious ringing in the ears) in the U.S. population. Tinnitus can become either an annoyance or a debilitating condition, depending on its circumstances. For combat veterans, it is an unfortunately common and complicating disability.

Statistics estimate that tinnitus, which strikes young and old alike, affects 10 percent to 15 percent of the U.S. population. But rates among combat veterans are much higher. A recent U.S. Army study concluded that 25 percent of all soldiers return from service in Iraq and Afghanistan with the compromised hearing that results in tinnitus.

There are multiple causes of tinnitus, including noise-induced hearing loss, obstruction of the ear canal, damage to the inner ear and even tumors. Some theories posit that the brain creates the ringing associated with tinnitus as a means of replacing the sounds the ear once heard.

Imagine the environment in which soldiers work. Sudden, loud noises and explosions are a routine occupational hazard to both hearing and life. Unfortunately, the use of hearing protection is rarely practical in combat circumstances.

Tinnitus has also been associated with psychological factors, including fear and memory. Veterans face the possible dimension of this complicating factor both on the battlefield and after the return home, especially in cases involved post-traumatic stress disorder.

When a veteran seeks disability compensation for hearing loss and/or tinnitus, it is important that the claim provide as much information as possible on the likely source of the hearing damage, the duration of exposure and any hearing protection that was employed. A medical opinion from an ear specialist will also help expedite such a claim through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your PTSD, TBI, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, TDIU, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

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VA Findings Expand Service-Connected Illnesses

admin — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 15:41:35 +0000

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) linked five more illnesses to traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The good news for veterans suffering from these illnesses, as well as TBI, is that they will have an easier time getting much-needed additional disability benefits.

The five conditions linked to moderate to severe TBI were: Parkinson’s disease, certain types of dementia, depression, unprovoked seizures, and certain diseases of the hypothalamus and pituitary glands.

Those secondary illnesses will be considered service-connected and won’t require medical opinions to establish whether there is correlation to TBI. However, the findings come with some caveats to receiving benefits.

The severity of a TBI must be “moderate to severe” and three of the five illnesses need to manifest themselves within a certain length of time from the TBI. Dementia must manifest within 15 years of a TBI. For depression, it’s three years (or 12 months for a mild TBI). For hormone deficiencies of the hypothalamus or pituitary glands it’s 12 months.

Still, the VA encourages veterans to file claims even if they don’t meet the severity of TBI or length of time between TBI and the secondary illness.

For more information on veteran benefits and answers to FAQs, visit www.legalhelpforveterans.com and be sure to check out our e-books as well.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your PTSD, TBI, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, TDIU, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

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Is it the Middle Managers at VA?

admin — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 09:00:34 +0000

Jim Fausone
Veterans Disability Lawyer

In most organizations the people at the top get it. The people at the bottom are just doing a job. It is the people in the middle that make or break the team. You have seen it where there is “no bench” strength. If the star football player goes down, no one steps up. It is about the LTs and the NCOs. Well, one Congressman called this issue out. “It’s become apparent to me and many others that there is a culture of complacency among the agency’s middle management,” Rep. Jeffrey Miller (R-Fla.), chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC), told International Business Times. “These mid-level managers know that as federal employees there is a good chance they’ll have their position longer than I will be chairman of oversight, and longer than the VA secretary will have his job. They’re evidently willing to just wait out those of us who are trying to change things, and unfortunately the consequences are as serious as life and death for our veterans.” So Congress knows the problem, gosh I don’t want to keep blogging about that for the next decade, and where the bulk of the problem is located. So, do something!

Read more about this in a recent article.

http://www.ibtimes.com/va-broken-death-medical-mistreatment-claims-backlogs-neglect-veterans-affairs-hospitals-clinics

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your PTSD, TBI, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, TDIU, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

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Veterans Court Needs Mentors

admin — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 09:00:40 +0000

Kristina Derro, Esq.

The 17^th District Court in Redford, Michigan, has established a special veterans court that addresses the problems of military veterans who have encountered legal issues stemming from their military experiences. It allows veterans who were convicted of or plead guilty to certain charges the opportunity to be placed into a special program that, while still holding them accountable for the charges, allows the veterans to receive a coordinated response to the unique problems they are facing. It provides the veterans with a positive interaction between court personnel, prosecutors, probation staff, the VA, and local veterans groups.

One of the big features of this court is that it has established a “Military Veterans Mentoring Program” to assist the veterans appearing before the court. The program pairs troubled veterans with veterans who successfully made the transition from military to civilian life. It allows a positive interaction and provides the troubled veterans with the opportunity to receive advice and guidance from one of their veteran peers who understands the rigors of returning to civilian life.

Right now, the court is in need of veteran mentors. If you or someone you know is a veteran is willing to commit to a few hours each month to assist a fellow veteran in need, please call the Veterans Coordinator for the 17^th District Court, Jim Badeen, at (313) 387-2792 or visit the mentoring program’s website at www.17thvetmentorsredford.co. You will be trained prior to being paired with a veteran involved in the program.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your PTSD, TBI, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, TDIU, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

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Florida Wildlife Commission Now Offering Disabled Vets License Exemptions

admin — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 09:00:02 +0000

In Florida, the state legislature and Governor Rick Scott have worked together to give hunting veterans a break. They passed a bill during the 2013 legislative session which created a recreational hunting and fishing licensing exception for active and reserve duty military service members, disabled veterans, their immediate family members and their assistants during the special events that are regularly held for vet-focused recreation or rehabilitation purposes. The exemption was started as of September 5, 2013, by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

As the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Chairman Richard Corbett stated, Florida’s military and disabled veterans gave so much to the state that the state wanted to give something back. Veterans are invited to participate in hunting and fishing events without first having to buy a license or a permit.

The exemption does not mean that active military personnel and disabled veterans can simply go off and fish and hunt without a license. The exception is specifically for participation in special events such as an NRA-organized hunt or a fishing trip sponsored by the Wounded Warriors. The event organizers must still apply for an event permit in order for the qualified exemption to kick in for participants

The permit exemption does mean that the qualified event participants may fish and hunt without a saltwater or freshwater fishing license or a recreational hunting license, nor will they need a permit to hunt Florida migratory birds, waterfowl, turkey, deer, or snook, or to gather spiny lobsters, or shoot during archery season, crossbow season, or muzzle-loading season, if the participant is taking part in an exempted event in which those activities are sponsored. The permit exemption does not cover alligator trapping licenses or permits, tarpon tags, the federal duck stamp or limited entry/quota hunts.

The exemption also does not authorize any fishing or hunting without a license by someone who is not a qualified event participant directly participating in the permitted event.

A number of other states also offer fishing and hunting licensing breaks to veterans: In North Carolina, vets who are 50 percent or more disabled may get a lifetime hunting-fishing license for $10.00. Veterans with service-related disabilities in Iowa can get a lifetime hunting or fishing license for a $7.00 fee. New Mexico offers any veteran with a 100 percent service-connected disabled a free lifetime small-game hunting and fishing license.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your PTSD, TBI, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, TDIU, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

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Little-Used Tax Credit for Hiring Disabled Vets Can Be a Boon To Employers

admin — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 01:23:35 +0000

There is a significant tax benefit for employers who hire a qualified veteran. The employer benefit is in the form of a tax return credit, available to those who hire vets before December 31, 2013. The business can receive up to $9,600 in tax credit as part of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). The credit is part of other business-related tax credits on the Form 3800, General Business Credits.

Are many employers claiming the credit early next year? Right now, it is hard to say. But the numbers show that more vets are being hired: according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job numbers have been slowly and steadily increasing for the past several years. In fact, the employment rate for veterans is currently much higher than that of the national average compared to civilian employment.

The currently unemployment rate for vets is currently at 6.3 percent, down from 6.6 percent in May 2013. And that’s a drop from June 2012, which had an unemployment rate for veterans of 7.2 percent – mostly affecting Gulf War Era veterans. The latest drop in vet unemployment rates seems to have been caused at least in part by the Veterans Administration’s pushes for greater employment and visibility for vets, including Hiring Our Heroes and the Veteran Retraining and Assistance program. Also, says veteran advocates, there seems to be a greater acceptance from civilian employers that hiring veterans means access to employees with extensive training, proven discipline and undeniable experience. A number of large corporations and nonprofit groups have launched programs and initiatives to hire more of the nation’s veterans.

To get the credit, the employer must hire a qualified veteran. A qualified veteran is someone who has served on active duty (not including training) in the U.S. Armed Forces for more than 180 days, or who was discharged or released from active duty for a service-connected disability. Additionally, they must be hired as an employee prior to December 31, 2013, and must be appropriately certified by the State Workforce Agency (SWA) as: a member of a family which receives food stamp assistance for three or more months during the previous 12 months prior to hiring; unemployed for four or more weeks, though less than six months, within the 12 months prior to the hiring; gainfully entitled to their service compensation disability which was service-connected; and hired not more than one year after their discharge or release from active duty. The vet must not be related to the employer, have worked for the employer previously, be a dependent of the employer, or work fewer than 120 hours during a one-year period.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your PTSD, TBI, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, TDIU, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

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Possible Expansion of VA Benefits

admin — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 09:00:50 +0000

Jim Fausone
Veteran Disability Attorney

New benefits may be in the pipeline for veterans. The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee has voted to add numerous initiatives to the “omnibus” bill, S 944. The Committee voted to expand programs aimed at helping more veterans find work, helping more injured vets get reproductive health services, and to pay caregivers of seriously wounded veterans who left service before 9/11 a monthly stipend plus expenses.

How the legislature will pay for these initiatives, which are estimated at $12 billion over the next 5 years, has not yet been determined.

Other initiatives added to the omnibus bill include: requiring public colleges to charge veterans on the GI Bill lower in-state tuition rates; requiring additional quarterly public reporting by the VA on disability claims processing; greater access to VA disability compensation for victims of sexual assault; and increasing veterans’ access to alternative medicine, chiropractic care, and other new care approaches. Also included is a proposal to offer new incentives to employers who hire veterans.

Of course, there is some opposition to these measures. Rep Richard Burr (N.C.), a member of the committee, opposed the provisions that are not paid for. The Committee Chairman responded by promising to do his “best to find funding” for these programs.

However, all were in agreement on one initiative – granting “veteran” status to more than 200,000 Reserve and Guard retirees. This includes those who served 20 years or more but less than 180 days were on active duty. This measure has no cost because these veterans aren’t seeking additional VA benefits. They simply wish to be able to answer “yes” when asked if they are veterans or to be able to stand and be recognized at a gathering of veterans. This is a small but meaningful token to show appreciation to those who served this country.

These initiatives will now be added to the “omnibus” bill and forwarded to the full senate for additional debate and amendments before passage.

If you have questions about veteran benefits or potential changes in the law, contact Legal Help For Veterans, a veteran law practice group of Fausone Bohn, LLP, at 800-693-4800 or online at www.LegalHelpForVeterans.com.

To read more about these potential new changes to veterans’ laws, please visit: http://www.stripes.com/news/us/panel-votes-to-expand-va-benefits-let-reserve-guard-retirees-be-vets-1.232119#.UfGAYwmp-Vo.email.

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Sexual Abuse in the Military – a Costly Problem

admin — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 09:00:32 +0000

Brigadier General Carol Ann Fausone (ret.)

The failure to address sexual assault in the military is costing the U.S. billions of dollars per year.

A new study released from the RAND Corporation calculated costs of medical and mental health services that victims of these assaults seek after an incident, as well as other “intangible” costs. All told, the study believes that these costs reached $3.6 billion last year.

These findings add to a growing sense of urgency surrounding this important problem. Reports of these incidents have spiked 35% since 2010. Astoundingly, as many as 26,000 members of the military were sexually assaulted last year.

Currently, military sexual assaults are dealt with through the chain of command. However, this can result in retaliation from co-workers and might discourage victims from coming forward. In an attempt to combat this, the U.S. House of Representatives has recently passed a provision providing whistleblower protection to victims of these assaults.

Additionally, some senators have proposed an amendment taking this process out of the chain of command entirely by creating special military prosecutors in charge of these investigations.

One thing is for sure – all necessary measures need to be taken to stop this atrocious conduct. It is our duty to protect those who protect us.

If you have questions about this topic or other veteran issues, contact Legal Help For Veterans, a practice group of Fausone Bohn, LLP, at 800.693.4800 or online at www.legalhelpforveterans.com.

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Annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games Welcomed More Than 500 Athletes

admin — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:00:00 +0000

More than 500 military veterans participated this July in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. The annual multi-event program features vets who compete in sports events using wheelchairs due to amputations, neurological issues or spinal cord injuries. Approximately 25 percent of the competitors competed for the first time. The games promote both national and world-class sports champions and also allow newly-disabled vets to meet and socialize with other wheelchair athletes and get introduced to other wheelchair sports competitions.

“Events like the National Veterans Wheelchair Games are a not only a good time for vets to get together and compete,” commented veteran disability attorney James Fausone, “They are also great opportunity to show the public how capable and active so many disabled vets are. We are still facing an uphill battle when it comes to disabled veterans and underemployment, and in seeing them fully integrated in the media when it comes to civilian life.”

Athletes are placed in competition in the events ranked with those of similar athletic abilities, age and/or competition experience. Events include archery, air guns, field events, bowling, basketball, hand-cycling, power soccer, slalom, quad rugby, swimming, softball, track, weightlifting and more. The Games are overseen by Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Department of Veterans Affairs, funded in part by civic and corporate sponsors as well as veteran service organizations. The Games are also backed by more than 3,000 local volunteers, many of whom return every year to assist in everything from transportation assistance to ticket taking, water distribution, meals and crowd control.

In tandem with the National Veterans Wheelchair Games was the annual Kids Day event. Now in its 14^th year, the Kids Day event offers local children with physical disabilities the opportunity to try adaptive sports activities. Kids Day is designed to promote active and fun activities as well as teamwork and determination to children with physical disabilities. Participating children are traditionally presenting with participating medals by veteran athlete mentors at the conclusion of the Kids Day events.

The Games first began in 1981 in the Tampa, Florida area. Thousands of disabled veterans have participated over the past 33 years in the events designed to support sports, competition and camaraderie among the nation’s military.

Source
http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/2013/July/600-Veterans-to-Seize-the-Day-in-Tampa-Bay.asp

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Joint Electronic Health Record Program Off

admin — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 09:00:12 +0000

Jim Fausone
Veterans Disability Lawyer
We have written about this before, the need for VA and DOD to be able to communicate on the medical records front. It seemed that DOD and VA recognized the importance of this issue and were working on a joint solution. Now we learn the joint project is off. Both departments, including an interagency program office created to oversee joint electronic health records initiatives, spent more than $1 billion on their most recent efforts to build a joint system. The project costs have reportedly ballooned from an estimated $4 billion to $12 billion.

DOD is going to look to a commercial solution to Electronic Health Records (HER). The need to coordinate with VA still exists. Will the commercial solution be able to communicate seamlessly with VA’s system. We are told it will but the DOD system may cost $16 billion. We are not left with a great deal of confidence in the new direction. The problem of lack of coordinated EHR may continue for years.

http://www.federaltimes.com/article/20130612/IT03/306120010/DoD-VA-spent-1B-trying-build-joint-health-records-system

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your PTSD, TBI, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, TDIU, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

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New Report Releases Best Online College Programs for Military Vets

admin — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 09:00:57 +0000

Jim Fausone
Veteran Disability Attorney

Online learning can be a flexible, affordable way to earn a college degree, which may be why more vets than ever are looking at online education.

Vets are attending college as never before, in large part perhaps due to the unemployment numbers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment for vets between 18 and 24 was 30 percent in 2011, while unemployment was just 18 percent for ages 18 to 24 in the general population.

U.S. News & World Report released its premiere listing of online education programs for military vets. Almost fifty percent of vets return from service looking to further their education by enrolling in post-secondary schools. A large percentage of those vets, according to Student Veterans of America, attend online programs as a way to meet family and work obligations.

The online schools listed by U.S. News include a number of educational programs that award college credit for eligible students who have military experience. There were also schools listed that focus on flexibility for students who are taking courses with more than one school or program. U.S. News also ranked programs based on their graduation rates and the amount of debt students faced after graduation. Their ranking, said a U.S. News spokesperson, was not just based on the benefits of each program, but also based on overall quality of the program offerings.

The ten top online programs offering bachelor degrees in terms of quality, affordability and program selection, according to U.S. News, are offered by: Pace University; Charter Oak State College; Brandman University; Bellevue University; Regent University; University of Nebraska – Omaha; California Baptist University; Post University; Ball State University, and Fort Hays State University.

The ten top online Master of Business Administration programs, according to U.S. News, are offered by: Central Michigan University; West Virginia University; Washington State University; Temple University; University of Nebraska – Lincoln; University of Mississippi; University of Colorado – Denver; University of Memphis (Fogelman); Ball State University (Miller); and Columbia College.

The revised G.I. Bill covers college tuition of $280 per unit and three years of full-time school, and includes a book allowance of $500 as well as a basic housing allowance of up to $1,500 per month. The housing allowance is based on the cost of living in the nearest military installation. Vets with extended years of service can often transfer their own education benefits to be used by their immediate family members.

Sources

http://www.marketplace.org/topics/life/education/theres-huge-market-online-education-veterans
http://www.chicoer.com/news/ci_23230440/returning-military-veterans-choosing-college-record-numbers

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your PTSD, TBI, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, TDIU, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

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Military Sexual Assaults On the Rise

admin — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:00:40 +0000

Jim Fausone
Veteran Disability Attorney

The military has been subject to a number of high profile sexual assault news items in recent weeks. Currently Air Force Lt. Col. Jeffrey Krusinski, the Air Force’s head of sexual assault prevention, is under investigation for allegedly groping a woman inNorth Virginia, while more than 30 Texas-based instructors with the Air Force are under investigation regarding assault charges against trainees.

Although military sexual assaults have been garnering increased attention due to these latest, high-profile news stories, according to the latest estimates, the majority of military sexual assaults still go unreported. There were possibly as many as 26,000 assaults in 2012, according to a new report released by the Pentagon.

Of the estimated 26,000 military members who may have been sexually assaulted in 2012, just over 3,300 made a report, and fewer than 800 sought assistance while declining to file a complaint. The victims of military sexual assault or unwanted sexual contact are usually young, low-ranking service members. The perpetrators are usually also in the armed forces.

Two House members, Reps. Niki Tsongas, D-Mass, and Mike Turner, R-Ohio, have proposed a bill that would strip officers of their authority to dismiss or change the court-martial conviction of sexual assault and other major cases, and would require the dismissal or dishonorable discharge of anyone found guilty of the attempt of or act of rape, sexual assault, or forcible sodomy. Their goal, said Turner, is to establish guidelines for the punishment for sexual assault convictions and to remove that punishment from the chain of command.

The Pentagon’s report indicated that sexual assault reporting is on the rise, from an estimated 26,000 assaults in 2012 from an estimated 19,000 assaults in 2011. According to the report, at least 6 percent of the more than 1 million active duty members in 2012, both men and women, reported unwanted sexual contact. A significant percentage of the offenders were either Defense Department civilians or contractors or active military members.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has instructed military leaders to design a way to hold commanders accountable for fostering an environment of “dignity and respect,” including a July 1 deadline to complete visual inspections of workspaces to ensure they do not include the display of degrading materials.

Sens. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., and Patty Murray, D-Wash., recently introduced legislation which would prohibit sexual contact between instructors and trainees for the duration of basic training and for an additional 30 days after training is completed, and which would provide sexual assault victims with a lawyer advocate trained in sexual assault complaints, and which would make available to the National Guard and Reserve trained sexual assault response coordinators. Murphy stated that not only are service members failed by the system by having a climate in which assaults happen, but they are further failed by not having a support system in place for victims after the incident.

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/05/08/most-military-sexual-assault-cases-go-unreported.html?comp=700001075741&rank=1

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Appeals Wait Longer

admin — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 09:00:39 +0000

Jim Fausone
Veteran Disability Lawyer

We work with over a 1000 veterans and most of those veterans are waiting on appeals of VA decisions. The initial decision backlog at VA is getting a lot of national attention. A hidden story has finally made the national news. That story is how long it takes to have an appeal heard of a VA denial of service connection or low rating by the regional office in an initial decision. So after waiting a year for that initial decision, the veteran can expect a multi year wait on an appeal. At the first level, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals in Washington, it takes an average of 1,040 days, almost 3 years, for the agency to render a ruling. That’s 3½ times slower than the response for those awaiting word on their initial filings. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review recently published an article on its study of 4 years of data. It found:

”Sifting through more than 160,0000 appeals from 2009 through early 2013, the Trib discovered 2,936 cases in which veterans or their surviving spouses died before getting decisions on their disputed claims.

If that rate holds, more than 500 veterans will die this year while their appeals languish — about one vet every 18 hours.”

Some may dismiss this as only 1.8% of the cases. But if it was your mother, father, brother or sister waiting on a decision to improve their quality of life, you would not think this way. This story proves what many suspected – VA denies and delays until you die. Our veterans deserve better.

http://www.stripes.com/veterans-families-seeking-benefits-from-va-are-dying-for-a-decision-investigation-finds-1.220686

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact a veterans lawyer, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

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Vet Driver’s License Designation

admin — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 09:00:49 +0000

Matthew Worley, Esq.

As a small way to say to show gratitude to Michiganveterans, the Michigan Legislature recently passed and Governor Rick Snyder signed legislation creating a special veteran designation on state driver’s licenses.

The law allowsMichiganveterans who were honorably discharged from service to receive the designation on their driver’s license. This will allow them to easily prove their status as a veteran allowing them to more easily obtain discounts and other benefits reserved for them.

The Secretary of State will begin processing requests for these licenses in one year after transitioning to a new computer system. Adding the designation is voluntary and free of charge toMichigan veterans.

There is also a hope that when store clerks, bank tellers, and others see the designation, it will provide an opportunity for that person to thank the veteran for their service. This new law is just a small way to increase awareness of the state’s nearly 700,000 veterans and remember the sacrifice each of them has made for this country.

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VA Accused of Hiding Veteran Health Data

admin — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:00:27 +0000

Jim Fausone
Veteran Advocate

A scientist is alleging that the Department of Veterans’ Affairs is hiding data.

According to a scientist for the VA, the agency’s Office of Public Health has been hiding research which indicated that vets have been affected by exposure to toxins since the Persian Gulf War.

Steven Coughlin quit working at the VA in late 2012 due to what he called “serious ethical concerns.” He testified to the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations that the VA’s public health office is invested in hiding evidence of illnesses attributed to the Gulf War. Evidence that has been released, alleges Coughlin, has been recalibrated to look “unintelligible.” He also said that his office did not release their findings as part of a study which cost as much as $10 million and which found exposure to oil well fires, pesticides and other toxins for as many as 60,000Iraqand Afghan war veterans.

Coughlin also stated that a study which was congressionally mandated regarding Gulf War vets and family was not released, and alleges that he was told the results of the study were “permanently lost.” He said that research which points to Gulf War illnesses as neurological was unlikely to be released, and that one of his supervisors threatened to retaliate against Coughlin when he did not want to intentionally leave out data.

The chief of the VA’s public health and environmental hazards office, Victoria Davey, has stated that her office maintains strict analysis and publishing guidelines, but she did not address directly the allegations made by Coughlin. The VA has issued a statement that the VA Office of Research Oversight will be reviewing the claims put forth by Coughlin, and that they took every opportunity to seriously and fully pursue allegations of malfeasance.

Coughlin’s claim includes allegations that he was told to not examine data on the number and type of medical visits and hospitalizations as part of his research on burn pits and health issues among troops inIraqandAfghanistan.IraqandAfghanistanwar vets reported a number of debilitating respiratory issues many believe may be the result of inhaling trash burn pit smoke located in combat zones. Coughlin stated that he was threatened after informing his supervisor that he would not continue his research project with redacted information.

Gulf War vets returned to the States after 1991, and have reported numerous medical issues. While the VA has recognized some medical issues as the result of Gulf War service, many vets have been told their medical issues are psychologically based. The VA formally recognized nine illnesses resulting from Gulf War service in 2010.

The VA has spent an estimated $120 million on research since 2002 to determine the origins of Gulf War illnesses, but some researchers allege that a portion of the funds never made it to back the research. They also allege that ten million dollars from the fund went to the “Gulf War Biorepository Trust,” a brain bank for vets with ALS. But of the 60 brains in the bank, all but one was from older vets, not ones who served in the Gulf War.

Source
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/03/14/whistleblower-va-hiding-veteran-health-data.html?col=7000023435630&comp=7000023435630&rank=1

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Plans for Drone Medal Struck Down

admin — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:49:22 +0000

The Defense Department announced that the plans for a new medal for drone pilots and cyber warriors have been canceled.

A number of groups representing military associations and vet service organizations had lobbied the White House to instruct the Defense Department to lower the ranking of the new drone medal. They would like the Distinguished Warfare Medal to be ranked below the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

The Distinguished Warfare Medal had been announced by former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. The new Defense Secretary, Chuck Hagel, then asked the Pentagon to review the metal’s ranking after public outcry. The 19 organizations banded together as part of the request stated in their letter to president Obama that they would like the Distinguished Warfare metal to be demoted to below the Purple Heart, and were soliciting the president’s “personal involvement.”

The groups included The American Legion, The Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, and other associations representing both active duty and reserve duty members of the Navy, Army, Air Force and Marines.

The Distinguished Warfare Medal was to be awarded to recognize the actions of the drone pilots and cyber warfare specialists when they have “a direct impact” on operations of combat. But critics said they were concerned that decorating a service member who may be hundreds or even thousands of miles from active action would be given precedence over those who risk their lives and are not fighting from remote, secure locations.

The Distinguished Warfare Medal was to rank just below the valor award that is the Distinguished Flying Cross, and above the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Drone operators and cyber warriors can contribute tremendously to any combat operation in which they are involved, critics agreed, but they argued that the proposed new medal awarded to individuals who do not physically serve in a war zone and yet would be ranked above injury and valor medals from physical combat seemed unjust.

President Obama could, as Commander-In-Chief, order the medal’s ranking be changed or direct the Defense Secretary to do so, said former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Lawrence Korb. But with the Department of Defense withdrawing the plan, neither Obama nor Hagel needed to do so.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your PTSD, TBI, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, TDIU, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

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Changes to Disability Payments

admin — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:00:56 +0000

Kristina Derro
Veteran Advocate

The federal government, in an attempt to address its long-term debt problem, has proposed changes to the way it calculates inflation for VA disability payments. Currently, government benefits (ex. VA disability benefits, Social Security benefits, etc.) are adjusted according to inflation. In an attempt to save some money, the government has endorsed using a slightly different measure of inflation to calculate Social Security benefits. This would allow the benefits to still grow, but at a slower rate.

The conventional Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures changes in retail prices of a constant market of goods and services. The Chained CPI (the variation that the government wants to utilize) considers changes in the quantity of goods purchased, as well as the prices of those goods. So, for example, if the price of steak goes up, many consumers will buy chicken, a cheaper alternative to steak, rather than buying less steak or going without meat.

Supporters of Chained CPI argue that it’s a truer indication of inflation. However, it tends to be less than the conventional CPI. Under the conventional CPI, disability payments increased 1.7 percent this year. Under Chained CPI, the disability payments would have only increased 1.4 percent.

There has been talk by the government to apply this alternative inflation measure to VA disability payments for nearly 4 million veterans, as well as pension payments for 500,000 low income veterans and surviving families. However, veterans groups are rallying together to fight any potential change in the calculation. The argument is that the veterans have already suffered through their wounds and sacrifices while in service, and now they would be unduly burdened while they are trying to recover from those wounds. The groups are complaining that the government is attempting to balance a budget on the backs of disabled veterans, which is absurd given the administration’s history of generous funding for the VA.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact a veterans attorney, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

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