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Survey shows thousands of wounded veterans struggle with PTS and TBI

admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 11:15:42 +0000

More than 75 percent of wounded veterans are battling post-traumatic stress (PTS), according to the Wounded Warrior Project’s 2015 Alumni Survey.

PTS and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are two of the biggest mental health issues facing veterans today. The organization estimates that over 400,000 veterans suffer from PTS while around 320,000 are dealing with TBI.

The Wounded Warrior Project’s survey of 23,000 veterans is described as “the largest collection of data on this generation of injured veterans ever collected.” The annual survey asked wounded veterans about their combat experiences, mental and physical health and challenges in transitioning to civilian life.

The survey also revealed some truths about the lack of adequate health care for former service members. Thirty-five percent of veterans reported facing problems in accessing the mental health care they needed. The same number of veterans also said they had difficulty scheduling appointments with the Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2014, the agency was involved in a scandal in which dozens of veterans died while waiting for treatment at the VA hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.

“Our annual survey shows that this generation of injured veterans continues to struggle with the invisible wounds of war, including PTSD and TBI, and the challenges are not getting better with time,” said Wounded Warrior Project CEO Steve Nardizzi.

The organization is launching its $100-million Warrior Care Network in early 2016. The program seeks to provide improved mental health care for injured veterans by connecting four medical centers across the United States.

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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Student creates app to improve sleep for veterans with PTSD

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 11:33:17 +0000

For some veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a basic good night’s sleep can often be elusive. A college student has developed a smartphone and smartwatch application that aims to help veterans by preventing night terrors, which are a major symptom of PTSD.

Tyler Skluzacek, a senior at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, was inspired to create the app due to his personal connection to PTSD. His father, an Iraq veteran, suffers from PTSD and has trouble sleeping due to night terrors which involve screaming, flailing and experiencing fear while sleeping.

Skluzacek and his team won the top prize of $1,500 at HackDC, a computer programming contest in Washington, D.C., in September. They spent 36 hours creating a mobile app for PTSD. The app is called myBivy. It refers to bivouac, a military term for a safe place to sleep such as a temporary camp or shelter.

Using smartphone technology, the app monitors a veteran’s heart rate and movements while they are asleep. It also tracks their sleeping patterns and remains alert for symptoms indicating the onset of panic attacks. The goal of the app is to predict when veterans experience night terrors. It then uses sounds or vibrations to disrupt deep sleep without waking the veteran up, therefore preventing night terrors.

Skluzacek and his team are raising money on Kickstarter to develop the app for wider use across different types of devices. A functional prototype is currently available on the Pebble Time smartwatch and Android smartphone. They plan to start clinical trials in early 2016 and officially launch by May.

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Student creates app to improve sleep for veterans with PTSD

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 11:33:17 +0000

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Michigan veterans hotline offers round-the-clock help and information

admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 22:32:12 +0000

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) has established a special hotline for the state’s veterans. It aims to assist veterans on issues such as financial emergencies, benefits information, home repairs, homelessness assistance and property tax questions. The hotline is staffed by fellow veterans or their family members. Agents are available to answer calls at night and on weekends as well as during regular business hours.

According to the agency, over 65,000 veterans and their family members have used the hotline since the Michigan Veteran Resource Service Center was launched in Sept. 2014. An average of 1,500 calls have been received per month on the hotline.

“The MVRSC provides 24/7 access to the advice and assistance veterans need to be successful in their civilian lives. Through 800-MICH-VET, veterans and their families can connect with a friendly, knowledgeable call center agent who will help them break down the barriers that stand in their way,” said MVAA director Jeff Barnes.

Call center agents have received around 20,000 calls for help and information. They have also made 3,300 follow-up calls to veterans to ensure they have been able to access the services and resources they need. In addition, the center has processed over 7,000 DD-214 discharge papers. Veterans can use them to apply for veteran status on their driver’s licenses, avail of discounts and file for federal benefits.

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Michigan veterans hotline offers round-the-clock help and information

admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 22:32:12 +0000

The post Michigan veterans hotline offers round-the-clock help and information first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.

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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VA hosts conference on traumatic brain injury

admin — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 20:25:18 +0000

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) held a two-day summit focusing on the treatment and research of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Washington, D.C.

During his opening remarks at the conference on Aug. 24, VA Secretary Robert McDonald said that investing in TBI research can help solve the many problems that veterans face, such as homelessness, suicide and unemployment.

The VA Traumatic Brain Injury State of the Art Research Summit brought together more than 300 leading TBI researchers from around the United States, representatives from various VA regional medical centers and members of nonprofit organizations. “We need your expertise and your experience. We need you to tell us what resources you need for the VA to be nationally and internationally acknowledged as the leader in TBI research, diagnoses and treatment,” said McDonald.

Since 2001, more than 327,000 service members have been diagnosed with head injuries, according to the Congressional Research Service. But that number could be higher since not all head injuries, such as mild concussions, are reported. According to researchers, many veterans may have a TBI despite not showing symptoms.

The summit addressed a range of TBI-related topics including head injury diagnosis, care and long-term rehabilitation for veterans with TBI, pain management, innovations in health care and the direction of future research. Experts also assessed past TBI research and discussed the current understanding of the injury.

McDonald emphasized that along with developing new, cutting-edge treatments for TBI, it is essential to be able to predict its long-term effects. He said that some of the health care problems the VA has faced over the past years are due to its inability to predict future needs or to secure resources to meet demands.

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VA hosts conference on traumatic brain injury

admin — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 20:25:18 +0000

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) held a two-day summit focusing on the treatment and research of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Washington, D.C.

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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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Program Pairs Dogs and Veterans for Companionship, Stress Relief

admin — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 08:00:14 +0000

It goes without saying that the wounds our courageous veterans return home with are not always physical. Whether officially diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or not, many veterans have difficulty coping with everyday life and personal interactions due to the psychological damage incurred on the battlefield.

As illustrated in a recent Time Magazine report, however, training and caring for a dog can provide veterans with a simpler, warmer companionship, and even a reason to go on living.

Phil Ruddock, a Louisiana veteran of Desert Storm, experienced paranoia and trouble sleeping when he returned home – a textbook case of PTSD. After Phil had a nervous breakdown, lost his job, and became a recluse, a friend brought him an abandoned pit bull. The dog’s companionship gave him the confidence to slowly return to a normal life. Phil says the dog, Mia, rescued him.

Now, Phil runs a nonprofit devoted to helping other veterans discover the pleasure and therapy that dogs provide. Brothers and Sisters in Arms rescues adult dogs of all breeds from shelters and trains them with special commands designed to help soldiers deal with potentially stressful situations. Phil says that when he introduces a deeply wounded veteran to his or her new friend, he can see a great weight lifted from them and knows they will be all right.

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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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Veterans & Families from Camp Lejeune Looking for Answers at Community Forum

admin — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 08:00:42 +0000

Nearly 100 veterans and their family members attended a community forum last week to get information on the effects of exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

From the 1950s to 1987, some 750,000 people were exposed to polluted drinking water, which contained harmful chemicals from spills, a dump site on the base, and leaking underground storage tanks on base and an off-base dry cleaner.

At the community forum, representatives from the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) were on hand to discuss the outcomes of four studies that were conducted to examine the impact of exposure to the contaminated drinking water.

A VA official outlined for the audience what conditions need to be met to qualify for the registry:

You must have lived at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1953 and 1987.
You must be a dependent of a service member who was stationed at Camp Lejeune during that time period.
And you must have one of the 15 conditions listed by the VA as being associated with Camp Lejeune.

Learn more and find information on how to apply for benefits at the VA’s website:

http://benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-postservice-exposures-camp_lejeune_water.asp

ATSDR and VA representatives also fielded questions from attendees, many of whom shared tragic stories of infant deaths, cancers, and other diseases.

Many people, like Neil Wilson, one of the forum attendees, lived at Camp Lejeune as children. Wilson was in attendance to get information for his family, who because of exposure to the contaminated drinking water have a range of health problems. His mother gave birth to seven of his nine siblings while stationed at the base. He learned of the exposure’s connection to his family after his brother was diagnosed with a heart problem.

“I have family members dying before me. They want answers,” Wilson said. “I’ve been following this for a number of years and I came today to get them answers, but I’m not too hopeful. I have to be a spokesperson for my family.”

The ATSDR and VA representatives hoped to share new information from recent studies on Camp Lejeune and tell people how to apply. You can also read our blog from last October when the VA announced Camp Lejeune victims would receive financial aid:
http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/2014/10/camp-lejeune-toxic-water-victims-to-receive-financial-relief-va-announces/

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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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Benefits Increase Coming for Veterans Disability Recipients in 2015

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 11:21:31 +0000

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and veterans disability recipients will see their benefits increase by 1.7 percent in 2015. The increase represents the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which is automatically applied to Social Security benefits.

Although benefits will increase slightly, the cost of living is also projected to increase. In particular, the USDA projects that food inflation will continue to rise in 2015. Consumers will continue to see a rise in the cost of basics, such as milk, eggs and meat. Health care costs may also increase in 2015.

It is recommended that veterans who receive disability benefits rework their budgets in consideration of both the increased benefits and the increased cost of living.

The COLA increase will represent an average increase of $19 per month, or $228 per year, in SSDI benefits. The average monthly SSDI benefit will increase from $1,146 to $1,165 .

The projected inflation in consumer prices is in line with what the Federal Reserve considers to be healthy, stable inflation. Approximately two percent is considered to be the optimal rate of inflation.

The increase in benefits will take effect in January 2015.

COLA has resulted in an increase to disability benefits nearly every year since 1975, with the exception of three years. There was no adjustment in 1983 because of an administrative change, and none in 2010 and 2011 because consumer prices did not increase.

The end of the year represents the Medicare annual enrollment period. Medicare recipients who are concerned about their upcoming health care costs were able to adjust their 2015 coverage until December 7.

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Air Force Sets Goal to Open 7 Combat Jobs to Women by Spring 2016

admin — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 07:00:52 +0000

Earlier this month, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee announced plans to open seven currently male-only, direct combat jobs to women by spring of 2016.

While I commend the Air Force for this initiative, I first want to point out that women in our armed-forces have been in combat situations from the beginning. Whether as nurses or in other positions, women have been serving in combat and have sacrificed just as much as our male counterparts.

I am excited that these currently male-only direct-combat jobs will be open to women. Today, only seven jobs in the Air Force are closed to women to include special tactics officer, pararescue, tactical air control party (TACP), combat rescue officer, combat control team, special operation weather officer and enlisted.

Other service branches have already begun implementing plans to integrate women into direct-combat jobs by January 2016.

It has been nearly two years since then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta ordered that all combat jobs be open to women by 2016 or explain why any must remain closed. In addition, the Pentagon lifted its ban on women in such roles in 2012.

While the ball has been slow to move, progress is finally being made to allow women the full opportunities to serve our country that they have long-deserve.

I have listened to many reports recently that give snapshot stories of women at the Marine Corps Infantry Officer Course, and they are having their abilities questioned. It is as if their capabilities are on trial in the media, as well as at boot camp. Once again, I return to my first point: women have been serving in combat situations for years.

Women make up 15% of the 1.3 million active-duty members. With declining enrollment in enlistment, opening equal opportunity within the service for current women in the military and future female enlistees will only benefit the armed-forces.

Brigadier General Carol Ann Fausone (ret.)

General Fausone began her military career in the U.S. Air Force, and ended her service as the first female Brigadier General in the Michigan National Guard’s history. Today, she continues to help veterans and their families nationwide with her small business, The Veteran Advocate, LLC.

Read more on this story on the armed-forces news site, Military.com:

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/11/18/air-force-moves-to-open-7-combat-jobs-to-women.html#.VGywZwpzqh8.gmail

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5th Annual Veterans’ Summit

admin — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 09:00:52 +0000

The 5th Annual Veterans’ Summit will be held on Wednesday, September 10, at Laurel Manor in Livonia, MI, 8 am – 2 pm. We are co-sponsoring the event with the Canton Community Foundation. This is a fantastic FREE event for veterans and their families! You can register online at www.cantonfoundation.org, and call Beth Meade at 734-495-1200 or email bmeade@cantonfoundation.org for more information.

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VA Hits Important Benchmark, but Problem Far from Solved

admin — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 09:00:30 +0000

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) took a step forward toward alleviating the backlog of disability claims, but that problem is still far from solved.

For the first time since February 2011, the number of backlogged disability claims dropped below the 350,000 mark. That’s a decrease of more than 250,000 cases in the past year, a pace that officials believe they can maintain to bring the backlog to zero by 2015.

Still, 350,000 veterans remain in what has been a rather long waiting line for the past several years. The backlog number is based on the number of claims pending for more than 125 days.

VA Undersecretary of Benefits Allison Hickey said that new technology, the new paperless claims system, better training of claims workers, and improved communication systems have all contributed to the decrease. In addition, the Undersecretary acknowledged that mandatory overtime for claims processors over the last two years has been a critical tool for shrinking the backlog, but constant overtime is not a sustainable business model.

Although there is much work to be done, this is certainly welcome news. The backlog number is also at its lowest mark since before claims tied to new presumptive illnesses from Agent Orange exposure overwhelmed the benefits system.

The move to make those presumptive illnesses eligible for VA benefits in 2010 was popular among veteran advocacy groups, but it also led to a dramatic slowdown in the completion of disability claims as tens of thousands of new cases poured into the claims processing system.

The VA’s ability to deal with claims quickly and reliably came into question, and the Department received stricter scrutiny from Capitol Hill. Now, almost four years later, it seems as though the VA has achieved some progress toward shrinking the backlog for veterans.

To read more on this issue, read the Army Times recent report:
http://www.armytimes.com/interactive/article/20140331/BENEFITS04/303310043

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Michigan Veterans Not Using Services

admin — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 09:00:28 +0000

Michigan has a significant concentration of resident veterans – around 700,000. However, in December, it was revealed that Michigan also has the lowest percentage of veterans who utilize benefits and services available to them.

According to a report released by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, only 142,260 veterans use services available to them such as health care and education resources. This number accounts for just 20% of Michigan’s veteran population.

So why aren’t more Michigan veterans taking advantage of these services and opportunities?

The disparity can be partly attributed to poor information and lack of an organized method for distributing information about these programs. With no central database for this information, many veterans aren’t even aware of the benefits available to them. Additionally, the disparity is partly due to a shortage of trained and on-staff service officers necessary to meet the needs of the growing number of veterans leaving the armed forces and taking up residence in Michigan.

In an effort to increase communication and awareness of these available programs, the Veterans Affairs Agency has launched pilot programs in Wayne County and Grand Rapids. Part of these programs include increasing staff levels to generate demand.

If you are a veteran and have questions about what benefits you are entitled to, contact the experienced professionals at Legal Help For Veterans. Our team of lawyers and professionals are experts on veteran benefits and can help you get the help you need. Contact us at 800-693-4800 or online at www.legalhelpforveterans.com.

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Lt. Cmdr. Ned Schuman – An American Veteran and Hero

admin — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 09:00:17 +0000

The story is told of his act of heroism in the obituary in the New York Times:

As Christmas 1970 approached, 43 American prisoners of war in a large holding cell at the North Vietnamese camp known as the Hanoi Hilton sought to hold a brief church service. Their guards stopped them, and so the seeds of rebellion were planted.

A few days later, Lt. Cmdr. Edwin A. Shuman III, a downed Navy pilot, orchestrated the resistance, knowing he would be the first to face the consequences: a beating in a torture cell.

“Ned stepped forward and said, ‘Are we really committed to having church Sunday? I want to know person by person,’ ” a fellow prisoner, Leo K. Thorsness, recounted in a memoir. “He went around the cell pointing to each of us individually,” Mr. Thorsness continued. “When the 42nd man said yes, it was unanimous. At that instant, Ned knew he would end up in the torture cells.”

The following Sunday, Commander Shuman, who died on Dec. 3 at 82, stepped forward to lead a prayer session and was quickly hustled away by guards. The next four ranking officers did the same, and they, too, were taken away to be beaten. Meanwhile, as Mr. Thorsness told it, “the guards were now hitting P.O.W.s with gun butts and the cell was in chaos.”

And then, he remembered, the sixth-ranking senior officer began, “Gentlemen, the Lord’s Prayer.” “And this time,” he added, “we finished it.” The guards had yielded.

Lt. Cmdr. Shuman served his country, his family and his God well. This type of action is the epitome of courage and bravery. He knew it was his job to support the morale of the men. This simple act of defiance, in the face of known torture, was enough to keep others strong. May God give rest to his soul.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/25/us/edwin-a-shuman-iii-former-prisoner-of-war-who-defied-hanoi-hilton-guards-dies-at-82.html?_r=0

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Can You Sue the US Military?

admin — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 09:00:59 +0000

We were recently asked by an immigration lawyer if an Iraqi citizen (whose civilian husband was killed by US troops) or her children could sue the US Government. The incident took place in Iraq during 2005. An Iraqi civilian, his wife and two children were driving in an area where there was troop movement. Military personnel ordered the individuals to move out of the area, using a megaphone. The vehicle did not move out of the area and the Iraqi civilian was shot in the back of the head. The wife of the deceased man claims that she did not hear the warning and that the family was not personally warned. After the man was shot in the head, the vehicle veered into a light pole. The children and wife of the deceased man witnessed the incident and have suffered psychological trauma. The child who was four years of age at the time of the incident has not spoken since the incident; he is now twelve years of age. Sad facts always scream for a remedy. However, the law does not always deliver a remedy even if damages have occurred.

Non-U.S. citizens are precluded from bringing claims against the United States involving military operations on foreign territories. In this specific instance, the incident occurred during a time of war and in a foreign country. (1) The Federal Torts Claims Act does not waive sovereign immunity for such claims; (2) The Military Claims Act only applies to U.S. citizens; and (3) the Alien Torts Statute only creates jurisdiction for aliens raising civil actions related to a violation of the law of the nations or a treaty.

There is case law that supports these findings. For example, in Koohi v. U.S., 976 F.2d 1328, 1994 A.M.C. 1514 (9th Cir. 1992), a case holding that 28 U.S.C.A. § 2680(j) applied to prevent survivors of passengers on board an Iranian commercial airliner shot down by a U.S. Navy vessel during the 1986-1988 Iran-Iraq “tanker war” from suing the United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act, the court stated that the result in the case would be no different if the downing of the civilian plane had been deliberate, rather than the result of error. The court explained that the combatant activities exception applies whether U.S. military forces hit a prescribed or an unintended target; whether those selecting the target have acted wisely or foolishly; whether the missiles employed turn out to be “smart” or dumb; and whether the target chosen performs the function it was believed to perform, or whether the choice of an object for destruction is a result of error or miscalculation. The court added that, in other words, it does not matter for purposes of applying the exception whether the military makes or executes the decision carefully or negligently, properly or improperly, but that it is the nature of the act and not the manner of its performance that counts. The court therefore found that in the case before it, it was of no significance whether a plane that was shot down was civilian or military so long as the person giving the order or firing the weapon did so for the purpose of furthering the United States’ military objectives or of defending lives, property, or other interests. 23 A.L.R. Fed. 2d 489 (Originally published in 2007).

As often stated, war is a terrible thing. Since the dawn of time, groups of men have been waging war on each other. Unfortunately, the innocent civilians also suffer.

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Beneficial Measures Add to Veterans’ Decorations in Michigan

admin — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 00:04:54 +0000

November is one of only two months with two federal holidays — Thanksgiving and Veterans Day. This November, veterans in Michigan have even more reason to celebrate in the wake of important employment-related measures that have been approved. With employment figures in the Great Lakes State lagging behind the rest of the nation, these new laws are likely to be well received in Michigan’s veterans community.

A bill to help veterans find jobs, signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder at the Governor’s Summit on Veterans Talent in Taylor, may very well stand out as the centerpiece among the bevy of beneficial measures for veterans taking hold in November. The measure permits veterans to offer vocational experience gained while serving in the military as a qualifying factor for employment, in lieu of education or additional training.

Examples of the positions veterans would be encouraged to present on their resumes include stints as engineers, firefighters, medical technicians, boiler operators and building, mechanical or maintenance contractors.

Figures released by the Labor Department on November 22 for the month of October pegged Michigan with a 9 percent unemployment rate, which puts the state in third place among all states for unemployment. For veterans, Michigan ranked 37th in the nation for unemployment in 2012.

On November 15, the governor also announced a joint pilot program between the state and private industry to provide cost-free information and technology training and certification for Michigan veterans. The program is funded in part by donations from the Michigan Development Corp.

These employment-stimulating measures follow in the wake of legislation the governor signed into law on November 12 that permits the spouses of disabled veterans to claim the homestead property tax exemption if the veteran should pass away prior to approval of the tax break.

With the Presidents Council of State Universities of Michigan announcing on November 8 that all veterans, regardless of residency, will be allowed to avail themselves of in-state tuition rates at Michigan’s 15 public universities, our military heroes have had some truly welcome news in November.

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Veterans Committing Suicide At Accelerating Rate

admin — Thu, 28 Nov 2013 11:48:01 +0000

Veteran suicides continue to be a horrific issue in our country.

Almost one out of every five suicides in the U.S. is a veteran, though veterans only make up about 10 percent of the U.S. population.

The latest numbers indicate that there may be as many as 22 veterans committing suicide each day, or one suicide every 65 minutes. Former defense secretary Leon Panetta says the service member suicide rate is “an epidemic.”

A report by the Department of Veterans Affairs released in February 2013 looked at data reported from 21 states between 1999 and the end of 2011. But the numbers may be even higher, as many vets are missing from the official reports of vet suicides. There is no uniform reporting system of which veteran deaths were suicide-related in the U.S. A coroner or funeral director typically enters the veteran status of the deceased and that the manner of death was suicide on the death certificate. If a veteran dies in a manner that may nor may not be suicide, the incident may go under accidental death. Additionally, when a homeless person commits suicide, his or her veterans status might not be known in that community, and the stigma of suicide in some families and some communities may mean that the manner of death is not divulged or the coroner may be pressured to not list the cause of death as suicide. Veteran status is not verified or followed up by the VA or the Defense Department. Capturing accurate information is an ongoing issue.

A report released by a journalism student program, News21, states that the suicide rate for veterans annually is approximately 30 per 100,000, more than twice the rate of the civilian population (14 per 100,000), and it was also increasing at an accelerated rate compared to civilian suicides. From the 48 states they studied, they found that the suicide rate for vets was increasing an average of 2.6 percent each year, from 2005 to 2011, twice the rate of civilian suicide increase.

Though veteran suicides are happening among men and women, older vets and those who have just returned from Iraq and Afghanistan, almost 70 percent of vet suicides are being committed by those who were 50 and older. Vet mental health advocates currently think that the high levels for that cohort is a combination of Vietnam vets with ongoing combat stress who did not receive adequate support when they returned home, and men who have raised their children to adulthood.

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Government Shutdown No Problem

admin — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 01:00:16 +0000

Jim Fausone
Veteran Disability Lawyer

Listening to the general press, you would think the world will fall apart if there is a government shutdown. In reality, only about 1/3 of the government workers will be off work.

The VA will be at work on your claims. The October payments are already in the mail. VA benefits are protected and should go out during a shutdown. Could VA run out of funds, maybe in a month or so. If your claim is being processed, the VA employees who handle such claims are protected from the shutdown.

But remember how slow VA is anyway, so the shutdown provides a convenient excuse for not meeting schedule. So let’s not freak out just yet. The VA is still working and Congress will figure this out in a few days or a week. Veterans have enough stress in their lives without it being whipped into a frenzy by the general media.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-tarantino/government-shutdown-faq-f_b_4019443.html

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

admin — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 09:00:46 +0000

There is a significant tax benefit for employers who hire a qualified veteran. A tax return credit is 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. 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 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 pushes for greater employment and visibility for vets, including Hiring Our Heroes and the Veteran Retraining and Assistance Program. Also, say 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; 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 worked fewer than 120 hours during a one-year period.

Source:

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t05.htm

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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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House Okays Some Changes to TRICARE, Rejects Military Pay Cap

admin — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 09:00:33 +0000

TRICARE, also known as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), provides civilian health benefits for military personnel, vets and their dependents. As the defense budget continues to be slashed, many vet advocates have expressed concern that TRICARE would be affected. But the House armed services subcommittee on military personnel rejected the White House’s plan to substantially increase TRICARE fees over the next five years for military retirees and their families. It also rejected a proposal to vary the fees, based on individual retiree’s pay levels.

The House panel did agree to allow a $4 co-pay increase for retirees and their family members below the age of 65 for outpatient care. Doctor visit co-pays are slated to increase to $16, while the co-pay for mental health care visits will stay at $12. The $4 increase is expected to save funds for health programs and medical research. The Department of Defense has not been authorized to increase any additional TRICARE fees.

The Secretary of Defense along with the Joint Chiefs of Staff had pushed for higher TRICARE fees to save fund for supplies, training, maintenance, and weapons procurement from being slashed. But resistance to boosting fees or capping pay from bipartisan members of the House Armed Services Committee has so far kept fees low. Additionally, Defense officials have reportedly overstated health care costs to the tune of $400 million a year, on average, to fund other defense accounts.

President Obama may decide to cap the military pay raise regardless of congressional approval by declaring a national emergency or claiming that “serious economic conditions” make it necessary, and presenting “alternative pay adjustment” plans to Congress by the first of September. It is hoped that the White House will not decide to do so, as there is currently in place a proposed 1.8 percent raise for military pay as of January 2013.

The Department of Defense currently plans to roll out a plan to stop TRICARE Prime coverage for the more than 170,000 current TRICARE enrollees who live more than 40 miles from a military treatment facility. Retirees below the age of 65 and their families will be forced to use TRICARE Standard, a more economic version of the fee-for-service program. As of October 1, TRICARE beneficiaries age 65 and up will be required to have their long-term medications filled via mail order or on base, in order to save millions of dollars a year for TRICARE that would otherwise go to local pharmacies.

http://www.military.com/benefits/2013/05/23/house-panel-rejects-pay-cap-most-tricare-hikes.html?comp=7000024213943&rank=3

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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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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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