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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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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.”

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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.

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Understanding TDIU: Do I Qualify?

admin — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 11:00:06 +0000

Many veterans have service-connected disabilities that render them unable to work, even if the veterans’ disabilities have not caused them to be rated 100 percent disabled by the Veterans Administration (VA).

At VA, this status is known as Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), also referred to as individual unemployability. With this status, a veteran receives benefits in accordance with a 100 percent disability rating.

Many veterans with employability problems think that they will not qualify for TDIU, but this may not be true. Even veterans who can do some work, or veterans who have a low disability percentage rating from VA, can qualify for TDIU – it just depends on the situation.

In all cases, the inability to work must be related to a service-connected condition. This is the one requirement to which there are no exceptions. But after that, many VA guidelines for the TDIU determination have some flexibility.

Take, for example, the requirement that the veteran be unable to hold a substantially gainful job. What does “substantially gainful” mean? Simply put, it means being able earn a wage above the poverty line. So a veteran who works but, because of his or her disabilities, earns below the poverty line can qualify.

VA also allows some exceptions for marginal or protected employment. If a veteran works for a family member, takes on odd jobs, or works in some other situation that provides accommodations for the disability that go far beyond normal accommodations, the veteran may still qualify. It is wise to consult with a veterans disability lawyer on this point.

The VA disability rating requirement also has some flexibility. The basic requirement states that to qualify for TDIU, a veteran must have at least a 60 percent rating for one service-connected condition, or a combined 70 percent rating for several service-connected conditions. And if the veteran meets the 70 percent requirement for multiple conditions, at least one of those conditions must be rated at 40 percent or more.

But some veterans who are unable to work because of service-connected conditions do not meet those requirements, and as a result, VA will make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Again, any veteran in this position should consult with a veterans disability attorney to see if the unique circumstances of his or her disability may meet VA standards.

Finally, all veterans should understand that they can qualify for TDIU even if the inability to work comes months or years after the initial disabling condition arises. VA gives the example of a veteran with a service-connected heart condition who works for some time, but then has to stop working because her heart is getting worse. According to VA, this veteran qualifies for TDIU.

All veterans with major employability problems should examine whether they qualify for disability compensation under TDIU. While it is true that VA often looks for reasons to deny these claims, a competent veterans disability attorney can often paint a clearer picture for VA that results in TDIU eligibility.

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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World War II Veteran Laid to Rest in Michigan

admin — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 09:00:34 +0000

The Year was 1944. Robert McConachie was 17 years old and wanted to enlist and defend his country in World War II. Because of his young age, his father, James McConachie, had to sign a waiver allowing him to join the armed forces.

His father acquiesced and Robert McConachie joined the United States Marine Corps. He was killed in action in Okinawa on June 14, 1945, in the final months of the war. He was just 18 years old when he gave his life for his country. However, Pvt. McConachie’s remains went unidentified for nearly seventy years.

In 1987, Pvt. McConachie’s still unidentified remains were delivered to the Army’s Central Identification Lab in Hawaii. Recent advancements in DNA testing, however, have helped the Pentagon link them to his brother. This year, nearly seven decades after his death, Army analysts positively identified Pvt. McConachie’s remains using DNA analysis and dental records.

Pvt. McConachie made his final trip home to Michigan this year. The Detroit native was buried on November 3 with full military honors at Fort Custer National Cemetery west of Battle Creek. The fallen soldier’s family now has closure knowing that he has been laid to rest in his home state of Michigan.

On this Veterans Day, it is an important reminder to thank those who serve our country in the armed forces. It is also a time to reflect on those, like Pvt. McConachie, who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may continue to live in a free country.

If you are a veteran and need assistance with a disability benefits claim, contact the experts at Legal Help For Veterans. You can reach us at 800/693.4800 or online at www.legalhelpforveterans.com.

To learn more about Pvt. McConachie’s story, please visit: http://patch.com/michigan/wyandotte/world-war-ii-soldier-finally-laid-rest-0

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Retired, Disabled Veterans May Not Be Spared COLA Cuts in Budget Deal

admin — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 00:41:07 +0000

Politics — and specifically the politics of the budget in Washington — have long played zero-sum games. Some constituencies “win,” and others do not fare so well. Unfortunately, the latest budget crafted on Capital Hill may deliver a body blow to the nation’s veterans.

It has already been reported that the budget compromise hammered out by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray, D-Wash., will result in a 1 percentage point reduction in the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for military retirees under the age of 62.

But the budget strike could cost disabled veterans as well. While disabled veterans were hitherto thought to be exempt from the COLA cuts, the section of the U.S. code now under Congress’s consideration also applies to disabled veterans.

The specific code affected in the Ryan-Murray compromise, 71 U.S.C. Section 1401, deals with the pay of military retirees. The new agreement adds a “consumer price index minus 1 percent” provision that effectively reduces the COLAs of disabled retirees.

Tellingly, a summary on the House Budget Committee website once promised that the amended pay provision “would not affect servicemembers who retired because of disability or injury.” The sentence containing that assurance has now been removed.

Representative Ryan considers the modification justified because, in his opinion, members of the military who retire in their 40s after serving for two decades are young enough to hold a job.

“We give them a slightly smaller adjustment for inflation because they’re still in their working years, and in most cases earning another paycheck,” Ryan explained.

However, in drawing such a conclusion, Ryan is dismissing the difficulties veterans, especially disabled veterans, face in translating their military skills into stateside jobs.

Ryan has also stated that the military retiree provision will not take effect immediately, and that amendments are therefore still possible. Considering the questions that have already been raised on Capital Hill, the blow to disabled veterans may not ultimately stand.

“We’re going to look at the whole benefits issue for veterans,” said Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich. “I can’t obviously make a commitment, but I am committed to reviewing this and looking at the impacts.”

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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That is Not Fair

admin — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 09:00:15 +0000

Jim Fausone
Veterans Disability Lawyer

Veterans have to really prove up PTSD to VA rating officials to receive about $25,000 a year in disability payments. But here is a report of a student locked up and forgotten by DEA for five days and he gets $4.1 million from the federal government. This is not fair.

A UC San Diego student who was forgotten in a Drug Enforcement Administration interrogation room for five days without food or water described the incident as a “really, really bad, horrible accident.”

Daniel Chong, 25, will receive $4.1 million from the government to settle his claim. For reasons that remain unclear, Chong was left for five days in a 5-by-10-foot windowless room without food, water or toilet facilities after being swept up in a campus raid on April 20, 2012.

He claims his quick weight loss allowed him to slip out of a pair of handcuffs. He also claims to have suffered hallucinations and having to drink his own urine to survive. He tried to break a fire sprinkler to get water but failed. He screamed for help but soon became too weak.

DEA employees found him covered in his own feces and severely dehydrated.

Veterans are stuck pursuing claims within an administrative system. Maybe if they had the right to file a civil suit, they could settle for fair and large dollar amounts.

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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

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New Study Suggests Traumatic Brain Injury from Sports May Be Behind Military Suicides

admin — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 09:00:10 +0000

Traumatic brain injury from before combat may be partially to blame for the rise of veteran suicides, according to researchers.

The unusual number of sports players who experienced TBI (traumatic brain injury) and later committed suicide, and the number of military vets who experienced TBI while in combat and later committed suicide may not be a coincidence, say researchers.

“Research on traumatic brain injury is of utmost concern right now for veteran disability advocates,” commented veterans disability lawyer James Fausone.

A new study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry has proposed a link between multiple concussions or traumatic brain injuries and suicidal actions later. In addition, the researchers found that a significant number of the men who experienced military-related TBI had a sports-playing history, which indicates that they may have experienced TBI on the playing field years earlier, as well.

The study, conducted by an Air Force psychologist, looked at 161 individuals sent to his clinic for suspected concussions. Those interviewed were asked about any history of head trauma, any battles with depression, PTSD or struggling with suicidal thoughts. The study concluded that many of the head injuries referenced by the study participants, in some cases as many as 6 injuries by one individual, were sustained prior to military service. Approximately 20 percent of the study participants reported that they experience concussion during their basic training, and some reports that they had sustained as many as 15 different head injuries during their tour of duty.

Post-traumatic stress disorder and depression are both high-risk factors for suicide, and combat experience typically would only increase their severity, said the researchers. Individuals who already experience one or both of these conditions and then join the service would explain why there are such high levels of suicide in the Armed Forces.

The researchers suggest that head trauma may set up a pre-existing disposition towards suicidal idealization or action which is then exacerbated by additional head trauma during combat. Exposure to an IED (improvised explosive device) buffets the brain within the skull by concussive shock waves, which can cause bleeding in the brain at numerous, hard-to-detect sites, causing damage. Subtle traumatic brain injury can be impossible to detect by an average physical; it is possible that many military personnel entered the service well enough to serve, and then subsequent damage further made them more susceptible to suicidal thoughts than someone who had not sustained sports-related concussions or other head injuries.

Source

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/foreign-affairs-defense/a-new-link-between-traumatic-brain-injury-and-suicide/

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Expert Advice Avoids Problem

admin — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 09:00:13 +0000

James G. Fausone
Veteran Advocate

Sometimes we get asked: “Why do I need a law firm to help on my disability claims the doctors agree?” About thirty years ago, I learned a very valuable lesson from a wise old trial judge. Judge Stacey leaned over the bench and said in a stern voice, “keep talking counselor and you could lose this motion!” You have to know when you have won and then shut up, sit down and claim the victory. It is human nature to keep talking and trying to answer questions, even if not asked. But, more often than not you just give the other side ammunition not to agree with you.

Controlling the flow of information to VA is equally important. An example recently occurred with John Q. Veteran. On May 5^th he underwent a complete PTSD review. Upon our office reading the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) form, we found the rating physician wrote “Total occupational and social impairment.” This was one of those occasions the VA Comp & Pen report says everything you need.

A month later, John Q. Veteran went to his treating physician and received a letter addressed to the Department of Education that stated he is “totally disabled and is unable to work in any capacity.”

The PhD psychologist was specific and detailed in her conclusions. The treating physician’s statement was general and for some other purpose. If you sent in the physician’s statement, it may give VA a reason to stop focusing on the controlling DBQ and send out for consideration of the physician’s statement. It is time to sit down and wait for the win.

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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

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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.

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