The Veterans Blog was created by the disability law firm of LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A. It is intended to serve as a valuable resource on issues important to veterans and their families. Veterans, their loved ones, the media and the general public are encouraged to visit the blog daily for updates. Comments are also welcome and can be posted in response to blogs.
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November 12th, 2009VA Releases Draft of Plan to Increase Services to Female Veterans
May 17th, 2012The increase in female soldiers over the years has led to more female veterans whose needs differ from their male counterparts. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has already responded to this situation in many ways, and is now seeking feedback on a full strategic report on their upcoming efforts.
Recent needs have focused on more services for women at VA hospitals, consideration for housing needs of female veterans with children, and more attention paid to military sexual harassment and assault.
The draft of the report will be open for comments until June 13 via public comment board. Once the public comment period is over, VA officials will review the public opinion and revise their draft as needed before officially proposing the plan.
In 2011, nearly 1.8 million of the 22.2 million veterans in the U.S. were female, and this number is expected to increase to 2 million by 2020. This is in contrast to the slowly declining number of male veterans, which was estimated at 20.2 million in 2010 and is expected to shrink to 16.7 million by 2020.
As more female veterans become eligible for VA services, they may qualify for veterans’ disability benefits if they suffered a combat-related injury or service-connected condition. In some cases, disabling conditions that impair women differently from men can cause additional concerns in a veterans’ disability application, which is where a veterans’ disability attorney can help.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Bill Proposed to Reorganize VA Health Care Organizational Structure
May 16th, 2012Senator Richard Burr, the ranking Republican senator on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, has proposed a new bill to reduce the administrative overhead he feels is spreading the resources of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) too thinly.
Currently, there are 21 regional medical offices, known as Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) across the country. Burr’s bill aims to trim that number down to 12, allowing resources to be consolidated and brought to the areas that are in the most need.
VISN offices handle the VA affairs in their geographic region, from budgeting to resource management. They also oversee the operation of all VA hospitals and facilities in their area. The original intent for VISNs was to take over administrative needs so the health care centers could focus on patients; however, Burr feels that their operational costs are detracting from the budget that could be going to medical care.
There are many services and resources available to veterans and military families when they are in need of medical care. Veterans who face disabling conditions related to their military service may qualify for veterans’ disability benefits by filing a claim with the help of a veterans’ disability attorney.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Drug Co-pays Rising for Veterans on Tricare Health Insurance
May 15th, 2012The defense bill submitted by the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) has suggested several changes to how prescription drug benefits are charged and provided to veterans.
Of major concern to veterans is the increase in drug co-payments required for brand-name prescriptions that are filled at retail pharmacies in Tricare’s network or through the mail order program. Another change being made to reduce drug costs will require Tricare for Life (TFL) beneficiaries to use the mail order system for long-term prescriptions. This requirement will last for a year before a veteran can opt out and return to using retail pharmacy services.
The co-payments will cap at the percentage increase of the COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) for military benefits. This plan would ignore the Obama administration’s previous plan to tie Tricare fees to medical inflation. The HASC also avoided supporting many of the Tricare fees the administration proposed.
The full defense spending bill will go before the House later this year. When changes are made to military benefit programs either through the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs all veterans in these programs are entitled to be notified of how the changes will impact their benefits and services.
Even after approval for veterans’ disability benefits you may run into problems with your benefits being reduced or revoked. A veterans’ disability attorney can help you review any changes to your individual benefits that you feel are incorrect or unfair.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Appeals Court finds VA Delays for Health Services Not Unconstitutional
May 14th, 2012A conclusion has been made in a year-long case against the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) involving the delayed handling of cases where disabled veterans are seeking mental health services.
In May 2011, the original case brought against the VA by 2 veterans’ groups cited that the department was negligent in providing timely service to veterans in serious need of mental health support. They claimed this led to nearly 6,500 veteran suicides that could have been prevented with prompt care. The case was ruled in favor of the veterans’ groups, but the VA appealed the decision.
Now, a Monday, May 7 decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned the previous ruling, finding that the VA’s conduct was not considered unconstitutional. The court cited that only the President or Congress would have the power to enforce changes to speed up the assessment and treatment of mentally disabled veterans.
Many veterans’ groups believe that when veterans suffer from mental health disabilities, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety, they become more prone to attempt suicide. The belief is that if these veterans could get immediate mental health evaluations and treatment, the high suicide rate among veterans would drop drastically.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Veterans Copay Officially Eliminated for Telehealth Services
May 10th, 2012On Wednesday, May 8, a press release from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) confirmed the end of copayments for veterans seeking mental health care through the Telehealth system.
Disabled veterans who undergo counseling through video conferences with remote VA mental health professionals will no longer pay for these services. The Telehealth service is not limited to psychiatric care. Video conferences can help VA health specialists discuss treatment and symptom management for veterans with disabling conditions that make travel difficult.
Veterans in remote areas that live hours from the nearest VA clinic can participate in a Telehealth conference first before they determine if travel is necessary. This has reduced travel expenses for both military families and the VA, saving a substantial amount of the health care budget over the years since the Telehealth system was implemented.
The remote counseling has provided thousands of disabled veterans with a convenient connection to their health care team at VA hospitals. While the Telehealth system does not replace traditional care at VA clinics, it is being used extensively for consultations and patient reviews that would have otherwise taken months for an appointment to be made and attended.
The VA’s Telehealth system is just one of the many services that disabled veterans can seek when they have been given a disability rating and approved for veterans’ disability benefits.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans Surge May Cause Strain VA Disability Services
May 9th, 2012With the continuing troop withdrawal from the Middle East, more veterans are returning to the U.S. every day. Once a soldier is honorably discharged, they may take advantage of several veterans’ affairs services and programs, including many run by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Analysts are now predicting that with 91,000 troops still overseas and 23,000 returning to the U.S. by the end of the summer these veterans services may begin to see a strain on their resources. Even with the proposed $140 billion budget for 2013, the VA has cause for concern during the next couple years as the remainder of troops makes the transition from soldier to veteran.
Last year, the VA was responsible for specialty mental health services for 1.3 million veterans, and the overall medical costs are currently estimated at $53 billion. The VA is one of the main resources for disabled veterans who are seeking financial benefits and health care resources to manage combat-related disabilities.
Veterans who suffer from a service-connected disability should act quickly to begin their veterans’ disability benefits claim. The sooner a claim is filed with the help of a disability attorney the quicker a disabled veteran can establish their placement
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Military Psychiatrists Debating New Name for PTSD to Reduce Stigma
May 8th, 2012What’s in a name? In the case of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), many military psychiatrists believe the title given to this disabling condition plays a role in how those who suffer from PTSD and society as a whole view the affliction.
The diagnosis of PTSD has been a staple of veterans’ disability claims for many years and has gone by several names including shell shock, soldier’s heart, and battle fatigue. Now psychiatrists are seeking to change the “D” of PTSD for “disorder” to “I” for “injury.”
The reasoning behind the change is mainly a social one – “disorder” has more of a stigma attached to it when compared to “injury”. Psychiatrists believe that the name change to PTSI will help disabled soldiers and veterans become more comfortable with their diagnosis, as “injury” implies that treatment and recovery are possible, while “disorder” implies that there’s something permanently wrong.
For veterans seeking disability benefits, this name change could have some impact on how claim decisions are made in the future. Some legislators are worried that the use of the term “injury” could change the opinion on how this mental illness impacts veterans long-term. If disability claim decisions imply that an injury will eventually heal after treatment, they may be reluctant to grant long-term or permanent veterans’ disability benefits.
As of now, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hasn’t issued any statements regarding the pending name change or how it may effect claim decisions.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Additional Options for Disabled Veterans Seeking Health Care Coverage
May 7th, 2012While the main source of health care and resources for disabled veterans comes from disability benefits, run by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), there are also additional veterans’ health care programs you should be aware of.
TRICARE is one of the most notable health care programs associated with the U.S. Military. It provides health insurance to servicemembers and certain family members. There are multiple levels of benefits to suit personnel of all levels, from active duty with children to veterans with spouses.
TRICARE allows participants to seek health care at the VA facilities and certain medical networks outside the VA. While there are additional fees for the TRICARE program services, they are often more affordable and flexible to the special needs of military families.
For some veterans they may also qualify for supplemental insurance through their employer or a spouse’s employer. For other types of insurance, such as injury coverage with auto insurance, many providers offer special discounts for military members and veterans, so it is important to ask for these benefits as you buy new insurance policies.
Before you begin the hassle of looking for health insurance to cover a disability, you should consider applying for veterans’ disability benefits. A lawyer can help review your case and determine the best options to provide you and your family with the services you deserve, after providing your own service to our country.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Veterans Disability Claims: 3 Improvements, 4 Methods to Help Eliminate Backlog
May 4th, 2012In 2009, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) created a goal of processing all new veterans’ disability claims within 125 days of filing with a 98% accuracy rate by 2015. The past 4 years, with a backlog of claims reaching over 800,000, there has been progress but a long road ahead.
The major points of the VA’s plan for claim processing improvements already in place are:
- The claims transformation initiatives program, currently running at 4 pilot programs and expected to be put into full action at 12 additional regional offices by the end of 2012.
- Quality Review Teams, composed of local quality review specialists who evaluate regional office employees and processes.
- Simplified and Standardized Rating Notification Letters, giving veterans a single, simple decision letter regarding their disability claim with a summary of the evidence considered and reasoning for their decision.
The claims transformation initiatives will be using several methods to target many aspects of the disability claims process where errors and delays are most often seen. Some of the methods used include:
- A central Intake Processing Center - sorts claim documentation in a triage system;
- Segmented Processing Lanes – to fast-track critical claims for faster decisions;
- Cross-Functional Teams – to better manage claims by eliminating the need for reworking claims; and
- The Veterans Benefits Management System – to electronically access and store claimant documents.
As more regional offices begin to use the new systems and practices it’s hoped that veterans will see improvements in the lengthy wait times many experience while applying for veterans’ disability benefits. While the new systems slowly begin to help, a disabled veteran can find claim support now through the services of a veterans’ disability attorney.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Veterans Disability Claim – Speeding Up the Process with Digital Documents
May 3rd, 2012A partnership with the National Archives and Records Administration will soon help the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in their initiative to digitalize veterans’ disability benefit claims.
The backlog of disability claims has been causing continued concern for the VA since the estimates of claims pending numbered in the 800,000s the first quarter of 2012. The push for a paperless, online claims system has resulted in veterans being able to file new claims online, but did little to help the thousands of disabled veterans whose paper claims are still in queue.
By working with the National Archives, the VA hopes to use their high quality scanning system to transfer the billions of pages that make up the current claim backlog into the electronic Veterans Benefits Management System implemented earlier this year.
Having all of your disability claim paperwork in one easily accessable file is important for both organization and expedition of your claim. The better assembled and documented your claim is, the faster it can be processed by the VA so you can avoid errors that may jeopardize your benefits and result in a wrongful denial.
At LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A. our disability law firm has already taken the digital leap into paperless disability claim processing. Our customized database system has allowed our firm to develop a digital client record system that allows attorneys to access a client’s complete disability claim and supporting documents with a few clicks of their mouse.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
