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Archive for April, 2011
Friday, April 29th, 2011
The numbers reflecting how many veterans are returning to the US suffering from substance abuse and mental health conditions have become unsettling. According to a recent study, there is a strong connection between veterans developing substance abuse problems because of their mental health conditions.
Researchers claim this may be the case with up to one third of veterans. The researchers used Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health records to compare the number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who developed substance abuse problems against those who developed mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Researchers selected 6 mental disorders they used during the study. More than 1 million veterans were diagnosed with at least one of these conditions, according to VA health records.
Of the veterans suffering from these specific mental conditions, the number of them with substance abuse problems were shocking. Their numbers ranged from 21-35%. Veterans diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia demonstrated the highest levels of substance abuse.
The results from this study will be helpful to the VA mental health system. For many, the results will help dictate the type and amount of health care and attention veterans with varying mental health conditions receive. At the same time, these conclusions serve as a warning to physicians and can be used in a preventative manner to avoid future substance abuse in veterans with these conditions.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, contact LaVan & Neidenberg. You may be entitled to certain programs and benefits so contact our veterans disability rights firm today.
Tags: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Mental Illness, substance abuse, Veterans disability
Posted in Disabled Veterans, General, VA News | No Comments »
Thursday, April 28th, 2011
Over the last couple of years, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recognized and embraced their need to utilize technology to communicate with the younger generation of veterans. Their latest attempt to use technology to communicate and help veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan was a joint effort with the Department of Defense (DoD).
Their offering was the free PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Coach app for smart phones. The purpose of the app is giving veterans the ability to manage PTSD symptoms as they occur or seek immediate help if necessary by being linked to local support sources.
The app is designed to be used by veterans as well as their family and friends. It makes available precise and correct information about PTSD so the symptoms can be understood by anyone it effects.
Both the VA and the DoD stress this application is not a therapy or mental health treatment replacement program. Every veteran suffering from PTSD is strongly encouraged to contact their local VA to explore what help is available for them. The app is simply a supplement to the professional help veterans are already receiving, and indeed helps veterans connect with solid sources of available help.
The VA and DoD believe The PTSD Coach has the potential to reach a widespread group of veterans suffering from PTSD. It is the first of what will be many new resources offered to PTSD sufferers from the VA in conjunction with other agencies.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, contact LaVan & Neidenberg. You may be entitled to certain programs and benefits so contact our veterans disability rights firm today.
Tags: Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), PTSD Coach, Veterans disability
Posted in VA News, Veterans' Disability, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 27th, 2011
Veterans were making disability claims for ailments related to their exposure to Agent Orange herbicide while deployed to Southeast Asia soon after returning stateside.
As long as veterans have been making claims, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been denying those claims. The VA published the Agent Orange Program Guide in 1978 and then relied on it to deny veterans’ Agent Orange disability claims.
In 1979, a suit was filed challenging the Agent Orange Program Guide itself. The original petition claimed the publication not only served as a substantive rule, but its issuance violated the Administrative Procedure Act.
The suit, unfortunately, was filed prior to the existence of the Federal Circuit. Further, it was filed prior to any court having the statutory authority to analyze whether the VA’s rules complied with the Administrative Procedure Act. Therefore, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit dismissed the 30-year-old petition for lack of jurisdiction.
Chloracne was the single condition the Agent Orange Program Guide liked to Agent Orange exposure. Because of this, the VA essentially denied disability claims for any condition linked to Agent Orange that was not chloracne. Veterans’ disability claims based conditions ranging from cancer to neurological dysfunction to genetic damage on being exposed to the toxic herbicide.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, contact LaVan & Neidenberg. You may be entitled to certain programs and benefits so contact our veterans disability rights firm today.
Tags: Agent Orange Disability Compensation, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Veteran Disability
Posted in General, VA News, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 26th, 2011
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Suicide Prevention Hotline has handled thousands of calls since its inception. Not all of those callers, however, were considering suicide at the time of their call. There are likely thousands of other soldiers not necessarily considering suicide, in need of help nonetheless, and do not call the Suicide Prevention Hotline because they don’t feel their problem is “severe” enough to call a suicide help line.
Others will not call because of the stigma attached to being associated with suicide. It is this demographic the VA is attempting to reach by changing the hotline’s name.
The VA has recently changed the name of the hotline to The Veterans Crisis Line. For many veterans seeking help, making the first call is usually the hardest because of the stigma, shame, and embarrassment unfortunately associated with calling a suicide prevention hotline. The VA, recognizing that veterans can face a myriad of crises, has shifted the line to cover a broad spectrum of issues.
The VA also hopes the new line will attract more calls from veterans’ family members seeking help for either the veteran in their lives or themselves. Although many calls are from older veterans, there is a noticeable increase in the amount of younger veterans struggling and needing help.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, contact LaVan & Neidenberg. You may be entitled to certain programs and benefits so contact our veterans disability rights firm today.
Tags: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA Suicide Prevention Hotline, The Veterans Crisis Line
Posted in Veterans' Resources | 1 Comment »
Thursday, April 21st, 2011
Congress will hear new legislation focusing on creating a Bill of Rights for injured and amputee veterans. The Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights (H.R. 5730) was introduced by Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Bob Filner. The National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics (NAAOP) was in the driver’s seat in drafting the bill to demand stability and uniformity in orthotic and prosthetic benefits across the board in the VA’s health care structure. The hearing will determine whether the bill of rights will be implemented across the country.
At the VA Health Subcommittee Hearing it was very apparent creating a bill of rights for amputee veterans has support from very influential organizations. The more significant supporters for the bill include:
- The Disabled American Veterans (DAV);
- The Paralyzed Veterans of America;
- The American Legion;
- The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW); and
- The Amputee Coalition of America.
Passing this bill will force the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish one uniform standard of care for veterans suffering from musculoskeletal injuries and requiring prosthetics and orthotics. The VA health care system will be held to a consistent high level of care, which includes providing the most technologically advanced care available.
Additionally, the NAAOP is pushing for the legislation to include rules forcing the VA to provide every amputee patient with a paper copy of the Bill of Rights and then have the patient acknowledge in writing they read the document. NAAOP is also attempting to establish a system in which the VA’s compliance with the Bill of Rights can be charted.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, contact LaVan & Neidenberg. You may be entitled to certain programs and benefits so contact our veterans disability rights firm today.
Tags: Amputee Veterans, Bill of Rights, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Disabled Veterans, Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights (H.R. 5730), National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics (NAAOP)
Posted in Disabled Veterans, Veterans' Disability, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 20th, 2011
The Homeless Emergency Project (HEP) is a non-profit homeless outreach group based out of Clearwater, Florida. The HEP is adding a new building on to their already established facility, which will focus on serving solely veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The $3.5 million facility will cover 3 acres, 2,500 square feet, and house 32 one-bedroom units. The Brendan MacDonald Fyfe Foundation is contributing approximately $800,000 toward the construction of the facility, which should open in Spring 2012.
The new facility will boast many unique features. The technology room will allow veterans the opportunity to stay in touch with family members or search for employment. Additionally, an activity director will be employed who will create programming focused on bringing veterans together with each other.
This new addition is only step 1 in an overall 5-year plan to expand the campus to cover 8 acres and host an additional 112 units. Every bit of the new facility will be dedicated to helping veterans with PTSD. In addition to veterans, the HEP helps their families and their children. In addition to emergency housing, the HEP offers transitional and permanent housing.
The HEP’s work helps the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) complete their mission. Offering case management, food, medical, dental, and job assistance helps veterans help themselves.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, contact LaVan & Neidenberg. You may be entitled to certain programs and benefits so contact our veterans disability rights firm today.
Tags: Homeless Emergency Project, post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, Veterans disability, Veterans Mental Health
Posted in Disabled Veterans, Veterans' Disability, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 19th, 2011
When a veteran is declared “incompetent”, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) appoints fiduciaries to manage his or her money on the veteran’s behalf.
The theory behind the VA’s fiduciary program is to protect not only veterans, but their families. Unfortunately, the program has met with its fair share of problems. The program is seen as a “mismanaged and poorly regulated bureaucracy” by some who say it is harming the very veterans it was established to protect.
The VA’s fiduciaries oversee 111,407 accounts (totaling more than $3.2 billion) on which the fiduciaries earn a 4% commission. With this amount of money at stake. Beneficiaries and family members claim the process of appointing fiduciaries itself is flawed. The VA claims due process is served prior to appointments, that the fiduciaries are well inspected, and priority is always given to family members who would like the role.
Despite the VA’s claims to safety, however, the VA’s own inspector general came to the conclusion the VA isn’t protecting veterans from unsound fiduciaries the way it should. The VA is simply not providing oversight at the level appropriate for the situation. This can be evidenced as there were 315 fraud investigations from October 1998 to March 2010, which resulted in 132 arrests and financial recoveries and fines to the tune of $7.4 million.
Nevertheless, the VA insists they are looking out for the best interests of the veterans and the instances of fraud are minimal. Family-member requested reviews of fiduciaries are always accepted, according to the VA.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, contact LaVan & Neidenberg. You may be entitled to certain programs and benefits so contact our veterans disability rights firm today.
Tags: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), VA Fiduciary Program, Veterans disability
Posted in Disabled Veterans, General, Veterans' Benefits, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
Monday, April 18th, 2011
Joining Forces is a national program attempting to foster support for military personnel and their families. First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden lead the organization, which was formed to offer assistance in the unique environment in which military families exist. To accomplish their goal of increasing consciousness regarding the lives and struggles of military families, Joining Forces will focus their efforts on several specific areas, which will include:
- employment;
- education; and
- general wellness.
Code for America is a different type of program, which has a technology and service focus. Code for America members are being used by multiple different government agencies and private companies to help military families gain access to things that will make their lives easier. For example, families are given technological help, new technological avenues in which to look for employment, and help with developing necessary skills in order to become competitive and land jobs. Many veterans offer unique skill sets that make them attractive to civilian employees, especially in innovative areas. Successfully bringing together the private and public sectors by marrying returning veterans with career opportunities will likely solve many problems affecting military families.
There are countless ways to show support for this country’s military families. Multiple companies across the nation have developed programs and offer services specifically for military families. Most of these programs focus on wellness and education so as to provide a better quality of life to military family members.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, contact LaVan & Neidenberg. You may be entitled to certain programs and benefits so contact our veterans disability rights firm today.
Tags: Code For America, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Joining Forces, Military Families, Veterans disability
Posted in General, Veterans' Resources | 1 Comment »
Thursday, April 14th, 2011
Of our 5 senses, smell is tied closer to memory than any other. Because of this, specific smells can trigger specific personal memories. Whether those memories are good or not is another story altogether. The Anxiety Disorders Clinic at the University of Central Florida (UCF) Psychology department has coupled virtual reality with olfactory stimulation in one treatment to help treat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Trauma Management Therapy Program is 17 weeks long and free to every Iraq and Afghanistan veteran.
The first 5 weeks of the program focus on exposure for the individual veteran. Research has demonstrated such exposure therapy is quite possibly the most effective PTSD treatment. Researchers simulate specific, trauma-causing combat environments with virtual reality equipment for the veteran-patients. The highly specific scenes and scents to which the veterans are exposed are tailored to every veterans’ trauma. Veterans are given devices with which they can control events that caused them trauma so as to give researchers insight into their root issues.
Other elements such as sights, sounds, and the weather are controlled by the researcher. The smells to which the veteran can be exposed include:
- weapon fire;
- body odor;
- burning rubber;
- diesel fuel;
- Moroccan spices;
- garbage; and
- cordite.
Researchers are able to measure varying levels of anxiety once the veterans are completely absorbed and engrossed in the scene. Over the weeks, the veterans’ response to the treatment is monitored. If progress is made, the veterans are moved into group therapy for the final 12 weeks of the program, which deals with emotional issues stemming from the trauma-causing incident.
This is the first research program utilizing smells with virtual reality on this scale. Early reports are positive.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, contact LaVan & Neidenberg. You may be entitled to certain programs and benefits so contact our veterans disability rights firm today.
Tags: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Exposure Therapy, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Veterans disability
Posted in General, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 13th, 2011
As identity theft becomes more prevalent, the Department of Defense (DoD) is doing their part to protect those carrying DoD identification cards, which includes service members and their dependents. One step in the DoD’s overall effort to combat identity theft will begin the phasing out of Social Security numbers on all DoD identification cards, according to the Pentagon. The Social Security numbers will begin to disappear as of June 1.
Current DoD identification common access cards have the bearer’s Social Security number printed on the back. For dependents and retirees, the numbers are printed on the front. For those cards beginning to expire in June, the DoD will replace them with new cards bearing unique DoD identification numbers.
This number will be 10 digits long and everyone tied to the DoD will receive one. For service members, this number will double as their Geneva Convention identification number.
Those qualifying for DoD benefits will also be given 11 digit benefits numbers. These will contain 9 digits identifying the sponsor for the benefits with the last 2 being used to identify specific family members. Although the Social Security numbers will no longer be printed on the cards, they will remain embedded on bar codes on the cards. These will not be eliminated until 2012.
Cards will be replaced as their expiration date comes due. It will take the DoD approximately 4 years to replace all expired cards with newly issued cards bearing the new DoD identification numbers.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, contact LaVan & Neidenberg. You may be entitled to certain programs and benefits so contact our veterans disability rights firm today.
Tags: Department of Defense (DoD), Veterans disability
Posted in General, US Military Legislation, Veterans' Benefits | No Comments »
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