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Archive for February, 2012
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012
Since July 2007, the Veterans Crisis Line, an initiative started through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), has helped field over 500,000 calls from veterans in need of crisis support. Over 18,000 serious cases have been handled by the team of responders, helping many troubled and disabled veterans find the help they need during these critical times.
To continue this positive outreach to veterans, and their friends and families, the VA is extending their services beyond the traditional telephone number and creating new collaborative efforts with like-minded organizations.
The technological advances include text messing services that allow veterans in need to confidentially text their concerns to responders at 83-8255 and receive immediate support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The texts are answered by trained VA professionals, many of whom are U.S. veterans, offering a more personal connection to crisis management.
In addition to the texting service, the voice call line has now extended toll-free service for the Europe military community. The new 0800-1273-8255 number will provide toll-free access to the same U.S.-based crisis help line that the current 800-273-8255 number offers.
A third enhancement to the Veterans Crisis Line is the collaboration with Vets Prevail and Vets4Warriors, 2 groups that utilize similar efforts to reach out to veterans in need of crisis support and resources. Both organizations will begin routing calls for mental health crisis to the VA’s lines.
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.
Tags: veterans crisis line, Veterans Mental Health, Veterans' Resources
Posted in Disabled Veterans, General, VA News, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012
While the Department of Defense (DoD) is putting plans on hold for a national parade honoring the Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans, many U.S. cities are stepping up with their own events.
For example, 2 men in St. Louis managed to gather a crowd in the thousands to honor our recent veterans in a matter of weeks, drawing national attention. Now, the city of Rome, GA is hoping to achieve the same with a parade and festival dedicated to honoring the Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans.
On Saturday, June 16 starting at 11:00 a.m. EST, the city will hold a parade followed by live entertainment, food, and children’s activities at the Forum. The Veterans Affairs of Atlanta organization will be on hand to assist disabled veterans and their families in attending and enjoying the festivities.
The DoD has shown support for the idea of holding a national parade to honor the Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans, but is reluctant to plan such an event. Current statements suggest they will make plans for a national celebration once all of the troops have returned from deployment.
While we still have service members active in the Middle East, the potential for service-related injuries and conditions remains a risk for all active duty military. If you’re injured while serving in the military or develop a disabling condition due to your service you have the right to file 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.
Tags: honoring veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans, Veterans' Events
Posted in General, Iraq-Afghanistan War, Veterans' Events | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012
Many Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals and facilities across the globe are using animals to help reduce the stress and anxiety that can come with receiving medical evaluations and treatment. Soldiers who are already on edge from coming off the battlefield with injuries or are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) take comfort in a 4-legged presence during psychological and medical sessions.
Using pet therapy, some of the branches of Red Cross in Germany have helped the U.S. soldiers take comfort in their evaluations and therapy sessions by providing a familiar scenario close to home. Many soldiers remember their own pets they left back in the states and relax more when an animal is around to provide comfort and companionship.
Stateside, other VA medical centers are looking more toward animals to help reduce anxiety and depression associated with PTSD and other mental disabilities. Therapists have noticed a reduced time for getting patients to relax and open up during sessions when they have an animal to interact with and ease some of the tension.
There are many steps being taken to help reduce stress and bring about a better patient-clinic rapport in VA hospitals. Obtaining quality care for disabling conditions is a necessity for many disabled veterans with serious conditions or injuries. By applying for and being approved to receive veterans disability benefits, you can access many of these resources for your own health and well being.
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.
Tags: Department of Veterans Affairs, pet therapy, VA facilities, VA health care
Posted in General, VA News, Veterans' Disability, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012
Several medical facilities run by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have eateries known as Patriot Cafes to help serve the veterans and their families who frequent the centers. As with any hospital food service, kitchen waste is a common result, but the VA has put in place 2 new initiatives for reducing kitchen waste.
Currently, 9 VA hospitals located in West Palm Beach, St. Louis, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Temple, San Francisco, San Diego, and Palo Alto have started these initiatives. The pilot programs, if successful, could spread to as many as 170 facilities in less than 10 months.
The first pilot program is recycling cooking oil at the first 6 locations. Estimates show that the recycling could put over 580,000 pounds of used cooking oil to work in alternative uses, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2020 and supporting the VA’s sustainability goal of having 50% waste diversion in the next 3 years.
The other pilot program was a composting experiment, conducted by the Veterans Canteen Service and the Martinsburg VA Medical Center’s Nutrition and Food Service Group, between December 19, 2011 and January 31, 2012. During the trial, the kitchen waste, from the Patriot Café in Martinsburg, was composted with an average of 30 pounds per week being turned into gardening materials. The program won several environmental awards and is planned to expand to West Palm Beach and the California VA locations.
Recycling initiatives such as this can help reduce costs and increase sustainability at VA hospitals around the country. These steps can help allow the VA to focus their funding on disabled veteran services and other important features of the VA health care system.
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.
Tags: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Patriot Cafes, VA medical center, Veterans' Benefits
Posted in General, VA News, Veterans' Benefits | No Comments »
Saturday, February 25th, 2012
As part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) efforts to provide veterans with complete access to their veterans’ disability benefits, 8.5 million handbooks are scheduled to be mailed out by year’s end.
Starting this month the VA will be mailing out personalized benefit handbooks to all veterans enrolled in the VA health care system. Each book will provide individual details about a veterans’ applicable benefits, local VA health care facilities, contact information for support services, and co-pay information.
The handbooks will provide a comprehensive resource for each veteran’s personal health needs and ways for them to access the benefits and resources they are entitled to. The handbook program applies to all currently enrolled veterans, as well as newly enrolled veterans. Those already enrolled with their veterans’ disability benefits will receive an updated handbook if there are ever changes to their benefits.
If you have not yet applied for veterans disability benefits or enrolled in the VA health care system you need to act quickly. Veterans’ disability claims can take months, even years to be approved, leaving you to struggle with health care on your own during the wait.
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.
Tags: Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Health Care System, Veterans Disability Benefits, Veterans' Resources
Posted in General, VA News, Veterans' Benefits, Veterans' Disability, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
Thursday, February 23rd, 2012
None of Afghanistan War veterans who received the Purple Heart in a ceremony at the Marine Corps. Memorial on Thursday, February 16 were willing to discuss their fallen Marines.
The 4 Marines that received the Purple Heart were members of Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, under the command of Capt. Paul Trembaly, who lost 2 Marines and had to medically evacuate 16 wounded, during their 7-month tour.
Trembaly realized the difficulties his remaining crew had in dealing with the losses they witnessed during their deployment. As part of a therapeutic effort he had the remaining 170 Marines of Company B flown to Bethesda, MD to visit their fellow wounded soldiers who were undergoing recovery at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
The visit was therapeutic for both the active Marines and the wounded warriors they visited. Seeing that their own were being well taken care of was a relief to those who had to see soldiers removed from duty due to serious combat injuries.
Reluctance to discuss combat trauma and the emotions they may be experiencing after deployment is an issue many veterans face, which can often lead to the development of mental conditions. Depression, anxiety, uncontrolled anger, and night terrors are just a few of the symptoms that can develop when veterans are unable to cope with their military experience.
Many of these wounded Marines may face life as a disabled veteran following their recovery. Applying for veterans’ disability benefits is a way combat-wounded veterans can obtain help with finances, medical treatment, housing, employment, and much more.
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.
Tags: Afghanistan War veterans, combat trauma, Disabled Veterans, Purple Heart, Veterans Mental Health
Posted in Disabled Veterans, General, Iraq-Afghanistan War, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
The veteran soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are showing a high number of common respiratory illnesses, including a rare disease that’s sparking some controversy.
While military veterans are able to seek treatment for respiratory conditions at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals, many of these facilities treat only the acute symptoms and don’t investigate the long-term disabilities that some veterans may be facing. A rare respiratory disease, constrictive bronchiolitis, is difficult to diagnose and incurable, making it difficult for many disabled veterans to get the medical assistance they need.
Diagnosing this rare condition involves an invasive lung biopsy, which many VA hospitals are reluctant to perform as it’s a costly procedure. This has lead to many veterans potentially suffering from this disabling condition to have to seek a diagnosis from a doctor outside the VA hospital network – meaning high out of pocket costs that their veterans’ disability benefits or VA health care may not cover.
Disabled veterans and their families are seeking to draw attention to the many respiratory illnesses and disabling conditions that have been connected to burn pit exposure and desert air quality. Soldiers that served in the Iraq and Afghanistan War may have been exposed to several airborne toxins and particles that can cause shortness of breath, chronic bronchitis, and even cancers of the respiratory system.
Respiratory illness is just one of the many conditions a veteran may suffer from due to their military service. If you or a loved one is experiencing medical conditions that may be related to their service in the military you may qualify 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.
Tags: constrivtive bronchiolitis, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, respiratory conditions, Respiratory Illnesses, Veterans Disability Benefits
Posted in Disabled Veterans, General, Iraq-Afghanistan War, Veterans' Benefits, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
The Post 9/11 G.I. Bill provides disabled veterans, service members, and some of their immediate family with many benefits, including funding for pursuing continuing education; however, many universities have been found to be targeting veterans to obtain the federal funding for their education without offering quality programs.
Lawmakers are looking at placing restrictions on schools that show a high enrollment of G.I. Bill students but low educational results and student satisfaction. Schools targeted in this evaluation may have the funding they receive from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cut.
The newly proposed bill looks to change a federal law that prohibits schools from collecting more than 90% of their revenue from federal funding. While this currently applies to the grants and loans serviced by the Department of Education, it does not include the G.I. Bill funding that comes from the VA.
The goal of this legislation is to reduce the number of schools who may be abusing the funding incentives by attracting veterans to enroll, but not providing quality education in exchange.
There are many resources and benefits for veterans that are provided by the VA and through legislation like the G.I. Bill. If you are a veteran or disabled veteran you may qualify for veterans’ disability benefits such as these to obtain help with medical expenses, health care, education, and housing.
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.
Tags: Post-9/11 GI Bill, veterans education, Veterans' Resources
Posted in General, Veterans' Benefits, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
Thursday, February 16th, 2012
With a tough job market and more veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, veterans are continuing to struggle with finding employment after their military service. One of the first things a job applicant must do is provide a resume and cover letter – and the Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF) is helping veterans with this task.
On Tuesday, February 28 from 2-3 p.m. EST the DVNF will be hosting an online webinar with noted speaker Rod Dillehay, who has worked for more than 20 years helping recruit and screen candidates for high-salary positions. The webinar is free and open to veterans, retired members of the military, reservists, active duty service members, and related veteran caregivers such as spouses, family members, and Veteran Service Officers.
Some of the topics that will be covered in the series include:
- resume organization;
- how to translate military skills to resume points relevant to your employment;
- LinkedIn 101;
- getting your resume noticed online and on an employers’ desk;
- mistakes to avoid with online job applications; and
- cover letter tips.
This webinar is just one in the DVNF’s Veterans Employment Webinar Series – a great resource for veterans looking for work. There are many resources and benefits for veterans to find employment and financial support after having served 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.
Tags: veteran employment, veterans assistance, Veterans' Resources
Posted in General, Vet Groups & Networking, Veterans' Events, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 15th, 2012
The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) organization has been petitioning for a nationally recognized parade to honor returning veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, but their efforts will have to wait longer.
According to officials at the Pentagon and the Department of Defense, there’s full support for such a celebration, but right now is not an appropriate time. With troop withdrawals still a long way to go, and deployments still actively scheduled, the Pentagon wishes to wait until all efforts in the war zones are completed and the troops have returned home.
In the meantime, the White House will be hosting a special dinner honoring the Iraq veterans by inviting members of every military branch, rank, and state to represent their respective backgrounds. While the IAVA appreciates the gesture, they believe that this effort only honors a select few service members and does nothing to foster connections between civilians and veterans.
Small scale efforts to honor returning Iraq veterans have been seen across the country with a notable effort having recently taken place in St. Louis. A couple friends organized the event through Facebook, which gathered nearly 1,000 veterans and tens of thousands of civilian supporters.
The Pentagon officials recognized the efforts of the St. Louis group and praised small community events like these, stating that, “they’re the right size and scope for what military leaders feel comfortable with now.” As for a large-scale parade, officials are still holding off on making plans until all troops return home.
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.
Tags: honoring veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans, veteran events
Posted in General, Iraq-Afghanistan War, Veterans' Events | No Comments »
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