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Archive for March, 2012
Thursday, March 29th, 2012
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released the second in a series of reports published annually by the Gulf War Veterans Illnesses Task Force (GWVIT). This report contains input from hundreds of Gulf War veterans and hopes to serve as a plan of action for enhancements for care and services provided to this specific population.
Gulf War veterans are from an era where many of the combat-related exposures are just now manifesting as disabling diseases and conditions. The term “Gulf War Syndrome” was coined from these seemingly unconnected ailments and has been a subject of extensive research for several years.
The GWVIT focuses their concerns on providing health care and services to Gulf War veterans who may now be experiencing service-connected disabling conditions and need good quality care. A new clinical care model is detailed in the report, as well as the need for creating better links to specialized care and treatment methods for illnesses developed from that war era.
It’s important for Gulf War veterans to keep a good record of their health after service, as many new illnesses have been connected to exposure to the combat conditions in these areas. Regular checkups from your VA clinic can help with early detection of some of the illnesses that may qualify you 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: gulf war veterans, Veterans Health Care
Posted in Disabled Veterans, General, VA News, Veterans' Benefits, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 28th, 2012
There have been an additional 68 forms added to the veterans’ disability application process that are expected to help decrease the evaluation time for new disability claims.
These new disability benefits questionnaires are reports of specific medical details that can help give accurate and targeted evidence regarding a veteran’s disabling conditions. With more standardized, easily processed records the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hopes to speed up the evaluation process and decrease the current claims backlog.
With the addition of these new forms, 71 documents may now be necessary to show medical proof for a veterans’ disability claim, depending on the claimant’s medical conditions. These forms may be filled out by a veterans’ private physician or a VA health provider, but the costs of private physician’s services for the exam and forms will not be covered by the VA.
The amount of paperwork involved in a disability rating for veterans’ disability benefits can be overwhelming. A single error in your documentation could delay your claim approval for months, or even result in a wrongful denial. Working with a professional veteran’s disability attorney can help you avoid the risk of losing out on compensation that you need to medically cover you.
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 disability, Veterans Disability Benefits, veterans disability claims
Posted in General, VA News, Veterans' Benefits, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Monday, March 26th, 2012
The Los Angeles Times reports that Los Angeles Judge S. James Otero is continuing the allegations of a June 2011 lawsuit, filed by the ACLU Foundation of Southern California against the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), regarding misappropriation of VA-controlled land on the ACLU campus.
In the lawsuit, the ACLU claims that large portions of the VA-owned property, located near Wilshire and San Vicente Boulevard, were used for commercial leases rather than providing adequate housing to homeless and mentally disabled veterans. The accusations seek to hold the VA accountable for the lack of housing and treatment services for homeless veterans who suffer from mental disabilities.
According to the ACLU’s legal counsel, this is the first time a federal judge has allowed the VA to be held responsible for providing assistance to mentally disabled veterans.
Mentally disabled veterans make up a large portion of the homeless veteran population and require not only appropriate housing but also proper treatment for their physical and mental health conditions. By applying for veterans’ disability benefits, a veteran suffering from physical or mental illness has the chance of accessing better care and resources for medical treatment and life needs.
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: homeless veterans, mentally disabled veterans, VA lawsuits
Posted in Disabled Veterans, General, VA News, Vet Groups & Networking, Veterans' Disability, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
Saturday, March 24th, 2012
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has teamed up with the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation to launch a new contest aimed at improving access for homeless veterans to services and benefits.
On Monday, March 19, the VA issued a press release announcing the contest, titled Project REACH – Real-time Electronic Access for Caregivers and the Homeless. The Departments of Housing and Urban Development, and Health and Human Services are also involved in the initiative that’s calling out to web and phone application developers.
The goal of Project REACH is to create a web and phone based app that provides recourses for homeless veterans in need of services, such as medical facilities, food banks, and housing. Based on the criteria for the contest, the winning app should also provide veterans with nearby VA services, employment information, crisis hotlines, and the whereabouts for legal assistance, such as where to locate a veterans disability attorney who can help you file or appeal a claim.
With veterans accounting for 1 of every 6 persons in homeless shelters and many veterans struggling to provide for their basic needs, a digital access hub could be a great asset to those in need and their caregivers.
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, Jon Bon Jovi, veterans homelessness
Posted in General, VA News, Vet Groups & Networking, Veterans' Benefits, Veterans' Dependents, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
Friday, March 23rd, 2012
Stars and Stripes reports that Senator Patty Murray cited the recent decisions made by the Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, to overturn diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in over 300 soldiers who sought medical retirement.
While these soldiers received treatment for their combat-related disability, while serving our country, once they applied for medical retirement their diagnosis was removed to save money. This ended the critical care that is necessary for them to deal with the disabling symptoms that come along with PTSD.
Many veterans face the challenges of living with the complications associated with mental health conditions on a daily basis. When the disorder becomes disabling and prevents a veteran from working, socializing, and caring for themselves or their family there are many resources that can help.
Veterans disability benefits are offered through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for honorably discharged veterans who have been diagnosed with a disabling condition related to their service in the military, such as PTSD. Applying for these benefits is dependent on the evidence you have to support your claim, a process which can be made easier with the help of a veterans disability law firm
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: PTSD, Veterans disability, Veterans Disability Benefits
Posted in Disabled Veterans, General, Veterans' Benefits, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 21st, 2012
Drone pilots are part of the latest soldier populations to be evaluated for issues regarding soldiers’ mental health, during deployment. The role of drone pilots may seem safe from physical hazards, but the schedules, remote combat exposure, and emotional situations these soldiers are placed in can create mental hazards instead.
Soldiers involved in the drone aircraft programs fill a variety of roles, but the conditions are similar: long hours staring at computer screens where they witness combat from thousands of miles away with little or no ability to react. While most of a drone pilots’ duties involve surveillance and little enemy attack, they must bear witness to the attacks involving the ground troops.
In recent evaluations by the Air Force, drone pilots may often feel a sense of helplessness when they see ground troops in active combat and can’t intervene to help. Many reported emotional turmoil when they had to survey battle zones for casualty reports.
Facing these difficult emotional situations, during active duty, can lead to future long-term damage to a soldiers’ mental health. While the Air Force is helping current soldiers cope, by offering better access to psychologists and chaplains, for recent Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans the damage may already have been done.
Psychological disabilities are among the many conditions that may qualify veterans for disability benefits. It’s necessary to have mental health evaluations and evidence to support your claim, which an attorney can help you with.
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: drone pilots, Veterans Disability Benefits, Veterans Mental Health
Posted in General, Iraq-Afghanistan War, Veterans' Benefits, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 21st, 2012
Since 2008, Florida State University (FSU) has been 1 of 7 universities that hold a summer Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV). The 2012 annual program begins in May with online components leading in to a 9-day residency at the university from June 19 through June 27.
The EBV is designed to provide experiential training and education for veterans who suffered service-connected disabilities. In many cases, these veterans are unable to return to their previous occupations, due to their disabilities, but they still have a desire to put their skills to use. Disabled veterans who start their own small businesses may find great satisfaction in building something they truly want to invest their abilities in.
Considering the support from the associated universities and other related organizations, the cost to attend a EBV is free to eligible applicants. To apply, disabled veterans may visit FSU’s application page to fill out the online application and view instructions. While there is no deadline, there are limited spaces available and veterans should apply as soon as possible.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and many other organizations also offer support and grants to many aspiring veterans.
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: Disabled Veterans, veteran programs, veterans education
Posted in Disabled Veterans, General, Veterans' Disability, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
Saturday, March 17th, 2012
When Gulf War veteran Sean Duvall called a suicide crisis line run by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) he never expected his mention of having a homemade gun would land him in federal court.
According to The Washington Post, during his call, he told the crisis hotline that he had a gun and when police arrived to intervene they found him in possession of a firearm made from a pipe and other materials. Duvall was admitted to a psychiatric treatment center for depression and a week later found himself facing criminal charges of manufacturing a gun and carrying a concealed weapon without a license. Duvall made a deal with the court to seek counseling in order for the charges to be dropped.
One of the ways veterans may avoid suicide issues is to seek help for mental disabilities that may be causing the problem. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety are some of the mental health issues many veterans suffer, and even physical problems, such as chronic pain or amputation can also give rise to suicide attempts.
U.S. veterans deserve access to quality medical care and support to avoid these disabling conditions that often come after service in stressful situations. When a veteran is diagnosed with a mental or physical condition that renders them disabled they can qualify for veterans’ disability benefits that can grant them access to financial support and resources through the VA.
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 resources, veteran suicide, Veterans’ Mental Health
Posted in General, Veterans' Benefits, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Friday, March 16th, 2012
Navy Seaman Katherine Glover experienced sexual trauma during her service at a NATO base in Italy in 1985. It took her 17 years of suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) before she finally told a representative at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) about her experience. The VA rep helped get Glover into treatment and began the process of applying for veterans disability benefits.
However, due to her lack of evidence of the service connection to her condition, caused repeated denials. It wasn’t until her case was examined using revised guidelines for sexual trauma that she finally won the retroactive and ongoing disability benefits she was entitled to. She will receive retroactive benefits of $150,000 dating back to her initial disability application in 2006 and then the monthly stipend, of $2,800, thereafter.
Any disabled veteran may run into a similar situation when they don’t have the ability to provide the medical and official evidence connecting their disabling condition to their military service. In Glover’s case it was due to lack of an incident report at the time of the assault, but veterans may also lack proof that they served in an area exposed to toxic materials, or that they served in an area at all.
The veterans disability benefit claims process isn’t always as simple as showing medical evidence and your discharge papers. There are many factors taken into consideration when making a disability determination, which is why it’s best to work with an experienced veteran’s disability attorney from the start to avoid unnecessary delays in your claim approval.
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: military sexual trauma, Veterans Disability Benefits, veterans disability claims
Posted in Disabled Veterans, General, US Military Legislation | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 14th, 2012
As research continues to show the positive benefits of physical activity on the treatment, rehabilitation, and well-being of disabled veterans, more programs are being developed to support these endeavors. In recognition of these efforts, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has granted new funding to the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and their Parks: Return and Restore Program.
The NRPA works closely with the U.S. Paralympics division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, which helps support the development and participation in paralympic sporting activities. There are 9 park and recreation agencies across the U.S. that is included in the Parks: Return and Restore Program. These agencies received grants ranging from $2,500 to $500,000 to help support their efforts in providing disabled veterans with physical activity programs.
Many community organizations provide physical activity programs and paralympic sports leagues to help support their local disabled veterans. Physical activity has been shown to improve a veterans’ ability to cope with common disabling conditions both mentally and physically.
Aside from community resources, veterans anywhere can seek veterans’ disability benefits to help augment the local support they receive. Benefit pay, as well as assistance for medical care, housing, employment, and education are all available to disabled veterans who qualify as disabled through combat-related circumstances.
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: Disabled Veterans, VA grants, Veterans Health
Posted in Disabled Veterans, General, Vet Groups & Networking, Veterans' Disability, Veterans' Events | No Comments »
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