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Archive for May, 2012
Thursday, May 31st, 2012
The latest reports show that the number of female veterans has been steadily growing with an estimated increase from 1.8 million in 2011 to 2 million by 2020. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been actively responding to this increase by improving their women’s services at VA hospitals and clinics across the nation and a new partnership is seeking to target one of the biggest risks to women’s health: heart disease.
According to the American Heart Association, nearly 8 million women suffer from heart disease, but only 1 in 6 are aware that it’s the number one fatal health condition for women. Cardiac care has long been a male-dominated area, and the VA is raising awareness for women’s heart health through the AHA’s “Go Red For Women” campaign.
Through this partnership, the VA will be promoting education of how heart disease can impair female veterans and promote more screening and preventative care at VA clinics. The AHA’s campaign already provides many online resources for women to learn about cardiovascular risks, healthy lifestyle changes, and to connect with other women in similar situations. Working with the VA, this information will be tailored specifically to female soldiers and veterans to help them avoid becoming disabled from cardiovascular conditions.
Suffering from a heart attack, stroke, or other heart diseases can cause permanent disability from long-term damage. In some cases, environmental exposures during active duty may be the cause of heart disease in female veterans, which may qualify them 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: female veterans, Heart Disease
Posted in General, Iraq-Afghanistan War, VA News, Vet Groups & Networking, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 30th, 2012
Following the end of the Gulf War, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) began a long-term study on the progression of health and aging issues among the veterans of this era. Starting with a baseline survey in 1995, the project has grown over the years to include some 15,000 Gulf War veterans and 15,000 veterans active during the 1990-1991 years but stationed elsewhere.
A follow-up survey in 2005 and the latest survey that’s currently heading out to the participants cover a variety of health issues that are of concern for this population of veterans. Chronic and disabling conditions such as cancer, respiratory, neurological and immunological conditions are focused on alongside the general effects of aging. Women’s health is also a main factor studied in the surveys.
The VA is also asking Gulf War veterans in the study about their use of VA health services and their level of satisfaction with the care they receive. Many Gulf War veterans are developing serious disabling conditions such as multi-symptom illness, cancers, chronic fatigue syndrome and many other diseases that have been difficult to manage.
Studies like these seek to improve the care and services available to disabled veterans who seek veterans’ disability benefits 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: Gulf War Syndrome, gulf war veterans
Posted in Disabled Veterans, General, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 29th, 2012
According to Stars and Stripes, a joint announcement from the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Secretary Leon Panetta and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki has set a 5-year goal for transitioning all military medical records to digital format.
By the year 2017, the departments hope to have a lifelong medical record system in place for all new soldiers and merge all existing records into a comprehensive digital system. The 2 departments have had many issues in the past with conflicting record systems that made transitioning from active servicemember to veteran quite difficult in the VA health care system.
When it comes to the inconvenience and frustration of multiple record systems, disabled veterans are among the most heavily impacted servicemembers. Many new veterans struggle to obtain their medical records from the DoD files when they seek a disability rating for their veterans’ disability benefits claims.
The combined online medical record system that has been in the works for the past few years seeks to eliminate the disconnect between the departments so veterans can seek the medical care they need through the full amount of their rightful 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: veteran medical records, Veterans Disability Benefits
Posted in General, VA News, Veterans' Benefits, Veterans' Disability, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 29th, 2012
As more veterans return from the Iraq and Afghanistan areas the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals have seen more cases of chronic lung diseases, according to an article in Veterans Today.
Just a few years into the wars in the Middle East, military officials began noticing an increase in acute respiratory illnesses among troops stationed out in the harsh desert environments. The deserts in Iraq and Afghanistan experience frequent dust and sand storms, which can contain high levels of metal particles that often impair lung defenses.
Toxic environmental hazards are also a prime culprit suspected of causing more cases of disabling respiratory conditions. Many soldiers stationed to patrol near burn pits or industrial areas, such as oil wells, often inhale toxic smoke that can contain carcinogens and other damaging contaminates.
Asthma and constrictive bronchitis are 2 of the most commonly seen conditions that veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars may suffer from when they are evaluated for a disability rating. Veterans who now suffer from lung conditions that cause severe disability may qualify for veterans’ disability benefits, which can help cover the costs of expensive treatments that may be needed.
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: Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, Lung Disease, Veterans disability
Posted in General, Iraq-Afghanistan War, Veterans' Benefits, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Thursday, May 24th, 2012
The U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs met on Wednesday, May 23 to review the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) used in the transition of servicemembers from active soldier to veteran when they become disabled.
The review pointed out numerous inconsistencies between the methods of evaluating soldiers for mental disability, and the disability evaluations and ratings that were given to these soldiers. In some cases servicemembers were found to be fit for duty even with a 50% or higher disability rating for mental health conditions. Other records showed a servicemember was denied a disability rating on the grounds of exaggerated symptoms when there was no mental health interview or conclusive testing documented.
Reviews of the data from 24 disability cases showed that nearly 45% of them contained errors. These errors affected the level of benefit pay a veteran was eligible for or led to unnecessary appeals due to erroneous notices. An example of an error cited in the review was the case of a servicemember who suffered from a lung condition and was being treated with steroids and other medication. The servicemember was eligible for 100% disability but an error in his paperwork rated him at 0% disability, making it seem that he was ineligible 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: Veterans disability, Veterans' Benefits
Posted in General, VA News, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012
According to an article on Veterans Today, the latest additions to Agent Orange contaminant areas are military ports in Okinawa, Japan. Logbooks of vessels from the early 1960s that docked in these Okinawan ports have revealed that Agent Orange was secretly transported by merchant marine ships, such as the SS Schuyler Otis Bland, under the mission known as Project AGILE. The chemicals transported by this ship were eventually used in testing in the Panama Canal Zone.
More than 30 disabled Vietnam veterans suffering from serious health conditions consistent with dioxin-exposure have raised concerns about potential Agent Orange contamination. These veterans were stationed at 15 military bases in Okinawa, which has been claimed to still suffer after effects from dioxin use.
Vietnam veterans who were stationed in areas where the chemical herbicide Agent Orange was used are almost always immediately approved for service-connected disability pay when they develop certain disabling medical conditions. Many diseases such as diabetes, cancers, and skin conditions have been linked to exposure to Agent Orange.
Veterans advocates are helping to collect more records and information about Agent Orange use, during the Vietnam War, to determine more areas where veterans may have been exposed. This may help validate claims for disabled Vietnam veterans who have been diagnosed with unexplained health conditions.
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: Agent Orange, Veterans disability, Vietnam veterans
Posted in Disabled Veterans, General, Veterans' Disability, Vietnam veterans | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012
Army officials have ordered a system-wide review of the methods used to evaluate a servicemembers’ mental health, when determining treatment needs or disability ratings. This comes in the wake of the Madigan Army Medical Center incident where hundreds of veterans’ disability cases were denied or revoked due to improper diagnoses and evaluations.
The review team seeks to create a standard by which all health care facilities will be held to when determining whether or not a servicemember suffers from PTSD or other mental health disorders. This will hopefully help provide better support to veterans’ disability claims and help servicemembers obtain the mental health treatment they need.
Mental health screenings are a critical part of keeping our soldiers and veterans healthy and fit for active duty or retired military life. The trauma of war and combat experiences can take its toll on a soldiers’ mind, leaving them to suffer from serious conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Veterans should know that when they are in need of help to treat these disabling conditions, veterans’ disability benefits may be available.
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’ Mental Health
Posted in General, VA News, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Monday, May 21st, 2012
Over the past decade the number of female veterans seeking health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has nearly doubled. With the number of female soldiers on the rise – nearly 20% of new recruits are women – the VA health system is stepping up to increase the availability and quality of women’s services at their facilities.
Across the nation, 37 VA health centers are taking part in the Women’s Health Research Network, which studies women’s health care issues. Some of the topics the researchers are focusing on include pregnancy and infant care, military sexual trauma, and how certain service-related conditions and diseases impair women differently than men.
Another main area of focus is heart health, which has been a growing concern for both civilian and veteran women. According to Dr. Sally Haskell, director of comprehensive women’s health for the Veterans Health Administration, female veterans between the ages of 45 and 65 are the most commonly seen age range for heart health issues.
For female veterans facing disabilities due to a combat-related injury or illness, gaining access to the benefit of health care from the VA is made simpler when you file for veterans’ disability. Applying for veterans’ disability benefits can be a long and frustrating process – one that is often made easier by working with 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.
Tags: female veterans, Veterans Health Care
Posted in General, VA News, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
Thursday, May 17th, 2012
The 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.
Tags: female veterans, veterans services
Posted in General, VA News, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012
Senator 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.
Tags: Veterans Health Care, veterans legislation
Posted in General, US Military Legislation, VA News, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
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