By Jim Fausone
Veterans Disability Lawyer

After hearing from thousands of veterans, I know that the stress of military life and war impact every veteran. 

Over the next decade, I can only imagine the disability claims that will be submitted by drone operators.  It is probably predictable that the VA will deny these claims because the service members were not in combat.  However, the DOD’s own research acknowledges the stress placed on the men and women who operate drones. About one in three airmen who operate cameras on high-altitude, remotely controlled spy planes and 30% of those who fly attack drones used to kill terrorists have emotional exhaustion. An Air Force psychologist conducted a six-month study of drone operators from 2010 to 2011. Researchers found clinical distress and mental illnesses such as anxiety or depression. Sixty-five percent to 70% of those with mental illness signs are not seeking treatment for it, researchers found.  Nearly 900 Air Force personnel were surveyed. Seventeen percent are women and 60% married. When they were first asked broadly about burnout, nearly half admitted it.

Let’s hope VA does not forget the impact the war has on these men and women.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/story/2011-12-18/study-drone-operators-exhaustion/52053016/1

To learn more or to contact a Veterans disability lawyer, Veterans disability attorney, Veterans lawyer, or Veterans attorney call 1.800.693.4800 or visit Legalhelpforveterans.com

By Jim Fausone
Veterans Disability Lawyer

We are hearing more about and are coming to understand, the transition from military life back to civilian life for soldiers that have been deployed. There are things you get use to things in the service like routine, respect, order, and chain of command among other things. Yet when soldiers integrate back into the civilian world it’s about chaos, noise, bills, unemployment, disrespect, just to name a few. 

Almost 44% of the troops find returning home to be difficult.  A recent survey provides some surprising insights. According to the Pew Research Center study, being married during deployment is one of the variables that can make the transition back more difficult.  But attending religious services regularly made the transition easier. The Pew Research Center looked at a total of 18 variables and found that race, age at the time of discharge, having children under 18 while serving, length of service and number of deployments did not affect a veteran’s transition.  This research may help Department of Defense (DOD) target and understand the troops that may need additional help while in the transition.  Furthermore the general public should also be made more aware of these results so that they too can provide the necessary support that is needed during the transition.

 http://www.stripes.com/news/study-transition-to-civilian-life-harder-for-married-troops-1.162892

To learn more or to contact a Veterans disability lawyer, Veterans disability attorney, Veterans lawyer, or Veterans attorney call 1.800.693.4800 or visit Legalhelpforveterans.com

By Jim Fausone
Veteran Disability Lawyer

We get asked about how to obtain a Purple Heart by veterans on a regular basis.  This issue has even infiltrated pop cultures.  The CBS show “Harry’s Law” about a quirky law firm recently had a story line about an Iraq veteran who suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), but did not get a Purple Heart.  Since this is the military, it starts with filling out a form.  DD Form 149 is a request to correct military records. The veteran is asking the Department of Defense (DOD)  to adjust its military records to reflect that a combat injury was received, sufficient to require medical treatment, and that a Purple Heart was earned.  You must explain, document, and prove the nature of the injury.  As you start the process you should obtain a copy of your discharge papers, otherwise known as a DD214, and see if it reflects wounded in combat.  If not you will have to gather service or medical records to prove the combat injury.  A recommendation for the citation from your unit commander will go a long way or a buddy statement about the conditions under which the injury was received. It is a long process but worth it to prove ones status and obtain the recognition and benefits that go with the Purple Heart. Once the forms and evidence are sent into your service branch for review and the waiting will begin.  A veteran service organization (VSO), or other veterans advocate, should be contacted to help you.  The link to DD149 is below.

http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt/forms/eforms/dd0149.pdf

To learn more or to contact a Veterans disability lawyer, Veterans disability attorney, Veterans lawyer, or Veterans attorney call 1.800.693.4800 or visit Legalhelpforveterans.com

By Jim Fausone
Veterans Disability Lawyer

As a national firm helping veterans with disability claims, we use a lot of different tools to fill in the facts on fuzzy memories.  Often the veterans need buddy statements from guys they simply recall by first name “Bruce” or nickname “Curly”, “Lefty” or “Hoosier”.  We check unit records and other service records and help the veteran jog their memory so than can find that long-lost friend or that unlucky soul that died in the attack.  It is with that experience in mind that an article about Ancestry.com caught our attention.   You know Ancestry as the web based company that helps people doing genealogy. 

The Provo, Utah, based website has been adding historical records to its site for the past 15 years, accumulating more than 7 billion records. It normally charges a monthly fee to its users but until December 7, 2011 it is free.  Of particular interest for those searching veterans’ records are the World War II Navy Muster Rolls, which include 33 million quarterly reports filed from 1939-49, detailing the location, rank and other information about nearly all enlisted personnel who served aboard ships during those years. Previously unreleased draft cards, cemetery records, photos, and information about various ships are also available.

You can read more at  http://www.stripes.com/news/us/website-makes-wwii-records-available-for-free-through-dec-7-1.162316

To learn more or to contact a Veterans disability lawyer, Veterans disability attorney, Veterans lawyer, or Veterans attorney call 1.800.693.4800 or visit Legalhelpforveterans.com

By Jim Fausone
Veterans Disability Lawyer

When the Wounded Warrior Project speaks, people listen – even Congress. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) should take immediate action to solve systemic gaps in mental health care for veterans according to WWP.  During Congressional testimony, WWP discussed its findings of a survey of over 935 respondents and emphasized the major changes the VA must implement swiftly in order to enact improvements to its responsiveness and effectiveness.

The WWP survey found that 62 percent of respondents requested mental health care through the VA.  As reported, 40 percent had difficulty in receiving the mental health care necessary or did not receive treatment needed. The survey found some common and recurring issues:

Lack of available mental health providers;

Not seeing the same therapist twice;

Difficulty in obtaining appointments with flexible scheduling surrounding work/personal commitments;

Distance to available VA clinics or hospitals.

VA and this Country can and must do better.  Read more about WWP and this survey at:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/wounded-warrior-projecttm-testifies-before-us-senate-urges-immediate-va-action-to-improve-access-and-effectiveness-of-mental-health-care-for-veterans-2011-11-30

To learn more or to contact a Veterans disability lawyer, Veterans disability attorney, Veterans lawyer, or Veterans attorney call 1.800.693.4800 or visit Legalhelpforveterans.com