Brig. General Carol Ann Fausone (Ret)

In the coming years, veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI, and other unseen war wounds can expect 3 million more helping hands in their fight towards normalcy. White House Officials announced in early April that a coalition of nursing schools and medical organizations will begin to train their nurses on how to recognize and respond to veterans, and their specialized needs.

Although the veteran-savvy nursing infusion reported at 3 million strong, might be a couple years off, chief nursing officer of the American Nurses Association, Amy Garcia, views the announcement as having an immediate positive impact. Garcia believes that with this news, medical officials will be able to introduce lessons into professional development courses and medical journals, which can be published in weeks, not years. Garcia also noted that many nurses are already working with veterans in their communities and can put their new knowledge into practice immediately.

“Our goal is to raise awareness of these issues, teach nurses to recognize the signs and symptoms, and help reduce the stigma of seeking care,” Garcia stated.

The announcement comes in the midst of multiple events marking the first anniversary of the White House’s Joining Forces campaign, launched to bring attention to the sacrifices and struggles of returning veterans.

As officials from the campaign estimate that roughly one in six veterans returning from duty suffers from PTSD or TBI, the importance of these pro-educational steps cannot be understated. The American Psychiatric Nurses Association has already developed online continuing education courses that focus on PTSD, pain management, sleep disturbances, and issues related specifically to female veterans.

To learn more and see the original article, please visit: http://www.stripes.com/blogs/the-ruptured-duck/the-ruptured-duck-1.160117/nursing-groups-promise-ptsd-tbi-training-1.174103#.T5yaalTophQ.email.

If you have questions on VA disability claims, contact Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC at 800-693-4800.

Brig. General Carol Ann Fausone (ret)
Veteran Advocate

Almost half of the troops that have separated from the service do not enroll in VA.

Approximately 742,000 separated OEF/OIF/OND Veterans have obtained VA health care since 2002. That’s 53% of total separated former Active Duty and Reserve/National Guard OEF/OIF/OND Veterans.

VA provides five years of cost-free health care to OEF/OIF Veterans for any injury or illness associated with your service.

If you are part of the 47% who have NOT signed up for VA health care, what are you waiting for?

There are four ways a Veteran can enroll for VA health care…

1)  In person

2)  Online

3)  By Phone

4)  By Mail

Do it now. That is an order!

More info: http://www.oefoif.va.gov/healthcare.asp

If you have any questions on a VA disability claim, contact Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC at 800-693.4800.

Jim Fausone
Veteran Disability Lawyer

For those seeking justice through the Veterans Affairs Department, patience might need to be a bit more than just a virtue. In a statement last week the VA announced it’s facing a backlog of 897,566 disability claims, with more than 65% pending for more than 125 days. Since 2008, the VA has seen a 48% increase in claims and its most recent error rate was listed at 16%.

Unfortunately, the situation is only expected to get worse. Officials believe that by the end of year the backlog number will have grown to over 1.2 million and they expect an additional 50,000 claims to be added in 2013, due to the veterans returning fromIraqandAfghanistan.

Although the backlog numbers demand attention, some believe there are other, more important things to focus on, including VA training, the error rate, and improving the VA’s rating decisions. Jeffrey Hall, assistant national legislative director for Disabled American Veterans, told House lawmakers last week….

“While the elimination of the backlog will be a welcome milestone, we must remember that eliminating the backlog is not necessarily the same goal as reforming the claims processing system, nor does it guarantee that veterans are better served.”

Assuring the public the VA was focused on these issues as well, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki vowed that by 2015, the error rate would be down to 2% and all claims would be handled in fewer than 125 days. Shinseki stated to reach these goals, the VA will roll out its paperless Veterans Benefit Management System to 16 regional offices by September, with installation in all offices by 2014. The VA has also announced plans to streamline disability claims by segmenting claims and allowing those that are more complex to be handled by more experience and skilled employees.

As 2015 quickly approaches, only time will tell if Shinseki’s projected goals are met. While some are optimistic, budget cuts and the growing backlog keep many skeptical.

To learn more or see the original article, please visit: http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/va-s-disability-claims-backlog-pushes-900-000-20120419?mrefid=mostViewed.

If you have questions on VA disability claims, contact Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC at 800-693-4800.

Kristina L. Derro
Veteran Disability Lawyer

Many organizations have many different ideas on how the VA could alter their current procedures to better expedite veteran relief. With our nation having just ended over a decade’s worth of war, the VA is struggling with providing hundreds of thousands of returning veterans the mental care and compensation they deserve.

As one possible solution to this problem the Veterans for Common Sense (VCS), a non-profit veterans advocacy group, has recently asked the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to rule on whether the federal courts are able to aide in the distribution of VA resources. In doing so, the VCS hopes the courts will alter the VA’s claims procedures, create an accelerated appeals process, and convert the claims-adjudication process into an adversarial proceeding.

In their decision on May 7, 2012, the 9th circuit answered by saying federal courts do not have the jurisdiction to afford the relief the VCS seeks.

“Congress, in its discretion, has placed judicial review of VA claims only with The United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit,” stated Judge Bybee.

Judge Bybee went on to say that even if jurisdiction did lie with the 9th circuit, the VCS’ requested relief would transform the adjudication of veterans’ benefits into a “contentious, adversarial system—a system Congress has actively legislated to avoid.”

To learn more or see the original 9th Circuit opinion, please visit: http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2012/05/07/08-16728.pdf

If you need assistance

Jim Fausone
Veterans Disability Lawyer

A new study by USAA (an insurer that serves members of the military and their families) sheds light on a problem veteran’s face, that most of public doesn’t think twice about; driving to work.

The study took aim at veterans re-adjusting to rules of the road in theU.S., after returning from war-zones and hostile foreign roads. Although the general rules of the road are similar,U.S.troops have their own way of operating abroad. Whereas in the U.S. driving down the middle of the road, speeding, and rolling stop signs will land you in legal trouble, it is common procedure in Iraq and Afghanistan to avoid spontaneous conflicts.

The chart below illustrates the residual effects of combat driving that veterans bring home.

The study by USAA found that returning troops had 13 percent more at-fault accidents than before they left for service. The U.S. Army had the largest percentage change at 23, while the Marines showed a 12.3 percent increase.

The good news is that the USAA has stated it is not raising any insurance rates in regards to the findings of the study; raising awareness for military safety commanders was the only motive for the research.

To learn more and see the original articles, please visit: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/29/returning-u-s-soldiers-have-trouble-with-road-rules-at-home/#aol-comments and https://www.usaa.com/inet/ent_blogs/Blogs?action=blogpost&blogkey=newsroom&postkey=returning_troops_find_new_dangers

If you have veteran disability issues, call Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC at 800-693-4800.  If you have Michigan traffic violation concerns, contact Mark Mandell, Esq. at 248 380-9976.

When filling out paperwork for Veterans Administration benefits, it can often be helpful to recount the various stressors and traumatic events that happened while a service member was deployed.

“The first time a veteran fills out paperwork to claim benefits from the VA is when that vet needs to thoroughly outline his or her experiences,” said veterans disability lawyer Jim Fausone with Legal Help for Veterans. “It may have seemed like another day at the office for a vet who spent two deployments surrounded by explosions. It is important to document all of it as part of filing out claim paperwork.”

In order for a disability to be compensated, there has to be to some verification that a veteran was exposed to a specific stressor. This can be as simple as a newspaper clipping, or photos, letters or emails back home.

“It can be helpful to get corroboration from fellow soldiers who were on the scene, too,” Fausone said. “Veterans can attach letters to their paperwork from fellow service members.”

During the process, veterans will meet with a disability evaluation specialist in charge of documenting the specifics of the vet’s claim. It is here that Fausone suggests a veteran to be as specific as possible about their experience.

“There is no reason to be shy in these meetings,” Fausone said. “If a service member experienced traumatic events during classified missions, then it is important to tell them that, so that it will be recorded.”

Experiences need to be thoroughly documented for the VA benefits claims people so that a thorough evaluation can be made. If veterans are denied a disability claim or are given lower ratings than expected, an attorney can be hired to represent them as they challenge the decision.

James G. Fausone is a Veterans disability lawyer and Veterans attorney with Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC. To learn more or to contact a Veterans disability attorney or Veterans attorney call 1.800.693.4800 or visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com.

A combined effort by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the MacArthur Foundation to develop a system of digital badges could help veterans translate military training and experience into civilian jobs in a tough economy.

The VA Innovation Initiative is judging a contest for entrepreneurs to submit digital badges that veterans can use during a job search.

“The work our military servicemen and servicewomen do is highly specialized and requires specific technical training,” said veterans disability lawyer Jim Fausone with Legal Help for Veterans. “There is no way for a civilian employer or even a hiring manager to understand how that experience will translate into their workplace.”

The idea behind badges is to provide people a way to show their learning that has happened outside of a traditional classroom. They are envisioned to be a supplement to a resume that helps explain specialized computer skills, military experience or even online classes or museum and library experience.

“It is a smart move for the VA to get involved with the badges concept early to help veterans compete for jobs here in the U.S. when they come home,” Fausone said. “This project could truly bridge the gap between veterans with highly technical military skills and civilian employers who need those kind of employees.”

The VA’s “Badges for Vets” contest to find an entrepreneur to help develop the badge system for the military is wrapping up this spring. The contest has been narrowed to three finalists and the winner will be announced just after Labor Day, according to a press release from the VA.

James G. Fausone is a Veterans disability lawyer and Veterans attorney with Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC. To learn more or to contact a Veterans disability attorney or Veterans attorney call 1.800.693.4800 or visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com.

A government study released in March shows that many painkillers given to war veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder often lead to addiction.

Veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and came back from war with PTSD were twice as likely to be given prescriptions for painkillers that have proven to be addictive compared to vets with only physical pain, according to the study.

Caregivers were approximately four times more likely to give the drugs to veterans with PTSD and a history of problems with substance abuse.

The study was paid for by the Department of Veterans Affairs and it was based on the VA’s data. It was published by the Journal of the American Medical Association.

All of the veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq who were diagnosed with physical pain between October of 2005 and December of 2010 were involved in the study, which equals 141,029 servicemen and servicewomen.

Vets with PTSD who were given morphine and other strong painkillers had a higher risk of suicide, alcohol and drug overdoses and self-inflicted injuries, according to the study. These consequences were rare, but still notable.

The study shows that it is a difficult task to treat painful injuries as well as painful memories. The study’s authors and other experts indicate other treatments including therapy and other drugs would be less risky, according to FoxNews.

Some doctors could be prescribing powerful, opium-based drugs like hydrocodone and morphine precisely because of their strength to potentially dull extreme physical pain or help reduce emotional distress. Opioids often make psychological problems worse, according to sources speaking to FoxNews.

In 2009, the VA adopted a pain management philosophy that requires opiate prescriptions be accompanied by non-drug mental health care. This came at the end of the study.

The VA distributed a press release about the study indicating that the agency’s pain management approach is a model of effective care, but “…we recognize that more work needs to be done.”

There were 15,676 veterans given opiate prescriptions in the study for physical pain. Those numbers included 18 percent of the vets with PTSD and about 12 percent of those with different mental health diagnoses. The opiate prescriptions were given to only about 7 percent of the veterans without those problems.

Since many veterans coming home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are young, they are often struggling to find their place in civilian life, according to a Yale University teacher and doctor who spoke with FoxNews. Dr. William Becker works with veterans on substance abuse problems. The best treatment in that environment is therapy and behavioral management for the PTSD and separate chronic pain management for the physical injuries of war. He said the study “…brings much needed attention to the complexity of this problem.”

James G. Fausone is a Veterans disability lawyer and Veterans attorney with Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC. Learn more at http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com.

As part of a concentrated effort to help veterans find jobs, the Department of Veterans Affairs is sponsoring a contest for an entrepreneur to create a digital badge system that will help veterans translate their experience for prospective employers in civilian jobs.

Digital badges have taken on an increased importance recently as more people try to move into the civilian workforce after some time away in the military, taking online classes or even volunteering and doing charity work.

Badges are envisioned as supplements to a traditional resume that have a digital link where prospective employers can determine their authenticity. The MacArthur Foundation in Chicago is leading the badges revolution. The foundation gave a $1 million grant to the Mozilla Foundation to develop a consistent standard for badges that can be used across platforms.

The VA contest winner will design badges to help translate military experience into classroom credit or work-related training, according to a press release from the VA.

“We are looking for ways to make it easy for employers to see Veterans for who they are: highly qualified individuals in any job applicant pool,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki said in the release. “We want to help good jobs find Veterans and help Veterans find good jobs.”
Along with the VA, the “Badges for Vets” contest also is being sponsored by the U.S. Departments of Education, Labor and Energy. The contest is part of the larger MacArthur Foundation project called the Badges for Lifelong Learning Competition.
The VA Innovation Initiative announced three finalists in the competition in March.
• TopCoder Inc. is an IT consulting company that developed a way to issue badges representing military experience and training to help qualify veterans for a specific assignment.
• Western Governors University has a program to award transfer credit to veterans who have earned badges for corresponding training in the military.
• The Manufacturing Institute has a plan to use badges to help veterans find jobs on its jobs and talent matching platform online.
A winner from among those three will be announced after Memorial Day, according to the release.

The contest calls for $25,000 in prizes for the winners in five categories for companies to design and deliver badges that are representative of veterans’ transferable skills from the battlefield to the cubicle.

Other industries using badge systems to help bridge people’s skillsets with potential employers include NASA, Disney and the library and manufacturing industries.

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