Legal Help for Veterans blog.
News and Press
A part of the Veterans Home of California, the Pathway Home in Yountville, California is closing for an unspecified amount of time after employees were taken hostage by a gunman and killed. The home provided academic and vocational care for post-911 veterans in preparation for returning to the civilian world. The Pathway Home’s board of […]
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Medical Issues / Disability, News and Press, Veterans Law
Kristina Derro, Esq. For 19 years, lower court precedent has prevented veterans from obtaining disability benefits based on pain alone. The Department of Veterans Affairs has, until this federal holding, required that pain be attributed to a specific medical diagnosis. Going forward, veterans should be able to obtain disability benefits for pain that is related […]
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News and Press
New research from the Veterans Administration TBI Model System shows that extreme differences exist in outcomes and characteristics between veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and civilians with TBI. The study highlights the important implications of long-term care for both injured veterans and their families. The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research […]
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News and Press
On March 3, AMVETS announced their new mental health care partnership alongside the Department of Veterans Affairs. This is the beginning of stronger efforts by both institutions to work against veteran suicide. The chief strategy officer of AMVETS said, “We have to start saving lives, not just talking about it.” The new program is nicknamed […]
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News and Press
Jim Fausone, Esq. A legal battle in South Carolina over a veteran’s benefits scheme was argued in federal court last week. The lawsuit claims that three veterans were illegally induced by an attorney, two businessman and five other companies to sell off part or all of their disability benefits in return for a lump sum […]
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News and Press
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently saw yet another personnel shakeup amid internal strife. VA Secretary David Shulkin’s chief of staff resigned following accusations of ethical violations. The inspector general released a report that found she misled an ethics lawyer in order to get permission for Shulkin’s wife to join him on his taxpayer-funded […]
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News and Press
Veterans seeking to alter or upgrade their discharge conditions can now do so more easily by using a new online tool. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) joined forces with the Department of Defense (DoD) to launch a program that provides customized guidance to former service members who were given an unfair discharge characterization or […]
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News and Press
It is no secret that an opioid problem is plaguing the nation’s veteran population. In an effort to continue its goal of transparency, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently made public data on opiate prescription rates at its medical centers nationwide. In January the VA started publicly posting the information for the first time […]
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News and Press
Veterans returning home from military service often face numerous problems that can make the transition to civilian life difficult. They may turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with the invisible wounds of war such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury, anxiety and depression. As a result, they are at a high risk […]
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News and Press
A new two-part study aims to carry out an in-depth investigation into the local-level risk factors that contribute to veteran suicides. Researchers plan to use the findings to develop a holistic plan to guide suicide prevention efforts within communities. University of Alabama is conducting research in collaboration with the America’s Warrior Partnership (AWP) — a […]
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