Medical Issues / Disability, News and Press, PTSD
The results of a recent U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) study show that mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy can be more effective in helping to reduce the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans than other forms of group treatment. The study was carried out at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where […]
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Aug. 7 acknowledged that it violated VA policy by having unqualified medical personnel perform diagnostic exams for traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The erroneous exams resulted in some local veterans being denied TBI benefits. There were more than 300 veterans involved, although the exact […]
Congress on July 7 approved a bill that would allow veterans to obtain official identification cards through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Supporters of the measure say the ID cards would contribute to reducing identify theft, along with making it easier for veterans to prove their veteran status. Current federal law requires some […]
Claims Processing, News and Press, Veterans Law
Following the Supreme Court’s June 26 ruling that legalized gay marriage in all 50 states, same-sex couples will now be able to receive veterans pensions, medical services, home loan guarantees and other benefits, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officials announced on June 29. The VA said that same-sex couples with military ties will be […]
Medical Issues / Disability, Mental Health, News and Press, PTSD
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) observed June 27 as National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness (PTSD) Day for the fourth consecutive year, while the Senate passed a resolution designating June as National PTSD Awareness Month in an effort to improve diagnosis and treatment for veterans suffering from PTSD. The resolution recognizes that PTSD is […]
Medical Issues / Disability, News and Press
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine indicates that veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at an increased risk of developing sleep apnea. Some PTSD symptoms include nightmares, heightened emotional reactions and negative changes in mood. Researchers examined 159 Afghanistan and Iraq veterans with PTSD symptoms and found that 69 percent […]
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is battling a budget crisis and accusations of mismanagement after an unfinished veterans hospital in Aurora, Colorado, has gone more than $1 billion over its original budget of $328 million. The VA developed a plan a decade ago for the medical center to replace old, congested facilities for […]
The number of unemployed veterans in our country today is simply unacceptable. Any man or woman who served bravely for our freedoms should not be homeless and jobless. Thankfully, the US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has addressed this issue with the enactment of the Homeless Veterans Community Employment Services Program (HVCES). The aim of […]
Sixty-two Michigan veterans got the chance to visit the World War II Memorial when the Mid-Michigan Honor Flight flew them to Washington, D.C. on June 2. It was the Mid-Michigan Honor Flight’s third flight to Washington in what marks the tenth year of the free trip in Michigan. It allowed some of the state’s 660,000 […]
Medical Issues / Disability, Mental Health, News and Press
The suicide rate among military veterans has been given significant attention in the last decade from the media and military officials. Through past reports, experts were able to determine that active service members are less likely to commit suicide. Only when they leave the military do suicide rates skyrocket. Though much research has been conducted […]