Legal Help for Veterans blog.
Medical Issues / Disability, Mental Health, News and Press, PTSD, Veterans Law
Kristina Derro Veteran Advocate The University of Michigan and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System teamed up to study the effects of mindfulness training among veterans suffering from PTSD; the positive results of the study came as a surprise even to the researchers. Mindfulness training can be thought of as a form of meditation and […]
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PTSD, Veterans Law
Veterans currently face a long, uphill battle when trying to upgrade their less than honorable discharges. Many such discharges occur due to undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other conditions. The Fairness for Veterans Act introduced by Colorado Rep. Mike Coffman on March 3 might provide some much-needed relief. The bill seeks to ensure veterans […]
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Medical Issues / Disability, News and Press, Veterans Law
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will pay for robotic legs that could help many paralyzed veterans who have spinal cord injuries walk again. ReWalk Robotics makes electronic leg braces with motion sensors and motorized joints that allow individuals to stand upright and walk. The company said the VA’s decision means that injured […]
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Mental Health, News and Press, PTSD, Veterans Law
New research sheds light on the lingering effects that post-traumatic stress (PTS) can have on veterans long after they have returned home from deployment. A study of 1,007 Dutch soldiers has found that PTS symptoms among Afghanistan veterans spiked in the six months immediately after their return and resurfaced with greater severity five years later. […]
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News and Press, Veterans Law
The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) has established a special hotline for the state’s veterans. It aims to assist veterans on issues such as financial emergencies, benefits information, home repairs, homelessness assistance and property tax questions. The hotline is staffed by fellow veterans or their family members. Agents are available to answer calls at night […]
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Medical Issues / Disability, News and Press, Veterans Law
American Airlines came under fire after refusing to allow a veteran to board a plane with his service dog on Sept. 20. Captain Jason Haag, a former Marine, was trying to take a flight to Virginia with his service dog Axel. They were returning home after attending the American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards in […]
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News and Press, Veterans Law
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is enforcing new rules to ensure that veterans and visitors to VA hospitals, clinics and other facilities can bring their service dogs to appointments. The new policy took effect on Sept. 16. Visitors to VA facilities can now bring service animals if they “are individually trained to perform work […]
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Claims Processing, News and Press, Veterans Law
U.S. Senator Gary Peters has introduced legislation to help veterans who may not be receiving all the benefits they are entitled to as a result of being improperly discharged from the military due to behavioral changes. Peters, of Michigan, said the bill would ensure the fair treatment of veterans who were discharged because of behavior […]
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News and Press, Veterans Law
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 […]
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News and Press, Veterans Law
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 […]
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