allan

More female veterans are winding up homeless VA resources strained; many are single parents By Bryan Bender, Boston Globe Staff | July 6, 2009 http://tinyurl.com/l4pwko or http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washingt...ng_up_homeless/ WASHINGTON - The number of female service members who have become homeless after leaving the military has jumped dramatically in recent years, according to new government estimates, presenting the Veterans Administration with a challenge as it struggles to accommodate the hundreds of thousands of returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. As more women serve in combat zones, the share of female veterans who end up homeless, while still relatively small at an estimated 6,500, has nearly doubled over the last decade, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. For younger veterans, it is even more pronounced: One out of every 10 homeless vets under the age of 45 is now a woman, the statistics show. And unlike their male counterparts, many have the added burden of being single parents. “Some of the first homeless vets that walked into our office were single moms,’’ said Paul Rieckhoff, executive director and founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. “When people think of homeless vets, they don’t think of a Hispanic mother and her kids. The new generation of veterans is made up of far more women.’’ Overall, female veterans are now between two and four times more likely to end up homeless than their civilian counterparts, according to the VA, most as a result of the same factors that contribute to homelessness among male veterans: mental trauma related to their military service and difficulty transitioning into the civilian economy. But while veterans’ services have been successfully reaching out to male veterans through shelters and intervention programs, women are more likely to fall through the cracks. “While the overall numbers [of homeless vets] have been going down, the number of women veterans who are homeless is going up,’’ Peter Dougherty, director of homeless veterans programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs, said in a telephone interview. The trend has alarmed top lawmakers and veterans groups, who fear that the federal government - which is already straining to care for new veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, brain injuries, and other physical ailments - is ill-prepared to deal with the special needs of female veterans who find themselves on the street. Many of them are like Angela Peacock, a former Army sergeant who was diagnosed with PTSD when she returned from Iraq in 2004 and became addicted to pain-killers. Later evicted from her apartment in Texas, she spent more than two years “couch-hopping’’ between friends and family before moving in as a squatter in an empty house in St. Louis. “They could kick me out anytime they want,’’ Peacock said in an interview. “I have been clean for two and a half years and am working on getting my life back, but it doesn’t happen overnight.’’ According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, a nonpartisan advocacy group in Washington, about 23 percent of the homeless population in the United States are veterans. Nearly half are from the Vietnam era and three-fourths experience some type of alcohol, drug, or mental heath problem. Most of the homeless vets, who are estimated by the Veteran’s Administration to number at least 130,000 on any given night nationwide, are men older than 50. With a new generation of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan leaving the armed forces, however, the demographics are swiftly changing. And with more women serving on active duty - a full 15 percent of the military is now female - the share of female homeless veterans has grown from about 3 percent a decade ago to 5 percent, according to the VA. Among younger veterans, meanwhile, the share of women is nearly double, making up 9 percent of homeless veterans under the age of 45. “There are twice as many under 45 than above,’’ said Dougherty, who is also the executive director of the Interagency Council on Homelessness, which coordinates the federal government’s efforts to combat homelessness. In recent days, senior members of Congress have called for an expansion of some of the VA’s programs to ensure they are properly suited to meeting the needs of the growing female population. “Women veterans and veterans with children often have different needs and require specialized services,’’ Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat of Washington and a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, said in a statement. Senator Jack Reed, Democrat of Rhode Island and a former Army officer, also believes more women-focused veterans services are needed. “We need to adapt services for our veterans to reflect this shift and provide more gender-specific resources, such as housing and counseling to prevent female veterans from becoming homeless,’’ Reed said. For example, Rieckhoff, who served in Iraq before founding the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans group, said female veterans often face unique homelessness risk factors, including sexual assault while in the military and diminished earning potential in civilian life. But he also believes that the culture of the VA is mostly geared toward meeting the needs of men. “They are having a tough time evolving to meet the demands of women, who are at a higher risk for homelessness to begin with,’’ Rieckhoff said. The Obama administration has taken some steps toward combating homelessness among all veterans, including allocating $75 million to public housing authorities in the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Guam to provide permanent housing and dedicated case managers for an estimated 10,000 veterans. “For a woman veteran in particular, this is a way for them to have a place to live and not have to ditch the child while they take care of other needs that they have,’’ said Dougherty. But Murray, Reed, and others say far more needs to be done, especially for homeless veterans with children. They have sponsored legislation that calls for $50 million in extra funding over the next five years to allow the Veterans Affairs and Labor departments to make special grants to homeless veterans with children, including for transitional housing. The legislation would also allow the Labor Department to fund facilities that provide job training and child care for female veterans. Bryan Bender can be reached at bender@globe.com. "Keep on, Keepin' on" Dan Cedusky, Champaign IL "Colonel Dan" See my web site at: http://www.angelfire.com/il2/VeteranIssues/

A TBI is a TBI no matter how you acquire it. Combat or non-combat. TBI doesn't even have to be caused by trauma. It can be caused by Toxins with additives like Squalene, Dioxins, etc. We need to stand together. Combat vets should not hold their service over non-combat vets seeking their benefits. It's disrespectful.

Covers AO use in Canada, but has other valuable history http://www.fernwoodpublishing.ca/website_pdfs/blowback.pdf http://www.rdecom.army.mil/pages/fact_shee...com_history.pdf http://www.thenation.com/doc/20011015/johnson http://www.safe2use.com/ca-ipm/02-03-08.htm A really good short film on the subject of agent orange: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EaqwRtjVEM -----Original Message----- From: Robert P. Walsh [mailto:rpwalsh@sbcglobal.net] Sent: Friday, July 03, 2009 6:30 PM To: Alan Douglass Cc: Michael Bryce; Carol Scott; Kelley, Charles Subject: Fernwood Publishing > Search Results/Agent Orange http://www.fernwoodpublishing.ca/?mode=search&q=blowback __._,_.___"Keep on, Keepin' on" Dan Cedusky, Champaign IL "Colonel Dan" See my web site at: http://www.angelfire.com/il2/VeteranIssues/

http://www.meridianstar.com/local/local_story_184211233.html Last hope for blue water vets Veterans Corner Bobbye C. Jerone — Veterans Corner Like the Cavalry in an old western movie, House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner [D-CA] has ridden to the rescue of the ‘Blue Water Navy’ Veterans. These are Veterans who have been excluded from receiving any disability compensation due to exposure to Agent Orange and the other toxic chemicals sprayed in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Rep. Filner has introduced a new law [H.R. 2254] which, if passed, will restore equity to all Vietnam veterans that were exposed to Agent Orange. Before 2002, it didn’t matter where a person served in the Vietnam War. If a person became disabled due to the exposure to the terrible poisons in the air and waterways, VA would pay disability compensation. In February 2002, Congress decided to ‘save our taxpayers money’ and ordered VA to implement a ‘foot on the ground’ policy. After this policy revision, only service members who actually set foot on the ground in Vietnam could get paid for the terrible medical conditions from Agent Orange and the other herbicides that were routinely sprayed. The soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines serving in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos and the China Sea were exempt from payment even though they were contaminated by these toxins just like their brothers in arms who served on the ground, in Vietnam itself. Those of you who read this column know that the lawsuit that followed was won by the Veterans at every rung of the judicial ladder until it got to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. That Court sided with the VA and against the Veterans. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case early this year. So this bill, introduced by Congressman Filner is the last hope for the ‘Blue Water Navy Vets’. This is the second time Congressman Filner has introduced a bill like this one – which will lay to rest the issue of ‘presumptive contamination’ once and for all. The first one, introduced last year, died in committee. If every person who thinks this issue is important doesn’t contact his/her congressperson this time and insist on passage, then this one will die also – and with it the hope of disability compensation for all these brave and very sick Veterans. Time is running out. The Veterans who served on the ships just off shore are suffering from the same diseases as their ‘ground pounding’ brethren. They are dying by the thousands from the same diseases. Now a new disease has been added to the list of medical disorders presumed to be caused by exposure to the herbicides, known collectively as Agent Orange. That new addition is AL Amyloidosis, a usually fatal disorder. This brings to twelve [12] the number of diseases that are accepted to be caused by exposure to herbicides [Agent Orange] during the Vietnam War. H.R. 2254 is intended to clarify the law so that the Blue Water Veterans and every service member awarded the Vietnam Service medal, or who otherwise deployed to land, sea or air, in the Republic of Vietnam is fully covered by the comprehensive Agent Orange laws Congress passed in 1991. If it passes, this bill will make it easier for VA to process Vietnam War Veterans’ claims for service connected disabilities that are linked to exposure to toxins during the Vietnam War. It will remove the arbitrary exclusion of a Veteran based solely on where he/she served – not whether or not he/she was exposed. Chairman John Hall heads the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, the subcommittee which has jurisdiction over these issues in Congress. He stated, “With this legislation, Congress will leave no doubt that the ‘Blue Water Navy’ and all combat Veterans of the Vietnam War are intended to be covered and compensated; thus ensuring that these Veterans will receive the disability benefits they earned and deserve for exposure to Agent Orange. This is the cost of war. We asked these brave men and women to fight for us and serve their country, and it is a grave injustice that they have had to wait this long for treatment. We must place care of our soldiers among our top priorities.” Rep. Filner also said, ‘Time is running out for these Veterans. Many are dying from their Agent Orange related diseases, uncompensated for their sacrifice. We are a country at war; we must prove that we will be there for all of our Veterans, no matter where they serve – or have served. The courts have turned their backs on our Veterans, but I believe this Congress will not allow our Veterans to be cheated of their earned benefits.” The only way Chairmen Hall and Filner can win this battle is if every one of us private citizens contacts our Congressperson and encourages him/her to vote for Bill H.R. 2254. Please do not let this last hope of these brave Veterans die in committee. Bobbye C. Jerone is an Independent Veterans Advocate; President, American Legion Auxiliary 257; and Public Information Officer of The Veterans Alliance of E. MS and W. AL. She can be reached at [601] 679-5055 or bvj1101@bellsouth.net. "Keep on, Keepin' on" Dan Cedusky, Champaign IL "Colonel Dan" See my web site at: http://www.angelfire.com/il2/VeteranIssues/

Hi to all, Please pass this on to your groups. I was contacted by and spoke at length to a major news network producer and investigative broadcast program on the work I have done on our Herbicide Issues. I discussed at length the issues we have been facing and still are facing. The response on the other end was as I expected as they had no idea of what our Veterans and our Widows have been facing. Including some of the more recent issues of VA criminal activity, then given amnesty, which I thought they may have heard about. I discussed how I got involved in trying to figure out my own medical issues and how I found out more and more issues and evidence of government collusion from the Executive Branch to include Congress. How the scientific studies were fraught with misleading outcomes, protocol violations, unpublished findings, command influence overriding scientific data, and government interference in what studies where supposed to produce. When they asked why I was doing it…I told them that VA had told the wrong Veteran no and were then allowed to do so in the most corrupt and vile tyrannical power with me not having the simplest of rights to even present a case. An earned right that by even VA/BVA law I am allowed to present under oath a well grounded case and was not even granted that simple right… because a BVA judge was in a hurry. I also informed them of the difference between the Terrorists and Veterans if they are sent back here. They…with one foot on the United States are guaranteed the protection and the rights granted by our Constitution. Veterans and Widows of Veterans are not! Yet, day after day we hear congressional members rail on about their rights but not one will go on the floor of congress and rail about our rights of wrongful treatment of a runaway federal agency. Defenders of that same constitution are not allowed those rights to its protection. I discussed our Widows’ plight and how they are also treated by Veterans Affairs and the issues they face with this adversarial federal agency and the wrongful conflict of interest to actually encourage and reward Veteran Affairs stalling as the Veteran dies a horrible death from service connected chemical wounds. I discussed this horrible BVA system and how ten cases for our Veterans and Widows will be approved while the ‘exact same case’ will be disapproved 10,000 times. We are after all talking of “generic cases†that everyone under the definitions by Congress is presumed to be chemically wounded and that should be good for all, not just a few. The same case is the same case. Of course, when I explained how this is being done they concluded just as we have that it made no sense. Of course we know this is nothing but budget control as our rights are set aside by Congress. I also discussed United States Code 38 paragraph 511 wondering how many of the folks on this news program would even consider allowing this to happen to any segment of society without speaking out. I gave examples of how the IOM is denying us based on some data that was found but the key to them was not found. Yet, when you go back to the real study findings, not the government redacted published findings; low and behold it was found and so stated as found associated. Even without that finding it could be argued “subclinical issues†but we are not given that chance. The new Ford Foundation funded report also indicated these very issues as being relevant. I also discussed the fact we have not just been complaining but have put forth “reasonable and justifiable alternatives†for Congress/VA/BVA to look at and consider. Our alternatives would guarantee that very few Veterans/Widows would receive anything that they should not. Certainly more of a guarantee than our welfare system of those that abuse daily and Congress does nothing and no one seems to care. Only when it comes to Veterans/Widows is there these insane policies. I hope I made a good case for all Herbicide Veterans and our Widows. I did tell them while I had uncovered many issues in birth defects that have gone unreported (covered-up) that I had chosen not to work those issues as I could only do so much. We had another capable group that was working those issues. I will be sending requested data directly to them along with several of my books to the producer. I hope they will spread the books around to the appropriate people and especially read Chapters five and six of what has been going on against us and the actual testimony of government scientists of what was found and how they were denying the implications and found associations. I will try the best I can to present the data in a logical organized method with an explanation of what the impact is in each of the data submittals. Once again I offered to do a presentation as well as volunteered a few others to present with their expertise as I cannot do it all. I also concluded that since the issue is 40 years old, chock full of corruption, then having to present our side of the scientific evidence; it would probably take at least a full day of presenting and still not hit it all. That it is doubtful one show would cover it all and probably be more suited to at least two shows if not three considering they have to cover other things as well. I also concluded that Congress’s inaction regarding our issues and its doing little, if anything in the way of stopping this abuse was clearly unjust and irrational. Allowing this to continue violates the separation of powers. What I forgot to add and Glenda handed it to me as I was finishing up…was how many Widows that have contacted me or her saying their dying Veteran Husband made them promise to continue the fight against our non-caring government and their denied claim. In fact, rather than as best they could resolving their looming death knowing they had given the full measure and that their family at least would receive some help. Instead, their dying words to the spouse would be, “Do not let the government bastards get away with this…promise meâ€! Not much solace there for the Veteran who gave his/her all. But that is “the thanks†our government thinks is good enough I guess for that blank check that was signed and then endorsed. Can anyone in Congress ask more? Anyway I will submit the requested data as best I can. Now… will this news agency once it realizes just how bad this has been have the fortitude to put it out to the nation? Or will we once again have government interference from the highest levels? That is the question that remains to be answered. All I can do is try and try I will as this seems to be our only hope in the National Media since our elected officials will do nothing to stop this Veterans Affairs abuse. Best and wish us all luck in this endeavor. Have a great July 4th remembering it was not brought to this nation by politicians but as was written on the side of the tube of an old B Battery 2/94th 175mm gun in Vietnam…Blood, Sweat, and Tears of Veterans. Kelley ps I forgot to mention to them and since I am copying them I will include it now. Of course the holiday will slow down any responses from the media as well as our caring government. It is bad enough we face Regional Offices and the BVA system I described above. To add insult to injury in 2007 a study was released that indicated that over 50% of the denied cases by Regional were either later approved by BVA or then remanded for further work. Two centers had at least 67% overturns or remands of which one of them was my own Atlanta Regional. Now the worst thing in the world is for the Veteran’s/Widows claim is to be sent to the DC Veterans Affairs Appeals Management Center. I heard the head of that agency telling Congressional members how they triage a claim as it comes in. Nothing can be further from the truth at least in my case. I know a sample of one but I think everyone knows this goes on as it cannot possibly take as long as they would like Congress to believe. However Congress swallows this hook, line, and sinker and does nothing. In my case, I would call and they would say we had to send out for X to another federal agency. Then I would keep calling and they would say that X was not in yet. Finally after six to seven months of waiting X is in and they tell me it is in. Then they follow up with; well now we have to request Y from another federal agency. I call and they tell me it is not in yet. Then after another six or seven months they tell me that Y is now in but they now have to request Z from another federal agency…so another six or seven months goes by. Finally they tell me everything is in and they are waiting for someone to look at the file to see what else is needed or make a decision. That was at least another six or seven months ago. To call this process triage is a joke and yes the patient just like the Veteran will die before the results of this so called claims triage is complete since it is obvious a series process is used. To add insult to injury I personally had retrieved and submitted X and Y to Atlanta VA Regional from… 1.) The official achieves in Maryland and 2.) The personal center in St. Louis and should have been in my C file. Of course it was either missing or they just threw it away. To really pour salt into the open and festering Veterans/Widows wounds after doing battle for years with Regional; waiting years for a BVA remand to Appeals Management this seemingly self imposed VA bottle neck clearly states: “This claim must be afforded expeditious treatment. The law requires that all claims that are remanded by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals or by the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims for additional development or other appropriate action must be handled in an expeditious manner. See 38 U.S.C.A. 5109B, 7112 (West Supp. 2006).†Expeditious = Acting or done with speed and efficiency. I hardly think that Veterans Affairs qualifies in any way shape or form with either speed or efficiency and we certainly know accuracy is at a low for any form of endeavor; and that is assuming integrity; which, even recent evidence clearly points to as ‘missing in action’. I doubt anyone would consider going on three years now in DC Appeals Management would be considered “Expeditious†since the case had already been worked for at least five years prior in collecting data. Congressman Hall recently stated things would get better because VA had all the tools necessary given to them by Congress. I seriously doubt it when you have VA self imposed bottlenecks. Now to really add salt and pepper to the wounds when I contacted VA IG on this matter their response back to me was just as the old saying goes “I do not do widowsâ€; well VA IG does not do the DC Appeals Management Center. How nice and convenient for the VA is that? So we really have no idea what is going on in that center. I can tell you that the head of that center painted a picture to Congress that does not exist. Be safe over the holiday.

Except for the obvious. Which is, Congress & the VA refuse to do anything about it. Leaving the court the only coarse for justice. If the court had it's eyes open, they would have seen that & not left it up to congress.

10. Dedication Ceremony To Be Held For New VA Clinic In Washington State. The Tacoma (WA) News Tribune (7/1, Relyea) reports, "A dedication ceremony for a long-awaited medical clinic for veterans is set for Thursday, July 2, on the second floor of the Mount Vernon Medical Building at 307 S. 13th St." The "ceremony for the Department of Veterans Affairs' new Community Based Outpatient Clinic," which "opened May 18 near Skagit Valley Hospital," is scheduled to run from "10:30 a.m. to noon. Featured speakers will include" US Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and US Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), "who spearheaded the effort to expand VA medical services." http://www.veteranstoday.com/article7696.html

VA Police Get Shoveled in Shameless Showdown with Purple Heart Veterans Posted on July 01, 2009 by rbrock http://www.veteranstoday.com/article7691.html

"SNOOPGATE" SPYING ON AMERICAN HEROES Posted on July 01, 2009 by gordonduff http://www.veteranstoday.com/article7692.html

Lawsuits against the VA achieved more by being thrown out of Court. Posted on July 01, 2009 by bobhanafin Lawsuits against the VA achieved more by being thrown out of Court. Despite the status of two historic lawsuits filed by four Veterans Service Organizations being thrown out by federal judges, these lawsuits have not been a total failure. They have resulted in law changes that now allow Veterans to get an attorney upon receipt of Statement of the Case throwing the Vet into the long and drawn out VA Appeals process. The lawsuits led to a growing number of attorneys now getting certification to represent Veterans before Regional Office or U.S. Court of Appeals. In fact, these lawsuits once opposed by Old Guard VSOs who advocated an non-confrontational approach with the VA, has exposed just how much legal representation the VSOs really pay for even as they seek to repeal the law in Congress. Robert L. Hanafin Major, U.S. Air Force-Retired Veterans Advocacy Editor Veterans Today News Network FEDERAL JUDGE THROWS OUT LATEST LAWSUIT AGAINST VA -- Judge says that imposing a quicker deadline for payment of benefits was a role for Congress and the VA Secretary, not the Courts. http://www.dralegal.org/cases/public_entit..._VA.php#details That was way back in December 17, 2008. However, despite any federal judge's attempts to stifle Veterans Rights has there been any real change in how Veterans get access to legal assistance or expediting of VA Claims and Appeals. I believe the answers are YES and NO! It is the NO part that means in addition to never ending class action lawsuits regardless how many times they get thrown out, WE must continue sending the same message that America's Veterans are not happy campers. In addition to class action lawsuits, it is getting much easier to access an attorney that even the Old Guard VSOs have been doing it. Dateline - July 23, 2007, two Veterans activists groups representing thousands of American veterans, Veterans for Common Sense (VCS) and Veterans for Truth [not to be confused with the partisan political group Swiftboat Veterans for Truth] filed a class action lawsuit that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) flagrantly violates the constitutional and statutory rights of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The lawsuit is the first of its kind in the country. The complaint sought to prohibit the VA from continuing a number of improper practices in handling claims for health care and disability benefits. These included shredding of claims forms, refusing to adjudicate claims or appeals, and various delaying tactics. As of today, there are still not timelines of what's expected of VA employees to respond to America's Vets yet the burden is entirely on Veterans to meet timelines set upon us. Most disabled veterans still (2009) cannot receive medical treatment without a disability claim approval. However, the VA had a backlog of over 600,000 claims that has yet to be resolved, and a decision on a claim can take up to twelve to fifteen years. The VA management strategy is blatantly waiting out, especially elderly Veterans to die of whatever illness that may be related to their service. Some pending claims go back to the Vietnam era. The suit claimed that numerous VA practices violated the constitutional and statutory rights of veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by denying veterans adequate procedural safeguards in the VA benefits process, access to the judicial process, mandated medical care, and VA benefits as a result of their PTSD. In addition to seeking a declaration from the court that these practices violate the constitutional and statutory rights of the Plaintiffs, the lawsuit sought an injunction preventing the defendants [the VA] from continuing certain policies and procedures. No damages are being sought. [Note: although no monetary damages were being sought by the class action lawsuit, individuals within the class filed separate but related lawsuits demanding damages be paid. The VA paid out substantial total awards, and in most cases settled out of court in an attempt to avoid admitting guilt. Frankly, the VA's willingness to settle without legal challenge was an admission of guilt that continues today. Editor] Plaintiffs in the case included two non-profit organizations, Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans United for Truth, on behalf of all veterans, and family members, who were seeking or receiving health care or disability benefits from the VA. Plaintiffs were and still are represented by the California-based public interest law firm Disability Rights Advocates (DRA). "The VA's motto, taken from Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address, is ‘to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and orphan,'" said Melissa Kasnitz of DRA. "The VA is not living up to its motto or its obligation to care for our disabled veterans. Instead it is abandoning our veterans, shamefully following a path that will lead to broken lives and staggering social costs." What Ms. Kasnitz said way back in 2008 is just as true today. Among those veterans suffering the most are Iraq and Afghanistan troops returning home with mental disabilities. As many as 15-50% of returning troops have PTSD, according to the complaint. These troops are being deprived of critical mental health services, especially in the early phases of the illness when identification and treatment are crucial. Left untreated, severe PTSD can lead to substance abuse, depression and suicide. Veterans with PTSD and other psychiatric disabilities may also be the most unprepared to face the bureaucratic battles necessary to secure the benefits to which they are entitled. The suit alleged that the VA has not only shortchanged the disabled veterans for whom they are supposed to provide care, but it has also consistently presented misleading statistics to the American public. Specifically, the complaint says that the VA has falsely understated the length of time it takes to decide a veteran's claims and the true cost of caring for disabled veterans. "Our Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans want immediate access to high-quality VA healthcare and benefits when they return home," says Paul Sullivan, Executive Director for Veterans for Common Sense. "After the terrible failures following the Vietnam War and Gulf War, never again shall our government turn its back on our veterans when they return home from war. We must do everything we can to prevent more veterans from falling in the cracks that lead to broken families, unemployment, alcoholism, drug abuse, crime and homelessness. When one of our combat veterans walks into a VA hospital, then they must see a doctor that day. When a war veteran needs disability benefits because he or she can't work, then they must get a disability check in a few weeks. Since the Iraq and Afghanistan wars began, the VA has betrayed our veterans. Instead of hiring more doctors and claims processors, the VA instituted new policies that block veterans' access to prompt mental healthcare. America should be outraged. While we are reluctant to file suit against the VA, it is the VA's anti-veteran policies that leave us no other option than to fight for what our veterans earned after fighting on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan." "This lawsuit is unprecedented," said attorney Sid Wolinsky with DRA. "It is the first class action lawsuit to directly challenge the VA's unconscionable backlog of claims, the endless waiting time that disabled veterans face in receiving appropriate mental health care from the VA, and the adequacy of VA care for PTSD." PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can develop in a person who witnesses, or is confronted with, a traumatic event. PTSD is the most prevalent mental disorder arising from combat. According to the complaint, "more than any previous war, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are likely to produce a high percentage of troops suffering from PTSD," due to the widespread use of improvised explosive devises, multiple rotations, the ambiguity of fighting combatants dressed as civilians, and the use of National Guard members and Reservists More details End of Part One. Due to the details and length of article, it will be presented in two parts. The second part will cover two additional VSOs that filed class action lawsuits plus show that the concerns of Veterans goes far beyond any one generation of Vets or any partisan political ideology, because the systematic problems with the VA still exists TODAY - regardless how much money politicians throw at it to compete for the Veterans VOTE. Pray that one day they never realize they don't need the Veterans VOTE! Robert L. Hanafin Major, U.S. Air Force-Retired Veterans Advocacy Editor Veterans Today News Network http://www.veteranstoday.com/article7687.html

"I'm not sure if I'm taking your comment negatively or not and I will be the 1st to say I can be super sensitive at times. However,I thought this was a site that one could share information. I noticed you are a/the content contributer, did I overstep my boundaries? If so, please accept my apology." Lenora, I only meant to point out the obvious. 1) there are discrepancies. 2) Nothing will be done about it. If you took my post to be critical, that sure wasn't my intention. Who am I to criticize anyone for contributing to the board? If you've kept up on my posts, than you know I don't have a clue why I posted things sometimes. It's just the way my day went. I do what I can with what I have to work with. Some days are good, some days are not. Allan

June 30, 2009 9pm Eastern 8pm Central 7pm Mountain 6pm Pacific We must send a clear message to all State and U.S. Representatives! The Veterans and the Citizens of this Nation are in CHARGE! Now monitor those that have been ELECTED! If we are to have a strong GOVERNMENT!!! By the people and for the people! Call in at: 319 648-5143 Or join If you have a voice let it be heard tonight on Welcome to VFVC live on the air! Lets FIRE FOR EFFECT! Thank you for your continued support and dedication to veterans and their issues! Special Report tonight!!!!! Special Guest Time: 9:15pm eastern The Veterans Revolution Francisco Juarez California Time:9:30pm Eastern The Hmong community Col. Jim Cook California Operation Firing For Effect Is! Asking all Veterans to support this movement The Veterans Revolution at the WLA As Veterans, you may be saying to your selfs turning our Nations Flag! Upside down is the wrong way of expressing our anger if that is the case, let the 27 million Veterans and our Homeless Veterans, of this Nation stand, for once with strength and the tenacity to prove that we have voices , to the National Veterans Commanders, State representatives, U.S. representatives and the Department of Veterans Affairs The above representatives and that is: State, Federal and including the Department of Veterans Affairs and not excluding the leaders of the National Veterans Orgainzations .( Have been ignoring the voices of our Nations Veterans, now its time that we make ourselves heard. Then we wouldnt have to hold our Nations Flag upside down To have our voices heard Veterans, please read the below message OFFE will be at the VA Medical Center Canandaigua, New York Wednesday July 1, 2009 Time: 4pm Supporting The Veterans Revolution PROTEST RALLY Why because its happening to VA Medical Centers throughout the Nation. Don't Miss the 66th Consecutive PROTEST RALLY at the WLA Sunday July 5th- 1:00 PM As our Veterans muster in flying the American Flag upside down as a "Distress Call" because Veterans Land is being stolen all across America. Please Show Up! WHAT: THE VETERANS REVOLUTION TO "SAVE OUR VETERANS LAND" - You are respectfully requested to join this noble gathering as we pay tribute and protect the sacred land of the Los Angeles National Veterans Home. The American Flag will be flown upside down in as a "Distress Call." WHY: TO DEFEND, PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE NATIONAL VETERANS HOME, which was deeded 121 years ago as a safe and permanent haven for America's Military Veterans to heal from war. This is the largest VA Healthcare Center in the nation and we must preserve and protect this sacred national trust for today's Veterans and future generations of Veterans. Stop the Public Park and billion-dollar land giveaway! WHO: FELLOW VETERANS and FRIENDS OF VETERANS Includes 70 and 80-year old World War II and Korean War Veterans - Members of The California American Legion, The American G.I. Forum of California, the National Veterans Coalition, Veterans Untied For Truth, Inc., the Gathering of Eagles, and community and business supporters. WHERE: AT <A name=OLE_LINK5>THE FRONT GATE of the National Veterans Home, at the Northeast Corner of Wilshire and San Vicente Boulevards adjacent to Brentwood. (11301 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90073) WHEN: SUNDAY / 1:00 - 4:00 PM "To remain silent when they should protest makes cowards of men." - Thomas Jefferson God Bless America and the Veterans Revolution! ************** Download the AOL Classifieds Toolbar for local deals at your fingertips. (http://toolbar.aol.com/aolclassifieds/down...tusdown00000004) VA claims and appeals pile up in Houston Thousands wait months for word on benefits By LINDSAY WISE Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle June 27, 2009, 1:00PM http://www.chron. com/disp/ story.mpl/ headline/ metro/6499972. html://http://www.chron. com/disp/ story.m...o/6499972. html BY THE NUMBERS A closer look at the VA backlog Houston is at the heart of a growing national crisis involving the backlog of claims at the Department of Veterans Affairs thats approaching a record 1 million, including thousands of returning service members injured in Iraq or Afghanistan. Nearly 18,000 veterans are waiting for the Houston VA Regional Office to process their applications for disability benefits, according to the most recent data released by the VA. Whats even more troubling for some veteran advocates is the fact that 26 percent of those claims in Houston have been pending for more than half a year, compared to 21 percent nationwide. Total claims in Houston, including non-disability compensations and pensions, add up to almost 24,000, with 24 percent pending over six months. That percentage, too, is higher than the national average. Houston also currently has 11,389 claims in appeal, more than anywhere else in the country. Among worst in U.S. Overwhelmed, the Houston VA Regional Office has outsourced some of its claims processing to VA facilities elsewhere in Texas and other states. The situation at VAs Houston office is among the worst in America more than 20,000 veterans are waiting for a claim decision from VA, and more than one in four veterans already waited more than six months for an answer from VA, said Paul Sullivan, executive director of Veterans for Common Sense, a national advocacy group.

We've known about this for a decade or so. Nothing has been done about it & it's likely nothing will.

"How hard is it to write a statement when the information is already in the system." It's near imposable. It's like whatever you do, don't be accurate. I applied for hearing loss since it was on my separation exam as a defect. The rater claimed I lied to a C&P examiner by claiming I was a Boilerman on a destroyer. She claimed my military occupation was a truck driver. My DD-214 clearly states "BOILERMAN" & all sea duty except for basic training. I had to go to a hearing & show them another copy of the DD214 to convince them & they still ordered another C&P to try to weasel out of it. Never, never trust the DVA to be acurate or do the right thing.

This really gets my gut burning. We pay millions & millions for studies conducted by the dept of Veterans Affairs. It's a completely profitable business using us as lab rats. But try to find the results of these studies. I've searched & searched & the results are, "No Study Results Posted", under "completed" studies. Check out this link. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=Veterans Is it a matter of national security or compensation that the results are not posted?

Blast-Related Traumatic Brain Injury and Military Conficts http://www.braininjurymn.org/library/BlastRelatedTBI.pdf

Transient vestibular balance dysfunction after primary blast injury Military Medicine, Oct 2001 by Sylvia, Fred R http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa39...10/ai_n8957131/

Some of these books are expensive. Vets might want to ask their local libraries if they have a copy they can check out. Ask the library to consider adding it to their purchase list if they don't have a copy. Blast injury, PTSD resources and information Blast injury, concussion, PTSD books, resources and information for veterans, service members, families and caregivers. http://www.lapublishing.com/Blast-Injury-P...ns.95.0.1.1.htm

J Nerv Ment Dis. 1999 May;187(5):302-5. Postconcussive symptoms and posttraumatic stress disorder after mild traumatic brain injury. Bryant RA, Harvey AG. School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Postconcussive symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) may be exacerbated by anxiety associated with posttraumatic stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between postconcussive symptoms and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in an MTBI population. Survivors of motor vehicle accidents who either sustained an MTBI (N = 46) or no TBI (N = 59) were assessed 6 months posttrauma for PTSD and postconcussive symptoms. Postconcussive symptoms were more evident in MTBI patients with PTSD than those without PTSD, and in MTBI patients than non-TBI patients. Further, postconcussive symptoms were significantly correlated with PTSD symptoms. These findings indicate that postconcussive symptoms may be mediated by an interaction of neurological and psychological factors after MTBI. Publication Types: Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't PMID: 10348085 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10348085?dopt=Abstractjava script:PopUpMenu2_Set(Menu10348085);

1: J Trauma. 1999 Jul;47(1):96-103; discussion 103-4. Blast injury from explosive munitions. Cernak I, Savic J, Ignjatovic D, Jevtic M. Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Ibolja.Cernak@jcu.edu.au OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of blast in common war injuries. METHODS: One thousand three hundred and three patients injured by explosive munitions and demonstrating extremity wounds without other penetrating injuries were admitted to the Military Medical Academy in Belgrade between 1991 and 1994. Of these, 665 patients (51%) had symptoms and physical signs that were compatible with the clinical diagnosis of primary blast injury, whereas the remaining 658 patients did not. RESULTS: Random sampling of 65 patients in the blast group during the early posttraumatic period showed statistically significant elevations in blood thromboxane A2 (TxA2), prostacyclin (PGI2), and sulfidopeptide leukotrienes compared with the random sample of 62 patients in the nonblast group. This difference could not be accounted for by differing injury severity between the groups, because the severity of wounds as measured by both the Injury Severity Score and the Red Cross Wound Classification was similar in both groups. Amongst blast patients, 200 patients (30%) had long-term (1 year) symptoms and signs reflecting central nervous system disorders. These symptoms and signs were only sporadically found in 4% of the nonblast patients. These findings indicate that primary blast injury is more common in war injuries than previously thought and that of those affected by blast, a surprisingly high proportion retain long-term neurologic disability. The elevation in eicosanoids could be used to confirm and monitor blast injury. CONCLUSION: In relation to the immediate management of patients injured by explosive weapons, it follows that particular attention should be paid to the presence and/or development of blast injury. Our findings indicate that blast is more common in war injuries than previously thought. Eicosanoid changes after blast injury suggest that blast injury causes a major physiologic stress. A variety of effects on the central nervous system suggest that blast injury could be responsible for some aspects of what is now considered to be the posttraumatic stress disorder. PMID: 10421194 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.f...p;dopt=Abstract

Are you applying for ILS or educational benefits with Voc-rehab? As pointed out, they will send you to a consultant to determine if your able to work & receive training for it. If not, than they will determine if your able to receive "Independent Living Services". You must be unemployable to recieve ILS benefits. They may deny you the first time around. Seems to be the thing to do no matter what benefits we apply for. If so, appeal the decision. It's likely you'll win on appeal with voc/rehab. ILS benefits may take 6 months to a year or so before they're granted.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms, Treatment, and Self-Help http://www.helpguide.org/mental/post_traum...s_treatment.htm

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome http://psy.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/39/2/168 ************************************* Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Sleep Apnea, Apolipoprotein E (APOE), and Cognition. This study is currently recruiting participants. Verified by Department of Veterans Affairs, May 2008First Received: April 15, 2005 Last Updated: August 25, 2008 http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00108641

Management of Concussion /mTBI Subject: VA/DoD Clinical PRactice Guideline http://www.healthquality.va.gov/mtbi/concu...tbi_sum_1_0.pdf

VETERANS BRUTALIZED and TREATED AS SECOND CLASS CITIZENS Posted on June 27, 2009 by davis Written by Jim Davis Edited by Barbie Perkins-Cooper Every day I hear from veterans, from all walks and talks of life. Repeatedly, these former members of the Armed Forces are treated as second class, or perhaps the ‘forgotten class.’ Veterans who express concern over the benefits they were promised for serving their country, the United States of America. Repeatedly, I hear the same story, over and over again, until these compelling stories appear to be a continuous loop video, replaying. The only difference is the name of the Veteran, the file, or report number, along with the scenario of events that cause delays in claims processing. Veterans who report the loss of records, documents, physician’s reports, filing denials, and on and on. The unbroken, never ending record of complaints could fill volumes of books that Congress and the media choose to ignore. The question is why? Why must Veterans be treated in such a manner? The list of complaints and concerns from the Veterans perspective is undeniably frustrating, creating a psychological war that Veterans should not have to tolerate. Documented denials, unsanitary, unsterilized conditions in VA Medical Centers; veterans and family members waiting for hours just to be seen by a doctor. VSO’s [Veterans Service Organization] professionals refusing to accept and process a claim for benefits. The communication received is an unspoken, but carefully articulated communicated symphony of, “You will probably die before your clam is approved.” Perhaps the denials, and lack of approval is a simple expression of when the Veteran dies, so does the claim. (http://veteranstoday.com/modules.php?name=...le&sid=7336). VSO’s continuously lose documents. VARO’s [VA Regional Office] shred documents, adding to the vicious cycle where the list never ends, and the continuous loop video continues to play – over, and over, and over again. Every day hundreds of veterans die, many needlessly, many who never saw a penny in benefits! Why? Because of the VA’s wonderful unwritten and unspoken policy of deny, deny, until they die! In the United States, chartered Veteran Service Organizations such as VFW, American Legion who literally do nothing to help; in fact they truly fight against the veteran! So why pay membership fees to an organization entrusted to help veterans? Beyond me! In the year 2009, America was promised ‘change.’ During speeches in late April and early May, President Barack Obama shared the knowledge that over 600,000 PTSD [Post Traumatic Stress Disorder] claims were filed and 500,000 were denied! President Obama appeared to be disturbed over this discovery, but from a Veterans perspective, what good is a statement if actions are not taken, and if those who are guilty of denial and a lack of responsibility to perform their duties of servicing Veterans are still in control? Perhaps they should put themselves in the shoes of a Veteran and recognize how devastating it is to be told again and again that ‘your file is still under review…’ or, ‘the file is missing. The scenarios continue, until the Veteran feels defeated, or the Veteran dies without benefits. Recently the media has reported stories of veterans described as “going postal,” or as in the case of SGT. John Russell who retaliated while serving in Iraq, killing five soldiers. SGT. Russell was reportedly on his third tour of duty in a combat zone. Stripped of his weapon, Russell was scheduled to have psychological counseling. Reports are a bit vague, but the story goes that while he was ‘escorted back to his unit, he took the weapon of his escort, went back to the clinic, and opened fire.’ Russell was scheduled to return home within a few weeks. He had much on his mind including the financial stress of deployment, and the adjustment to life back home. Apparently, the stress in a war zone, combined with the stress of returning to a normal life was too much and Russell reached his breaking point. SGT. Russell needed help compassion and understanding. Additional reports in the news include reports about veterans so lost and devastated over the experiences of military life and combat they commit suicide. In these situations what has the VA, Congress, our President, the list of military organizations, and the Veteran Service Organizations done about this? Absolutely nothing! Additional complaints include reports of medical issues including the Endoscope issue of improperly cleaned and sterilized equipment used in VA hospitals. An investigation has revealed countless veterans have been placed in serious risk of infection for HEPATITIS A, HEPATITIS B, HEPATITIS C, HIV, without the lack of proper notification. Reportedly, some Veterans have been notified tested and now are showing positive reactions; yet the VA responds by saying, “Oh you could have been infected a long time ago, no proof we caused this to happen to you! No proof, no documentation, NOTHING! As the founder and advocate for Veterans-for-Change, I have received countless e-mails and phone calls from veterans and spouses of the vet being misdiagnosed, or improper prescriptions given, improper care, incomplete or incorrect surgeries being done, this list too just goes on and on. Obviously, there is a problem within the administration of the VA. I find it deplorable that I receive so many complaints, sounding like a continuous loop video recording, with one exception – the names and reports of the veteran is different, but the scenarios are so similar. Rarely, do I get e-mails or phone calls praising how wonderful he/she was treated. The VAMC – the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs believes in “the best!” Obviously, based on the continuous flow of complaints I receive, this philosophy is not practiced, or preached. According to a recent report in Stars and Stripes, there are reportedly over 722,527 claims and appeals still pending and that number continues to climb steadily every month by an approximate count of 80,000 new claims. (http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section...p;article=63360). These claims are an astonishing number, an increase of 96,125 claims from last year. Three years ago the number of claims and appeals pending was 521,397. That was an average increase of 6,975 claims per month over 36 months and now it’s jumped to an estimated 80,000 new claims per month? The VA claims they hired some 4,200 new claims processors in early 2007. Well it takes at best two years to properly train a claims processor and here we are mid 2009. Where were these new claims processors three years ago? And with the world still at war with Iraq and Afghanistan, these claims will continue to increase, due to the demands of the combat veterans who return back to America. VSO’s are a whole new chapter in this story, and each is trained by his/her organization they represent, so training is not standardized, not equal, and in most cases superficial at best and it’s up to the individual VSO to “learn on their own!” Learning at their pace, without the ability to place themselves in the shoes of the Veteran. Many of these VSO’s appear to be clueless to the needs of America’s veterans. Veterans dating back to WWII, Vietnam and up through Gulf War, and now Iraq and Afghanistan are still being treated worse than a second class citizen. Having to battle everyday, even after they’ve come home from a battle for our Country. Psychological battles with the Government, Congress, and the VA just to receive the proper benefits and medical care so desperately needed by countless thousands of these deserving individuals is escalating and the VA needs to do something to improve and reward these veterans for their dedication and service! Women vets have had a battle too! Women do not receive the same benefits, medical care, and attention needed. Yet they wore the same uniforms, fought on the same battle grounds, in the same foreign countries. Another serious injustice! Could this be another scenario of ‘second class citizen’ in the twenty-first century? The average veteran community is estimated at 8-9% of the voting constituency for a Congressman or Senator. But that 8-9% can mean the difference between winning and losing an election, yet all 535 members of Congress still choose to ignore veterans, spouses, their children, while they still fight over granting the benefits and services each and every one military veteran was promised. We the taxpayer funded the $700 billion dollar “economy boost” and what amazes me is we paid for Dog Parks, Convention Center Hotels, bridges to nowhere, CEO retreats, and additional money to improve an “international airport” which actually received 5-10 flights per day -- if that. Nevertheless, Congress refused to renew the E-Verify program and mandate that it be required of both civilian and governmental employers thus giving away millions of jobs to illegal aliens, which by the way are entitled to free medical, education, welfare, social security, housing, food stamps and a host of other programs. We as a nation appear to treat illegal aliens better, far better than we do our own, those who answered the call of Congress and our President to go to war and fight for our rights, freedoms and way of life, yet they fail to pay the bill when that bill comes due. I’ve attended many functions at the American Legion Lodge or VFW Post, I have spoken with many veterans, overhearing conversations of woe is me, I can’t get this, can’t get that, yet when I speak with them and find out what the situation is, I make suggestions, and offer assistance; however, the general response is I can’t take a chance, I’d lose what little in benefits I get now. The belief is Total BS, totally unfounded. In an effort to fight back, all Veterans need to put their military combat boots back on, stand tall, be proud of who they are what they’ve done and unite as one. My advice, as the founder of Veterans-for-Change, and a family member of a Veteran who fought for, but lost his battle for benefits is a simple one -- Speak out and let your voice be heard by your local Congressman and Senators. Make some noise. Stir the pot, and do not allow the VA to win the battle. You can do this by applying the following method: · Use the USDR Capwiz System and send out E-Mails by using their system to request your politicians support of the variety of Veterans bills pending or in committee (http://capwiz.com/usdr/home/) · Or join a veteran’s advocacy group and there are several hundreds. I founded Veterans-For-Change in 2006 shortly after my father passed away. My mission was a promise made to him during his battle for life and benefits. I promised to continue his fight to insure all veterans received benefits and care as was promised. Veterans-For-Change (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VETERANS-FOR-CHANGE/) consists of a group of veterans, spouses, family members, and friends who care about Veterans and stand up to the plate to fight for what is right. As a group we develop a list of “hot issues” every month, draft a letter on the top 3-4 issues and submit this letter to the group. Once the letter is approved by the group, we publish it; and all we ask our members to do is send it to your Congressman and Senators. The letters can be sent via Webmail, US Mail or fax whatever is most convenient for the member. As an active group for Veterans, our mission is to wake up Congress so our Veterans will get the benefits they deserve, without the psychological war they must battle now. Veterans-for-Change follows each letter up with an article and press releases which are sent to some 4300 members of the media nationwide in an effort to gain more attention to the problems and issues facing our veterans. Volunteering for any advocacy group is easy, painless, and might only consume 30-60 minutes of your time each month. The point is to become active in your and your fellow veterans benefits and to care about what you are doing and believing. Do not count on service organizations to do the work of an advocate for you; they simply will not do it. Approximately 8-9% of the population in the United States are veterans, and if only 1% nationwide stood tall and spoke their minds, the results would be far more powerful than that of any service organization today! If you are a veteran and have a story to tell about your claim, the local VA facility, the doctors, nurses, medical care, [or lack of medical care] anything good or bad, please write to me and tell me at JDAVIS92840@SBCGLOBAL. You do not need to tell me your name, just the story; city and state, we at Veterans-For-Change (VFC) will see to it that your stories are given to the members of Congress, Secretary of the VA, and all the VA committee members. But we do need you to speak out. The more veterans and spouses willing to get involved, the more our voices will be heard! There is POWER in NUMBERS! It is time for the Veterans Administration, and all the powers that be to stop treating, or mistreating our Veterans and it is time for our Veterans to be treated with respect, not as second class citizens who stood tall to fight the battle, only to be shunned, ignored, or forgotten during the process of the promised “Veterans Benefits.” For more information/assistance: JDAVIS9280@SBCGLOBAL.NET Veterans-For-Change http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VETERANS-FOR-CHANGE/ Source: http://www.veteranstoday.com/article7577.html