Up-to-date news from the VA and other Veterans related sites.

This is provided for your information. Views expressed in the links below are not necessarily shared by MVSOA.

GIs Quarantined Over Suspicious Powder
Six U.S. Soldiers and a Turk have been quarantined in an Istanbul hospital after a suspicious powder was found in a parcel at the city's main airport, Anatolia news agency reported Friday.

Source: Headlines | 3 Sep 2010 | 11:18 am

Judge Overturns Nebraska Flag Mutilation Ban
A federal judge overturned Nebraska's ban on flag mutilation Thursday, clearing the way for Kansas church protesters to continue trampling on the U.S. flag when they protest at military funerals.

Source: Headlines | 3 Sep 2010 | 11:13 am

65th Anniversary of End of WWII Marked
Like many other vets, Don Fosburg marked the anniversary of World War II's end reflecting on a victory dearly earned and on men who helped make that happen but never came home.

Source: Headlines | 3 Sep 2010 | 11:06 am

Army Chaplain is First KIA Since 1970
A chaplain killed in Afghanistan this week was the first Army clergyman killed in action since the Vietnam War, the military said Thursday.

Source: Headlines | 3 Sep 2010 | 10:56 am

20 Haqqani Killed Assaulting US Base
U.S. and Afghan troops have beaten back another attempt by the Haqqani Network to overrun a U.S. base in eastern Afghanistan.

Source: Headlines | 3 Sep 2010 | 10:48 am

General: Taliban Face Cash Flow Problem
Taliban insurgents in southern Afghanistan are facing a "financial crisis" as NATO-led troops have disrupted the center of their lucrative opium trade, a top U.S. general said.

Source: Headlines | 3 Sep 2010 | 10:43 am

Chinese Satellite Experiment Raises Concern
When the United States deployed the XSS-11 several years ago, critics claimed the Air Force was trying to test something that could grab another country's satellite or bump it. Now one Chinese satellite has approached another and, apparently, bumped its target and changed the orbit.

Source: Headlines | 2 Sep 2010 | 6:01 pm

Rep. Again Targets Deployment in Child Custody
An Ohio congressman is once more pushing legislation intended to keep single-parent servicemembers from having their child custody arrangements changed because they are deployed.

Source: Headlines | 2 Sep 2010 | 5:57 pm

Gates on Surprise Visit to Afghanistan
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Kabul Thursday on a surprise visit following a trip to Iraq, where he attended ceremonies to mark the formal end of the American combat mission there.

Source: Headlines | 2 Sep 2010 | 5:47 pm

Commanders: Iraqi Army Needs US Help
Iraq cannot yet sustain its army despite having managed to quell a violent insurgency, US and local commanders told AFP, raising the prospect that American troops will stay on beyond 2011.

Source: Headlines | 2 Sep 2010 | 5:39 pm

Petraeus: Relationship with Karzai Sound
The top US military commander in Afghanistan says the sometimes strained relationship between the US and Afghan President Hamid Karzai is solid.

Source: Headlines | 2 Sep 2010 | 5:37 pm

Coast Guard Says No Spill After Platform Fire
An oil platform exploded off the Louisiana coast, the second such disaster in the Gulf of Mexico in five months. The Coast Guard said there was no leak, and no one was killed. The Coast Guard initially said that an oil sheen had begun to spread from the site.

Source: Headlines | 2 Sep 2010 | 5:26 pm

Suspected Leaker’s Mental Health Tested
An Army private is undergoing medical tests to determine his mental state in a case alleging he leaked classified material to WikiLeaks, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Source: Headlines | 2 Sep 2010 | 11:13 am

Unmanned AF Reaper Crashes in Mojave
An unmanned MQ-9 Reaper warplane crashed in the El Mirage Dry Lake area of the Mojave Desert, the Air Force said.

Source: Headlines | 2 Sep 2010 | 11:09 am

Pakistan Taliban Put on Terrorism Blacklist
U.S. officials launched a broad legal offensive against Pakistan's Taliban, placing the group on its international terrorism blacklist and charging its leader with planning last year's suicide bombing in Afghanistan that killed seven CIA employees.

Source: Headlines | 2 Sep 2010 | 11:02 am

US Forces Still in Fight in Iraq
Even as President Obama was announcing the end of combat in Iraq, American Soldiers were sealing off a northern village early Wednesday as their Iraqi partners raided houses and arrested dozens of suspected insurgents.

Source: Headlines | 2 Sep 2010 | 10:52 am

China Denies Having Troops in Pakistan
China on Thursday dismissed reports saying troops of the People's Liberation Army are in a disputed area of Pakistan.

Source: Headlines | 2 Sep 2010 | 10:47 am

Navy, CG Ready to Move if Earl Strikes
Earl has put the military on alert. As of Wednesday evening, neither the Navy nor the Coast Guard in Hampton Roads had issued orders to move large numbers of ships in preparation for Earl, although they're ready to go if they have to, officials with both service branches said.

Source: Headlines | 2 Sep 2010 | 10:41 am

Gates Says History will Judge Iraq War’s Worth
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that history will judge whether the war in Iraq was worth it. In Iraq to mark the formal close of the U.S. combat mission and the departure of the top U.S. war commander, Gates visited troops at Camp Ramadi in western Iraq.

Source: Headlines | 1 Sep 2010 | 5:57 pm

VA Publishes Final Regulation to Aid Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange
Veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in Vietnam and other areas will have an easier path to access quality health care and qualify for disability compensation under a final regulation that will be published on August 31, 2010 in the Federal Register by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The new rule expands the list of health problems VA will presume to be related to Agent Orange and other herbicide exposures to add two new conditions and expand one existing category of conditions.

Source: VA News Releases | 30 Aug 2010 | 5:00 am

VA Secretary Addresses Traumatic Brain Injury Conference
Recognizing the longstanding, integrated collaboration shared by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki gave the keynote address Monday at the fourth annual Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Military Training Conference here.

Source: VA News Releases | 30 Aug 2010 | 5:00 am

Veterans with Disabilities to Learn Life-Changing Skills at Summer Sports Clinic in San Diego
The National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic is an event like no other, uniquely designed to teach recently-injured Veterans how to surf, kayak, sail, cycle and enjoy other sports. The 3rd National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic, sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), will be held September 19 - 25 in San Diego.

Source: VA News Releases | 26 Aug 2010 | 5:00 am

VA/NIH Award $6 Million for Substance Abuse Research
The Department of Veterans Affairs is partnering with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to award $6 million in grants for research examining the link between substance abuse and military deployments and combat-related trauma.

Source: VA News Releases | 26 Aug 2010 | 5:00 am

Veterans with Disabilities to TEE Off in Iowa
Nearly 200 military Veterans are registered to tee-off in a unique golf tournament in Riverside, Iowa, September 6 - 9, 2010, proving that having a visual impairment or other disability does not mean they cannot lead a full and rewarding life.

Source: VA News Releases | 25 Aug 2010 | 5:00 am

Indianapolis VA Medical Center Launches Health Information Exchange
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced a new pilot in the Indianapolis region that will improve the delivery of Veterans health information. The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis will partner with the Indiana Health Information Exchange (IHIE), the largest health information exchange organization in the United States, to securely exchange electronic health record (EHR) information using the Nationwide Health Information Network.

Source: VA News Releases | 24 Aug 2010 | 5:00 am

VA Reaches Out to Homeowners Affected by Gulf Oil Crisis
Veterans in the Gulf States impacted by the recent oil spill may qualify for delayed mortgage payments if their mortgages are already guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Source: VA News Releases | 20 Aug 2010 | 5:00 am

Shinseki Says VA's Home Loan Program Continues to Stay Strong
Mortgage loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) continue to have the lowest rate for serious delinquency and foreclosures in the industry.

Source: VA News Releases | 19 Aug 2010 | 5:00 am

VA Research Finds Possible Link Between Head Trauma and Chronic Traumatic Encephalomyopathy
Researchers with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE) at Boston University School of Medicine have provided the first pathological evidence of a link between repeated head injuries-such as those experienced by athletes in contact sports such as boxing, football, and hockey-and a disease (chronic traumatic Encephalomyopathy) that resembles amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The results will appear in the September issue of the Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology.

Source: VA News Releases | 19 Aug 2010 | 5:00 am

VA Announces Test of Paperless Claims Processing System
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has selected its regional benefits office in Providence, R.I., to test a paperless system and new procedures to improve processing of Veterans' claims for disability compensation.

Source: VA News Releases | 5 Aug 2010 | 5:00 am

VA Obligates Last of its Recovery Act Funds to Help Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) committed the last of its $1.8 billion in Recovery Act funds July 31, one of the first federal agencies to achieve that milestone. Projects at more than 1,200 sites in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico will increase access to health care and services to Veterans, while creating jobs and stimulating the economy.

Source: VA News Releases | 5 Aug 2010 | 5:00 am

More than 1,100 Schools Partner with VA on GI Bill
Paving the way for recipients of the Post-9/11 GI Bill to attend higher-cost schools, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has entered into more than 3,200 agreements with over 1,100 schools for the upcoming academic year under the 'Yellow Ribbon' program. Schools can enter into multiple agreements with VA to accommodate different programs of study offered.

Source: VA News Releases | 4 Aug 2010 | 5:00 am

New GI Bill Rates Posted
The new Active Duty GI Bill rates are now posted online! For more information click the above link.

Source: Active Duty GI Bill RSS Feeds - (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) | 12 Aug 2008 | 3:30 pm

Army Makes Changes to its Program offering Transferability of GI Bill to Dependents
Effective November 1, 2007 the Army has made changes to its GI Bill transferability program. Eligible soldiers may now transfer up to 18 months of their GI Bill to spouses or children.

Source: Active Duty GI Bill RSS Feeds - (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) | 24 Jan 2008 | 4:40 pm

$600 Buy-up Program
Some servicemembers can be eligible for increased GI Bill benefits! For more information contact your local VA office or your education services officer.

Source: Active Duty GI Bill RSS Feeds - (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) | 10 Jul 2007 | 3:08 pm

VA FINALLY PUBLISHES NEW AGENT ORANGE PRESUMPTIVES RULE -- 08-31-2010
We have an easy-to-read text version and a PDF version available for viewing or download.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

THE WEEK IN REVIEW from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG -- 08-28-2010
A complete, one-page look at VA and veterans' news for the week ending August 28, 2010.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

National Center for PTSD

Source: VHA Announcements |

VETERAN ADMITS TO DEFRAUDING VA OF 180,000 DOLLARS IN BENEFITS -- 08-27-2010
Las Vegas man, David M. Perelman, pleads guilty to theft and the unlawful wearing of a Purple Heart he did not earn.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

GAO - VA'S NONFORMULARY DRUG REQUESTS NOT HANDLED IN A TIMELY MANNER -- 09-01-2010
VA does not have the framework in place to ensure that appeals of denied nonformulary drug requests are resolved in a timely fashion.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

PARENTS CHARGED WITH STEALING MONEY FROM DISABLED VETERAN SON -- 08-27-2010
Michael and Lori Nault are both charged with theft for spending at least 53,000 dollars of their son's money on gambling.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

WALCOFF - VA'S NEW AGENT ORANGE PRESUMPTIVES RULE TO BE PUBLISHED SOON -- 08-30-2010
VBA chief - "... We still can't do anything about it for another 60 days because ... Congress gets 60 days to review it and make a determination of whether they want to stop it or not."

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

VA AND NIH TO SPEND 6 MILLION ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE RESEARCH -- 08-27-2010
"These research projects will give us important information about the ways that combat stress and substance abuse affect returning military personnel and their families."

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

NURSES AT AUGUSTA VA TO PROTEST WORKING CONDITIONS -- 09-01-2010
Fed up with what they say are forced 16-hour shifts and inadequate staffing, some RNs are planning an informational picket.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

VAOIG - MONTANA VA FACILITY NOT UP TO STANDARDS IN KEY HEALTH CARE AREAS -- 08-27-2010
Sterilization of reusable medical equipment and protecting veterans' private information are just two of the problem areas.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

SHINSEKI SAYS VA CLAIMS BACKLOG WILL BE BROKEN THIS YEAR -- 09-01-2010
VA Secretary Eric Shinseki - "We intend to break the back of the backlog this year."

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

VETERANS Q and A with JIM STRICKLAND - VOLUME 50 for 2010 -- 08-26-2010
Veterans' Advocate Jim Strickland answers questions from VA Watchdog dot Org readers.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

VETERANS Q and A with JIM STRICKLAND - VOLUME 52 for 2010 -- 09-02-2010
Veterans' Advocate Jim Strickland answers questions from VA Watchdog dot Org readers.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

VA TO TEST HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE AT INDIANAPOLIS -- 08-26-2010
"This pilot is one more step taken to deliver a Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record for our Nation's Veterans and Servicemembers."

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

DIABETES NOW THE MOST COMMON VA CLAIM FOR VIETNAM VETERANS -- 08-31-2010
"There needs to be a discussion about the costs, about how to avoid false positives while also trying to be sure the system bends over backwards to be fair to the veterans."

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

TUCSON VA HOSPITAL RECEIVES EXCELLENT REVIEW FROM VAOIG -- 08-26-2010
VA's Inspector General found hospital performed well in six major health care areas.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

VA SPENDS MILLIONS TO MAINTAIN VACANT AND HAZARDOUS BUILDINGS -- 09-01-2010
Some buildings are home to rats, septic rainwater, exposed asbestos, lead paint, mold, radon and barrels of unidentified chemicals.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

LAW SCHOOL PROGRAM NOW ASSISTS MORE THAN 800 VETERANS -- 08-25-2010
"They had our back when our country needed defending and now we need to have their back. That is why we do this."

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

FEDERAL JUDGE SAYS HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM LAWSUIT CAN GO FORWARD -- 09-01-2010
A federal judge ruled that a lawsuit by Oregon Army National Guard veterans against war contractor Kellogg Brown and Root can proceed.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

VA TO PUBLISH NEW AGENT ORANGE PRESUMPTIVES RULE ON AUGUST 31, 2010 -- 08-30-2010
The final regulation follows VA Secretary Shinseki's determination to expand the list of conditions for which service connection for Vietnam Veterans is presumed.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

AGING VETERANS' COSTS CONCERN OBAMA'S DEFICIT CO-CHAIRMAN -- 09-01-2010
Alan Simpson - "The irony is that the veterans who saved this country are now, in a way, not helping us to save the country in this fiscal mess."

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

IS THE VA USING THE SCHIZOPHRENIA DRUG SEROQUEL PROPERLY -- 08-31-2010
The VA often dispenses Seroquel to treat PTSD symptoms and sleeplessness, a common practice known as "off-label" prescribing.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

Priority 8 Enrollment Changes

Source: VHA Announcements |

FAMILIES SUE PRUDENTIAL OVER HANDLING OF SURVIVORS' BENEFITS -- 08-31-2010
Prudential says - "The notion that we're taking something away from the beneficiaries is completely wrong and one of the worst, most misleading facts that has come out."

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

Returning Veterans

Source: VHA Announcements |

VETERANS Q and A with JIM STRICKLAND - VOLUME 51 for 2010 -- 08-31-2010
Veterans' Advocate Jim Strickland answers questions from VA Watchdog dot Org readers.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

VAOIG FINDS MORE VA CLINICS NOT MEETING HEALTH CARE STANDARDS -- 09-02-2010
Problems include veterans' auditory privacy and protection of veterans' personally identifiable information.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

A LOOK AT WHO'S FOR AND WHO'S AGAINST NEW AGENT ORANGE PRESUMPTIVES RULE -- 08-31-2010
Age and Agent Orange are closing in on Vietnam veterans, a legacy of hurt for those who served -- and a very big bill for American taxpayers.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |