Veterans Network's Headline News provides stories and press releases to serve the informational needs of America's military veterans.
Veterans Headline News

Volume 2 Edition 40

   February/March 2013
VET JOBS IN RAILROAD INDUSTRY
VFW News Release, 05/07/13

According to the Association of American Railroads, some 500 companies and organizations in the railroad industry sought to hire about 5,000 veterans in 2012. These companies include freight, inter-city passenger and commuter railroads, as well as rail supply companies.

As a growing number of current railroad employees look toward retirement, the number of job openings will begin to rise in future years.

Ray LaHood, former U.S. Department of Transportation secretary, highlighted the overlap in personal traits and skill sets of railroad employees with military servicemen and women. He added that veterans have “disciplined” backgrounds, with special capabilities and qualities that are uniquely suited to help keep freight railroads efficient and safe.

To learn more about jobs in the railroad industry check out the Railroad Association military skills translator at: www.aar.org/jobs/Document/SkillTranslator.pdf

Veterans also can visit the Veterans Transportation Career Center sponsored by VA and the Department of Transportationat: www.dot.gov/veteranstransportationcareers

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HOUSE REPS PUSH DOD SEC. HAGEL
Veterans Affairs, 05/02/13

The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs sent a bipartisan letter to Department of Defense  Secretary Chuck Hagel urging him to follow through on a February 2013 plan to improve disability benefits claims processing for transitioning service members and veterans. The mutually agreed upon plan that the DoD and Department of Veterans Affairs  struck calls for the DoD to begin the transfer of complete and certified Service Treatment Records  to VA immediately, with electronic transfer capabilities to be in place by December 31, 2013.

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Veterans History Quiz
Presented by Veterans Network, 03/04/13
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Chairman Murray sites problem with VA/DOD electronic medical records.
Veterans Affairs, 02/12/13

U.S. Senate Committee Chairman for Veterans Affairs Patty Murray has
released the following statement after the VA and DoD jointly announced
changes to their plan to pursue a fully integrated electronic medical
record system.

Quote: “I’m disappointed that the VA and the Pentagon are now backing away
from a truly seamless medical records system. While this is a very complex
problem, we must provide the best care for our service members and
veterans.”

"What they are now proposing is not the fully integrated, end-to-end I.T.
solution that this problem demands. VA and DOD have been at this for years
and have sunk over $1 billion into making this the cornerstone of a
nationwide electronic medical records initiative. I intend to follow-up
with both Secretaries to find out why this decision was made.”

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Tricare to Increase Co-payments
VFW Press Release, 02/06/13

The 2013 National Defense Bill will now require Tricare to increase copayments on brand name and non-formulary medications that are not filled at military treatment centers. There is no increase on generic medications, and many co-pays vary, based on the class of drug and where the prescriptions are filled.

For example, the co-pay for generic medications remains $5 when filled at a network pharmacy and a 30-day supply of brand name medication filled at a retail pharmacy goes from $12 to $17. Beneficiaries using Tricare Home delivery will pay $13 for brand name drugs, however home delivery is for a 90-day supply. The greatest change in co-pays applies to non-formulary medications- a $25 dollar co-pay increases to $44 at retail pharmacies and is $43 through the home delivery system. For 2014 and forward, co-payment increases are tied to annual cost-of-living adjustments.

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DOD, VA Improve Online Access to Benefits Information
VA News Release, 01/31/13

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2013 - The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments have
released improvements to the functionality of eBenefits, a joint, self-service Web portal that provides registered users with secure online information and access to  benefits resources for service members and veterans.

E-Benefits 4.3, allows for easy navigation of the online disability compensation claim submission process using interview-style questions and drop-down menus similar to tax-preparation software, instead of a traditional fill-in-the-blank form. The latest release also pre-populates the application with information from a veteran's record in VA's secure database.

Veterans also can view processing times for each phase of their claim. Other site improvements include a tool to help in determining if a veteran is eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits, a calculator for military reservists to determine retirement benefits, and a search function that identifies a claimant's appointed veterans service representative, with links to Google Maps indicating the location of their nearest representative's office.

Service members and veterans also can access records such as Post-9/11 GI Bill enrollment status, VA payment history and DOD TRICARE health insurance status. To access eBenefits, veterans and service members must obtain a DOD Self-Service Logon, which provides access to several benefits resources using a single username and password.

The service is free and may be obtained in person at a VA Regional Office, DOD ID Card station or online at http://www.ebenefits.va.gov.

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Senate Introduces Vets Employment Bill
VFW Press Release, 01/28/13

 Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid recently introduced VFW-supported legislation to extend and improve upon veterans' employment benefits included in the 2011 Hire Heroes Act. The comprehensive employment package, Putting Our Veterans Back to Work Act of 2013, or S.6, includes a key provision to extend the highly popular Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP), which offers one year of additional GI Bill-style education benefits to unemployed veterans between the ages of 35-60. VRAP is scheduled to expire in March 31, 2014. The VFW also pushed for many of the additional reforms, which garnered bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, during the last Congress.

 

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Gulf Vets Support from VA
VA press release, 08/16/12

It has now been 22 years since the start of the 1990-1991 Gulf War which comprises the deployment and combat operations known as Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Almost 700,000 Service members were deployed during this period. Those Veterans who have enrolled in the VA health care system have made over 2 million outpatient visits for health care and had over 20,000 inpatient admissions in the VA health care system.

In support of care and services to the Veterans of the first Gulf War, VA has led efforts to better understand and characterize Gulf War Veterans illnesses and to improve treatment. Research initiatives have included:

 Funding an independent Institute of Medicine (IOM) review of scientific and medical research related to treatment of chronic multi-symptom illness among Gulf War Veterans.  The report is expected in 2013.

 Funding and encouraging a wide spectrum of research focused on identifying new treatments to help Gulf War Veterans, including studies on pain, muscle and bone disorders, autoimmune disease, neuro degenerative disease, sleep disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory problems, and other chronic diseases. Research is ongoing in other conditions, as well, that may affect Gulf War Veterans, such as brain cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease, or ALS), and multiple sclerosis.  

Launching in May 2012, the third follow-up study of a national cohort of Gulf War and Gulf War Era Veterans (earlier studies were conducted in 1995 and 2005; the health surveys are done to understand possible health effects of service and guide health care delivery).

Continuing the clinical, research, and education activities of the War Related Illness and Injury Study Center program which focuses on post-deployment health.

VA is also improving care and services for Gulf War Veterans through initiatives outlined in the 2011 GWVI Task Force Report. These include the evaluation of a clinical care model specifically for Gulf War Veterans and of enhanced education for health care providers about Gulf War Veterans concerns. Additionally, a VA Gulf War Research Strategic Plan has been developed to address effective treatment for the symptoms experienced by some Gulf War Veterans and to guide efforts toward improvements in diagnosis, the understanding of genetic and biologic factors related to Gulf War Veterans' illnesses, and the application of research findings in Veterans' health care.

VA provides care for Veterans of all eras as part of its mission. VA operates the nation's largest integrated health care system. With a health care budget of more than $50 billion, VA expects to provide care to 6.1 million patients during 920,000 inpatient hospital admissions and nearly 80 million outpatient visits during 2012.  VA health care network includes 152 major medical centers and more than 800 community-based outpatient clinics.

For more information on Gulf War Veterans illnesses, see: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/.


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SBA Launches Vets Business Program
VetNet News Release, 07/14/12


 

WASHINGTON DC

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has joined with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense to launch a training program for transitioning service members and veterans to help them become entrepreneurs and create jobs.  "Operation Boots to Business: From Service to Startup" is a national initiative that will be piloted with the U.S. Marine Corps.  The announcement was made today by U.S. Small Business Administrator Karen Mills and U.S. Marine Corps representatives at Quantico, VA.  
 
Entrepreneurship and small business ownership are valuable opportunities for transitioning service members and veterans. Each year, more than 250,000 service members transition out of the military. Transitioning veterans are natural entrepreneurs who possess the skills, experience and leadership to start businesses and create jobs.  

Through its ongoing collaboration with Syracuse University's Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), SBA also will provide comprehensive training materials specifically geared toward transitioning service members

SBA partners will coordinate training and services at military bases around the country, delivering a face-to-face introductory entrepreneurship course.  In addition, an intensive eight-week online business planning training will be provided by Syracuse University and its affiliated university partners for those service members who choose to continue to pursue entrepreneurship after the face-to-face introductory course. Following, service members and veterans will be referred to SBDCs, WBCs, SCORE chapters and VBOCs for counseling and training throughout the lifetime of their business.

The program will pilot in four locations: Quantico, Va., Cherry Point, N.C., Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Twenty-Nine Palms, Calif.  It will be expanded across the nation during fiscal year 2013 with the goal of providing entrepreneurial training and awareness to transitioning service members from all branches of the military.

For more information on Boots to Business training program, and on how to take part as a transitioning service member, please visit http://www.sba.gov/bootstobusiness.

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VA to Partner for Housing 100,000 Homeless Vets
White House press release, 06/01/12

WASHINGTON (May 30, 2012) The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it will collaborate with the 100,000 Homes Campaign and its 117 participating communities to help find permanent housing for 10,000 vulnerable and chronically homeless Veterans this year.

"President Obama and I are personally committed to ending homelessness among Veterans", said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki. "Those who have served this Nation as Veterans should never find themselves on the streets, living without care and without hope."

The collaboration is intended to help accomplish Secretary Shinseki goal of ending Veteran homelessness in 2015. It will also support the ongoing work of the U.S Interagency Council on Homelessness and a host of state and local organizations working to implement Opening Doors,
the federal plan to end chronic and Veteran homelessness. According to the 2011 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress, homelessness among Veterans has declined 12 percent since January 2010.

The initiative will better integrate the efforts of VA case managers and their local partners by leveraging VA resources and those of participants in the 100,000 Homes campaign. The campaign's national support staff, provided by New York-based non-profit Community Solutions, will also work with VA to provide technical assistance to help communities reduce the amount of time necessary to house a single homeless Veteran.

As a result, community organizations will be better able to utilize the Housing and Urban Developments Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. The program is a coordinated effort by HUD, VA, and local housing agencies to provide permanent housing with case management and other support services for homeless Veterans.  The collaboration will also help VA increase the proportion of HUD-VASH vouchers that help house chronic and vulnerable homeless individuals. Research indicates that this approach can successfully end homelessness for vulnerable and chronically homeless Veterans while also achieving significant public cost savings. From fiscal years 2008 to 2012, HUD has allocated funding to local public housing authorities to provide over 47,000 housing choice vouchers to homeless Veterans.

Volunteers in participating 100,000 Homes communities will help the VA identify homeless Veterans through their registry week process. Registry weeks are community-wide efforts in which volunteers canvass their neighborhoods to survey homeless individuals and gather key
information to help VA case managers expedite the housing process.

Campaign support staff will also offer quality improvement training designed to help reduce the amount of time necessary to house a homeless Veteran to 90 days or less. Pilot training in Los Angeles and New York City has already helped shave an average of 64 days from the Veteran housing process in these communities.

In 2009, President Obama and Secretary Shinseki announced the federal government's goal to end Veteran homelessness by 2015. Through the homeless Veterans initiative, VA committed $800 million in FY 2011 to strengthen programs that prevent and end homelessness among Veterans. VA provides a range of services to homeless Veterans, including health care, housing, job training, and education.

The 100,000 Homes Campaign is a national movement of over 100 communities working together to find permanent homes for 100,000 vulnerable and chronically homeless individuals and families by July of 2014.

100,000 Homes Campaign Contact:
Jake Maguire
347.266.0175
jmaguire@cmtysolutions.org

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Beware of Veterans Health Care Scam
Vet Net report, 04/19/12

Be aware of a phone scam targeting veterans in an attempt to fraudulently obtain their credit card information.

Recently, veterans across the nation have been receiving calls from individuals claiming to represent the Patient Care Group.  The callers claim that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has changed procedures for distributing prescriptions and ask for the veterans’ credit card number. 

Please note, the VA has not changed its procedures regarding the dispensing of prescriptions.

Be suspicious of any calls requesting personal information such as credit card or social security numbers.

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Vietnamese refugee speaks at Freedom Rally
Submission, 04/16/12

Quang Nguyen speaking at Freedom Rally in Prescott, Arizona:

"Thirty-five years ago, if you were to tell me that I was going to stand up here and speak to a several thousand patriots, in English, I would have laughed. But today, every morning, I wake up thanking God for putting me and my family into the greatest country on earth.

I just want you all to know that the American dream does exist and I am
living the American dream. I was asked to speak to you about my experience as a first generation Vietnamese-American, but I'd rather speak to you as an American.

I am a proud US citizen and here is my proof. It took me 8 years to get it, waiting in endless lines, but I got it and I am very proud of it.

I still remember the images of the Tet offensive in 1968, I was six years old. Now you might want to question how a 6-year-old boy could remember anything. Trust me, those images can never be erased. I can't even imagine what it was like for young American soldiers, 10,000 miles away from home, fighting on my behalf.

Thirty-five years ago, I left South Vietnam for political asylum. The war had ended. At the age of 13, I left with the understanding that I may or may not ever get to see my siblings or parents again. I was one of the first lucky 100,000 Vietnamese allowed to come to the US . Somehow, my family and I were reunited five months later, amazingly, in California . It was a miracle from God.

If you haven't heard lately that this is the greatest country on earth, I am telling you that right now. It was the freedom and the opportunities presented to me that put me here with all of you tonight. I also remember the barriers that I had to overcome every step of the way. My high school counselor told me that I could not make it to college due to my poor communication skills. I proved him wrong. I finished college. You see, all you have to do is to give a young boy an opportunity and encourage him.

This person standing tonight in front of you could not exist under a socialist/communist environment. By the way, if you think socialism is the way to go, I am sure many people here will chip in to get you a one-way ticket out of here. And if you didn't know, the only difference between socialism and communism is an AK-47 aimed at your head. That was my experience.

In 1982, I stood with a thousand new immigrants, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and listening to the National Anthem for the first time as an American. To this day, I can't remember anything sweeter and more patriotic than that moment in my life.

Fast forwarding, somehow I finished high school, finished college, and like any other goofball 21 year old kid, I was having a great time with my life. I had a nice job and a nice apartment in Southern California . In someway and somehow, I had forgotten how I got here and why I was here.

One day I was at a gas station, I saw a veteran pumping gas on the other side of the island. I don't know what made me do it, but I walked over and asked if he had served in Vietnam . He smiled and said yes. I shook and held his hand. The grown man began to well up. I walked away as fast as I could and at that very moment, I was emotionally rocked. This was a profound moment in my life. I knew it was time for me to give back.

You see, America is not a place on the map, it isn't a physical location. It is an ideal, a concept. And if you are an American, you must understand the concept, you must buy into this concept, and most importantly, you have to fight and defend this concept. This is about Freedom and not free stuff. And that is why I am standing up here.

Brothers and sisters, to be a real American, the very least you must do is to learn English and understand it well. In my humble opinion, you cannot be a faithful patriotic citizen if you can't speak the language of the country you live in. Take this document of 46 pages - last I looked on the Internet, there wasn't a Vietnamese translation of the US Constitution. It took me a long time to get to the point of being able to converse and until this day, I still struggle to come up with the right words. It's not easy, but if it's too easy, it's not worth doing.

Before I knew this 46-page document, I learned of the 500,000 Americans who fought for this little boy. I learned of the 58,000 names inscribed on the black wall at the Vietnam Memorial. You are my heroes. You are my founders.

At this time, I would like to ask all the Vietnam veterans to please stand. Thank you for my life. I thank you for your sacrifices, and I thank you for giving me the freedom and liberty I have today. I now ask all veterans, firefighters, and police officers, to please stand. On behalf of all first generation immigrants, I thank you for your services and may God bless you all."

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DD 214 Now Avaialable Online
VetNet News Release, 04/15/12


The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has provided the following
website for veterans to gain access to their DD-214s online:

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

This may be particularly helpful when a veteran needs a copy
of his/her DD-214 for employment purposes. NPRC is working
to make it easier for veterans with computers and Internet
access to obtain copies of documents from their military files.

Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military
members may now use a new online military personnel records
system to request documents.

Other individuals with a need for documents must still complete
the Standard Form 180, which can be downloaded from the
online web site. Because the requester will be asked to supply
all information essential for NPRC to process the request,
delays that normally occur when NPRC has to ask veterans
for additional information will be minimized.

The new web-based application was designed to provide better service on these requests by eliminating the records centers mail room and
processing time.

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White House statement on North Korea Missle Launch
White House pess release, 04/13/12 
Despite the failure of its attempted missile launch, North Korea’s provocative
action threatens regional security, violates international law and contravenes its
own recent commitments. While this action is not surprising given North Korea’s
pattern of aggressive behavior, any missile activity by North Korea is of concern to
the international community. The United States remains vigilant in the face of North
Korean provocations, and is fully committed to the security our allies in the
region.

 

The President has been clear that he is prepared to engage constructively with North
Korea.  However, he has also insisted that North Korea live up to its own
commitments, adhere to its international obligations and deal peacefully with its
neighbors. 

 

North Korea is only further isolating itself by engaging in provocative acts, and is
wasting its money on weapons and propaganda displays while the North Korean people
go hungry. North Korea's long-standing development of missiles and pursuit of
nuclear weapons have not brought it security – and never will. North Korea will only
show strength and find security by abiding by international law, living up to its
obligations, and by working to feed its citizens, to educate its children, and to
win the trust of its neighbors.
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Two new MIA's Recovered
VFW news release, 04/06/12 
Two MIAs Identified: The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office 
announced the identifications of remains belonging to a Korean War 
soldier and Vietnam War airman. Identified are:

 Army Cpl. Henry F. Johnson, 20, of Conway, Ark. Johnson, of L 
Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, was deployed in a 
defensive line that ran east-west across the center of North Korea when 
Chinese forces attacked on Nov. 25, 1950. It was later learned he was 
taken captive but died in the spring of 1951 as a result of 
malnutrition.

 Air Force Tech. Sgt. Allen J. Avery, 29, of Arlington, Mass. Forty 
years ago on April 6, 1972, six airmen were flying a combat search and 
rescue mission in their HH-53C Super Jolly Green Giant when it was hit 
by enemy ground fire and crashed in Quang Tri Province in South 
Vietnam.
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SENATE TO INTRODUCE GI BENEFIT WATCHDOG BILL
Senate press release, 03/27/12

(Washington, D.C.)  U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, will join with Iraq and Afghanistan veterans from across the country to introduce legislation that will give service members and veterans using the GI Bill, and other VA education benefits, access to information that would help them make informed decisions about the schools they attend so they get the most out of the benefit.  This bill would also require that VA and DoD develop a joint policy to curb aggressive recruiting and misleading marketing aimed at service members and veterans using the GI Bill.

New tools will help root out poor performing schools and questionable practices to help protect taxpayer money and give our veterans the best opportunities for success in school and in the job market.

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Army chief questioned on PTSD diagnosis flaw
VFW news release, 03/24/12 
 
During a routine Defense Appropriations hearing this week, Senate VA 
Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) questioned Army Secretary John 
McHugh on the handling of PTSD cases by the forensic psychiatry unit at 
Madigan Army Medical Center on Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Murray's 
home state.  Murray asked why more than 40 percent of the service 
members who walked in the door with a PTSD diagnosis at Madigan had 
their diagnosis either changed or overturned entirely. The forensic 
psychiatry unit at Madigan is currently under investigation for failure 
to properly diagnose and treat the invisible wounds of war. Information 
dated back to 2007 has shown that hundreds of cases are under 
investigation for changing mental health diagnoses based on the cost of 
providing care and benefits to service members. The Army is currently 
reevaluating nearly 300 service members and veterans who have had their 
PTSD diagnoses changed by that unit since 2007. To read Stars & 
Stripes coverage of the hearing, click here: 
http://www.stripes.com/news/senator-diverts-hearing-to-get-answers-on-ptsd-care-1.172285.

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3 New MIA's Returned
VetNet News Release, 03/14/12


The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office recently announced the identification of remains belonging to two soldiers from the Korean War and one pilot from World War II.  Returned home are:
       
 Master Sgt. Elwood Green, U.S. Army, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th
Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, was captured on Nov. 28, 1950,
and died in 1951 in a POW Camp in North Korea. He was accounted for on
March 1, 2012.
        
Sgt. 1st Class Richard L. Harris, U.S. Army, L Company, 3rd
Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, was captured
on Nov. 30, 1950, and died in January 1951 in a POW Camp in North
Korea. He was accounted for on Feb. 29, 2012.
        
2nd Lt. Charles R. Moritz, U.S. Army Air Forces, of the 496th Fighter
Training Group, was lost on June 7, 1944, when his P-51C Mustang
crashed near Goxhill airfield, England. He was accounted for on Feb.
26, 2012.

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Senate letter to Prez to leave Afghanistan
Senate press release, 03/08/12

(Washington, DC) - March 6 -  U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, joined a bipartisan group of 24 Senators today in calling on the President to bring American combat forces home from Afghanistan.  As the Senate considers the 2012 Highway Bill on the floor this week, the Senators pointed out that the total dollar amount spent in both Iraq and Afghanistan to date would provide enough funding to rebuild the American interstate highway system five times over.


"We simply cannot afford more years of elevated troop levels in Afghanistan. We are spending roughly $10 billion in Afghanistan each month at a time when we're making tough sacrifices at home. Your recent budget calls for $88 billion more for the war in Afghanistan in 2013. If this money is appropriated, we will have spent a total of $650 billion in Afghanistan. A majority of Americans worry that the costs of the war in Afghanistan will make it more difficult for the government to address the problems facing the United States at home. They're right," the Senators wrote.

Complete text of letter follows below:


The Honorable Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama:

We write to express our support of a transition of U.S. forces in Afghanistan from a combat role to a training, advising and assistance role next year, as Defense Secretary Leon Panetta stated was his intention on February 1st, 2012. Although we would prefer a more rapid reduction of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, the statement made by the Secretary is a positive step towards ending the decade long war.

It is time to bring our troops home from Afghanistan. The United States intervened in Afghanistan to destroy al Qaeda's safe haven, remove the Taliban government that sheltered al Qaeda, and pursue those who planned the September 11th attacks on the United States. Thanks to the exceptional service and sacrifice made by the American Armed Forces and our allies, those objectives have largely been met. We should continue to confront America's enemies wherever they are through targeted counterterrorism operations and end the large scale counterinsurgency effort in Afghanistan.

We simply cannot afford more years of elevated troop levels in Afghanistan. We are spending roughly $10 billion in Afghanistan each month at a time when we're making tough sacrifices at home. Your recent budget calls for $88 billion more for the war in Afghanistan in 2013. If this money is appropriated, we will have spent a total of $650 billion in Afghanistan. A majority of Americans worry that the costs of the war in Afghanistan will make it more difficult for the government to address the problems facing the United States at home. They're right.

Our troops and their families have made unimaginable sacrifices during the past ten years of war in Afghanistan.  Over 1,900 American troops have been killed and over 14,300 have been wounded. Thousands more return home with invisible wounds that will make it difficult to ever again enjoy life the way they did before the war.

There is strong bipartisan support in Congress to change course in Afghanistan. The majority of Americans want a safe and orderly drawdown of forces in Afghanistan. In May, the U.S. House of Representatives nearly passed an amendment to the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act requiring a plan to accelerate the drawdown of troops from Afghanistan.  A similar amendment introduced by Senators Merkley, Lee, T. Udall, and Paul was passed by the U. S. Senate on November 30th.

We look forward to reviewing the report required by Section 1221 of the FY2012 National Defense Authorization Act, which will set benchmarks to evaluate progress toward the assumption by the Afghan government of lead responsibility for security in all areas of Afghanistan.  In light of the comments made by Secretary Panetta on February 1st, we would also be interested in learning more about how quickly U.S. troops will be coming home, the number and purpose of troops that might remain in Afghanistan and for how long a period, and the costs and savings of accelerating the completion of combat operations. Nonetheless, we welcome his announcement and encourage you to take every possible step to end the large scale combat operations in Afghanistan and transition our effort to a targeted counterterrorism strategy.

Sincerely,

Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR)

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)

Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)

Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)

Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI)

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY)

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA)

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ)

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ)

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD)

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)

Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM)

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)

Sen. Al Franken (D-MN)

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV)

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT)

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VA Testifies on Budget Request Seeking 10.5% Increase
VetNET Follow Up Release from U.S. House, 02/15/12

Washington, D.C. - Feb. 15 - The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a hearing to address the Administration's budget request for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for fiscal year 2013, which begins on October 1, 2012, as well as the VA's request for advanced funding for VA medical care programs.

"In a constrained fiscal environment this budget recognizes the reality of increased medical care costs and the importance of delivering the health care and benefits that our veterans have earned in a timely fashion," said Ranking Democratic Member Bob Filner (D-CA).  "If the VA tells this Committee that these funding amounts are needed, then I am dedicated to working with my colleagues to make certain these levels are reached."

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki presented an overview of the 2013 budget for VA, which is requesting an overall VA budget of $140.3 billion, $8.1 billion above the FY 2012 budget.  This request includes 4.5 percent increase in discretionary funding (which goes primarily for VA health care) and a 16.2 percent increase in benefits funding.  The majority of these discretionary funds have already been provided through advanced appropriations, the landmark piece of legislation signed into law last Congress.

"As the process moves forward, rest assured that this Committee will be working closely with the Administration and stakeholders to make certain that the VA has the resources to provide sufficient medical care," said Filner. "I will continue to monitor these needs to ensure that they are met and I am committed to opposing unnecessary cuts that could be detrimental to our nation's veterans."

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VA Budget Request Tops $140 Billion
VetNet release, 02/13/12


With more than 1 million active-duty personnel scheduled to join the ranks of America's 22 million Veterans during the next five years, the President has proposed a $140.3 billion budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.

As our newest Veterans return home, we must give them the care, the benefits, the job opportunities and the respect they have earned, while honoring our commitments to Veterans of previous eras, said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.

Shinseki said the budget proposal, which must be approved by Congress, would fund services for newly discharged Veterans, continue the drive to end homelessness among Veterans, improve access to benefits and services, reduce the disability claims backlog, improve the Department's collaboration with the Defense Department and strengthen its information-technology program that is vital for delivering services to Veterans.

As we turn the page on a decade of war, we are poised at an historic moment for our Nation's armed forces", Shinseki said. "The President has charged VA to keep faith with those who served when they rejoin civilian life."

The budget request includes $64 billion in discretionary funds, mostly for medical care, and $76 billion for mandatory funds, mostly for disability compensation and pensions.

If approved by Congress, the new spending levels would support a health care system with 8.8 million enrollees and growing benefits programs serving nearly 12 million Servicemembers, Veterans, family members and survivors, including the eighth largest life insurance program in the nation; education benefits for more than 1 million Americans; home loan guarantees for more than 1.5 million Veterans and survivors; plus the largest national cemetery system in the country.

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VA adds 47 Ships to Agent Orange List
VFW news release, 02/08/12 
 The VA has added 47 vessels to its list of Navy and Coast Guard ships whose crews 
may have been exposed to the defoliant Agent Orange. Former service members who 
served aboard these "blue water" ships as well as the more than 200 others listed in
VA's database from 1962 to 1975 may be eligible for disability compensation. 

According to The Military Times,  vessels recently added to the roster include the 
hospital ship Repose, which operated in close coastal waters from 1966 to 1970,
and the transport ship General R.M. Blatchford, which landed elements of the 
1st Infantry Division at Vung Tau in October 1965. Read more at 
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/shiplist/index.asp.
Read more
Ad Campaign Urges Vets To Use VA Benefits, Services
News release, 10/22/11
Read more
Shinseki Adds 10.3 mil for Homeless Vets
VA press release, 10/09/11 
WASHINGTON – Eleven states will share more than $10.3 million in grants to community
groups to provide enhanced services for homeless Veterans this year. This is in
addition to the $59.5 million in preventive grants awarded earlier this year.

“Homelessness is a national issue that will be solved at the local level,” said
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.  “VA is proud to partner with the
community organizations that share our dedication to serving those who served this
Nation.  They are pulling Veterans out of homelessness and setting them on the path
to independence.” 

As a key component of VA’s plan to eliminate homelessness among Veterans, VA’s
Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program provides grants and per diem payments
to help public and nonprofit organizations establish and operate supportive housing
and service centers for homeless Veterans.  As a result of this funding, provided
through a program known as VA Special Need Grants for Homeless Veterans Service
Providers, 26 projects will receive approximately $10.3 million to continue
providing enhanced services for homeless Veterans who are seriously mentally ill. 
The grants will also greatly benefit homeless women Veterans, including women with
children, elderly women, or those who may be terminally ill.
Read more
VFW Calls on Super Congress to Protect Vets
VFW news release, 09/13/11

VFW Executive Director Bob Wallace recently sent letters to each member of the new 12-member Joint Select Committee on Debt Reduction---also known as the"Super Congress"---that's been tasked with developing a bipartisan road map to reduce the national debt over the next few months. In his letter, Wallace asked each member to preserve military personnel programs and veterans' benefits, and offered the VFW's input in the process. Read the VFW's letter and learn more about the Super Congress by visiting the VFW's Voice on the Hill blog.

Read more
Retro-active Benefits for Agent Orange Paid
VetNet report, 08/18/11

WASHINGTON - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced
recently that more than $2.2 billion in retroactive benefits has already been
paid to approximately 89,000 Vietnam Veterans and their survivors who
filed claims related to one of three new Agent Orange presumptive
conditions.

On August 31, 2010, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amended its
regulations to add ischemic heart disease, hairy cell leukemia and other
chronic B-cell leukemias, and Parkinson's disease to the list of diseases
presumed to be related to exposure to Agent Orange.

For new claims, VA may authorize up to one year of retroactive benefits if
a Veteran can show that he or she has experienced one of those conditions
since the date of the regulatory change.

VA has reviewed, and continues to review, thousands of previously filed
claims that may qualify for retroactive benefits under a long-standing
court order of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of
California in "Nehmer vs. U.S. Veterans Administration."

VA encourages survivors of Veterans whose death may be due to one of
the three diseases to file a claim for dependency and indemnity
compensation, added Under Secretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey.

Secretary Shinseki's decision to add these conditions to the list of
Agent Orange presumptive conditions was based on a study by the Institute
of Medicine, which indicated a positive association between exposure to
certain herbicides and the subsequent development of one or more of the
three conditions.Â

Potentially eligible Veterans include those who were exposed based on duty
or visitation in Vietnam or on its inland waterways between January 9,
1962, and May 7, 1975; exposed along the demilitarized zone in Korea
between April 1, 1968, and August 31, 1971; or exposed due to herbicide
tests and storage at military bases within and outside of the United
States.

The Agent Orange Claims Processing System website located at
https://www.fasttrack.va.gov/AOFastTrack/ may be used to submit claims
related to the three new presumptive conditions.

The website makes it easy to electronically file a claim and allows
Veterans and their physicians to upload evidence supporting the claim.
It also permits online viewing of claim status.

Read more
Vietnam Memorial Education Center Needs Photos
VFW press release, 07/16/11 
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is seeking photos of all 58,000 men and women whose 
names are inscribed on The Wall in Washington, D.C. The collection will be used to highlight their
service and sacrifice inside the new Vietnam Memorial Education Center, which is scheduled to break 
ground next year. 

So far, 18,000 photos have been submitted by families and fellow comrades-in-arms. Please submit 
photos to Jan Scruggs, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, 2600 Virginia Ave., NW, Suite 104, 
Washington, DC 20037. Include the deceased's name, location, unit and approximate month/year 
the photo was taken. Digitized photos can be e-mailed to
jscruggs@vvmf.org.
Read more
Senate Chairman holds hearing on VA red tape and long waiting lines
Senate press release, 07/15/11 
Vet Affairs Chairman Murray recently held a hearing on long VA waiting lines, red tape and 
attempted suicides by veterans who face chronic PTSD and depression. Hearing comes as 
VA says that 202,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have been seen for potential PTSD at 
VA facilities through March 31, 2011

U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee heard
discussions on access to mental health care services, including waiting times and staffing 
levels, outreach to veterans, the linking of mental health care to primary care, suicide 
prevention and problems identified by the VA Inspector General in mental health care.

"In the face of thousands of veterans committing suicide every year, and many more
struggling to deal with various mental health issues, it is critically important
that we do everything we can to make mental health care more accessible, timely, and
impactful," said Senator Murray. "Any veteran who needs mental health services must
be able to get that care rapidly, and as close to home as possible. Through its
suicide hotline, VA has reached many veterans who might have otherwise taken their
own lives. Each life saved is a tremendous victory, and we should celebrate those
with VA. But we also have to recognize that these are veterans who reached out to
VA. We want to hear about how VA is reaching out to veterans, and how easy or hard
it is for veterans to access the care they earned through their service to this
country."

At the hearing, Senator Murray heard from Daniel Williams, an Iraq veteran who
described how an IED explosion during his 2003/2004 deployment to Iraq led to
traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) injuries.
Williams told the committee how those experiences then led to a suicide attempt in
2004 that was broken up by his wife and local police.  He also discussed how his
PTSD was received by fellow soldiers, his concerns over the stigma attached to the
mental wounds of war, and his frustrations with the mental health care administered
by the VA.

The Senator also heard testimony from Andrea Sawyer, wife and caregiver of Loyd
Sawyer, who, after being deployed in Iraq, shared similar stories of frustration,
including a failed suicide attempt. These two servicemembers, even after attempting
to take their own lives, were met with red tape, wait times for initial appointments at the
VA, and additional frustrations in seeking the mental health care they so
desperately needed.

The hearing comes on the heels of a number of reports about gaps in mental health
care.  Two reports released by the IG showed unacceptably high patient wait times
and long wait lists and an unacceptable number of veterans who are not contacted by
VA between the time they were accepted and the beginning of the program. These
reports also revealed that staffing levels for mental health works fell short of VA
guidelines.
Read more
Army Ranger Receives Medal of Honor
, 07/14/11 
The president recently awarded the country's highest military honor to Sgt. 1st Class Leroy A.
Petry, an Army Ranger who was shot in both legs and had his hand blown off while saving his fellow 
soldiers during a firefight in Afghanistan. Petry became only the second living veteran of the wars in 
Afghanistanand Iraq to receive the Medal of Honor.
Read more
Three MIAs Identified
VFW news release, 07/08/11 
The Defense POW/MIA Office announced the identification of remains belonging to
 a soldier from the Korean War and two airmen from the Vietnam War.

*   Army Capt. Melvin R. Stai, of Spokane, Wash., died in captivity after 
being captured in January 1951 and marched north to a POW camp in Suan 
County, North Korea.

* On April 29, 1966, Air Force Col. Leo S. Boston, of Canon City, 
Colo., disappeared while flying a search-and-rescue mission in North 
Vietnam in an A-1E Skyraider.

* And on March 26, 1970, Air Force Maj. Richard G. Elzinga, of Shedd, 
Ore., and his co-pilot went missing when their O-1G Birddog failed to 
return to base from a mission over Laos.

Read more about search, recovery and identification efforts at 
http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/news/news_releases/.
Read more
Recent Senate VeteransCommittee Actions
VFW news release, 07/03/11 
The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee approved several 
VFW-supported bills this week, including an omnibus 
health and benefits bill, a fix to the GI Bill, and a measure to help 
veterans find employment.  The committee also approved legislation that 
would require the VA to provide medical and nursing care for any 
veterans or family members who are ill because of contaminated water at 
Camp Lejeune, N.C.
*        The omnibus bill includes provisions related to health, homeless 
veterans, housing, compensation, burial and construction, among other 
high-profile initiatives, such as preventing military and veterans' 
funerals from being disrupted by protesters, and punishing businesses 
who falsely claim they are veteran-owned in order to obtain government 
contracts.
*        The GI Bill legislation would protect current private school students 
in seven states from a drop in tuition payments when VA switches to a 
new method of calculating payments on Aug. 1.
*        The Hiring Heroes Act of 2011 would provide a a comprehensive 
overhaul of programs that are supposed to help separating service 
members find jobs, to include making Transition Assistance Program 
attendance mandatory, and requiring the military services to provide 
follow-up services, especially for wounded and disabled veterans.
*        The Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act is an effort to get federal 
help for families experiencing adverse health effects from being 
exposed to contaminated well water.  Bill sponsor and Committee ranking 
member Richard Burr (R-N.C.) estimates that 750,000 Marines, sailors, 
family members and civilian employees may have been exposed from the 
mid-1950s till the mid-1980s, when the contamination was discovered.
Read more
IAVA Partners with U.S. Chamber of Commerce for Vet Jobs - Click for report
IAVA news release, 07/02/11

The Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America organization has launched a groundbreaking new jobs partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce at the first Veterans Working Group at CGI America 2011, the Clinton Global Initiative’s first annual meeting focused on strengthening the U.S. economy.

In its inaugural session, the Veterans Working Group, Operation Employment: Empowering America’s Newest Veterans, identified actionable steps to reduce skyrocketing rates of unemployment amongst Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, including building support structures for new vets, leveraging technology and media to connect them with employment opportunities, and bridging the civilian-military divide to broaden community response to veterans’ issues. Steered by IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff and White House Director of Wounded Warrior Policy Matt Flavin, the Working Group culminated in a targeted commitment between IAVA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a business federation representing American companies, business associations, state and local chambers, to host five “Smart Job Fairs” nationwide reaching 1,000 new veterans transitioning from combat to career.

“Veteran unemployment is a black eye on our society.  New veterans are coming home to unemployment rates as high as 30 percent in some states. After 10 years of war, veterans are facing a crisis on the home front, and it’s not going to fix itself.  The Chamber of Commerce understands the challenge, and is leading the way. We applaud their strong leadership and exceptional commitment to our community. Our new jobs partnership forged through the CGI America Veterans Working Group is a huge step in the right direction. Over the next 12 months, we’re focused on getting as many new vets hired into quality jobs as possible. These fairs will come at a critical juncture and provide new veterans access to job opportunities, resume and career-skills workshops, and even investment counseling to help many jumpstart their own small businesses,” said IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff. “Through his leadership at CGI America, President Clinton has given our community a critical platform and voice to address the diverse challenges gripping our generation of veterans. The best minds in government, tech and the military and veterans spaces came together this week to build a path to a sustainable network that empowers veterans in their transition from combat to career. As the drawdown in Afghanistan begins, now more than ever broad dialogue is needed to bridge the civilian-military divide and make the civilian workforce more accessible to veterans.”

“The Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to be working with IAVA on this groundbreaking partnership made possible by CGI America. By creating these ‘Smart Job Fairs,’ thousands of veterans and their families will be positively impacted immediately through increased access to viable employment opportunities,” said Vice President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Kevin Schmiegel. “With new veteran unemployment over 12%, the Chamber is proud to step up to make a difference for the men and women who have given so much for our country.”

No veteran should come home from Iraq and Afghanistan to an unemployment check, yet nearly 300,000 have. The unemployment rate for new veterans has doubled in the last five years and continues to skyrocket. IAVA is fighting to change this through our innovative year-long campaign Combat to Career: The Fight to End Veteran Unemployment to help the 2.2 million veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan successfully transition from service to the civilian workforce and reduce the unemployment rate by Veterans Day 2011. Learn more about the campaign by visiting IAVA's Combat to Career Headquarters.

 

 

Read more
Airman Missing in Action From WWII Identified
DOD news release, 07/01/11
Read more
Government Hiring More Vets
VFW news release, 07/01/11 
Despite a decrease in overall hiring, the federal government brought on more veterans in fiscal year 
2010 than in 2009, according to a report released by the Office of Personnel Management.  The
number of veterans hired rose by about 2,000 to 72,133 in fiscal 2010.  Veterans accounted for a 
higher percentage of new hires, rising from 24 percent of new employees in 2009 to 25.6 percent 
in 2010.  The hiring of disabled veterans also rose from 7 percent of new hires to 8.2 percent.  The
Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs hired the most new veterans, while Commerce, Energy, 
and the General Services Administration hired the least. "The Veterans Employment Initiative is off to 
a strong start, but this is only the beginning," said OPM Director John Berry in the report. "We 
must work even harder in the months and years to come."
Read more
VA Launches Caregiver Assistance Hotline
VetNet report, 06/28/11

 

The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced the launch of a toll-free National Caregiver Support Line: 1-855-260-3274. The Caregiver Support  Line was created to recognize the significant contributions made by caregivers allowing Veterans to remain at home surrounded by family and    friends.  Open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time; licensed clinical social workers will be available to answer questions, listen to        concerns and directly link caregivers to the Caregiver Support Coordinator at their local VA Medical Center. Each VA Medical Center has a Caregiver Support Coordinator who can locate assistance tailored to unique situations.

Read more
APPLICATIONS FOR RESIDENCY BEING ACCEPTED AT THE VETERANS HOME OF CALIFORNIA IN BARSTOW
CalVet news release, 06/28/11


APPLICATIONS FOR RESIDENCY BEING ACCEPTED AT THE VETERANS HOME OF CALIFORNIA IN BARSTOW

The Veterans Homes of California have been built as an expression of gratitude towards California's deserving Veterans!
           
The beautiful Veterans Home of California in Barstow is a long-term care facility and residence for California's Veterans providing options for Domiciliary (Independent Living) with new, more spacious private rooms, as well as Intermediate Care and Skilled Nursing Care. Applications for residency are currently being accepted and there is currently NO WAITING LIST for the Domiciliary/Independent Living.  
           
Located in the high desert area of Southern California 1.5 miles off Interstate 15 along Highway 247 (Barstow Road) at Veteran Parkway next to the Barstow Community College,the Veterans Home of California in Barstow is midway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas and only about an hour's drive from Ontario Airport.
           
Opened February 1996, the Veterans Home of California in Barstow provides California's Veterans with a living environment that protects their dignity and contributes to their feeling of self-reliance and self-worth, fostering a sense of community camaraderie.  Excellent medical services are provided on-site with contract providers nearby as well as the VA Loma Linda Health Care System.  Nearby Barstow College offers many cultural and educational opportunities for Home residents to enjoy.  Other services include meals, field trips, housekeeping and activities in a safe and comfortable setting.  Fees are based upon the Veterans income and levels of care provided.   
           
A spouse is also eligible to apply with the Veteran.  Veterans seeking admission or a tour should call (800) 746-0606 or (760) 252-6281, or write to:
          

Veterans Home of California, Barstow, Attn: Admissions
            100 E. Veterans Parkway
            Barstow, CA 92311

Read more
Reflections on Pearl Harbor by Admiral Chester Nimitz
Submitted by a veteran, 06/26/11

A Silver Lining

"Reflections on Pearl Harbor"  by Admiral Chester Nimitz.

                                

Sunday, December 7th, 1941--Admiral Chester Nimitz was attending a concert in Washington D.C.   He was paged and told there was a phone call for him.  When he answered the phone, it was President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on the phone. He told Admiral Nimitz that he (Nimitz) would now be the Commander of the Pacific Fleet.

Admiral Nimitz flew to Hawaii to assume command of the Pacific Fleet. He landedat Pearl Harbor on Christmas Eve, 1941. There was such a spirit of despair, dejection and defeat--you would have thought the Japanese had already won the war.  On Christmas Day, 1941, Adm. Nimitz was given a boat tour of the destruction wrought on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. Big sunken battleships and navy vessels cluttered the waters every where you looked. As the tour boat returned to dock, the young helmsman of the boat asked, "Well Admiral, what do you think after seeing all this destruction?"  Admiral Nimitz's reply shocked everyone within the sound of his voice.  Admiral Nimitz said, "The Japanese made three of the biggest mistakes an attack force could ever make or God was taking care of America. Which do you think it was?"  Shocked and surprised, the young helmsman asked, "What do mean by saying the Japanese made the three biggest mistakes an attack force ever made?"

Nimitz explained.  "Mistake number one: the Japanese attacked on Sunday morning. Nine out of every ten crewmen of those ships were ashore on leave. If those same ships had been lured to sea and been sunk--we would have lost 38,000 men instead of 3,800.  

"Mistake number two: when the Japanese saw all those battleships lined in a row, they got so carried away sinking those battleships, they never once bombed our dry docks opposite those ships. If they had destroyed our dry docks, we would have had to tow everyone of those ships to America to be repaired.  As it is now, the ships are in shallow water and can be raised. One tug can pull them over to the dry docks, and we can have them repaired and at sea by the time we could have towed them to America . And I already have crews ashore anxious to man those ships. "

"Mistake number three: every drop of fuel in the Pacific theater of war is in
top of the ground storage tanks five miles away over that hill. One attack plane could have strafed those tanks and destroyed our fuel supply.  That's why I say the Japanese made three of the biggest mistakes an attack force could make or God was taking care of America ."

"There is a reason that our national motto is, IN GOD WE TRUST."

Read more
Bill to Aid Elderly Vets
U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee press release, 04/11/11 
Washington, D.C. - Ranking Democratic Member Bob Filner reintroduced H.R.
814, legislation to allow veterans to use their earned Medicare benefits to receive
health care and services from the Veterans Health Administration at the Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA).

"There are veterans who have earned VA health care benefits with their service to
our country," stated Bob Filner.  "They have also earned Medicare benefits by
contributing to the Medicare program during their working years.  Because VA cannot
bill Medicare, elderly veterans are unable to use their Medicare benefits, even if
they may prefer to receive care at a VA facility among their fellow veterans.  So
for those veterans, they basically forgo the hard-earned dollars that they
contributed towards Medicare benefits during their working years.  This bill is
important legislation that would allow elderly veterans to access both VA health
care and their Medicare benefits."

Under current law, VA has the authority to bill enrolled veterans and their private
health care insurers for the treatment of veterans' non-service-connected
conditions.  Current law, however, prohibits the billing of Medicare, barring
elderly veterans from using their earned Medicare benefits at VA health care
facilities.  H.R. 814, the Medicare Reimbursement Act of 2011, would require VA to
develop a program that would allow VA to bill Medicare for services rendered to
veterans enrolled in Medicare Part A or B.

Read more
Women Veterans Bill of Rights Intro'd
U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee press release, 04/09/11 
Washington, D.C. - Ranking Democratic Member Bob Filner  reintroduced
legislation that would require all VA facilities to display a bill of rights
outlining VA's responsibility to women veterans.

"Women veterans are serving in record numbers alongside their male counterparts.  It
is time for VA to shed the pervasive male environment that exists at many of the VA
Medical Centers and other facilities and embrace the female veteran population,"
stated Bob Filner.  "While VA has taken steps toward recognizing and respecting the
unique concerns of women veterans, more needs to be done.

According to VA, there are 1.8 million women veterans, and that number only
continues to rise.  According to VA estimates, by 2018 roughly a tenth of all
veterans enrolled in the VA health care system will be women, up from 7.7 percent
currently.

H.R. 809 calls for 24 key points detailing what women veterans should expect of VA,
and would ensure that they are treated with the dignity and respect that they have
earned.  Specifically, these points would address VA's responsibility to provide
women veterans with full and timely access to quality health care, vigorous
outreach, and complete equality in accessing VA benefits and service, among other
important issues.
Read more
Filner Ups Ante on Homeless Veterans
U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee press release, 04/09/11 
Washington, D.C. - Ranking Democratic Member (D-CA) of the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs Bob Filner reintroduced legislation that would further the goal of
ending veteran homelessness in five years.

"We know the Department of Veterans Affairs has many programs to address currently
homeless veterans, and they do a great job.  However, the most important piece to
ending homelessness among the nation's veteran population is to prevent it in the
first place.  It is unacceptable that even one of our veterans sleep on the streets
or in shelters after risking their lives on behalf of this country.  H.R. 806 will
go a long way in strengthening our efforts to ultimately end homelessness."

According to recent reports, approximately one-third of the adult homeless
population served in the Armed Services.  Population estimates also suggest that
about 131,000 veterans are homeless on any given night and perhaps twice as many
experience homelessness at some point during the course of a year.

This bill increases funding to successful programs for homeless veterans; requires
each VA medical center that provides supporting housing services to provide housing
counselors; requires housing counselors to conduct landlord research; strengthens
permanent housing programs, and pays special interest to the needs of homeless women
veterans and homeless veterans with children.

Read more
Report on VA Claims Lag
VetNet report, 04/08/11

A Veterans Network inquiry has learned that the benefits claims backlog within the Department of Veterans Affairs has continued to grow. Making matters worse is that there are accusations from Congress and Veterans groups that the VA knew a massive influx of claims would be coming, but failed to take action ahead of time.

The number of claims taking four months or more to process has increased from 200,000 in the last year to 450,000.  The total number of pending claims has risen from 448,000 to 756,000. VA expects that Veterans submitting new claims will have to wait six months for their claim to be processed, and that next year, the estimated wait time will jump to eight months.

While an additional 3,000 claims processors were hired last year - a move which brought the total to 14,000 - many were untrained and inexperienced, resulting in rampant administrative errors, causing even more problems in the system. What this means is Veterans will have to wait even longer to receive compensation for their combat-related disabilities.

VA says there are three underlying reasons for the growing problem they are facing:

1)Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have more complex claims
than in past wars, and that reviewing them takes more time.

2)
Requirements for Agent Orange-related claims were recently relaxed, which meant there was a sudden spike in claims stemming from Vietnam-era soldiers who were in contact with the dangerous chemical.

3) Claims always increase during a bad economy.A Veterans Network inquiry has learned that the benefits claims backlog within the Department of Veteran Affairs has continued to grow. Making matters worse is that there are accusations from Congress and Veterans groups that the VA knew a massive influx of claims would be coming, but failed to take action ahead of time.

The number of claims taking four months or more to process has increased from 200,000 in the last year to 450,000.  The total number of pending claims has risen from 448,000 to 756,000. VA expects that Veterans submitting new claims will have to wait six months for their claim to be processed, and that next year, the estimated wait time will jump to eight months.

While an additional 3,000 claims processors were hired last year - a move which brought the total to 14,000 - many were untrained and inexperienced, resulting in rampant administrative errors, causing even more problems in the system. What this means is Veterans will have to wait even longer to receive compensation for their combat-related disabilities.




Read more
VFW Will Defeat Bachmann Plan
VFW news release, 01/31/11
Read more
New Senate VAC Chair Appointed
News release, 01/30/11
Read more
Filner Rebukes Mortgage Bank for Overcharging Military Families
U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee press release, 01/29/11
Read more
Korean War MIA Indentified
News release, 01/29/11
Read more
VA Eases Agent Orange Claims Restrictions on '68 - '71 Korea Vets
VFW news release, 01/28/11
Read more
HVAC Names New Subcommittee Chairs
VFW press release, 01/26/11
Read more
Concurrent Receipt Legislation Introduced.
News release, 01/25/11
Read more
Oldest WW I Vet Soon To Turn 110
News release, 01/03/11
Read more
Senator Akaka Applauds GI Bill Upgrades
Senate press release, 12/20/10

Read more
GI Bill Update
by Patrick Campbell, IAVA, 12/02/10
Read more
DOD List of Vessels - Inland Vietnam
DOD release/VA listing, 11/07/10
Read more
Virtual Wall Site - Amazing!
by Mike Doud VetNet staff, 11/01/10
Read more
Death and Memory
by Phil Klay for Home Fires, 10/30/10
Read more
Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010 Signed Into Law
U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee press release, 10/30/10
Read more
The Afghan Insurgent Group That Will Not Negotiate
by Jeffrey Dressler, 10/29/10
Read more
“Emergency:” DOD Releases September Suicide Data
IAVA press release, 10/28/10
Read more
Report From Congress On Landmark Accomplishments For Veterans
U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee press release, 10/27/10
Read more
Gap Growing Between Military and Civilians
by R. Tyson Smith, 10/26/10
Read more
New VetNet Poll : Approval of VA Secretary Shinseki
Veterans Network announcement, 10/26/10
Read more
San Francisco 311 Program Ramps It Up for Vets
Press release, 10/21/10
Read more
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