Veterans News and VA Info. From Agent Orange to PTSD, to VA loans, VA claims and more. Plus tips on navigating the VA.

Senate Veterans Affairs Committee chairman Patty Murray questions Army
Surgeon General Patricia Horoho on recent improper and altered PTSD
diagnoses of over 300 soldiers at the Madigan Army Medical Center.

Dave answers an FAQ regarding buying life iand health insurance from the VA. Another question comes from a WWII vet seeking help from the VA for housing upgrades and how service-connected-disability is a factor. Also general VA navigation tips and a FAQ on VA over-payments. Dave's docket also includes a discussion on how to handle a form 21-4138 and whether a vet should or should not relinquish his Social Security number. Finally Dave is joined by Pete Freeland and Dr. Craig Bash to discuss QTC exams vs. using a private physician.

Dave Culmer answers frequently asked questions on VA navigation and the disability claims process. Also discussed are reasons for delays in disability claims caused by the VA and the veterans as well.

VSO Dave Culmer and veterans legal rep. Tom Clewis discuss compensation and pension exams(C & P), including QTC exams and how a veteran should prepare for these. Dave and Tom also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being examined by your own doctor.

VSO Dave Culmer and veterans attorney Tom Clewis discuss the options a veteran has when a VA disability claim has been denied. This includes information and guidance on when a denial should be appealed as opposed to other preliminary options.

Gloria OBrien visits the U.S. Vets site in Long Beach Ca. to discuss their programs for female veterans. She speaks with Stephen Peck and Diane West, the program coordinators for the womens Advance and Renew programs that work with homelessness, substance abuse, sexual trauma, and employment resources.

The Benefit Buzz with VSO Dave Culmer and veterans attorney Tom Clewis. Discussed are new laws regarding the use of an attorney to appeal a VA claim denial, facts on severance pay deductions, compensation payment adjustments for dependents and answers to other questions sent in by veterans. Dave and Tom also talk about VA health care eligibility.

IAVA founder Paul Rieckhoff speaks out for the advanced budget for the VA during IAVA's "Storm the Hill '09 Campaign". He is supported there by Congressman Bob Filner and Senator Daniel Akaka.

California Dept. of Veterans Affairs provides many helpful services for veterans. Watch these three short back-to-back videos and take a look at their services.

This is Congressman Bob Filner's" Veterans Legislative Ledger", an exclusive report to America's veterans on the latest news and legislation from the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Veterans Affairs. This is the first of these periodic reports to Veterans Network.

News Anchor Dave Culmer is joined by Rick Seaman and Ross Clay. After answering several e-mails on VA benefit questions, they discuss the pending GI Bills with some help from Congressman Bob Filner and Eric A. Hilleman who is deputy director of legislative services for the VFW. Congressman Filner, Shad Meshad, and Dr. Bridget Cantrell are also part of a discussion on combat decompression exit strategy for returning troops.

General Petraeus April 8th 2008 report to Congress on the war and the surge in Iraq.

Coverage of The National Heroes Tour sponsored by Vets For Freedom. Rick Seaman and Michelle Ladd interview Executive Director Peter Hegseth and founder David Bellavia who tell us about their organization, the Heroes Tour, and how it will culminate in Washington DC. for their Vets On The Hill event. Also interviewed are several highly decorated war heroes who are part of the tour.

Radio Show - Interview with veterans advocate Gene Simes. Gene talks about Operation Firing For Effect 2008 and how it is backing a voters initiative for full mandatory funding of the VA healthcare system. Also discussed is how the state of California has become the forerunner for this national initiative.

Radio Show - The Four Headed Monster talks to VFW Communication Director and National Defense radio show host Jerry Newberry. Discussed are POW/MIA issues and mandatory VA funding where it is emphasized how veterans need to speak out, contact their local politicians, and make their voices be heard.

Radio Show - The Monster speaks to US Congressman Bob Filner who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. They discuss full mandatory funding of the VA healthcare system vs. the current discretionary funding. Also discussed are how veterans can educate and influence public awareness of veterans issues.

Radio Show - The Four Headed Monster returns for an interveiw with Rusty Rustan on the California ballot initiative for mandatory funding of the VA. Learn how this nationwide movement began with the veterans advocacy group, Operation Firing For Effect.

Part 3 with Dave and Rick on VA service officers. The Vet Cam visits a county veterans affairs office to learn of a new outreach program that recruits local volunteers.

Part 2 of Dave's discussion on VA Service Officers. How to find a service officer who can get the job done for you. Is it like walking onto a used car lot?

Dave is joined by Eleven Bravo host Rick Seaman for the first of a three part discussion on VA service officers. First up is choosing between a county or vet organization service officer.

Part 2 of the Chuck Spires special on VA home loans. Chuck gets into loans from state agencies, and pros and cons of VA loans vs. conventional home loans.

Mortgage expert Chuck Spires talks with Dave about VA loans. This is Part One of a two-part special. Chuck details the certificate of eligibility, loan guarantees and walks us through the VA home loan process.

Dave's mailbag session gets a surprise visitor. What develops from there is a discussion about Agent Orange, compensation rates and federal funding of VA benefits.

NVF counselor Cornell Jones joins Dave regarding frequently asked questions on the National Veterans Foundatio's crisis hotline. The hotline is toll free and open to any veterans regarding any questions on anything to do with veterans.

Dave hits the mail bag to answer your questions on benefits and VA info. These are generated by the emails you have sent in.

Part 2 with Dr. Jack Steingart on PTSD. Dr. Jack elaborates on the effects of war trauma and long term preventive maintenance of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Special guest Dr. Jack Steingart joins Dave to discuss PTSD. This is Part One of this 2 part series. We will learn of the Vet Centers across the country that are working with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Dave and Shad Meshad discuss psychological effects on vets returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. They also speak on the situation of reservists and National Guard.

Dave covers details on compensation, pension and S.M.C. (Special Monthly Compensation) as well as the pros and cons of military severance pay for severely wounded veterans. (SEE UPDATE ON SEVERANCE PAY ON SEGMENT #24, THIS CHANNEL)

Meet news anchor Dave Culmer for frequently asked questions regarding the VA. Dave also discusses the differences between pension and compensation.