Veteran Solutions
If you, or any other veteran, need help with VA and other benefits please contact me: Service Officer: Dave Mooberry 517-784-5466, dgmooberry@att.net
Veteran Crisis Line
If you or a Veteran you know is in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1.
Federal Funding State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program
New $700 million funding can be used where needed for repairs, renovation or new construction, and is part of an Omnibus Bill that represents the largest allocation to the more than 50-year-old State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program. Funding includes a Bed Replacement and a Renovation Project in Michigan. See: Nearly $700 million in state Veterans home funding leads to new construction projects (VA 4/18/18)
VA Help with Weight Problem
Nearly 80 percent of Veterans who receive care in Veterans Health Administration facilities are overweight or obese. Being obese or overweight is associated with many chronic health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. These conditions are common in Veterans and the nation in general. To help manage this epidemic, VA offers Veterans the comprehensive and integrated MOVE!®Weight Management Program. MOVE! is VHA’s evidence-based, population-focused weight management program available to Veterans. See Nearly 80% of Veterans in VA care have weight problem (VA 4/27/18)
Student Loan Discharges for Disabled Veterans Made Easier
Department of Education and VA teamed up to simplify the loan discharge program for disabled veterans. Currently, veterans who are eligible for Total and Permanent Disability can apply to have their federal student loans forgiven, but not enough people know about this opportunity. The new process will involve information sharing between the two departments in order to proactively identify and reach out to eligible veterans. Learn more about the program and eligibility requirements. (VFW 4/27/18)
Review of Disability Compensation Appeals
Now, all Veterans with a pending disability compensation appeal can choose to participate in the new decision review process. See: VA’s Rapid Appeals Modernization Program now open to all appeals (VA 5/9/18)
VA Hospital Care Study
Veterans receive the same or better care at VA medical facilities as patients at non-VA hospitals according to a recent RAND Corp. study. (VA 5/4/18)
VA Veteran Centers
Vet Centers provide a variety of counseling services for:
A. Transitioning from military service and readjustment to civilian life no matter when you were discharged.
B. Military sexual trauma
C. Issues related to marriage, family and bereavement
Vet Center staff will help you learn about and access other VA benefits and services including health care, employment, and education.
Eligible individuals do not have to be enrolled in VA health care to receive Vet Center services. Vet Center Call Center counseling is also available 24/7 at 1-877-WAR-VETS (1-877-927-8387).
Find out more about Vet Centers visit Explore.VA.gov for information on all VA benefits and how to apply. (VA 5/9/18)
Veteran Self-employment Support
VA is working with the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide education and support to disabled Veterans interested in self-employment. See: VA and Small Business Administration Team up to Help Veteran Entrepreneurs (VA 5/4/18)
Care Giver Support Line
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VA's Caregiver Support Line assistance 1-855-260-3274 is just a quick phone call away. Whether you're in need of immediate assistance or have questions about what services you may be eligible for, the caring licensed social workers who answer the support line can:
A. Provide you with information about assistance available from VA.
B. Help you access services.
C. Connect you with the Caregiver Support Coordinator at a VA Medical Center near you.
D. Just listen, if that's what you need right now.
If you're just getting started with VA, calling the Caregiver Support Line at is a great first step to learn more about the support that is available to you. (VA 5/10/18)
Eldercare Locator
The Eldercare Locator, the only national referral resource that provides support to consumers across the spectrum of issues affecting older Americans, has a new URL: www.eldercare.acl.gov. Also, don't forget, the Eldercare Locator's call center 1-800-677-1116 is open from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm EST Monday through Friday. (VA 5/10/18)
US Government Made Easy For Veterans
http://www.usa.gov/index.shtml
VA Loan Information
http://www.directvaloans.com/VA_Loan_Programs/default.aspx?s=22&gclid=CL2p-J_zrJgCFQITswodoQFvmg
TriCare
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Overview
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder can occur following a life-threatening event like military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or violent personal assaults like rape. Most survivors of trauma return to normal given a little time. However, some people have stress reactions that don't go away on their own, or may even get worse over time. These individuals may develop PTSD.
People who suffer from PTSD often suffer from nightmares, flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, and feeling emotionally numb. These symptoms can significantly impair a person's daily life.
PTSD is marked by clear physical and psychological symptoms. It often has symptoms like depression, substance abuse, problems of memory and cognition, and other physical and mental health problems. The disorder is also associated with difficulties in social or family life, including occupational instability, marital problems, family discord, and difficulties in parenting.If you are suffering from PTSD, or know someone who is, the following list of resources and information will help you find help in dealing with PTSD and related conditions.
Featured PTSD News
Center for Psychological Health and TBI Opens
The Department of Defense today announced the opening of a 24-hour outreach center to provide information and referrals to military service members, veterans, their families and others with questions about psychological health and traumatic brain injury. More
PTSD News
National Center for PTSD
PTSD FAQs
PTSD Discussion Forum
PTSD Resources.org
What You Need to Know About PTSD
Readjustment Counseling Resources
PTSD Facts for Veterans
PTSD Information for Guard and Reserve Members
Military Severly Injured Center Articles
Military OneSource
Army Behavioral Health Website
NURSING HOMES UPDATE
All states have a Nursing Facility Medicaid program that provides general health coverage plus coverage for nursing home services. These services include room and board, nursing care, personal care and therapy services.
Nursing Facility Medicaid may pay for a stay in a nursing home if you need a “nursing-home level of care” or meet nursing home “functional eligibility criteria; and have income and assets below certain guidelines.
Below are web-sites that provide information on Veterans benefits and how to file/ask for them.
Board of Veteran's Appeals http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/
Center for Minority Veterans http://www1.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans/
Center for Women Veterans http://www1.va.gov/womenvet/
Compensation Rate Tables, 12-1-03 http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/comp01.htm
Directory of Veterans Service Organizations http://www1.va.gov/vso/index.cfm?template=view
Disability Examination Worksheets Index, Comp http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/exams/index.htm
Geriatrics and Extended Care http://www1.va.gov/geriatricsshg/
Hearings http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch04.doc
Veterans Legal and Benefits Information http://valaw.org/
Online version http://www1.va.gov/OPA/vadocs/current_benefits.asp
PDF Download in English http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf
VA War-Related Illness and Injury Center http://www.vagov/WRIICSC-DC
Homeless Veterans http://www.va.gov/homeless
VA National HIV/AIDS Program http://www.hiv.va.gov
VA Public Health Smoking Cessation Program http://www.publichealth.va.gov/smoking
VA Mental Health http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov
National Cemetery Administration (Burial and Memorials) http://www.cem.va.gov
Center for Women Veterans and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs www.va.gov/womenvet
National Foundation for Women Legislations (www.womenlegislators.org)
Vietnam Women Veterans - Almost ten thousand women were there.
For a list of not only the women who gaves their lives in Vietnam but the start of a complete women's casualty list see: They Gave Their Lives
Salon.com has featured an interesting story about female Vietnam Veterans, entitled "Unarmed and Under Fire: An Oral History of Female Vietnam Vets."
Women in Vietnam
The Vietnam Womens Memorial Project's new website is at: VWMP
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=36901376727
Women Combat Vets Battle for Acceptance