Veterans Report - Week of August 18, 2014

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Veterans Report - Week of August 18, 2014

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VA Outlines Actions to Resolve Crisis
Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert A. McDonald recently outlined actions VA will take in the coming weeks and months to accelerate access to care for veterans: (1) conduct a holistic review that results in initiatives to ensure a strong ethical environment; (2) require all VA medical center directors to notify the Under Secretary for Health if access or quality-of-care standards are not being met; (3) review all senior leader performance plans in the Veterans Health Administration; (4) review VA's employee performance goals; and (5) ensure that all VA staff with scheduling privileges complete the mandatory scheduler training.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Veterans Crisis Line
If you are in crisis, or know a veteran who is, telephone the Veterans Crisis Line toll-free 24/7/365 at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, or text 838255, or visit the Veterans Crisis Line website at (http://veteranscrisisline.net) http://veteranscrisisline.net and chat with trained counselors (many of whom are veterans) anytime. This is also the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for anyone in crisis.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


New Law Expands and Improves GI Bill
Although the Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014 focused on the VA Health Care Crisis, it included two important GI Bill education benefit changes. The first change expands the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship to include surviving spouses. The second change requires state-operated colleges and universities to grant veterans in-state tuition rates. (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... s-gi-bill/) Read more about these important GI Bill changes.


Studies Look at New PTSD Treatment
A new treatment, brain wave optimization, could tame post-traumatic stress disorder or conquer insomnia. The therapy measures brain waves with sensors, and the sound is played back through ear buds. Some veterans report mental benefits from the therapy, as do professional and student athletes who have had concussions. Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in North Carolina has conducted studies showing benefits for insomniacs. For more information, read the article on the (http://www.wakehealth.edu/News-Releases ... nology.htm) Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center website and watch the video on (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZKJJsPIYF4) YouTube.
For more on PTSD and PTSD resources, see the (http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... rview.html) Military.com PTSD section.


Combat Stress Research Findings
A new study has found that most veterans who had persistent post-traumatic stress (PTSD) a decade or more after serving in the Vietnam War have shown surprisingly little improvement since then, and a large percentage have died. The study, financed by the Department of Veterans Affairs also found that members of minorities who enlisted before finishing high school were especially likely to develop such war-related trauma, as were those veterans who had killed multiple times in combat. The findings will be presented in a series of talks at the (http://www.apa.org/) American Psychological Association in Washington.
For more on PTSD and PTSD resources, see the (http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... rview.html) Military.com PTSD section.


VA Family Support Grants
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald has announced the award of approximately $300 million in grants under VA's Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program that will help approximately 115,000 homeless and at-risk veterans and their families. The grants will be distributed to 301 community agencies, which will offer veterans and their family members outreach, case management, assistance in obtaining VA benefits and assistance in receiving other public benefits. Community-based groups can offer temporary financial assistance on behalf of veterans for rent payments, utility payments, security deposits and moving costs. For more information on VA's homeless programs, visit VA's (http://www.va.gov/homeless/) Homeless webpage. Details about the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program are available on the VA website at (http://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp) www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp. If you are a veteran in need of help, call 1-877-424-3838 (4AIDVET).
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


VA Outlines Steps in Phoenix
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald has outlined recent steps taken in the Phoenix Health Care System (VAHCS) in response to VA's nation-wide access audit findings: (1) since May 15, more than 3,000 appointments have been scheduled in Phoenix; (2) Phoenix VAHCS is increasing the use of established national contracts with community partners to schedule Veterans waiting to be seen by a provider; (3) the Phoenix VAHCS has increased capacity by expanding the hours of operation, making more primary care, mental health and other specialty care appointments available; (4) Phoenix VAHCS is also addressing the underlying issues that have impeded veterans' access to care, mainly space and staffing; and (5) Phoenix VAHCS is aggressively hiring more staff in the clinics.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


VA Secretary Announces Review
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald has announced the Department of Veterans Affairs has initiated an independent, nation-wide review of all scheduling practices at VA medical facilities. Secretary McDonald announced that every VA medical center will undergo an independent review of scheduling and access practices beginning this Fall. The Joint Commission, the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care, will conduct this review.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Transition Field Guide for Vets
The recently published "Transition Field Guide for Veterans: Education, Employment and Entrepreneurship after Service," is a resource that helps transitioning military members and veterans develop post-military career plans long before they separate from the service. The Transition Field Guide outlines four main paths toward meaningful employment: immediately entering the job market, pursuing higher education as a path to employment, obtaining helpful certifications or further training to increase competitiveness, and tips on starting a business. For more information, visit the 100,000 Jobs Mission website and download the (https://www.veteranjobsmission.com/empl ... oyment-and) Field Guide.
For more veteran job news, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Diplomatic Career Fellowship for Vets
The Veterans Innovation Partnership (VIP) is a new public-private alliance platform aimed at serving America's veterans and separating service members by preparing them for diplomacy and development careers. VIP provides educational opportunities in international relations, a one year fellowship at U.S government foreign affairs agencies, and international public and private employment opportunities. VIP fellowships are open to veterans who have recently completed a master's degree in the fields of international business or international relations.
(http://www.vipfellowship.org/about/) Visit the VIP website for more information including a detailed program description, eligibility criteria and the application process. To apply for the Fall 2014 round of fellowships, please submit a resume to (mailto:apply@VIPfellowship.org) apply@VIPfellowship.org by September 15, 2014.
For veteran job fair listings, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


TRICARE Redesigns Website
TRICARE has unveiled a new design for its website at (http://www.tricare.mil/) www.tricare.mil to give TRICARE's 9.6 million beneficiaries clear and easy access to benefit information. The newly designed website offers easier navigation, a login button for quicker access to secure services, and a section on the homepage dedicated to life-changing events. Content has been streamlined and reorganized so users can find what they are looking for in the way they are expecting. TRICARE.mil is an educational tool for beneficiaries to learn about their health benefits and stay updated on the latest changes. Visit www.tricare.mil to see the new design and explore the TRICARE benefit.
For more on TRICARE, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) Military.com TRICARE section.


PMA USA Committed to Hiring Veterans
PMA USA is committed to delivering the services and products that help Americans families. Experience the personal rewards of making a difference in your customers' lives as a PMA USA Insurance Agent. (http://www.military.com/veteran-employe ... =vr0818.nl) Read more.


American Legion Legacy Run
The ninth annual American Legion Legacy Run began August 17 with hundreds of wartime veterans and supporters riding their motorcycles from the Legion's national headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana to the 96th annual American Legion National Convention in Charlotte, The riders will travel through Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina before arriving Aug. 21 in Charlotte. The Legacy Run benefits the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund, and every cent donated to the Legacy Fund goes directly into the fund. A complete ride guide is available on the (http://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/ ... e_plan.pdf) American Legion website.
For more news about military-related events and benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/off-duty) Military.com Off-duty section.


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Congressional Caucus for Caregivers
The (http://www.fra.org/) Fleet Reserve Association recently reported that congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle have formed the Hidden Heroes Congressional Caucus, a new bipartisan congressional caucus to lead efforts to address the challenges facing the 5.5 million military and veteran volunteer caregivers to America's wounded warriors. For more details on this initiative, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... al-caucus/) Military Advantage blog.


New TBI Treatment Urged
A therapy delivering 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber is being tested for treating military veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Delegates at the New York State American Legion 96th Convention have unanimously adopted a resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to approve this oxygen therapy for veterans suffering from mTBI or PTSD. A healthy brain uses 100% of the oxygen the body provides it. However, when there is trauma to the brain, it needs extra oxygen to heal. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) provides that extra oxygen. Oklahoma passed a law earlier this year guaranteeing free HBOT for veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury, and several other states are attempting to follow Oklahoma's lead. For more information on this use of HBOT, read the study in the (http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/pdfplu ... .2011.1895) Journal of Neurotrauma.
For more on TBI, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... rview.html) Military.com TBI section.


Save Up to 66% on Costs Not Covered by TRICARE
The AMRA TRICARE Supplement saves money and time by covering doctor co-pays, prescriptions and more. Protect your family against unnecessary costs with the (http://offers.military.com/i/tricare/in ... rvr0818.nl) TRICARE Supplement Plan for military retirees and families.


Civilian Doctors to Backstop VA Care
In an effort to improve services and decreases wait times, the Department of Veterans Affairs is moving toward contracting for civilian health care provider networks. However, the networks are to handle only an overflow of needed care, and not offer an alternative enrollment option to the VA's integrated health care system. (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... -care-too/) Read the full article on the Military Advantage Blog.


Transitioning? We Need Your Opinion!
We invite you to share your transition and job search experience. If you have recently left the military or plan to transition in the next year, please take 10 minutes to complete this survey. (http://www.surveymeonline.com/vtiseekSu ... =vr0818.nl) Take the survey now.


Survey Reveals Vital Suicide Data
A new survey completed by members of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America has found that 47 percent of respondents know at least one Iraq or Afghanistan veteran who has attempted suicide, while 40 percent know someone who has died by suicide. The survey also provided insight into critical issues, including suicide, mental health, VA wait times, mental-health-care utilization, the disability claims backlog, employment, burn-pit exposure, reintegration challenges and more. The survey is available on the (http://iava.org/survey) Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) website.
For more mental health guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... d-wellness) Military.com Mental Health and Wellness section.


VA Health Care Benefit Overview
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers a publication with the latest information available regarding benefits through the Veterans Health Administration. Health Care Benefits Overview 2014 is designed to provide veterans and their families with the information they need to understand VA's health care system - eligibility requirements, the health benefits and services available to help veterans, and copays that certain veterans may be charged. Additionally, inside readers will find helpful information about My HealtheVet, creditable coverage for Medicare Part D, income verification and medically related travel benefits. The guide is available in PDF, ePub and Mobi formats, and is also available in Spanish. To download a copy, visit the (http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/resour ... ations.asp) Department of Veterans Affairs website.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.