Doug Karr

Surprising or not, the Department of Veterans Affairs kept physical, paper files on each and every claim made by a veteran, and because the record keeping is cumbersome and archaic, many question why the VA has stuck to such an outdated claims system for so long, especially with the recent uptick of veterans needing support and services.

Today the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released a draft report from the Gulf War Veterans' Illness Task Force on the current state of Gulf War Veterans' health in the hopes to gather public opinion and comments in an on-going effort to improve the quality of medical care and types of medical services offered. Further, the draft report calls for an improvement in addressing the medical needs of Gulf War Veterans with “multi-symptom” illnesses and expanding the scope of clinical studies.

Michael Stevens, a former member of the Merchant Navy, died from repeated asbestos exposure and subsequent malignant mesothelioma. He was 83.

Similarly to the Merchant Marine in the United States, the Merchant Navy operates on behalf of the United Kingdom. Formerly established and nationally recognized by King George V after World War I, the Merchant Navy served a pivotal role not only in the Great War but also in World War II. These privately operated vessels supported the Royal Navy's efforts during times of conflict.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is taking an active role in the early detection, and ultimately, treatment of lung cancer in veterans. Inspired by the success of the National Cancer Institute's National Lung Screening Trial, the VA is in the beginning stages of implementing CT scans.

Though it seems like years in the making, finally medical records, personnel information and benefits kept by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) on active duty service members and veterans will be forever linked together.

One of the most moving and powerful veteran stories of the year centers around the dedicated community of Boulder City, Nevada and how they honor their fallen hometown heroes.

In a plot that seems more fitting in a movie thriller, the United States Marshals caught up to the fugitive after a cross-country chase, accused of siphoning millions of dollars in donations from a phony United States Navy Veterans charity.

Besides the staggering number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with psychological trauma stemming from their wartime experience, one of the biggest news stories about veterans continues to be the incredibly high unemployment rate.

For some Americans, this may have been a long time in the making, but recently Maine demonstrated how valuable their veterans are to their state by mandating the establishment of a specialized court for veterans.

Since March is Women's History Month it is important to take some time to honor the courage, contributions and memories of women in the military.

From the birth of our nation, women have fought alongside men, often without public recognition or inclusion in history books.

Days before President Barack Obama and the First Lady host a White House dinner in honor of Iraq War veterans, top veterans' organization officials are instead calling for a more public celebrations.

President Barack Obama's Federal Budget proposal pleases 4 of the nation's largest veterans organizations, even as these organizations agree there is a lot more room to improve.

It is everyone's favorite time of year: tax time. In an effort to relieve some of the stress associated with April 15, we've put together some useful and timely information for employers of veterans and active duty service members. Some of the following information is new for this tax season.

The Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF) offers grants to qualified veterans to help defer costs associated with mortgages, rents and utilities. These individual, “emergency” grants offer assistance up to $1,000 for veterans who are struggling to make the ends meet, especially during the winter season when heating, gas and electric bills are at the highest.

As the Iowa Caucuses come to a close, the question remaining for many American veterans is that why are not there more Presidential candidates veterans of the Armed Forces?

In a report released at the closing of the year, the Department of Veterans Affairs assesses their progress to end homelessness among veterans by 2015. The big question is, how far have we come?Sadly, there are more homeless veterans today than at any time before, even after every recent conflict. The rise in homelessness is often attributed to the current state of the United State's economy.Not only are civilian Americans struggling to stay employed or find meaningful work, the rate of unemployment and underemployment in the veteran population is nearly 3 times that of average citizens. Furthermore, there are more veterans at or below the poverty level than ever before.However, in the status update, the VA claims success in its five-year project of eradicating homelessness. Today, the VA says that they are well on their way to achieve the insurmountable goal.

Unlike wars and military conflicts in the past, the end of the Iraq War is marked without any American celebration. Even as recent at the formal end of the first Gulf War, official and unofficial parades, celebrations and ceremonies dotted American cities and towns, where people congratulated the returning troops and veterans.

According to a story released by CNN on December 13, there are more cases of women diagnosed with and suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) than at any other time of our nation’s military history.

On December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy bombed the naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Moreover, as then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt said in the aftermath of the attack, December 7 is “a date which will live in infamy

The United States Committee on Veterans Affairs is launching an investigation into the Department of Veterans Affairs in regards to claims of inadequate staffing, long lines for mental health care and whether VA employees work to reach numbers rather than focusing on providing necessary mental health care.