Posts from 2010 by Douglas Karr, U.S. Navy Veteran

The VA says it will be creating "Veterans Health Benefits Handbooks" for all veterans in the Washington D.C. and Cleveland, Ohio areas that are enrolled with the VA and currently receiving benefits in an effort to "give veterans everything they need to know and leave out everything that doesn't apply to them," according to Secretary of Veteran Affairs Eric Shinseki.

Previously, some vets had complained that materials distributed by the VA outlining each vet's benefits were difficult to understand and contained unnecessary information. The idea behind the new booklets is to only give the veteran information that pertains to them and the benefits they are eligible to receive.

Tags: Agent Orange, asbestos, D.C., Eric Shinseki, Korean War, VA, veterans, Vietnam

Thursday, November 11, 2010 is Veterans Day. Last year, in my Veterans Day 2009 post, I gave you a brief background of the history of Veterans Day, and quoted the 2008 census to give folks a real idea of just how many veterans there really are living in the United States – because, interestingly enough, the average person really low-balls their guess! I talked about how vets are more likely than civilians to develop mesothelioma cancer, and shared a poem and a few quotes.

This year, I want to do something different.

Tags: mesothelioma, PTSD, veterans, veterans day

There are approximately 23 million veterans living in the United States. Just about 2 million of those vets served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Countless veterans from all conflicts return home to civilian life with various health concerns, including PTSD, and many cannot get a job. Some cannot obtain the benefits they are entitled to, and have problems going back to school to get their degree.

When veterans struggle, and are out of work and not attending classes, there’s more time to get in trouble. More time to feed addictions to drugs and alcohol. This is why the number of veterans being charged with crimes has increased in recent years. In fact, the VA reports that, nationwide, there are over 700,000 vets in the legal system. Clearly, the issue of veteran crime is something that needs our attention.

A mother from Mansfield, Massachusetts has finally won a two-year battle to be buried next to her only son, who was killed in Iraq.

Denise Anderson, mother of deceased Iraq veteran Corey Shea, worked tirelessly to see Congress pass the “Corey Shea Act” this month, after the VA informed her that she could not be buried next to her son in a national veteran’s cemetery. Before the act was passed, the right to be buried next to a veteran was reserved for spouses and children.

Tags: Corey Shea Act, mesothelioma, veteran

On September 21^st, the Department of Veterans Affairs released a statement in which they promised that “21^st century technology will improve service.” A new, multi-year program called Veterans Relationship Management, or VRM, pledges to “greatly improve veterans’ access to health care and benefits information.”

VA Secretary Erik Shineski believes that the VRM will definitely enhance the way that today’s veterans access health and other benefits information through the use of technology.

Tags: Secretary Erik Shineski, VA, veteran health

With the approaching flu season almost underway, the VA will offer any veteran 65 years or older, or those with chronic respiratory problems the high-dose flu vaccine. This particular vaccine will include three strains of the flu, including the H1N1.The high-dose vaccine will reduce the number of elderly patients sickened or killed by influenza this year.

Dr. Marvin Bittner, acting chief of infectious diseases for the VA’s Nebraska-Western Iowa regions said, “he and other physicians in the region this year considered what would best protect senior citizens against the flu. Our answer was high-dose.”

Tags: flu vaccine, H1N1, VA, veterans

As the ninth anniversary of the attacks on America approaches, people throughout our country are feeling sad, or angry, and are taking time to reflect on how our nation has changed since that day. There are obvious changes, like the war against terror that America became involved in not long after 9/11, or the empty space in Manhattan amidst tall skyscrapers where three structural landmarks once stood like beacons.

But it’s the less-obvious impacts of 9/11 that I want to call to your attention today. Like the first five Ground Zero workers and first responders to pass away in 2009 following illnesses attributed to toxic exposures. Like the longterm health worries that other workers and New Yorker’s who lived and worked nearby have to deal with because close to 2 million tons of debris released an immeasurable amount of toxins, including asbestos and benzene, into the air surrounding Ground Zero for days, weeks, and months after the attack. Like the fact that the House shot down a bill that would have allocated billions of dollars to those who are suffering due the dust that hung over Manhattan nine years ago.

Tags: 9/11, Ground Zero, military, new york city, september 11th, war in iraq

The Dept. of Veterans Affairs has confirmed that it has sent 10,000 letters to the beneficiaries of military members with life insurance policies in an effort to clear up confusion surrounding a number of issues, including death benefits provided through what is called an “Alliance Account.”

In addition, the VA is creating a group of experts who will be responsible for reviewing the current life insurance program. Prudential Financial, Inc. covers the program, which includes accounts similar to money-market accounts that are put in place to help surviving family members of deceased military men and women cover funeral and other costs.

Tags: death benefits, military, VA

A great program at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in partnership with the university’s Veterans Law Clinic, is working to address the many legal needs of Michigan veterans. Project Salute focuses on helping vets obtain pension and disability benefits by providing them with education, representation by a law student and in some cases, referrals to attorneys who will work pro bono.

Project Salute has hosted over 65 clinics for vets in 2010, and they have 35 more scheduled for the fall, according to the project’s executive director, Tammy Kudialis.

Tags: tammy kudialis, university of detroit mercy law school, veteran affairs, veterans

The American Veterans (AMEVETS) 2010 Symposium for 21^st Century Veterans was held from August 9-11^th in Louisville, Kentucky, and brought together over one hundred young war veterans to discuss a range of issues, including health benefits. 

Also on the agenda were discussions about health care and the transition from active duty back into civilian life. The symposium was sponsored by Health Net Federal Services. This year, it was held in tandem with the AMVETS 66^th National Convention, which is attended by veterans of all ages along with their children, spouses and even grandchildren.

Tags: 9/11, AMVETS, asbestos cancer, mesothelioma, veteran health, veterans

The Dept. of Veteran Affairs has released additional information for veterans with Gulf War Illness, in honor of the 20^th anniversary of the Gulf War. For those vets who served but do not yet receive the Gulf War Review newsletter [download it here], here’s some important information:

Almost 700,000 men and women participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm between 1990 and 1991, during the Gulf War. Since their return, a quarter of these vets have developed illnesses believed to be related to toxic exposures sustained during the Gulf War conflict. The VA calls these diseases “Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses.”

Tags: Afghanistan, asbestos exposure in Iraq, chromium, Gulf War, Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses, mesothelioma, VA

Veterans being treated with medical marijuana no longer need to worry about being cut from veteran benefit plans. The change comes from a departmental directive from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs stating that veterans prescribed medical marijuana in the 14 states where the practice is legal may not lose eligibility for VA health plans.

The new policy does outline several limitations. VA physicians may not prescribe the drug to be used in VA facilities, and the Veterans Association will not pay for the marijuana.

Tags: medical marijuana, mesothelioma, VA, veterans

If you haven’t already checked out our popular Twitter account, head on over to Twitter.com/veteransblog and follow us! We have 711 of the best following us for daily updates, including news, quotes and more of interest to the veteran and military community. We’re also on Facebook, so if you’re into social media become a fan of our Facebook page – we post links and other information there as well.

Today I rediscovered one of the coolest military support charities while browsing my Twitter updates – Bunkers in Baghdad (bunkerstweets on Twitter) is a non-for-profit charity based out of Buffalo, NY that collects both used and new golf equipment – shoes, golf balls, clubs, etc. – and sends them over to our men and women protecting our freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have shipped over an impressive 1,000,000 golf balls and over 35,000 clubs in less than two years!

Tags: Bunkers in Baghdad, mesothelioma, military, non for profit, veteran

A friend of the veterans’ blog wanted me to share this important information with veterans in the Houston County area of Minnesota.

Rob Gross, Director of Houston County Veteran Services, says that a large number of vets are eligible to receive hearing aids and eye glasses through a VA medical center. Those eligible must meet at least one of the following requirements:

Tags: mesothelioma, VA, veterans

To serve your country is one of the most honorable things you can do in your life; but to continue that service and dedication as a veteran an advocate for fellow soldiers goes above and beyond.

The late Jack Perry Harrison of Woodstock, Georgia not only fought for his country but he fought for his fellow soldiers long after his time in the military. Perry was known state wide for his volunteer, dedicating his time to veterans and their families. Full military burial was given Monday to the Vietnam veteran at the Georgia National Cemetery in Sutallee. The service was officiated by the Rev. Claude Smithmier.

Tags: mesothelioma

A recent study performed by The Gallup Organization has shown that active members of the military are happier and healthier overall than other members of the American workforce. However, military veterans were shown to suffer much worse than a civilian retiree.

The study focused on veterans of all ages and revealed that in terms of emotional and physical health, work environment and access to basic necessities, war veterans were drowning.

Tags: Justin Youse, mesothelioma, PTSD, VA Affairs, veterans

More than eight years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf coast, Veterans Affairs has begun construction of an $800 million complex in New Orleans.

VA secretary Eric Shinseki addressed state officials, VA executives and veterans from every war since World War II Friday, promising that the new complex will prove to be worth the wait. Shinseki then broke ground with a ceremonial shovel.

Tags: hurricane katrina, mesothelioma, VA affairs

This upcoming weekend marks the 234^th celebration of our nation’s independence. July 4^th is more than just anniversary; it is a chance for Americans to reflect and rejoice in the freedom that makes our country so distinct.

The history behind July 4^th stems from the signing of the Declaration of Independence. On July 4, 1776 the Continental Congress, a group of men chosen from the 13 colonies, gathered in Philadelphia and signed the document that led to America becoming one of the greatest nations in the world.

Tags: independence day, mesothelioma, veterans

Golf courses around the country will be offering a simple way to support veterans and their families September 3-6 this year. The event is titled Patriot Golf Day and will help provide scholarships to the families of military personnel.

On Labor Day weekend, golf courses participating in the event will add $1 to their greens fees. The money that is raised will go to the families of deceased or disabled military members.

Tags: Major Dan Rooney, mesothelioma, Patriot Golf Day, veterans

iCAD and the Defense Supply Center announced last week that they will supply more than 400 federal healthcare facilities with CAD mammography systems. VA centers and Department of Defense hospitals will be among the facilities receiving the updated technology.

The need for new technology comes with the increase in the number of women serving in the armed forces. In 2009 the Veteran’s Administration reported that there were 1.8 million female veterans. The CAD technology that will be added to the medical facilities is part of the Women’s Comprehensive Healthcare Implementation Plan. The plan is designed to provide complete primary health care for all female veterans.

Tags: breast cancer, iCAD, Ken Ferry, mesothelioma, VA affairs, women veterans