Up-to-date news from the VA and other Veterans related sites.

This is provided for your information. Views expressed in the links below are not necessarily shared by Veterans' Services.

Yemen Arrests Ex-Gitmo Detainee
A former Guantanamo detainee who joined al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula after graduating from a Saudi rehabilitation program has been arrested in Yemen.

Source: Headlines | 8 Sep 2010 | 6:43 am

Suspected US Missiles Rock NW Pakistan
Two suspected U.S. missile strikes hit militant targets in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, officials said, bringing to six the number of such attacks in the region in less than a week. At least 10 suspected members of a group attacking NATO forces in Afghanistan were killed.

Source: Headlines | 8 Sep 2010 | 6:28 am

Feds: Hostage-Taker Threatened Obama
A former Soldier accused of demanding mental treatment as he took hostages at gunpoint at a Georgia Army hospital later told investigators he planned to kill President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton, federal prosecutors said in court documents filed Tuesday.

Source: Headlines | 8 Sep 2010 | 6:22 am

Iraqi Soldier Fires on US Troops, Kills 2
An Iraqi soldier fired a barrage of bullets at U.S. troops protecting one of their commanders during a visit to an Iraqi army base Tuesday and killed two of them, the first U.S. servicemen to die since President Obama declared an end to combat operations in the country last week.

Source: Headlines | 8 Sep 2010 | 6:16 am

US Expands Terror Training in Yemen
U.S. special operations forces are expanding their training of the Yemeni military as the Obama administration broadens its program to counter terrorism in countries reluctant to harbor a visible American military presence.

Source: Headlines | 8 Sep 2010 | 6:03 am

Vets Using Watchdogs Against PTSD
Falling asleep in the commons room at Brook Army Medical Center was all the evidence Jim Stanek needed that he should get a dog. Stanek, a three-tour Iraq veteran whose wounds include traumatic brain injury, was on a multitude of antidepressants and tranquilizers, couldn't sleep without meds, and was feeling "like a zombie," he recalled.

Source: Headlines | 8 Sep 2010 | 5:50 am

Church Leader Rebuffs Quran Burn Critics
The leader of a Florida-based church which plans to hold a "Burn a Koran Day" on the 9th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks said Monday he wasn’t going to be dissuaded by critics who say the event will incite violence and endanger U.S. troops.

Source: Headlines | 7 Sep 2010 | 2:07 pm

USS Hawaii First of Class in Western Pacific
The USS Hawaii's arrival at Yokosuka on Friday marks the first port visit by a Virginia-class submarine in the Western Pacific.

Source: Headlines | 7 Sep 2010 | 1:50 pm

US Strike Kills 5 in al-Qaeda Haven
US Predators conducted the fourth strike in Pakistan in four days in a region that is a known hub for al Qaeda's top leadership.

Source: Headlines | 7 Sep 2010 | 1:45 pm

RAF Marks 70 Years Since Start of Blitz
The bombers and fighters flew across the English Channel by the hundreds, London in their sights, intent on forcing Britain out of the war, and Hitler's way.

Source: Headlines | 7 Sep 2010 | 1:43 pm

Looted Artifacts on Display in Iraq
Hundreds of Iraqi artifacts looted from museums and archaeological sites across the country - including a 4,400-year-old statue of an ancient king stolen during the U.S.-led invasion - have been returned to Iraq and were displayed Tuesday.

Source: Headlines | 7 Sep 2010 | 1:40 pm

NATO: Afghans Can Take Control in 2011
U.S.-led NATO troops in Afghanistan should be able to start handing off responsibility for security to the Kabul government sometime next year, Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Tuesday.

Source: Headlines | 7 Sep 2010 | 12:11 pm

Hormone Studied as TBI Treatment
Researchers are conducting a nationwide trial to determine whether the hormone progesterone can heal brain injuries after severe head trauma -- a therapy that, if proven effective, could be used on the battlefield.

Source: Headlines | 7 Sep 2010 | 6:16 am

Al-Qaida in Iraq Turns to Extortion
Al-Qaida has increasingly turned to extortion and organized crime to fund its activities, with businesses bearing the brunt of intimidation, U.S. and Iraqi commanders in northern Iraq told AFP.

Source: Headlines | 7 Sep 2010 | 6:07 am

More NATO Troops Sought for Afghanistan
NATO may deploy 2,000 more troops to Afghanistan to join the 140,000-strong international force already there, an official said Monday.

Source: Headlines | 7 Sep 2010 | 5:59 am

Petraeus: Burning Quran Endangers Troops
The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan warned Tuesday an American church's threat to burn copies of the Muslim holy book could endanger U.S. troops in the country and Americans worldwide.

Source: Headlines | 7 Sep 2010 | 5:41 am

Ex-GI Takes 3 Hostage at Post Hospital
A former Army soldier seeking help for mental problems at a Georgia military hospital took three workers hostage at gunpoint Monday before authorities persuaded him to surrender.

Source: Headlines | 6 Sep 2010 | 9:49 pm

VA Celebrates Workforce, Unions and Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs workforce of more than 300,000 - including more than 90,000 who are Veterans - knows one of its objectives as it observes Labor Day is to help young Veterans find jobs.

Source: VA News Releases | 3 Sep 2010 | 12:00 am

International Study Led by VA-Harvard Physician Yields Insight on Risks from Fatty Arteries
An international study of clinical data led by a Department of Veterans Affairs-Harvard University cardiologist found that patients with deposits of fatty plaque in their arteries are at especially high risk for life-threatening cardiovascular events if they have diabetes, disease in multiple arteries or a history of heart attack or stroke.

Source: VA News Releases | 3 Sep 2010 | 12:00 am

VA Secretary Addresses Traumatic Brain Injury Conference
Recognizing the longstanding, integrated collaboration shared by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki gave the keynote address Monday at the fourth annual Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Military Training Conference here.

Source: VA News Releases | 30 Aug 2010 | 12:00 am

VA Publishes Final Regulation to Aid Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange
Veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in Vietnam and other areas will have an easier path to access quality health care and qualify for disability compensation under a final regulation that will be published on August 31, 2010 in the Federal Register by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The new rule expands the list of health problems VA will presume to be related to Agent Orange and other herbicide exposures to add two new conditions and expand one existing category of conditions.

Source: VA News Releases | 30 Aug 2010 | 12:00 am

VA/NIH Award $6 Million for Substance Abuse Research
The Department of Veterans Affairs is partnering with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to award $6 million in grants for research examining the link between substance abuse and military deployments and combat-related trauma.

Source: VA News Releases | 26 Aug 2010 | 12:00 am

Veterans with Disabilities to Learn Life-Changing Skills at Summer Sports Clinic in San Diego
The National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic is an event like no other, uniquely designed to teach recently-injured Veterans how to surf, kayak, sail, cycle and enjoy other sports. The 3rd National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic, sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), will be held September 19 - 25 in San Diego.

Source: VA News Releases | 26 Aug 2010 | 12:00 am

Veterans with Disabilities to TEE Off in Iowa
Nearly 200 military Veterans are registered to tee-off in a unique golf tournament in Riverside, Iowa, September 6 - 9, 2010, proving that having a visual impairment or other disability does not mean they cannot lead a full and rewarding life.

Source: VA News Releases | 25 Aug 2010 | 12:00 am

Indianapolis VA Medical Center Launches Health Information Exchange
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced a new pilot in the Indianapolis region that will improve the delivery of Veterans health information. The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis will partner with the Indiana Health Information Exchange (IHIE), the largest health information exchange organization in the United States, to securely exchange electronic health record (EHR) information using the Nationwide Health Information Network.

Source: VA News Releases | 24 Aug 2010 | 12:00 am

VA Reaches Out to Homeowners Affected by Gulf Oil Crisis
Veterans in the Gulf States impacted by the recent oil spill may qualify for delayed mortgage payments if their mortgages are already guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Source: VA News Releases | 20 Aug 2010 | 12:00 am

Shinseki Says VA's Home Loan Program Continues to Stay Strong
Mortgage loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) continue to have the lowest rate for serious delinquency and foreclosures in the industry.

Source: VA News Releases | 19 Aug 2010 | 12:00 am

VA Research Finds Possible Link Between Head Trauma and Chronic Traumatic Encephalomyopathy
Researchers with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE) at Boston University School of Medicine have provided the first pathological evidence of a link between repeated head injuries-such as those experienced by athletes in contact sports such as boxing, football, and hockey-and a disease (chronic traumatic Encephalomyopathy) that resembles amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The results will appear in the September issue of the Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology.

Source: VA News Releases | 19 Aug 2010 | 12:00 am

New GI Bill Rates Posted
The new Active Duty GI Bill rates are now posted online! For more information click the above link.

Source: Active Duty GI Bill RSS Feeds - (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) | 12 Aug 2008 | 10:30 am

Army Makes Changes to its Program offering Transferability of GI Bill to Dependents
Effective November 1, 2007 the Army has made changes to its GI Bill transferability program. Eligible soldiers may now transfer up to 18 months of their GI Bill to spouses or children.

Source: Active Duty GI Bill RSS Feeds - (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) | 24 Jan 2008 | 10:40 am

$600 Buy-up Program
Some servicemembers can be eligible for increased GI Bill benefits! For more information contact your local VA office or your education services officer.

Source: Active Duty GI Bill RSS Feeds - (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) | 10 Jul 2007 | 10:08 am

VA TO OFFER HIGH-DOSE TRIPLE FLU VACCINE THIS YEAR -- 09-07-2010
Just like a regular dose, the high-dose vaccine will fight three strains of the flu, including H1N1.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

VAOIG - VA'S JACKSON REGIONAL OFFICE HAS 24 PERCENT CLAIMS ERROR RATE -- 09-03-2010
Other problems include lack of control over date stamping documents and processing competency determinations.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

AGING VETERANS' COSTS CONCERN OBAMA'S DEFICIT CO-CHAIRMAN -- 09-01-2010
Alan Simpson - "The irony is that the veterans who saved this country are now, in a way, not helping us to save the country in this fiscal mess."

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

VA GETS READY TO PAY FOR NEW AGENT ORANGE PRESUMPTIVES -- 09-04-2010
The first payments will be made immediately after October 30, when a required 60-day review period for Congress will expire.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

FEDERAL JUDGE SAYS HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM LAWSUIT CAN GO FORWARD -- 09-01-2010
A federal judge ruled that a lawsuit by Oregon Army National Guard veterans against war contractor Kellogg Brown and Root can proceed.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

VETERANS Q and A with JIM STRICKLAND - VOLUME 52 for 2010 -- 09-02-2010
Veterans' Advocate Jim Strickland answers questions from VA Watchdog dot Org readers.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

VA SPENDS MILLIONS TO MAINTAIN VACANT AND HAZARDOUS BUILDINGS -- 09-01-2010
Some buildings are home to rats, septic rainwater, exposed asbestos, lead paint, mold, radon and barrels of unidentified chemicals.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

Priority 8 Enrollment Changes

Source: VHA Announcements |

DIABETES NOW THE MOST COMMON VA CLAIM FOR VIETNAM VETERANS -- 08-31-2010
"There needs to be a discussion about the costs, about how to avoid false positives while also trying to be sure the system bends over backwards to be fair to the veterans."

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

THE WEEK IN REVIEW from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG -- 09-04-2010
A complete, one-page look at VA and veterans' news for the week ending September 4, 2010.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

National Center for PTSD

Source: VHA Announcements |

THE VA IS NOT THE PLACE TO WORK THAT IT USED TO BE -- 09-03-2010
Latest Partnership for Public Service report shows the VA dropped from 12th among large agencies to 21st.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

VAOIG - MISMANAGEMENT PLAGUES VA'S FLITE COMPUTER PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT -- 09-08-2010
FLITE program managers did not adequately monitor the contractor's performance and did not ensure elements considered necessary for success were included in the FLITE program.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

VAOIG FINDS MORE VA CLINICS NOT MEETING HEALTH CARE STANDARDS -- 09-02-2010
Problems include veterans' auditory privacy and protection of veterans' personally identifiable information.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

ARMY USES BOMB TECHS TO STUDY CONCUSSIONS -- 09-07-2010
"We tried to identify those populations that we could have almost an assured likelihood that they would have a concussive episode."

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

SHINSEKI SAYS VA CLAIMS BACKLOG WILL BE BROKEN THIS YEAR -- 09-01-2010
VA Secretary Eric Shinseki - "We intend to break the back of the backlog this year."

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

VETERANS Q and A with JIM STRICKLAND - VOLUME 53 for 2010 -- 09-07-2010
Veterans' Advocate Jim Strickland answers questions from VA Watchdog dot Org readers.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

GAO - VA'S NONFORMULARY DRUG REQUESTS NOT HANDLED IN A TIMELY MANNER -- 09-01-2010
VA does not have the framework in place to ensure that appeals of denied nonformulary drug requests are resolved in a timely fashion.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

A LOOK AT WHO'S FOR AND WHO'S AGAINST NEW AGENT ORANGE PRESUMPTIVES RULE -- 08-31-2010
Age and Agent Orange are closing in on Vietnam veterans, a legacy of hurt for those who served -- and a very big bill for American taxpayers.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

NURSES AT AUGUSTA VA TO PROTEST WORKING CONDITIONS -- 09-01-2010
Fed up with what they say are forced 16-hour shifts and inadequate staffing, some RNs are planning an informational picket.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

IS THE VA USING THE SCHIZOPHRENIA DRUG SEROQUEL PROPERLY -- 08-31-2010
The VA often dispenses Seroquel to treat PTSD symptoms and sleeplessness, a common practice known as "off-label" prescribing.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

VA FINALLY PUBLISHES NEW AGENT ORANGE PRESUMPTIVES RULE -- 08-31-2010
We have an easy-to-read text version and a PDF version available for viewing or download.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

Returning Veterans

Source: VHA Announcements |

VETERANS Q and A with JIM STRICKLAND - VOLUME 51 for 2010 -- 08-31-2010
Veterans' Advocate Jim Strickland answers questions from VA Watchdog dot Org readers.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

VA's MY HEALTHeVET - A RUSE BY ANY OTHER NAME ... -- 09-08-2010
Veterans' Advocate Jim Strickland looks at the VA's My HealtheVet program, another good idea that is dying a painful death.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

FAMILIES SUE PRUDENTIAL OVER HANDLING OF SURVIVORS' BENEFITS -- 08-31-2010
Prudential says - "The notion that we're taking something away from the beneficiaries is completely wrong and one of the worst, most misleading facts that has come out."

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

EMPLOYEES AT JACKSON VA HOSPITAL REALLY KNOW HOW TO PARTY -- 09-08-2010
The "Refresh and Rebalance Event" included aromatherapy, beach bingo, hula hoop contests, golf putting, massages and playing Wii.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |

VA TO PUBLISH NEW AGENT ORANGE PRESUMPTIVES RULE ON AUGUST 31, 2010 -- 08-30-2010
The final regulation follows VA Secretary Shinseki's determination to expand the list of conditions for which service connection for Vietnam Veterans is presumed.

Source: VETERANS NEWS from VA WATCHDOG DOT ORG |