Veterans & Military

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Publishes Final Rule to Help Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange

Veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in Vietnam and other areas will find it easier to access quality health care and qualify for disability compensation under a final rule published in the Federal Register.  The new rule expands the list of health problems VA will presume to be related to Agent Orange and other herbicide exposures, which will speed up the application process.  VA is adding Parkinson’s disease and ischemic heart disease and expanding chronic lymphocytic leukemia to include all chronic B cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia. 

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Veterans with Disabilities to Learn Life-Changing Skills at Summer Sports Clinic in San Diego

The third National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), will be held September 19 - 25, 2010 in San Diego, CA.  The event will teach recently-injured Veterans adaptive kayaking, sailing, track and field, cycling and surfing. Participation is open to Veterans who are eligible for VA medical care and have orthopedic amputations, traumatic brain injuries, burn injuries, psychological trauma, certain neurological conditions, visual impairment, spinal cord injuries or other injuries.  A fact sheet about this sports clinic can be downloaded in PDF format.

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A Different Kind of Courage

A new educational video depicting how Service Members and their families may be affected by combat and deployment stress. View it by clicking on this link.

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AfterDeployment.org

A mental wellness resource for Service Members, Veterans and military families that provides a variety of behavioral health information.
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Alcohol & Drug Use After Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) - Why Not?

Newsletter about drug and alcohol use in persons with TBI. This link opens a PDF document.

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American Red Cross Counseling Services for Military Personnel

Offers confidential counseling services to all military personnel - Active Duty, National Guard and Reserves - and their families. Find the chapter or office near you.

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Angels Of Mercy Program

Program provides wounded military and military families at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center with clothing, support and other assistance.
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Applying for VA Health Care

Apply for VA health care, nursing home, domiciliary or dental benefits by completing VA Form 10-10EZ Application for Health Benefits.

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Army Exceptional Family Member Program

Mandatory enrollment program implemented through AR 608-75 EFMP that works in conjunction with other military and civilian agencies to provide a comprehensive, coordinated, multi-agency approach for medical, educational, community support, housing and personnel services to families with special needs.

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Army Well Being

Provides soldiers and their families advocacy and support, including information on issues related to deployment, well-being and behavioral health.
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Army Well-Being Wounded Soldier Information

Links to resources for wounded soldiers, including the CSA Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-984-8523.

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Association for Service Disabled Veterans (ASDV)

Provides programs and services that address legislative and legal advocacy, business development, health care and information access for service disabled veterans and prisoners of war.
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Blue Star Mothers of America's Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Guide discusses how to identify and deal with PTSD symptoms, which can include excessive anger, depression and suicidal thoughts.
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Brain Injury Resource Manual

Provides information on different kinds of brain injuries, both traumatic and acquired, including signs and symptoms, stages of living with brain injury, questions to ask medical professionals, information about long-term care and provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act that may apply to people living with brain injuries. This link opens a PDF document.
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BrainLine

Provides a variety of information and resources on traumatic brain injury (TBI).
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Canine Companions for Independence

National non-profit organization provides guide dogs (service dogs, skilled companion dogs, facility dogs and hearing dogs) services free of charge to people with disabilities other than blindness. Includes a Wounded Veteran Program.

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Congressionally-Chartered Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs)

Links to congressionally-chartered VSOs and the dates of charter.
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DAV Transportation Network

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) operates a nationwide volunteer transportation network to transport veterans with disabilities to VA medical facilities. See the DAV Hospital Service Coordinator Directory to contact your nearest HSC for help.

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Defense & Veterans Brain Injury Center

Center serves active duty military, their dependents and veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) through state-of-the-art medical care, innovative clinical research initiatives and educational programs.
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Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE) for Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury

A collaborative effort toward optimizing psychological health and traumatic brain injury (TBI) treatment for the Department of Defense. The DCoE establishes quality standards for: clinical care; education and training; prevention; patient, family and community outreach; and program excellence.
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Department of Defense Military Health System

Home page of the TRICARE program, the health care plan for the Uniformed Services, retirees and their families. Covers topics including who is covered, type of benefits and how to find a provider.
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Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Prosthetics & Sensory Aids Service

Provides prosthetic equipment, sensory aids and devices to Veterans.
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Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Services for Blind & Visually Impaired Veterans

The VA provides rehabilitation programs targeting low vision and blind Veterans, and is also aggressively pursuing innovative service delivery models.
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DeployMed ResearchLINK

Provides information from federally funded research programs to safeguard the health of service members before, during and after deployment.
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Directory of Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs)

Listing of chartered and non-chartered VSOs. These organizations can help you learn about the services and benefits available to veterans.
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Disability Compensation Benefits

Fact sheet on Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation, a benefit paid to a Veteran because of injuries or diseases that happened while on active duty, or were made worse by active military service.
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Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

Assists veterans and their families in filing claims for Veteran Affairs (VA) disability compensation and pension; vocational rehabilitation and employment; education; home loan guaranty; life insurance; death benefits; health care and much more.
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Fisher House

An organization that enables housing for families of patients receiving medical care for an illness, disease or injury at major military and VA medical centers.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) & Employment

Fact sheet for employers and workforce development professionals that provides answers to frequently asked questions about PTSD and employment.
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Heroes to Hometowns

Designed to welcome home Service Members who, because of injuries sustained, can no longer serve in the military.
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Homelessness Resource Center

An interactive community of providers, consumers, policymakers, researchers and public agencies at federal, state and local levels who share knowledge and promising practices in order to improve the lives of people affected by homelessness who have mental health conditions, substance use issues and histories of trauma.
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Information for Mental Health Care Providers on Treating PTSD

Treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in specific populations including ethnic minorities and persons with severe mental illness.
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Innovative Brain Therapies Offer Hope to Injured Troops

March 24, 2009 news story about innovative therapies that have helped previously comatose patients regain consciousness and that may be incorporated on a greater scale to treat troops diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries.

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Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund

Fund used to construct an advanced training skills facility at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX which will serve military personnel who have been catastrophically disabled in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Invisible Wounds - Serving Service Members & Veterans with PTSD & TBI

This report describes the less visible psychological and neurological injuries associated with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The report includes recommendations on improving the treatment and rehabilitation of service members and veterans living with PTSD and/or TBI. This link opens a Word document.

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Marine Corps Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)

Mandatory enrollment program for all Active Duty personnel to ensure that Marine sponsors are assigned to locations where services exist to support their family members with special medical or educational needs.

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Mental Health Resources for Returning Veterans & Their Families

Information for returning Veterans and their families from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) about prevention, treatment and recovery support for mental health and substance use disorders. Includes resources for military families coping with trauma.

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Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center

Organization dedicated to increasing awareness of mesothelioma cancer and asbestos exposure through information and educational materials.
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Military Benefits

Provides detailed information and resources about military and Veteran benefits, including pay, GI Bill, VA home loans, health care, retirement benefits and more for active duty, Veterans and retirees.
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Military Mental Health Screening Program

Anonymous self-assessments are available for depression, bipolar disorder, alcohol use, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and generalized anxiety disorder. Results and resources are listed at the end of each assessment.
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Military OneSource

Designed to help America's troops and their families deal with life's issues. Offers access to articles, educational materials, interactive tools and more.
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MilitaryHOMEFRONT

The central, trusted, up-to-date source for service members and families to obtain information about all Quality of Life programs and services. Whether you live the military lifestyle or support those who do, you'll find what you need!
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My Health e-Vet

My Health e-Vet is the gateway to veteran health benefits and services. It provides access to trusted health information; links to Federal and VA benefits and resources; the Personal Health Journal; and online VA prescription drug refill.
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National Amputation Foundation

Provides programs and services to help Veterans who lost a limb or limbs in service to their country. Programs include peer counseling, medical equipment donation and recreational activities.

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National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

VA Center that works to advance the clinical care and well-being of America's Veterans through research, education and training in the science, diagnosis and treatment of PTSD and stress-related disorders.
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National Resource Directory (NRD) - Health Resources

Online directory that offers resources and information to help wounded warriors, Veterans their families and those who serve them as they transition back to civilian life.
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Navy Exceptional Family Member Program

Assists sailors during the assignment process by addressing the needs of their exceptional family members. These needs may include medical, developmental or educational needs, accessibility, adaptive equipment or assistive technology.
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Navy SAFE HARBOR Command - Severely Injured Support

The Navy's non-medical case management program for wounded, ill and injured sailors and their family members, which supports and assists sailors through recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration.
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New DoD Retired Benefits Programs

DoD has two programs designed to reduce the reduction in retired pay due to receipt of Veteran Administration compensation, for certain disabled retirees. Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP) provides a 10-year phase-out of the offset to military retired pay due to receipt of VA disability compensation for members whose combined disability rating is 50% or greater. Members retired under disability provisions must have 20 years of service. Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) pays added benefits to retirees who receive VA disability compensation for combat-related disabilities and have 20 years of service.

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PVA's Veterans Benefits Department

The Veterans Benefits Department (VBD) makes up the largest department in Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) with 160 appellate, field and medical staff who serve paralyzed Veterans. VBD provides free, comprehensive benefits and medical counseling, assistance and representation. Find a PVA office near you.

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Information from Vietnam Veterans of America on PTSD, including how to get help and tips on working with service providers.

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) & Problems with Alcohol Use

Fact sheet from the National Center for PTSD on the link between PTSD and alcohol abuse. This link opens a PDF document.

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 101

Web-based curriculum for practitioners covering diverse topics related to combat stress/PTSD.
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Information Gateway

Information on PTSD, a medical disorder whose symptoms include remembering or reliving trauma, feeling numb and withdrawn and having forms of anxiety that interfere with daily life.
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Real Warriors Campaign

An initiative launched by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) to promote the processes of building resilience, facilitating recovery and supporting reintegration of returning service members, Veterans and their families.

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Rehabilitation Research & Training Center (RRTC) on Community Integration of Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Center provides information and resources to help people affected by TBI, their families and professionals who work with and treat them in order to maximize their access to services and their participation in their communities.
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Resources for U.S. Service Members Returning from Deployment

Resources for those returning from deployment including information for active duty, reservists and National Guard members and their families, from the National Center on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

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Special Needs Parent Toolkit

Comprehensive information and tools to help military families with special needs children regarding medical, special education, community support and benefits and entitlements services.
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Specialized Training of Military Parents (STOMP)

Information and workshops about parent rights and responsibilities regarding special education services for military children in the United States and overseas.
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State Veterans Affairs Offices

Select a state from the map to find out about services and benefits for Veterans.
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Systematic Approach to Social Work Practice - Working with Clients with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

A resource for social workers who encounter clients with TBI in their clinical practice. Helps social workers feel more comfortable and confident in their clinical interactions with clients with brain injury, and to increase their knowledge about TBI. This link opens a PDF document.
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TRICARE - Extended Care Health Option (ECHO)

Available only to active duty military family members. Benefits include rehabilitative services, training to use assistive technology devices and special education services.
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Therapy Dogs Help Wounded Warriors Heal

Video from the U.S. Department of Defense's Military Health System on how therapy dogs have helped soldiers with disabilities.

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Tinnitus Information

Fact sheet from the National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research includes a description of symptoms and information on evaluation and treatment. This links opens a PDF document.

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Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) - An Exploding Problem

Article from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Magazine discusses complications associated with TBI.

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Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Information from the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) regarding types of treatments that are available.

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Agent Orange Web Page & Newsletter

Information about Agent Orange, possible health-related problems and VA benefits.  Prior newsletters on Agent Orange, Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses and Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Hazardous Exposures are also available.  Subscribe to receive future newsletters by e-mail.

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U.S. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

Committee reviews veterans' programs, examines current laws and reports bills and amendments to strengthen existing laws concerning veterans and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
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U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs

This Committee handles all proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials and other matters relating to veteran's issues such as compensation, pensions, readjustment of servicemen to civil life, medical care, vocational rehabilitation and education.
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VA Expanding Counseling for Combat Veterans

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has announced that combat Veterans will receive readjustment counseling and other assistance in 28 additional communities across the country where the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will establish new Vet Centers in 2010. Find a Vet Center near you.

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VA Health Care Eligibility & Enrollment

VA provides a Medical Benefits Package, a standard enhanced health benefits plan available to all enrolled Veterans. This plan emphasizes preventive and primary care, and offers a full range of outpatient and inpatient services within the VA health care system.

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VA Makes Access to Health Care & Benefits Easier for Veterans with PTSD

As President Barack Obama announced in his weekly address, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), led by Secretary Shinseki, will begin to make it easier for Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to receive the benefits they need. Under the new rule, VA would not require corroboration of a stressor related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity if a VA doctor confirms that the stressful experience recalled by a Veteran adequately supports a diagnosis of PTSD and the Veteran's symptoms are related to the claimed stressor. More than 400,000 Veterans currently receiving compensation benefits are service-connected for PTSD.

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VA Suicide Prevention Panel Completes Draft Report

The Blue Ribbon Work Group on Suicide Prevention has completed its draft report on initiatives to prevent suicide attempts and completions. The panel's recommendations include designing a study that will identify suicide risk among veterans of different conflicts, ages, genders, military branches and other factors, and improving VA's screening for suicide among veterans with depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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VA Warns Veterans of Telephone Prescription Scam

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is warning Veterans not to give credit card numbers over the phone to callers claiming to update VA prescription information. Veteran Service Organizations have brought to VA's attention that callers are misrepresenting the VA to gain personal information over the phone. They say VA recently changed procedures for dispensing prescriptions and ask for the Veteran's credit card number. Veterans with questions about VA services should contact the nearest VA medical center or call, toll-free, 1-877-222-8387.

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Veterans Health Administration

Information on medical, surgical and rehabilitative benefits and services for veterans including veterans with disabilities.
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Veterans On-Line Applications (VONAPP)

An official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website that enables Veterans to apply for benefits using the Internet.

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Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-TALK)

Provides immediate, often life-saving, help to tens of thousands of Veterans and their loved ones.

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Where to Get Help for PTSD

Information from the VA on locating a mental health provider or counselor and finding information about treatments for PTSD.
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Wounded Warrior Project

Provides programs and services designed to ease the burdens of the men and women of our armed forces who have been severely injured during the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations around the world, assist their families, aid in the recovery process and smooth their transition back to civilian life.
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