Veteran Solutions
October 20, 2024: Veterans and Mesothelioma
In the past, our Military relied on asbestos in various settings, including buildings, vehicles, aircraft, and ships, due to its low cost, availability, fireproofing, and heat-resistant properties. Consequently, veterans have a higher incidence of mesothelioma, with nearly one-third of cases being diagnosed in this group. Late-stage diagnosis is expected due to the rapid spread and delayed symptom development.
At Mesothelioma.net, our mission is to provide veterans with the best in cancer treatment information, financial aid, 24/7 online support, and more. We also proudly sponsor the American Cancer Society, the MD Cancer Center, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
For more information, visit their website: Veterans and Mesothelioma
June 11, 2024: A Guide for Veterans Overcoming Substance Use Disorder
Veterans are particularly at risk of developing substance use disorders. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), about 1.1 million veterans have some sort of substance use disorder. Of those, around 25% use illicit drugs, 80% use alcohol, and nearly 8% use both drugs and alcohol — all to the extent that they have a disorder.
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are characterized by a dependency on the substance and individuals with SUDs often have trouble with their physical and mental health, as well as their ability to function adaptively in society.
Although their alcohol use declined from 2018 to 2019, the prevalence of alcohol use disorder among veterans increased during that time. This mirrors a 6.5% increase in mental illness and/or substance use disorders, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Moreover, the APA found that veterans with substance use disorders are less likely to find employment through the Veterans Affairs (VA) vocational rehabilitation program.
This guide provides information to help veterans who are overcoming substance use disorders and seeking to lead healthy, fulfilling lives as civilians. Click on the link below for more information.
https://www.zocdoc.com/blog/a-guide-for-veterans-overcoming-substance-use-disorder/
July 30, 2022: Veterans and Asbestos Exposure
In the past, our military relied heavily on asbestos in many settings, buildings, vehicles, aircraft, and especially ships. The low cost and availability, as well as its ability to fireproof and resist heat, made asbestos an ideal material for many uses.
As a result of this, veterans now suffer from mesothelioma at higher rates than most other demographic groups. Nearly a third of mesothelioma cases diagnosed are in military veterans. Since mesothelioma spreads rapidly and because it takes decades to develop symptoms, most veterans get a late-stage diagnosis.
That's where we step in! Mesothelioma.net provides veterans with the very best treatment information, 24/7 online support, financial aid, and much more. We are also 'Health On the Net' certified as a trustworthy site for health information (HONcode Badge located at the bottom right of the site) and are periodically reviewed by medical professionals. Lastly, we also proudly sponsor The American Cancer Society, the MD Cancer Center, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
Click on the link below for more information.
mesothelioma.net/mesothelioma-and-veterans/
October 22, 2020: Program of General Caregiver Support Services Information
October 1, 2020, marks an important day and a decisive victory for seriously disabled veterans who were wounded or became ill prior to September 11, 2001, as well as for their family caregivers.
VA Secretary Robert Wilkie finally announced the long-awaited certification of its new information technology system for its caregiver support program, which means that starting today, veterans from World War II, the Korean and Vietnam war eras with severe injuries or illnesses that occurred on or before May 7, 1975, are now eligible for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). A second expansion phase—currently expected to begin two years after this initial expansion—will cover veterans whose injuries or illnesses occurred between May 8, 1975, and September 10, 2001.
Newly eligible veterans can learn more about the caregiver expansion and download an application to submit by mail or in person at the VA Caregiver Support website, or you can use VA’s Online Application process.
According to VA, if your application for benefits is approved, and your designated caregiver is approved into the program, your benefits may be payable back to the date the application was received (on or after October 1st) if your caregiver was already providing personal care services at your home. If you do not currently have a caregiver but you are found to be eligible for the program, and your application is approved and clinical need is determined, the effective date would be the date the designated caregiver begins providing personal care services to the eligible veteran.
While we are pleased that VA has finally begun the first phase today, rest assured DAV will continue to push to expedite the second expansion phase so that veterans and their caregivers have access to the support services they need without unnecessary delay, and we will keep you updated on our progress.
Fact sheets, FAQ, and Application Information. This link will open up to a file folder containing multiple documents which can be viewed or downloaded to your device: Care Giver Support Information.
VA Blog on Inclusive Care Program Expanded
Nov 8, 2018: Dental/Vision (FEDVIP) for Retirees - Enrollment Open Season runs Nov 12 - Dec 10, 2018
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will soon begin offering vision and dental insurance to military families and retirees through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). Many military retirees and their families currently use the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP), which is ending on Dec. 31, 2018. For 2019, most TRICARE retirees and their families can enroll in FEDVIP for dental coverage, vision coverage, or both. Also new for 2019 – many active duty military families may enroll in FEDVIP vision coverage.
Military families and retirees who enroll in FEDVIP this fall will be able to choose from 10 dental carriers and four vision carriers, selecting the plan that best meets their family's needs. This will be the first year military families and retirees participate in the federal benefits open season, which runs Nov. 12 through Dec. 10, 2018. To prepare, we're inviting them to visit TRICARE.benefeds.com and learn more about FEDVIP. The FEDVIP team will ensure that new information is posted to this site as soon as it becomes available, plus send reminders to those who register on the site.
June 13, 2018 Veterans Identification Card (VIC)
We’re excited about the response that we have received to the Veterans Identification Card (VIC) program. If your request is approved, you can expect to receive your VIC in the mail within 14 business days. The envelope will contain 2 printed Veteran ID cards. For requests that have not been approved, we will continue to process them in the order that they were received. To ensure that you receive your card, please verify that your mailing address is correct.
Are You Having Issues Submitting A VIC Request? We Want to Help!?
You can use AccessVA to submit your application using your ID.me or DS Logon username and password. At this time these are the only logon methods that you can use to submit a VIC request.
Before You Start
Make sure you have a valid copy of your state or federal issued ID, an image to appear on your card, and a copy of your last/final DD-214 or other official military discharge document that reflects an Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions) character of discharge.
Follow the instructions below to submit your VIC requests using Access VA.
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Sign into your account using AccessVA.
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Select the VIC icon.
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Select Sign in with DS Logon or Sign in with ID.me to access the VIC application.
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Once you have successfully logged in, you can proceed with your VIC request.
Do You Need Additional Assistance?
Send an email to vic@va.gov if you have any additional questions.
VIC Program Team
June 2, 2018: Phoenix VA Health Care System's Pharmacy Presentation to UAV on 6/2/18. The CMOP/Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy video link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfYHffF7Qhs).
CMOP video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfYHffF7Qhs
US Government Made Easy For Veterans
http://www.usa.gov/index.shtml
VA Loan Information
http://www.directvaloans.com/VA_Loan_Programs/default.aspx?s=22&gclid=CL2p-J_zrJgCFQITswodoQFvmg
TriCare
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Overview
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder can occur following a life-threatening event like military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or violent personal assaults like rape. Most survivors of trauma return to normal given a little time. However, some people have stress reactions that don't go away on their own, or may even get worse over time. These individuals may develop PTSD.
People who suffer from PTSD often suffer from nightmares, flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, and feeling emotionally numb. These symptoms can significantly impair a person's daily life.
PTSD is marked by clear physical and psychological symptoms. It often has symptoms like depression, substance abuse, problems of memory and cognition, and other physical and mental health problems. The disorder is also associated with difficulties in social or family life, including occupational instability, marital problems, family discord, and difficulties in parenting.If you are suffering from PTSD, or know someone who is, the following list of resources and information will help you find help in dealing with PTSD and related conditions.
Featured PTSD News
Center for Psychological Health and TBI Opens
The Department of Defense today announced the opening of a 24-hour outreach center to provide information and referrals to military service members, veterans, their families and others with questions about psychological health and traumatic brain injury. More
PTSD News
National Center for PTSD
PTSD FAQs
What You Need to Know About PTSD
PTSD Facts for Veterans
PTSD Information for Guard and Reserve Members
Military Severly Injured Center Articles
Military OneSource
Army Behavioral Health Website
Thank you for all the work you do to help those who served our country. My father suffers from PTSD, and I’ve been trying to do everything I can to help him heal, including helping him tap into all the resources he can. I salute you for your efforts to help people like my dad.
Here are some other resources that have been useful for him, which perhaps you might find worthwhile as well:
PTSD and Substance Abuse Help for Veterans
Guide to Finding a PTSD Therapist
How to Stop Living Out of Your Car - Guide for Homeless Vets
Homeless Veterans’ Resources
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
Financial Benefits of a Military Career
Financial Assistance for Homeless Vets
Homes for Homeless Vets
Support for Veterans and Their Struggles
Legal Advice for Veterans
NURSING HOMES UPDATE
All states have a Nursing Facility Medicaid program that provides general health coverage plus coverage for nursing home services. These services include room and board, nursing care, personal care and therapy services.
Nursing Facility Medicaid may pay for a stay in a nursing home if you need a “nursing-home level of care” or meet nursing home “functional eligibility criteria; and have income and assets below certain guidelines.
Below are web-sites that provide information on Veterans benefits and how to file/ask for them.
Board of Veteran's Appeals http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/
Center for Minority Veterans http://www1.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans/
Center for Women Veterans http://www1.va.gov/womenvet/
Compensation Rate Tables, 12-1-03 http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/comp01.htm
Directory of Veterans Service Organizations http://www1.va.gov/vso/index.cfm?template=view
Disability Examination Worksheets Index, Comp http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/exams/index.htm
Geriatrics and Extended Care http://www1.va.gov/geriatricsshg/
Hearings http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch04.doc
Veterans Legal and Benefits Information http://valaw.org/
Online version http://www1.va.gov/OPA/vadocs/current_benefits.asp
PDF Download in English http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf
VA War-Related Illness and Injury Center http://www.vagov/WRIICSC-DC
Homeless Veterans http://www.va.gov/homeless
VA National HIV/AIDS Program http://www.hiv.va.gov
VA Public Health Smoking Cessation Program http://www.publichealth.va.gov/smoking
VA Mental Health http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov
National Cemetery Administration (Burial and Memorials) http://www.cem.va.gov
Center for Women Veterans and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs www.va.gov/womenvet
National Foundation for Women Legislations (www.womenlegislators.org)
Vietnam Women Veterans - Almost ten thousand women were there.
For a list of not only the women who gaves their lives in Vietnam but the start of a complete women's casualty list see: They Gave Their Lives
Salon.com has featured an interesting story about female Vietnam Veterans, entitled "Unarmed and Under Fire: An Oral History of Female Vietnam Vets."
Women in Vietnam
The Vietnam Womens Memorial Project's new website is at: VWMP
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=36901376727
Women Combat Vets Battle for Acceptance