Survivor Benefits

Nearly 11,000 Survivors to Receive Retroactive Payments by New Years 12/25/08. The Department of Veterans Affairs has identified nearly 11,000 surviving spouses of deceased veterans who will receive a lump-sum payment before the New Year to correct an error in their VA benefits. Also documented were more than 73,000 who had been previously paid. VA officials are still tracking down eligible survivors. VA

Veterans File Lawsuit Regarding PTSD

Federal Lawsuit Alleges Department of Defense Improperly Denied Medical, Disability Benefits to Veterans 12/25/08. A class-action lawsuit filed in U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C., alleges that the Department of Defense illegally denied medical and disability benefits to veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The suit, filed on behalf of five veterans and the National Veterans Legal Services Program, claims that the individuals were discharged from duty after an Army review board concluded they had experienced PTSD and were unable to serve; however, the lawsuit states that the disorders were not rated severe enough for the veterans to qualify for ongoing disability payments and medical coverage for themselves and their families. KaiserNetwork.org

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Single-Topic Issue

Volume 44, Number 7, 2008 12/3/08. The Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development has a new issue available online with a single topic focus on TBI. JRRD

Committee on Women Veterans

New Members Appointed to Committee on Women Veterans 12/23/08. Four new members have been appointed to the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans for the Department of Veterans Affairs, an expert panel that advises VA on issues and programs affecting women veterans. VA

Long-Term Consequences of TBI

DoD and VA Initiatives Addressing IOM Recommendations 12/22/08. Following a medical literature review to look for associations between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and long-term health problems, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) published a comprehensive report Dec. 4 titled Gulf War and Health: Volume 7. Long-term Consequences of Traumatic Brain Injury, available at: http://www.health.mil/include/exitwarning.aspx?link=http://www.iom.edu/CMS/4683/60519.aspx. This article follows up an earlier article. Military Health System

Genetic Predisposition to PTSD

Vulnerability to post-traumatic stress disorder runs in families, study shows 12/21/08. The researchers used statistical methods to assess heritabilities. One method was used to determine the genetic component of a disorder such as PTSD. Then, a separate analysis was used to see if different phenotypes shared genes. The results showed that a significant amount of genes are shared between PTSD and depression, PTSD and anxiety, and finally depression and anxiety. University of California - Los Angeles via Eurekalert!

VA News

Healthcare Inspection Credentialing, Privileging, and Infection Control Practices, VA Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, New York 12/18/08. The purpose of the inspection was to determine the validity of anonymous allegations that a board certified surgeon at the Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo division, performed lung surgeries without appropriate credentials and privileges. The complainant further alleged that the surgeon’s “hygiene practices were not met.” VAOIG

VA to Provide Payments to Eligible Surviving Spouses 12/18/08. The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced immediate actions to quickly identify and pay surviving spouses who are eligible to receive a one-time compensation or pension payment for the month of the veteran’s death. VA

VA Awards $75.8 Million for Hospital Modernization 12/18/08. The Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded a $75.8 million contract to P.J. Dick Inc. for the construction of a major five-story building that will provide outpatient services and 78 secure, private psychiatric beds for the VA Pittsburgh Health Care System. VA

Claims Request Rejected

Federal Judge Rejects Request by Veterans Groups To Require VA To Process Disability Claims Within 90 Days 12/18/08. U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton in Washington, D.C., has ruled that the court does not have the authority to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to accelerate efforts to process disability claims, the AP/Washington Post reports. The Vietnam Veterans of America and the Veterans of Modern Warfare, which represent about 60,000 veterans, last month filed a lawsuit that sought to require VA to process disability claims within 90 days and resolve appeals within 180 days. At a hearing on Wednesday, Walton said that only Congress and the VA secretary have the authority to require the department to process disability claims within 90 days. KaiserNetwork.org

Journal Devotes Special Issue to TBI

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation devotes special issue to traumatic brain injury 12/18/08. The editors of Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation are pleased to announce a special supplement to the December issue, highlighting traumatic brain injury. Elsevier via Eurekalert!

Selflessness

Selflessness, core of all major world religions, has neuropsychological connection 12/17/08. All spiritual experiences are based in the brain. That statement is truer than ever before, according to a University of Missouri neuropsychologist. An MU study has data to support a neuropsychological model that proposes spiritual experiences associated with selflessness are related to decreased activity in the right parietal lobe of the brain. The study is one of the first to use individuals with traumatic brain injury to determine this connection. University of Missouri-Columbia via Eurekalert!

VAOIG Assessment of San Francisco VA

Combined Assessment Program Review of the San Francisco VA Medical Center San Francisco, California 12/15/08.During the week of September 29–October 3, 2008, the OIG conducted a Combined Assessment Program (CAP) review of the San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC), San Francisco, CA. The purpose of the review was to evaluate selected operations, focusing on patient care administration and quality management (QM). During the review, we also presented fraud and integrity awareness training to 183 employees. The SFVAMC is part of Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 21. VAOIG

Direct Deposit for Veterans

VA Urges Vets to Sign-up for Direct Deposits 12/15/08. Every month, 730,000 veterans or survivors look for their compensation, pension checks or educational assistance payments in their mailboxes. Nearly all receive them, but theft and mail delays cause problems for some veterans, which can be prevented by direct deposits. VA

TBI Rehab

Study to Identify Best Rehabilitation Therapies for Patients With Traumatic Brain Injuries 12/15/08. Rush University Medical Center and 10 other healthcare facilities in the U.S. and Canada have been awarded a $4.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to identify which rehabilitation therapies, or combination of therapies, can best help victims of traumatic brain injuries. Rush University Medical Center via Newswise

Veteran's Disability Claims Appeals

Defense Department Panel Has Not Yet Heard Appeals of Veterans' Rejected Disability Claims 12/15/08. A U.S. Department of Defense panel charged in December 2007 with reviewing appeals made by wounded and injured veterans claiming they received inappropriate disability ratings from the military has yet to review a single case, the AP/Detroit News reports. The Army Physical Evaluation Board assigns injured troops a disability rating, which corresponds with the level of benefits for which they and their family are eligible. KaiserNetwork.org

Arkansas VAOIG Report

Combined Assessment Program Review of the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, Fayetteville, Arkansas 12/11/08. The purpose of the review was to evaluate selected operations, focusing on patient care administration and quality management (QM). During the review, we provided fraud and integrity awareness training to 153 medical center employees. The review covered eight operational activities. The medical center complied with selected standards in the following areas: (1) coordination of care, (2) emergency department operations, (3) medication management, (4) pharmacy operations and controlled substances inspections, (5) QM, (6) staffing, and (7) survey of healthcare experiences of patients. We identified the medical center’s reduction in the number of patient falls as an organizational strength. We made a recommendation for improvement in environment of care. VAOIG

Care for North Carolina Veterans

VA Announces Enhanced and Expanded Care for N.C. Veterans 12/11/08. The Department of Veterans Affairs announced a strategic realignment plan today that will enhance and expand access to health care for North Carolina veterans. Through the creation of new facilities in Charlotte and Winston-Salem, plus improvements to the medical center in Salisbury, veterans will have more options for VA health care. VA

Prosthetic Hands

Amputees can experience prosthetic hand as their own 12/11/08. Scientists at Karolinska Institutet and Lund University in Sweden have succeeded in inducing people with an amputated arm to experience a prosthetic rubber hand as belonging to their own body. The results can lead to the development of a new type of touch-sensitive prosthetic hands. Karolinska Institutet via Physorg.com

Op-Eds Regarding Shinseki

Editorials Discuss Nomination of Former Army General Shinseki as Next Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary 12/09/08. Several newspapers on Tuesday published editorials on the recent nomination of retired Army Gen. Eric Shinseki as the next secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Summaries appear below. KaiserNetwork

Two New VAOIG Inspections

Healthcare Inspection Review of Hospice Care Issues VA Maryland Health Care System Baltimore, Maryland 12/08/08. The VA Office of Inspector General, Office of Healthcare Inspections, reviewed allegations of inadequate pain management, poor hospice care, and ineffective communication at the VA Maryland Healthcare System (VAMHCS), Baltimore Rehabilitation & Extended Care Center (BRECC). VAOIG

Healthcare Inspection Oversight of the Community Nursing Home Program Oklahoma City VA Medical Center Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 12/08/08. The purpose of the review was to determine the validity of allegations concerning inadequate oversight provided to veterans in the Community Nursing Home (CNH) Program at Oklahoma City VA Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. VAOIG

Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection Program

VA Announces Changes to Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance 12/08/08. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced some severely injured military personnel and veterans will be eligible for improvements to the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection Program, known as TSGLI. VA

New VA Secretary Named

Rumsfeld nemesis Shinseki to be named VA secretary 12/07/08. President-elect Barack Obama has chosen retired Gen. Eric K. Shinseki to be the next Veterans Affairs secretary, turning to a former Army chief of staff once vilified by the Bush administration for questioning its Iraq war strategy. AP via YahooNews

Veterans TBI Registry

Brain-injury experts meet to shape agenda for care, research 12/06/08. Creating a registry of veterans who have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and tracking long-term effects of the condition were among the priorities outlined at an international conference of TBI experts hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on Nov. 17 - 18, 2008. VA Office of Research & Development

Monitoring of VA Efficiency

VA botches appointment scheduling, report says 12/06/08. A new report says Veterans Centers run by the Department of Veterans Affairs could have seen more patients in the past year if they did a better job scheduling and rescheduling visits. About 4.9 million appointments were not kept in fiscal 2008, with each missed visit costing the VA about $182, according to the report by the VA inspector general, released Dec. 4. Navy Times

Review of Alleged Manipulation of Waiting Times, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System 12/06/08. The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) received a Congressional inquiry concerning the use of non count clinics at the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SG VHS). Veterans Health Administration (VHA) allows the use of non count clinics to account for minor workload and as a tracking tool to identify established patients who want to receive their care at a more convenient VHA facility. Accordingly, VHA set up non count clinics to ensure these patients, and their corresponding workload, were not counted twice when calculating a patient’s waiting time or reporting a facility’s waiting list. VAOIG

From MedlinePlus: Veterans and Military Family Health

Veterans and Military Family Health 12/05/08. There are over two million active and reserve members of the U.S. military and over 23 million U.S. veterans. They face some different health issues from civilians. Likewise, their families may face some unique challenges. Families may have to cope with:

• Deployment and separation from loved ones
• Illnesses and injuries, including disabilities
• Mental health effects of military service, including post-traumatic stress disorder
• Family issues such as disruptions in parenting and caregiver stress

Seizures Following Head Trauma

New research reports on interventions that may alter the course of epilepsy diagnosis and management 12/05/08. New studies presented at the 62nd annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society will preview interventions that may alter the course of epilepsy diagnosis and management to improve the care of people living with this common neurological condition. These studies are among the hundreds of developments in the basic science and treatment of epilepsy and other seizure disorders being presented by thousands of scientists, researchers and clinicians at the conference.

New target discovered to treat epileptic seizures following brain trauma or stroke 12/05/08. New therapies for some forms of epilepsy may soon be possible, thanks to a discovery made by a team of University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute neuroscience researchers. The researchers found that hemichannels -- the same channels the researchers previously found to that cause cell death following a stroke -- may also cause epileptic seizures that occur following head trauma or a stroke. University of British Columbia
via Eurekalert!

Community of Veterans

Community of Veterans 12/04/08. A joint effort of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and the Ad Council, this site is designed as a resource to our nation’s newest Veterans. Comprising less than 1 percent of the population, Veterans face a myriad of challenges while feeling isolated and cut off from those to whom they can best relate – other Veterans. While addressing a range of topics, this site is ultimately a point of connection where Veterans are helping Veterans. YouTube video

New VA Clinics

VA Opening 31 New Outpatient Clinics 12/04/08. Veterans will have easier access to world-class health care under a Department of Veterans Affairs plan to open 31 new outpatient clinics in 16 states. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake announced that VA will establish new clinics in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Vermont. USDVA

Soldiers Stories

West Point Oral-History Project Will Make Soldiers’ Stories Available Online 12/04/08. The U.S. Military Academy, in West Point, N.Y., has established a video oral-history project that will collect the stories of soldiers of all ages and make them available online for students, historians, journalists, and the public. The project, created by the academy’s history department, already has a preview site with a video explaining its goals, but the site’s formal unveiling won’t come until sometime in 2009. The Chronical of Higher Education

National Academies Report on TBI

Iraq, Afghanistan Veterans Should Be Evaluated in Long-Term Studies To Better Understand TBI, IOM Recommends 12/05/08. Many of the service members who experience traumatic brain injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan are at risk for long-term health problems such as depression and dementia, but it is unknown how high those risks are, according to an Institute of Medicine report released Thursday, the AP/Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports (Neergaard, AP/Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 12/5). An estimated 5,500 military personnel have suffered from a brain injury, and brain injuries account for about 22% of all casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan (Carey, New York Times, 12/5). For the IOM report, researchers examined past studies on TBI and found that it can be linked to long-term health risks such as depression, Alzheimer's-like dementia, Parkinson's-like symptoms, seizures, aggressive behavior, dizziness, amnesia and problems with social functioning (AP/Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 12/5). Kaisernetwork

Traumatic Brain Injury Linked to Long-Term Health Problems 12/04/08. Military personnel who suffer severe or moderate traumatic brain injury face an increased risk for developing several long-term health problems, including Alzheimer's-like dementia, aggression, memory loss, and depression, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine. In addition, it calls for stepped up efforts to research and understand brain injuries sustained from the force of an explosion without a direct head blow, a condition that may be underdiagnosed.
News Release
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The National Academies

Blast Injury Database

Guard Develops Blast Injury Database 12/03/08. A new National Guard database could improve long-term medical treatment for servicemembers in all branches, and boost research into traumatic brain injury and other health issues. The idea for a database grew after Army National Guard Director Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn sent Lt. Col. Maureen Weigl here to investigate how guard members’ exposure to blasts from improvised explosive devices, indirect or mortar fire and other events was being tracked. DefenseLink

Sentinels of Freedom Scholarships

Scholarships Help Wounded Veterans 12/03/08. Thanks to a recommendation from the Army Wounded Warrior Program at Fort Riley, Kan., retired Army Sgt. Victor Thibeault of San Ramon, Calif., will study general education with the help of a “Sentinels of Freedom” scholarship that also benefits his family. DefenseLink

3 New VAOIG Reports

Healthcare Inspection Gastroenterology Service Issues at the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Las Vegas, Nevada 12/03/08. The VA Office of Inspector General, Office of Healthcare Inspections conducted an inspection at the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System in Las Vegas, NV, at the request of Congressman Bob Filner, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. The review was done to determine the validity of a number of allegations made by anonymous complainants regarding the system’s gastroenterology (GI) services. VAOIG

Combined Assessment Program Review of the Cheyenne VA Medical Center Cheyenne, Wyoming 12/03/08. During the week of September 29–October 3, 2008, the OIG conducted a Combined Assessment Program (CAP) review of the Cheyenne VA Medical Center (the medical center), Cheyenne, WY. The purpose of the review was to evaluate selected operations, focusing on patient care administration and quality management (QM). During the review, we also provided fraud and integrity awareness training to 67 medical center employees. The medical center is part of Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19. VAOIG

Healthcare Inspection Alleged Neglect by a Social Worker Charles George VA Medical Center Asheville, North Carolina 12/03/08. The purpose of the inspection was to evaluate allegations that a social worker at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, NC, neglected a patient by not providing adequate social services and as a result, the veteran suffered a series of mishaps that endangered his life. VAOIG

DoD and VA Health Records

Requirements identical for Defense, VA health record system 12/03/08. Development of a joint inpatient electronic health records system will satisfy almost all the requirements of the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments, according to a long sequestered report obtained by Nextgov.

West Palm Beach VA Review

Combined Assessment Program Review of the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center West Palm Beach, Florida 12/02/08. During the week of July 21–25, 2008, the OIG conducted a Combined Assessment Program (CAP) review of the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center (the medical center), West Palm Beach, FL. The purpose of the review was to evaluate selected operations, focusing on patient care administration and quality management (QM). During the review, we also provided fraud and integrity awareness training to 144 medical center employees. The medical center is part of Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 8. VAOIG

Veterans With ALS

VA Recognizes ALS Link to Military Service 12/02/08. Veterans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may receive needed support for themselves and their families after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced last month that ALS will become a presumptively compensable illness for all veterans with 90 days or more of continuously active service in the military. VA based its decision primarily on a November 2006 report by the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine (IOM) on the association between active-duty service and ALS. U.S. Medicine

Post-deployment Exams

Army Bases Prepare for Surge in Stress-Related Disorders as Soldiers Return From Extended Deployments 12/02/08. Army officials have said they will examine Fort Campbell in Kentucky, where 15,000 soldiers are expected to arrive after multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, to determine the proper staffing levels to address brain injuries and psychological problems, the AP/Washington Post reports. Kaisernetwork.org

Entrepreneurship for Post-9/11 Vets With Disabilities

National Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Vets with Disabilities Program Adds Purdue to Consortium 12/02/08. Innovative program includes Syracuse University, UCLA, Texas A&M, Florida State University, and now Purdue University, that provides post-9/11 veterans disabled in Iraq and Afghanistan training in entrepreneurship, small business management to start new lives. Whitman School at Syracuse University via Newswise

Corticosterone and TBI

Easing the stress of trauma 12/01/08. Researchers from both Tel Aviv University and Ben Gurion University, found in an animal model that a high dose of corticosterone, when given immediately after the stress event, reduces the effect of trauma in mice. They believe that corticosterone may dampen an animal’s ability to “remember” the initial trauma time and time again. American Friends of Tel Aviv University via Eurekalert!

Long-Term Consequences of TBI

Brain injury's long-term consequences for veterans -- IOM report release Dec. 4 12/01/08. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and blast-induced injuries have become the signature wounds of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan because of the pervasive use of explosive weaponry. Service members of these wars are experiencing higher rates of TBI and blast-induced injury than veterans of any previous conflicts. Gulf War and Health Vol. 7: Long-Term Consequences of TBI, a new report from the Institute of Medicine, evaluates the evidence on long-term health effects of TBI and blast-related injuries. National Academy of Sciences via Eurekalert!

OP-ED From Washington Times

Fixing VA health care: Agency continues failing U.S. veterans 12/01/08. As a physician who proudly serves our veterans of war, I was deeply saddened by the recent revelation of deceptive practices at the Department of Veterans Affairs in New York. A Newsday article reported that hundreds of veterans' benefit claims were misdated by the VA to make it appear that they were processed on time. This latest affront to integrity comes at the heels of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee roundtable discussion on Nov. 19 regarding the VA's shredding of hundreds of claims at other sites. These are metastatic manifestations of a systemic illness - failures of leadership and a cultural decay at the VA. Dr. Robert W. Van Boven via Washington Times

Wounded Warrior Diaries

Wounded Warrior Diaries 12/01/08. Defense Department officials have launched the Wounded Warrior Diaries, a multimedia Web tribute in which American service members wounded in combat share stories of their service, including their hard-won battles on the road to recovery and the ups and downs of life in the wake of injury. Wounded Warrior Diaries feature videos of service members relaying their stories in their own words. The videos are accompanied by a written account of their experiences. The site launched with four diaries, and a new diary will be added each month. Military Health System

Major Depression in Veterans

Major Depressive Episode and Treatment for Depression among Veterans Aged 21 to 39 12/01/08.

• An estimated 9.3 percent of veterans aged 21 to 39 (312,000 persons) experienced at least one major depressive episode (MDE) in the past year
• Among veterans aged 21 to 39 with past year MDE, over half (51.7 percent) reported severe impairment in at least one of four role domains (i.e., home management, work, close relationships with others, and social life), and nearly one quarter (23.5 percent) reported very severe impairment in at least one of the domains
• More than half (59.6 percent) of veterans aged 21 to 39 who experienced past year MDE received treatment for depression in the past year

Office of Applied Studies

Gulf War Syndrome

Some vindication for sick vets, but little relief 12/01/08. Ground combat in the 1991 Persian Gulf War lasted just 100 hours, but it's meant 17 years of pain and anguish for hundreds of thousands of veterans. Those who came home and complained of symptoms such as memory loss and joint pain are even sicker. As their lives unraveled and their health further deteriorated, many were told their problems were just in their head. AP

DoD & VA Improve Medical Record Sharing Effort

DoD and VA Improve Sharing Effort 11/27/08. The sharing efforts between DoD and VA, which began in 2001, are on-target to meet requirements of the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, said Dr. Gerald Cross, principal deputy under secretary for health at the Veterans Health Administration. Bi-directional Health Information Exchange (BHIE), the system that allows for DoD and VA to share their electronic health information, is now available at all DoD and VA medical facilities, said Cross. By allowing a VA doctor to see a veteran’s DoD medical record, including lab results, vital signs and allergies, duplicative testing and drug interactions may be prevented, and a better continuity of care is possible as a service member moves from DoD to VA care. Military Health System

Gulf War Veterans

DoD Works to Resolve Gulf War Veterans’ Health Issues 11/27/08. he Defense Department continues to work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to resolve veterans’ health issues, including maladies associated with the Gulf War, a senior DoD official said here today. DefenseLink

A New New Orleans VA Medical Center Project

VA and Louisiana State University Announce Site Selections for New Orleans Medical Center Projects 11/25/08. n a public event held today in New Orleans, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the State of Louisiana jointly announced the selection of adjacent downtown sites for construction of their replacement medical center projects. The two projects, called the Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the Louisiana State University Academic Medical Center, restore greatly needed health care capability lost in New Orleans during flooding after Hurricane Katrina in late August 2005. VA

DoD and Combat Related Disabilities

Los Angeles Times Examines Department of Defense Policy Change on Combat-Related Disabilities for Veterans 11/25/08. The Los Angeles Times on Tuesday examined the effects of a policy change made in March by the Department of Defense that limited the definition of combat-related disabilities. According to the Times, the policy change has cost some injured veterans thousands of dollars in lost benefits and has prompted criticism from veteran advocacy groups. The policy change followed the enactment of a "wounded warrior" law in January that allowed veterans injured in combat and combat-related operations to collect disability severance from the military and disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Kaisernetwork.com

Physics and TBI

The physics of explosives and blast helmets 11/25/08. Of all the threats facing U.S. soldiers in combat, among the most dangerous are roadside bombs and other improvised explosive devices. At the 61st Meeting of the American Physical Society's Division of Fluid Dynamics this week in San Antonio, Naval Research Laboratory scientist David Mott is presenting research aimed at predicting the risk of traumatic brain injury for US soldiers and other people who are wounded by improvised explosive devices. American Institute of Physics via Eurekalert!

Soldier-Family Relationships

K-State psychologist studies ways to improve soldiers' work-life relationship 11/25/08. The US military provides its members with policies to help balance their work and family commitments. But a researcher at Kansas State University has found that simply providing programs might not be enough to maintain a supreme equilibrium. Satoris Culbertson, assistant professor of psychology at K-State, and colleagues have been studying how soldiers' perceptions of a family-friendly environment relates to their physical fitness, confidence in task performance and intentions to remain in the military. Kansas State University via Eurekalert!

Post-Combat Coping Methods

Post-Combat Coping Methods Vary 11/24/08. Methods of coping with combat and its after effects vary as greatly as the effects themselves, six warriors participating in a conference panel here said. The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury hosted the “Warrior Resilience Conference: Partnership with the Line.” Combat veterans who spoke at the conference described a range of effects and needs in becoming resilient. DefenseLink

2008 VA Performance and Accountability Report

2008 Performance and Accountability Report 11/24/08. VA published its fiscal year 2008 Performance and Accountability Report on Nov. 17. The report provides important financial information and describes VA’s progress toward reaching specific performance goals. The report allows the president, Congress, veterans, veterans service organizations and the public to evaluate how well VA is performing its mission. VA

New Site: National Resource Directory

National Resource Directory 11/22/08. The National Resource Directory is an online partnership of "shared care" providing information on, and access to, services and resources for wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans, their families and families of the fallen, and those who support them from recovery and rehabilitation to community reintegration. It is maintained by the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs. The information in the Directory is from federal, state and local governmental agencies; veteran service and benefit organizations; non-profit community-based and faith-based organizations; academic institutions, professional associations and philanthropic organizations. To learn more about the features and capabilities of the National Resource Directory, please click here. NRD

'de-boot' Camp

EXCLUSIVE: Filner advocates 'de-boot camp' for returning GIs 11/20/08. A key House leader is proposing to establish a "de-boot camp," where returning service members would undergo mandatory diagnosis for brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in order to reduce instances of domestic violence and suicide. The Washington Times

Post-TBI Therapy

Oh, what a feeling! 11/20/08. People who have lost the ability to interpret emotion after a severe brain injury can regain this vital social skill by being re-educated to read body language, facial expressions and voice tone in others, according to a new study. University of New South Wales via Eurekalert!

Obama Pledge to VA

Obama pledges two-year budgets at VA 11/20/08. “First and foremost, the way our nation provides funding for VA health care must be reformed,” he said in an Oct. 28 letter to the president of the American Federation of Government Employees. “My administration will recommend passage of advance appropriation legislation for the FY 2010 appropriations cycle, instead of yearly continuing resolutions that lead to delays in hiring and facility construction,” Obama said. FederalTimes.com

Veteran Unemployment

Explaining the Increase in Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers During the Global War on Terror 11/19/08. Examines the causes of the increase in the number of veterans claiming Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers since 2002. RAND

Post-Suicide Attempt Prognosis

Prognosis after attempted suicide impaired by psychiatric disorder 11/19/08. People who have attempted suicide at some point in their lives are more likely to actually succeed in committing suicide at a later date. The risk is particularly high for people with serious psychiatric disorder, according to a new study from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet. Karolinska Institutet via Eurekalert!

Gulf War Syndrome

Deep brain mapping to isolate evidence of Gulf War syndrome 11/19/08. As a congressionally mandated report reveals one of every four veterans of the 1991 Persian Gulf conflict suffers from Gulf War syndrome, statistical scientists at Southern Methodist University are analyzing brain scan images from a nationwide sample of veterans displaying symptoms. Southern Methodist University via Eurekalert!

Georgia VA Inspection

Healthcare Inspection Allegations Regarding the Homeless Women Veterans Program VA Medical Center Atlanta, Georgia [08-02317-26] 11/18/08. The purpose of the review was to evaluate allegations that a female patient committed suicide as a result of inadequate care by the Homeless Women Veterans Program (HWVP). The complainant also alleged that women veterans fear reprisal from HWVP staff and Mental Health Service Line (MHSL) managers are uninvolved in programs. VAOIG

Missing Paperwork Protections

Missing Paperwork Protections 11/17/08. VA has set up special procedures for processing claims from veterans, family members and survivors whose applications for financial benefits from VA may have been mishandled by VA personnel. USDVA

Travel Reimbursement

Travel Reimbursement Increase 11/17/08. A has increased veterans’ mileage reimbursement for travel to VA facilities for medical care. U.S Department of Veterans Affairs

Gulf War Illness

Gulf War research panel finds 1 in 4 veterans suffers from illness caused by toxic exposure 11/17/08. At least one in four of the 697,000 US veterans of the 1991 Gulf War suffer from Gulf War illness, a condition caused by exposure to toxic chemicals, including pesticides and a drug administered to protect troops against nerve gas, and no effective treatments have yet been found, a federal panel of scientific experts and veterans concludes in a landmark report released Monday. Boston University via Eurekalert!

TBI Prognosis

Predicting the future for patients with severe traumatic brain injury 11/17/08. "How will our loved one come out of this?" After an accident that results in severe traumatic brain injury, the answer to this simple question can change everything. The latest study carried out by Dr. Elaine deGuise, Joanne Leblanc, and Mitra Feyz at the McGill University Health Center describes the tools that are most effective at providing an objective answer to this question almost as soon as patients leave intensive care. McGill University Health Centre via Eurekalert!

Paving the Road Home: Returning Veterans and Behavioral Health

SAMHSA News Highlights Resources for Veterans 11/15/08. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released the latest issue of the Agency's newsletter that highlights activities and resources for returning veterans. The September-October issue of SAMHSA News reports on an August 2008 conference called Paving the Road Home: Returning Veterans and Behavioral Health, and offers information on treatment for traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, employment, and resources for children of military families, among other topics. SAMHSA

Gulf War Illness

Gulf War vet health research lacking 11/14/08. Even as possibly hundreds of thousands of veterans suffer from a collection of symptoms commonly called Gulf War illness, the government has done too little to find treatments for their health problems nearly two decades after the war ended, a panel commissioned by Congress said. Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses via PhysOrg.com

Puget Sound VA Inspection

Healthcare Inspection Questionable Cause of Death VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle, Washington [08-02620-22] 11/12/08. The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG), Office of Healthcare Inspections reviewed allegations regarding the death of a patient in the community living center (CLC)1 at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System’s (VAPSHCS) American Lake (AL) Division. The purpose of this inspection was to determine the validity of the following allegations:
• The patient’s death was caused by equipment failure and not aspiration pneumonia.
• Staff did not communicate to the complainant that the patient “choked” and had to be suctioned prior to his death.
• The physician did not accurately annotate the cause of death (COD) on the official death certificate. VAOIG

Lawsuit Over VA Disability Claims

Advocacy Groups File Lawsuit Against VA Over Disability Claims Delays 11/12/08. Two veterans' advocacy groups on Monday filed a lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs alleging that its failure to process disability claims in a timely manner has resulted in economic and other problems for hundreds of thousands of military personnel, the Cox/Memphis Commercial Appeal reports. Kaisernetwork.org via Medical News Today

Compensation for Families in Caregiver Roles

New York Times Examines Increasing Number of Families of Disabled Veterans Seeking Compensation For Caregiver Roles 11/12/08. The New York Times on Tuesday examined the increasing number of families of disabled veterans who are seeking compensation for their roles as caregivers. According to the Times, compensation for family members of disabled veterans has become a "pressing issue" because better medical technology has allowed more soldiers to survive with serious injuries. Kaisernetwork.org

Veterans Day is Today!

Veterans Day – November 11, 2008 is a day to honor all the men and women who have served in America’s armed forces and to thank them for that service. For information on the history of Veterans Day, this year’s national and regional observances, to read the President’s 2008 Veterans Day Proclamation or to download this year’s Veterans Day poster, visit this site. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans for America Survival Guide

American Veterans’ and Servicemembers’ Survival Guide 11/11/08. The new Survival Guide is a follow-up to the 1985 national bestseller, The Viet Vet Survival Guide. Just as the earlier book was a must-read for Vietnam veterans, the new book will prove an invaluable resource for the 1.7 million servicemembers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, the 24 million veterans of past conflicts, and the families of all our troops and veterans. Unlike the earlier guide, the new Survival Guide is free for download here. Veterans for America

Well Done Series of Slide Shows

Military Photographers on the Frontlines 11/11/08. “The assignment... simple. The objective... illusive. The cost... immeasurable. We are the men and women who go through great risks to get the shot. We extraordinary videographers and photojournalists train with the best, operate in the worst and get noticed the least. Our mission is to be there when history happens. Ever notice that photo or video clip in the news, book, or documentary? Well, someone had to be there. Someone had to get the shot. Someone had to tell the story. We are that someone.” Courtesy of U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Aaron Ansarov. DoD

Off Topic: AARP Looking After AARP not Elderly - Again

AARP Suspends Marketing, Sales of Benefit Plans Due to Grassley Inquiry 11/11/08. AARP on Friday said it would suspend marketing and sales of health insurance plans after Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) last week said the plans are misleading and do not work in typical situations, CQ HealthBeat reports (CQ HealthBeat, 11/7). Kaisernetwork.org

Commentary: AARP has shown over and over again that its primary interest is in itself, not in the the elderly it pretends to advocate for. This became very apparent to me with its support of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act,which the Los Angeles Times Dale Van Atta wrote about in his article "This Isn't the Old AARP".

There many others who understand AARP's primarily selfish interest as highlighted in By Raising Its Voice, AARP Raises Questions (BusinessWeek), A critical history of AARP (60 Plus Association), "The Empire Called AARP (Money Magazine), Detailed history of recent AARP lobbying (The American Prospect), and the book by Dale Van Atta titled "Trust Betrayed: Inside the AARP" (Regnery Publishing, 1998).

If AARP wants to show it has genuine interest in the elderly, the organization should sell off all its assets with the proceeds divided up between organizations who are truly interested in the needs of the elderly.

Volunteer Help for Veterans With Psychological Wounds of War

Mental health charity helping US war veterans gets boost 11/11/08. WASHINGTON (AFP) – Major US mental health organizations pledged to offer volunteer help on Monday for a non-profit group that provides free counseling to US soldiers suffering from the psychological wounds of war. AFP

Multimedia From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

The American Veteran 11/10/08. A monthly video magazine featuring important veterans issues.

VA News 11/10/08. Weekly video featuring news and information about the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Military Health Management Conference

Military Health Management Conference To Take Place January 26-28, 2009 11/10/08. Worldwide Business Research presents Military Health Management, an event designed to provide the leaders and members of the Armed Forces, DoD, Veterans Affairs and US Military Hospitals the opportunity to share the strategic vision and critical next steps in improving the quality of military medical care and support. The main issues that will be addressed include: integration and interoperability of electronic medical records; continuity of care for wounded warriors and veterans; and providing in-theatre medical readiness. Military Health Management is taking place at The Sheraton Crystal City in Arlington, VA from January 26-28, 2009. PR-CANADA.net

Preventing PTSD

Stopping The Pain Of PTSD Before It Starts 11/10/08. New research by Israeli scientists from Ben Gurion University and Tel Aviv University, suggests that a large dose of a stress hormone may reduce the risk of PTSD, and its associated symptoms. The researchers, who report successful results in an animal model, are hoping this therapy could one day restore life to people who have experienced trauma. Medical News Today

Depression Among Veterans

Report Examines Depression among Veterans Ages 21-39 11/08/08. This month's issue of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health Report examines data from veterans ages 21 to 39, an age group that includes veterans with relatively recent service. Research indicates that an estimated 25 to 30 percent of the veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have reported symptoms of a mental disorder or cognitive condition. Occupational Health & Safety

Disability Evaluation System (DES) Pilot Expanded

VA Announces Expansion Of Disability Evaluation System Pilot 11/08/08. Wounded service members leaving the military will have easier, quicker access to their veterans benefits due to the expansion of a pilot program that will offer streamlined disability evaluations that will reach 19 military installations, representing all military departments. USDVA

Best Bet Yet. Hire a Vet!

Rule change allows faster promotions 11/08/08. The Office of Personnel Management is scrapping the so-called time-in-grade requirement, which said that employees must serve in their grades at least 52 weeks before being eligible for promotion to the next grade. The final rule change was announced in a Nov. 7 Federal Register notice. OPM said veterans are one group that could benefit from the repeal, since they often come into the government with years of unique experience from their military service. FederalTimes.com

Army General Reveals Treatment for PTSD

General bucks culture of silence on mental health. 11/08/08. Army Maj. Gen. David Blackledge, who served in two tours of duty in Iraq, returned from his last tour a Wounded Warrior both physically and psychologically. This AP story discusses his path towards healing in a culture that places a premium on physical, mental, and emotional strength. Military.com via AP

International Society on Trauma

International Society on Trauma to Address the Effects of War on Returning Veterans 11/08/08. International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) to hold its 24th Annual Meeting, Terror and its Aftermath, November 13-15, 2008, Chicago, IL USA. An expected 1400 experts in traumatic stress studies will gather in Chicago next month for the 24th ISTSS Annual Meeting. This one-of-a-kind meeting will delve into terror in every sense of the word, including the effects of war and terrorism on our returning soldiers, refugees and human rights, traumatic stress in children and adolescents, substance and sexual abuse, prevention and intervention. International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) via Newswise

Treatments for PTSD & TBI

Treatments Sought for Warriors’ Psychological Care 11/06/08. The Defense Department is investigating new treatments as part of a focused, sustained campaign to assist wounded warriors suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, a senior U.S. military official told Pentagon journalists recently. DefenseLink

South Texas VA

Healthcare Inspection Quality of Care, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas [08-01825-20] 11/06/08. The VA Office of Inspector General, Office of Healthcare Inspections reviewed allegations of cancellation of procedures, poor care, and neglect of a patient at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (the system), San Antonio, TX. VAOIG

Warrior Care

November is Warrior Care Month, a coordinated effort to educate active–duty military members, veterans and family members about services available to them. The Warrior Care Web site provides links to information on programs, initiatives and support for wounded, ill and injured servicemembers and their families. 11/06/08. USDVA

Growth Inhibitors and Brain Injury

Silencing growth inhibitors could help recovery from brain injury 11/06/08. Scientists have successfully regenerated damaged nerves by silence natural growth inhibitors in neurons. In a study published in the Nov. 7 issue of Science, the researchers used genetic techniques to delete these inhibitors, resulting in significant re-growth of axons in a mouse model. The researchers believe that it may be possible to accomplish the same re-growth with drugs, potentially making it possible to regenerate nerves damaged by brain or spinal cord injury. Children's Hospital Boston via Eurekalert!

Domestic Violence

Growing problem for veterans: Domestic violence 11/06/08. The increasing number of veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder raises the risk of domestic violence and its consequences on families and children in communities across the United States," says Monica Matthieu, an expert on veteran mental health at Washington University in St. Louis. Matthieu and Peter Hovmand, domestic violence expert at the University, are merging their research interests and are working to design community prevention strategies to address this emerging public health problem. Washington University in St. Louis via Eurekalert!

Free Service for Homeless Veterans in the Houston Area

Free services available for Houston's homeless vets 11/05/08. Homeless veterans in the Houston area can receive free health and social services, including legal advice, during this week's "Stand Down for Homeless Veterans." The Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, city of Houston and the Coalition for the Homeless are some of the agencies behind the two-day event, which begins Wednesday. Chron.com

DoD and VA Share Records

DoD, VA Share Records to Benefit Warriors 11/05/08. The Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs are making good progress in sharing information to the benefit of wounded warriors and veterans, a senior DoD official said. One of the chief goals of DoD-VA interoperability efforts is to supply computerized health data so providers in both departments “will have the necessary health information background to be able to provide better-quality care,” Dr. Steven L. Jones, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, said here Oct. 30. Defenselink

VA Enrollee Health Care Projection Model

Review and Evaluation of the VA Enrollee Health Care Projection Model 11/05/08. This evaluation of the Enrollee Health Care Projection Model examines its accuracy and validity, identifies potential model enhancements, and assesses the risks and benefits posed by the VA's reliance on the model for budgeting and planning. RAND

Future VA Needs

Gauging Future Demand for Veterans' Health Care: Does the VA Have the Forecasting Tools It Needs?11/05/08. This research highlight summarizes an evaluation of the Enrollee Health Care Projection Model's accuracy and validity; identifies potential model enhancements; and assesses the risks posed by the VA's reliance on the model for budgeting and planning. RAND

Togus VA Review

Combined Assessment Program Review of the Togus VA Medical Center Augusta, Maine [07-03176-17] 11/03/08. During the week of September 8–12, 2008, the OIG conducted a Combined Assessment Program (CAP) review of the Togus VA Medical Center (the medical center), Augusta, ME. The purpose of the review was to evaluate selected operations, focusing on patient care administration and quality management (QM). During the review, we also provided fraud and integrity awareness training for 92 medical center employees. The medical center is part of Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 1. VAOIG

PTSD and Heart Events

PTSD symptoms associated with increased risk of death after heart events 11/03/08. Individuals who receive implantable cardiac defibrillators after a sudden heart event appear more likely to die within five years if they experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, regardless of the severity of their disease, according to a report in the November issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. JAMA and Archives Journals via Eurekalert!

National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and Veterans Health

NCAI passes record number of resolutions 11/01/08. PHOENIX – From federal recognition to turning fee lands into trust lands, from truth-in-labeling to a task force on tribal taxation and dozens of issues in between, the National Congress of American Indians passed a record 72 resolutions during its 65th annual conference Oct. 19 – 24. One resolution requires the Defense Department, Veterans Administration and other federal agencies to do more to provide for the health care needs of Native veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, and improve accessibility and availability of veterans’ health care services in Indian country. Indian Country Today

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Grant

Grants aim to expand long-term care options 11/01/08. WASHINGTON — New Hampshire and Maine will be among the 28 states to get a piece of $36 million in new grants to help older Americans and veterans remain independent, and to support people with Alzheimer's disease who want to remain in their homes and communities. Seacoast Online

Foreign-Born Veterans

MPI Examines Foreign-Born Veterans of U.S. Armed Forces 11/01/08. WASHINGTON – As the United States prepares to commemorate Veterans Day on Nov. 11, the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) is releasing an analysis of a sometimes overlooked group of U.S. armed forces veterans: those born in other countries. As the MPI Fact Sheet shows, there are over 644,000 foreign-born veterans of the U.S. armed forces, accounting for nearly 3 percent of all surviving U.S. veterans. This figure does not include those currently serving in the military. Migration Policy Institute

Minneapolis VA

Combined Assessment Program Review of the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota [08-00402-16] 10/29/08. During the week of August 4–8, 2008, the OIG conducted a Combined Assessment Program (CAP) review of the Minneapolis VA Medical Center (the medical center), Minneapolis, MN. The purpose of the review was to evaluate selected operations, focusing on patient care administration and quality management (QM). During the review, we also provided fraud and integrity awareness training to 76 medical center employees. The medical center is part of Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 23. VAOIG

Claims Processing

VA hires Navy to build claims processing system 10/29/08. Lack of in-house expertise and pressure from veterans group and union leads department to forgo hiring a contractor. NextGov

Female Veterans and Sexual Trauma

Substantial Proportion of Female Veterans Report Military Sexual Trauma; Military Sexual Trauma Is Associated with Higher Rates of Mental Health Problems 10/28/08. According to preliminary research results from the Department of Veterans Affairs presented at the American Public Health Association’s 136th Annual Meeting & Exposition in San Diego, approximately 15 percent of recently returned female veterans utilizing the VA health care system report experiencing sexual trauma during military service. American Public Health Association (APHA) via Newswise

VA Nurse Recruitment

VA can improve nurse recruitment and retension, says GAO report requested by Akaka and Salazar 10/24/08. WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on the shortcomings of the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) ability to recruit and retain medical personnel. The report was requested by U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, and Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO). Akaka also announced that he will reintroduce legislation to improve recruitment and retention of VA medical personnel in the next Congress. U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs

VA Underpayments

DoD to Review VA Underpayments 10/24/08. WASHINGTON - A Pentagon financing office said Thursday it has begun a review of a veterans' claims program that a House lawmaker says has made payment errors reaching millions of dollars. Military.com

How PTSD and TBI Can Affect the Family

Family Safety: A Significant Concern for Returning Veterans and Their Families 10/24/08. If the experience of war weren't difficult enough, many OIF/OEF veterans return home to struggle with the impact of combat stress and trauma and how this plays out in the family. Witness Justice and the Veterans Initiative Center and Research Institute (VICTRI), in collaboration with bipartisan U.S. House Caucuses (Addiction, Treatment and Recovery, Mental Health, Veteran's Mental Health, and Victim's Rights), hosted an issue briefing on Capitol Hill today to discuss this issue and the results of a new national survey of veterans. MarketWatch

PolyTrauma Care

Putting Polytrauma Care 'on the Map' 10/23/08. In a study to be presented at a national VA meeting in December, investigators at VA's Rehabilitation Outcomes Research Center (RORC) in Gainesville, Fla., used specialized geographic software to track access to VA care for traumatically wounded veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. The findings will help VA planners decide where to locate services for current and future cohorts of veterans. USDVA

New GI Bill

VA Vows No Delays for New GI Bill 10/23/08. The new Post-9/11 GI Bill, which on average will double the value of education benefits for eligible veterans, will be launched on schedule next August and begin making payments to students and colleges next fall, just as Congress intended, says a senior Department of Veterans Affairs official. Military.com

New Issue of the Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development

JRRD – Volume 45, Number 6, 2008 10/22/08. New issue of the Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development released online. USDVA

Mobile Counseling Centers

VA To Deploy Mobile Counseling Centers Across America 10/22/08. WASHINGTON – The first of a fleet of 50 new mobile counseling centers for the Department of Veterans Affairs Vet Center program was put into service today with the remainder scheduled to be activated over the next three months. USDVA

PTSD Related Research

New study suggests that high-dose hormone treatment might reduce risk for PTSD 10/22/08. Cortisol helps our bodies cope with stress, but what about its effects on the brain? A new study by Cohen and colleagues, appearing in the Oct. 15 issue of Biological Psychiatry, suggests that the answer to this question is complex. Elsevier via Eurekalert!

Memories selectively, safely erased in mice 10/22/08. New and old memories have been selectively and safely removed from mice by scientists. "While memories are great teachers and obviously crucial for survival and adaptation, selectively removing incapacitating memories, such as traumatic war memories or an unwanted fear, could help many people live better lives," says Dr. Joe Z. Tsien, brain scientist and co-director of the Brain & Behavior Discovery Institute at the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine. Medical College of Georgia via Eurekalert!

Army Jobs for Wounded Warriors

Army to Hire More Wounded Warriors 10/21/08. WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Oct. 20, 2008) - Army personnel officials are launching an outreach program as part of a push to hire more wounded warriors and their spouses as civilian employees. DefenseLink

VAOIG Report

Combined Assessment Program Review of the Wilmington VA Medical Center Wilmington, Delaware [08-01428-11] 10/21/08. During the week of May 5–9, 2008, the OIG conducted a Combined Assessment Program (CAP) review of the Wilmington VA Medical Center (the medical center), Wilmington, DE. The purpose of the review was to evaluate selected operations, focusing on patient care administration and quality management (QM). During the review, we also provided fraud and integrity awareness training to 64 medical center employees. The medical center is part of Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 4. VAOIG

From the VHA Office of Research and Development

Clinical Pharmacotherapy for PTSD: Single and Collaborative Studies 10/20/08. Clinical Science R&D Service, in joint collaboration with the National Institute of Mental Health, announces a new opportunity for funding, "Clinical Pharmacotherapy for PTSD: Single and Collaborative Studies". This solicitation will utilize electronic submission of proposals to NIH.

Interim Guidance Usual Care Research 10/20/08.Clinical and health services research involving “usual care” is common in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Subjects in such research receive the same “usual” interventions for their conditions as patients at their VA facility who are not involved in research.

Interim Guidance on Special Safeguards 10/20/08. Although the regulations provide examples of potentially vulnerable subject groups, individuals with a variety of physical or mental conditions may deserve special safeguards, depending upon the particular circumstances of a proposed research study.

Video Games Supplement VA Therapy

VA Uses Video Game System To Help Impaired Patients Heal 10/20/08. What Nintendo likely did not intend, but what some Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) physical therapists are capitalizing on, is that the Wii has the potential to add a new dimension to caring for physically and cognitively impaired patients. U.S. Medicine

PTSD and TBI

Like PTSD, TBI Symptoms Complicate Treatment 10/20/08. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) frequently go hand-in-hand. An explosion violent enough to cause TBI is usually traumatic enough to cause PTSD. And so military and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) physicians are finding themselves with the task of deciding how to treat both—either consecutively or simultaneously. U.S. Medicine

PBS Specials

American Valor 10/19/08. From Bull Run to Mogadishu, American Valor takes a moving and compelling look at America’s military heroes: those brave soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen whose actions have earned them the country’s highest military recognition, the Medal of Honor. American Valor will be broadcast on most PBS stations on Veterans Day, November 11, 2003 at 9PM. PBS

PBS Documentary “Medal Of Honor” Examines Extraordinary Acts of Courage, Sacrifice and Heroism 10/19/20. In MEDAL OF HONOR, a new documentary that PBS announced today will air nationwide on November 5 at 9 p.m., powerful stories of those who have received our nation's highest military honor beg fundamental questions about the nature of the human spirit and what it means to have the courage of a hero. WETA

From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General

Combined Assessment Program Review of the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center Chicago, Illinois [08-00003-10] 10/17/08. During the week of July 21–25, 2008, the OIG conducted a Combined Assessment Program (CAP) review of the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (the medical center), Chicago, IL. The purpose of the review was to evaluate selected operations, focusing on patient care administration and quality management (QM). During the review, we also provided fraud and integrity awareness training to 143 medical center employees. The medical center is part of Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 12.

Healthcare Inspection Allegations of Delayed Access to Care and Lack of Concern, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, Bay Pines, Florida [08-01863-08] 10/16/08. The purpose of the review was to evaluate allegations regarding a patient’s experience with schedulers in the Primary Care Call Center (Call Center) and the Cardiology Clinic at the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (the system). The complainant alleged that Call Center and Cardiology Clinic schedulers did not schedule appointments for him in a timely manner even though he reported medical symptoms. In addition, he alleged a lack of concern by the schedulers.

Combined Assessment Program Review of the Northampton VA Medical Center Leeds, Massachusetts [07-03175-09] 10/16/08. During the week of July 21–25, 2008, the OIG conducted a Combined Assessment Program (CAP) review of the Northampton VA Medical Center (the medical center), Leeds, MA. The purpose of the review was to evaluate selected operations, focusing on patient care administration and quality management (QM). During the review, we also provided fraud and integrity awareness training for 41 medical center employees. The medical center is part of Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 1.

Gulf War Syndrome

Rumors of Gulf War Syndrome 10/18/08. Informal communication among British veterans of the first Iraq war may have shaped the vets' characterization of Gulf War Syndrome. Science News

Cost-of-Living Increase

Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Increase Announced 10/18/08. Effective December 1, 2008, veterans’ disability compensation, among other benefits, will be increased by 5.8 percent, to respond to the increasingly high cost-of-living in the United States. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs