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!