In May a three judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the VA to institute a
new mental health care program that would speed the appeal process for denied claims, and
provide more timely mental health care and ensure that suicidal veterans are seen immediately.
In its May ruling the court held that the VA takes an average of four years to provide complete
health care that veterans have earned. It also noted that often a suicidal veteran can wait weeks
for a first appointment.
The court ruled that the slow handling of PTSD and other mental health claims was unconstitutional.
On Wednesday the 2-1 ruling was overturned when a majority of the court's judges voted to
rehear the case. The case will now be heard by an 11 judge panel on yet to be decided date.
Veterans have complained for a long time that the VA is just not taking proper care and is very slow
in the handling of claims. Many say that it takes years to get into the VA system and often
have to appeal a denied claim two or three times.
These men and women feel they are second class citizens and are treated with disdain and
by uncaring staff.
While it is know that the VA is working very hard to change the processes and hire more
health care workers, it is a slow process; and something must be done to make it easier and
quicker for claims to be processed, and the healing begun.
More Wounded Warriors are added to the role every day, even as the fighting in Iraq
and Afghanistan is winding down.
With the suicide rate of almost 18 veterans a day it is unjust, unfair and a blot on our
country's promise to our veterans; that anyone should have to wait that long for treatment.
Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember"
----------------
"And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades."
-- Robert M. Gates, 1996
Showing posts with label injured veterans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label injured veterans. Show all posts
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Veterans to receive COLA in pensions
Veterans and their families will receive a 3.6 percent increase thanks to legislation passed by
the Senate. Since the House has already approved a slightly different plan, the House will now
have to approve the Senate version before it can be sent to the President.
Increases will be given for disabled veterans' compensation, additional compensation for
dependents, clothing allowance, dependance compensation for spouses and children.
The first increase since 2009 is scheduled to become effective Dec. 1st so that the larger
checks will arrive in January.
Veterans' benefits are not tied to the Consumer Price Index the way Social Security and federal
civilian retirement programs. Benefits for veterans must be approved by Congress.
It is not a large increase, but one that is justified and very much past due. Thank you Congress
for finally doing something right for our veterans.
Social Security and Social Security Disability payments will also be increased by 3.6 percent,
this is also the first increase in these payments since 2009. Our seniors need this increase
to maintain their life styles.
Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember"
---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996
the Senate. Since the House has already approved a slightly different plan, the House will now
have to approve the Senate version before it can be sent to the President.
Increases will be given for disabled veterans' compensation, additional compensation for
dependents, clothing allowance, dependance compensation for spouses and children.
The first increase since 2009 is scheduled to become effective Dec. 1st so that the larger
checks will arrive in January.
Veterans' benefits are not tied to the Consumer Price Index the way Social Security and federal
civilian retirement programs. Benefits for veterans must be approved by Congress.
It is not a large increase, but one that is justified and very much past due. Thank you Congress
for finally doing something right for our veterans.
Social Security and Social Security Disability payments will also be increased by 3.6 percent,
this is also the first increase in these payments since 2009. Our seniors need this increase
to maintain their life styles.
Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember"
---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
9th Circuit Court Blames Congress and President For Not Helping Veterans
On Tuesday the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals issued a 104 page decision that cited the failure
of the political branches to correct what it called the VA's "egregious problems" and "unchecked
incompetence" in delivering mental health care to veterans.
The three judge panel said this failure violated veterans' due process rights under the U.S.
Constitution.
The court said that examples show that veterans with PTSD or severe depression were often
forced to wait over eight weeks to receive mental health referrals. It also said that some veterans
committed suicide while waiting for help.
The court said that over 84,000 veterans are waiting for assistance with no legal means to
challenge these delays. The court added that these delays "can mean the difference between
life and death." An average of 18 veterans commit suicide every day.
In 2007, two nonprofit organizations, Veterans for Commons Sense and Veterans United
for Truth had sued the VA claiming "shameful failures" to care for wounded veterans.
This claim was dismissed by the California district court which said the court did not have
the jurisdiction to implement or interfere with the VA's mental health program.
The three judge panel acknowledged that it's intervention in VA affairs was an "extraordinary
step" and this was better suited for Congress or the president.
Judge Stephen Reinhardt wrote that the panel concluded that the political branches had
"so completely and chronically failed" to respect veterans' rights that the court had to
intervene.
"No more veterans should be compelled to agonize or perish while the government fails
to perform its obligations," the opinion said.
The 9th Circuit Court sent the case back to the lower court to determine what changes
are needed to ensure that veterans in need of mental health care receive prompt treatment
and those with urgent problems receive immediate care.
A lawyer for the two veterans' groups Heather Moser, called the decision "monumental" for
recognizing that veterans' have a constitutional right to mental health care in
a timely manner.
Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember"
---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996
of the political branches to correct what it called the VA's "egregious problems" and "unchecked
incompetence" in delivering mental health care to veterans.
The three judge panel said this failure violated veterans' due process rights under the U.S.
Constitution.
The court said that examples show that veterans with PTSD or severe depression were often
forced to wait over eight weeks to receive mental health referrals. It also said that some veterans
committed suicide while waiting for help.
The court said that over 84,000 veterans are waiting for assistance with no legal means to
challenge these delays. The court added that these delays "can mean the difference between
life and death." An average of 18 veterans commit suicide every day.
In 2007, two nonprofit organizations, Veterans for Commons Sense and Veterans United
for Truth had sued the VA claiming "shameful failures" to care for wounded veterans.
This claim was dismissed by the California district court which said the court did not have
the jurisdiction to implement or interfere with the VA's mental health program.
The three judge panel acknowledged that it's intervention in VA affairs was an "extraordinary
step" and this was better suited for Congress or the president.
Judge Stephen Reinhardt wrote that the panel concluded that the political branches had
"so completely and chronically failed" to respect veterans' rights that the court had to
intervene.
"No more veterans should be compelled to agonize or perish while the government fails
to perform its obligations," the opinion said.
The 9th Circuit Court sent the case back to the lower court to determine what changes
are needed to ensure that veterans in need of mental health care receive prompt treatment
and those with urgent problems receive immediate care.
A lawyer for the two veterans' groups Heather Moser, called the decision "monumental" for
recognizing that veterans' have a constitutional right to mental health care in
a timely manner.
Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember"
---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Wilmington, NC VA clinic back on track
In November, 2009 the VA announced that a new "Super Clinic" was to be built in Wilmington, NC.
The plan was to have the clinic completed by this year, but hit a snag last year when the developer could not obtain the land needed for the clinic.
A new contractor for the $66 million project has been secured and the plan now is to have the
clinic operating by 2013.
The new clinic will provide specialty services such as audiology, neurology, podiatry and
optometry as well as primary care and mental health care.
North Carolina is home to nearly 800,000 veterans, and the new clinic will serve up to 7 counties
in Wilmington area of Southeastern North Carolina.
Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Kay Hagan (D-NC) and Congressman Mike McIntyre (D-NC)
have all praised the plans and have indicated they plan to make sure the program stays on
schedule.
Again the VA is to be praised for increasing the availability of care for our veterans. These men
and women sacrificed a great deal to protect our country, now our country must care for them.
Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember"
---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996
The plan was to have the clinic completed by this year, but hit a snag last year when the developer could not obtain the land needed for the clinic.
A new contractor for the $66 million project has been secured and the plan now is to have the
clinic operating by 2013.
The new clinic will provide specialty services such as audiology, neurology, podiatry and
optometry as well as primary care and mental health care.
North Carolina is home to nearly 800,000 veterans, and the new clinic will serve up to 7 counties
in Wilmington area of Southeastern North Carolina.
Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Kay Hagan (D-NC) and Congressman Mike McIntyre (D-NC)
have all praised the plans and have indicated they plan to make sure the program stays on
schedule.
Again the VA is to be praised for increasing the availability of care for our veterans. These men
and women sacrificed a great deal to protect our country, now our country must care for them.
Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember"
---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
VA Provides Benefits to Veteran's Caregivers
Finally recognition for those who provide the care for our Wounded Warriors. Those who suffer
just as much, if not more, deserve this help. It take a lot of courage, determination and
devotion; plus a whole lot of love to give the proper care to the injured and ill.
VA Provides Benefits to Veterans' Caregivers
From a White House News ReleaseWASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2011 - The Veterans Affairs Department is launching the first of a series of new and enhanced services supporting family caregivers of seriously ill and injured veterans.
President Barack Obama signed the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 legislation in May, authorizing VA to establish a wide range of new services to support certain caregivers of eligible post-9/11 veterans.
"Caregivers make tremendous sacrifices every day to help veterans of all eras who served this nation," Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki said. "They are critical partners with VA in the recovery and comfort of ill and injured veterans, and they deserve our continued training, support and gratitude."
In addition to the new benefits and services for eligible veterans who were disabled in the line of duty since Sept. 11, 2001, VA also will begin providing enhanced benefits and services to caregivers of veterans of all eras who already are enrolled in VA care, including:
-- Access to VA's toll-free Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274;
-- Expanded education and training on caring for Veterans at home;
-- Other support services such as counseling and support groups and referral services; and
-- An enhanced website for caregivers.
Some of the new benefits of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act are restricted by law to the caregivers of the most seriously ill and injured post-9/11 veterans. Those additional benefits include:
-- A monthly stipend;
-- Health care coverage;
-- Travel expenses, including lodging and per diem, while accompanying veterans undergoing care;
-- Respite care; and
-- Mental health services and counseling.
VA will report to Congress in the future on the feasibility of expanding the enhanced services to family caregivers of veterans of all eras, officials said.
While some of these enhanced benefits are available now, many of the other significant newly enacted benefits will require the issuance of regulations. These additional benefits include monthly stipends, pay for travel costs, medical coverage, training, counseling and respite care designed to prevent institutionalization of veterans whenever possible.
The law requires detailed regulations for determining eligibility, designating and approving caregivers, and providing stipends and health care coverage to primary family caregivers. The complex process required to implement these regulations will provide veterans, caregivers and the public the opportunity to provide comments before those regulations are finalized.
"VA has supported caregivers of veterans of all eras for almost eight decades," said Deborah Amdur of VA's Care Management and Social Work Service, "and we know from our experience and research that veterans are best served when they can live their lives as independently as possible surrounded by caring family and friends."
Each VA medical center has designated caregiver support coordinators who will assist eligible veterans and caregivers in understanding and applying for the new benefits. VA also has a caregiver support website, http://www.caregiver.va.gov, which will provide general information once final regulations are published, officials said.
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember"
---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996
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