Greetings folks. Hopefully we are just about finished with our server migration and all of the kinks that accompanied it.  Bugs the hell out of me when I cannot stay current and get this News out to you.  By the time the News gets to many of you and you then send it on to your Networks, we are reaching thousands of Troops and Vets and others, both here in the States and overseas to include Iraq and Afghanistan.

Hope all of you got out today and exercised a right that certain others around the world could only hope to have….the right to vote!

For you fellow Marines, I am attaching a copy of the new Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Amos’ Planning Guidance.  A number of Marines sent it in and asked that it be disseminated…thanks Marines!

Prayers and blessings for you and your loved ones and for our Dear Troops and their loved ones everywhere.

Best………………….Wayne

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VA News for Tuesday, November 2, 2010

1.      VA Begins Questionnaire Streamlining Process. In its current issue, the Army Times (11/8, 104K) says that by releasing the "first three of what will be 79 questionnaires to guide physicians...through the evaluation that determines eligibility for disability compensation," the Veterans Affairs Department has "taken the first step in an overhaul" of such questionnaires. The Times adds, "VA Secretary Eric Shinseki has mandated a goal of processing new disability claims in 125 days with a 98 percent accuracy rate by 2015. Part of the plan to meet that goal is to streamline the flow of information and try to collect all essential data at the beginning of the process."

2.      New York VA Director Pushing Congress To Spend Less On VA Facilities. The current issue of the Army Times (11/8, 104K) says retired US Army Col. James McDonough, who directs the New York State Department of Veterans Affairs, is "pushing Congress to stop spending so much" on Veterans Affairs "facilities and to instead work more closely with communities to provide health care and services. VA, he said, is maintaining 'an aging infrastructure, some of which exists in locations no longer conducive to serving veterans."

3.      VA Starts Distributing Expanded Agent Orange Benefits. On its website, CNN (11/2) reports, "The government has started distributing additional benefits for Agent Orange exposure to Vietnam War veterans who qualify under liberalized rules, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced Monday. Up to 200,000 Vietnam veterans could be eligible for the disability compensation for diseases now associated with Agent Orange, including hairy cell leukemia, Parkinson's disease and ischemic heart disease, the department said in a news release," referring to a "chemical used...in the Vietnam War" to "destroy...jungle canopy." The expanded Agent orange benefits are also noted by the Air Force News Service (11/2) and the "Veterans Corner" column for the Saratoga Springs, New York-based Saratogian (11/2).

4.      VA Doctor Leads Study On Prevalence Of Pain At End Of Life. HealthDay (11/2, Gordon) reports, "Pain is a commonly reported symptom during the last few years of life, with reports of pain increasing during the final few months, a new study has shown." The lead author of the study, which is "published in the Nov. 2 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine," is Dr. Alexander K. Smith, a staff physician at the Veterans Affairs hospital in San Francisco. Smith "said the study's findings show it's important for all doctors to be able to effectively treat pain because it's so prevalent across all conditions."

5.      VA Among Agencies Ready For Administration's Hiring Overhaul Deadline. The Washington Post (11/2, O'Keefe, 605K) reports, "President Obama in May gave federal agencies until this week to radically overhaul the federal hiring process, mandating simply worded job descriptions and the end of the lengthy 'KSAs,' or essays that describe an applicant's knowledge, skills and abilities." Officials have "backed off the president's deadline, however, cautioning that only some agencies are ready. The departments of Commerce, Defense and Veterans Affairs and NASA are in good shape, but others are working through reforms that could take years to complete, according to the Office of Personnel Management."

6.      Lawmaker Wants More Private Mental Health Treatment Options For Veterans. The current issue of the Army Times (11/8, 104K) notes that US Rep. Mike McMahon (D-NY) "said he believes more recognition should be given to private" mental health treatment options for veterans McMahon "said there should be a tax incentive so that families can directly hire a nurse to help care for returning combat veterans, instead of waiting for the Veterans Affairs Department to provide one." After noting that McMahon also "said...a traumatic brain injury diagnosis from a private health professional should be all that is needed to qualify for veterans disability benefits," the Times points out that VA has "historically opposed accepting outside diagnoses and already provides, when warranted, private nurses to make visits to homebound veterans."

7.      Some Vets Having Trouble With For-Profit Colleges. Bloomberg News (11/2, Golden) says Keith Melvin, who after serving in Iraq became involved in a financial dispute with Kaplan University, and "thousands of returning veterans" have been "enticed by for-profit colleges through repeated phone calls and e-mails, advertising in military-oriented publications, and alliances with veterans' organizations eager for corporate contributions." And, while "some veterans succeed at these colleges, others are hindered by red tape in getting federal funding and the inability to complete degrees and find well-paying jobs after graduation." Bloomberg adds, "After being asked by Bloomberg News about Melvin's case, the Department of Veterans Affairs plans to pay his Kaplan bill retroactively through a vocational rehabilitation program for disabled veterans, department officials said."

8.      Order Leads To Hundreds Of Concussions Being Diagnosed in US Combat Troops. The current issue of the Army Times (11/8, 104K) reports, "Military doctors are diagnosing hundreds of concussions among" US "combat troops because of an unprecedented order," instituted in July, "requiring them to leave the battlefield for 24 hours after being exposed to a blast." While some worry it could leave too few troops for combat, doctors "say the order helps prevent permanent brain damage that can result if a service member has a second concussion before the first one heals."

9.      VA To Train Arlington National Cemetery Employees. The current issue of the Army Times (11/8, 104K) reports, "Arlington National Cemetery – where earlier this year investigators found 209 unmarked or improperly marked graves – is stepping up training for its workers." Those workers will "start attending a cemetery training center run by the Veterans Affairs Department."

10.    VA To Help Pay For Vets Home Upgrades. According to the lead "Faces And Places" item for the Macon (GA) Telegraph (11/1), the Department of Veterans Affairs has "awarded a $409,594 grant to the Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgeville. Provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009," the funds will be used to help pay "for patient safety upgrades."

11.    VA Hospital Directing Study On Suicide Prevention Programs. According to the current issue of the Army Times (11/8, 104K), US military "medical researchers say their efforts to reverse the rising number of suicides among service members are based on 'good ideas,' but they don't know which prevention programs work and which don't." The researchers, however, "launched a $17 million study Oct. 27 to find out." The "new three-year project is funded by the Army and directed" by the Veterans Affairs hospital in Denver and Florida State University.
     Study: Male, Bipolar Vets, Substance-Abusing Female Vets At High Risk For Suicide. HealthDay (11/2) reports, "Military veterans with psychiatric illnesses are at increased risk for suicide, says a new study" in the "November issue of the journal Archives of General Psychiatry." HealthDay adds, "The greatest risk is among males with bipolar disorder and females with substance abuse disorders, according to...researchers" with the US Department of Veterans Affairs and the University of Michigan. According to HealthDay, the researchers say their "findings highlight the importance of improved identification, diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric diagnoses (particularly bipolar disorder, depression, substance use disorders and schizophrenia) of all health care system users." CNN (11/2, Sloane) publishes a similar story in "The Chart," one of its blogs.

12.    VA Psychologist To Speak At Veterans Day Program. The lead "Briefs" item for the Naperville (IL) Sun (11/2, 13K) reports, "The Naperville branch of the American Association of University Women will host a program in honor of Veterans Day at 6:45 p.m. Nov. 9." The program, to be held at "Our Saviour's on Life Center" in Naperville, will "feature Pat Wasisco, licensed clinical psychologist of the Oak Park Vet Center, a division" of the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Wasisco, who has "been providing counseling services to returning vets for 15 years," will "speak about the work she does in meeting their needs."

13.    American Legion Tells Judge Prudential Life Insurance Accounts Are "Unlawful." Bloomberg News (11/2, Glovin, Evans) notes that on Monday, the American Legion, which is the largest US "veterans' service organization, told a judge that Prudential Financial Inc.'s practice of collecting interest on unpaid veterans' life-insurance benefits is 'unlawful and dishonest.'" The group "asked permission to file a legal brief supporting a pending" lawsuit filed by families of deceased veterans "against Prudential Insurance Co. of America, a unit of Newark, New Jersey-based Prudential Financial." Bloomberg adds, "Prudential held $662 million of survivors' money in its corporate general account as of June 30, according to information provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs."

14.    New VA Clinic To Be Located In Cadillac, Michigan. WPBN-TV Traverse City, MI (11/1, 11:06 p.m. ET) broadcast, "We've learned tonight where" a Veterans Affairs "health clinic will be opening up in Cadillac. Senator Debbie Stabenow says the new facility is going to be located...on North Mitchell Street. The clinic will eliminate...long drives" for "many of Northern Michigan's veterans."

15.    St. Cloud VAMC Dietitian Wins Green Routine Award. The St. Cloud (MN) Times (11/2) reports, "Brian Vetter, a clinical dietitian" at the St. Cloud Veterans Affairs Medical Center, "recently was named a 2010 VA Green Routine Award recipient." The honor is "given to VA employees across the nation who develop creative ways to instill and encourage green, sustainable practices in their workplace. Vetter conducted a food waste study which resulted in a reduction of processed food waste and food packaging in landfills."

16.    VA Launches System To Fast-Track Some Agent Orange Claims. NextGov (11/2, Brewin).

17.    Lawyer For Accused Faker: Some Lies Have Value. The AP (11/2) says lawyers for Xavier Alvarez, a "California man who pleaded guilty to lying about getting a military medal," are "arguing that falsehoods sometimes have value." After noting that Alvarez's case is "one of two...challenging the federal Stolen Valor Act, which makes it a crime to falsely claim to be a war hero," the AP points out that Alvarez's lawyers "argue that falsehoods can improve public debate spurring the search for truth. They also said...some lies are protected by the 1st Amendment and that Alvarez's false claim to have a medal posed no clear and present danger."

18.    Group Of Singing Vets Differs With Celebrity On Why They Did Not Appear On TV Special. The current issue of the Army Times (11/8, 104K) says 4Troops, a "group of four singing combat veterans, promised the chance to appear on a Jessica Simpson television special, were booted from the show – either because they performed in camouflage pants and blazers rather than tuxedoes, or because the show ran long, depending on whom you

ask." The former explanation was "reported by the gossip website PerezHilton.com, which quotes a spokesperson for...4Trrops," while the latter explanation "came from Simpson's camp."

19.    Walter Reed Avoids Penalty For Radioactive Goof. The current issue of the Army Times (11/8, 104K) notes that regulators with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently "said...they will not fine the Army's flagship hospital for mishandling two packages of radioactive material earlier this year." The NRC, which "said Walter Reed Army Medical Center committed a Level III safety violation," also "said it decided against a fine because Walter Reed made reasonable attempts to find the missing packages."

20.    US Military Medics Use Old And New Techniques To Save Wounded In Afghanistan. The Washington Post (11/2, Brown, 605K).

21.    Compassion For Veteran Earns Area Nurse Recognition. The Hilton Head Island (SC) Packet (11/2).