The numbers have been shocking. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said 11 to 20 percent of veterans were affected by post-traumatic stress disorder during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The number was estimated at 12 percent during the Gulf War and 15 percent during Vietnam. While veterans benefits are available through the VA, many still have to live with the horrors of war on an everyday basis.
Continue reading “VA may not be ready for wave of veterans affected by PTSD”
Many veterans come home from war with new physical ailments that will need to be treated. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs said up to 20 percent of the 2.3 million veterans who returned from Iraq and Afghanistan experience post-traumatic stress disorder at some point of their lives, which affects mental health far more than physical health. This can lead to depression, anxiety and, in some cases, even suicide.
Continue reading “Helping veterans reduce the suffering of PTSD”
There’s been a backlog and issues with veterans disability at the the Department of Veterans Affairs for years. The promises to help fix these problems and speed the process up have slowly started to come to fruition, but one prominent advocacy group said female veterans still need far more help after they return home.
Continue reading “Female veterans must get more help from VA”
Every day, we see more veterans come back home with mental illness. Unfortunately, post traumatic stress disorder, depression and alcohol misuse and more have been all too common. A new study from General Hospital Psychiatry has found that veterans who receive mental health care screenings during their primary care visits are likely getting better follow-up care. However, the study also found that getting this care via veterans benefits could be much improved.
Continue reading “Mental health screenings essential for veterans”
Although recent news from the Department of Veterans Affairs has not been all too positive, there may be some good changes coming. A recent story in the Los Angeles Times said counselors with VA are encouraging veterans to apply for as much disability benefits as possible.
Continue reading “Government encouraging veterans to apply for disability benefits”
One of the biggest and most accurate complaints lobbied against the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is that they are too slow and bogged down by records. We have heard time and again that the veterans benefits process would be sped up but have yet to see real results. The Washington Post reports that this may soon be changing, as VA officials claim the backlog have been cut by 44 percent since reaching its zenith in March 2013.
Continue reading “VA claims backlog is being reduced slowly but surely”
The Veterans Affairs Department has expanded the list of ships exposed to Agent Orange, thereby broadening the amount of veterans with disability qualifying conditions who could apply for veterans benefits.
Continue reading “VA adds to list of ships exposed to Agent Orange”
