Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country 09-29-08

1. VA Grants Benefits To All Veterans With ALS. 
2. Hospital Director Aggressively Responding To Environmental Assessment.  
3. Wilkes-Barre VAMC Observes National Suicide Prevention Week.  
4. VA Plans To Open "State Of The Art" Health Center.  
5. VA Anticipates Permanent Clinic In 2009.  
6. Advocates Praise ‘Improving Assortment’ Of Homeless Veterans Programs.  
7. VA Grant Provides Transitional Housing For Homeless Vets.  
8. Contract For New Veterans Clinic Awarded.  
9. Congress May Compel SSA To Accept VA Unemployment Rulings.  
10. New GI Bill Called "Sweeping Statement Of Support" For Veterans.

1.      VA Grants Benefits To All Veterans With ALS.   The Ann Arbor News (9/28, Oppat) reports, "The Department of Veterans Affairs began operating this week under regulations that will grant benefits to military veterans diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a fatal neuromuscular ailment, regardless of where or when they served in the military. … National studies indicate veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS as people with no history of military service, regardless of where or when they served in the military, according a statement issued by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake."

2.      Hospital Director Aggressively Responding To Environmental Assessment.   The Southern Illinoisan (9/29, Homan) reports hospital director Warren Hill "has approved an aggressive and proactive plan that will address findings and recommendations of the Marion campus’ recent environmental assessment. As a precaution to elevated mold spore counts inside the walls and above the ceilings in several building structures, Hill said some clinical areas have been closed off, and six residents of the Community Living Center were relocated to other rooms." The Illinoisan adds, "A personnel move was also announced," as VA officials "said Friday that Barbara Southworth has been selected associate director for patient care and nursing services at the Marion facility. She had served as acting associate director since July 14."

3.      Wilkes-Barre VAMC Observes National Suicide Prevention Week.   The Wilkes-Barre (PA)Times Leader (9/29) reports, "National Suicide Prevention Week was observed" by the Wilkes-Barre Veterans Affairs Medical Center "Sept. 7-13 to increase awareness of the risk factors associated with suicide and prevention strategies. Arm bands and magnets inscribed with the National Suicide Hot Line phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255); information" on the website "www.wilkes-barre.va.gov; and an informative and inspirational message from actor Gary Sinise were among the highlights of the activities."

4.      VA Plans To Open "State Of The Art" Health Center.   The Madison (IN) Courier (9/28) reports, "The Department of Veterans Affairs announced Friday morning it plans to open a state-of-the-art, VA Healthcare Center in Carrollton. VA officials said that by putting health care facilities in more communities, the VA is enhancing veterans’ access to good health care."

5.      VA Anticipates Permanent Clinic In 2009.   The Seymour (IN) Tribune (9/28) reports, the "US Department of Veterans Affairs anticipates the opening of a permanent clinic in Scottsburg by spring 2009. A temporary clinic will open there next week." The temporary clinic will provide "primary care and mental health services," while the permanent facility "will include primary, mental health, preventive and ancillary health care services." 

6.      Advocates Praise ‘Improving Assortment’ Of Homeless Veterans Programs.   The Fort Worth Star-Telegram (9/28, Branch, 219K) reports on "what advocates for the homeless say is an improving and growing assortment of programs in Tarrant County meant to keep veterans off the streets." These include the VA’s decision to award "Mental Health Mental Retardation of Tarrant County $600,000 to create the Liberty House, a shelter for homeless veterans with addictions," which, in combination with another shelter called the Patriot House, "will add more than 60 beds in transitional shelters for homeless veterans."

7.      VA Grant Provides Transitional Housing For Homeless Vets.   The AP (9/28) reports, "The Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded a $1.8 million grant to help fund transitional housing for homeless veterans. New Visions-Omaha will include 26 units of transitional housing linked with support services."

8.      Contract For New Veterans Clinic Awarded.   The Guam Pacific Daily News (9/28) reports, "A roughly $5 million contract has been awarded to Reliable Builders on September 23, which includes the construction of a new Guam Veterans Affairs Clinic. … The facility will include a reception room, waiting area, exam rooms, a ‘tele-health’ room, offices and an emergency generator."

9.      Congress May Compel SSA To Accept VA Unemployment Rulings.   The Oregonian (9/28, Denson, Walth, 309K) reports "No one knows how many vets rated unemployable by the VA get turned down for benefits by Social Security. But advocates for the disabled say the problem is widespread." In response, "more than 100 members of Congress are backing bills in the House and Senate that would compel Social Security to accept the VA’s rulings on vets whose service-related disabilities prevent them from working."

10.    New GI Bill Called "Sweeping Statement Of Support" For Veterans.   The Hattiesburg (MS) American (9/28, Wells) reports, "More than 500,000 veterans took advantage of GI Bill educational benefits in fiscal 2007," and "a complex schedule of qualifications calculate what an individual veteran gets." And since "Congress approved a new GI Bill over the summer," college officials "are still learning what the new benefits are. ‘It can be confusing at first, but the bottom line is that the US government has made a sweeping statement of support, commitment and recognition of the debt they owe our service men and women,’" one college official said.