Top 10 Veterans Stories in Today’s News

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Top Veterans Stories in Today’s News

1. Ominbus Bill for veterans, caregivers headed to White House Washington – U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, cheered Congressional passage of S. 1963, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act by unanimous voice vote. This landmark bill, authored by Akaka, would establish an unprecedented permanent program to support the caregivers of wounded warriors, improve health care for veterans in rural areas, help VA adapt to the needs of women veterans, and expand supportive services for homeless veterans.
2. New Disability Benefits Could Soon Be Available to Vietnam Vets Parkersburg, WV – April 24, 2010 — According to attorney Jan Dils, Vietnam veterans who have developed diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease, B cell leukemia and ischemic heart disease should have an easier time obtaining disability benefits under a recently proposed change in veterans benefits. In March, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs published a proposed rule change that will add these three illnesses to the list of health problems presumed to be caused by exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides.
3. VA Strives to Prevent Veteran Suicides Washington – With more than 6,000 veterans committing suicide every year –- and 98 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan taking their own lives during fiscal 2009 alone — the Department of Veterans Affairs is redoubling its outreach to veterans and promoting its toll-free suicide-prevention hotline. National statistics show that veterans constitute about 20 percent of the 30,000 to 32,000 U.S. deaths each year from suicide. Of an average of 18 veterans who commit suicide each day, about five receive care through the VA health-care system. More than 60 percent of those five had diagnosed mental-health conditions.
4. Washington – VA fiduciary management system is inadequate, GAO says Limitations in the Veterans Affairs Department’s electronic fiduciary case management system limit the VA’s ability to capture key information to monitor the program, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.
5. VA Secretary Shinseki to deliver May 23 commencement address Burlington, Vermont – United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki will address graduates at the commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 23. “The secretary is a true American hero,” President Daniel Mark Fogel said. “His presence on our commencement platform, and the inspiring speech he is sure to deliver, will provide a true capstone experience for graduates and their families.”
6. Landmark Women Veterans Bill Passes Congress, Heads to President Washington, DC – Senator Patty Murray’s (D-WA) comprehensive bi-partisan legislation to prepare the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the influx of women veterans who will access care there in the coming years has passed the Senate and House of Representatives. Senator Murray’s bill, the Women Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2009, will address many of the unique needs of female veterans, particularly those women who are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The women veterans bill, which is included in S. 1963, The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, is expected to be signed into law by President Obama in the coming days.
7. Veterans Affairs hospital street closures approved by New Orleans City Council New Orleans. Louisiana – The New Orleans City Council voted 7-0 Thursday to authorize the closing of city streets in the footprint of the planned Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Council members expressed strong support for the project but said they were concerned by claims by some homeowners on the site that they have not been treated fairly by officials in charge of appraising their property and assisting them with finding new homes and relocating.
8. Some interest in VA contract Dickinson, North Dakota – As the deadline for the closing of the Dickinson community-based outpatient clinic looms, a state Veterans Affairs official said Thursday there has been interest regarding the contract to provide veteran medical care.
9. VSC hosting Education Symposium South Akron, Ohio – The Veterans Service Commission (VSC) of Summit County will host its first Education Symposium May 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1060 E. Waterloo Road. The event is free and open to all veterans who are Summit County residents. Attendees may choose between morning or afternoon sessions, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., respectively.
10. Event to honor female veterans, publicize services Missoula, Montana – Military policies banning women from the frontline are disappearing as the number of female veterans in the United States nears 1.9 million. “I think we’re growing up,” Army National Guard Capt. Dawn Gray said. “If you look at other countries, especially Israel, women are not excluded from any combat role if they can physically handle it.”